A US national daily has claimed that the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Trump administration</a> had secretly obtained the phone records of a specific media house's journalists.

The accusation on former US President, Donald Trump, has been made by the Washington Post that claims Trump used his power and resources to spy on journalists who were reporting on allegations of Russian meddling in the US presidential election 2016.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/twitter-suspends-several-accounts-that-tried-promoting-donald-trumps-content-383358" hreflang="en">Twitter suspends several accounts that tried promoting Donald Trump's content</a>

Post claims the Justice Department has sent letters to three reporters — Ellen Nakashima and Greg Miller, and former Post reporter Adam Entous —and informed them that the department had received work, cell, or home phone records for the period of April 15, 2017, to July 31, 2017.

This has raised concerns over the issue of freedom of speech in the US, especially under the Trump administration. "When the government spies on journalists and their sources, it jeopardizes freedom of the press," the American Civil Liberties Union tweeted.

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The Justice Department shouldn't go spying on journalists at the whims of an administration. 
 
This should never have happened. 
 
When the government spies on journalists and their sources, it jeopardizes freedom of the press. <a href="https://t.co/V6BLYidxF2">https://t.co/V6BLYidxF2</a>
— ACLU (@ACLU) <a href="https://twitter.com/ACLU/status/1390824018027106306?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Washington Post was "deeply troubled by this use of government power to seek access to the communications of journalist," acting executive editor Cameron Barr was quoted as saying.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/from-the-desk-of-donald-trump-launches-his-own-social-media-space-382830" hreflang="en">'From the Desk of...': Donald Trump launches his own social media space</a>

Pointing out the importance of the First Amendment, Barr added, "The Department of Justice should immediately make clear its reasons for this intrusion into the activities of reporters doing their jobs, an activity protected under the First Amendment."

The Justice Department, however, claims to have followed all "established procedures" with respect to the requests made. However, the department has also not specified the reason behind seizing these records.

Meanwhile, Post has revealed that a major mutual connection between the targeted journalists is that the three had written a story on how Jeff Sessions — who filled the post of attorney general in the Trump administration — had discussed the Trump campaign with the Russian ambassador, and another story on the steps taken by the Obama administration to counter the Russian meddling in the 2016 US election.

No official statement has yet been received from Donald Trump or his campaign.

A US national daily has claimed that the Trump administration had secretly obtained the phone records of a specific media house's journalists. The accusation on former US President, Donald Trump, has been made by the Washington Post that claims Trump used his power and resources to spy on journalists who were reporting on allegations of Russian meddling in the US presidential election 2016.

A US national daily has claimed that the Trump administration had secretly obtained the phone records of a specific media house's journalists. The accusation on former US President, Donald Trump, has been made by the Washington Post that claims Trump used his power and resources to spy on journalists who were reporting on allegations of Russian meddling in the US presidential election 2016. Also read | Twitter suspends several accounts that tried promoting Donald Trump's content Post claims the Justice Department has sent letters to three reporters — Ellen Nakashima and Greg Miller, and former Post reporter Adam Entous —and informed them that the department had received work, cell, or home phone records for the period of April 15, 2017, to July 31, 2017. This has raised concerns over the issue of freedom of speech in the US, especially under the Trump administration. "When the government spies on journalists and their sources, it jeopardizes freedom of the press," the American Civil Liberties Union tweeted. The Justice Department shouldn't go spying on journalists at the whims of an administration. This should never have happened. When the government spies on journalists and their sources, it jeopardizes freedom of the press. https://t.co/V6BLYidxF2 — ACLU (@ACLU) May 8, 2021 × Washington Post was "deeply troubled by this use of government power to seek access to the communications of journalist," acting executive editor Cameron Barr was quoted as saying. Also read | 'From the Desk of...': Donald Trump launches his own social media space Pointing out the importance of the First Amendment, Barr added, "The Department of Justice should immediately make clear its reasons for this intrusion into the activities of reporters doing their jobs, an activity protected under the First Amendment." The Justice Department, however, claims to have followed all "established procedures" with respect to the requests made. However, the department has also not specified the reason behind seizing these records. Meanwhile, Post has revealed that a major mutual connection between the targeted journalists is that the three had written a story on how Jeff Sessions — who filled the post of attorney general in the Trump administration — had discussed the Trump campaign with the Russian ambassador, and another story on the steps taken by the Obama administration to counter the Russian meddling in the 2016 US election. No official statement has yet been received from Donald Trump or his campaign.

Trump administration secretly obtained phone records of reporters: Reports

Italy expelled two Russian diplomats on Wednesday after police said they had arrested an Italian navy captain caught passing documents to a Russian official in return for money at a clandestine meeting.&nbsp;

The Italian, a captain of a frigate, and the Russian, a military official accredited at the embassy, were accused of 'serious crimes tied to spying and state security' after their meeting on Tuesday night, Italian Carabinieri police said.&nbsp;

The suspects were not identified.&nbsp;

Italy immediately summoned the Russian ambassador Sergey Razov and expelled two Russian officials believed to be involved in what Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio called an 'extremely grave matter'.&nbsp;

The Italian navy captain was taken into custody. Officials did not say whether the Russian army official, who had met him was one of the two, who were expelled.

Meanwhile, Britain on Wednesday said it 'stands in solidarity'&nbsp;with Italy over its expulsion of two Russian officials accused over a spy scandal, calling Moscow's actions 'malign and destabilising'.

"The UK stands in solidarity with Italy and its actions today, exposing and taking action against Russia's malign and destabilising activity that is designed to undermine our NATO ally," Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab wrote on Twitter.

Russia's Interfax news agency quoted a Russian lawmaker as saying Moscow would reciprocate for the expulsions, standard practice in such cases.&nbsp;

However, statements from Moscow suggested Russia was keen to play down the incident. The Russian Foreign Ministry was quoted as saying that it regretted the expulsions, but that they did not threaten bilateral relations.&nbsp;

Earlier, the Kremlin said it did not have information about the circumstances of the case but hoped the two countries would maintain positive and constructive ties.&nbsp;

The incident was the latest in a series of spying accusations in recent months against Russians in European countries. Bulgaria expelled Russian officials on suspicion of spying in March, and the Netherlands did so in December.&nbsp;

NATO documents were among the files that the Italian passed to the Russian official, Ansa news agency said, raising potential security worries for other members of the Western military alliance.&nbsp;

The arrests were ordered by Rome prosecutors following a long investigation carried out by the Italian intelligence with the support of the military, the police force said.&nbsp;

Police did not specify where the arrests had taken place. No further comment would be made until a magistrate approves the arrest, they said.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Italy expelled two Russian diplomats on Wednesday after police said they had arrested an Italian navy captain caught passing documents to a Russian official in return for money at a clandestine meeting.

