It was a stunning victory for the world's biggest tennis star Novak Djokovic although in a different setting than he's used to. After a week of controversy an Australian court has overturned Novak Djokovic's deportation and ordered his immediate release from detention. Now, it's a setback to the Australian government which had revoked the visa of the tennis star over his vaccination status.

Djokovic wins Australia visa case, court orders his release from detention

On Monday (January 10), the World number 1 tennis player Novak Djokovic breathed a huge sigh of relief when the court ordered his immediate release from the immigration centre ahead of the Australian Open, which commences on January 17.&nbsp;

Ahead of the calendar year's first Grand Slam, Djokovic got involved in a huge controversy when he announced that he is heading for Melbourne with an exemption received from the Victorian government, with regard to Covid vaccination, to play the Aus Open. The Serbian's stance on Covid vaccination remains known to all, however, his exemption was deemed unsatisfactory by the authorities on his arrival in Australia, on Wednesday (January 5), which put him in a detention centre. Thus, the court's decision was due to come on Monday and it has favoured the tennis superstar to remain&nbsp;in the country and bid for his 21st Grand Slam title overall.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/australian-government-ready-to-re-cancel-novak-djokovics-visa-after-court-orders-tennis-stars-release-443575">Australian government ready to re-cancel Novak Djokovic's visa after court orders tennis star's release</a>

On hearing the court's decision, Djokovic's competitor and world number 6 Rafael Nadal also reacted to the new developments.&nbsp;&nbsp;"Whether or not I agree with Djokovic on some things, justice has spoken and has said that he has the right to participate in the Australian Open and I think it is the fairest decision to do so, if it has been resolved that way. I wish him the best of luck," Nadal told Spanish radio Onda Cero on Monday.

He added, "On a personal level, I`d much rather he didn`t play," Nadal said, laughing along with interviewer. "It`s sports, many interests move around it, on a general level, at an economic, advertising level. Everything is much better when the best can be playing," Nadal said, before defending the Covid vaccination once again. He concluded by saying, "The most important institutions in the world say that the vaccine is the way to stop this pandemic and the disaster that we have been living for the last 20 months."

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/pranksters-stream-music-and-porn-at-novak-djokovics-virtual-court-hearing-443569">Pranksters stream music and porn at Novak Djokovic's virtual court hearing</a>

The tennis fans would hope for the focus to shift entirely on the game ahead of the Australian Open, from next week. Many believe it will be a showdown between Nadal and Djokovic as the duo will fight hard to become the first male tennis player to get to 21 Grand Slam titles. At present, Roger Federer, Nadal and Djokovic are all tied at 20 GS titles each.

On Monday (January 10), the World number 1 tennis player Novak Djokovic breathed a huge sigh of relief when the court ordered his immediate release from the immigration centre ahead of the Australian Open, which commences on January 17.

On Monday (January 10), the World number 1 tennis player Novak Djokovic breathed a huge sigh of relief when the court ordered his immediate release from the immigration centre ahead of the Australian Open, which commences on January 17. Ahead of the calendar year's first Grand Slam, Djokovic got involved in a huge controversy when he announced that he is heading for Melbourne with an exemption received from the Victorian government, with regard to Covid vaccination, to play the Aus Open. The Serbian's stance on Covid vaccination remains known to all, however, his exemption was deemed unsatisfactory by the authorities on his arrival in Australia, on Wednesday (January 5), which put him in a detention centre. Thus, the court's decision was due to come on Monday and it has favoured the tennis superstar to remain in the country and bid for his 21st Grand Slam title overall. ALSO READ | Australian government ready to re-cancel Novak Djokovic's visa after court orders tennis star's release On hearing the court's decision, Djokovic's competitor and world number 6 Rafael Nadal also reacted to the new developments. "Whether or not I agree with Djokovic on some things, justice has spoken and has said that he has the right to participate in the Australian Open and I think it is the fairest decision to do so, if it has been resolved that way. I wish him the best of luck," Nadal told Spanish radio Onda Cero on Monday. He added, "On a personal level, I`d much rather he didn`t play," Nadal said, laughing along with interviewer. "It`s sports, many interests move around it, on a general level, at an economic, advertising level. Everything is much better when the best can be playing," Nadal said, before defending the Covid vaccination once again. He concluded by saying, "The most important institutions in the world say that the vaccine is the way to stop this pandemic and the disaster that we have been living for the last 20 months." ALSO READ | Pranksters stream music and porn at Novak Djokovic's virtual court hearing The tennis fans would hope for the focus to shift entirely on the game ahead of the Australian Open, from next week. Many believe it will be a showdown between Nadal and Djokovic as the duo will fight hard to become the first male tennis player to get to 21 Grand Slam titles. At present, Roger Federer, Nadal and Djokovic are all tied at 20 GS titles each.

Rafael Nadal reacts as Australian judge orders Djokovic's release from detention ahead of Aus Open

After more than seven years in detention in Tripoli following his extradition from neighbouring Niger,&nbsp;Libyan authorities released one of Muammar Gadhafi's sons&nbsp;on Sunday,&nbsp;the country's interim leader said.

In a tweet on Monday,&nbsp;Prime Minister-designate Abdul Hamid Dbeibah said that al-Saadi Gadhafi had been released in compliance with an earlier court order.

Watch | Afghanistan: Hibatullah Akhundzada is expected to be the Emir

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The transitional government's spokesman Mohamed Hamouda&nbsp;said the son walked free from Tripoli's al-Hadaba prison.&nbsp;The spokesman did not elaborate on the circumstances of the son's release.

In al-Hadaba prison, many Gadhafi regime officials are being held pending trial, mostly in connection to the crackdown on the 2011 uprising, which toppled the dictator and led to his killing.

After he was acquitted on charges over the 2011 uprising,&nbsp;al-Saadi Gadhafi was released,&nbsp;reported&nbsp;local media. On his release, he travelled to Turkey, said al-Marsad news website.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/anti-taliban-leader-massoud-says-he-is-ready-to-talk-with-taliban-410970" hreflang="en">Anti-Taliban leader, Massoud, says he is ready to talk with Taliban</a>

In the tweet announcing the release,&nbsp;Dbeibah said,&nbsp;"We cannot move forward without achieving reconciliation."&nbsp;His government has been given the task of leading the war-torn country to elections before the end of this year.

