US&nbsp;Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has urged the Egyptian government to stop harassing the US citizens residing in Egypt.

The statement came after Egypt released&nbsp;Mohamed Amashah, an American medical student, after being locked up in Egyptian prison for nearly 16 months.

Amashah was&nbsp;arrested in Cairo's Tahrir Square for holding up a sign seeking the release of prisoners, according to human rights campaigners. He is a dual-citizen of the US and Egypt but resides in New Jersey. He was released from the Egyptian prison on Monday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/egypt-welcomes-tourists-to-pyramids-after-covid-19-closure-310337">Also watch:Egypt welcomes tourists to pyramids after COVID-19 closure</a>

"We thank Egypt for securing his release and his repatriation," Pompeo told a news conference.

"But at the same time, we urge Egyptian officials to stop unwarranted harassment of US citizens and their families who remain there," he said.

Pompeo issued the statement after a group of foreign policy experts urged him to warn the Egyptian government against the ongoing harassment of the US citizens and even the Egyptian journalists and activists. The group had asked Pompeo to make it clear to the Egyptian government that all sort of aids, including military aid, will be at stake if Egypt does not stop the harassment.

"As the Trump administration tries to hold Iran and China to account for their reckless and dangerous abuses of human rights, we hope that you will hold Egypt to the same standards," said the working group on Egypt organized under the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

"Continued mass violations of human rights increase the prospect of instability in Egypt and threaten US national security interests," they wrote.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has urged the Egyptian government to stop harassing the US citizens residing in Egypt. The statement came after Egypt released Mohamed Amashah, an American medical student, after being locked up in Egyptian prison for nearly 16 months.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has urged the Egyptian government to stop harassing the US citizens residing in Egypt. The statement came after Egypt released Mohamed Amashah, an American medical student, after being locked up in Egyptian prison for nearly 16 months. Amashah was arrested in Cairo's Tahrir Square for holding up a sign seeking the release of prisoners, according to human rights campaigners. He is a dual-citizen of the US and Egypt but resides in New Jersey. He was released from the Egyptian prison on Monday. Also watch:Egypt welcomes tourists to pyramids after COVID-19 closure "We thank Egypt for securing his release and his repatriation," Pompeo told a news conference. "But at the same time, we urge Egyptian officials to stop unwarranted harassment of US citizens and their families who remain there," he said. Pompeo issued the statement after a group of foreign policy experts urged him to warn the Egyptian government against the ongoing harassment of the US citizens and even the Egyptian journalists and activists. The group had asked Pompeo to make it clear to the Egyptian government that all sort of aids, including military aid, will be at stake if Egypt does not stop the harassment. "As the Trump administration tries to hold Iran and China to account for their reckless and dangerous abuses of human rights, we hope that you will hold Egypt to the same standards," said the working group on Egypt organized under the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. "Continued mass violations of human rights increase the prospect of instability in Egypt and threaten US national security interests," they wrote.

Stop harassing US citizens in Egypt: Mike Pompeo warns Egypt after release of American student

The Democratic Republic of Congo's high court on Saturday found the president's chief of staff guilty of embezzling $48 million in public funds and sentenced him to 20 years in jail, the lead judge said.

Vital Kamerhe, once a future presidential hopeful, is the most senior politician convicted of graft in Congo, where high-level corruption is endemic. He now faces 20 years of hard labour.

"The court has established as fact the offence of embezzlement of public funds relating to the amount of $48,831,148," said presiding judge Pierrot Bankenge Mvita wearing a mask and rubber gloves.

Kamerhe denies stealing money earmarked for social housing under President Felix Tshisekedi’s flagship 100-day building programme, and has dismissed the accusations as political. His lawyer, Jean Marie Kabengela Ilunga, called the verdict a "violation of human rights" and said he would appeal.

Kamerhe, a veteran power broker, appeared at the three-hour outdoor court hearing in a blue and yellow prison jacket and also wore a mask to protect against the new coronavirus. 
He backed Tshisekedi in his successful 2018 election campaign in return for Tshisekedi’s support the next time around in 2023. Under the ruling, Kamerhe will not be able to run for president for ten years after his punishment.

His arrest on April 8 sent shock waves through the nation.

Last week the justice minister revealed that the former presiding judge, who was originally said to have died of a heart attack last month, was actually brutally murdered.

Transparency groups and the international community had been pressurising Tshisekedi to fulfil his campaign promise of clamping down on corruption, political analysts say.

"I sincerely think that this is a positive sign for the fight against corruption," said Florimond Muteba from the Observatory of Public Expenditure, a Congolese transparency group.&nbsp;

The Democratic Republic of Congo's high court on Saturday found the president's chief of staff guilty of embezzling $48 million in public funds and sentenced him to 20 years in jail, the lead judge said.

The Democratic Republic of Congo's high court on Saturday found the president's chief of staff guilty of embezzling $48 million in public funds and sentenced him to 20 years in jail, the lead judge said. Vital Kamerhe, once a future presidential hopeful, is the most senior politician convicted of graft in Congo, where high-level corruption is endemic. He now faces 20 years of hard labour. "The court has established as fact the offence of embezzlement of public funds relating to the amount of $48,831,148," said presiding judge Pierrot Bankenge Mvita wearing a mask and rubber gloves. Kamerhe denies stealing money earmarked for social housing under President Felix Tshisekedi’s flagship 100-day building programme, and has dismissed the accusations as political. His lawyer, Jean Marie Kabengela Ilunga, called the verdict a "violation of human rights" and said he would appeal. Kamerhe, a veteran power broker, appeared at the three-hour outdoor court hearing in a blue and yellow prison jacket and also wore a mask to protect against the new coronavirus. He backed Tshisekedi in his successful 2018 election campaign in return for Tshisekedi’s support the next time around in 2023. Under the ruling, Kamerhe will not be able to run for president for ten years after his punishment. His arrest on April 8 sent shock waves through the nation. Last week the justice minister revealed that the former presiding judge, who was originally said to have died of a heart attack last month, was actually brutally murdered. Transparency groups and the international community had been pressurising Tshisekedi to fulfil his campaign promise of clamping down on corruption, political analysts say. "I sincerely think that this is a positive sign for the fight against corruption," said Florimond Muteba from the Observatory of Public Expenditure, a Congolese transparency group.

Congo court sentences president's chief of staff to 20 years in prison

At least 47 people died and 75 wounded after a prison riot broke out in western Venezuela, a country where NGOs and inmates' families regularly complain of unhygienic&nbsp;conditions, violence and overcrowding in the prisons.&nbsp;

The Venezuelan Prison Observatory (OVP), a rights group provided the figures, which were later confirmed by Parliamentary Deputy Maria Beatriz Martinez.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/this-small-american-country-witnessed-22-prison-homicides-in-one-day-294979">This small American country witnessed 22 prison homicides in one day!</a>

Both OVP and Martinez confirmed that all the dead were detainees.&nbsp;

The riot happened on Friday afternoon at the Los Llanos prison center in Guanare city.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/inmates-in-el-salvador-suffer-as-latin-american-prisons-breed-covid-19-295382">Inmates in El Salvador suffer as Latin American prisons breed COVID-19</a>

An army report on Friday said the incident started when inmates began destroying "the security fences around the perimeter" in a "massive escape attempt." It added the prison's director was wounded in the act.

However, Martinez, who represents the state where the prison is located, refuted this claim, stating the act was staged by a group of inmates "because they did not have access to food."

According to OVP, prison officials opened fire following the incident in the prison which has a capacity for 750 prisoners but some 2,500 are presently behind bars.

The UN's Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCR) on Twitter said it was "gravely concerned" about the incident and requested the officials to carry out a "thorough investigation".&nbsp;

"We urge the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation, tackle overcrowding, and guarantee basic rights," the UNOHCR said.

Venezuela's prisons are infamous for severe violence and poor conditions of the prisoners.

As many as 97 deaths occurred in Venezuelan prisons in 2019, 70 per cent of which were due to diseases such as tuberculosis and inadequate supply of medicines, according to OVP.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

At least 47 people died and 75 wounded after a prison riot broke out in western Venezuela, a country where NGOs and inmates' families regularly complain of unhygienic conditions, violence and overcrowding in the prisons.

At least 47 people died and 75 wounded after a prison riot broke out in western Venezuela, a country where NGOs and inmates' families regularly complain of unhygienic conditions, violence and overcrowding in the prisons. The Venezuelan Prison Observatory (OVP), a rights group provided the figures, which were later confirmed by Parliamentary Deputy Maria Beatriz Martinez. Also read | This small American country witnessed 22 prison homicides in one day! Both OVP and Martinez confirmed that all the dead were detainees. The riot happened on Friday afternoon at the Los Llanos prison center in Guanare city. Also read | Inmates in El Salvador suffer as Latin American prisons breed COVID-19 An army report on Friday said the incident started when inmates began destroying "the security fences around the perimeter" in a "massive escape attempt." It added the prison's director was wounded in the act. However, Martinez, who represents the state where the prison is located, refuted this claim, stating the act was staged by a group of inmates "because they did not have access to food." According to OVP, prison officials opened fire following the incident in the prison which has a capacity for 750 prisoners but some 2,500 are presently behind bars. The UN's Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCR) on Twitter said it was "gravely concerned" about the incident and requested the officials to carry out a "thorough investigation". "We urge the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation, tackle overcrowding, and guarantee basic rights," the UNOHCR said. Venezuela's prisons are infamous for severe violence and poor conditions of the prisoners. As many as 97 deaths occurred in Venezuelan prisons in 2019, 70 per cent of which were due to diseases such as tuberculosis and inadequate supply of medicines, according to OVP.

Venezuela: At least 47 dead, 75 injured in prison riot

Inmates riot at Brazil prison amid COVID-19 pandemic. Watch this video to know more.

Brazil: Inmates riot at Brazil prison amid COVID-19 pandemic

At least three civilians were killed, and four security personnel, including jail chief, wounded in an explosion near Laghman prison on Saturday.

Also read:&nbsp;

"Three civilians were killed in an explosion near #Laghman prison, and Four security people including Jail chief were wounded," Pajhwok Afghan News quoted provincial governor's spokesman Assadullah Dawlatzai as saying.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.

Further details are awaited.&nbsp;

At least three civilians were killed, and four security personnel, including jail chief, wounded in an explosion near Laghman prison on Saturday. Also read: "Three civilians were killed in an explosion near #Laghman prison, and Four security people including Jail chief were wounded," Pajhwok Afghan News quoted provincial governor's spokesman Assadullah Dawlatzai as saying.

At least three civilians were killed, and four security personnel, including jail chief, wounded in an explosion near Laghman prison on Saturday. Also read: "Three civilians were killed in an explosion near #Laghman prison, and Four security people including Jail chief were wounded," Pajhwok Afghan News quoted provincial governor's spokesman Assadullah Dawlatzai as saying. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far. Further details are awaited.

Afghanistan: 3 civilians killed, 4 security persons wounded in explosion near Laghman prison

As mass coronavirus testing expands in prisons, large numbers of inmates are showing no symptoms. In four state prison systems -- Arkansas, North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia -- 96% of 3,277 inmates who tested positive for the coronavirus were asymptomatic, according to interviews with officials and records reviewed by Reuters. That’s out of 4,693 tests that included results on symptoms.

US prisons struggle to combat COVID-19 crisis

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/the-harvey-weinstein-40-years-journey-from-the-studio-to-the-courtroom-272139">Harvey Weinstein</a>, 66, the most public figure associated with the #MeToo movement has finally been punished. The media mogul has been charged with rape and other sex crimes, for which he could face up to 28 years in prison.

Reportedly, the Hollywood producer's heinous crimes against women were overlooked for a long time before the #MeToo movement had even been mobilised.

A district court has charged Weinstein with raping one woman and sexually assaulting another in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/the-women-at-the-heart-of-the-harvey-weinstein-trial-271772">separate incidents</a> over a two-day period in 2013.&nbsp;

Jackie Lacey, the Los Angeles County District Attorney on the introduction of new charges against Weinstein had this to say, ''I'm here today to announce that my office has charged Harvey Weinstein with sexually assaulting two women in Los Angeles county. We believe the evidence will show that the defendant used his power and influence to gain access to his victims and then committed violent crimes against them".

Lacey further added that if he were to be convicted as charged in the case, he could face up to 28 years in prison. ''My office will ask the court to set bail at five million dollars'', Lacey said.

<img alt="Weinstein" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="91688458-f100-49e8-8c16-67a0617ff698" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%289%29_10.jpg" /> 
Image: An artist's rendition of the film producer Harvey Weinstein sitting&nbsp;alongside lawyers Donna Rotunno and Arthur Aidala while&nbsp;appearing&nbsp;in front of Judge James Burke in Criminal Court on the first day of his sexual assault trial in the Manhattan borough of New York City | Source: Reuters&nbsp;

Weinstein is also facing trial on the East Coast, with five charges in New York City. These are also rape and sexual assault charges. If convicted on these accounts, he could be imprisoned for life.