Italy expelled two Russian diplomats on Wednesday after police said they had arrested an Italian navy captain caught passing documents to a Russian official in return for money at a clandestine meeting. The Italian, a captain of a frigate, and the Russian, a military official accredited at the embassy, were accused of 'serious crimes tied to spying and state security' after their meeting on Tuesday night, Italian Carabinieri police said. The suspects were not identified. Italy immediately summoned the Russian ambassador Sergey Razov and expelled two Russian officials believed to be involved in what Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio called an 'extremely grave matter'. The Italian navy captain was taken into custody. Officials did not say whether the Russian army official, who had met him was one of the two, who were expelled. Meanwhile, Britain on Wednesday said it 'stands in solidarity' with Italy over its expulsion of two Russian officials accused over a spy scandal, calling Moscow's actions 'malign and destabilising'. "The UK stands in solidarity with Italy and its actions today, exposing and taking action against Russia's malign and destabilising activity that is designed to undermine our NATO ally," Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab wrote on Twitter. Russia's Interfax news agency quoted a Russian lawmaker as saying Moscow would reciprocate for the expulsions, standard practice in such cases. However, statements from Moscow suggested Russia was keen to play down the incident. The Russian Foreign Ministry was quoted as saying that it regretted the expulsions, but that they did not threaten bilateral relations. Earlier, the Kremlin said it did not have information about the circumstances of the case but hoped the two countries would maintain positive and constructive ties. The incident was the latest in a series of spying accusations in recent months against Russians in European countries. Bulgaria expelled Russian officials on suspicion of spying in March, and the Netherlands did so in December. NATO documents were among the files that the Italian passed to the Russian official, Ansa news agency said, raising potential security worries for other members of the Western military alliance. The arrests were ordered by Rome prosecutors following a long investigation carried out by the Italian intelligence with the support of the military, the police force said. Police did not specify where the arrests had taken place. No further comment would be made until a magistrate approves the arrest, they said. (With inputs from agencies)

Italy expels two Russian diplomats, arrests navy captain for spying  

The Chinese government has signaled that it will soon begin trials of two Canadian men held in China for more than two years on vague charges of espionage, escalating a punitive campaign against Canada.

China plans to go forward with the trials, Canadian officials said, despite global pressure to release the two men, Michael Kovrig, a former diplomat, and Michael Spavor, a business consultant, who have been held largely in isolation since they were detained in 2018.

The prosecution of the two men is widely seen as retribution for Canada’s decision in 2018 to arrest Meng Wanzhou, a top executive of Chinese technology giant Huawei, at the request of the United States. The start of Spavor’s trial, on Friday, coincides with the first meeting of senior U.S. and Chinese officials since President Joe Biden took office in January, amid tensions over technology, defense and other issues.

Kovrig’s trial is to start Monday.

Here’s what to expect.

Politics will hang over the trials.

Kovrig and Spavor have been caught up in a broader geopolitical struggle involving China, Canada and the United States.

China has adopted an increasingly aggressive foreign policy in recent years, and experts say the detention of the two Canadians is part of a campaign by Beijing to show that it will not give in to demands from Western countries.

Officials in Canada and the United States have accused China of holding the two Canadians as a bargaining chip to win the release of Meng, the daughter of Ren Zhengfei, the founder of Huawei and one of China’s most prominent businessmen.

“We believe these detentions are arbitrary and remain deeply troubled by the lack of transparency surrounding these proceedings,” Marc Garneau, Canada’s minister of foreign affairs, said in a statement Wednesday.

Meng was arrested on sweeping fraud charges but was granted bail and has been living in a mansion in Vancouver.

Chinese officials have repeatedly called on Canada to release Meng. China has described her arrest as an attempt by the United States to target China’s most successful companies and thwart its scientific and technological progress.

“The Chinese judiciary handles cases independently according to the law and fully protects the legitimate rights of the persons involved,” Zhao Lijian, a spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry, said at a regular news briefing in Beijing on Thursday.

He did not provide details on the impending trials.

The proceedings will likely be shrouded in secrecy.

China maintains one of the most opaque legal systems in the world. Courts are controlled by the ruling Communist Party, and convictions in high-profile cases are almost certain, especially those involving national security.

The trials will likely be shrouded in secrecy, with limited opportunities to examine evidence or hear rebuttals from the two men. The proceedings will likely be closed to the public and the news media.

Spavor’s family said in a statement Thursday that Spavor had “very limited access” to defense lawyers during his time in detention.

“The specific charges against Michael are vague and have not been publicly released,” Spavor’s family said. “He loved living and working in China and would never have done anything to offend the interests of China or the Chinese people. We stand by Michael and maintain his innocence in this difficult situation.”

Kovrig and Spavor are likely to be convicted and may receive harsh sentences, experts say, given the grave charges against them.

“Nobody should be in any doubt that this is a completely political trial in both cases,” said Donald Clarke, a specialist in Chinese law at George Washington University. “If the merit of the cases had anything to do with it, we would not see them proceeding in absolute lock step in this way.”

Some are looking to the United States to help resolve the issue.

The issue of Meng and the “two Michaels,” as they are known in Canada, is likely to come up during the meetings between American and Chinese officials starting Thursday in Alaska, experts say, though a breakthrough is unlikely in the short term.

Biden has called for the release of the Canadians, saying last month that “human beings are not bartering chips.” But his administration has not indicated exactly how it might address the issue.

Jerome A. Cohen, a New York University law professor who specializes in Chinese law, said the trials could pave the way for an agreement to secure the release of Kovrig and Spavor.

“The PRC is more likely to release them after vindicating its judicial sovereignty by convicting them,” Cohen said, referring to the People’s Republic of China.

Friends and relatives of Kovrig and Spavor said it was important for Canada and the United States to take action to secure the release of the two men.

