Cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan was sentenced to 10 years in prison, 14 years in prison, and 7 years in prison in three separate cases. The former Prime Minister has asked his supporters to 'take revenge for every injustice' with their vote on Feb 8. Khan's PTI has lost many members, there are some who are contesting as independents, and the remaining have not been able to campaign to their liking, even if PTI wins a sizeable number of seats, what happens to Imran Khan? Has Pakistan's army ended Imran Khan's political career?

Has Pakistan's army ended Imran Khan's political career?

Pakistan former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Khan were sentenced to seven years in prison and fined on Saturday by a court that ruled their 2018 marriage violated the law.

Ex-Pak PM Imran Khan, wife get 7-year jail for unlawful marriage

Pakistan: Former PM Imran Khan, wife sentenced to seven-year jail term for unlawful marriage

Malaysia has halved the sentence of disgraced former Prime Minister Najib Razak, who was convicted and sent to jail for 12 years for corruption in the multibillion-dollar 1MDB scandal.

Najib Razak's jail will become the first Malaysian PM to be jailed

Pakistan: Ex-PM Imran Khan, wife sentenced to seven-year jail term for unlawful marriage

<p>A 43-year-old Indian national&nbsp;Yogesh K Pancholi, residing in Northville, Michigan, has been sentenced to nine years in prison on Tuesday (Jan 30) for orchestrating a nearly $2.8 million health care fraud. The case&nbsp;involved aggravated identity theft, money laundering, and witness tampering, as per US State Department.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Pancholi, who owned and operated Shring Home Care Inc. (Shring), a home health company based in Livonia, Michigan, was found guilty of using deceptive practices to conceal his ownership. He was excluded from billing Medicare but Pancholi manipulated the system by purchasing Shring using the names, signatures, and personal identifying information of others.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to court documents and trial evidence, Pancholi and his co-conspirators engaged in fraudulent billing, racking up nearly $2.8 million in Medicare payments for two months of services that were never provided.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-airlines-plane-diverted-in-us-due-to-cracked-windshield-found-mid-air-685586">United Airlines plane diverted in US due to cracked windshield found mid-air</a></p>

<p>The illicitly obtained funds were then transferred through bank accounts linked to shell corporations and eventually funneled into Pancholi's accounts in India.</p>

<h2><strong>Witness tampering&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Facing indictment and on the eve of trial, Pancholi, operating under a pseudonym, attempted to obstruct justice by sending false and malicious emails to federal government agencies. The emails alleged that a government witness had committed various crimes. Pancholi did this to prevent the witness from testifying in court.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rcb-fever-goes-global-somali-pirates-captured-by-indian-navy-sport-cricket-franchise-jersey-685556">RCB fever goes global: Somali pirates captured by Indian Navy sport cricket franchise jersey</a></p>

<p>In September 2023, a federal jury in the Eastern District of Michigan convicted Pancholi on multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit healthcare and wire fraud, two substantive counts of health care fraud, money laundering, aggravated identity theft, and witness tampering.</p>

<section>
<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/indian-origin-couple-in-the-uk-exports-cocaine-worth-of-70-million-685578">Indian-origin couple in the UK exports cocaine worth of $70 million</a></strong></p>

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<p>The case was thoroughly investigated by the FBI Detroit Field Office and Office of Inspector General, US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS-OIG). Moreover, trial attorneys Shankar Ramamurthy and Andres Almendarez of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case.</p>
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<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A 43-year-old Indian national Yogesh K Pancholi, residing in Northville, Michigan, has been sentenced to nine years in prison on Tuesday (Jan 30) for orchestrating a nearly $2.

A 43-year-old Indian national Yogesh K Pancholi, residing in Northville, Michigan, has been sentenced to nine years in prison on Tuesday (Jan 30) for orchestrating a nearly $2.8 million health care fraud. The case involved aggravated identity theft, money laundering, and witness tampering, as per US State Department. Pancholi, who owned and operated Shring Home Care Inc. (Shring), a home health company based in Livonia, Michigan, was found guilty of using deceptive practices to conceal his ownership. He was excluded from billing Medicare but Pancholi manipulated the system by purchasing Shring using the names, signatures, and personal identifying information of others. According to court documents and trial evidence, Pancholi and his co-conspirators engaged in fraudulent billing, racking up nearly $2.8 million in Medicare payments for two months of services that were never provided. Also Read | United Airlines plane diverted in US due to cracked windshield found mid-air The illicitly obtained funds were then transferred through bank accounts linked to shell corporations and eventually funneled into Pancholi's accounts in India. Witness tampering Facing indictment and on the eve of trial, Pancholi, operating under a pseudonym, attempted to obstruct justice by sending false and malicious emails to federal government agencies. The emails alleged that a government witness had committed various crimes. Pancholi did this to prevent the witness from testifying in court. Also Read | RCB fever goes global: Somali pirates captured by Indian Navy sport cricket franchise jersey In September 2023, a federal jury in the Eastern District of Michigan convicted Pancholi on multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit healthcare and wire fraud, two substantive counts of health care fraud, money laundering, aggravated identity theft, and witness tampering. Watch | Indian-origin couple in the UK exports cocaine worth of $70 million × The case was thoroughly investigated by the FBI Detroit Field Office and Office of Inspector General, US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS-OIG). Moreover, trial attorneys Shankar Ramamurthy and Andres Almendarez of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case. (With inputs from agencies)

US: Indian national gets 9 years’ jail for $2.8 million healthcare fraud, witness tampering

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<p>A woman who has been&nbsp;in a Florida county jail since 2022 got pregnant, provoking an investigation. Her sister and attorney have demanded answers from corrections officials.</p>

<p>On Christmas, Daisy Link, 28, called her family to inform them that she was almost four months pregnant, NBC News reported. Link's sister, Crystal Barreto, said, "I could not find words. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Right away, I was concerned about Daisy and her safety."</p>

<p>Link, who is currently at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in Miami-Dade County on the charge of second-degree murder, has not gone to trial yet. She is also charged with battery by a detainee on a visitor or other detainee.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Daisy Link's criminal defence attorney, Marlene Montaner, clarified that the second-degree murder was the result of a domestic violence incident. According to Montaner, Link fired a single gunshot while attempting to protect herself from an abusive partner.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Her sister and her attorney have been pushing to get her discharged on house arrest, especially now that she is pregnant. However, both have no clue how she got pregnant in the first place. Barreto said her sister had not informed her of what happened.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/miracle-woman-in-her-90s-pulled-out-of-debris-five-days-after-japan-76-earthquake-677391">Miracle! Woman in her 90s pulled out of debris five days after Japan 7.6 earthquake</a></p>

<p>"My sister, when she was able to call us here and there, was trying to tell us pieces of the story, but is very scared to say anything over the phone because her calls are being recorded," Barreto said.</p>

<p>"The allegations right now are that it's another inmate's," said Montaner. However, the county jail has separate floors for male and female inmates.</p>

<p>Montaner also called the reports by other media outlets "implausible" as they suggested the pregnancy might have been the result of a male inmate passing semen through an air conditioning vent. She has raised questions about the corrections officials, blaming them for Link's pregnancy.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to a spokesperson from Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation, another inmate told the officials that she suspected Link was pregnant. The officials confirmed the pregnancy after a thorough medical examination, and the matter is currently under investigation. They also confirmed that the pregnancy was not the result of sexual assault.</p>

<p>"While there is no evidence of sexual battery against our inmate at this time, the circumstances surrounding the pregnancy are currently under active investigation," the spokesperson said.</p>

<p>Barreto said Link tried telling officials about her pregnancy earlier, but they mocked her for it. "Nobody should come out pregnant in jail. This is really ridiculous," Barreto said, expressing concerns about her sister's safety.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A woman who has been in a Florida county jail since 2022 got pregnant, provoking an investigation. Her sister and attorney have demanded answers from corrections officials.

A woman who has been in a Florida county jail since 2022 got pregnant, provoking an investigation. Her sister and attorney have demanded answers from corrections officials. On Christmas, Daisy Link, 28, called her family to inform them that she was almost four months pregnant, NBC News reported. Link's sister, Crystal Barreto, said, "I could not find words. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Right away, I was concerned about Daisy and her safety." Link, who is currently at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in Miami-Dade County on the charge of second-degree murder, has not gone to trial yet. She is also charged with battery by a detainee on a visitor or other detainee. Daisy Link's criminal defence attorney, Marlene Montaner, clarified that the second-degree murder was the result of a domestic violence incident. According to Montaner, Link fired a single gunshot while attempting to protect herself from an abusive partner. Her sister and her attorney have been pushing to get her discharged on house arrest, especially now that she is pregnant. However, both have no clue how she got pregnant in the first place. Barreto said her sister had not informed her of what happened. ALSO READ | Miracle! Woman in her 90s pulled out of debris five days after Japan 7.6 earthquake "My sister, when she was able to call us here and there, was trying to tell us pieces of the story, but is very scared to say anything over the phone because her calls are being recorded," Barreto said. "The allegations right now are that it's another inmate's," said Montaner. However, the county jail has separate floors for male and female inmates. Montaner also called the reports by other media outlets "implausible" as they suggested the pregnancy might have been the result of a male inmate passing semen through an air conditioning vent. She has raised questions about the corrections officials, blaming them for Link's pregnancy. According to a spokesperson from Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation, another inmate told the officials that she suspected Link was pregnant. The officials confirmed the pregnancy after a thorough medical examination, and the matter is currently under investigation. They also confirmed that the pregnancy was not the result of sexual assault. "While there is no evidence of sexual battery against our inmate at this time, the circumstances surrounding the pregnancy are currently under active investigation," the spokesperson said. Barreto said Link tried telling officials about her pregnancy earlier, but they mocked her for it. "Nobody should come out pregnant in jail. This is really ridiculous," Barreto said, expressing concerns about her sister's safety. (With inputs from agencies)

Florida woman in prison since June 2022 gets pregnant, sparks investigation

<p>A Russian court handed down a nearly decade-long prison sentence to Ksenia Fadeyeva, who formerly led the now-banned organisation of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Tomsk. This verdict is part of a broader trend of intensified repression against Russia's opposition, with the Kremlin tightening its grip on civil society since the commencement of a military operation in Ukraine in 2022.</p>

<p>Supporters reported that the court, presided over by 'judge' Khudyakov, declared a nine-year sentence for Fadeyeva on charges of extremism. The Telegram channel of her supporters conveyed the intention to appeal to the highest court, indicating a determined legal challenge to the verdict.</p>

<p>"The 'judge' Khudyakov has ordered a&nbsp;nine-year sentence against Ksenia&nbsp;Fadeyeva" for extremism, her&nbsp;supporters' Telegram channel said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Of course, the defence will appeal to the highest&nbsp;court," it added.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-wished-modi-well-for-lok-sabha-elections-heres-what-it-means-for-india-russia-ties-674323">Also read|&nbsp;Putin wished Modi well for Lok Sabha elections. Here’s what it means for India-Russia ties</a></p>

<h2><strong>Navalny's political office and repression</strong></h2>

<p>As the head of Navalny's political office in Tomsk, Fadeyeva played a significant role in a region where Navalny himself was poisoned in August 2020, ahead of elections.</p>

<p>Despite being elected to the Tomsk city legislature in 2020, a symbolic victory for the Russian opposition against President Vladimir Putin's regime, the authorities&nbsp;designated the group as an "extremist organisation" in 2021. This designation exposed its members and supporters to legal persecution.</p>

<p>While many of Navalny's allies chose to leave, Fadeyeva refused to flee and was apprehended in December 2021 on charges of organising an "extremist" group. The Russian government has frequently used&nbsp;laws related to "terrorist" and "extremist" activities to impose lengthy prison sentences on critics, a tactic exemplified by Navalny's own incarceration.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;S Jaishankar in Russia: India &amp; Russia sign pacts, inch closer to jointly producing weapons</strong></p>

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<p>Navalny, who sparked widespread protests in Russia before his 2021 imprisonment on fraud charges, had his sentence extended to 19 years on extremism charges in 2023. Furthermore, he was relocated to a harsher colony in Russia's Arctic. The Anti-Corruption Foundation, led by regional heads, has faced similar repression, with allies like Lilia Chanysheva receiving substantial prison terms.</p>

<p>The sentencing of Ksenia Fadeyeva adds to the growing list of opposition figures facing severe legal consequences in Russia.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A Russian court handed down a nearly decade-long prison sentence to Ksenia Fadeyeva, who formerly led the now-banned organisation of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Tomsk.