Muammar Gadhafi had eight children. Several of them played significant roles in his regime.&nbsp;During&nbsp;the 2011 revolt, al-Saadi Gadhafi headed a special forces brigade, which was involved in the crackdown on protesters and rebels.

(With inputs from agencies)

After more than seven years in detention in Tripoli following his extradition from neighbouring Niger, Libyan authorities released one of Muammar Gadhafi's sons on Sunday, the country's interim leader said.

After more than seven years in detention in Tripoli following his extradition from neighbouring Niger, Libyan authorities released one of Muammar Gadhafi's sons on Sunday, the country's interim leader said. In a tweet on Monday, Prime Minister-designate Abdul Hamid Dbeibah said that al-Saadi Gadhafi had been released in compliance with an earlier court order. Watch | Afghanistan: Hibatullah Akhundzada is expected to be the Emir × The transitional government's spokesman Mohamed Hamouda said the son walked free from Tripoli's al-Hadaba prison. The spokesman did not elaborate on the circumstances of the son's release. In al-Hadaba prison, many Gadhafi regime officials are being held pending trial, mostly in connection to the crackdown on the 2011 uprising, which toppled the dictator and led to his killing. After he was acquitted on charges over the 2011 uprising, al-Saadi Gadhafi was released, reported local media. On his release, he travelled to Turkey, said al-Marsad news website. Also Read: Anti-Taliban leader, Massoud, says he is ready to talk with Taliban In the tweet announcing the release, Dbeibah said, "We cannot move forward without achieving reconciliation." His government has been given the task of leading the war-torn country to elections before the end of this year. Muammar Gadhafi had eight children. Several of them played significant roles in his regime. During the 2011 revolt, al-Saadi Gadhafi headed a special forces brigade, which was involved in the crackdown on protesters and rebels. (With inputs from agencies)

Libyan authorities release Muammar Gadhafi's son after 7 years in detention

To put ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi under detention indefinitely without trial, police have filed a new charge against her in Myanmar, her lawyer said on Tuesday. &nbsp;

Lawyer Khin Maung Zaw told reporters after meeting with a judge in the capital, Naypyitaw, that Suu Kyi has been charged with violating Article 25 of the Natural Disaster Management Law, which has been used to prosecute people, who have broken coronavirus restrictions.&nbsp;

Suu Kyi, who was ousted in a military coup on February 1, has already been charged with possessing walkie-talkies that were imported without being registered.&nbsp;

The maximum punishment for the Covid-19 violation is three years' imprisonment. However, the new charge may allow her to be held indefinitely without trial because a change in the Penal Code instituted by the junta last week permits detention without court permission. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-monks-march-seek-end-to-military-rule-364052">Myanmar monks march, seek end to military rule</a>

On February 1, military overthrew the government of veteran democracy champion Suu Kyi. The army took power alleging that its complaints of fraud in a November 8 general election, in which Suu Kyi's party had won a landslide, were being ignored.&nbsp;

It guaranteed on Tuesday that it would hold an election and hand over power, denied its removal of the government was a coup or that its leaders were detained, and accused protesters of violence and intimidation.

To put ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi under detention indefinitely without trial, police have filed a new charge against her in Myanmar, her lawyer said on Tuesday.

To put ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi under detention indefinitely without trial, police have filed a new charge against her in Myanmar, her lawyer said on Tuesday. Lawyer Khin Maung Zaw told reporters after meeting with a judge in the capital, Naypyitaw, that Suu Kyi has been charged with violating Article 25 of the Natural Disaster Management Law, which has been used to prosecute people, who have broken coronavirus restrictions. Suu Kyi, who was ousted in a military coup on February 1, has already been charged with possessing walkie-talkies that were imported without being registered. The maximum punishment for the Covid-19 violation is three years' imprisonment. However, the new charge may allow her to be held indefinitely without trial because a change in the Penal Code instituted by the junta last week permits detention without court permission. Also Read: Myanmar monks march, seek end to military rule On February 1, military overthrew the government of veteran democracy champion Suu Kyi. The army took power alleging that its complaints of fraud in a November 8 general election, in which Suu Kyi's party had won a landslide, were being ignored. It guaranteed on Tuesday that it would hold an election and hand over power, denied its removal of the government was a coup or that its leaders were detained, and accused protesters of violence and intimidation.

Myanmar cops file new charge against Suu Kyi to extend detention indefinitely

The Jammu and Kashmir authorities on Tuesday (March 24) revoked the Public Safety Act slapped against the National Conference leader and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and released him from house arrest. Booked under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA), Omar Abdullah has been kept under detention ever since the Centre abrogated Article 370 that gave special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir on August 5, 2019. He has been under detention for the past seven months at Srinagar's Hari Nivas.

Ex-J&K CM Omar Abdullah to be released after 7 months of detention

Two Ex chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir booked under PSA. Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah accused of acts against state and influence people against bjp govt. This detention can be extended 3 months to one year under PSA

PSA dossier on detention of J&K leaders

Egypt's former military chief-of-staff Sami Anan was released from detention on Sunday almost two years after his arrest following his plans to compete in the 2018 presidential election, his office manager said on Twitter.

Anan, now at home according to the manager, was held in a military prison until he suffered a stroke in July 2018 and was then moved to a military hospital in Cairo's Maadi suburb, where he remained until his release.

His health has improved, a source familiar with the matter said. The reason for his release is still unclear.

Anan, seen as Sisi's main challenger in that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/egypts-sisi-warns-opponents-as-calls-to-boycott-election-build-31393">election</a>, was arrested and halted his presidential bid after the military accused him of running for office without permission, which it said was a breach of military law. Anan's spokesman denied that he had broken any laws.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/anti-sisi-protests-break-out-in-egypt-several-arrested-250950">al-Sisi</a> was re-elected for a second term in 2018, winning 97% of the vote with a turnout of 41%. The election featured only one other candidate, an ardent Sisi supporter, after opposition contenders halted their campaigns in January.

Egypt's former military chief-of-staff Sami Anan was released from detention on Sunday almost two years after his arrest following his plans to compete in the 2018 presidential election, his office manager said on Twitter.