“This is a stark reminder that real lives are on the line and that if we, Canada and the U.S., don’t intervene to secure their freedom, they will remain in great peril,” Vina Nadjibulla, the wife of Kovrig, said in a telephone interview. “This is the moment. We are running out of time.”

The Chinese government has signaled that it will soon begin trials of two Canadian men held in China for more than two years on vague charges of espionage, escalating a punitive campaign against Canada.

The Chinese government has signaled that it will soon begin trials of two Canadian men held in China for more than two years on vague charges of espionage, escalating a punitive campaign against Canada. China plans to go forward with the trials, Canadian officials said, despite global pressure to release the two men, Michael Kovrig, a former diplomat, and Michael Spavor, a business consultant, who have been held largely in isolation since they were detained in 2018. The prosecution of the two men is widely seen as retribution for Canada’s decision in 2018 to arrest Meng Wanzhou, a top executive of Chinese technology giant Huawei, at the request of the United States. The start of Spavor’s trial, on Friday, coincides with the first meeting of senior U.S. and Chinese officials since President Joe Biden took office in January, amid tensions over technology, defense and other issues. Kovrig’s trial is to start Monday. Here’s what to expect. Politics will hang over the trials. Kovrig and Spavor have been caught up in a broader geopolitical struggle involving China, Canada and the United States. China has adopted an increasingly aggressive foreign policy in recent years, and experts say the detention of the two Canadians is part of a campaign by Beijing to show that it will not give in to demands from Western countries. Officials in Canada and the United States have accused China of holding the two Canadians as a bargaining chip to win the release of Meng, the daughter of Ren Zhengfei, the founder of Huawei and one of China’s most prominent businessmen. “We believe these detentions are arbitrary and remain deeply troubled by the lack of transparency surrounding these proceedings,” Marc Garneau, Canada’s minister of foreign affairs, said in a statement Wednesday. Meng was arrested on sweeping fraud charges but was granted bail and has been living in a mansion in Vancouver. Chinese officials have repeatedly called on Canada to release Meng. China has described her arrest as an attempt by the United States to target China’s most successful companies and thwart its scientific and technological progress. “The Chinese judiciary handles cases independently according to the law and fully protects the legitimate rights of the persons involved,” Zhao Lijian, a spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry, said at a regular news briefing in Beijing on Thursday. He did not provide details on the impending trials. The proceedings will likely be shrouded in secrecy. China maintains one of the most opaque legal systems in the world. Courts are controlled by the ruling Communist Party, and convictions in high-profile cases are almost certain, especially those involving national security. The trials will likely be shrouded in secrecy, with limited opportunities to examine evidence or hear rebuttals from the two men. The proceedings will likely be closed to the public and the news media. Spavor’s family said in a statement Thursday that Spavor had “very limited access” to defense lawyers during his time in detention. “The specific charges against Michael are vague and have not been publicly released,” Spavor’s family said. “He loved living and working in China and would never have done anything to offend the interests of China or the Chinese people. We stand by Michael and maintain his innocence in this difficult situation.” Kovrig and Spavor are likely to be convicted and may receive harsh sentences, experts say, given the grave charges against them. “Nobody should be in any doubt that this is a completely political trial in both cases,” said Donald Clarke, a specialist in Chinese law at George Washington University. “If the merit of the cases had anything to do with it, we would not see them proceeding in absolute lock step in this way.” Some are looking to the United States to help resolve the issue. The issue of Meng and the “two Michaels,” as they are known in Canada, is likely to come up during the meetings between American and Chinese officials starting Thursday in Alaska, experts say, though a breakthrough is unlikely in the short term. Biden has called for the release of the Canadians, saying last month that “human beings are not bartering chips.” But his administration has not indicated exactly how it might address the issue. Jerome A. Cohen, a New York University law professor who specializes in Chinese law, said the trials could pave the way for an agreement to secure the release of Kovrig and Spavor. “The PRC is more likely to release them after vindicating its judicial sovereignty by convicting them,” Cohen said, referring to the People’s Republic of China. Friends and relatives of Kovrig and Spavor said it was important for Canada and the United States to take action to secure the release of the two men. “This is a stark reminder that real lives are on the line and that if we, Canada and the U.S., don’t intervene to secure their freedom, they will remain in great peril,” Vina Nadjibulla, the wife of Kovrig, said in a telephone interview. “This is the moment. We are running out of time.”

Canadians to stand trial in China for spying: What we know

In the past year the United Kingdom expelled three Chinese spies who were in the country on journalism visas, according to a report by The Telegraph newspaper on Thursday.

The report, which has not been independently verified by Reuters and cites a UK government source, says that three intelligence officers for China's Ministry of State Security purported to work for three different Chinese media agencies.

"Their true identities were uncovered by MI5 and they have since been forced to return to China," said the report, referring to the UK's domestic security services.

Also on Thursday, Britain's media regulator revoked a Chinese TV licence after it concluded that the Chinese Communist Party had ultimate editorial responsibility for the channel.

In the past year the United Kingdom expelled three Chinese spies who were in the country on journalism visas, according to a report by The Telegraph newspaper on Thursday.

In the past year the United Kingdom expelled three Chinese spies who were in the country on journalism visas, according to a report by The Telegraph newspaper on Thursday. The report, which has not been independently verified by Reuters and cites a UK government source, says that three intelligence officers for China's Ministry of State Security purported to work for three different Chinese media agencies. "Their true identities were uncovered by MI5 and they have since been forced to return to China," said the report, referring to the UK's domestic security services. Also on Thursday, Britain's media regulator revoked a Chinese TV licence after it concluded that the Chinese Communist Party had ultimate editorial responsibility for the channel.

UK expelled three Chinese spies posing as journalists - Report

Delhi Police on Saturday said arrested freelance journalist Rajeev Sharma was allegedly passing sensitive information about India's border strategy and Army deployment to Chinese intelligence.

At a press conference, Special Cell DCP Sanjeev Kumar Yadav said Sharma was writing on defence-related issues for some Indian media organisations, as well as China's Global Times.

He was allegedly contacted by Chinese Intelligence agents in 2016. Sharma was also in contact with some Chinese intelligence officer, the police officer claimed, adding the freelance journalist got "Rs 40 lakh in one-and-a-half years and he was getting $1,000 for each information".