A Russian court handed down a nearly decade-long prison sentence to Ksenia Fadeyeva, who formerly led the now-banned organisation of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Tomsk. This verdict is part of a broader trend of intensified repression against Russia's opposition, with the Kremlin tightening its grip on civil society since the commencement of a military operation in Ukraine in 2022. Supporters reported that the court, presided over by 'judge' Khudyakov, declared a nine-year sentence for Fadeyeva on charges of extremism. The Telegram channel of her supporters conveyed the intention to appeal to the highest court, indicating a determined legal challenge to the verdict. "The 'judge' Khudyakov has ordered a nine-year sentence against Ksenia Fadeyeva" for extremism, her supporters' Telegram channel said. "Of course, the defence will appeal to the highest court," it added. Also read| Putin wished Modi well for Lok Sabha elections. Here’s what it means for India-Russia ties Navalny's political office and repression As the head of Navalny's political office in Tomsk, Fadeyeva played a significant role in a region where Navalny himself was poisoned in August 2020, ahead of elections. Despite being elected to the Tomsk city legislature in 2020, a symbolic victory for the Russian opposition against President Vladimir Putin's regime, the authorities designated the group as an "extremist organisation" in 2021. This designation exposed its members and supporters to legal persecution. While many of Navalny's allies chose to leave, Fadeyeva refused to flee and was apprehended in December 2021 on charges of organising an "extremist" group. The Russian government has frequently used laws related to "terrorist" and "extremist" activities to impose lengthy prison sentences on critics, a tactic exemplified by Navalny's own incarceration. Also watch | S Jaishankar in Russia: India & Russia sign pacts, inch closer to jointly producing weapons Navalny, who sparked widespread protests in Russia before his 2021 imprisonment on fraud charges, had his sentence extended to 19 years on extremism charges in 2023. Furthermore, he was relocated to a harsher colony in Russia's Arctic. The Anti-Corruption Foundation, led by regional heads, has faced similar repression, with allies like Lilia Chanysheva receiving substantial prison terms. The sentencing of Ksenia Fadeyeva adds to the growing list of opposition figures facing severe legal consequences in Russia. (With inputs from agencies)

Russian court hands nine-year prison term to Navalny ally Ksenia Fadeyeva

<p>In a recent development, a Qatar court has decided to reduce the death sentences handed to eight Indian nationals who were convicted last month in connection with an alleged espionage case.</p>

<p>"We have noted the verdict today of the Court of Appeal of Qatar in the Dahra Global case, in which the sentences have been reduced...The detailed judgement is awaited....Our Ambassador to Qatar and other officials were present in the Court of Appeal today, along with the family members. We have stood by them since the beginning of the matter and we will continue to extend all consular and legal assistance. We will also continue to take up the matter with the Qatari authorities," the official statement&nbsp;from India's external affairs ministry read.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">"We have noted the verdict today of the Court of Appeal of Qatar in the Dahra Global case, in which the sentences have been reduced...The detailed judgement is awaited....Our Ambassador to Qatar and other officials were present in the Court of Appeal today, along with the family… <a href="https://t.co/ysjVhbisaK">pic.twitter.com/ysjVhbisaK</a></p>
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<p>This decision follows the acceptance of an appeal by the Indian government against the initial death sentences on these nationals. The Court of First Instance in Qatar acknowledged the appeal, leading to a revision of the sentences initially awarded to the individuals involved.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Indian nationals faced charges filed on March 25 and underwent legal proceedings according to Qatari law. A detailed judgement by Qatar court in the case is awaited.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch this report</strong></p>

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<h2><strong>India focused&nbsp;to bring them back&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>India is concentrating its efforts on repatriating the eight nationals. In a recent press briefing, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi stressed on&nbsp;India's commitment to addressing the issue, stating that the government is actively working to bring its citizens back home as soon as possible.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/exclusive-indian-pm-to-announce-massive-cuts-in-petrol-diesel-prices-before-year-end-674383">Also read |&nbsp;Exclusive: Indian PM to announce massive cuts in petrol, diesel prices before year end</a></p>

<p>“We have said this is an important issue that we are following, and [looking at] how we can get our people back to India at the earliest. That is what is driving us," he said.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


In a recent development, a Qatar court has decided to reduce the death sentences handed to eight Indian nationals who were convicted last month in connection with an alleged espionage case.

In a recent development, a Qatar court has decided to reduce the death sentences handed to eight Indian nationals who were convicted last month in connection with an alleged espionage case. "We have noted the verdict today of the Court of Appeal of Qatar in the Dahra Global case, in which the sentences have been reduced...The detailed judgement is awaited....Our Ambassador to Qatar and other officials were present in the Court of Appeal today, along with the family members. We have stood by them since the beginning of the matter and we will continue to extend all consular and legal assistance. We will also continue to take up the matter with the Qatari authorities," the official statement from India's external affairs ministry read. "We have noted the verdict today of the Court of Appeal of Qatar in the Dahra Global case, in which the sentences have been reduced...The detailed judgement is awaited....Our Ambassador to Qatar and other officials were present in the Court of Appeal today, along with the family… pic.twitter.com/ysjVhbisaK — ANI (@ANI) December 28, 2023 × This decision follows the acceptance of an appeal by the Indian government against the initial death sentences on these nationals. The Court of First Instance in Qatar acknowledged the appeal, leading to a revision of the sentences initially awarded to the individuals involved. The Indian nationals faced charges filed on March 25 and underwent legal proceedings according to Qatari law. A detailed judgement by Qatar court in the case is awaited. Also watch this report India focused to bring them back India is concentrating its efforts on repatriating the eight nationals. In a recent press briefing, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi stressed on India's commitment to addressing the issue, stating that the government is actively working to bring its citizens back home as soon as possible. Also read | Exclusive: Indian PM to announce massive cuts in petrol, diesel prices before year end “We have said this is an important issue that we are following, and [looking at] how we can get our people back to India at the earliest. That is what is driving us," he said. (With inputs from agencies)

Qatar reduces sentences of eight Indian nationals on death row

<p>Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe exercised his executive power by granting amnesty to more than 1,000 convicts, releasing them from prisons across the country in celebration of Christmas. This decision was communicated by a prisons official on Monday.</p>

<p>Among the 1,004 individuals released on Monday, a notable group consisted of Sri Lankans who had been incarcerated due to their inability to pay outstanding fines. Prison Commissioner Gamini Dissanayake provided details regarding this specific category of released prisoners.</p>

<h2><strong>Buddhist majority and previous pardons</strong></h2>

<p>Sri Lanka, where the majority of the population adheres to Buddhism, has a tradition of releasing prisoners on significant religious occasions. In May, a similar number of convicts were pardoned in honor of Vesak, a Buddhist holiday commemorating the Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and death.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/explained-did-sri-lankas-rajapaksa-orchestrate-easter-bombings-of-2019-for-return-to-power-673112">Also read |&nbsp;Explained | Did Sri Lanka's Rajapaksa orchestrate Easter bombings of 2019 for return to power?</a></p>

<p>The recent amnesty occurred in the aftermath of a weeklong military-backed anti-narcotics operation. Approximately 15,000 individuals were arrested during this initiative, which was abruptly halted on Christmas Eve. The released statement from the police revealed that out of the total arrests, 13,666 were suspects, while nearly 1,100 addicts were detained for compulsory rehabilitation at a military-operated facility.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Sri Lanka halts docking of foreign research ships amid Chinese spying concerns</strong></p>

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<p>An ongoing challenge faced by Sri Lanka is the chronic overcrowding in its correctional facilities. Official data as of Friday indicated that these prisons, designed to accommodate 11,000 inmates, were currently holding nearly 30,000 people.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe exercised his executive power by granting amnesty to more than 1,000 convicts, releasing them from prisons across the country in celebration of Christmas.

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe exercised his executive power by granting amnesty to more than 1,000 convicts, releasing them from prisons across the country in celebration of Christmas. This decision was communicated by a prisons official on Monday. Among the 1,004 individuals released on Monday, a notable group consisted of Sri Lankans who had been incarcerated due to their inability to pay outstanding fines. Prison Commissioner Gamini Dissanayake provided details regarding this specific category of released prisoners. Buddhist majority and previous pardons Sri Lanka, where the majority of the population adheres to Buddhism, has a tradition of releasing prisoners on significant religious occasions. In May, a similar number of convicts were pardoned in honor of Vesak, a Buddhist holiday commemorating the Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and death. Also read | Explained | Did Sri Lanka's Rajapaksa orchestrate Easter bombings of 2019 for return to power? The recent amnesty occurred in the aftermath of a weeklong military-backed anti-narcotics operation. Approximately 15,000 individuals were arrested during this initiative, which was abruptly halted on Christmas Eve. The released statement from the police revealed that out of the total arrests, 13,666 were suspects, while nearly 1,100 addicts were detained for compulsory rehabilitation at a military-operated facility. Also watch | Sri Lanka halts docking of foreign research ships amid Chinese spying concerns An ongoing challenge faced by Sri Lanka is the chronic overcrowding in its correctional facilities. Official data as of Friday indicated that these prisons, designed to accommodate 11,000 inmates, were currently holding nearly 30,000 people. (With inputs from agencies)

Sri Lankan president frees 1,000 inmates to mark Christmas

A member of Thailand's Parliament has been sentenced to 6 years in prison for insulting country's monarchy. Rukchanok was found guilty of violating Thailand's lese-majesty laws.

Thai MP gets 6 years in jail for sharing defamatory posts

Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi, who is serving a 10-year sentence in Iran's Evin prison, has begun a hunger strike in protest against the limits on medical care for her and other sick inmates

Jailed Nobel Laureate Narges Mohammadi on hunger strike

According to local sources, two female journalists were sentenced to up to seven years in prison by an Iranian court for, among other things, "collaborating" with the US administration. Both have been behind bars since September 2022, when they reported on Mahsa Amini's death in police custody.

Iran journalists who covered Amini death get jail sentences

The trial of disgraced crypto star Sam Bankman-Fried got underway on Tuesday. A jury set to determine if he committed massive fraud by stealing billions of dollars from clients.