Egypt's former military chief-of-staff Sami Anan was released from detention on Sunday almost two years after his arrest following his plans to compete in the 2018 presidential election, his office manager said on Twitter. Anan, now at home according to the manager, was held in a military prison until he suffered a stroke in July 2018 and was then moved to a military hospital in Cairo's Maadi suburb, where he remained until his release. His health has improved, a source familiar with the matter said. The reason for his release is still unclear. Anan, seen as Sisi's main challenger in that election, was arrested and halted his presidential bid after the military accused him of running for office without permission, which it said was a breach of military law. Anan's spokesman denied that he had broken any laws. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was re-elected for a second term in 2018, winning 97% of the vote with a turnout of 41%. The election featured only one other candidate, an ardent Sisi supporter, after opposition contenders halted their campaigns in January.

Egypt's ex-military chief of staff released after near two-year detention

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hundreds-of-syria-kurds-seek-refuge-in-iraq-256251">Syrians returning to their homes</a> after being displaced by the country's eight-year civil war face arbitrary detentions, endemic corruption and inefficient public services, an activist group said Wednesday.

After a series of Russia-backed victories against jihadists and other rebels, President Bashar al-Assad's government is back in control of around 60 per cent of Syria.

Moscow and Damascus are trying to encourage Syrians displaced by the war in and outside the country to make their way home.

But the Syrian Association for Citizens' Dignity warned against returns to areas back under the control of President Bashar al-Assad's government.

"It is not safe for displaced Syrians to return to Assad-held areas," SACD warned in a report released in Istanbul, based on the testimony of 165 people living in government-held areas.

"Two-thirds of the interviewees stated that they live in constant fear of arrest or harassment from the security services and various militias that run a maze of checkpoints," it said.

"Forced conscription into Assad's forces is rampant."&nbsp;

The report, which gathered testimonies from Aleppo, Homs and Daraa provinces, said residents also have to deal with&nbsp;blackmail and demands for bribes.

"Corruption and extortion by the regime and militias permeate every aspect of life for returnees," the report said.

More than 60 per cent of respondents found health standards to be sub-standard, and an overwhelming majority complained about very poor water, electricity and municipal services.&nbsp;

Among the 5.6 million <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkeys-erdogan-rules-out-talks-with-syrian-kurdish-forces-256247">Syrians who have fled to neighbouring countries</a>, a majority live in Turkey and Lebanon, countries which have stepped up pressure on them in recent months in a bid to persuade them to go home.

The UN refugee agency UNHCR has repeatedly stressed all returns should be voluntary.

It says 198,000 Syrians went home between 2016 and August this year.

But the Damascus government has denied reports that returnees are arrested.

"I defy them to share the name of a single person who has been arrested among those who have returned to Syria," Foreign Minister Walid Muallem said earlier this month.

"We don't detain anyone. We encourage them to make safe returns to their villages."

Syrians returning to their homes after being displaced by the country's eight-year civil war face arbitrary detentions, endemic corruption and inefficient public services, an activist group said Wednesday.

Syrians returning to their homes after being displaced by the country's eight-year civil war face arbitrary detentions, endemic corruption and inefficient public services, an activist group said Wednesday. After a series of Russia-backed victories against jihadists and other rebels, President Bashar al-Assad's government is back in control of around 60 per cent of Syria. Moscow and Damascus are trying to encourage Syrians displaced by the war in and outside the country to make their way home. But the Syrian Association for Citizens' Dignity warned against returns to areas back under the control of President Bashar al-Assad's government. "It is not safe for displaced Syrians to return to Assad-held areas," SACD warned in a report released in Istanbul, based on the testimony of 165 people living in government-held areas. "Two-thirds of the interviewees stated that they live in constant fear of arrest or harassment from the security services and various militias that run a maze of checkpoints," it said. "Forced conscription into Assad's forces is rampant." The report, which gathered testimonies from Aleppo, Homs and Daraa provinces, said residents also have to deal with blackmail and demands for bribes. "Corruption and extortion by the regime and militias permeate every aspect of life for returnees," the report said. More than 60 per cent of respondents found health standards to be sub-standard, and an overwhelming majority complained about very poor water, electricity and municipal services. Among the 5.6 million Syrians who have fled to neighbouring countries, a majority live in Turkey and Lebanon, countries which have stepped up pressure on them in recent months in a bid to persuade them to go home. The UN refugee agency UNHCR has repeatedly stressed all returns should be voluntary. It says 198,000 Syrians went home between 2016 and August this year. But the Damascus government has denied reports that returnees are arrested. "I defy them to share the name of a single person who has been arrested among those who have returned to Syria," Foreign Minister Walid Muallem said earlier this month. "We don't detain anyone. We encourage them to make safe returns to their villages."

Arrests, extortion, detention: Syrians warned against heading home

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-syrias-aleppo-reconstruction-makes-slow-start-252744">United States</a> said Monday nearly 128,000 people face arbitrary detention by the Syrian regime and called for their release.

"This practice is unacceptable," US Ambassador Kelly Craft told the UN Security Council at its monthly meeting on the conflict in Syria.

"The Assad regime must release detainees and provide international monitors access to detention centres," she said.&nbsp;

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad has declared several amnesties of prisoners since the conflict began in 2011 -- notably in 2014, 2018, and in mid-September.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin called for the "elimination of terrorists in Idlib" province while stressing that utmost care is taken to spare civilians.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/aleppo-filmmaker-vows-to-continue-showing-reality-of-syria-252170">conflict has claimed the lives of an estimated 370,000 people</a>.

"The time has come to encourage and not impede Syria's return to the Arab family," Vershinin said.

Syria was suspended from the Arab League in 2011, and the issue of its return has divided the organization's members for more than a year.

Security Council members welcomed the creation of a UN-sponsored constitutional committee by the government and the opposition, after two years of arduous negotiations.

The UN envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, said the committee's formation marked the first concrete political agreement between the government and the opposition.

"It is also a shared promise to the Syrian people to try to agree under the auspices of the United Nations on new constitutional arrangements for Syria -- a new social contract to help repair a broken country," he said.

The committee's 150 members are supposed to hold their first meeting on October 30 in Geneva.

Its revision of the constitution is viewed by the UN as a first step toward holding elections that would include the Syrian diaspora.

Last week, the Syrian regime stressed that no deadline has been set for the committee to conclude its work.

The United States said Monday nearly 128,000 people face arbitrary detention by the Syrian regime and called for their release. "This practice is unacceptable," US Ambassador Kelly Craft told the UN Security Council at its monthly meeting on the conflict in Syria.

