Dutch capital Amsterdam has committed to removing cameras manufactured by Chinese companies from the European city, because of concerns over potential espionage and human rights violations.&nbsp;

<h2>Chinese cameras to be removed</h2>

The Amsterdam municipality plans to phase out approximately 1,280 Chinese-made surveillance camera installations, currently being used to monitor traffic and public spaces.

This phase-out operation will take place within five years.

Suppliers will be specifically asked to provide non-Chinese camera systems.

Alexander Scholtes, the councillor for ICT and Digital City in Amsterdam, said: "We are also sending a strong signal to the market to find alternatives to Chinese camera systems".&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-report-exposes-extreme-levels-of-child-abuse-in-armed-conflicts-especially-in-gaza-and-sudan-730923">UN report exposes 'extreme levels' of child abuse in armed conflicts, especially in Gaza and Sudan</a>

This decision follows a growing apprehension that surveillance equipment from Chinese companies could transmit images to the manufacturer or the government in Beijing. Notably, Chinese firms Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co. and Zhejiang Dahua Technology Co. have been accused by US officials of participating in human rights violations against the Uyghur minority in China.

<h2>Other countries that have removed Chinese cameras</h2>

Amsterdam's move comes after similar actions taken by the UK and Australian governments, which have removed Chinese-made surveillance technology from sensitive government and defence sites.&nbsp;

Earlier this year, the Netherlands' Military Intelligence and Security Service disclosed a Chinese espionage campaign in the country involving advanced malware.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-lawmakers-push-to-hold-attorney-general-merrick-garland-in-contempt-over-biden-classified-docs-tapes-730927">US lawmakers push to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt over Biden classified docs tapes</a>

While the immediate replacement of all Chinese cameras is cost-prohibitive, Amsterdam's coalition government, including the mayor and aldermen, as per NL Times, plans to implement new contract conditions that consider human rights criteria when purchasing camera systems.&nbsp;

Municipal departments will now seek alternatives to Chinese cameras, assessing feasibility and costs on a case-by-case basis, with the goal of replacing all current Chinese cameras within five years.

(With inputs from agencies)

Dutch capital Amsterdam has committed to removing cameras manufactured by Chinese companies from the European city, because of concerns over potential espionage and human rights violations.

Dutch capital Amsterdam has committed to removing cameras manufactured by Chinese companies from the European city, because of concerns over potential espionage and human rights violations. Chinese cameras to be removed The Amsterdam municipality plans to phase out approximately 1,280 Chinese-made surveillance camera installations, currently being used to monitor traffic and public spaces. This phase-out operation will take place within five years. Suppliers will be specifically asked to provide non-Chinese camera systems. Alexander Scholtes, the councillor for ICT and Digital City in Amsterdam, said: "We are also sending a strong signal to the market to find alternatives to Chinese camera systems". Also read | UN report exposes 'extreme levels' of child abuse in armed conflicts, especially in Gaza and Sudan This decision follows a growing apprehension that surveillance equipment from Chinese companies could transmit images to the manufacturer or the government in Beijing. Notably, Chinese firms Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co. and Zhejiang Dahua Technology Co. have been accused by US officials of participating in human rights violations against the Uyghur minority in China. Other countries that have removed Chinese cameras Amsterdam's move comes after similar actions taken by the UK and Australian governments, which have removed Chinese-made surveillance technology from sensitive government and defence sites. Earlier this year, the Netherlands' Military Intelligence and Security Service disclosed a Chinese espionage campaign in the country involving advanced malware. Also read | US lawmakers push to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt over Biden classified docs tapes While the immediate replacement of all Chinese cameras is cost-prohibitive, Amsterdam's coalition government, including the mayor and aldermen, as per NL Times, plans to implement new contract conditions that consider human rights criteria when purchasing camera systems. Municipal departments will now seek alternatives to Chinese cameras, assessing feasibility and costs on a case-by-case basis, with the goal of replacing all current Chinese cameras within five years. (With inputs from agencies)

Amsterdam to remove Chinese-made cameras over espionage and human rights concerns

Russia has extended&nbsp;Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich’s detention who was arrested back in March on espionage charges, reported the Russian state media. Meanwhile, Washington reiterated its call for Gershkovich’s release following the announcement, on Tuesday (May 23).&nbsp;