After the #MeToo movement gained traction, more than 80 women came forward with accusations of rape and/or assault against Weinstein. He responded by trying to close a 25 million dollar settlement deal with more than 30 women.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Harvey Weinstein -&nbsp;When powerful men pay their way out of #metoo!

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-harvey-weinstein-when-powerful-men-pay-their-way-out-of-metoo-267976/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

A clause of the settlement said that he would not be required to admit wrongdoing. The public rehabilitation campaign for Weinstein that being manufactures was instantly rejected.

Women continue to face the consequences of coming forward with reports of assault and harassment.

Lawyers in the trial are expected to begin selecting jurors today.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/the-harvey-weinstein-40-years-journey-from-the-studio-to-the-courtroom-272139">The Harvey Weinstein 40 years Journey: From the studio to the courtroom</a>

Harvey Weinstein, 66, the most public figure associated with the #MeToo movement has finally been punished. The media mogul has been charged with rape and other sex crimes, for which he could face up to 28 years in prison.

Harvey Weinstein, 66, the most public figure associated with the #MeToo movement has finally been punished. The media mogul has been charged with rape and other sex crimes, for which he could face up to 28 years in prison. Reportedly, the Hollywood producer's heinous crimes against women were overlooked for a long time before the #MeToo movement had even been mobilised. A district court has charged Weinstein with raping one woman and sexually assaulting another in separate incidents over a two-day period in 2013. Jackie Lacey, the Los Angeles County District Attorney on the introduction of new charges against Weinstein had this to say, ''I'm here today to announce that my office has charged Harvey Weinstein with sexually assaulting two women in Los Angeles county. We believe the evidence will show that the defendant used his power and influence to gain access to his victims and then committed violent crimes against them". Lacey further added that if he were to be convicted as charged in the case, he could face up to 28 years in prison. ''My office will ask the court to set bail at five million dollars'', Lacey said. Image: An artist's rendition of the film producer Harvey Weinstein sitting alongside lawyers Donna Rotunno and Arthur Aidala while appearing in front of Judge James Burke in Criminal Court on the first day of his sexual assault trial in the Manhattan borough of New York City | Source: Reuters Weinstein is also facing trial on the East Coast, with five charges in New York City. These are also rape and sexual assault charges. If convicted on these accounts, he could be imprisoned for life. After the #MeToo movement gained traction, more than 80 women came forward with accusations of rape and/or assault against Weinstein. He responded by trying to close a 25 million dollar settlement deal with more than 30 women. Watch: Harvey Weinstein - When powerful men pay their way out of #metoo! A clause of the settlement said that he would not be required to admit wrongdoing. The public rehabilitation campaign for Weinstein that being manufactures was instantly rejected. Women continue to face the consequences of coming forward with reports of assault and harassment. Lawyers in the trial are expected to begin selecting jurors today. Also read: The Harvey Weinstein 40 years Journey: From the studio to the courtroom

Harvey Weinstein charged with rape in LA; could face up to 28 years in prison

Sixteen inmates were killed and five were wounded in a prison fight in the northern Mexican state of Zacatecas, authorities said, in one of the worst outbreaks of violence in the country's troubled penal system since President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador took power.

The fight broke out around 2:30 pm on Tuesday afternoon at the Regional Center for Social Reintegration in the town of Cieneguillas, located on the western flank of state capital Zacatecas, the state government said in a statement issued on Tuesday evening.

An inmate was arrested with a firearm, and three more guns were found in the prison, as well as various knives.

The government has launched an investigation to determine those responsible for the fight and how the weapons entered the prison, according to the statement.

Security will be boosted at prisons in the state after the fight, the government said.

The incident marks the latest blow to the security track record of Lopez Obrador, who took power in December 2018 pledging to reduce record levels of violence. Instead, Mexico was in 2019 on track to surpass the previous year’s total of homicides, according to latest data.

Mexican prisons have long been plagued by violence. In 2017, at least 28 inmates were killed when a brutal fight broke out in a prison in the Mexican Pacific resort of Acapulco.

Sixteen inmates were killed and five were wounded in a prison fight in the northern Mexican state of Zacatecas, authorities said, in one of the worst outbreaks of violence in the country's troubled penal system since President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador took power.

Sixteen inmates were killed and five were wounded in a prison fight in the northern Mexican state of Zacatecas, authorities said, in one of the worst outbreaks of violence in the country's troubled penal system since President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador took power. The fight broke out around 2:30 pm on Tuesday afternoon at the Regional Center for Social Reintegration in the town of Cieneguillas, located on the western flank of state capital Zacatecas, the state government said in a statement issued on Tuesday evening. An inmate was arrested with a firearm, and three more guns were found in the prison, as well as various knives. The government has launched an investigation to determine those responsible for the fight and how the weapons entered the prison, according to the statement. Security will be boosted at prisons in the state after the fight, the government said. The incident marks the latest blow to the security track record of Lopez Obrador, who took power in December 2018 pledging to reduce record levels of violence. Instead, Mexico was in 2019 on track to surpass the previous year’s total of homicides, according to latest data. Mexican prisons have long been plagued by violence. In 2017, at least 28 inmates were killed when a brutal fight broke out in a prison in the Mexican Pacific resort of Acapulco.

Sixteen inmates killed in Mexican prison brawl

Clashes ensued among prisoners in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-honduras-discuss-temporary-work-opportunities-for-hondurans-251210">Honduras</a>, killing 18 inmates and injuring 16.&nbsp;

According to prison officials, the fighting erupted at a jail in the town of Tela.

The prison is 200 kilometres from the country's capital, Tegucigalpa. Until now, no trigger or cause has been ascertained.

Fusine, the combined national security force had found arms and ammunition in the prison, including 9-millimetre guns.

Earlier, only three deaths were reported, with the toll quickly rising. By Saturday, 14 dead and 15 wounded were identified by the authorities.&nbsp;

Digna Aguilar, a prison spokesperson said that authorities had to enter the area carefully "for fear of being among the victims" because several inmates carried firearms, which slowed the investigation.

Watch: Mexico to help create 20,000 jobs in Honduras to curb migration

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/mexico-to-help-create-20000-jobs-in-honduras-to-curb-migration-238977/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mexico-honduras-agree-to-create-20000-jobs-and-stem-migration-238995">Honduran</a> President Juan Orlando Hernandez, grappling with a recent wave of prison killings, had ordered the army and the police on Tuesday to take full control of the country's 27 prisons, which are badly overcrowded with some 21,000 inmates.&nbsp;

But as of Friday, the military had yet to take complete control of the Tela detention centre, according to Aguilar.

Hernandez was triggered to announce the scheme amid recent violence in prisons. 
On December 14 of five members of feared gang Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) by a fellow detainee at the high-security prison in La Tolva, 25 miles east of Tegucigalpa.&nbsp;

A day earlier. Pedro Idelfonso Armas, the warden of El Pozo, the country's main high-security prison, in the western city of Santa Barbara, was shot dead in the south of the country.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/honduras-says-not-considering-safe-third-country-migration-deal-with-us-248818">Honduras has been trying to deal</a> with drug trafficking, gangs, poverty and corruption.

It suffers from one of the highest homicide rates in the world outside areas of armed conflict, having registered 41.2 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants in 2018.

Described by the local media as ''gang violence'', the tussle led to 17 deaths in the facility and one in the hospital.

(With inputs from agencies)

Clashes ensued among prisoners in Honduras, killing 18 inmates and injuring 16. According to prison officials, the fighting erupted at a jail in the town of Tela.

Clashes ensued among prisoners in Honduras, killing 18 inmates and injuring 16. According to prison officials, the fighting erupted at a jail in the town of Tela. The prison is 200 kilometres from the country's capital, Tegucigalpa. Until now, no trigger or cause has been ascertained. Fusine, the combined national security force had found arms and ammunition in the prison, including 9-millimetre guns. Earlier, only three deaths were reported, with the toll quickly rising. By Saturday, 14 dead and 15 wounded were identified by the authorities. Digna Aguilar, a prison spokesperson said that authorities had to enter the area carefully "for fear of being among the victims" because several inmates carried firearms, which slowed the investigation. Watch: Mexico to help create 20,000 jobs in Honduras to curb migration Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, grappling with a recent wave of prison killings, had ordered the army and the police on Tuesday to take full control of the country's 27 prisons, which are badly overcrowded with some 21,000 inmates. But as of Friday, the military had yet to take complete control of the Tela detention centre, according to Aguilar. Hernandez was triggered to announce the scheme amid recent violence in prisons. On December 14 of five members of feared gang Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) by a fellow detainee at the high-security prison in La Tolva, 25 miles east of Tegucigalpa. A day earlier. Pedro Idelfonso Armas, the warden of El Pozo, the country's main high-security prison, in the western city of Santa Barbara, was shot dead in the south of the country. Honduras has been trying to deal with drug trafficking, gangs, poverty and corruption. It suffers from one of the highest homicide rates in the world outside areas of armed conflict, having registered 41.2 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants in 2018. Described by the local media as ''gang violence'', the tussle led to 17 deaths in the facility and one in the hospital. (With inputs from agencies)

18 prisoners dead, 16 injured after clash in Honduras jail

At least 12 people were&nbsp;killed&nbsp;and another 13 were injured during a&nbsp;shootout&nbsp;among&nbsp;inmates&nbsp;at a jail&nbsp;near&nbsp;Panama&nbsp;City&nbsp;on Tuesday, officials said.

Police said they seized several guns in the incident at La Joyita&nbsp;prison, 16 miles (25 km) east of the capital, including five handguns and three long-barrelled firearms.

President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/panamas-cortizo-declares-victory-in-presidential-vote-216350">Laurentino Cortizo</a>, who took office in July, said the incident suggested jail guards helped smuggle in the weapons.

"These firearms didn't fall out of the sky, there was obviously some type of cooperation there for firearms to be brought in," he said in a statement.

Police official Alexis Munoz said the shooting originated from within the jail, where&nbsp;inmates&nbsp;are grouped according to gang affiliations to avoid confrontations, and that the cause was being investigated.

At least 12 people were killed and another 13 were injured during a shootout among inmates at a jail near Panama City on Tuesday, officials said. Police said they seized several guns in the incident at La Joyita prison, 16 miles (25 km) east of the capital, including five handguns and three long-barrelled firearms.

At least 12 people were killed and another 13 were injured during a shootout among inmates at a jail near Panama City on Tuesday, officials said. Police said they seized several guns in the incident at La Joyita prison, 16 miles (25 km) east of the capital, including five handguns and three long-barrelled firearms. President Laurentino Cortizo, who took office in July, said the incident suggested jail guards helped smuggle in the weapons. "These firearms didn't fall out of the sky, there was obviously some type of cooperation there for firearms to be brought in," he said in a statement. Police official Alexis Munoz said the shooting originated from within the jail, where inmates are grouped according to gang affiliations to avoid confrontations, and that the cause was being investigated.

Twelve inmates killed in prison shootout near Panama City

Two brothers have been sentenced to a total of 76 years in prison by an Australian court for planning to blow up an Etihad Airways flight from Sydney to Abu Dhabi with a bomb hidden in a meat grinder. 
&nbsp; 
The New South Wales Supreme Court on Tuesday sentenced Khaled Khayat to 40 years in prison with no parole until 2047. His brother, Mahmoud Khayat, was sentenced to 36 years with no possibility of parole until 2044.

The two men had been found guilty of planning two terrorist attacks: the bomb and a chemical gas attack on the flight to Abu Dhabi in July 2017.

Khaled was found guilty by the New South Wales Supreme Court in May, but the jury was unable to reach a verdict against Mahmoud. His retrial also ended with a guilty verdict in September.

Khaled and Mahmoud Khayat were arrested after police raids in Sydney. Police had said that high-grade explosives used to make the bomb were flown from Turkey as part of a plot "inspired and directed" by the Islamic State.

Two brothers have been sentenced to a total of 76 years in prison by an Australian court for planning to blow up an Etihad Airways flight from Sydney to Abu Dhabi with a bomb hidden in a meat grinder.

Two brothers have been sentenced to a total of 76 years in prison by an Australian court for planning to blow up an Etihad Airways flight from Sydney to Abu Dhabi with a bomb hidden in a meat grinder. The New South Wales Supreme Court on Tuesday sentenced Khaled Khayat to 40 years in prison with no parole until 2047. His brother, Mahmoud Khayat, was sentenced to 36 years with no possibility of parole until 2044. The two men had been found guilty of planning two terrorist attacks: the bomb and a chemical gas attack on the flight to Abu Dhabi in July 2017. Khaled was found guilty by the New South Wales Supreme Court in May, but the jury was unable to reach a verdict against Mahmoud. His retrial also ended with a guilty verdict in September. Khaled and Mahmoud Khayat were arrested after police raids in Sydney. Police had said that high-grade explosives used to make the bomb were flown from Turkey as part of a plot "inspired and directed" by the Islamic State.

Australian court sentences would-be airline bombers to 76 years in prison

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-express-outrage-over-maria-butina-conviction-putin-says-its-arbitrary-213911">Maria&nbsp;Butina</a>, the Russian gun advocate who built a network of high-level Republican contacts before being arrested for spying, was freed from US prison Friday after serving nine months, the Bureau of Prisons said.