The United States said Monday nearly 128,000 people face arbitrary detention by the Syrian regime and called for their release. "This practice is unacceptable," US Ambassador Kelly Craft told the UN Security Council at its monthly meeting on the conflict in Syria. "The Assad regime must release detainees and provide international monitors access to detention centres," she said. Syria's President Bashar al-Assad has declared several amnesties of prisoners since the conflict began in 2011 -- notably in 2014, 2018, and in mid-September. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin called for the "elimination of terrorists in Idlib" province while stressing that utmost care is taken to spare civilians. The conflict has claimed the lives of an estimated 370,000 people. "The time has come to encourage and not impede Syria's return to the Arab family," Vershinin said. Syria was suspended from the Arab League in 2011, and the issue of its return has divided the organization's members for more than a year. Security Council members welcomed the creation of a UN-sponsored constitutional committee by the government and the opposition, after two years of arduous negotiations. The UN envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, said the committee's formation marked the first concrete political agreement between the government and the opposition. "It is also a shared promise to the Syrian people to try to agree under the auspices of the United Nations on new constitutional arrangements for Syria -- a new social contract to help repair a broken country," he said. The committee's 150 members are supposed to hold their first meeting on October 30 in Geneva. Its revision of the constitution is viewed by the UN as a first step toward holding elections that would include the Syrian diaspora. Last week, the Syrian regime stressed that no deadline has been set for the committee to conclude its work.

United States says 128,000 Syrians subject to arbitrary detention

Pope Francis expressed his sorrow for the migrants killed by air strikes against a detention centre in Libya that killed at least 53 people, including six children.

Pope Francis Prays For Victims In Libya

India has said that it is "according the highest priority to the situation" arising out of the detention of Indian students in the United States and has placed a formal request for consular access for the students. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in a release said, "We are monitoring the situation closely and have impressed upon the US Government the need to address the situation at the earliest."

The US Department of Homeland security in order to expose an immigration scam set up a fake university in Farmington Hills, Michigan state of the United States. The student in order to stay in the US enrolled in the university to continue with the student visa status.

Arrest warrants have been issued to 600 students while 100 students connected to the University have been arrested.&nbsp;

The Indian mission is in touch with US State Department and the Department of Homeland Security and has requested for a list of the detained students and other details such as place of detention and Identity.

The Ministry of External Affairs has "highlighted" to the US government "that a distinction should be made between those involved in recruiting or enrolling students and students who have been duped or defrauded in the process."

Indian mission, according to MEA, is rendering "all assistance to Indian students in the US to deal with the emerging situation" and has also involved Indian community organisations in reaching out to the students.

Most of the students are Telugu speaking and are being helped by American Telugu Association (ATA) who met with Indian Ambassador to US Harshvardhan Shingla and the Indian Consulate General of India in Atlanta Dr. Swati Vijay Kulkarni in connection with the development and requested for help.

India has said that it is "according the highest priority to the situation" arising out of the detention of Indian students in the United States and has placed a formal request for consular access for the students.

India has said that it is "according the highest priority to the situation" arising out of the detention of Indian students in the United States and has placed a formal request for consular access for the students. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in a release said, "We are monitoring the situation closely and have impressed upon the US Government the need to address the situation at the earliest." The US Department of Homeland security in order to expose an immigration scam set up a fake university in Farmington Hills, Michigan state of the United States. The student in order to stay in the US enrolled in the university to continue with the student visa status. Arrest warrants have been issued to 600 students while 100 students connected to the University have been arrested. The Indian mission is in touch with US State Department and the Department of Homeland Security and has requested for a list of the detained students and other details such as place of detention and Identity. The Ministry of External Affairs has "highlighted" to the US government "that a distinction should be made between those involved in recruiting or enrolling students and students who have been duped or defrauded in the process." Indian mission, according to MEA, is rendering "all assistance to Indian students in the US to deal with the emerging situation" and has also involved Indian community organisations in reaching out to the students. Most of the students are Telugu speaking and are being helped by American Telugu Association (ATA) who met with Indian Ambassador to US Harshvardhan Shingla and the Indian Consulate General of India in Atlanta Dr. Swati Vijay Kulkarni in connection with the development and requested for help.

Detention of Indian students in US: India places consular request, says 'according highest priority'

The Supreme Court Monday directed the Centre to provide it various details including the number of functional detention centres in Assam and the number of foreigners detained there during the last 10 years.&nbsp;

A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Sanjiv Khanna was hearing a petition filed by activist Harsh Mander on the condition of detention centres in Assam and the prolonged detention of foreigners there.&nbsp;

The apex court asked the Centre to provide various details about the detention centres, the period of detention of detainees and the status of their cases before the Foreigners Tribunal.&nbsp;

"We would like to know as to how many detention centres are there. We also want to know how many persons are lodged there and since when," the bench said.&nbsp;

The bench also asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to provide details as to how many persons are being declared foreigners so far and how many of them have been deported till date. 
&nbsp; 
The bench also sought the year-wise details of foreigners who have illegally entered into India during the last 10 years.&nbsp;

The bench, which has sought details within three weeks form the authority, has now posted the matter for further hearing on February 19. 
&nbsp;

The Supreme Court Monday directed the Centre to provide it various details including the number of functional detention centres in Assam and the number of foreigners detained there during the last 10 years.

The Supreme Court Monday directed the Centre to provide it various details including the number of functional detention centres in Assam and the number of foreigners detained there during the last 10 years. A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Sanjiv Khanna was hearing a petition filed by activist Harsh Mander on the condition of detention centres in Assam and the prolonged detention of foreigners there. The apex court asked the Centre to provide various details about the detention centres, the period of detention of detainees and the status of their cases before the Foreigners Tribunal. "We would like to know as to how many detention centres are there. We also want to know how many persons are lodged there and since when," the bench said. The bench also asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to provide details as to how many persons are being declared foreigners so far and how many of them have been deported till date. The bench also sought the year-wise details of foreigners who have illegally entered into India during the last 10 years. The bench, which has sought details within three weeks form the authority, has now posted the matter for further hearing on February 19.