Bankman-Fried's firm paid officials for unfreezing accounts

<p>UN&nbsp;human rights experts have called for major reforms of the US&nbsp;criminal justice system to combat systemic racism, citing testimonies that jailed Black women had been shackled during childbirth while male inmates were forced to work in "plantation-style" conditions.</p>

<p>In a report published on Thursday (Sep 28), three UN-appointed experts said they had found practices in US&nbsp;prisons that amounted to "an affront to human dignity" in visits in April and May.</p>

<p>The US&nbsp;diplomatic mission in Geneva declined to comment. The Federal Bureau of Prisons said it was committed to ensuring the safety and security of incarcerated individuals as well as employees and the public.</p>

<p>One such practice is restraining and shackling women prisoners during childbirth, the report said.</p>

<p>The experts "heard, first hand, unbearable direct testimonies of pregnant women shackled during labour, who due to the chaining, lost their babies", it said. Asked to give details, a U.N. rights spokesperson referred to "several" cases and confirmed they all involved Black women.</p>

<p>The experts also collected direct testimonies of conditions at a Louisiana prison where it said thousands of mostly Black male prisoners were "forced to labour in the fields (even picking cotton) under the watch of white 'freemen' on horseback, in conditions very similar to those of 150 years ago".</p>

<p>It described the stories from the so-called 'Angola' facility as "shocking" and said they amounted to "contemporary forms of slavery". It also voiced alarm at the widespread use of solitary confinement, which it said appeared to be applied disproportionately to inmates of African descent.</p>

<p>One Black man told the experts he had been kept in isolation for 11 years without interruption, the report said. "Our findings point to the critical need for comprehensive reform," said one of the experts, Juan Mendez.</p>

<p>US&nbsp;prison conditions have been a concern for decades and rights groups have long called for facilities with the worst records to be reformed or shut down.</p>

<p>The investigation was set up by the U.N. Human Rights Council, of which the United States is a voting member, in 2021 after the killing of George Floyd, a Black man who died after his neck was pinned to the ground by a police officer.</p>

<p>The report was based on testimonies from 133 individuals in five U.S. cities as well as those collected from five detention centres. It contained a list of 30 recommendations for US&nbsp;authorities, including a call for a new commission on reparations for people of African descent.</p>

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UN human rights experts have called for major reforms of the US criminal justice system to combat systemic racism, citing testimonies that jailed Black women had been shackled during childbirth while male inmates were forced to work in "plantation-style" conditions.

UN human rights experts have called for major reforms of the US criminal justice system to combat systemic racism, citing testimonies that jailed Black women had been shackled during childbirth while male inmates were forced to work in "plantation-style" conditions. In a report published on Thursday (Sep 28), three UN-appointed experts said they had found practices in US prisons that amounted to "an affront to human dignity" in visits in April and May. The US diplomatic mission in Geneva declined to comment. The Federal Bureau of Prisons said it was committed to ensuring the safety and security of incarcerated individuals as well as employees and the public. One such practice is restraining and shackling women prisoners during childbirth, the report said. The experts "heard, first hand, unbearable direct testimonies of pregnant women shackled during labour, who due to the chaining, lost their babies", it said. Asked to give details, a U.N. rights spokesperson referred to "several" cases and confirmed they all involved Black women. The experts also collected direct testimonies of conditions at a Louisiana prison where it said thousands of mostly Black male prisoners were "forced to labour in the fields (even picking cotton) under the watch of white 'freemen' on horseback, in conditions very similar to those of 150 years ago". It described the stories from the so-called 'Angola' facility as "shocking" and said they amounted to "contemporary forms of slavery". It also voiced alarm at the widespread use of solitary confinement, which it said appeared to be applied disproportionately to inmates of African descent. One Black man told the experts he had been kept in isolation for 11 years without interruption, the report said. "Our findings point to the critical need for comprehensive reform," said one of the experts, Juan Mendez. US prison conditions have been a concern for decades and rights groups have long called for facilities with the worst records to be reformed or shut down. The investigation was set up by the U.N. Human Rights Council, of which the United States is a voting member, in 2021 after the killing of George Floyd, a Black man who died after his neck was pinned to the ground by a police officer. The report was based on testimonies from 133 individuals in five U.S. cities as well as those collected from five detention centres. It contained a list of 30 recommendations for US authorities, including a call for a new commission on reparations for people of African descent. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

'Black women inmates chained': US jail practices slammed by UN experts as racist, affront to dignity

<p>A court in Bangladesh on Thursday (September 14) handed two-year jail sentences to two prominent human rights activists. The trial has attracted criticism that the government is cracking down on opponents ahead of elections.</p>

<p>Adilur Rahman Khan (63), and Nasiruddin Elan (57) have for decades&nbsp;led Odhikar organisation and have worked to document thousands of alleged extrajudicial killings, police brutalities and enforced disappearances of opposition activists.</p>

<p>Judge Zulfiker Hayat told the court that both of them "were sentenced to two years in prison".</p>

<p>The sentences have been handed over criminal charges against both of them over a fact-finding report they&nbsp;compiled 10 years ago. The report was on extrajudicial killings.</p>

<p>"They were sentenced to two years in jail for publishing and circulating false information, hurting religious sentiments and undermining the image of the state," prosecutor Nazrul Islam Shamim told AFP.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Bangladesh fire: Hundreds of shops gutted in market fire in Bangladesh's Dhaka</strong></p>

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<p>Both men were present in the court in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. Several foreign diplomats were also present in the court.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Khan was seen thrusting his clenched fist in defiance when the police took both of them from court to Dhaka central jail.</p>

<p>The lawyers representing the activists plan to appeal the verdict.</p>

<p>General elections are due in Bangladesh before the end of January. The ruling party dominates the legislature and runs it virtually as a rubber stamp.</p>

<p>There have been concerned expressions from Western countries about the political climate in Bangladesh.</p>

<p>"This verdict will send a chilling message to the human rights defenders in the country and make their work enormously difficult," Nur Khan Liton, a former head of another leading human rights organisations, told AFP.</p>

<p>Odhikar has in past, worked closely with United Nations bodies and human rights groups in the world. The organisation has documented human rights violations in Bangladesh since 1994.</p>

<p>The UN had expressed alarm earlier this month at what it said was use of legal proceedings in courts of Bangladesh to intimidate and harass rights activists.</p>

<p>Both men "have faced harassment and intimidation", UN rights office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said last week.</p>

<p>Bangladesh reacted angrily to the comments and deemed them to be in "flagrant disrespect" of justice system in the country.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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A court in Bangladesh on Thursday (September 14) handed two-year jail sentences to two prominent human rights activists. The trial has attracted criticism that the government is cracking down on opponents ahead of elections.

A court in Bangladesh on Thursday (September 14) handed two-year jail sentences to two prominent human rights activists. The trial has attracted criticism that the government is cracking down on opponents ahead of elections. Adilur Rahman Khan (63), and Nasiruddin Elan (57) have for decades led Odhikar organisation and have worked to document thousands of alleged extrajudicial killings, police brutalities and enforced disappearances of opposition activists. Judge Zulfiker Hayat told the court that both of them "were sentenced to two years in prison". The sentences have been handed over criminal charges against both of them over a fact-finding report they compiled 10 years ago. The report was on extrajudicial killings. "They were sentenced to two years in jail for publishing and circulating false information, hurting religious sentiments and undermining the image of the state," prosecutor Nazrul Islam Shamim told AFP. Watch | Bangladesh fire: Hundreds of shops gutted in market fire in Bangladesh's Dhaka × Both men were present in the court in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. Several foreign diplomats were also present in the court. Khan was seen thrusting his clenched fist in defiance when the police took both of them from court to Dhaka central jail. The lawyers representing the activists plan to appeal the verdict. General elections are due in Bangladesh before the end of January. The ruling party dominates the legislature and runs it virtually as a rubber stamp. There have been concerned expressions from Western countries about the political climate in Bangladesh. "This verdict will send a chilling message to the human rights defenders in the country and make their work enormously difficult," Nur Khan Liton, a former head of another leading human rights organisations, told AFP. Odhikar has in past, worked closely with United Nations bodies and human rights groups in the world. The organisation has documented human rights violations in Bangladesh since 1994. The UN had expressed alarm earlier this month at what it said was use of legal proceedings in courts of Bangladesh to intimidate and harass rights activists. Both men "have faced harassment and intimidation", UN rights office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said last week. Bangladesh reacted angrily to the comments and deemed them to be in "flagrant disrespect" of justice system in the country. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Bangladesh court sends two prominent rights activists to jail, UN expresses alarm

<p>The UK government made a stunning revelation that 80 prison officers did not show up for work in HMP Wandsworth on the day terror suspect Daniel Abed Khalife famously escaped from the prison.<br />
<br />
Around four in 10 of the staff employed in the prison failed to turn up as was expected, admitted a Tory minister despite the insistence of the government that staff shortages were not a reason for the security breach.<br />
<br />
Khalife on Monday (September 11) was charged with breaking HMP Wandsworth prison on September 6 by strapping himself underneath a food delivery lorry. The former soldier, who is 21 years old, was arrested by a plain-clothes counter-terrorism officer on a canal towpath in west London on Saturday.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-is-daniel-khalife-escaped-terror-suspect-and-ex-british-army-soldier-who-was-arrested-later-634549">Who is Daniel Khalife? Escaped terror suspect and ex-British army soldier who was arrested later</a></p>

<p>Answering a Labour question about the issue of staffing on the day of the incident, Prisons Minister Damian Hinds said that only 61 per cent of the officers appointed at Wandsworth attended their shift.<br />
<br />
However, the minister added, “All staff in both the kitchen and the gatehouse were on duty on 6 September. An initial investigation into Daniel Khalife’s escape did not find the staffing level to be a contributing factor.”<br />
<br />
The government under Sunak has remained reluctant to accept shortage of staff or multiple absences are the reason behind the apparent security breach.<br />
<br />
However, an independent investigation headed by ex-National Crime Agency's Keith Bristow is now looking at the wider shortcomings at Wandsworth – as security and staffing levels are set to be scrutinised.</p>

<h2><strong>'Too many prisoners compared to the amount of staff'</strong></h2>

<p>Chief inspector of prisons Charlie Taylor has insisted that “there are too many prisoners in Wandsworth for the amount of staff”, further stating that the issue of staff shortage has been raised over the years.<br />
<br />
“The lack of staffing which has dogged the prison. I think when we last inspected at the end of 2021. They were 30% short of staff,” said the inspector, while speaking to the BBC after the Khalife fleeing incident.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Nurse Lucy Letby gets life in prison for killing seven newborns | UK News | WION Dispatch</strong></p>

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<p>Hinds said that staffing levels present at Wandsworth on the day the security was breached “were above the minimum staffing level required”. Around 125 prison officers attended their shifts at the prison, however, 80 officers were absent.<br />
<br />
MP for Wandsworth Rosena Allin-Khan, who raised the question about the arrangements on the day of the alleged escape, stated that she had raised concerns about “significant staff shortages” at the prison months ago.<br />
<br />
“When I visited Wandsworth prison a few months ago, the biggest issue they were facing was staff shortages. This is why I raised concerns about staffing levels – which showed just six officers turned up for a shift one night in December. The government chose to ignore my concerns,” said Allin-Khan, while speaking to The Independent.</p>

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The UK government made a stunning revelation that 80 prison officers did not show up for work in HMP Wandsworth on the day terror suspect Daniel Abed Khalife famously escaped from the prison.