<h2>Detention extended</h2>

Russian state media reported that the US journalist, who was initially supposed to be in pre-trial detention until May 29, will now remain in custody&nbsp;for three more months, till August 30. Gershkovich has been accused of collecting state secrets about the Russian industrial-military&nbsp;complex and who Moscow claims to have caught “red-handed”.&nbsp;

According to CNN, Gershkovich’s parents were also present at the Lefortovo court in Moscow for the recent hearing. A Russian court last month denied bail to the American journalist who faces up to 20 years in prison after he appeared in a court in Moscow to appeal a decision to keep him in pre-trial detention.&nbsp;

<h2>US responds to the extension</h2>

The US has reiterated its calls for Gershkovich’s release. “He shouldn’t be detained at all. Journalism is not a crime,” said the White House national security spokesman John Kirby, in an interview with CNN. He added, “He needs to be released immediately.”&nbsp;

Kirby also said&nbsp;that Washington will continue to “work very, very hard to see if we can get him home with his family where he belongs.” He also indicated that the US officials are pushing for consular access to Gershkovich directly with the Russians, saying that “there are no grounds for denying consular access.”&nbsp;

<h2>Gershkovich denied bail</h2>

The US citizen, who was arrested&nbsp;on March 29&nbsp;by the Russian FSB security service in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg&nbsp;on espionage charges, had appealed a decision to keep him in pre-trial detention in a former KGB prison until the end of May. &nbsp;

The US also previously said that Gershkovich has been “wrongfully detained” and that the spy charges against him are bogus.&nbsp; President Joe Biden has called his imprisonment “totally illegal”.&nbsp; 
 
Notably, the WSJ reporter is the first foreign journalist arrested on spying allegations since the collapse of the Soviet Union. As per reports, Gershkovich is currently being held at the Lefortovo prison along with others accused of treason and espionage in Moscow which in Soviet times was run by the KGB but is now operated by the Federal Penitentiary Service. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Russia has extended Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich’s detention who was arrested back in March on espionage charges, reported the Russian state media.

Russia has extended Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich’s detention who was arrested back in March on espionage charges, reported the Russian state media. Meanwhile, Washington reiterated its call for Gershkovich’s release following the announcement, on Tuesday (May 23). Detention extended Russian state media reported that the US journalist, who was initially supposed to be in pre-trial detention until May 29, will now remain in custody for three more months, till August 30. Gershkovich has been accused of collecting state secrets about the Russian industrial-military complex and who Moscow claims to have caught “red-handed”. According to CNN, Gershkovich’s parents were also present at the Lefortovo court in Moscow for the recent hearing. A Russian court last month denied bail to the American journalist who faces up to 20 years in prison after he appeared in a court in Moscow to appeal a decision to keep him in pre-trial detention. US responds to the extension The US has reiterated its calls for Gershkovich’s release. “He shouldn’t be detained at all. Journalism is not a crime,” said the White House national security spokesman John Kirby, in an interview with CNN. He added, “He needs to be released immediately.” Kirby also said that Washington will continue to “work very, very hard to see if we can get him home with his family where he belongs.” He also indicated that the US officials are pushing for consular access to Gershkovich directly with the Russians, saying that “there are no grounds for denying consular access.” Gershkovich denied bail The US citizen, who was arrested on March 29 by the Russian FSB security service in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg on espionage charges, had appealed a decision to keep him in pre-trial detention in a former KGB prison until the end of May. The US also previously said that Gershkovich has been “wrongfully detained” and that the spy charges against him are bogus. President Joe Biden has called his imprisonment “totally illegal”. Notably, the WSJ reporter is the first foreign journalist arrested on spying allegations since the collapse of the Soviet Union. As per reports, Gershkovich is currently being held at the Lefortovo prison along with others accused of treason and espionage in Moscow which in Soviet times was run by the KGB but is now operated by the Federal Penitentiary Service. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Russia extends WSJ journalist Evan Gershkovich’s detention, US calls for immediate release

Russian agencies, citing FSB security service, reported Thursday that a US reporter for the Wall Street Journal newspaper has been detained in Russia on suspicion of espionage.&nbsp; 
 
"The FSB halted the illegal activities of US citizen Gershkovich Evan...a correspondent of the Moscow bureau of the American newspaper The Wall Street Journal, accredited with the Russian foreign ministry, suspected of spying in the interests of the American government," the security services were cited as saying by Russian agencies.&nbsp;

The agencies said that the WSJ reporter is "suspected of spying in the interests of the American government" and of collecting information "on an enterprise of the Russian military-industrial complex."