Supreme Court seeks information on detention centres & foreigners detained in Assam

A Japanese court on Wednesday rejected a bid by former <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/carlos-ghosn-the-allegations-and-the-rebuttals-189028">Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn </a>to end his detention over alleged financial misconduct, a day after he denied all accusations in a dramatic court appearance.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/wrongly-accused-and-unfairly-detained-ex-nissan-chief-carlos-ghosn-tells-court-188904">Ghosn's lawyers had appealed to the court</a> to free the auto tycoon, claiming at a special hearing in a Tokyo court there were no grounds for his detention, which has now lasted more than 50 days.

But the court batted off the request, saying in a terse statement: "The request to cancel the detention filed by Mr&nbsp;Ghosn's lawyers yesterday... was rejected on January 9."

Ghosn stands accused of under-reporting his income in documents to investors, apparently in response to criticism that he earned too much.

He is also under investigation for allegedly seeking to pass off personal investment losses to Nissan's books and paying a Saudi businessman from company funds to stump up collateral to cover the losses.

Ghosn on Tuesday mounted a systematic denial of all the allegations, concluding that he had been "wrongly accused and unfairly detained based on meritless and unsubstantiated accusations".

The presiding judge explained that Ghosn continued to be detained because he presented a flight risk and there were concerns he could tamper with evidence.

On Friday, Ghosn's latest maximum period of detention will end and he will either be freed on bail or — more likely — see his detention extended.

Even his main lawyer Motonari Otsuru has acknowledged the 64-year-old executive has little chance of being released soon, describing it as "very difficult" to win bail before the case goes to trial.

And that, he said, could take at least six months.

Carlos Ghosn's lawyers had appealed to the court to free the auto tycoon, claiming at a special hearing in a Tokyo court there were no grounds for his detention.

A Japanese court on Wednesday rejected a bid by former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn to end his detention over alleged financial misconduct, a day after he denied all accusations in a dramatic court appearance. Ghosn's lawyers had appealed to the court to free the auto tycoon, claiming at a special hearing in a Tokyo court there were no grounds for his detention, which has now lasted more than 50 days. But the court batted off the request, saying in a terse statement: "The request to cancel the detention filed by Mr Ghosn's lawyers yesterday... was rejected on January 9." Ghosn stands accused of under-reporting his income in documents to investors, apparently in response to criticism that he earned too much. He is also under investigation for allegedly seeking to pass off personal investment losses to Nissan's books and paying a Saudi businessman from company funds to stump up collateral to cover the losses. Ghosn on Tuesday mounted a systematic denial of all the allegations, concluding that he had been "wrongly accused and unfairly detained based on meritless and unsubstantiated accusations". The presiding judge explained that Ghosn continued to be detained because he presented a flight risk and there were concerns he could tamper with evidence. On Friday, Ghosn's latest maximum period of detention will end and he will either be freed on bail or — more likely — see his detention extended. Even his main lawyer Motonari Otsuru has acknowledged the 64-year-old executive has little chance of being released soon, describing it as "very difficult" to win bail before the case goes to trial. And that, he said, could take at least six months.

Japan court rejects Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn's release bid

Turkish police on Friday detained 42 people over suspected militant links in operations across two separate provinces, security sources and media reported.

Police detained 22 suspected Islamic State militants in operations across the eastern province of Elazig, security sources said.

Separately, police detained another 20 people in the southern province of Adana over alleged links to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), the state-run Anadolu news agency said. It said authorities were still seeking 10 suspects.

Ankara has detained more than 5,000 Islamic State suspects and deported some 3,290 foreign militants from 95 different countries in recent years, according to Turkish officials. It has also refused entry to at least 38,269 individuals.

On Thursday, Turkish authorities detained a suspected Islamic State militant of Russian origin after he allegedly planned to use a drone to bring down a US&nbsp;plane at the Incirlik air base.

The government has also stepped up its operations targeting the PKK, designated a terrorist group by Turkey, the European Union, and the United States, since a ceasefire between the militants and the state broke down in July 2015.

The PKK launched an armed insurgency against the state in 1984 and more than 40,000 people have been killed in the conflict.

Turkish authorities detained a suspected Islamic State militant of Russian origin after he allegedly planned to use a drone to bring down a U.S. plane at the Incirlik air base

Turkish police on Friday detained 42 people over suspected militant links in operations across two separate provinces, security sources and media reported. Police detained 22 suspected Islamic State militants in operations across the eastern province of Elazig, security sources said. Separately, police detained another 20 people in the southern province of Adana over alleged links to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), the state-run Anadolu news agency said. It said authorities were still seeking 10 suspects. Ankara has detained more than 5,000 Islamic State suspects and deported some 3,290 foreign militants from 95 different countries in recent years, according to Turkish officials. It has also refused entry to at least 38,269 individuals. On Thursday, Turkish authorities detained a suspected Islamic State militant of Russian origin after he allegedly planned to use a drone to bring down a US plane at the Incirlik air base. The government has also stepped up its operations targeting the PKK, designated a terrorist group by Turkey, the European Union, and the United States, since a ceasefire between the militants and the state broke down in July 2015. The PKK launched an armed insurgency against the state in 1984 and more than 40,000 people have been killed in the conflict.

Turkey detains 42 suspected militants in raids

A court in Bangladesh on Thursday allowed police to detain two men over the attack claimed by militant group Islamic State on a cafe in the capital, Dhaka, that killed 20 hostages, mostly foreigners. 
 
The case has drawn criticism from human rights groups who say the suspects were illegally detained and denied access to a lawyer. A lawyer for one of the two men, Hasnat Karim, said his client was innocent and demanded his immediate release.&nbsp; 
 
Karim, who holds dual British and Bangladeshi citizenship, and Tahmid Hasib Khan, a student of Toronto University, were dining separately with family and friends when gunmen stormed the Holey Artisan Bakery on the evening of July 1. 
 
The suspected Islamist militants singled out non-Muslims and foreigners, killing Italians, Japanese, an American and an Indian before security forces stormed the eatery to end the 12-hour siege. Two police also died in the operation. 
 
On Thursday, a Dhaka court remanded the men in custody for eight days for interrogation, with police official Masudur Rahman telling reporters they had been arrested on Wednesday night &quot;from two different places&quot;.&nbsp; 
 
Unknown location 
 
The police assertion of arrests at different sites appeared to run counter to relatives&#39; statements that the men were held at unknown locations after the attack. 
 