Sharma was arrested September 14 based on inputs from central intelligence. Police have seized classified defence documents from him, the DCP said.

He said that a Chinese woman and her Nepalese associate have also been arrested for allegedly paying Sharma large amounts of money routed through shell companies.

Delhi Police on Saturday said arrested freelance journalist Rajeev Sharma was allegedly passing sensitive information about India's border strategy and Army deployment to Chinese intelligence.

Delhi Police on Saturday said arrested freelance journalist Rajeev Sharma was allegedly passing sensitive information about India's border strategy and Army deployment to Chinese intelligence. At a press conference, Special Cell DCP Sanjeev Kumar Yadav said Sharma was writing on defence-related issues for some Indian media organisations, as well as China's Global Times. He was allegedly contacted by Chinese Intelligence agents in 2016. Sharma was also in contact with some Chinese intelligence officer, the police officer claimed, adding the freelance journalist got "Rs 40 lakh in one-and-a-half years and he was getting $1,000 for each information". Sharma was arrested September 14 based on inputs from central intelligence. Police have seized classified defence documents from him, the DCP said. He said that a Chinese woman and her Nepalese associate have also been arrested for allegedly paying Sharma large amounts of money routed through shell companies.

Arrested scribe Rajeev Sharma was passing info on India's border strategy to Chinese: Delhi Police

After banning “stalkerware” applications from its Play Store, Google is now banning any advertisement or promotion of apps and links that facilitate in any snooping activity.&nbsp;The apps and softwares in question allow one to snoop on a person without their authorisation.

Earlier this week, Google released an advertisement policy update, which claimed that beginning August 11, no ads for such services and products, directly aimed to secretly monitor someone would be permitted.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/technology/survey-says-amazon-google-pump-millions-into-websites-spreading-misinformation-about-covid-19-311753" hreflang="en">Survey says Amazon, Google pump millions into websites spreading misinformation about COVID-19</a>

“Spyware and technology used for intimate partner surveillance including but not limited to spyware/malware that can be used to monitor texts, phone calls, or browsing history; GPS trackers specifically marketed to spy or track someone without their consent; promotion of surveillance equipment (cameras, audio recorders, dash cams, nanny cams) marketed with the express purpose of spying”, the company noted.

No more snooping

In essence, no more snooping. However, this move will not disrupt private investigations and child monitoring undertaken by parents.

A study from 2018 pointed out the portal hosted stalkerware software. These ads were targeting people who wanted to stalk their partners. Since then, the company has stepped up efforts to control stalking of people without their authorisation.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/technology/facebook-google-twitter-block-hong-kong-govt-from-accessing-user-data-311243" hreflang="en">Facebook, Google, Twitter block Hong Kong govt from accessing user data</a>

The company has been working hard to eradicate these illegal spying tools, with no such app permitted on the Play Store. Additionally, it continues to identify batches of apps that surface from time to time, and then removed from the store.

Most of these ads were pegged around the theme of catching one’s partner cheating, or to access their phones without their knowledge, especially aimed to attract male costumers.&nbsp;Men are twice more likely than women to snoop on their partners through such means. A study by Norton found that over half of Americans have admitted to stalking their partners through such illegal tools, especially to track the online activity and location of their partners.&nbsp;

If advertisers are found breaking this policy, their accounts will be suspended with a seven-day warning.

After banning “stalkerware” applications from its Play Store, Google is now banning any advertisement or promotion of apps and links that facilitate in any snooping activity.

After banning “stalkerware” applications from its Play Store, Google is now banning any advertisement or promotion of apps and links that facilitate in any snooping activity. The apps and softwares in question allow one to snoop on a person without their authorisation. Earlier this week, Google released an advertisement policy update, which claimed that beginning August 11, no ads for such services and products, directly aimed to secretly monitor someone would be permitted. Also read: Survey says Amazon, Google pump millions into websites spreading misinformation about COVID-19 “Spyware and technology used for intimate partner surveillance including but not limited to spyware/malware that can be used to monitor texts, phone calls, or browsing history; GPS trackers specifically marketed to spy or track someone without their consent; promotion of surveillance equipment (cameras, audio recorders, dash cams, nanny cams) marketed with the express purpose of spying”, the company noted. No more snooping In essence, no more snooping. However, this move will not disrupt private investigations and child monitoring undertaken by parents. A study from 2018 pointed out the portal hosted stalkerware software. These ads were targeting people who wanted to stalk their partners. Since then, the company has stepped up efforts to control stalking of people without their authorisation. Also read: Facebook, Google, Twitter block Hong Kong govt from accessing user data The company has been working hard to eradicate these illegal spying tools, with no such app permitted on the Play Store. Additionally, it continues to identify batches of apps that surface from time to time, and then removed from the store. Most of these ads were pegged around the theme of catching one’s partner cheating, or to access their phones without their knowledge, especially aimed to attract male costumers. Men are twice more likely than women to snoop on their partners through such means. A study by Norton found that over half of Americans have admitted to stalking their partners through such illegal tools, especially to track the online activity and location of their partners. If advertisers are found breaking this policy, their accounts will be suspended with a seven-day warning.

Google bans ads of 'stalkerware' used for unauthorised spying

Italy is considering whether to exclude Chinese telecoms equipment maker Huawei Technologies from building its 5G network, La Repubblica reported, without citing sources.

Despite pressure from Washington, which says Huawei's equipment could be used to spy on the West, Italy has so far not ruled the Chinese company out its network plans.

No comment was immediately available from the Italian government. Huawei, which has repeatedly denied the U.S. allegations, declined to comment.&nbsp;

A political source said the issue was under discussion.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/technology/us-sanctions-will-have-a-huge-impact-on-the-reliability-of-huawei-uk-minister-311010" hreflang="en">US sanctions will have a huge impact on the reliability of Huawei: UK minister</a>

"It's being considered at government level," the source told Reuters on Wednesday after the La Repubblica report, which said Italy's Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio met the U.S. ambassador in Rome last week for talks which included Huawei.

"The Italian government is preparing a change of course as are many of its European partners," the newspaper said, adding that Economy Minister Roberto Gualtieri and Defence Minister Lorenzo Guerini had brought up the issue informally.

"Guerini is certainly the one taking the most Atlanticist line," the political source told Reuters.