Butina&nbsp;was handed over to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Bureau and was expected to be deported back to Russia, where she has been celebrated by the government as a victim of unjust, politically motivated charges in the United States.

The only Russian arrested and convicted in the three-year investigation of Moscow's interference in US politics,&nbsp;Butina&nbsp;parlayed ties with the NRA firearms lobby into a network of high-level Republican allies.

That network brought her into contact with President Donald Trump before his 2016 election, as well as with one of his sons.

Case heralded by Russia

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-agent-maria-butina-sentenced-to-18-months-213784">30-year-old native of Siberia</a> said she was on a quest to establish better relations between Russia and the United States, and enrolled in university in Washington while living with a Republican operative.

She attended political rallies and NRA conventions, often with her powerful Moscow sponsor Alexander Torshin, a politician close to President Vladimir Putin.

Her social media was full of pictures of her posing with various firearms around the United States, in some dressed in camo with an assault rifle and, in one, as a cowgirl with a giant six-shooter.

And she had her picture taken with some of the country's conservative elite: NRA head Wayne LaPierre, senator Rick Santorum, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, and President Donald Trump's son Don Jr.

But she was arrested in July 2018 on allegations she was engaging in espionage, though she had no connection with Russia's established spy agencies.

In December,&nbsp;Butina&nbsp;entered a plea deal on a charge that she acted as an illegal, unregistered foreign agent, and was sentenced to 18 months in prison, half of which was credited as already served.

The Russian foreign ministry made her into a cause celebre, placing a picture of her with the word "Free&nbsp;Butina" at the top of its social media pages.

There was no immediate comment from&nbsp;Butina&nbsp;or her lawyer, but Russian media said she was expected back as early as Saturday.

Case remains murky

Even with her release, her case remained murky. US prosecutors watered-down early allegations that she was an operative of Russia's intelligence agencies, and described her only as funded by senior politician Torshin.

But they maintained that she had a mission to infiltrate US political circles in an operation to "spot and assess" potential espionage targets.

Part of that involved becoming the live-in girlfriend of a mid-level Republican operative who sponsored her as a graduate student at American University in Washington.

"There is no doubt that she was not simply a graduate student," Assistant US Attorney Erik Kenerson told the court.

But&nbsp;Butina&nbsp;maintained that, guided by Torshin, she genuinely sought to create people-to-people channels of cooperation and fell victim to a higher level of intrigue relating to Russian election interference.

She told NPR radio from jail that, while a graduate student in politics at American University, she had only sought to be involved in "civil diplomacy."

"I never hide my love to my motherland neither to this country... I love both countries, and I was building peace."

Spy away?

Her future in Russia remained unknown. There was some speculation that Moscow's arrest of an American, Paul Whelan, last December for alleged espionage was a tit for tat and that her release could lead to his.

But Whelan's brother David told AFP this week that it appeared Moscow could want much more in return for Paul Whelan's release, including a possible swap for other US-jailed spies and the reopening of two Russian-leased estates in New York and Maryland that were forced closed in 2017 in retaliation for Russian election meddling.

Nevertheless, Whelan tweeted on Friday: "I wish the very best for Ms&nbsp;Butina&nbsp;and much joy for her reunion with her family. We look forward to the same opportunity with Paul in the future."

Maria Butina, the Russian gun advocate who built a network of high-level Republican contacts before being arrested for spying, was freed from US prison Friday after serving nine months, the Bureau of Prisons said.

Maria Butina, the Russian gun advocate who built a network of high-level Republican contacts before being arrested for spying, was freed from US prison Friday after serving nine months, the Bureau of Prisons said. Butina was handed over to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Bureau and was expected to be deported back to Russia, where she has been celebrated by the government as a victim of unjust, politically motivated charges in the United States. The only Russian arrested and convicted in the three-year investigation of Moscow's interference in US politics, Butina parlayed ties with the NRA firearms lobby into a network of high-level Republican allies. That network brought her into contact with President Donald Trump before his 2016 election, as well as with one of his sons. Case heralded by Russia The 30-year-old native of Siberia said she was on a quest to establish better relations between Russia and the United States, and enrolled in university in Washington while living with a Republican operative. She attended political rallies and NRA conventions, often with her powerful Moscow sponsor Alexander Torshin, a politician close to President Vladimir Putin. Her social media was full of pictures of her posing with various firearms around the United States, in some dressed in camo with an assault rifle and, in one, as a cowgirl with a giant six-shooter. And she had her picture taken with some of the country's conservative elite: NRA head Wayne LaPierre, senator Rick Santorum, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, and President Donald Trump's son Don Jr. But she was arrested in July 2018 on allegations she was engaging in espionage, though she had no connection with Russia's established spy agencies. In December, Butina entered a plea deal on a charge that she acted as an illegal, unregistered foreign agent, and was sentenced to 18 months in prison, half of which was credited as already served. The Russian foreign ministry made her into a cause celebre, placing a picture of her with the word "Free Butina" at the top of its social media pages. There was no immediate comment from Butina or her lawyer, but Russian media said she was expected back as early as Saturday. Case remains murky Even with her release, her case remained murky. US prosecutors watered-down early allegations that she was an operative of Russia's intelligence agencies, and described her only as funded by senior politician Torshin. But they maintained that she had a mission to infiltrate US political circles in an operation to "spot and assess" potential espionage targets. Part of that involved becoming the live-in girlfriend of a mid-level Republican operative who sponsored her as a graduate student at American University in Washington. "There is no doubt that she was not simply a graduate student," Assistant US Attorney Erik Kenerson told the court. But Butina maintained that, guided by Torshin, she genuinely sought to create people-to-people channels of cooperation and fell victim to a higher level of intrigue relating to Russian election interference. She told NPR radio from jail that, while a graduate student in politics at American University, she had only sought to be involved in "civil diplomacy." "I never hide my love to my motherland neither to this country... I love both countries, and I was building peace." Spy away? Her future in Russia remained unknown. There was some speculation that Moscow's arrest of an American, Paul Whelan, last December for alleged espionage was a tit for tat and that her release could lead to his. But Whelan's brother David told AFP this week that it appeared Moscow could want much more in return for Paul Whelan's release, including a possible swap for other US-jailed spies and the reopening of two Russian-leased estates in New York and Maryland that were forced closed in 2017 in retaliation for Russian election meddling. Nevertheless, Whelan tweeted on Friday: "I wish the very best for Ms Butina and much joy for her reunion with her family. We look forward to the same opportunity with Paul in the future."

Russian 'agent' Maria Butina released from United States prison

US financier Jeffrey Epstein, awaiting trial on charges he trafficked underage girls for sex, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wealthy-financier-jeffrey-epstein-kills-himself-in-prison-242042">was found dead in jail Saturday of an apparent suicide</a>, triggering outcry over how the high-profile detainee could die in custody.

The government and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/first-fbi-now-justice-department-probing-jeffrey-epstein-death-242081">FBI immediately launched probes</a> as politicians, law enforcement officials and alleged victims expressed shock that Epstein could take his own life when a recently reported suicide attempt meant he should have been under close watch.

Epstein, a convicted paedophile who befriended numerous politicians and celebrities over the years, was found unresponsive in his cell around 6:30 am (1030 GMT) at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York from "an apparent suicide," the US Department of Justice said.&nbsp;

He was pronounced dead at a hospital.

US Attorney General Bill Barr said he was "appalled" and instructed the Justice Department's inspector general to probe the circumstances.&nbsp;

"Mr Epstein's death raises serious questions that must be answered," Barr said.

Watch: A sex scandal that should worry Trump

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The FBI is also investigating, the Justice Department said.

The New York Times and other media reported Epstein hanged himself. The city medical examiner's office did not confirm the cause of death.

On July 23, the 66-year-old was found unconscious with marks on his neck. He was put on suicide watch for six days before being returned to his cell in a high-security part of the jail, the New York Times reported.

His death came one day after a New York court released a tranche of sealed legal documents, providing new details about what prosecutors allege was Epstein's sex-trafficking operation.

Epstein last appeared in court on July 31 when a judge told him that his trial wouldn't begin before next June.

'We need answers'

The wealthy hedge fund manager had been charged with one count of sex trafficking of minors and one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors.&nbsp;

Epstein, who denied the charges, had faced up to 45 years in prison -- effectively the rest of his life -- if convicted.&nbsp;

The Metropolitan Correctional Center, a federal facility in Manhattan that often houses suspects awaiting or during the trial, is considered one of the most secure penal establishments in the US.&nbsp;

Infamous Mexican drug trafficker Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman spent more than two years there as an inmate.

"We need answers. Lots of them" tweeted New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Republican Senator Ben Sasse, who heads the Senate's judiciary oversight committee, said the government had failed Epstein's alleged victims "yet again."

The two thousand pages of previously sealed court documents released Friday focused on testimony by a woman who claimed she was Epstein's "sex slave."

Virginia Giuffre, now an adult, claimed she was forced to have sex with well-known American political and business personalities. They have all denied the allegations.&nbsp;

'No closure'

Prosecutors said Epstein sexually exploited dozens of underage girls, some as young as 14, at his homes in Manhattan and Palm Beach, Florida, between 2002 and 2005.

They claimed that Epstein was "well aware that many of the victims were minors."

The young women were paid hundreds of dollars in cash to massage him, perform sexual acts and to recruit other girls, prosecutors alleged.

Epstein allegedly had an army of recruiters, often not much older than their targets, who would approach vulnerable teens.

Epstein is also accused of paying off possible co-conspirators to "influence" them, US media have reported.

Epstein, whose friends included President Donald Trump, former president Bill Clinton and Britain's Prince Andrew, was convicted previously of paying young girls for sexual massages at his Palm Beach mansion.

They have all denied knowing anything about his alleged crimes.

Trump on Saturday retweeted a conspiracy theory alleging, without evidence, that Clinton may be connected with Epstein's death.

Epstein avoided federal prosecution when facing the charges in Florida a decade ago.

Under a secret plea deal negotiated by former US labour secretary Alex Acosta, at that time a federal prosecutor in Florida, Epstein admitted to a single state charge of soliciting prostitution from a minor and registered as a sex offender.&nbsp;

He served 13 months in a county jail before being released. Acosta resigned last month amid a backlash over the deal.

One of Epstein's alleged victims said she'll "never have a sense of closure" because he will never be convicted, according to a message shared by the woman's attorney, Lisa Bloom.

"You stole from us the huge piece of healing that we needed to move on with our lives," the woman said.

But Manhattan federal prosecutor Geoffrey Berman said that while Epstein's apparent suicide was a "yet another hurdle" in delivering justice to his alleged victims, the court case — which included a conspiracy charge — would continue to play out.

US financier Jeffrey Epstein, awaiting trial on charges he trafficked underage girls for sex, was found dead in jail Saturday of an apparent suicide, triggering outcry over how the high-profile detainee could die in custody.

US financier Jeffrey Epstein, awaiting trial on charges he trafficked underage girls for sex, was found dead in jail Saturday of an apparent suicide, triggering outcry over how the high-profile detainee could die in custody. The government and FBI immediately launched probes as politicians, law enforcement officials and alleged victims expressed shock that Epstein could take his own life when a recently reported suicide attempt meant he should have been under close watch. Epstein, a convicted paedophile who befriended numerous politicians and celebrities over the years, was found unresponsive in his cell around 6:30 am (1030 GMT) at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York from "an apparent suicide," the US Department of Justice said. He was pronounced dead at a hospital. US Attorney General Bill Barr said he was "appalled" and instructed the Justice Department's inspector general to probe the circumstances. "Mr Epstein's death raises serious questions that must be answered," Barr said. Watch: A sex scandal that should worry Trump × The FBI is also investigating, the Justice Department said. The New York Times and other media reported Epstein hanged himself. The city medical examiner's office did not confirm the cause of death. On July 23, the 66-year-old was found unconscious with marks on his neck. He was put on suicide watch for six days before being returned to his cell in a high-security part of the jail, the New York Times reported. His death came one day after a New York court released a tranche of sealed legal documents, providing new details about what prosecutors allege was Epstein's sex-trafficking operation. Epstein last appeared in court on July 31 when a judge told him that his trial wouldn't begin before next June. 'We need answers' The wealthy hedge fund manager had been charged with one count of sex trafficking of minors and one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors. Epstein, who denied the charges, had faced up to 45 years in prison -- effectively the rest of his life -- if convicted. The Metropolitan Correctional Center, a federal facility in Manhattan that often houses suspects awaiting or during the trial, is considered one of the most secure penal establishments in the US. Infamous Mexican drug trafficker Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman spent more than two years there as an inmate. "We need answers. Lots of them" tweeted New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Republican Senator Ben Sasse, who heads the Senate's judiciary oversight committee, said the government had failed Epstein's alleged victims "yet again." The two thousand pages of previously sealed court documents released Friday focused on testimony by a woman who claimed she was Epstein's "sex slave." Virginia Giuffre, now an adult, claimed she was forced to have sex with well-known American political and business personalities. They have all denied the allegations. 'No closure' Prosecutors said Epstein sexually exploited dozens of underage girls, some as young as 14, at his homes in Manhattan and Palm Beach, Florida, between 2002 and 2005. They claimed that Epstein was "well aware that many of the victims were minors." The young women were paid hundreds of dollars in cash to massage him, perform sexual acts and to recruit other girls, prosecutors alleged. Epstein allegedly had an army of recruiters, often not much older than their targets, who would approach vulnerable teens. Epstein is also accused of paying off possible co-conspirators to "influence" them, US media have reported. Epstein, whose friends included President Donald Trump, former president Bill Clinton and Britain's Prince Andrew, was convicted previously of paying young girls for sexual massages at his Palm Beach mansion. They have all denied knowing anything about his alleged crimes. Trump on Saturday retweeted a conspiracy theory alleging, without evidence, that Clinton may be connected with Epstein's death. Epstein avoided federal prosecution when facing the charges in Florida a decade ago. Under a secret plea deal negotiated by former US labour secretary Alex Acosta, at that time a federal prosecutor in Florida, Epstein admitted to a single state charge of soliciting prostitution from a minor and registered as a sex offender. He served 13 months in a county jail before being released. Acosta resigned last month amid a backlash over the deal. One of Epstein's alleged victims said she'll "never have a sense of closure" because he will never be convicted, according to a message shared by the woman's attorney, Lisa Bloom. "You stole from us the huge piece of healing that we needed to move on with our lives," the woman said. But Manhattan federal prosecutor Geoffrey Berman said that while Epstein's apparent suicide was a "yet another hurdle" in delivering justice to his alleged victims, the court case — which included a conspiracy charge — would continue to play out.