The UK government made a stunning revelation that 80 prison officers did not show up for work in HMP Wandsworth on the day terror suspect Daniel Abed Khalife famously escaped from the prison. Around four in 10 of the staff employed in the prison failed to turn up as was expected, admitted a Tory minister despite the insistence of the government that staff shortages were not a reason for the security breach. Khalife on Monday (September 11) was charged with breaking HMP Wandsworth prison on September 6 by strapping himself underneath a food delivery lorry. The former soldier, who is 21 years old, was arrested by a plain-clothes counter-terrorism officer on a canal towpath in west London on Saturday. ALSO READ | Who is Daniel Khalife? Escaped terror suspect and ex-British army soldier who was arrested later Answering a Labour question about the issue of staffing on the day of the incident, Prisons Minister Damian Hinds said that only 61 per cent of the officers appointed at Wandsworth attended their shift. However, the minister added, “All staff in both the kitchen and the gatehouse were on duty on 6 September. An initial investigation into Daniel Khalife’s escape did not find the staffing level to be a contributing factor.” The government under Sunak has remained reluctant to accept shortage of staff or multiple absences are the reason behind the apparent security breach. However, an independent investigation headed by ex-National Crime Agency's Keith Bristow is now looking at the wider shortcomings at Wandsworth – as security and staffing levels are set to be scrutinised. 'Too many prisoners compared to the amount of staff' Chief inspector of prisons Charlie Taylor has insisted that “there are too many prisoners in Wandsworth for the amount of staff”, further stating that the issue of staff shortage has been raised over the years. “The lack of staffing which has dogged the prison. I think when we last inspected at the end of 2021. They were 30% short of staff,” said the inspector, while speaking to the BBC after the Khalife fleeing incident. WATCH | Nurse Lucy Letby gets life in prison for killing seven newborns | UK News | WION Dispatch Hinds said that staffing levels present at Wandsworth on the day the security was breached “were above the minimum staffing level required”. Around 125 prison officers attended their shifts at the prison, however, 80 officers were absent. MP for Wandsworth Rosena Allin-Khan, who raised the question about the arrangements on the day of the alleged escape, stated that she had raised concerns about “significant staff shortages” at the prison months ago. “When I visited Wandsworth prison a few months ago, the biggest issue they were facing was staff shortages. This is why I raised concerns about staffing levels – which showed just six officers turned up for a shift one night in December. The government chose to ignore my concerns,” said Allin-Khan, while speaking to The Independent. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

UK: 80 officers were absent the day terror suspect Daniel Khalife ‘escaped’ from prison

<p>The inmates released the 50 guards and seven police officers in six Ecuadoran prisons on Friday (September 1) after taking them hostage in the latest incident of narcotics-related mayhem, said&nbsp;the state prison institute.</p>

<p>The prison guards and police "were freed and are undergoing medical evaluation to verify their health status," said the SNAI prison authority, further stating&nbsp;that all of them were reported to be in good health.</p>

<p>Prisoners at a jail in the Ecuadorian city of Cuenca were holding the 50 guards and seven police officers hostage, Interior Minister Juan Zapata had confirmed&nbsp;on Thursday (August 31).</p>

<p>"We are concerned about the safety of our officials," he said at a press conference in the capital Quito.</p>

<p>The mass hostage-taking happened a day after hundreds of soldiers and police officers and soldiers carried out an operation in search of weapons, ammunition and explosives. The jail is one of the country's main penitentiaries.</p>

<p>SNAI, the state office that is in charge of prisons, said that the hostage-taking was reprisal for the earlier operation. However, authorities later said that it happened as a protest at the transfer of inmates to other prisons.</p>

<p>There have been massacres in Ecuadorian jails by rival gangs who have links to Colombian and Mexican cartels. Since 2021, there have been more than 430 inmate deaths. The violence has often left a trail of burned and dismembered bodies.</p>

<p>The country, until a few years ago a peaceful South American haven nestled between the world's largest cocaine producers -- Colombia and Peru -- has recently descended into violence as it has itself become a hub for drug trafficking.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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The inmates released the 50 guards and seven police officers in six Ecuadoran prisons on Friday (September 1) after taking them hostage in the latest incident of narcotics-related mayhem, said the state prison institute.

The inmates released the 50 guards and seven police officers in six Ecuadoran prisons on Friday (September 1) after taking them hostage in the latest incident of narcotics-related mayhem, said the state prison institute. The prison guards and police "were freed and are undergoing medical evaluation to verify their health status," said the SNAI prison authority, further stating that all of them were reported to be in good health. Prisoners at a jail in the Ecuadorian city of Cuenca were holding the 50 guards and seven police officers hostage, Interior Minister Juan Zapata had confirmed on Thursday (August 31). "We are concerned about the safety of our officials," he said at a press conference in the capital Quito. The mass hostage-taking happened a day after hundreds of soldiers and police officers and soldiers carried out an operation in search of weapons, ammunition and explosives. The jail is one of the country's main penitentiaries. SNAI, the state office that is in charge of prisons, said that the hostage-taking was reprisal for the earlier operation. However, authorities later said that it happened as a protest at the transfer of inmates to other prisons. There have been massacres in Ecuadorian jails by rival gangs who have links to Colombian and Mexican cartels. Since 2021, there have been more than 430 inmate deaths. The violence has often left a trail of burned and dismembered bodies. The country, until a few years ago a peaceful South American haven nestled between the world's largest cocaine producers -- Colombia and Peru -- has recently descended into violence as it has itself become a hub for drug trafficking. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Inmates in Ecuador jail finally release 50 guards, 7 police officers held hostage

<p>The coronavirus pandemic changed thousands and thousands of lives across the world as it caused deaths, slowed down economies and shook the general tendency of people and policymakers to take public health for granted. Strict lockdowns meant that travel, tourism and hospitality sectors took a hit. In US, the government helped businesses across the country stay afloat by offering monetary help, large and small.</p>

<p>Dana McIntyre (59), a pizzeria owner in Boston has now been handed a two-year prison term for taking relief money from the government and then using it to buy a farm, some vehicles, an alpaca farm and more.</p>

<p>“This was no momentary lapse in the fog of the pandemic,” Joshua S. Levy, the acting U.S. attorney for Massachusetts, said in a statement as mentioned by The New York Times (NYT).</p>

<p>“He stole from the American taxpayers and the many small businesses which truly needed those loans to survive.”</p>

<p>He told NYT that he was to report to prison in January. He claimed that he had viewed the money he got from the government as a loan which he would eventually pay back.</p>

<p>McIntyre received more than USD 660,000 from the government. The court has now ordered him to pay back $680,000.</p>

<p>He owns Rasta Pasta Pizzeria in Beverly, a Boston suburb. He also has a podcast show “The Dana Crypto Show.”</p>

<p>New York Times reported that after getting the money, McIntyre bought a farm in Vermont. He also bought a USD 14,000 pickup truck and a vintage car worth USD 8500.</p>

<p>He also made payments totalling to $6500 to broadcaster of his podcast&nbsp;and spent some money on home improvements.</p>

<p>“It wasn’t this mastermind programme to steal money from the government and go up and start this alpaca farm,” he said. “No, it unfolded and it took on its own life form.”</p>

<p>McIntyre has now become one among more than 3100 Americans who face charges of using pandemic relief funds for purposes other than related to pandemic-era survival. Federal prosecutors are scrambling to recover billions of dollars from people who falsely obtained money from government.</p>

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The coronavirus pandemic changed thousands and thousands of lives across the world as it caused deaths, slowed down economies and shook the general tendency of people and policymakers to take public health for granted.

The coronavirus pandemic changed thousands and thousands of lives across the world as it caused deaths, slowed down economies and shook the general tendency of people and policymakers to take public health for granted. Strict lockdowns meant that travel, tourism and hospitality sectors took a hit. In US, the government helped businesses across the country stay afloat by offering monetary help, large and small. Dana McIntyre (59), a pizzeria owner in Boston has now been handed a two-year prison term for taking relief money from the government and then using it to buy a farm, some vehicles, an alpaca farm and more. “This was no momentary lapse in the fog of the pandemic,” Joshua S. Levy, the acting U.S. attorney for Massachusetts, said in a statement as mentioned by The New York Times (NYT). “He stole from the American taxpayers and the many small businesses which truly needed those loans to survive.” He told NYT that he was to report to prison in January. He claimed that he had viewed the money he got from the government as a loan which he would eventually pay back. McIntyre received more than USD 660,000 from the government. The court has now ordered him to pay back $680,000. He owns Rasta Pasta Pizzeria in Beverly, a Boston suburb. He also has a podcast show “The Dana Crypto Show.” New York Times reported that after getting the money, McIntyre bought a farm in Vermont. He also bought a USD 14,000 pickup truck and a vintage car worth USD 8500. He also made payments totalling to $6500 to broadcaster of his podcast and spent some money on home improvements. “It wasn’t this mastermind programme to steal money from the government and go up and start this alpaca farm,” he said. “No, it unfolded and it took on its own life form.” McIntyre has now become one among more than 3100 Americans who face charges of using pandemic relief funds for purposes other than related to pandemic-era survival. Federal prosecutors are scrambling to recover billions of dollars from people who falsely obtained money from government. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Man gets two-year jail for buying alpaca farm with Covid relief money

<p>An inmate at a sub-jail in Davanagere, Karnataka, made a daring escape by scaling a towering 40-foot-high wall. The dramatic incident was captured by a prison CCTV camera and quickly gained viral attention.</p>

<p>The escapee, identified as 23-year-old Vasant, had been incarcerated on charges of rape following a complaint filed at the women's police station. He was sent to jail after a court appearance.</p>

<h2><strong>Escape and injury</strong></h2>

<p>On August 25, Vasant executed his audacious escape, leaping from the sub-jail's formidable wall. During his getaway, he sustained a severe injury to his right leg. Despite the injury, he managed to evade immediate capture.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH THE VIDEO HERE:</strong></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Inmate desperate escape, 23-year-old rape accused escapes from Davangere jail in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Karnataka?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Karnataka</a> by scaling 40 feet high wall. The CCTV footage revealed that despite sustaining injuries the accused managed to escape in an auto rickshaw. A manhunt has been launched. <a href="https://t.co/d8LcWNVNQq">pic.twitter.com/d8LcWNVNQq</a></p>
— Ashish (@KP_Aashish) <a href="https://twitter.com/KP_Aashish/status/1696049114264600737?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 28, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<h2><strong>Swift response</strong></h2>

<p>Authorities at the jail and local law enforcement wasted no time and immediately launched a coordinated search operation to locate the fugitive, Vasant.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-delhi-police-issues-traffic-restrictions-diversions-emergency-medical-services-ahead-of-g20-summit-629968">India: Delhi Police issues traffic restrictions, diversions &amp; emergency medical services ahead of G20 summit</a></p>

<h2><strong>Re-arrest within 24 hours</strong></h2>

<p>Within an impressive 24-hour timeframe, police officials successfully tracked down the accused in the nearby Haveri district. Vasant was apprehended once more, putting an end to his brief taste of freedom.</p>

<h2><strong>Similar incidents in the past</strong></h2>

<p>A 35-year-old undertrial prisoner, who was facing charges of murdering his wife, managed to escape from a prison in Rajasthan, western India. The inmate, identified as Janved, had been held at the Baran district jail since February 25.</p>

<p>Janved's escape involved scaling a 20-foot-high electric fence, utilising cables, as per statements from jail authorities. Kishan Chand Meena, the jailor at the Baran district facility, disclosed that Janved ingeniously used a CCTV camera cable as a makeshift rope to climb over the fence and execute his getaway.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Aditya-L1 mission: All about the Lagrange point L1, the location of ISRO's spacecraft on Sun</strong></p>

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<p>Law enforcement officials have suggested that it's highly probable that the accused exploited a breach or gap in the fencing to facilitate his escape. The incident occurred during the afternoon on a Wednesday, with the escape only coming to the authorities' attention later in the evening.</p>

<p>This occurrence isn't the first of its kind in Rajasthan. In June 2022, three undertrial prisoners who were in judicial custody managed to flee from Banswara district jail, using blankets in their escape.</p>

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An inmate at a sub-jail in Davanagere, Karnataka, made a daring escape by scaling a towering 40-foot-high wall. The dramatic incident was captured by a prison CCTV camera and quickly gained viral attention.