Gershkovich is the first reporter of an American news outlet to have been detained on espionage charges in Russia since the Cold War. His detention&nbsp;comes at time when tension is brewing&nbsp;between Washington and Moscow over the Ukraine war. 
 
The Federal Security Service (FSB), the Russian domestic security and counterintelligence agency that is the top successor of the Soviet-era KGB, claimed on Thursday that Gershkovich was detained in the Ural Mountains city of Yekaterinburg while he was trying to obtain classified information, reported US media outlets. 
 
Meanwhile,&nbsp;The Wall Street Journal said Thursday it was "deeply concerned" for its reporter.&nbsp;

"The Wall Street Journal is deeply concerned for the safety of Mr Gershkovich," the newspaper said in a statement.

Russia, in response, said that&nbsp;Gershkovich was "caught red-handed".

Before joining The Wall Street Journal, 31-year-old Gershkovich worked for AFP in Moscow. He has also worked as a reporter for The Moscow Times, an English-language news website. Gershkovich speaks Russian. His parents live in the United States but are originally from the Soviet Union.&nbsp;

The detention of the reporter is likely to escalate tensions between the United States and Russia.&nbsp;Gershkovich's arrest could impact both Moscow's diplomacy with the US and its international coverage amidst the war.

Gershkovich is the highest-profile American arrested by Russia since basketball star Brittney Griner. The player was caught arriving in Moscow with cannabis oil a week before the invasion of Ukraine and freed in a prisoner swap in December last year.

The US&nbsp;Embassy's updated travel advisory tells US&nbsp;citizens not to travel to Russia because of the danger of arbitrary arrest. It also asks US&nbsp;citizens living or travelling in Russia to depart immediately.

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Russian agencies, citing FSB security service, reported Thursday that a US reporter for the Wall Street Journal newspaper has been detained in Russia on suspicion of espionage.

Russian agencies, citing FSB security service, reported Thursday that a US reporter for the Wall Street Journal newspaper has been detained in Russia on suspicion of espionage. "The FSB halted the illegal activities of US citizen Gershkovich Evan...a correspondent of the Moscow bureau of the American newspaper The Wall Street Journal, accredited with the Russian foreign ministry, suspected of spying in the interests of the American government," the security services were cited as saying by Russian agencies. The agencies said that the WSJ reporter is "suspected of spying in the interests of the American government" and of collecting information "on an enterprise of the Russian military-industrial complex." Gershkovich is the first reporter of an American news outlet to have been detained on espionage charges in Russia since the Cold War. His detention comes at time when tension is brewing between Washington and Moscow over the Ukraine war. The Federal Security Service (FSB), the Russian domestic security and counterintelligence agency that is the top successor of the Soviet-era KGB, claimed on Thursday that Gershkovich was detained in the Ural Mountains city of Yekaterinburg while he was trying to obtain classified information, reported US media outlets. Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal said Thursday it was "deeply concerned" for its reporter. "The Wall Street Journal is deeply concerned for the safety of Mr Gershkovich," the newspaper said in a statement. Russia, in response, said that Gershkovich was "caught red-handed". Before joining The Wall Street Journal, 31-year-old Gershkovich worked for AFP in Moscow. He has also worked as a reporter for The Moscow Times, an English-language news website. Gershkovich speaks Russian. His parents live in the United States but are originally from the Soviet Union. The detention of the reporter is likely to escalate tensions between the United States and Russia. Gershkovich's arrest could impact both Moscow's diplomacy with the US and its international coverage amidst the war. Gershkovich is the highest-profile American arrested by Russia since basketball star Brittney Griner. The player was caught arriving in Moscow with cannabis oil a week before the invasion of Ukraine and freed in a prisoner swap in December last year. The US Embassy's updated travel advisory tells US citizens not to travel to Russia because of the danger of arbitrary arrest. It also asks US citizens living or travelling in Russia to depart immediately. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Wall Street Journal reporter detained in Russia for espionage; Moscow claims he was ‘caught red handed’

The hearing for a Canadian businessman Michael Spavor who was detained in China for more than two years on espionage charges has concluded in less than 3 hours without a verdict.