Trump retweets conspiracy theory about Bill Clinton, amid outcry on Jeffrey Epstein's death

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-billionaire-jeffrey-epstein-arrested-on-sex-trafficking-charges-reports-234037">wealthy US financier Jeffrey Epstein</a>, indicted on charges he trafficked underage girls for sex, committed suicide in prison, US news media reported Saturday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/billionaire-financier-jeffrey-epstein-found-injured-in-jail-cell-media-238325">Epstein</a>, who had hobnobbed with politicians and celebrities over the years and was already a convicted sex offender, hanged himself in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center and his body was found around 7:30 Saturday morning, The New York Times and other media said, quoting officials.&nbsp;

Epstein, 66, had been found in his cell in late July with marks on his neck after an apparent suicide attempt.

The hedge fund manager was denied bail in late July after appearing at a New York court charged with one count of sex trafficking of minors and one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors.&nbsp;

He denied the charges and had faced up to 45 years in prison -- effectively the rest of his life -- if convicted.&nbsp;

The Metropolitan Correction Center, a federal facility in Manhattan that is often used to house suspects awaiting or during trial, is considered one of the most secure penal establishments in the US.&nbsp;

The infamous Mexican drug trafficker Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman spent more than two years there before being convicted and transferred to a federal prison in Colorado. 
&nbsp;

The wealthy US financier Jeffrey Epstein, indicted on charges he trafficked underage girls for sex, committed suicide in prison, US news media reported Saturday.

The wealthy US financier Jeffrey Epstein, indicted on charges he trafficked underage girls for sex, committed suicide in prison, US news media reported Saturday. Epstein, who had hobnobbed with politicians and celebrities over the years and was already a convicted sex offender, hanged himself in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center and his body was found around 7:30 Saturday morning, The New York Times and other media said, quoting officials. Epstein, 66, had been found in his cell in late July with marks on his neck after an apparent suicide attempt. The hedge fund manager was denied bail in late July after appearing at a New York court charged with one count of sex trafficking of minors and one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors. He denied the charges and had faced up to 45 years in prison -- effectively the rest of his life -- if convicted. The Metropolitan Correction Center, a federal facility in Manhattan that is often used to house suspects awaiting or during trial, is considered one of the most secure penal establishments in the US. The infamous Mexican drug trafficker Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman spent more than two years there before being convicted and transferred to a federal prison in Colorado.

US financier Jeffrey Epstein accused of sex trafficking, commits suicide in prison

A Brazilian drug trafficker, who had attempted to escape from prison disguised as his teenage daughter, was found dead in his cell on Tuesday, officials said.

Clauvino da Silva, nicknamed "Shorty" or "Baixinho" in Portuguese, made headlines after he was caught Saturday trying to walk out the front door of a Rio de Janeiro jail.

Da Silva, 42, wore a silicon mask, long dark wig, glasses, white flip flops and the clothes, including pink T-shirt, blue denim jeans and black bra, belonging to his 19-year-old daughter, who was visiting him.

She had planned to stay behind while he made his getaway.&nbsp;

Da Silva, who was serving a 73-year jail sentence, was caught after guards noticed he looked "suspicious."&nbsp;

His daughter and seven other visitors were detained over the foiled breakout.&nbsp;

A video released by the state prisons administration department shows da Silva stripping off his elaborate disguise in front of officials.&nbsp;

Watch: Brazil inmate tries to escape prison disguised as daughter

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Three days after his failed escape, da Silva, a senior member of the Red Command, one of Brazil's main crime groups, was found dead in his cell in a maximum security prison.

Officials said he appeared to have hanged himself with a bed sheet.&nbsp;

An investigation has been launched into his death.

Experts estimate hundreds of prisoners are killed in Brazilian prisons every year, mostly in confrontations between rival gangs battling for control of one of the world's most important cocaine markets and trafficking routes.&nbsp;

Brazil has the world's third-largest prison population after the United States and China, with more than 800,000 inmates.

A Brazilian drug trafficker, who had attempted to escape from prison disguised as his teenage daughter, was found dead in his cell on Tuesday, officials said. Clauvino da Silva, nicknamed "Shorty" or "Baixinho" in Portuguese, made headlines after he was caught Saturday trying to walk out the front door of a Rio de Janeiro jail.

A Brazilian drug trafficker, who had attempted to escape from prison disguised as his teenage daughter, was found dead in his cell on Tuesday, officials said. Clauvino da Silva, nicknamed "Shorty" or "Baixinho" in Portuguese, made headlines after he was caught Saturday trying to walk out the front door of a Rio de Janeiro jail. Da Silva, 42, wore a silicon mask, long dark wig, glasses, white flip flops and the clothes, including pink T-shirt, blue denim jeans and black bra, belonging to his 19-year-old daughter, who was visiting him. She had planned to stay behind while he made his getaway. Da Silva, who was serving a 73-year jail sentence, was caught after guards noticed he looked "suspicious." His daughter and seven other visitors were detained over the foiled breakout. A video released by the state prisons administration department shows da Silva stripping off his elaborate disguise in front of officials. Watch: Brazil inmate tries to escape prison disguised as daughter × Three days after his failed escape, da Silva, a senior member of the Red Command, one of Brazil's main crime groups, was found dead in his cell in a maximum security prison. Officials said he appeared to have hanged himself with a bed sheet. An investigation has been launched into his death. Experts estimate hundreds of prisoners are killed in Brazilian prisons every year, mostly in confrontations between rival gangs battling for control of one of the world's most important cocaine markets and trafficking routes. Brazil has the world's third-largest prison population after the United States and China, with more than 800,000 inmates.

Brazil inmate found dead after foiled escape disguised as daughter

Migrants at a Libyan detention centre say they are forced to live in unhygienic conditions, and often face food shortages.

Migrants stranded at Libya detention centre

Wesley Mathews, the Indian-American foster father of three-year-old Sherin Mathews, was sentenced to life by a judge in Dallas on Wednesday for the tragic death of the Indian toddler in 2017, in a case that attracted international attention.

Mathews, 39, pleaded guilty Monday to a lesser charge of injury to a child in Sherin's death. He was originally charged with capital murder by authorities in the US state of Texas.

Mathews stared ahead and did not look at jurors as the judge sentenced him to life in prison, US media reports said.

The 12-member jury deliberated Wednesday afternoon for about three hours before coming to a unanimous decision to give Mathews a sentence of life in the death of his adopted daughter, Sherin. He will be eligible for parole after 30 years' imprisonment.

Prosecutors argued that Mathews, hailing from Kerala, killed Sherin in October 2017. She was adopted by Mathews and his wife Sini Mathews from an orphanage in Bihar in 2016.

Mathews claimed she accidentally choked to death on milk.&nbsp;

Prosecutor Sherre Thomas argued that Mathews' testimony was just another lie. She said testimony and medical records show that it was "medically impossible for a child who is 3 years old to stand up and choke to death" as Mathews claimed.

"It means he's still a liar. It means he killed that little girl. And when he killed her, he panicked," Thomas argued, WFAA TV reported.

She said Mathews also took the time to clean up himself and turned off the location tracker on his phone to try to hide what he had done.&nbsp;

Mathews did not tell investigators where his daughter's body was. When her body was found, it was so badly decomposed that the medical examiner could not determine an exact cause of death.

"There's nothing left of her, her teeth had fallen out," Thomas said. "He covered his crime. He got away with that."

While prosecutors asked the jury to hand down a life sentence, defence attorney Rafael De La Garza argued that Mathews was a good father who panicked when his daughter choked and did not call for help.&nbsp;

He argued that prosecutors could not prove that Mathews killed his child and said he was only guilty of not calling 911, the emergency helpline.

During closing arguments, De La Garza walked over to Mathews and placed his hands on his shoulders.

"This is something he will live with for the rest of his life," the attorney told jurors.

After the verdict was read, De La Garza called the sentence "cruel and unusual punishment," WFAA TV reported.

Mathews initially told police that Sherin went missing on October 7, 2017, after he put her outside their home at 3am in Richardson, Texas because she would not drink her milk. Her badly decomposed body was found 15 days later in a culvert near the family's home.&nbsp;

His story evolved during the course of the investigation.

He initially claimed that as punishment for not drinking her milk he sent Sherin outside at 3 am to stand by a tree outside the backyard of their home.

When he checked in on her 15 minutes later, Mathews said Sherin was missing.

He later admitted she died when he "physically assisted" her in drinking the milk and got chocked.

On the witness stand during the sentencing trial, Mathews said he panicked after his daughter's accidental death. He said he wrapped her body in a blue trash bag and dumped her in a culvert so she would be near the home.&nbsp;

Thomas argued that Sherin suffered abuse the entire time she lived in the US.

Medical records show that she had five broken bones that were at various stages of healing.&nbsp;

Police charged Sherin's foster mother Sini, a registered nurse, with child abandonment in November 2017, after her husband told officials the couple left the toddler alone the night of her death while they went to dinner with their biological daughter.

Sini's case was dismissed in March this year after prosecutors said they could not prove it beyond a reasonable doubt.

Sini sat in the courtroom during closing arguments on Wednesday.

After the judge read the sentence, she quickly left the courtroom without giving a comment to waiting reporters. She and Wesley Mathews were both arrested after Sherin's body was found. The couple later lost custody of their biological daughter.

Sherin's death attracted the attention of the Indian government and the then External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj took keen interest in the case and also instructed the Indian mission in Houston to make sure that the Indian toddler received justice. India further tightened the adoption process after Sherin's tragic death.

Wesley Mathews, the Indian-American foster father of three-year-old Sherin Mathews, was sentenced to life by a judge in Dallas on Wednesday for the tragic death of the Indian toddler in 2017, in a case that attracted international attention.