An inmate at a sub-jail in Davanagere, Karnataka, made a daring escape by scaling a towering 40-foot-high wall. The dramatic incident was captured by a prison CCTV camera and quickly gained viral attention. The escapee, identified as 23-year-old Vasant, had been incarcerated on charges of rape following a complaint filed at the women's police station. He was sent to jail after a court appearance. Escape and injury On August 25, Vasant executed his audacious escape, leaping from the sub-jail's formidable wall. During his getaway, he sustained a severe injury to his right leg. Despite the injury, he managed to evade immediate capture. WATCH THE VIDEO HERE: Inmate desperate escape, 23-year-old rape accused escapes from Davangere jail in #Karnataka by scaling 40 feet high wall. The CCTV footage revealed that despite sustaining injuries the accused managed to escape in an auto rickshaw. A manhunt has been launched. pic.twitter.com/d8LcWNVNQq — Ashish (@KP_Aashish) August 28, 2023 × Swift response Authorities at the jail and local law enforcement wasted no time and immediately launched a coordinated search operation to locate the fugitive, Vasant. Also read | India: Delhi Police issues traffic restrictions, diversions & emergency medical services ahead of G20 summit Re-arrest within 24 hours Within an impressive 24-hour timeframe, police officials successfully tracked down the accused in the nearby Haveri district. Vasant was apprehended once more, putting an end to his brief taste of freedom. Similar incidents in the past A 35-year-old undertrial prisoner, who was facing charges of murdering his wife, managed to escape from a prison in Rajasthan, western India. The inmate, identified as Janved, had been held at the Baran district jail since February 25. Janved's escape involved scaling a 20-foot-high electric fence, utilising cables, as per statements from jail authorities. Kishan Chand Meena, the jailor at the Baran district facility, disclosed that Janved ingeniously used a CCTV camera cable as a makeshift rope to climb over the fence and execute his getaway. Also watch | Aditya-L1 mission: All about the Lagrange point L1, the location of ISRO's spacecraft on Sun Law enforcement officials have suggested that it's highly probable that the accused exploited a breach or gap in the fencing to facilitate his escape. The incident occurred during the afternoon on a Wednesday, with the escape only coming to the authorities' attention later in the evening. This occurrence isn't the first of its kind in Rajasthan. In June 2022, three undertrial prisoners who were in judicial custody managed to flee from Banswara district jail, using blankets in their escape. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Watch: Rape accused escapes Indian jail by scaling 40-foot-high wall

<p>Migrant children who have arrived in Britain by small boats are being placed in an adult prison which also holds significant number of sex offenders, reported The Guardian.</p>

<p>The report said that cases of such unaccompanied children, many of whom are victims of human trafficking, have been sent to HMP Elmley Prison in Kent which also houses foreign adult prisoners.</p>

<p>The most recent inspection of the prison where foreign nationals are being held also houses sex offenders.</p>

<p>An organisation namied Humans For Rights Network has identified 14 unaccompanied children so far who have been sent to an adult prison. One among them has reportedly spent months in Elmley when they were 14-year-old.</p>

<p>Most of the cases include children from Sudan or South Sudan, who have travelled to UK via Libya. According to the organisation, most of these children are trafficked or have suffered exploitation.</p>

<p>Maddie Harris, of Human Rights Network was quoted by Guardian. She said that children who get sent to adult prisons are among the most "profoundly harmed"</p>

<p>“These children are locked down in their cells, not knowing who to call for help, prevented from adequately accessing legal advice and from challenging the arbitrary decision made about their ages by immigration officials upon arrival in the UK. These are children looking for safety who instead find themselves in an adult prison, denied that protection and exposed to great harm,” she said.</p>

<p>“It is wrong to criminalise these children and dangerous to send them to adult men’s prisons,” said Anita Hurrell, who is head of the migrant children’s project at the children’s charity Coram.</p>

<p>According to the data from the Observer, hundreds of asylum-seeking children are being wrongly treated as adults by the Home Office officials as the children undergo age assessments when they arrive in UK.</p>

<p>“Age assessment has developed into the most monstrous of procedural devices,” said Syd Bolton, co-director of Equal Justice For Migrant Children. Bolton was quoted by The Guardian.</p>

<p>He said that he thought the practice to be a "deliberate barrier to accessing asylum protection and denying young asylum seekers access to children’s services. It is a major tool of the Home Office in discrediting an asylum claim.”</p>

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Migrant children who have arrived in Britain by small boats are being placed in an adult prison which also holds significant number of sex offenders, reported The Guardian.

Migrant children who have arrived in Britain by small boats are being placed in an adult prison which also holds significant number of sex offenders, reported The Guardian. The report said that cases of such unaccompanied children, many of whom are victims of human trafficking, have been sent to HMP Elmley Prison in Kent which also houses foreign adult prisoners. The most recent inspection of the prison where foreign nationals are being held also houses sex offenders. An organisation namied Humans For Rights Network has identified 14 unaccompanied children so far who have been sent to an adult prison. One among them has reportedly spent months in Elmley when they were 14-year-old. Most of the cases include children from Sudan or South Sudan, who have travelled to UK via Libya. According to the organisation, most of these children are trafficked or have suffered exploitation. Maddie Harris, of Human Rights Network was quoted by Guardian. She said that children who get sent to adult prisons are among the most "profoundly harmed" “These children are locked down in their cells, not knowing who to call for help, prevented from adequately accessing legal advice and from challenging the arbitrary decision made about their ages by immigration officials upon arrival in the UK. These are children looking for safety who instead find themselves in an adult prison, denied that protection and exposed to great harm,” she said. “It is wrong to criminalise these children and dangerous to send them to adult men’s prisons,” said Anita Hurrell, who is head of the migrant children’s project at the children’s charity Coram. According to the data from the Observer, hundreds of asylum-seeking children are being wrongly treated as adults by the Home Office officials as the children undergo age assessments when they arrive in UK. “Age assessment has developed into the most monstrous of procedural devices,” said Syd Bolton, co-director of Equal Justice For Migrant Children. Bolton was quoted by The Guardian. He said that he thought the practice to be a "deliberate barrier to accessing asylum protection and denying young asylum seekers access to children’s services. It is a major tool of the Home Office in discrediting an asylum claim.” You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Unaccompanied migrant children being sent to UK jail housing sex offenders: Report

<p>Thailand’s jailed former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was shifted to a hospital overnight from his detention as he faced health issues related to heart and high blood pressure on the first night after being jailed, a few hours after he returned to the country from years of exile, the police said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The latest health condition of the 74-year-old former prime minister was not immediately clear and no immediate response was made.</p>

<p>Corrections department officials on Tuesday said that Thaksin was facing pre-existing health issues with his blood pressure, heart, lungs and spine, and he will be closely monitored.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a statement, the Corrections Department added that Thaksin felt chest tightness and high blood pressure after which he was referred to the police hospital in Bangkok at around 2 am on Wednesday (August 23).&nbsp;</p>

<p>Police stated that they hospitalised Thaksin because the prison was not able to guarantee that he will receive the right care.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ex-thai-pm-returns-to-thailand-after-15-year-self-exile-following-2006-coup-627724">Fugitive ex-Thai PM, who arrived in Thailand after 15-year self-exile, jailed for 8 years</a></p>

<p>“The prison has assessed the situation and saw that it lacks doctors and medical equipment that can take care of the patient so he was sent to the police hospital,” said Assistant National Police Chief Lieutenant General Prachuab Wongsuk, while speaking to Reuters.</p>

<p>Thailand’s supreme court on Tuesday (August 22) confirmed that Thaksin will have to serve eight years of imprisonment, after spending years in exile following convictions for conflicts of interest and abuse of power.</p>

<h2><strong>Homecoming of Thaksin&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Thaksin made his homecoming from years of exile on Tuesday and was taken to a detention centre in dramatic scenes which stole the spotlight from political ally Srettha Thavisin, who was elected as the country's prime minister in a parliamentary vote later in the day.</p>

<p>The Pheu Thai Party's Srettha was elected as the prime minister after he received the royal endorsement, said a parliament official on Wednesday.</p>

<p>Eight prison guards accompanied Thaksin when he was transferred during the night, said Ayuth Sintoppant, director general of the Corrections Department, while speaking to Reuters.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Thailand gets its 30th Prime Minister as Srettha Thavisin elected as new PM</strong></p>

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<p>The return of the country's most famous politician saw celebrations by his supporters and a lengthy media coverage of the leader's arrival in his private jet in Bangkok, and his transfer to prison soon after.</p>

<p>The leader's return and the smooth ascent of Srettha to the top job will further add fuel to the report that the influential Thaksin had struck a deal along with his foes in the political and military establishment for his safe return and, possibly, an early release from prison.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Thailand’s jailed former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was shifted to a hospital overnight from his detention as he faced health issues related to heart and high blood pressure on the first night after being jailed, a few hours after he returned to the country from years of exile, the police said.