Canadian spy hearing in China concludes in less than 3 hours

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday lashed out at&nbsp;China for detaining two Canadians for "political ends" after they were charged with suspected espionage.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mike-pompeo-seeks-immediate-release-of-two-canadians-detained-by-china-on-groundless-charges-307832" hreflang="en">Mike Pompeo seeks immediate release of two Canadians detained by China on 'groundless' charges</a>

Trudeau made the&nbsp;statement&nbsp;after Chinese prosecutors' statement on Friday that said it had begun the prosecution of ex-diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor.&nbsp;

Former diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor were arrested in late 2018 on state security charges, shortly after Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou was arrested in Canada on a US warrant, in what is widely believed to have been a retaliatory move.

Ever since these detentions, Canada's relations with China have hit rock-bottom.&nbsp;

At his daily briefing on Monday, Trudeau said: "This arbitrary detention of Canadian citizens is unacceptable and deeply concerning, not just to Canadians but to people around the world who see China using arbitrary detentions as a means to political ends."&nbsp;

Trudeau said "we deplore... a political decision made by the Chinese government" which continues to pressure Canada.

Beijing has also blocked billions of dollars' worth of Canadian agricultural exports.

Stating that detention of two men by China unjustified, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday called for their immediate release.

Pompeo said the US was "extremely concerned" and that the two men's detention was unjustified.

"These charges are politically motivated and completely groundless," the Secretary of State said in a statement.

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday lashed out at China for detaining two Canadians for "political ends" after they were charged with suspected espionage.

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday lashed out at China for detaining two Canadians for "political ends" after they were charged with suspected espionage. Also read: Mike Pompeo seeks immediate release of two Canadians detained by China on 'groundless' charges Trudeau made the statement after Chinese prosecutors' statement on Friday that said it had begun the prosecution of ex-diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor. Former diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor were arrested in late 2018 on state security charges, shortly after Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou was arrested in Canada on a US warrant, in what is widely believed to have been a retaliatory move. Ever since these detentions, Canada's relations with China have hit rock-bottom. At his daily briefing on Monday, Trudeau said: "This arbitrary detention of Canadian citizens is unacceptable and deeply concerning, not just to Canadians but to people around the world who see China using arbitrary detentions as a means to political ends." Trudeau said "we deplore... a political decision made by the Chinese government" which continues to pressure Canada. Beijing has also blocked billions of dollars' worth of Canadian agricultural exports. Stating that detention of two men by China unjustified, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday called for their immediate release. Pompeo said the US was "extremely concerned" and that the two men's detention was unjustified. "These charges are politically motivated and completely groundless," the Secretary of State said in a statement.

'We deplore decision made by China': Trudeau slams Beijing after Canadians charged with espionage

Stating that detention of two men by China unjustified, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday called for their immediate release. Two Canadians are charged by China with espionage.

Stating that detention of two men by China unjustified, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday called for their immediate release. Two Canadians are charged by China with espionage. Pompeo said US was "extremely concerned" and that the two men's detention was unjustified. "These charges are politically motivated and completely groundless," the Secretary of State said in a statement. Chinese prosecutors announced the charges on Friday against former diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor, who were arrested in late 2018. Also read: Espionage cases against Canadians not linked to Huawei CFO, says China The two men were detained shortly after Canadian police detained Huawei Technologies Co Ltd's chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, on a US warrant. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau thanked Pompeo and nations which have recently denounced China's treatment of the two men. "Our allies around the world are very concerned by the fate of the Canadians because they know very well it could be their turn at some point and we must remain united to deplore these arbitrary arrests," he told a daily briefing in Ottawa. Also read: Trudeau 'very disappointed' after China charges two Canadians with suspected espionage Trudeau said the cases of the two men and Meng were clearly linked. Earlier in the day China said they were unrelated and repeated calls for Meng's release.

Mike Pompeo seeks immediate release of two Canadians detained by China on 'groundless' charges

espionage-charges

Espionage Charges, News on Espionage Charges, stories on Espionage Charges, articles on Espionage Charges, Espionage Charges stories at Wion, Espionage Charges news, Espionage Charges latest news