Wesley Mathews, the Indian-American foster father of three-year-old Sherin Mathews, was sentenced to life by a judge in Dallas on Wednesday for the tragic death of the Indian toddler in 2017, in a case that attracted international attention. Mathews, 39, pleaded guilty Monday to a lesser charge of injury to a child in Sherin's death. He was originally charged with capital murder by authorities in the US state of Texas. Mathews stared ahead and did not look at jurors as the judge sentenced him to life in prison, US media reports said. The 12-member jury deliberated Wednesday afternoon for about three hours before coming to a unanimous decision to give Mathews a sentence of life in the death of his adopted daughter, Sherin. He will be eligible for parole after 30 years' imprisonment. Prosecutors argued that Mathews, hailing from Kerala, killed Sherin in October 2017. She was adopted by Mathews and his wife Sini Mathews from an orphanage in Bihar in 2016. Mathews claimed she accidentally choked to death on milk. Prosecutor Sherre Thomas argued that Mathews' testimony was just another lie. She said testimony and medical records show that it was "medically impossible for a child who is 3 years old to stand up and choke to death" as Mathews claimed. "It means he's still a liar. It means he killed that little girl. And when he killed her, he panicked," Thomas argued, WFAA TV reported. She said Mathews also took the time to clean up himself and turned off the location tracker on his phone to try to hide what he had done. Mathews did not tell investigators where his daughter's body was. When her body was found, it was so badly decomposed that the medical examiner could not determine an exact cause of death. "There's nothing left of her, her teeth had fallen out," Thomas said. "He covered his crime. He got away with that." While prosecutors asked the jury to hand down a life sentence, defence attorney Rafael De La Garza argued that Mathews was a good father who panicked when his daughter choked and did not call for help. He argued that prosecutors could not prove that Mathews killed his child and said he was only guilty of not calling 911, the emergency helpline. During closing arguments, De La Garza walked over to Mathews and placed his hands on his shoulders. "This is something he will live with for the rest of his life," the attorney told jurors. After the verdict was read, De La Garza called the sentence "cruel and unusual punishment," WFAA TV reported. Mathews initially told police that Sherin went missing on October 7, 2017, after he put her outside their home at 3am in Richardson, Texas because she would not drink her milk. Her badly decomposed body was found 15 days later in a culvert near the family's home. His story evolved during the course of the investigation. He initially claimed that as punishment for not drinking her milk he sent Sherin outside at 3 am to stand by a tree outside the backyard of their home. When he checked in on her 15 minutes later, Mathews said Sherin was missing. He later admitted she died when he "physically assisted" her in drinking the milk and got chocked. On the witness stand during the sentencing trial, Mathews said he panicked after his daughter's accidental death. He said he wrapped her body in a blue trash bag and dumped her in a culvert so she would be near the home. Thomas argued that Sherin suffered abuse the entire time she lived in the US. Medical records show that she had five broken bones that were at various stages of healing. Police charged Sherin's foster mother Sini, a registered nurse, with child abandonment in November 2017, after her husband told officials the couple left the toddler alone the night of her death while they went to dinner with their biological daughter. Sini's case was dismissed in March this year after prosecutors said they could not prove it beyond a reasonable doubt. Sini sat in the courtroom during closing arguments on Wednesday. After the judge read the sentence, she quickly left the courtroom without giving a comment to waiting reporters. She and Wesley Mathews were both arrested after Sherin's body was found. The couple later lost custody of their biological daughter. Sherin's death attracted the attention of the Indian government and the then External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj took keen interest in the case and also instructed the Indian mission in Houston to make sure that the Indian toddler received justice. India further tightened the adoption process after Sherin's tragic death.

Indian-American foster father sentenced to life for three-year-old Sherin Mathews' death

Sri Lanka's chief prosecutor on Friday announced charges against a top prison officer and an elite commando for the killing of 27 inmates in a notorious rights case.

Attorney General Dappula de Livera said he wanted a special fast track trial for Prisons Commissioner Emil Lamahewage and police commando Moses Rangajeewa over the execution-style killings in November 2012.

A third suspect who was a member of a prison intelligence unit was on the run, de Livera said.

Commandos were used to put down a riot at the Welika jail in Colombo and disarm inmates who had taken weapons from the armoury.

According to de Livera's account, eight prisoners were called out by name and killed execution-style.

Weapons were later introduced to make it look like the victims had tried to fire at jail guards, according to court documents made available to AFP.

The documents did not mention any command responsibility for the deaths.

Media reports have said the killings were ordered by the then defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse, a younger brother of former President Mahinda Rajapakse who was defeated at January 2015 elections.

Rajapakse has denied involvement in the killings. However, a court hearing was told Friday that no investigation was carried out when Rajapakse was in power.

The killings escalated international condemnation of Rajapakse, whose government faced sanctions for rights abuses in the final years of Sri Lanka's 37-year-long Tamil war that ended in 2009.

Some of the inmates killed were being held over robberies at Sri Lanka's national museum and a temple, crimes allegedly linked to senior members of Rajapakse's administration.

The 2012 massacre was the worst prison violence since 50 inmates were hacked to death in a July 1983 riot.

Rajapakse lost a 2015 election to Maithripala Sirisena who promised to ensure accountability for past abuses.

Sri Lanka's chief prosecutor on Friday announced charges against a top prison officer and an elite commando for the killing of 27 inmates in a notorious rights case.

Sri Lanka's chief prosecutor on Friday announced charges against a top prison officer and an elite commando for the killing of 27 inmates in a notorious rights case. Attorney General Dappula de Livera said he wanted a special fast track trial for Prisons Commissioner Emil Lamahewage and police commando Moses Rangajeewa over the execution-style killings in November 2012. A third suspect who was a member of a prison intelligence unit was on the run, de Livera said. Commandos were used to put down a riot at the Welika jail in Colombo and disarm inmates who had taken weapons from the armoury. According to de Livera's account, eight prisoners were called out by name and killed execution-style. Weapons were later introduced to make it look like the victims had tried to fire at jail guards, according to court documents made available to AFP. The documents did not mention any command responsibility for the deaths. Media reports have said the killings were ordered by the then defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse, a younger brother of former President Mahinda Rajapakse who was defeated at January 2015 elections. Rajapakse has denied involvement in the killings. However, a court hearing was told Friday that no investigation was carried out when Rajapakse was in power. The killings escalated international condemnation of Rajapakse, whose government faced sanctions for rights abuses in the final years of Sri Lanka's 37-year-long Tamil war that ended in 2009. Some of the inmates killed were being held over robberies at Sri Lanka's national museum and a temple, crimes allegedly linked to senior members of Rajapakse's administration. The 2012 massacre was the worst prison violence since 50 inmates were hacked to death in a July 1983 riot. Rajapakse lost a 2015 election to Maithripala Sirisena who promised to ensure accountability for past abuses.

Sri Lanka announces charges over 2012 prison massacre

Bangladesh authorities have upgraded a 200-year-old colonial-era breakfast menu in all its prisons, an official said Sunday, as part of a reform of the country's penal system.

Bazlur Rashid, deputy head of the Prison Directorate, said the nation's more than 81,000 convicts would from Sunday receive an improved breakfast, replacing the bread and molasses that has been on the menu since being introduced by British colonial rulers in the 18th century.&nbsp;

The new diet will contain bread, vegetables, sweets and khichdi, spiced rice cooked with lentils, Rashid said.

Previously prisoners were given just 116 grams (four ounces) of bread and 14.5 grams (half an ounce) of molasses, he said.

Bangladesh's 60 prisons, built to house 35,000 inmates, are notoriously overcrowded and frequently draw criticism from rights organisations.

Inmates also often complain about the quality and quantity of food served in the jails.

Rashid said the diet change is part of a series of reforms to "help prisoners get motivated and rehabilitated".

"We are gradually trying to adapt... so the convicts can reform themselves during their stay in the facilities," he said.

Several thousand prisoners cheered the new breakfast menu in Dhaka's Keraniganj central prison Sunday, he said, adding, "Good food makes everyone happy."

The official said the government has also introduced cheap telephone calls for inmates in the prisons.

Bangladesh authorities have upgraded a 200-year-old colonial-era breakfast menu in all its prisons, an official said Sunday, as part of a reform of the country's penal system.

Bangladesh authorities have upgraded a 200-year-old colonial-era breakfast menu in all its prisons, an official said Sunday, as part of a reform of the country's penal system. Bazlur Rashid, deputy head of the Prison Directorate, said the nation's more than 81,000 convicts would from Sunday receive an improved breakfast, replacing the bread and molasses that has been on the menu since being introduced by British colonial rulers in the 18th century. The new diet will contain bread, vegetables, sweets and khichdi, spiced rice cooked with lentils, Rashid said. Previously prisoners were given just 116 grams (four ounces) of bread and 14.5 grams (half an ounce) of molasses, he said. Bangladesh's 60 prisons, built to house 35,000 inmates, are notoriously overcrowded and frequently draw criticism from rights organisations. Inmates also often complain about the quality and quantity of food served in the jails. Rashid said the diet change is part of a series of reforms to "help prisoners get motivated and rehabilitated". "We are gradually trying to adapt... so the convicts can reform themselves during their stay in the facilities," he said. Several thousand prisoners cheered the new breakfast menu in Dhaka's Keraniganj central prison Sunday, he said, adding, "Good food makes everyone happy." The official said the government has also introduced cheap telephone calls for inmates in the prisons.

Bangladesh prison breakfast menu gets makeover after 200 years

Inmates of Coimbatore Central prison in southern India have the unique opportunity of working at a shop, as part of an initiative meant to reform and rehabilitate them.

India gives inmates new lease of life with 'prison bazaar'

At least 40 <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/clashes-between-prisoners-in-brazil-jail-leave-15-dead-official-221848">prisoners in Brazil</a> were found strangled to death on Monday in four jails in the Amazon jungle city of Manaus, where a fight between rival prison gangs resulted in 15 dead the day before, authorities said.

A federal task force is being sent to Manaus in an effort to halt the violence. Prison clashes often spread rapidly in Brazil, where drug gangs have de facto control over nearly all jails.

In January 2017, nearly 150 prisoners died during three weeks of violence in the north and northeastern Brazil, as local gangs backed by Brazil's two largest drug factions - the First Capital Command and the Red Command - butchered one another.

A statement from the Amazonas state penitentiary department revised to 40 from an earlier 42 the number of deaths that took place on Monday and said authorities had regained control of the four prisons. No other details were provided.

At least 15 inmates were killed at a jail in Manaus on Sunday, with authorities saying those who died were choked and stabbed to death.

Brazil's far-right President Jair Bolsonaro has vowed to regain control of the country's prisons - along with building many more jails.

But the vast majority of jails are administered at the state level. For decades they have been badly overcrowded and out of control of local authorities, essentially serving as recruiting centres for drug gangs.

At least 40 prisoners in Brazil were found strangled to death on Monday in four jails in the Amazon jungle city of Manaus, where a fight between rival prison gangs resulted in 15 dead the day before, authorities said.

At least 40 prisoners in Brazil were found strangled to death on Monday in four jails in the Amazon jungle city of Manaus, where a fight between rival prison gangs resulted in 15 dead the day before, authorities said. A federal task force is being sent to Manaus in an effort to halt the violence. Prison clashes often spread rapidly in Brazil, where drug gangs have de facto control over nearly all jails. In January 2017, nearly 150 prisoners died during three weeks of violence in the north and northeastern Brazil, as local gangs backed by Brazil's two largest drug factions - the First Capital Command and the Red Command - butchered one another. A statement from the Amazonas state penitentiary department revised to 40 from an earlier 42 the number of deaths that took place on Monday and said authorities had regained control of the four prisons. No other details were provided. At least 15 inmates were killed at a jail in Manaus on Sunday, with authorities saying those who died were choked and stabbed to death. Brazil's far-right President Jair Bolsonaro has vowed to regain control of the country's prisons - along with building many more jails. But the vast majority of jails are administered at the state level. For decades they have been badly overcrowded and out of control of local authorities, essentially serving as recruiting centres for drug gangs.

At least 40 inmates strangled to death in Amazon prison gang clashes

John Walker Lindh, the&nbsp;American&nbsp;captured in 2001 fighting for the Taliban, is to be&nbsp;released&nbsp;early&nbsp;from&nbsp;federal&nbsp;prison on Thursday as some US&nbsp;lawmakers fear he remains a security risk.

Lindh, photographed as a wild-eyed, bearded 20-year-old at his Afghanistan capture, will leave a federal&nbsp;prison&nbsp;in Terre Haute, Indiana on probation after serving 17 years of a 20-year sentence, according to a&nbsp;prison&nbsp;official.

Now 38, Lindh is among dozens of&nbsp;prisoners set to be&nbsp;released&nbsp;over the next few years after being captured in Iraq and Afghanistan by US&nbsp;forces and convicted of terrorism-related crimes following the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

His release brought objections&nbsp;from&nbsp;elected officials who asked why Lindh was being freed early and what training parole officers had to spot radicalization and recidivism among former jihadists.

Leaked US&nbsp;government documents published by Foreign Policy magazine show the federal government as recently as 2016 described Lindh as holding "extremist views."

"What is the current interagency policy, strategy, and process for ensuring that terrorist/extremist offenders successfully reintegrate into society?" asked US&nbsp;Senators Richard Shelby and Margaret Hassan in a letter to the Federal Bureau of&nbsp;Prisons.

Lindh's parents Marilyn Walker and Frank Lindh did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Lindh's lawyer Bill Cummings declined to comment.

Melissa Kimberley, a spokeswoman for the Terre Haute&nbsp;prison&nbsp;in Indiana, could not confirm details of Lindh's release other than it would be on&nbsp;Thursday.

US-born Lindh converted&nbsp;from&nbsp;Catholicism to Islam as a teenager. At his 2002 sentencing, he said he travelled to Yemen to learn Arabic and then to Pakistan to study Islam. He said he volunteered as a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-taliban-claims-responsibility-for-quetta-blast-218492">Taliban soldier</a> to help fellow Muslims in their struggle or "jihad." He said he had no intention "to fight against America" and never understood jihad to mean anti-Americanism.

Lindh told the court he condemned "terrorism on every level" and attacks by al-Qaeda leader Osama bin-Laden were "completely against Islam."

But a January 2017 report by the US&nbsp;government's National Counterterrorism Center, published by Foreign Policy, said that as of May 2016, Lindh "continued to advocate for global jihad and to write and translate violent extremist texts."

NBC said Lindh wrote a letter to its Los Angeles station KNBC in 2015 expressing support for ISIS, saying the radical Islamist group was fulfilling "a religious obligation to establish a caliphate through armed struggle."