Thailand’s jailed former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was shifted to a hospital overnight from his detention as he faced health issues related to heart and high blood pressure on the first night after being jailed, a few hours after he returned to the country from years of exile, the police said. The latest health condition of the 74-year-old former prime minister was not immediately clear and no immediate response was made. Corrections department officials on Tuesday said that Thaksin was facing pre-existing health issues with his blood pressure, heart, lungs and spine, and he will be closely monitored. In a statement, the Corrections Department added that Thaksin felt chest tightness and high blood pressure after which he was referred to the police hospital in Bangkok at around 2 am on Wednesday (August 23). Police stated that they hospitalised Thaksin because the prison was not able to guarantee that he will receive the right care. ALSO READ | Fugitive ex-Thai PM, who arrived in Thailand after 15-year self-exile, jailed for 8 years “The prison has assessed the situation and saw that it lacks doctors and medical equipment that can take care of the patient so he was sent to the police hospital,” said Assistant National Police Chief Lieutenant General Prachuab Wongsuk, while speaking to Reuters. Thailand’s supreme court on Tuesday (August 22) confirmed that Thaksin will have to serve eight years of imprisonment, after spending years in exile following convictions for conflicts of interest and abuse of power. Homecoming of Thaksin Thaksin made his homecoming from years of exile on Tuesday and was taken to a detention centre in dramatic scenes which stole the spotlight from political ally Srettha Thavisin, who was elected as the country's prime minister in a parliamentary vote later in the day. The Pheu Thai Party's Srettha was elected as the prime minister after he received the royal endorsement, said a parliament official on Wednesday. Eight prison guards accompanied Thaksin when he was transferred during the night, said Ayuth Sintoppant, director general of the Corrections Department, while speaking to Reuters. WATCH | Thailand gets its 30th Prime Minister as Srettha Thavisin elected as new PM The return of the country's most famous politician saw celebrations by his supporters and a lengthy media coverage of the leader's arrival in his private jet in Bangkok, and his transfer to prison soon after. The leader's return and the smooth ascent of Srettha to the top job will further add fuel to the report that the influential Thaksin had struck a deal along with his foes in the political and military establishment for his safe return and, possibly, an early release from prison. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Thailand’s ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra shifted to hospital after spending one night in jail

<p>Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's wife Bushra Bibi has expressed fears regarding her husband's safety at District Jail Attock, Punjab saying his life might be at risk due to the possibility of poisoning while in custody. An Islamabad court on August 5 found Imran Khan guilty in a case related to the non-disclosure of information about state gifts and sentenced him to three years in prison.</p>

<p>Following the verdict, he was apprehended by Punjab police from his residence in Zaman Park, Lahore, and taken to District Jail Attock.&nbsp;Imran Khan's lawyer, Naeem Haider Panjutha, has repeatedly criticised the conditions under which the leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party is being held.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nigers-new-prime-minister-says-no-harm-will-come-to-captive-president-mohamed-bazoum-626880">Niger's new Prime Minister says no harm will come to captive President Mohamed Bazoum</a></p>

<p>Panjutha on August 7 met Imran Khan in jail. After the visit, he revealed, “I asked Khan sahib about the situation in jail after his arrest. He said he is being kept in a dark, small, C-Class, chakki wala (manual labour) room. He said there is an open washroom there, which does not have a shower.&nbsp;He said the jail has flies in the morning and insects in the evening."&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Bushra Bibi's letter&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Bushra Bibi, in a letter dated August 17, addressed to the Punjab home secretary,&nbsp;sought her husband's transfer from District Jail Attock to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. She expressed apprehension that Imran Khan's life might be at risk due to the possibility of poisoning while in custody.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-bolsonaros-legal-troubles-deepen-as-quote-authorises-probe-into-his-finances-626878">Brazil: Bolsonaro's legal troubles mount as SC Justice authorises probe into his finances</a></p>

<p>“He may be poisoned in the jail through food as the ones responsible and perpetrators of previous attacks are still at large and have not been captured by the law enforcement agencies,” Bushra said in the letter.</p>

<h2><strong>Calls for legal inquiry</strong></h2>

<p>Bushra Bibi questioned the justification for her husband's detention at Attock jail and underscored his eligibility for B-Class facilities based on his stature and achievements.&nbsp;She cited his role as the former captain of Pakistan's national cricket team, his status as an Oxford University alumnus, and his past position as the prime minister of Pakistan.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Has China's growth story hit a roadblock?&nbsp;</strong></p>

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<p>“It was duty of the jail authorities to provide him all the facilities within 48 hours but even after lapse of 12 days no facility whatsoever has been provided which is disgrace to the leader of the largest political party,” she said. “An exhaustive legal inquiry be undertaken to elucidate the legality of his current detention within your jurisdiction,” she appealed to the provincial home secretary.</p>

<p>In addition to requesting B-Class facilities, Bushra Bibi asked for provisions such as access to home-cooked meals and the ability to consult his personal physician.</p>

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Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's wife Bushra Bibi has expressed fears regarding her husband's safety at District Jail Attock, Punjab saying his life might be at risk due to the possibility of poisoning while in custody.

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's wife Bushra Bibi has expressed fears regarding her husband's safety at District Jail Attock, Punjab saying his life might be at risk due to the possibility of poisoning while in custody. An Islamabad court on August 5 found Imran Khan guilty in a case related to the non-disclosure of information about state gifts and sentenced him to three years in prison. Following the verdict, he was apprehended by Punjab police from his residence in Zaman Park, Lahore, and taken to District Jail Attock. Imran Khan's lawyer, Naeem Haider Panjutha, has repeatedly criticised the conditions under which the leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party is being held. Also Read | Niger's new Prime Minister says no harm will come to captive President Mohamed Bazoum Panjutha on August 7 met Imran Khan in jail. After the visit, he revealed, “I asked Khan sahib about the situation in jail after his arrest. He said he is being kept in a dark, small, C-Class, chakki wala (manual labour) room. He said there is an open washroom there, which does not have a shower. He said the jail has flies in the morning and insects in the evening." Bushra Bibi's letter Bushra Bibi, in a letter dated August 17, addressed to the Punjab home secretary, sought her husband's transfer from District Jail Attock to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. She expressed apprehension that Imran Khan's life might be at risk due to the possibility of poisoning while in custody. Also Read | Brazil: Bolsonaro's legal troubles mount as SC Justice authorises probe into his finances “He may be poisoned in the jail through food as the ones responsible and perpetrators of previous attacks are still at large and have not been captured by the law enforcement agencies,” Bushra said in the letter. Calls for legal inquiry Bushra Bibi questioned the justification for her husband's detention at Attock jail and underscored his eligibility for B-Class facilities based on his stature and achievements. She cited his role as the former captain of Pakistan's national cricket team, his status as an Oxford University alumnus, and his past position as the prime minister of Pakistan. Watch | Has China's growth story hit a roadblock? × “It was duty of the jail authorities to provide him all the facilities within 48 hours but even after lapse of 12 days no facility whatsoever has been provided which is disgrace to the leader of the largest political party,” she said. “An exhaustive legal inquiry be undertaken to elucidate the legality of his current detention within your jurisdiction,” she appealed to the provincial home secretary. In addition to requesting B-Class facilities, Bushra Bibi asked for provisions such as access to home-cooked meals and the ability to consult his personal physician. 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. ×

Pakistan: Bushra Bibi fears 'poison' plot against husband Imran Khan in jail

FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried is behind bars after his bail was revoked in a New York hearing on Friday.

Disgraced FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried put behind bars

<p>A British man, Joseph James O'Connor, has been sentenced to five years in prison by the US attorney's office for his involvement in hacking schemes that targeted the Twitter accounts of celebrities, including prominent figures like President Joe Biden and now Twitter owner Elon Musk, reported the Guardian.&nbsp;The US authorities announced the verdict on Friday, highlighting the severity of O'Connor's actions.</p>

<h2><strong>Joseph James O'Connor pleads guilty to cybercrimes targeting high-profile individuals</strong></h2>

<p>O'Connor admitted to participating in a hacking group that successfully compromised over 130 Twitter accounts, using them to promote a Bitcoin scam.</p>

<p>Among the victims were well-known entities such as Apple, Uber, Kanye West, Bill Gates, and former US President Barack Obama. In addition, O'Connor pleaded guilty to stealing approximately $794,000 in virtual currency from a cryptocurrency company based in New York.</p>

<p>The arrest of O'Connor took place nearly two years ago in Spain, following the hacking incident that occurred in July 2020. After extradition proceedings, he was brought to the United States in April to face the charges filed against him.</p>

<p>The list of charges includes conspiracy to commit computer intrusions, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and stalking of two victims, among others. The most serious charge could have carried a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-authorities-seize-millions-of-illegal-vapes-in-three-years-shows-data-608229">&nbsp;Illegal vapes flood UK markets, authorities seized over 2.5 million in three years, reveals data</a></p>

<p>Apart from the prison sentence, O'Connor has also been ordered to serve three years of supervised release and pay restitution of $794,000. The impact of his criminal activities has been significant, as he harassed, threatened, and extorted his victims, causing substantial emotional harm.</p>

<p>Kenneth A Polite Jr, an assistant attorney general in the US justice department's criminal division, emphasised the flagrant and malicious nature of O'Connor's conduct, noting his attempts to remain anonymous by using computers, stealth accounts, and aliases outside the United States.</p>

<p>This case also involves two other individuals who have been charged with federal crimes related to the hacking incident. Nima Fazeli, hailing from Florida, and Mason Sheppard, a resident of Bognor Regis in the UK, are both implicated in the cybercrimes.</p>

<p>Additionally, a Florida teenager named Graham Ivan Clark, who is believed to be the mastermind behind the hacking group, was sentenced to three years in juvenile prison in July 2021, as permitted under state law.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Poll: Support drops massively for the UK government</strong></p>

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<p>The series of attacks on Twitter, which unfolded over several hours in July 2020, caused significant disruption and led the social media company to take unprecedented measures, including temporarily halting all verified accounts from tweeting.<br />
<br />
The incident underscored the vulnerability of high-profile individuals and organisations to cybercrimes, prompting increased attention to cybersecurity measures and the need for robust safeguards to protect against future attacks.<br />
<br />
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A British man, Joseph James O'Connor, has been sentenced to five years in prison by the US attorney's office for his involvement in hacking schemes that targeted the Twitter accounts of celebrities, including prominent figures like President Joe Biden and now Twitter owner Elon Musk, reported the Guardian.

A British man, Joseph James O'Connor, has been sentenced to five years in prison by the US attorney's office for his involvement in hacking schemes that targeted the Twitter accounts of celebrities, including prominent figures like President Joe Biden and now Twitter owner Elon Musk, reported the Guardian. The US authorities announced the verdict on Friday, highlighting the severity of O'Connor's actions. Joseph James O'Connor pleads guilty to cybercrimes targeting high-profile individuals O'Connor admitted to participating in a hacking group that successfully compromised over 130 Twitter accounts, using them to promote a Bitcoin scam. Among the victims were well-known entities such as Apple, Uber, Kanye West, Bill Gates, and former US President Barack Obama. In addition, O'Connor pleaded guilty to stealing approximately $794,000 in virtual currency from a cryptocurrency company based in New York. The arrest of O'Connor took place nearly two years ago in Spain, following the hacking incident that occurred in July 2020. After extradition proceedings, he was brought to the United States in April to face the charges filed against him. The list of charges includes conspiracy to commit computer intrusions, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and stalking of two victims, among others. The most serious charge could have carried a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison. Also read | Illegal vapes flood UK markets, authorities seized over 2.5 million in three years, reveals data Apart from the prison sentence, O'Connor has also been ordered to serve three years of supervised release and pay restitution of $794,000. The impact of his criminal activities has been significant, as he harassed, threatened, and extorted his victims, causing substantial emotional harm. Kenneth A Polite Jr, an assistant attorney general in the US justice department's criminal division, emphasised the flagrant and malicious nature of O'Connor's conduct, noting his attempts to remain anonymous by using computers, stealth accounts, and aliases outside the United States. This case also involves two other individuals who have been charged with federal crimes related to the hacking incident. Nima Fazeli, hailing from Florida, and Mason Sheppard, a resident of Bognor Regis in the UK, are both implicated in the cybercrimes. Additionally, a Florida teenager named Graham Ivan Clark, who is believed to be the mastermind behind the hacking group, was sentenced to three years in juvenile prison in July 2021, as permitted under state law. Also watch | Poll: Support drops massively for the UK government The series of attacks on Twitter, which unfolded over several hours in July 2020, caused significant disruption and led the social media company to take unprecedented measures, including temporarily halting all verified accounts from tweeting. The incident underscored the vulnerability of high-profile individuals and organisations to cybercrimes, prompting increased attention to cybersecurity measures and the need for robust safeguards to protect against future attacks. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

