Azeez al shaair

BERLIN (AP) – A former member of Syrian President Bashar Assad’s secret police was convicted Wednesday by a German court of facilitating the torture of prisoners in a landmark ruling that human rights activists hope will set a precedent for other cases in the decade-long conflict. Eyad Al-Gharib was convicted of accessory to crimes against humanity and sentenced by the Koblenz state court to 4 1/2 years in prison. It was the first time that a court outside Syria ruled in a case alleging Syrian government officials committed crimes against humanity. German prosecutors invoked the principle of universal jurisdiction for serious crimes to bring the case that involved victims and defendants who were in Germany. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said the trial was a step against impunity in the conflict. His country has given refuge to hundreds of thousands of Syrians fleeing violence and hardship in their homeland, and backed international efforts to collect prosecutable evidence … [Read more...] about Assad Secret Police Torturer Convicted in Germany, Sentenced to 4.5 Years

New surveillance video from Istanbul appears to show a Saudi agent wearing journalist Jamal Khashoggi's clothing and leaving Riyadh's consulate on October 2, presumably in an attempt to cover up his killing by showing he had left the diplomatic outpost alive. The Washington Post that were critical of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Riyadh's involvement in the conflict in Yemen. It is not known what happened to Khashoggi's remains, although Turkish officials say he was tortured, decapitated and then dismembered. One Saudi official told ABC News Khashoggi's body was given to a "local cooperator" in Istanbul for disposal, but Saudi officials have said they do not know what happened to his remains. He told an Istanbul rally Sunday, "We are looking for justice here and this will be revealed in all its naked truth, not through some ordinary steps." Rogue operation Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir told Fox News Sunday Khashoggi's killing inside its Istanbul … [Read more...] about Turkish Video Allegedly Shows Saudi Agent Posing as Khashoggi

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - As Saudi Arabia faced intensifying international skepticism over its story about the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a senior government official laid out a new version of the death inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul that in key respects contradicts previous explanations. The latest account, provided by a Saudi official who requested anonymity, includes details on how the team of 15 Saudi nationals sent to confront Khashoggi on Oct. 2 had threatened him with being drugged and kidnapped and then killed him in a chokehold when he resisted. A member of the team then dressed in Khashoggi’s clothes to make it appear as if he had left the consulate. After denying any involvement in the disappearance of Khashoggi, 59, for two weeks, Saudi Arabia on Saturday morning said he had died in a fistfight at the consulate. An hour later, another Saudi official attributed the death to a chokehold, which the senior official reiterated. Turkish officials suspect … [Read more...] about Saudi Official: Chokehold Killed Journalist; Body Carried Out in Rug

WASHINGTON - Saudi Arabia says Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke Monday by telephone with the son of slain journalist Jamal Khashoggi to express condolences for the killing. Khashoggi died after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey on October 2. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is vowing to reveal details about the case in a Tuesday speech to his parliament. He told an Istanbul rally Sunday, "We are looking for justice here and this will be revealed in all its naked truth, not through some ordinary steps." Erdogan spoke to U.S. President Donald Trump by telephone Sunday. Turkey's state-run news agency said both leaders agree the Khashoggi case needs to be "cleared up with all aspects." Saudi Arabia called Khashoggi's killing inside its Istanbul consulate "a huge and grave mistake" and vowed those responsible for it would be held accountable. Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir told Fox News Sunday that Saudi agents … [Read more...] about Turkey’s President Promises to Reveal ‘Naked Truth’ About Khashoggi Killing

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — For many, Wednesday’s weather was a welcome change. Weather days like this in February are hard to come by! The melt is on! How are you spending this sunny Wednesday ☀️ pic.twitter.com/kt59GLabxb READ MORE: Police Searching For Two Suspects Wanted In Northeast Philadelphia Homicide — Matt Petrillo (@MattPetrillo) February 24, 2021 It’s not quite beach weather yet, but take heart, we’re just about three months from Memorial Day and that unofficial start of summer! This winter has seen so much snow. It’s so warm that some people stopped at Weckerly’s Ice Cream in Fishtown. Today is the day to get outside and take a breath of fresh air. With temperatures skirting past 50, the snow, ice and just downright awful conditions we’ve experienced the past few weeks seemed a thing of the past. “It’s absolutely phenomenal out,” one man said. Drone Watch 3 captured bright blue skies Wednesday afternoon from across the Ben Franklin Bridge overlooking … [Read more...] about Philadelphia Residents Enjoy Warmest Day In Over 5 Weeks