John Walker Lindh, the American captured in 2001 fighting for the Taliban, is to be released early from federal prison on Thursday as some US lawmakers fear he remains a security risk.

John Walker Lindh, the American captured in 2001 fighting for the Taliban, is to be released early from federal prison on Thursday as some US lawmakers fear he remains a security risk. Lindh, photographed as a wild-eyed, bearded 20-year-old at his Afghanistan capture, will leave a federal prison in Terre Haute, Indiana on probation after serving 17 years of a 20-year sentence, according to a prison official. Now 38, Lindh is among dozens of prisoners set to be released over the next few years after being captured in Iraq and Afghanistan by US forces and convicted of terrorism-related crimes following the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. His release brought objections from elected officials who asked why Lindh was being freed early and what training parole officers had to spot radicalization and recidivism among former jihadists. Leaked US government documents published by Foreign Policy magazine show the federal government as recently as 2016 described Lindh as holding "extremist views." "What is the current interagency policy, strategy, and process for ensuring that terrorist/extremist offenders successfully reintegrate into society?" asked US Senators Richard Shelby and Margaret Hassan in a letter to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Lindh's parents Marilyn Walker and Frank Lindh did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Lindh's lawyer Bill Cummings declined to comment. Melissa Kimberley, a spokeswoman for the Terre Haute prison in Indiana, could not confirm details of Lindh's release other than it would be on Thursday. US-born Lindh converted from Catholicism to Islam as a teenager. At his 2002 sentencing, he said he travelled to Yemen to learn Arabic and then to Pakistan to study Islam. He said he volunteered as a Taliban soldier to help fellow Muslims in their struggle or "jihad." He said he had no intention "to fight against America" and never understood jihad to mean anti-Americanism. Lindh told the court he condemned "terrorism on every level" and attacks by al-Qaeda leader Osama bin-Laden were "completely against Islam." But a January 2017 report by the US government's National Counterterrorism Center, published by Foreign Policy, said that as of May 2016, Lindh "continued to advocate for global jihad and to write and translate violent extremist texts." NBC said Lindh wrote a letter to its Los Angeles station KNBC in 2015 expressing support for ISIS, saying the radical Islamist group was fulfilling "a religious obligation to establish a caliphate through armed struggle."

'American Taliban' to be released early from federal prison

Three prison guards and 29 inmates have been killed in a high-security prison in Tajikistan after convicted <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/two-dead-in-libya-attack-claimed-by-islamic-state-report-219694">Islamic State militants</a> started a riot, the Central Asian nation's Justice Ministry said on Monday.

The ministry said the riot broke out late on Sunday in the prison in the city of Vakhdat, 10 kilometres east of the capital Dushanbe, as militants armed themselves with knives and killed three guards and five fellow prisoners.

One of the instigators of the riot was Bekhruz Gulmurod, a son of Gulmurod Khalimov, a Tajik special forces colonel who defected to Islamic State in 2015 and, according to the ministry, has since been killed in Syria.

Security forces have killed 24 militants and restored order in the prison which has 1,500 inmates, the ministry added.

Islamic State, which at one point controlled large swathes of land in Syria and Iraq but has now lost its strongholds, claimed responsibility for another Tajik prison riot last November, which followed a deadly attack by its followers on Western tourists in July 2018.

Three prison guards and 29 inmates have been killed in a high-security prison in Tajikistan after convicted Islamic State militants started a riot, the Central Asian nation's Justice Ministry said on Monday.

Three prison guards and 29 inmates have been killed in a high-security prison in Tajikistan after convicted Islamic State militants started a riot, the Central Asian nation's Justice Ministry said on Monday. The ministry said the riot broke out late on Sunday in the prison in the city of Vakhdat, 10 kilometres east of the capital Dushanbe, as militants armed themselves with knives and killed three guards and five fellow prisoners. One of the instigators of the riot was Bekhruz Gulmurod, a son of Gulmurod Khalimov, a Tajik special forces colonel who defected to Islamic State in 2015 and, according to the ministry, has since been killed in Syria. Security forces have killed 24 militants and restored order in the prison which has 1,500 inmates, the ministry added. Islamic State, which at one point controlled large swathes of land in Syria and Iraq but has now lost its strongholds, claimed responsibility for another Tajik prison riot last November, which followed a deadly attack by its followers on Western tourists in July 2018.

Islamic State militants kill 32 in Tajikistan's prison

Four inmates lost their lives while 33 others, including 20 police officers, were injured after riots broke out at the Pul-e-Charkhi prison in Kabul&nbsp;on Tuesday (local time).

The clash began after the police started searching some cells at the prison, according to Afghanistan`s Ministry of Interior Affairs.

"Attorney General Office and Ministry of Interior Affairs had ordered a search of Special Narcotics Blocks of Pul-e-Charkhi Prison. Four buildings were searched in the morning. But later violence broke out at midday during the search of remaining buildings after a group of prisoners attacked police, injuring 10 police officers," Nasrat Rahimi, a spokesman from the ministry, told Xinhua.

The police personnel fired in the air during the face-off, which saw the inmates trying to grab the police forces` weapons. The situation was later brought under control.

Investigations have been launched into the incident.

Four inmates lost their lives while 33 others, including 20 police officers, were injured after riots broke out at the Pul-e-Charkhi prison in Kabul on Tuesday (local time).

Four inmates lost their lives while 33 others, including 20 police officers, were injured after riots broke out at the Pul-e-Charkhi prison in Kabul on Tuesday (local time). The clash began after the police started searching some cells at the prison, according to Afghanistan`s Ministry of Interior Affairs. "Attorney General Office and Ministry of Interior Affairs had ordered a search of Special Narcotics Blocks of Pul-e-Charkhi Prison. Four buildings were searched in the morning. But later violence broke out at midday during the search of remaining buildings after a group of prisoners attacked police, injuring 10 police officers," Nasrat Rahimi, a spokesman from the ministry, told Xinhua. The police personnel fired in the air during the face-off, which saw the inmates trying to grab the police forces` weapons. The situation was later brought under control. Investigations have been launched into the incident.

Afghanistan: Prison riot kills 4 inmates, 33 injured including police

A German woman&nbsp;who&nbsp;posed as a wealthy&nbsp;heiress&nbsp;to scam&nbsp;New&nbsp;York&nbsp;hotels, fashionable friends and banks with a blizzard of forged documents was sentenced to four to&nbsp;12&nbsp;years&nbsp;in prison on Thursday after a jury convicted her of&nbsp;fraud&nbsp;last month.

Anna Sorokin, 28, was better known to her Manhattan friends as Anna Delvey, a would-be socialite decked out in expensive clothes whose credit cards came back declined with unnerving frequency despite her talk of having a trust fund.

Before giving nearly the maximum possible sentence, Judge Diane Kiesel, of&nbsp;New&nbsp;York&nbsp;state Supreme Court, rebuked Sorokin as "blinded by the glitter and glamour of&nbsp;New&nbsp;York&nbsp;City."

"She wanted everything that big money could buy, except that Ms Sorokin didn't have big money," Kiesel said in court, decrying Sorokin's taste for Sancerre wine and private jets. "All she had was a big scam."

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/good-time-ends-for-fake-german-heiress-217457/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Prosecutors say Sorokin stole $275,000 from others while pretending she had a fortune of 60 million euros ($67 million) through multiple acts of glamorous grifting in 2016 and 2017.

Sorokin has already spent more than 500 days in jail. She appeared in court in handcuffs wearing a black dress, black shoes and glasses with thick black frames.

Prosecutors pointed to her use of a stylist to pick out outfits for her trial as evidence that Sorokin lacked remorse.

"The only time she showed emotions was when she was crying because she was upset about the clothing she had received from the Department of Corrections," Catherine McCaw, a prosecutor with the Manhattan district attorney's office, told the court.

Sorokin,&nbsp;who&nbsp;was born in Russia before moving with her family to Germany as a teenager, spoke only to say she wanted "to apologise for the mistakes I made."

Moments later, the judge waved a letter of support from three of Sorokin's relatives, saying she did not know for sure if that document, too, was a forgery.

"This has consequences"

Prosecutors say Sorokin used forged bank statements to seek a loan of $22 million from a bank to fund a private arts club she wanted to open in Manhattan. She managed to get a $100,000 loan, which prosecutors said she never repaid. Sorokin used about $30,000 of that to cover her overdue bills at the fashionable 11 Howard hotel, where she was living.

Prosecutors said Sorokin also deposited bad checks amounting to $15,000 in an account with Signature Bank, managing to withdraw $8,200 in cash before the checks bounced, and used&nbsp;fake&nbsp;wire transfer receipts to trick victims.

A jury found her guilty on four counts of grand larceny and four counts of theft of services last month.

Sorokin's daily looks became the subject of a dedicated Instagram account with thousands of followers, which the judge nodded to in her sentencing remarks.

"I know she is a trendsetter and an influencer," Kiesel said, "so I think the message should be to the defendant and many of her fans out there that this has consequences."

US&nbsp;Immigration and Customs Enforcement said in a statement that Sorokin was a German citizen&nbsp;who&nbsp;had illegally overstayed in the United States. The agency said it will seek to send her back to Germany once her sentence is served. Sorokin will be able to seek parole after she has served four&nbsp;years.

The writers Shonda Rhimes and Lena Dunham are separately working on adapting the Anna Delvey story for the screen, according to news reports.

This, too, did Sorokin no favours with the judge,&nbsp;who&nbsp;said that Sorokin, in jailhouse interviews, did not express remorse but instead "worried about&nbsp;who&nbsp;would play her in the Netflix series."

A German woman who posed as a wealthy heiress to scam New York hotels, fashionable friends and banks with a blizzard of forged documents was sentenced to four to 12 years in prison on Thursday after a jury convicted her of fraud last month.

A German woman who posed as a wealthy heiress to scam New York hotels, fashionable friends and banks with a blizzard of forged documents was sentenced to four to 12 years in prison on Thursday after a jury convicted her of fraud last month. Anna Sorokin, 28, was better known to her Manhattan friends as Anna Delvey, a would-be socialite decked out in expensive clothes whose credit cards came back declined with unnerving frequency despite her talk of having a trust fund. Before giving nearly the maximum possible sentence, Judge Diane Kiesel, of New York state Supreme Court, rebuked Sorokin as "blinded by the glitter and glamour of New York City." "She wanted everything that big money could buy, except that Ms Sorokin didn't have big money," Kiesel said in court, decrying Sorokin's taste for Sancerre wine and private jets. "All she had was a big scam." Prosecutors say Sorokin stole $275,000 from others while pretending she had a fortune of 60 million euros ($67 million) through multiple acts of glamorous grifting in 2016 and 2017. Sorokin has already spent more than 500 days in jail. She appeared in court in handcuffs wearing a black dress, black shoes and glasses with thick black frames. Prosecutors pointed to her use of a stylist to pick out outfits for her trial as evidence that Sorokin lacked remorse. "The only time she showed emotions was when she was crying because she was upset about the clothing she had received from the Department of Corrections," Catherine McCaw, a prosecutor with the Manhattan district attorney's office, told the court. Sorokin, who was born in Russia before moving with her family to Germany as a teenager, spoke only to say she wanted "to apologise for the mistakes I made." Moments later, the judge waved a letter of support from three of Sorokin's relatives, saying she did not know for sure if that document, too, was a forgery. "This has consequences" Prosecutors say Sorokin used forged bank statements to seek a loan of $22 million from a bank to fund a private arts club she wanted to open in Manhattan. She managed to get a $100,000 loan, which prosecutors said she never repaid. Sorokin used about $30,000 of that to cover her overdue bills at the fashionable 11 Howard hotel, where she was living. Prosecutors said Sorokin also deposited bad checks amounting to $15,000 in an account with Signature Bank, managing to withdraw $8,200 in cash before the checks bounced, and used fake wire transfer receipts to trick victims. A jury found her guilty on four counts of grand larceny and four counts of theft of services last month. Sorokin's daily looks became the subject of a dedicated Instagram account with thousands of followers, which the judge nodded to in her sentencing remarks. "I know she is a trendsetter and an influencer," Kiesel said, "so I think the message should be to the defendant and many of her fans out there that this has consequences." US Immigration and Customs Enforcement said in a statement that Sorokin was a German citizen who had illegally overstayed in the United States. The agency said it will seek to send her back to Germany once her sentence is served. Sorokin will be able to seek parole after she has served four years. The writers Shonda Rhimes and Lena Dunham are separately working on adapting the Anna Delvey story for the screen, according to news reports. This, too, did Sorokin no favours with the judge, who said that Sorokin, in jailhouse interviews, did not express remorse but instead "worried about who would play her in the Netflix series."

Fake German heiress sentenced to up to 12 years in prison for fraud

President Donald Trump's former campaign chief <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-ex-campaign-chief-paul-manafort-sentenced-to-47-months-in-prison-for-tax-crimes-bank-fraud-201865">Paul Manafort, already facing 47 months in prison for tax and bank fraud</a>, was sentenced to an additional 43 months in prison Wednesday on conspiracy charges.