&quot;The authorities have finally admitted that Mr Karim is in their custody,&quot; his London-based lawyer, Rodney Dixon, told Reuters in a statement. 
 
&quot;They have had more than sufficient time to make any inquiries. There is clearly no evidence to charge him and he should be let go without any further delay.&quot; 
 
Rights group Amnesty International has criticised the detention of the men as having denied them their fundamental right to legal representation. 
 
The formal arrests take to seven the tally for the cafe attack, which the government blames on local militants, along with another, on July 26, in which police killed nine militants believed to be plotting a similar assault. 
 
The government has dismissed suggestions that Islamic State has a presence in Bangladesh, even though &#39;selfies&#39; of some of the attackers posing with an automatic rifle were posted on the jihadi group&#39;s propaganda outlets during the siege. 
 
In the past year, al Qaeda and Islamic State have made competing claims over the killings of liberals and religious minorities in the mostly Muslim nation of 160 million. 
 
Karim and Khan were among 32 survivors rescued by police and taken into custody for questioning. Police released the others soon after, but the two men&#39;s families said they had not returned. 
 
Karim, a 47-year-old engineer, was at the cafe with his family to celebrate his daughter&#39;s 13th birthday. 
 
Relatives of Khan, 22, told the New York Times that the student, who has epilepsy, had been beaten and denied medical attention after being held. 
 
Khan&#39;s father, reached by telephone, declined to comment. 
 
(Reuters)

Amnesty International has criticised the detention of the men as having denied them their fundamental right to legal representation

A court in Bangladesh on Thursday allowed police to detain two men over the attack claimed by militant group Islamic State on a cafe in the capital, Dhaka, that killed 20 hostages, mostly foreigners. The case has drawn criticism from human rights groups who say the suspects were illegally detained and denied access to a lawyer. A lawyer for one of the two men, Hasnat Karim, said his client was innocent and demanded his immediate release. Karim, who holds dual British and Bangladeshi citizenship, and Tahmid Hasib Khan, a student of Toronto University, were dining separately with family and friends when gunmen stormed the Holey Artisan Bakery on the evening of July 1. The suspected Islamist militants singled out non-Muslims and foreigners, killing Italians, Japanese, an American and an Indian before security forces stormed the eatery to end the 12-hour siege. Two police also died in the operation. On Thursday, a Dhaka court remanded the men in custody for eight days for interrogation, with police official Masudur Rahman telling reporters they had been arrested on Wednesday night "from two different places". Unknown location The police assertion of arrests at different sites appeared to run counter to relatives' statements that the men were held at unknown locations after the attack. "The authorities have finally admitted that Mr Karim is in their custody," his London-based lawyer, Rodney Dixon, told Reuters in a statement. "They have had more than sufficient time to make any inquiries. There is clearly no evidence to charge him and he should be let go without any further delay." Rights group Amnesty International has criticised the detention of the men as having denied them their fundamental right to legal representation. The formal arrests take to seven the tally for the cafe attack, which the government blames on local militants, along with another, on July 26, in which police killed nine militants believed to be plotting a similar assault. The government has dismissed suggestions that Islamic State has a presence in Bangladesh, even though 'selfies' of some of the attackers posing with an automatic rifle were posted on the jihadi group's propaganda outlets during the siege. In the past year, al Qaeda and Islamic State have made competing claims over the killings of liberals and religious minorities in the mostly Muslim nation of 160 million. Karim and Khan were among 32 survivors rescued by police and taken into custody for questioning. Police released the others soon after, but the two men's families said they had not returned. Karim, a 47-year-old engineer, was at the cafe with his family to celebrate his daughter's 13th birthday. Relatives of Khan, 22, told the New York Times that the student, who has epilepsy, had been beaten and denied medical attention after being held. Khan's father, reached by telephone, declined to comment. (Reuters)

Bangladesh detains two over July cafe attack that killed 20 hostages

Eight members of Cuba&#39;s national volleyball team, playing a tournament in Finland, were questioned on Sunday in connection with an aggravated rape case, local police said. 
 
Three of the unnamed players were picked up by police on early Saturday, after a complaint was made, and questioned with the aid of an interpreter. 
 
The other five, including the national team captain, were brought in for questioning on Sunday after a match in the Volleyball World League taking place in the southern Finnish town of Tampere. 
 
The police did not divulge the circumstances of the alleged rape attack. 
 
According to local press, the alleged crime took place in the Tampere hotel where the Cuban team are staying. 
 
The first three players questioned on Saturday will appear before a judge on Monday or Tuesday who will free them or place them under provisional detention. 
 
Three Cuban players were notable by their absence from the match on Saturday when they lost to the Finnish team.&nbsp; 
 
Their no-show led some media outlets to suspect that they had defected. &quot;That&#39;s not the case,&quot; said police commissioner Joni Lansipuro. 
 
(AFP)

According to local press, the alleged crime took place in the Tampere hotel where the Cuban team are staying

Eight members of Cuba's national volleyball team, playing a tournament in Finland, were questioned on Sunday in connection with an aggravated rape case, local police said. Three of the unnamed players were picked up by police on early Saturday, after a complaint was made, and questioned with the aid of an interpreter. The other five, including the national team captain, were brought in for questioning on Sunday after a match in the Volleyball World League taking place in the southern Finnish town of Tampere. The police did not divulge the circumstances of the alleged rape attack. According to local press, the alleged crime took place in the Tampere hotel where the Cuban team are staying. The first three players questioned on Saturday will appear before a judge on Monday or Tuesday who will free them or place them under provisional detention. Three Cuban players were notable by their absence from the match on Saturday when they lost to the Finnish team. Their no-show led some media outlets to suspect that they had defected. "That's not the case," said police commissioner Joni Lansipuro. (AFP)

Cuban volleyball players questioned over alleged rape case in Finland

In the the latest incident of environment-related unrest in the country, police in southern China have detained 21 people involved in a mass protest against a planned garbage incinerator.&nbsp; 
 
In a statement late on Sunday, the government of Gaoyao district in Guangdong province&#39;s Zhaoqing city said about 1,300 people had gathered to protest earlier in the day, which had caused traffic problems. 
 
While the protesters were dispersed by the early afternoon and there was no &quot;drastic behaviour&quot;, 21 people have been taken in for questioning, it added. 
 
Zhaoqing police said on their official microblog that the situation had now returned to normal.&nbsp;However, the official China Daily said there had been some violence. 
 