British man sentenced to 5 years in prison for hacking celebrity Twitter accounts

<p>Ted Kaczynski—a terrorist known as the 'Unabomber' who set off a bombing spree from 1978 to 1995 killing three and injuring 23, has taken his life inside a federal prison medical centre in North Carolina, according to reports.</p>

<p>The incident took place early Saturday. Emergency workers rushed to Kaczynski’s cell at 12:23 am in an attempt to revive him in the prison&nbsp;but were unsuccessful.</p>

<p>He was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital, officials at the Federal Bureau of Prisons said.</p>

<p>According to the AP news agency, the 81-year-old was suffering from late-stage cancer.</p>

<p>Named Unabomber by the FBI because his early targets seemed to be universities and airlines, Kaczynski was a Harvard-educated mathematician.</p>

<p>He has been locked up since May 1998&nbsp;when he was sentenced to four life sentences, plus 30 years for the campaign of terror that kept universities nationwide on edge.</p>

<p>He confessed to carrying out 16 bombings in the 17 years, permanently injuring several of his victims.</p>

<h2><strong>Notorious federal prison</strong></h2>

<p>The understaffed federal prison is already in the spotlight following the self-inflicted death of another high-profile inmate sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein, who allegedly hanged himself in 2019.</p>

<p>The death even spurred a long manifesto from Kaczynski who speculated that Epstein was murdered—a claim that was fast gaining ground until Justice Department officials ruled it a suicide.</p>

<p>Kaczynski was previously in a maximum security facility in Colorado but was moved to a federal medical centre in Butner, North Carolina, in December 2021 due to poor health.</p>

<h2><strong>Terrorised US for 20 years</strong></h2>

<p>In 1995, before he was identified as the Unabomber, he coerced newspapers to publish a long manuscript he had written, saying the killings would continue otherwise. Both the New York Times and Washington Post published the 35,000-word manifesto later that year at the recommendation of the US Attorney General and the director of the FBI.</p>

<p>He had remained scot-free for almost 20 years until undone by his own family members. His brother and sister-in-law were the ones who identified him after growing suspicious of his activities.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-was-ted-kaczynski-the-twisted-genius-who-went-rogue-to-become-unabom-603043"><strong>Who was Ted Kaczynski? The 'twisted genius' who went rogue to become 'Unabomber'</strong></a></p>

<p>Kaczynski's sister-in-law, Linda Patrik, and brother David were one of the first to identify Kaczynski as the Unabomber after reading the Unabomber's writing.</p>

<p>They then tipped off the FBI, which had been searching for the Unabomber for years in the nation's longest, costliest manhunt.</p>

<p><strong>Also see |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/ted-kaczynskis-life-in-pictures-a-harvard-maths-prodigy-turned-reclusive-murderer-603054">Ted Kaczynski's life in pictures: A Harvard Maths prodigy turned reclusive murderer</a></p>

<p>In April 1996, authorities found him in a small plywood and tarpaper cabin outside Lincoln, Montana, that was filled with journals, a coded diary, explosive ingredients and two completed bombs.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Ted Kaczynski—a terrorist known as the 'Unabomber' who set off a bombing spree from 1978 to 1995 killing three and injuring 23, has taken his life inside a federal prison medical centre in North Carolina, according to reports.

Ted Kaczynski—a terrorist known as the 'Unabomber' who set off a bombing spree from 1978 to 1995 killing three and injuring 23, has taken his life inside a federal prison medical centre in North Carolina, according to reports. The incident took place early Saturday. Emergency workers rushed to Kaczynski’s cell at 12:23 am in an attempt to revive him in the prison but were unsuccessful. He was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital, officials at the Federal Bureau of Prisons said. According to the AP news agency, the 81-year-old was suffering from late-stage cancer. Named Unabomber by the FBI because his early targets seemed to be universities and airlines, Kaczynski was a Harvard-educated mathematician. He has been locked up since May 1998 when he was sentenced to four life sentences, plus 30 years for the campaign of terror that kept universities nationwide on edge. He confessed to carrying out 16 bombings in the 17 years, permanently injuring several of his victims. Notorious federal prison The understaffed federal prison is already in the spotlight following the self-inflicted death of another high-profile inmate sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein, who allegedly hanged himself in 2019. The death even spurred a long manifesto from Kaczynski who speculated that Epstein was murdered—a claim that was fast gaining ground until Justice Department officials ruled it a suicide. Kaczynski was previously in a maximum security facility in Colorado but was moved to a federal medical centre in Butner, North Carolina, in December 2021 due to poor health. Terrorised US for 20 years In 1995, before he was identified as the Unabomber, he coerced newspapers to publish a long manuscript he had written, saying the killings would continue otherwise. Both the New York Times and Washington Post published the 35,000-word manifesto later that year at the recommendation of the US Attorney General and the director of the FBI. He had remained scot-free for almost 20 years until undone by his own family members. His brother and sister-in-law were the ones who identified him after growing suspicious of his activities. Also read | Who was Ted Kaczynski? The 'twisted genius' who went rogue to become 'Unabomber' Kaczynski's sister-in-law, Linda Patrik, and brother David were one of the first to identify Kaczynski as the Unabomber after reading the Unabomber's writing. They then tipped off the FBI, which had been searching for the Unabomber for years in the nation's longest, costliest manhunt. Also see | Ted Kaczynski's life in pictures: A Harvard Maths prodigy turned reclusive murderer In April 1996, authorities found him in a small plywood and tarpaper cabin outside Lincoln, Montana, that was filled with journals, a coded diary, explosive ingredients and two completed bombs. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Ted Kaczynski, Unabomber who terrorised US for almost 20 years, died by suicide: Report

<p>Pakistani authorities have released 198 Indian fishermen, who were languishing at a jail here after being arrested for allegedly fishing illegally in the country’s waters, and handed them over to India at the Wagah border.</p>

<p>The fishermen were released from the Malir Jail in Karachi on Thursday evening.</p>

<p>Malir Jail superintendent Nazir Tunio said that they had released the first batch of Indian fishermen prisoners and two more batches would be released in June and July.</p>

<p>“We released 198 prisoners on Thursday while 200 and 100 more would be released later on,” he said.</p>

<p>Mr. Tunio said that 200 Indian fishermen were to be released on Thursday from Malir jail but two of them died due to illness.</p>

<p>The two deceased fishermen included one Muhammad Zulfiqar who passed away on May 6 and Soma Deva who died on May 9 after prolonged illnesses.</p>

<p>Their bodies have been kept in the Edhi Foundation mortuary till they could be flown out to India.</p>

<p>Soma and his nephew were among a dozen Indian fishermen who were arrested at sea some four and half years ago and they were lodged in the Malir jail.</p>

<p>Soma was twice sent to the hospital for treatment.</p>

<p>Mr. Tunio said Zulfiqar died after a massive heart attack.</p>

<p>Faisal Edhi of the Edhi Welfare Trust, which arranged the transportation of the fishermen from Karachi to Lahore via train where they were handed over to Indian authorities at the Wagah border, said some of the Indian fishermen also looked unwell.</p>

<p>“We do our best to make the journey back home of these Indian fishermen comfortable and easy. After all, most of them have been in jail for the last 4 to five years," he said.</p>

<p>Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum General Secretary Saeed Baloch said that under the agreement reached between the two governments, a second batch of 200 Indian fishermen would be released on June 2 and another 100 on July 3.</p>

<p>Baloch said he had a lot of sympathies for the Indian fishermen as the majority of them were just out for a livelihood and did not even realise it when they crossed territorial waters between the two countries.</p>

<p>“The sad part is that some of them even end up spending 7 to 8 years in jail before they get a chance to return home,” he said.</p>

<p>Fishermen Cooperative Society, Sindh administrator Zahid Ibrahim Bhatti said that some 200 Pakistani fishermen were lodged in Indian jails and hopefully they, too, would come home soon after the release of Indian fishermen.</p>

<p>Pakistan and India regularly arrest rival fishermen for violating the maritime boundary, which is poorly marked at some points.</p>

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Pakistani authorities have released 198 Indian fishermen, who were languishing at a jail here after being arrested for allegedly fishing illegally in the country’s waters, and handed them over to India at the Wagah border.

Pakistani authorities have released 198 Indian fishermen, who were languishing at a jail here after being arrested for allegedly fishing illegally in the country’s waters, and handed them over to India at the Wagah border. The fishermen were released from the Malir Jail in Karachi on Thursday evening. Malir Jail superintendent Nazir Tunio said that they had released the first batch of Indian fishermen prisoners and two more batches would be released in June and July. “We released 198 prisoners on Thursday while 200 and 100 more would be released later on,” he said. Mr. Tunio said that 200 Indian fishermen were to be released on Thursday from Malir jail but two of them died due to illness. The two deceased fishermen included one Muhammad Zulfiqar who passed away on May 6 and Soma Deva who died on May 9 after prolonged illnesses. Their bodies have been kept in the Edhi Foundation mortuary till they could be flown out to India. Soma and his nephew were among a dozen Indian fishermen who were arrested at sea some four and half years ago and they were lodged in the Malir jail. Soma was twice sent to the hospital for treatment. Mr. Tunio said Zulfiqar died after a massive heart attack. Faisal Edhi of the Edhi Welfare Trust, which arranged the transportation of the fishermen from Karachi to Lahore via train where they were handed over to Indian authorities at the Wagah border, said some of the Indian fishermen also looked unwell. “We do our best to make the journey back home of these Indian fishermen comfortable and easy. After all, most of them have been in jail for the last 4 to five years," he said. Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum General Secretary Saeed Baloch said that under the agreement reached between the two governments, a second batch of 200 Indian fishermen would be released on June 2 and another 100 on July 3. Baloch said he had a lot of sympathies for the Indian fishermen as the majority of them were just out for a livelihood and did not even realise it when they crossed territorial waters between the two countries. “The sad part is that some of them even end up spending 7 to 8 years in jail before they get a chance to return home,” he said. Fishermen Cooperative Society, Sindh administrator Zahid Ibrahim Bhatti said that some 200 Pakistani fishermen were lodged in Indian jails and hopefully they, too, would come home soon after the release of Indian fishermen. Pakistan and India regularly arrest rival fishermen for violating the maritime boundary, which is poorly marked at some points. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Pakistan releases 198 jailed Indian fishermen

<p>The barbarity of the past often becomes a topic of fascination today. We've seen it happen many times. There are many who want to experience the chill they get when they visit, say a medieval torture chamber or a notorious murderer's medieval home even.</p>

<p>Joining that list of places eliciting weird fascination is Pentridge Prison in Australia. This prison in Melbourne has now been converted into a luxury hotel. It's now called oh-so-stylishly Adina Apartment Hotel Pentridge.</p>

<p>The Pentridge Prison was built in 1851 and housed criminals as recently as 1997. In its heydays, it locked up dreaded names in Australia's criminal world. In the 1800s, Ned Kelly and Harry Powers were inmates. Squizzy Taylor, the early 20th-century gangster (dis) graced the prison chambers. Chopper Read, the contemporary ex-criminal-turned-celebrity has also been housed in this prison.</p>

<p>The prison was decommissioned in 1997 and in 2002, redevelopment of the area was mooted. Around one billion dollars were spent, as a result of which the&nbsp;'prison' will now see&nbsp;some lavish visitors, intent on spending big for a period of luxury at a place that was synonymous with all depravity not too long in the past.</p>

<p>The old B Division of the prison was used to force solitary confinement on the most hardened criminals. A report from Sydney Morning Herald shows a photo with lavish seating in the B Division where you can enjoy a delicious drink with your friends. A far cry from solitary confinement.</p>

<p>The hotel has 106 one and two-bedroom and studio apartments.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It has perhaps become a place you'd want to visit often. A far cry from what it was just 26 years ago.</p>

<p>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"><strong>here</strong></a>.</p>

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The barbarity of the past often becomes a topic of fascination today. We've seen it happen many times. There are many who want to experience the chill they get when they visit, say a medieval torture chamber or a notorious murderer's medieval home even.