"The defendant is not public enemy number one," US District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson said in delivering the sentence in a hushed Washington courtroom.

"But he is not a victim either," Jackson added, stressing that the veteran Republican lobbyist and political consultant had shown little remorse and had lied repeatedly.

Manafort's case is the highest-profile yet stemming from Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

Jackson stressed to the court that the case had nothing to do with the 2016 vote but was connected to political consulting and lobbying activities he performed for pro-Russian Ukrainian politicians.

She said the question of whether any members of the Trump campaign colluded with Russia was "not presented in the case. Period."

"Therefore it was not resolved in this case either," Jackson said.

She ridiculed defense arguments that Manafort's prosecution only came about because of the Mueller probe.

"That argument falls flat," Jackson said. "The Department of Justice was already looking into this matter."

Before his sentencing, Manafort, who was brought into court in a wheelchair, pleaded to the judge not to sentence him to more time other than the 47 months he was given last week in a separate case.

"I am sorry for what I have done and all the activities that have got me here today," Manafort told the court.

"Let me be very clear I accept responsibility for the acts that have got me here today," he went on. "For those mistakes, I am remorseful."

But Jackson dismissed his plea for no more prison time on the charges of conspiring to launder money and tamper with witnesses.

She added 43 months to the 47 months he already received, making the total 90 months. She gave him credit for the nine months he has already spent in prison, reducing the term facing him to 81 months -- a little under seven years.

Manafort is one of a half-dozen former Trump associates and senior aides charged by Mueller, although none of them have been accused so far of direct collusion with Moscow to get Trump elected to the White House.

President Donald Trump's former campaign chief Paul Manafort, already facing 47 months in prison for tax and bank fraud, was sentenced to an additional 43 months in prison Wednesday on conspiracy charges.

President Donald Trump's former campaign chief Paul Manafort, already facing 47 months in prison for tax and bank fraud, was sentenced to an additional 43 months in prison Wednesday on conspiracy charges. "The defendant is not public enemy number one," US District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson said in delivering the sentence in a hushed Washington courtroom. "But he is not a victim either," Jackson added, stressing that the veteran Republican lobbyist and political consultant had shown little remorse and had lied repeatedly. Manafort's case is the highest-profile yet stemming from Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Jackson stressed to the court that the case had nothing to do with the 2016 vote but was connected to political consulting and lobbying activities he performed for pro-Russian Ukrainian politicians. She said the question of whether any members of the Trump campaign colluded with Russia was "not presented in the case. Period." "Therefore it was not resolved in this case either," Jackson said. She ridiculed defense arguments that Manafort's prosecution only came about because of the Mueller probe. "That argument falls flat," Jackson said. "The Department of Justice was already looking into this matter." Before his sentencing, Manafort, who was brought into court in a wheelchair, pleaded to the judge not to sentence him to more time other than the 47 months he was given last week in a separate case. "I am sorry for what I have done and all the activities that have got me here today," Manafort told the court. "Let me be very clear I accept responsibility for the acts that have got me here today," he went on. "For those mistakes, I am remorseful." But Jackson dismissed his plea for no more prison time on the charges of conspiring to launder money and tamper with witnesses. She added 43 months to the 47 months he already received, making the total 90 months. She gave him credit for the nine months he has already spent in prison, reducing the term facing him to 81 months -- a little under seven years. Manafort is one of a half-dozen former Trump associates and senior aides charged by Mueller, although none of them have been accused so far of direct collusion with Moscow to get Trump elected to the White House.

Trump's ex-campaign chief Paul Manafort jailed for 43 more months

US President Donald Trump's <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/lawyers-for-former-trump-campaign-chief-paul-manafort-argue-for-leniency-200653">former campaign chief Paul Manafort</a> is to be sentenced for tax crimes and bank fraud on Thursday in a high-profile case stemming from Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe of Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Manafort, who turns 70 in April, faces potentially spending the rest of his life behind bars when he comes before Judge TS&nbsp;Ellis at 3:30 pm in an Alexandria, Virginia, courtroom.

Manafort was convicted in August of five counts of filing false income tax returns, two counts of bank fraud and one count of failing to report a foreign bank account. The jury deadlocked on 10 other charges.

Manafort is one of a half dozen former Trump associates and senior aides charged by Mueller, who has been investigating Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election and possible collusion with the Trump campaign.

The charges against Manafort were not connected to his role in the Trump campaign, which he headed for two months in 2016, but were related to lucrative consulting work he did for Ukrainian politicians from 2004 to 2014.

The sentencing guidelines for Manafort's crimes call for between 19 and 24 years in prison but his defence attorneys have urged Judge Ellis to impose a "substantially" lower jail term.

In a filing with the judge, they said the Republican political powerbroker is "truly remorseful" and is in poor health after spending the past nine months in prison.

Manafort, who suffers from gout, is a first-time offender and the sentencing guidelines are "clearly disproportionate" for the crimes he committed, his attorneys said.

Mueller's team issued a scathing rebuttal, stating that Manafort had breached a plea agreement reached with the government and lied repeatedly to the FBI and the Special Counsel's office.

Manafort is accused of lying about various matters including his contacts with a suspected Russian operative, Konstantin Kilimnik, with whom he reportedly shared polling data about the 2016 election.

"The defendant blames everyone from the Special Counsel's Office to his Ukrainian clients for his own criminal choices," prosecutors said.

Manafort was accused of hiding tens of millions of dollars from the US tax authorities which were paid as consulting fees for the work he did over the years for Russian-backed Ukrainian politicians.

'Own criminal actions' 
In arguing for a lighter sentence, Manafort's attorneys said he has been "devastated personally, professionally and financially."

Mueller's office countered that it was "Manafort's own criminal actions that have led to these consequences."

Trump has repeatedly denied any election collusion with Moscow and denounced the probe by Mueller, a former FBI director, as a "political witch hunt."

Trump has also dangled the possibility of pardons for some of those indicted -- including Manafort, whom he has praised as a "good man" who has been treated unfairly.&nbsp;

Manafort has also been charged in Washington with money laundering, witness tampering and other offences and faces separate sentencing in that case on March 13.

It was his work for Viktor Yanukovych, who served as president of Ukraine from 2010 to 2014 when he fled to Russia amid corruption allegations, which got Manafort in trouble.

Prosecutors alleged that Manafort used offshore bank accounts in Cyprus to hide more than $55 million from Ukrainian politicians from the tax authorities.

The money was used to support a lavish lifestyle which included purchases of luxury homes and cars, antique rugs, and expensive clothes, including an $18,500 python jacket.

During Manafort's trial, much of the damaging testimony against him was provided by his former deputy Rick Gates, who is awaiting sentencing after reaching a plea agreement with the Special Counsel's office.

Besides Manafort and Gates, four other former Trump associates face charges or have pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the Mueller investigation.

Former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with Russian officials and is awaiting sentencing.

Trump's former personal attorney Michael Cohen is to begin serving a three-year prison sentence on May 6 for fraud, tax evasion, illegal campaign contributions and lying to Congress.

George Papadopoulos, a foreign policy advisor to the Trump campaign, pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI and was sentenced to two weeks in prison.

Another Trump advisor, Roger Stone, awaits trial.

US President Donald Trump's former campaign chief Paul Manafort is to be sentenced for tax crimes and bank fraud on Thursday in a high-profile case stemming from Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe of Russian interference in the 2016 election.

US President Donald Trump's former campaign chief Paul Manafort is to be sentenced for tax crimes and bank fraud on Thursday in a high-profile case stemming from Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe of Russian interference in the 2016 election. Manafort, who turns 70 in April, faces potentially spending the rest of his life behind bars when he comes before Judge TS Ellis at 3:30 pm in an Alexandria, Virginia, courtroom. Manafort was convicted in August of five counts of filing false income tax returns, two counts of bank fraud and one count of failing to report a foreign bank account. The jury deadlocked on 10 other charges. Manafort is one of a half dozen former Trump associates and senior aides charged by Mueller, who has been investigating Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election and possible collusion with the Trump campaign. The charges against Manafort were not connected to his role in the Trump campaign, which he headed for two months in 2016, but were related to lucrative consulting work he did for Ukrainian politicians from 2004 to 2014. The sentencing guidelines for Manafort's crimes call for between 19 and 24 years in prison but his defence attorneys have urged Judge Ellis to impose a "substantially" lower jail term. In a filing with the judge, they said the Republican political powerbroker is "truly remorseful" and is in poor health after spending the past nine months in prison. Manafort, who suffers from gout, is a first-time offender and the sentencing guidelines are "clearly disproportionate" for the crimes he committed, his attorneys said. Mueller's team issued a scathing rebuttal, stating that Manafort had breached a plea agreement reached with the government and lied repeatedly to the FBI and the Special Counsel's office. Manafort is accused of lying about various matters including his contacts with a suspected Russian operative, Konstantin Kilimnik, with whom he reportedly shared polling data about the 2016 election. "The defendant blames everyone from the Special Counsel's Office to his Ukrainian clients for his own criminal choices," prosecutors said. Manafort was accused of hiding tens of millions of dollars from the US tax authorities which were paid as consulting fees for the work he did over the years for Russian-backed Ukrainian politicians. 'Own criminal actions' In arguing for a lighter sentence, Manafort's attorneys said he has been "devastated personally, professionally and financially." Mueller's office countered that it was "Manafort's own criminal actions that have led to these consequences." Trump has repeatedly denied any election collusion with Moscow and denounced the probe by Mueller, a former FBI director, as a "political witch hunt." Trump has also dangled the possibility of pardons for some of those indicted -- including Manafort, whom he has praised as a "good man" who has been treated unfairly. Manafort has also been charged in Washington with money laundering, witness tampering and other offences and faces separate sentencing in that case on March 13. It was his work for Viktor Yanukovych, who served as president of Ukraine from 2010 to 2014 when he fled to Russia amid corruption allegations, which got Manafort in trouble. Prosecutors alleged that Manafort used offshore bank accounts in Cyprus to hide more than $55 million from Ukrainian politicians from the tax authorities. The money was used to support a lavish lifestyle which included purchases of luxury homes and cars, antique rugs, and expensive clothes, including an $18,500 python jacket. During Manafort's trial, much of the damaging testimony against him was provided by his former deputy Rick Gates, who is awaiting sentencing after reaching a plea agreement with the Special Counsel's office. Besides Manafort and Gates, four other former Trump associates face charges or have pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the Mueller investigation. Former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with Russian officials and is awaiting sentencing. Trump's former personal attorney Michael Cohen is to begin serving a three-year prison sentence on May 6 for fraud, tax evasion, illegal campaign contributions and lying to Congress. George Papadopoulos, a foreign policy advisor to the Trump campaign, pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI and was sentenced to two weeks in prison. Another Trump advisor, Roger Stone, awaits trial.

Former Trump campaign chief to be sentenced, could face life in prison

An award-winning Egyptian photojournalist was freed on Monday after serving more than five years in prison on charges of attending an Islamist protest in 2013.

Mahmoud Abu Zeid, also known as Shawkan, had been in custody since August 14, 2013, when he was arrested while covering the pro-Muslim Brotherhood sit-in at Cairo's Rabaa al-Adawiya Square.

"Shawkan is free," according to post on the Freedom for Shawkan Facebook page.&nbsp;

Abu Zeid also posted an image celebrating his release on his own Twitter account.

The photojournalist's lawyer Taher Abu al-Nasr told EFE that Shawkan was released around 6 am from a police station in the district of al-Haram, in Giza, just outside the capital city.

Shawkan won the 2018 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano Press Freedom Prize, which was announced in Ghana on World Press Freedom Day on May 2.

Ahead of the official announcement, the Egyptian government had denounced UNESCO's decision, saying the charges against Shawkan were related to terrorism and not press freedoms.

The Foreign Ministry said at the time that Shawkan was accused of "terrorism offences and criminal offences, which include murder, attempted murder, assault on police and citizens, and the burning and destruction of public and private property."

After Shawkan completed his sentence, the prosecutor's office decided to extend his detention for additional six months after he failed to pay a fine for allegedly "destroying public and private property."

Shawkan's lawyer told EFE that the photojournalist would be placed on probation for another five years, meaning he will need to report to a police station each night after sunset, although those restrictions could still be adjusted by the Ministry of Interior.&nbsp;

The Committee to Protect Journalists also said that he would remain under "police observation" for five years, during he which he will be required to appear at a police station daily at sunset.

Shawkan was held at al-Haram police station for about two weeks prior sign his release as he awaited permission from Egypt's National Security body to approve his release, Abu al-Nasr added without providing further details.

Shawkan has already returned home to his family in Giza, his lawyer said, while CPJ published an image of him reuniting with his parents at their home in Cairo early on Monday morning.

Several human rights organizations such as Reporters Without Borders and Amnesty International have condemned Shawkan's arrest.

Hundreds of people were killed during the 2013 sit-in, which came after Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, a former military chief, led the ouster of Egypt's first democratically elected president, Mohamed Morsi, of the now-outlawed Muslim Brotherhood.