&quot;The lawbreakers threw stones and bottles of mineral water at police,&quot; propaganda official Duan Jianxin told the newspaper. &quot;Some police officers were injured.&quot; 
 
The China Daily said some residents were worried the garbage incinerator could pollute the environment, but that the government has denied this would happen. 
 
Tens of thousands of &quot;mass incidents&quot; -- the usual euphemism for protests -- happen in China each year, spurred by grievances over issues such as corruption, pollution, and illegal land grabs, unnerving the stability-obsessed ruling Communist Party. 
 
Last month, thousands of people protested against a waste incineration project in central China, also over fears it would damage the environment and residents&#39; health. 
 
(Reuters)

The government of Gaoyao district said about 1,300 people had gathered to protest causing traffic-related issues

In the the latest incident of environment-related unrest in the country, police in southern China have detained 21 people involved in a mass protest against a planned garbage incinerator. In a statement late on Sunday, the government of Gaoyao district in Guangdong province's Zhaoqing city said about 1,300 people had gathered to protest earlier in the day, which had caused traffic problems. While the protesters were dispersed by the early afternoon and there was no "drastic behaviour", 21 people have been taken in for questioning, it added. Zhaoqing police said on their official microblog that the situation had now returned to normal. However, the official China Daily said there had been some violence. "The lawbreakers threw stones and bottles of mineral water at police," propaganda official Duan Jianxin told the newspaper. "Some police officers were injured." The China Daily said some residents were worried the garbage incinerator could pollute the environment, but that the government has denied this would happen. Tens of thousands of "mass incidents" -- the usual euphemism for protests -- happen in China each year, spurred by grievances over issues such as corruption, pollution, and illegal land grabs, unnerving the stability-obsessed ruling Communist Party. Last month, thousands of people protested against a waste incineration project in central China, also over fears it would damage the environment and residents' health. (Reuters)

21 detained in southern China for participating in mass protest

Hopes for democracy in the Chinese village of Wukan, where an uprising against corruption five years ago gained global notice and led to direct village-wide elections, have all but evaporated, with protest leaders either in detention, in exile, facing arrest or quitting their posts. 
 
Villagers have been marching in protest every day since the middle of June in a fresh flare-up of unrest, but the so-called &quot;Wukan model&quot; whereby authorities seemingly take a more tolerant approach towards unrest by kicking out corrupt officials and allowing a free vote, appears to have been a one-off. 
 
Wukan is about a four-hour drive northeast of Hong Kong, where a 79-day &quot;umbrella revolution&quot; in late 2014 demanding Beijing allow full democracy, brought chaos to the streets. 
 
This time the turmoil in Wukan focused on the arrest by local authorities of elected leader Lin Zuluan, one of the last of the 2011 protest leaders to remain in office, for bribery after he urged demonstrations against new land grabs and graft. 
 
&quot;The corrupt are very proficient in deceiving the people,&quot; the 72-year-old Lin wrote in a signed letter to the village dated March 2, adding that the seized land had been &quot;raped by power, money and gangsters&quot;. 
 
In 2011, rampaging villagers ransacked the Wukan police station and government offices before barricading themselves against riot police for months. This time, the villagers have held thousand-strong protests for 12 straight days in sweltering summer heat, watched by riot police, with no sign of stopping. 
 
&#39;Couldn&#39;t bear it anymore&#39; 
 
Lin had become increasingly dismayed with authorities stonewalling attempts to reclaim plots of land knotted up in dodgy deals and for brokering fresh deals behind his back, relatives said. 
 
Lin &quot;couldn&#39;t bear it anymore,&quot; said one of his relatives who declined to be identified. &quot;The Lufeng (city) government sold this land, a new piece of land, without telling anyone.&quot; 
 
Officially stamped documents provided by people close to Lin and reviewed by Reuters give substance to his increasing frustrations. 
 
In December, Lin wrote several letters to a developer, Hua Hui Real Estate, that he said had acquired a 110,000sqmt plot in Wukan without Lin&#39;s knowledge or the approval of the Wukan village committee that oversees land use and is the main administrator of the village. Lin is the committee head. 
 
The committee had demanded the company give evidence of the land deal and provide a detailed survey map of the &#39;Long Hu Bay&#39; area it planned to develop, according to a letter dated December 28.&nbsp; 
 
The company replied to the committee three days later that it had acted &quot;in accordance with law and procedures&quot;, but declined to provide any documents, directing further inquiries to the &quot;relevant government departments&quot;.&nbsp; 
 
After repeated correspondence over several months, there was still no clarification. The company also declined to clarify details of the land deal to Reuters.&nbsp; 
 
The Lufeng government that oversees Wukan said in a written reply to Reuters that Long Hu Bay was &quot;state-owned land which does not belong to the villagers&quot; and that Hua Hui had now halted construction given Wukan&#39;s objections. It added that it had been actively helping resolve Wukan&#39;s land issues with 646 acres of land having been handed back since 2011, but 1,221 acres are still being contested between Wukan and 7 nearby villages. 
 
Midnight raid 
 
A few days after his call for new protests, on June 18, Lin was arrested by officers who stormed his walled compound after midnight and bundled him away, pushing his elderly wife, Yang Zhen, to the ground as she tried to intervene, she told Reuters. 
 
Lin&#39;s 22-year-old grandson was detained less than 48 hours later in another late night raid and interrogated for 12 hours straight. A confession by Lin admitting taking large bribes was aired on state television on the morning of June 21, and the grandson was released hours later. 
 
&quot;When they captured me, they were very excited,&quot; said the grandson, Lin Liyi. &quot;I think they used me to pressure my grandfather&quot; to make a confession. 
 
Reuters was unable to contact Lin, and it wasn&#39;t clear whether Lin has legal representation after two lawyers who were hired by his family were barred by authorities from taking on his case. 
 
&quot;The intervention violates the rule of law,&quot; one of the lawyers, Ge Yongxi, told Reuters by phone. &quot;They obstructed a lawyer&#39;s daily business and abused Lin&#39;s human rights.&quot; 
 
Lin&#39;s arrest was the latest move on the core group of Wukan protest leaders from 2011. Lin remains in police custody and investigations continue into allegations that he took bribes of up to 600,000 yuan ($90,200) for land deals and public works projects, according to the official China Daily newspaper. 
 