Even members of the anti-establishment 5 Star Movement, part of Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte's ruling coalition, who initially favoured Huawei, were rethinking, La Repubblica said.&nbsp;

It said Italian officials believed that even if Democratic Party candidate Joe Biden wins the November presidential election, Washington's stance on Huawei was unlikely to change.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/technology/uk-to-end-use-of-huawei-technology-in-its-5g-network-report-310811" hreflang="en">UK to end use of Huawei technology in its 5G network: Report</a>

Last year, parliamentary security committee Copasir said Italy should consider blocking Chinese telecoms firms Huawei and ZTE from taking part in development of 5G networks.

Enrico Borghi, a member of the committee, told Reuters the fact that Italy was likely to use resources from the planned EU coronavirus Recovery Fund to develop its network meant a clear position was needed to exclude Chinese firms from the network.

"All the conditions are there to build 5G networks at European level without using Chinese technology," he said.

Italy is considering whether to exclude Chinese telecoms equipment maker Huawei Technologies from building its 5G network, La Repubblica reported, without citing sources.

Italy is considering whether to exclude Chinese telecoms equipment maker Huawei Technologies from building its 5G network, La Repubblica reported, without citing sources. Despite pressure from Washington, which says Huawei's equipment could be used to spy on the West, Italy has so far not ruled the Chinese company out its network plans. No comment was immediately available from the Italian government. Huawei, which has repeatedly denied the U.S. allegations, declined to comment. A political source said the issue was under discussion. Also read: US sanctions will have a huge impact on the reliability of Huawei: UK minister "It's being considered at government level," the source told Reuters on Wednesday after the La Repubblica report, which said Italy's Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio met the U.S. ambassador in Rome last week for talks which included Huawei. "The Italian government is preparing a change of course as are many of its European partners," the newspaper said, adding that Economy Minister Roberto Gualtieri and Defence Minister Lorenzo Guerini had brought up the issue informally. "Guerini is certainly the one taking the most Atlanticist line," the political source told Reuters. Even members of the anti-establishment 5 Star Movement, part of Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte's ruling coalition, who initially favoured Huawei, were rethinking, La Repubblica said. It said Italian officials believed that even if Democratic Party candidate Joe Biden wins the November presidential election, Washington's stance on Huawei was unlikely to change. Also read: UK to end use of Huawei technology in its 5G network: Report Last year, parliamentary security committee Copasir said Italy should consider blocking Chinese telecoms firms Huawei and ZTE from taking part in development of 5G networks. Enrico Borghi, a member of the committee, told Reuters the fact that Italy was likely to use resources from the planned EU coronavirus Recovery Fund to develop its network meant a clear position was needed to exclude Chinese firms from the network. "All the conditions are there to build 5G networks at European level without using Chinese technology," he said.

Italy considering whether to exclude Huawei from its 5G network

Pakistan Army has claimed shooting down&nbsp;an Indian "spying quadcopter" for allegedly violating the airspace along the Line of Control.

The incident, according to military spokesman Major General Babar Iftikhar, took place on Wednesday in&nbsp;Rakhchikri Sector of the LoC.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-pm-imran-khan-tries-to-fuel-tension-between-india-and-china-passes-offensive-remark-301359">Also read:&nbsp;Pak PM Imran Khan tries to fuel tension between India and China, passes offensive remark</a>

He claimed that the quadcopter was brought down as it had intruded 650 metres on Pakistan''s side of the LoC.

In April, too, the Pakistan Army had claimed to have shot down an Indian drone.

The constant retaliations and the rise in tension between the two countries started from the Balakot&nbsp;strike when the Indian Air Force jets bombed a Jaish-e-Mohammed training camp in Pakistan on February 26 last year to avenge the killing of 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel in the Pulwama terror attack on February 14. Pakistan retaliated on February 27 by attempting to target Indian military installations.

Lately, the two countries have been engaged in crossfires along the borders, claiming few lives of personnel.

Pakistan Army has claimed shooting down an Indian "spying quadcopter" for allegedly violating the airspace along the Line of Control. The incident, according to military spokesman Major General Babar Iftikhar, took place on Wednesday in Rakhchikri Sector of the LoC.

Pakistan Army has claimed shooting down an Indian "spying quadcopter" for allegedly violating the airspace along the Line of Control. The incident, according to military spokesman Major General Babar Iftikhar, took place on Wednesday in Rakhchikri Sector of the LoC. Also read: Pak PM Imran Khan tries to fuel tension between India and China, passes offensive remark He claimed that the quadcopter was brought down as it had intruded 650 metres on Pakistan''s side of the LoC. In April, too, the Pakistan Army had claimed to have shot down an Indian drone. The constant retaliations and the rise in tension between the two countries started from the Balakot strike when the Indian Air Force jets bombed a Jaish-e-Mohammed training camp in Pakistan on February 26 last year to avenge the killing of 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel in the Pulwama terror attack on February 14. Pakistan retaliated on February 27 by attempting to target Indian military installations. Lately, the two countries have been engaged in crossfires along the borders, claiming few lives of personnel.

Pakistan army claims shooting Indian spying quadcopter along LoC

The United States has been sceptical about China spying on its technological advances.

According to reports, three people have been federally indicted in three separate cases for allegedly lying about their involvement with the Chinese government.

The three individuals include two Chinese nationals and an American Harvard University professor.

US federal authorities say the cases highlight the threat posed by China and how Beijing was using academics and researchers to steal American research and technology.

The chair of Harvard's chemistry and chemical biology department, Doctor Charles Lieber, has been accused of lying about working with several Chinese organisations.&nbsp;

Lieber failed to disclose his affiliation with the Wuhan university of technology. It is reported that Liber's research group at the Harvard receives funding from the National Institutes of Health and also the department of defence.

This makes Lieber disclose any such foreign affiliations.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/three-charged-in-us-with-spying-on-twitter-users-for-saudi-arabia-260428">Three charged in US with spying on Twitter users for Saudi Arabia</a>

Lieber also had a contract with a Chinese talent recruitment plan to attract high-level scientists into China.&nbsp;

Harvard has called the charges "extremely serious" and has placed him on indefinite administrative leave.

In a separate indictment, a 29-year-old Chinese national, Yanqing Ye, has been charged on several accounts.

She has been accused of visa fraud, conspiring against the US and also being an unregistered Chinese agent.

Yangqing came to the US on a student visa and was working as a scientific researcher at Boston University.