An award-winning Egyptian photojournalist was freed on Monday after serving more than five years in prison on charges of attending an Islamist protest in 2013. Mahmoud Abu Zeid, also known as Shawkan, had been in custody since August 14, 2013, when he was arrested while covering the pro-Muslim Brotherhood sit-in at Cairo's Rabaa al-Adawiya Square.

An award-winning Egyptian photojournalist was freed on Monday after serving more than five years in prison on charges of attending an Islamist protest in 2013. Mahmoud Abu Zeid, also known as Shawkan, had been in custody since August 14, 2013, when he was arrested while covering the pro-Muslim Brotherhood sit-in at Cairo's Rabaa al-Adawiya Square. "Shawkan is free," according to post on the Freedom for Shawkan Facebook page. Abu Zeid also posted an image celebrating his release on his own Twitter account. The photojournalist's lawyer Taher Abu al-Nasr told EFE that Shawkan was released around 6 am from a police station in the district of al-Haram, in Giza, just outside the capital city. Shawkan won the 2018 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano Press Freedom Prize, which was announced in Ghana on World Press Freedom Day on May 2. Ahead of the official announcement, the Egyptian government had denounced UNESCO's decision, saying the charges against Shawkan were related to terrorism and not press freedoms. The Foreign Ministry said at the time that Shawkan was accused of "terrorism offences and criminal offences, which include murder, attempted murder, assault on police and citizens, and the burning and destruction of public and private property." After Shawkan completed his sentence, the prosecutor's office decided to extend his detention for additional six months after he failed to pay a fine for allegedly "destroying public and private property." Shawkan's lawyer told EFE that the photojournalist would be placed on probation for another five years, meaning he will need to report to a police station each night after sunset, although those restrictions could still be adjusted by the Ministry of Interior. The Committee to Protect Journalists also said that he would remain under "police observation" for five years, during he which he will be required to appear at a police station daily at sunset. Shawkan was held at al-Haram police station for about two weeks prior sign his release as he awaited permission from Egypt's National Security body to approve his release, Abu al-Nasr added without providing further details. Shawkan has already returned home to his family in Giza, his lawyer said, while CPJ published an image of him reuniting with his parents at their home in Cairo early on Monday morning. Several human rights organizations such as Reporters Without Borders and Amnesty International have condemned Shawkan's arrest. Hundreds of people were killed during the 2013 sit-in, which came after Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, a former military chief, led the ouster of Egypt's first democratically elected president, Mohamed Morsi, of the now-outlawed Muslim Brotherhood.

Egyptian photojournalist freed after over 5 years in prison

Anthony Weiner, the disgraced former congressman who helped play a role in Hillary Clinton's defeat in the 2016 US presidential election, has been released from federal prison after serving about 14 months for exchanging sexually explicit texts with a 15-year-old girl.

Weiner, 54, has been released from the Federal Medical Center in Devens, Massachusetts, and is under the supervision of a residential re-entry management office in Brooklyn, according to prison records.

The seven-term congressman who ran unsuccessfully several times for New York City mayor will be free on May 14, records show, about three months earlier than his 21-month sentence. He had pleaded guilty to sending the texts and had faced up to 10 years in prison.

The FBI discovered a trove of emails belonging to his then-wife, Huma Abedin, a senior aide to Hillary Clinton, on Weiner's laptop.

Then-FBI Director James Comey announced just weeks before the presidential election that his agency was reopening an investigation into Clinton's use of a private email server while she was US secretary of state.

Clinton said the move contributed to her stunning loss to Republican Donald Trump.

Abedin filed for divorce. The couple has a 7-year-old son, Jordan.

Anthony Weiner, the disgraced former congressman who helped play a role in Hillary Clinton's defeat in the 2016 US presidential election, has been released from federal prison after serving about 14 months for exchanging sexually explicit texts with a 15-year-old girl.

Anthony Weiner, the disgraced former congressman who helped play a role in Hillary Clinton's defeat in the 2016 US presidential election, has been released from federal prison after serving about 14 months for exchanging sexually explicit texts with a 15-year-old girl. Weiner, 54, has been released from the Federal Medical Center in Devens, Massachusetts, and is under the supervision of a residential re-entry management office in Brooklyn, according to prison records. The seven-term congressman who ran unsuccessfully several times for New York City mayor will be free on May 14, records show, about three months earlier than his 21-month sentence. He had pleaded guilty to sending the texts and had faced up to 10 years in prison. The FBI discovered a trove of emails belonging to his then-wife, Huma Abedin, a senior aide to Hillary Clinton, on Weiner's laptop. Then-FBI Director James Comey announced just weeks before the presidential election that his agency was reopening an investigation into Clinton's use of a private email server while she was US secretary of state. Clinton said the move contributed to her stunning loss to Republican Donald Trump. Abedin filed for divorce. The couple has a 7-year-old son, Jordan.

Ex-congressman Weiner released from prison after sexting scandal

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/drug-lord-escape-artist-el-chapo-convicted-by-us-jury-197026">Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman,</a> the Mexican found guilty in a US court on Tuesday of running a criminal enterprise that smuggled drugs into the United States, is likely headed to a "supermax" prison where repeating his past escapes would be nearly impossible.

No one has broken out of Administrative Maximum Facility (ADX) in Florence, Colorado since it opened in 1994 to house the most dangerous inmates in the US prison system.

"ADX is the kind of prison that was designed for a high-profile inmate like El Chapo," Larry Levine, a former federal inmate who is the director and founder of Wall Street Prison Consultants, said in a phone interview.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/el-chapos-hometown-sceptical-much-will-change-after-verdict-197062">Guzman, 61, the leader of the Sinaloa Carte</a>l who escaped twice from maximum-security Mexican prisons before his most recent capture in 2016, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/el-chapo-us-drug-trial-jury-ends-second-day-without-verdict-195655">faces a possible life prison sentence</a> at a hearing scheduled for June 25 in New York.

US authorities have been tight-lipped about where Guzman will be imprisoned. But it has been widely anticipated that, if convicted, he would be sent to ADX Florence, ever since his extradition to the United States in January 2017.

"For someone like Guzman, the chances of escape from a facility like that are nil," said L. Thomas Kucharski, a professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York.

'ALCATRAZ OF THE ROCKIES'

Officials from the US Bureau of Prisons (BOP) could not be reached for comment on Tuesday.

ADX Florence, located in a complex of prisons in a remote area about 115 miles (185 km) south of Denver, is nicknamed "Alcatraz of the Rockies" after the prison in San Francisco Bay that held gangster Al Capone in the 1930s and other notorious criminals.

ADX Florence inmates are held in specially designed "control units" that function as prisons within prisons.

"It's like a self-contained area within a self-contained area within a self-contained area," Levine said.

The prisoners are confined to single-person cells for 22 or more hours a day, depriving them of virtually all contact with the outside world.

ADX Florence's most infamous inmates include Ramzi Yousef, mastermind of the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Centre in New York; convicted Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev and Unabomber Ted Kaczynski, according to the BOP website.

Special restrictions are designed to ensure some inmates have no means of exerting influence or threats beyond prison walls, which is useful for US authorities to control those with sway over militant groups or criminal enterprises.

Not all of the facility's prisoners are famous for their crimes. Some were transferred there because they attacked guards or inmates at other facilities, Levine said.

In fact, about 90 per cent of the more than 400 inmates are there because of discipline issues, according to a report released last October by the District of Columbia Corrections Information Council.

Inside their cell, the most highly guarded inmates have a television with content designed to provide them with education, psychological help and religious services, the report said.

Each cell has a narrow window, 42 inches (107 cm) tall and angled toward the sky, and inmates cannot see each other from inside their units, it said.

Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, the Mexican found guilty in a US court on Tuesday of running a criminal enterprise that smuggled drugs into the United States, is likely headed to a "supermax" prison where repeating his past escapes would be nearly impossible.

Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, the Mexican found guilty in a US court on Tuesday of running a criminal enterprise that smuggled drugs into the United States, is likely headed to a "supermax" prison where repeating his past escapes would be nearly impossible. No one has broken out of Administrative Maximum Facility (ADX) in Florence, Colorado since it opened in 1994 to house the most dangerous inmates in the US prison system. "ADX is the kind of prison that was designed for a high-profile inmate like El Chapo," Larry Levine, a former federal inmate who is the director and founder of Wall Street Prison Consultants, said in a phone interview. Guzman, 61, the leader of the Sinaloa Cartel who escaped twice from maximum-security Mexican prisons before his most recent capture in 2016, faces a possible life prison sentence at a hearing scheduled for June 25 in New York. US authorities have been tight-lipped about where Guzman will be imprisoned. But it has been widely anticipated that, if convicted, he would be sent to ADX Florence, ever since his extradition to the United States in January 2017. "For someone like Guzman, the chances of escape from a facility like that are nil," said L. Thomas Kucharski, a professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York. 'ALCATRAZ OF THE ROCKIES' Officials from the US Bureau of Prisons (BOP) could not be reached for comment on Tuesday. ADX Florence, located in a complex of prisons in a remote area about 115 miles (185 km) south of Denver, is nicknamed "Alcatraz of the Rockies" after the prison in San Francisco Bay that held gangster Al Capone in the 1930s and other notorious criminals. ADX Florence inmates are held in specially designed "control units" that function as prisons within prisons. "It's like a self-contained area within a self-contained area within a self-contained area," Levine said. The prisoners are confined to single-person cells for 22 or more hours a day, depriving them of virtually all contact with the outside world. ADX Florence's most infamous inmates include Ramzi Yousef, mastermind of the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Centre in New York; convicted Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev and Unabomber Ted Kaczynski, according to the BOP website. Special restrictions are designed to ensure some inmates have no means of exerting influence or threats beyond prison walls, which is useful for US authorities to control those with sway over militant groups or criminal enterprises. Not all of the facility's prisoners are famous for their crimes. Some were transferred there because they attacked guards or inmates at other facilities, Levine said. In fact, about 90 per cent of the more than 400 inmates are there because of discipline issues, according to a report released last October by the District of Columbia Corrections Information Council. Inside their cell, the most highly guarded inmates have a television with content designed to provide them with education, psychological help and religious services, the report said. Each cell has a narrow window, 42 inches (107 cm) tall and angled toward the sky, and inmates cannot see each other from inside their units, it said.

'El Chapo' likely heading for Colorado prison from where no one has escaped

Sri Lankan authorities Thursday launched an investigation into the country's newest prison after a video leaked on social media showed guards kicking, punching and assaulting inmates with batons.

The Justice Minister Thalatha Athukorale said she was shocked by the footage released on Wednesday and an independent investigation was launched into activities at the Angunakolapalessa prison.

"I condemn this horrible attack on inmates and I will not hesitate to take disciplinary action against those responsible," Athukorale told reporters in Colombo.

In the video clips dozens of inmates can be seen ordered out their cells, forced to kneel down in an open courtyard and then beaten with batons by a large group of guards.

She said a ministry-level investigation would be carried out in addition to an internal prisons department inquiry against guards identified as having taken part in the mass assault.

She said preliminary investigations showed the incident took place in November following a standoff between guards and inmates, but information on it only came out after the video clips were leaked on Wednesday.

The videos appeared to be footage from the prison's own CCTV network. It was not clear who had leaked it.

The Angunakolapalessa jail was launched in October 2017 as a model correctional facility. It can accommodate 2,000 inmates and is not overcrowded as all the other prisons in the country.

The latest prison attack was the worst since the 2012 killing of 27 convicts at Sri Lanka's main prison by police who were called in to restore order after rioting.

An initial inquiry into the 2012 incident showed that inmates were lined up and shot execution style. Investigations are ongoing and several people have been arrested.&nbsp;

Sri Lankan authorities Thursday launched an investigation into the country's newest prison after a video leaked on social media showed guards kicking, punching and assaulting inmates with batons.

Sri Lankan authorities Thursday launched an investigation into the country's newest prison after a video leaked on social media showed guards kicking, punching and assaulting inmates with batons. The Justice Minister Thalatha Athukorale said she was shocked by the footage released on Wednesday and an independent investigation was launched into activities at the Angunakolapalessa prison. "I condemn this horrible attack on inmates and I will not hesitate to take disciplinary action against those responsible," Athukorale told reporters in Colombo. In the video clips dozens of inmates can be seen ordered out their cells, forced to kneel down in an open courtyard and then beaten with batons by a large group of guards. She said a ministry-level investigation would be carried out in addition to an internal prisons department inquiry against guards identified as having taken part in the mass assault. She said preliminary investigations showed the incident took place in November following a standoff between guards and inmates, but information on it only came out after the video clips were leaked on Wednesday. The videos appeared to be footage from the prison's own CCTV network. It was not clear who had leaked it. The Angunakolapalessa jail was launched in October 2017 as a model correctional facility. It can accommodate 2,000 inmates and is not overcrowded as all the other prisons in the country. The latest prison attack was the worst since the 2012 killing of 27 convicts at Sri Lanka's main prison by police who were called in to restore order after rioting. An initial inquiry into the 2012 incident showed that inmates were lined up and shot execution style. Investigations are ongoing and several people have been arrested.

Sri Lanka probes 'model prison' after abuse video

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