In 2014, two former deputy village chiefs, Yang Semao and Hong Ruichao, were jailed for two and four years respectively for bribery, around the time of another village election. Those who knew the men, including Hong&#39;s father, Hong Tianbin, said they were framed. Chinese authorities say they took bribes linked to public work projects. 
 
Another leader, Zhuang Liehong, fled China and sought asylum in the United States, fearing for his safety amid what he told Reuters was &quot;political persecution&quot;. Two others quit, while Sun Wenliang, a former accountant, has an arrest warrant on his head, village sources said. 
 
The Lufeng government said in its statement to Reuters that it &quot;has not discovered any situation of unfair suppression or punishment&quot; of Wukan&#39;s protest leaders, or of undermining village rights and interests.&nbsp; 
 
Hundreds of riot police were sent to the village when the protests started but there has been no crackdown. There are, however, signs of authorities tightening their grip.&nbsp; 
 
Some reporters in Wukan said they were accused of inciting unrest and told to leave, which they did, while three other sources said authorities had been aggressively going after potential ringleaders to quash any escalation. 
 
Few have dared lead from the front this time round. 
 
&quot;Everyone can see the old leaders were all caught and are afraid,&quot; Lin&#39;s grandson told Reuters. 
 
(Reuters)

Five years after an anti-corruption movement led to village-wide elections, the revolt lost its leaders to detention or exile

Hopes for democracy in the Chinese village of Wukan, where an uprising against corruption five years ago gained global notice and led to direct village-wide elections, have all but evaporated, with protest leaders either in detention, in exile, facing arrest or quitting their posts. Villagers have been marching in protest every day since the middle of June in a fresh flare-up of unrest, but the so-called "Wukan model" whereby authorities seemingly take a more tolerant approach towards unrest by kicking out corrupt officials and allowing a free vote, appears to have been a one-off. Wukan is about a four-hour drive northeast of Hong Kong, where a 79-day "umbrella revolution" in late 2014 demanding Beijing allow full democracy, brought chaos to the streets. This time the turmoil in Wukan focused on the arrest by local authorities of elected leader Lin Zuluan, one of the last of the 2011 protest leaders to remain in office, for bribery after he urged demonstrations against new land grabs and graft. "The corrupt are very proficient in deceiving the people," the 72-year-old Lin wrote in a signed letter to the village dated March 2, adding that the seized land had been "raped by power, money and gangsters". In 2011, rampaging villagers ransacked the Wukan police station and government offices before barricading themselves against riot police for months. This time, the villagers have held thousand-strong protests for 12 straight days in sweltering summer heat, watched by riot police, with no sign of stopping. 'Couldn't bear it anymore' Lin had become increasingly dismayed with authorities stonewalling attempts to reclaim plots of land knotted up in dodgy deals and for brokering fresh deals behind his back, relatives said. Lin "couldn't bear it anymore," said one of his relatives who declined to be identified. "The Lufeng (city) government sold this land, a new piece of land, without telling anyone." Officially stamped documents provided by people close to Lin and reviewed by Reuters give substance to his increasing frustrations. In December, Lin wrote several letters to a developer, Hua Hui Real Estate, that he said had acquired a 110,000sqmt plot in Wukan without Lin's knowledge or the approval of the Wukan village committee that oversees land use and is the main administrator of the village. Lin is the committee head. The committee had demanded the company give evidence of the land deal and provide a detailed survey map of the 'Long Hu Bay' area it planned to develop, according to a letter dated December 28. The company replied to the committee three days later that it had acted "in accordance with law and procedures", but declined to provide any documents, directing further inquiries to the "relevant government departments". After repeated correspondence over several months, there was still no clarification. The company also declined to clarify details of the land deal to Reuters. The Lufeng government that oversees Wukan said in a written reply to Reuters that Long Hu Bay was "state-owned land which does not belong to the villagers" and that Hua Hui had now halted construction given Wukan's objections. It added that it had been actively helping resolve Wukan's land issues with 646 acres of land having been handed back since 2011, but 1,221 acres are still being contested between Wukan and 7 nearby villages. Midnight raid A few days after his call for new protests, on June 18, Lin was arrested by officers who stormed his walled compound after midnight and bundled him away, pushing his elderly wife, Yang Zhen, to the ground as she tried to intervene, she told Reuters. Lin's 22-year-old grandson was detained less than 48 hours later in another late night raid and interrogated for 12 hours straight. A confession by Lin admitting taking large bribes was aired on state television on the morning of June 21, and the grandson was released hours later. "When they captured me, they were very excited," said the grandson, Lin Liyi. "I think they used me to pressure my grandfather" to make a confession. Reuters was unable to contact Lin, and it wasn't clear whether Lin has legal representation after two lawyers who were hired by his family were barred by authorities from taking on his case. "The intervention violates the rule of law," one of the lawyers, Ge Yongxi, told Reuters by phone. "They obstructed a lawyer's daily business and abused Lin's human rights." Lin's arrest was the latest move on the core group of Wukan protest leaders from 2011. Lin remains in police custody and investigations continue into allegations that he took bribes of up to 600,000 yuan ($90,200) for land deals and public works projects, according to the official China Daily newspaper. In 2014, two former deputy village chiefs, Yang Semao and Hong Ruichao, were jailed for two and four years respectively for bribery, around the time of another village election. Those who knew the men, including Hong's father, Hong Tianbin, said they were framed. Chinese authorities say they took bribes linked to public work projects. Another leader, Zhuang Liehong, fled China and sought asylum in the United States, fearing for his safety amid what he told Reuters was "political persecution". Two others quit, while Sun Wenliang, a former accountant, has an arrest warrant on his head, village sources said. The Lufeng government said in its statement to Reuters that it "has not discovered any situation of unfair suppression or punishment" of Wukan's protest leaders, or of undermining village rights and interests. Hundreds of riot police were sent to the village when the protests started but there has been no crackdown. There are, however, signs of authorities tightening their grip. Some reporters in Wukan said they were accused of inciting unrest and told to leave, which they did, while three other sources said authorities had been aggressively going after potential ringleaders to quash any escalation. Few have dared lead from the front this time round. "Everyone can see the old leaders were all caught and are afraid," Lin's grandson told Reuters. (Reuters)

How hope of democracy was crushed in the Chinese rebel village of Wukan

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