US authorities say she had falsely identified herself as a student.

Besides this, Yangqing didn't tell her military service with the Chinese PLA.&nbsp;

Yangqing has been accused of sharing crucial military information with the government of China. She is currently in China but faces an indictment in the US.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-china-spy-concerns-australia-launches-anti-espionage-task-force-265625">Amid China spy concerns, Australia launches anti-espionage task force</a>

The third case also involves a Chinese national. Zaosong Zheng, a cancer researcher, has been indicted for smuggling biological material out of the US into China.

Zaosong was arrested and charged last month. He has been under police detention since December 30.

US Attorney Andrew Lelling has said that the emergence of three such cases together is not a coincidence.

He described this as a small sample of China's ongoing campaign to siphon off American technology.

Last year in November, two former Twitter employees and a third man were charged in San Francisco Federal Court with spying on Twitter users critical of the Saudi royal family, the US Justice Department announced.

The two Saudis and one US citizen allegedly worked together to unmask the ownership details behind dissident Twitter accounts on behalf of the government in Riyadh and the royal family, the department said.

"The criminal complaint unsealed today alleges that Saudi agents mined Twitter's internal systems for personal information about known Saudi critics and thousands of other Twitter users," said US Attorney David Anderson.

(With inputs from agencies)

The United States has been sceptical about China spying on its technological advances. According to reports, three people have been federally indicted in three separate cases for allegedly lying about their involvement with the Chinese government.

The United States has been sceptical about China spying on its technological advances. According to reports, three people have been federally indicted in three separate cases for allegedly lying about their involvement with the Chinese government. The three individuals include two Chinese nationals and an American Harvard University professor. US federal authorities say the cases highlight the threat posed by China and how Beijing was using academics and researchers to steal American research and technology. The chair of Harvard's chemistry and chemical biology department, Doctor Charles Lieber, has been accused of lying about working with several Chinese organisations. Lieber failed to disclose his affiliation with the Wuhan university of technology. It is reported that Liber's research group at the Harvard receives funding from the National Institutes of Health and also the department of defence. This makes Lieber disclose any such foreign affiliations. Also read: Three charged in US with spying on Twitter users for Saudi Arabia Lieber also had a contract with a Chinese talent recruitment plan to attract high-level scientists into China. Harvard has called the charges "extremely serious" and has placed him on indefinite administrative leave. In a separate indictment, a 29-year-old Chinese national, Yanqing Ye, has been charged on several accounts. She has been accused of visa fraud, conspiring against the US and also being an unregistered Chinese agent. Yangqing came to the US on a student visa and was working as a scientific researcher at Boston University. US authorities say she had falsely identified herself as a student. Besides this, Yangqing didn't tell her military service with the Chinese PLA. Yangqing has been accused of sharing crucial military information with the government of China. She is currently in China but faces an indictment in the US. Also read: Amid China spy concerns, Australia launches anti-espionage task force The third case also involves a Chinese national. Zaosong Zheng, a cancer researcher, has been indicted for smuggling biological material out of the US into China. Zaosong was arrested and charged last month. He has been under police detention since December 30. US Attorney Andrew Lelling has said that the emergence of three such cases together is not a coincidence. He described this as a small sample of China's ongoing campaign to siphon off American technology. Last year in November, two former Twitter employees and a third man were charged in San Francisco Federal Court with spying on Twitter users critical of the Saudi royal family, the US Justice Department announced. The two Saudis and one US citizen allegedly worked together to unmask the ownership details behind dissident Twitter accounts on behalf of the government in Riyadh and the royal family, the department said. "The criminal complaint unsealed today alleges that Saudi agents mined Twitter's internal systems for personal information about known Saudi critics and thousands of other Twitter users," said US Attorney David Anderson. (With inputs from agencies)

US charges Harvard and Boston academics for spying, links with China

US charges Harvard, Boston academics for spying, links with China

Watch in WION Fineprint: Indian couple faces trial in Germany on spying charges. Watch this video to know more

WION Fineprint: Indian couple faces trial in Germany on spying charges

Two former <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/twitter-to-ban-political-ads-worldwide-on-its-platform-258909">Twitter</a> employees and a third man were charged in San Francisco Federal Court Wednesday with spying on Twitter users critical of the Saudi royal family, the US Justice Department announced.

The two Saudis and one US citizen allegedly worked together to unmask the ownership details behind dissident Twitter accounts on behalf of the government in Riyadh and the royal family, the department said.

According to a court filing, they were guided by an unnamed Saudi official who worked for someone prosecutors designated "Royal Family Member-1," which The Washington Post reported was Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Those charged were former Twitter employees Ali Alzabarah and Ahmad Abouammo, along with Ahmed Almutairi, a marketing official with ties to the royal family.

"The criminal complaint unsealed today alleges that Saudi agents mined Twitter's internal systems for personal information about known Saudi critics and thousands of other Twitter users," said US Attorney David Anderson.

"US law protects US companies from such an unlawful foreign intrusion. We will not allow US companies or US technology to become tools of foreign repression in violation of US law," he said in a statement.

The lawsuit comes as US-Saudi relations continue to suffer strains over the brutal, Riyadh-sanctioned murder last year of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who wrote for, among others, The Washington Post.

A critic of Crown Prince Mohammed, Khashoggi was killed and dismembered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

According to the Post, US intelligence has concluded that the prince himself was closely linked to the murder.

Targeting regime critics

Abouammo, 41, an American, and Saudi national Alzabarah, 35, were recruited in 2014-2015 to use their positions in Twitter to gain access to private information related to the accounts of critics of Riyadh, the indictment says.

Saudi citizen Almutairi, 30, was a critical go-between who arranged contacts between the two others and the unnamed Saudi official.

The indictment said Almutairi controlled a social media marketing company that did work for a royal charity and members of the royal family, "including Royal Family Member-1."&nbsp;

Abouammo was paid over $300,000 and received a Hublot watch worth more than $20,000 for his work.

Alzabarah's payment was not detailed, but the filing said he quickly fled the US with his family in December 2015 after Twitter management confronted him about his unauthorized accessing of user information for some 6,000 Twitter accounts, including accounts of known prominent dissidents and royal family critics.

All three are charged with acting as illegal agents of a foreign government, a charge that can indicate both illegal lobbying and espionage.