The barbarity of the past often becomes a topic of fascination today. We've seen it happen many times. There are many who want to experience the chill they get when they visit, say a medieval torture chamber or a notorious murderer's medieval home even. Joining that list of places eliciting weird fascination is Pentridge Prison in Australia. This prison in Melbourne has now been converted into a luxury hotel. It's now called oh-so-stylishly Adina Apartment Hotel Pentridge. The Pentridge Prison was built in 1851 and housed criminals as recently as 1997. In its heydays, it locked up dreaded names in Australia's criminal world. In the 1800s, Ned Kelly and Harry Powers were inmates. Squizzy Taylor, the early 20th-century gangster (dis) graced the prison chambers. Chopper Read, the contemporary ex-criminal-turned-celebrity has also been housed in this prison. The prison was decommissioned in 1997 and in 2002, redevelopment of the area was mooted. Around one billion dollars were spent, as a result of which the 'prison' will now see some lavish visitors, intent on spending big for a period of luxury at a place that was synonymous with all depravity not too long in the past. The old B Division of the prison was used to force solitary confinement on the most hardened criminals. A report from Sydney Morning Herald shows a photo with lavish seating in the B Division where you can enjoy a delicious drink with your friends. A far cry from solitary confinement. The hotel has 106 one and two-bedroom and studio apartments. It has perhaps become a place you'd want to visit often. A far cry from what it was just 26 years ago. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Australia: Notorious prison has now been converted into a luxury hotel

<p>A man was "eaten alive by insects and bed bugs" in an Atlanta detention cell, according to his family's attorney.&nbsp;Lashawn Thompson was determined to be suffering from a mental illness, thus he was detained for&nbsp;misdemeanour and put in the psychiatric wing of the Fulton County Jail.</p>

<p>Michael D. Harper, the family's attorney, released photos showing&nbsp;Thompson's body covered with insects after his death.</p>

<p>He told reporters that a lawsuit is ongoing and is pushing for a criminal inquiry, reported the BBC.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Mr Thompson was found dead in a filthy jail cell after being eaten alive by insects and bed bugs," Harper said in a statement. "The jail cell Mr Thompson was housed in was not fit for a diseased animal. He did not deserve this," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Three months after his arrest, Thompson was discovered unconscious in his jail cell on September 19. Despite efforts by&nbsp;medical officials, he could not be revived and was&nbsp;pronounced dead, according to a Fulton County Medical Examiner's report.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/footage-water-gushes-out-of-pacific-ocean-floor-leak-could-cause-massive-earthquake-582674">Strange leak spotted in Pacific Ocean floor, scientists say it could cause massive earthquake</a></p>

<p>As stated by Harper, jail records reveal guards and medical personnel observed Thompson's condition was getting worse but did nothing to provide aid or assist him, reported CBS News.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Despite a "severe bed bug infestation" in his psychiatric unit cell, the medical examiner's report stated that Thompson's body showed no obvious evidence of trauma.</p>

<p>The reason of death was mentioned in the report as undetermined.</p>

<p>"It's no secret that the dilapidated and rapidly eroding conditions of the current facility make it incredibly difficult to meet the goal of providing a clean, well-maintained and healthy environment for all inmates and staff," the Fulton County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Australian working in China arrested for selling information</strong></p>

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<p>The Office, which supervises the jail, has said that a thorough investigation into the circumstances of Thompson's death will be undertaken. The statement added that it has spent an additional $500,000 immediately "to address the infestation of bed bugs, lice, and other vermin within the Fulton County Jail."</p>

<p>The jail has also updated "protocols for security rounds to include addressing sanitary conditions," according to the statement.</p>

<p>Bed bug bites are not usually deadly, but in some rare circumstances, prolonged exposure to a massive bed bug infestation can cause severe anaemia, which can be lethal if left untreated,&nbsp;said&nbsp;Michael Potter, an entomologist at the University of Kentucky and a&nbsp;specialist&nbsp;in bed bugs, who spoke to the BBC.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Bed bugs feed on blood and very large numbers of bed bugs feed on very large amounts of blood," Potter said.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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A man was "eaten alive by insects and bed bugs" in an Atlanta detention cell, according to his family's attorney. Lashawn Thompson was determined to be suffering from a mental illness, thus he was detained for misdemeanour and put in the psychiatric wing of the Fulton County Jail.

A man was "eaten alive by insects and bed bugs" in an Atlanta detention cell, according to his family's attorney. Lashawn Thompson was determined to be suffering from a mental illness, thus he was detained for misdemeanour and put in the psychiatric wing of the Fulton County Jail. Michael D. Harper, the family's attorney, released photos showing Thompson's body covered with insects after his death. He told reporters that a lawsuit is ongoing and is pushing for a criminal inquiry, reported the BBC. "Mr Thompson was found dead in a filthy jail cell after being eaten alive by insects and bed bugs," Harper said in a statement. "The jail cell Mr Thompson was housed in was not fit for a diseased animal. He did not deserve this," he added. Three months after his arrest, Thompson was discovered unconscious in his jail cell on September 19. Despite efforts by medical officials, he could not be revived and was pronounced dead, according to a Fulton County Medical Examiner's report. ALSO READ | Strange leak spotted in Pacific Ocean floor, scientists say it could cause massive earthquake As stated by Harper, jail records reveal guards and medical personnel observed Thompson's condition was getting worse but did nothing to provide aid or assist him, reported CBS News. Despite a "severe bed bug infestation" in his psychiatric unit cell, the medical examiner's report stated that Thompson's body showed no obvious evidence of trauma. The reason of death was mentioned in the report as undetermined. "It's no secret that the dilapidated and rapidly eroding conditions of the current facility make it incredibly difficult to meet the goal of providing a clean, well-maintained and healthy environment for all inmates and staff," the Fulton County Sheriff's Office said in a statement. ALSO WATCH | Australian working in China arrested for selling information The Office, which supervises the jail, has said that a thorough investigation into the circumstances of Thompson's death will be undertaken. The statement added that it has spent an additional $500,000 immediately "to address the infestation of bed bugs, lice, and other vermin within the Fulton County Jail." The jail has also updated "protocols for security rounds to include addressing sanitary conditions," according to the statement. Bed bug bites are not usually deadly, but in some rare circumstances, prolonged exposure to a massive bed bug infestation can cause severe anaemia, which can be lethal if left untreated, said Michael Potter, an entomologist at the University of Kentucky and a specialist in bed bugs, who spoke to the BBC. "Bed bugs feed on blood and very large numbers of bed bugs feed on very large amounts of blood," Potter said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

‘Killed by insects’: Atlanta man found dead inside jail cell infested with bed bugs

Controversial social media personality Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan Tate, have been released from jail and been placed under house arrest for 30 days. This after a ruling from a court in Romania, rejecting prosecutors' request to keep them in police custody. The two brothers, along with two romanian female suspects, are being investigated for alleged human trafficking and rape.

Internet personality Andrew Tate moved to house arrest

<p>Former NBA star Shawn Kemp was exonerated after prosecutors declined to press charges against him in connection with a shooting incident. After spending a night in jail in Tacoma, Washington, Kemp was let go on Thursday afternoon.</p>

<p>In a statement released shortly after his release, Kemp's attorney said the ex-NBA star had "reasonable and legally justified" reasons when he fired a gun in a shopping mall parking lot, claiming that thieves opened fire on him first.</p>

<p>Scott Boatman said that Kemp’s car was broken into on Tuesday night and several of his property, including an iPhone, were stolen. The former athlete later tracked his phone to a vehicle in the Tacoma Mall.</p>

<p>When he approached the car to retrieve his stolen phone, someone inside the car started shooting him, to which Kemp returned fire in “self-defence", his lawyer said.</p>

<p>“There was not a drive-by shooting as previously reported, and Kemp's actions were reasonable and legally justified,” Boatman said, adding, “Kemp met with law enforcement at the scene in an attempt to assist in the matter.”</p>

<p>Kemp then remained at the scene to try and assist in law enforcement’s investigation before being taken into custody, Boatman said, according to Insider.</p>

<p>Pierce County Prosecutor's Office spokesperson told ESPN that no charges had been filed against Kemp and he was being released from jail pending further investigation.</p>

<p>FOX 13, quoting sources, reported that this was the sixth time Kemp’s vehicle had been broken into.</p>

<p>A six-time NBA star, Kemp’s glorious career spanned a decade, from 1989 to 1997. He is regarded for his athletic dunks and currently owns two licensed cannabis stores in Seattle.</p>

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Former NBA star Shawn Kemp was exonerated after prosecutors declined to press charges against him in connection with a shooting incident. After spending a night in jail in Tacoma, Washington, Kemp was let go on Thursday afternoon.

Former NBA star Shawn Kemp was exonerated after prosecutors declined to press charges against him in connection with a shooting incident. After spending a night in jail in Tacoma, Washington, Kemp was let go on Thursday afternoon. In a statement released shortly after his release, Kemp's attorney said the ex-NBA star had "reasonable and legally justified" reasons when he fired a gun in a shopping mall parking lot, claiming that thieves opened fire on him first. Scott Boatman said that Kemp’s car was broken into on Tuesday night and several of his property, including an iPhone, were stolen. The former athlete later tracked his phone to a vehicle in the Tacoma Mall. When he approached the car to retrieve his stolen phone, someone inside the car started shooting him, to which Kemp returned fire in “self-defence", his lawyer said. “There was not a drive-by shooting as previously reported, and Kemp's actions were reasonable and legally justified,” Boatman said, adding, “Kemp met with law enforcement at the scene in an attempt to assist in the matter.” Kemp then remained at the scene to try and assist in law enforcement’s investigation before being taken into custody, Boatman said, according to Insider. Pierce County Prosecutor's Office spokesperson told ESPN that no charges had been filed against Kemp and he was being released from jail pending further investigation. FOX 13, quoting sources, reported that this was the sixth time Kemp’s vehicle had been broken into. A six-time NBA star, Kemp’s glorious career spanned a decade, from 1989 to 1997. He is regarded for his athletic dunks and currently owns two licensed cannabis stores in Seattle. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Ex-NBA star Shawn Kemp freed from jail after lawyer claims he fired shots in ‘self-defence’

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