Abouammo was also charged with destroying, altering, or falsifying records related to a federal investigation.

"These individuals are charged with targeting and obtaining private data from dissidents and known critics, under the direction and control of the government of Saudi Arabia," said FBI Special Agent John Bennett.

"The FBI will not stand by and allow foreign governments to illegally exploit private user information from US companies."&nbsp;

The Justice Department said Abouammo was arrested on Tuesday in Seattle, Washington, but that both Alzabarah and Almutairi remain at large and are believed to be in Saudi Arabia.&nbsp;

Federal warrants have been issued for the arrest of both.

Two former Twitter employees and a third man were charged in San Francisco Federal Court Wednesday with spying on Twitter users critical of the Saudi royal family, the US Justice Department announced.

Two former Twitter employees and a third man were charged in San Francisco Federal Court Wednesday with spying on Twitter users critical of the Saudi royal family, the US Justice Department announced. The two Saudis and one US citizen allegedly worked together to unmask the ownership details behind dissident Twitter accounts on behalf of the government in Riyadh and the royal family, the department said. According to a court filing, they were guided by an unnamed Saudi official who worked for someone prosecutors designated "Royal Family Member-1," which The Washington Post reported was Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Those charged were former Twitter employees Ali Alzabarah and Ahmad Abouammo, along with Ahmed Almutairi, a marketing official with ties to the royal family. "The criminal complaint unsealed today alleges that Saudi agents mined Twitter's internal systems for personal information about known Saudi critics and thousands of other Twitter users," said US Attorney David Anderson. "US law protects US companies from such an unlawful foreign intrusion. We will not allow US companies or US technology to become tools of foreign repression in violation of US law," he said in a statement. The lawsuit comes as US-Saudi relations continue to suffer strains over the brutal, Riyadh-sanctioned murder last year of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who wrote for, among others, The Washington Post. A critic of Crown Prince Mohammed, Khashoggi was killed and dismembered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. According to the Post, US intelligence has concluded that the prince himself was closely linked to the murder. Targeting regime critics Abouammo, 41, an American, and Saudi national Alzabarah, 35, were recruited in 2014-2015 to use their positions in Twitter to gain access to private information related to the accounts of critics of Riyadh, the indictment says. Saudi citizen Almutairi, 30, was a critical go-between who arranged contacts between the two others and the unnamed Saudi official. The indictment said Almutairi controlled a social media marketing company that did work for a royal charity and members of the royal family, "including Royal Family Member-1." Abouammo was paid over $300,000 and received a Hublot watch worth more than $20,000 for his work. Alzabarah's payment was not detailed, but the filing said he quickly fled the US with his family in December 2015 after Twitter management confronted him about his unauthorized accessing of user information for some 6,000 Twitter accounts, including accounts of known prominent dissidents and royal family critics. All three are charged with acting as illegal agents of a foreign government, a charge that can indicate both illegal lobbying and espionage. Abouammo was also charged with destroying, altering, or falsifying records related to a federal investigation. "These individuals are charged with targeting and obtaining private data from dissidents and known critics, under the direction and control of the government of Saudi Arabia," said FBI Special Agent John Bennett. "The FBI will not stand by and allow foreign governments to illegally exploit private user information from US companies." The Justice Department said Abouammo was arrested on Tuesday in Seattle, Washington, but that both Alzabarah and Almutairi remain at large and are believed to be in Saudi Arabia. Federal warrants have been issued for the arrest of both.

Three charged in US with spying on Twitter users for Saudi Arabia

Pakistan`s army has sentenced a general to life imprisonment for spying and ordered the death penalty for a brigadier and a civilian officer convicted in the same case, a military statement said on Thursday.

Following a closed-door military trial, army chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa endorsed the sentences on the three for "espionage (and) leaking sensitive information to foreign agencies in detriment to national security," the statement said.

Retired Lieutenant General Javed Iqbal was jailed for a life term, meaning he will serve 14 years in prison under Pakistani law. Retired Brigadier Raja Rizwan was sentenced to death alongside Wasim Akram, a civilian doctor employed by an army organization.

The army did not give further details about the information that was allegedly leaked by the three men or say to whom it was disclosed. It was not clear if the two military officers had already retired from service before the case against them began.

Pakistan`s army has its own laws and courts, and military officers accused of wrongdoing are always tried behind closed doors. Rulings can only be challenged or reviews in accordance with military procedures.

Pakistan`s army has sentenced a general to life imprisonment for spying and ordered the death penalty for a brigadier and a civilian officer convicted in the same case, a military statement said on Thursday.

Pakistan`s army has sentenced a general to life imprisonment for spying and ordered the death penalty for a brigadier and a civilian officer convicted in the same case, a military statement said on Thursday. Following a closed-door military trial, army chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa endorsed the sentences on the three for "espionage (and) leaking sensitive information to foreign agencies in detriment to national security," the statement said. Retired Lieutenant General Javed Iqbal was jailed for a life term, meaning he will serve 14 years in prison under Pakistani law. Retired Brigadier Raja Rizwan was sentenced to death alongside Wasim Akram, a civilian doctor employed by an army organization. The army did not give further details about the information that was allegedly leaked by the three men or say to whom it was disclosed. It was not clear if the two military officers had already retired from service before the case against them began. Pakistan`s army has its own laws and courts, and military officers accused of wrongdoing are always tried behind closed doors. Rulings can only be challenged or reviews in accordance with military procedures.

Pakistani army general given life sentence on spying charges

An ex-CIA officer was sentenced to 20 years in prison Friday for<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-formally-arrests-two-canadians-detained-for-months-on-national-security-grounds-219091/amp"> spying for China</a> in a case called part of an "alarming trend" in the US intelligence community.

Kevin Mallory, 62, was convicted under the Espionage Act for selling classified US "defence information" to a Chinese intelligence agent for $25,000 during trips to Shanghai in March and April 2017.&nbsp;

"Your object is to gain information, and my object is to be paid," he told the Chinese agent in a May 5, 2017 message.

The fluent Mandarin speaker had served in the US army, then as a special agent for the security service of the State Department, before becoming a covert case officer for the Central Intelligence Agency.

Mallory is one of several US officials with high-level security clearances arrested and charged over unsanctioned dealings with Chinese intelligence.&nbsp;

Former Defense Intelligence Agency official Ron Hansen faces 15 years in prison after pleading guilty in March to charges of attempting to sell classified information to the Chinese.

In April, a former diplomat, Candace Marie Claiborne, pleaded guilty to lying to investigators about the money she received from Chinese intelligence agents in exchange for US documents.

And in the most significant case, on May 1, former CIA officer Jerry Chun Shing Lee pleaded guilty to spying for China.&nbsp;

Lee, 54, faces a possible life sentence. Arrested in January 2018, he was suspected of having provided Beijing with the information it needed to bring down a CIA network of informants in China between 2010 and 2012.

"This case is one in an alarming trend of former US intelligence officers being targeted by China and betraying their country and colleagues," Assistant Attorney General John Demers said of the Mallory case.

"This sentence, together with the recent guilty pleas of Ron Hansen in Utah and Jerry Lee in Virginia, deliver the stern message that our former intelligence officers have no business partnering with the Chinese or any other adversarial foreign intelligence service."

An ex-CIA officer was sentenced to 20 years in prison Friday for spying for China in a case called part of an "alarming trend" in the US intelligence community. Kevin Mallory, 62, was convicted under the Espionage Act for selling classified US "defence information" to a Chinese intelligence agent for $25,000 during trips to Shanghai in March and April 2017.

An ex-CIA officer was sentenced to 20 years in prison Friday for spying for China in a case called part of an "alarming trend" in the US intelligence community. Kevin Mallory, 62, was convicted under the Espionage Act for selling classified US "defence information" to a Chinese intelligence agent for $25,000 during trips to Shanghai in March and April 2017. "Your object is to gain information, and my object is to be paid," he told the Chinese agent in a May 5, 2017 message. The fluent Mandarin speaker had served in the US army, then as a special agent for the security service of the State Department, before becoming a covert case officer for the Central Intelligence Agency. Mallory is one of several US officials with high-level security clearances arrested and charged over unsanctioned dealings with Chinese intelligence. Former Defense Intelligence Agency official Ron Hansen faces 15 years in prison after pleading guilty in March to charges of attempting to sell classified information to the Chinese. In April, a former diplomat, Candace Marie Claiborne, pleaded guilty to lying to investigators about the money she received from Chinese intelligence agents in exchange for US documents. And in the most significant case, on May 1, former CIA officer Jerry Chun Shing Lee pleaded guilty to spying for China. Lee, 54, faces a possible life sentence. Arrested in January 2018, he was suspected of having provided Beijing with the information it needed to bring down a CIA network of informants in China between 2010 and 2012. "This case is one in an alarming trend of former US intelligence officers being targeted by China and betraying their country and colleagues," Assistant Attorney General John Demers said of the Mallory case. "This sentence, together with the recent guilty pleas of Ron Hansen in Utah and Jerry Lee in Virginia, deliver the stern message that our former intelligence officers have no business partnering with the Chinese or any other adversarial foreign intelligence service."

Ex-CIA agent gets 20-year jail sentence for spying for China

A former US diplomat pleaded guilty Wednesday to lying to investigators about money she received from Chinese intelligence agents in exchange for US documents, the Justice Department said.

Candace Marie Claiborne, 63, was a Department of State office management specialist based in Beijing and Shanghai who became involved beginning in 2007 with two men the Justice Department said she knew were agents of China's Ministry of State Security.

They gave her "tens of thousands" of dollars in cash and gifts in exchange for documents and information on State Department activities, it said.

Claiborne was arrested two years ago following an investigation but was not charged with espionage.

She admitted conspiracy to defraud the United States, lying to investigators and, as a government official with a high-security clearance, illegally hiding her contacts with foreign agents.

The conspiracy charge could carry up to five years in prison.

"Candace Marie Claiborne traded her integrity and non-public information of the United States government in exchange for cash and other gifts from foreign agents she knew worked for the Chinese intelligence service," said Assistant Attorney General John Demers.&nbsp;

A former US diplomat pleaded guilty Wednesday to lying to investigators about money she received from Chinese intelligence agents in exchange for US documents, the Justice Department said.

A former US diplomat pleaded guilty Wednesday to lying to investigators about money she received from Chinese intelligence agents in exchange for US documents, the Justice Department said. Candace Marie Claiborne, 63, was a Department of State office management specialist based in Beijing and Shanghai who became involved beginning in 2007 with two men the Justice Department said she knew were agents of China's Ministry of State Security. They gave her "tens of thousands" of dollars in cash and gifts in exchange for documents and information on State Department activities, it said. Claiborne was arrested two years ago following an investigation but was not charged with espionage. She admitted conspiracy to defraud the United States, lying to investigators and, as a government official with a high-security clearance, illegally hiding her contacts with foreign agents. The conspiracy charge could carry up to five years in prison. "Candace Marie Claiborne traded her integrity and non-public information of the United States government in exchange for cash and other gifts from foreign agents she knew worked for the Chinese intelligence service," said Assistant Attorney General John Demers.

US diplomat pleads guilty in China spying case

Germany on Tuesday detained a German-Afghan man on suspicion he was spying for Iran while working for the German army as a linguistic and cultural adviser.

The 50-year-old identified as Abdul Hamid S. was arrested in western <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/world/germanys-frankfurt-airport-security-staff-begin-one-day-strike-190454&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjUmfGS5u_fAhVIqI8KHWxdDEkQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw0PQkeNQSQJ5Xw4ti9dAUHm">Germany</a>, federal prosecutors said in a statement.

"The accused was a language evaluator and cultural issues adviser of the German armed forces. In this capacity, he is believed to have passed on information to an Iranian intelligence service," they added.

According to Spiegel Online, he is suspected of working for Iranian secret services for several years.

While working for the German army, he had access to highly sensitive information including on troop deployment in Afghanistan, the report added.

Previous cases of infiltration by a foreign agency have sparked outrage and shock in Germany.

In 2016, Markus Reichel, himself a former intelligence agent for Germany, was convicted for spying for both the CIA and the Russian secret service.

He admitted handing over "scores of documents and internal information" to the CIA, including papers detailing Germany's counter-espionage strategies.

Reichel also delivered three classified documents to the Russians.

In 2011, Germany jailed a married couple for spying for the Russian secret services for more than 20 years.

The pair, identified only by the code names Andreas and Heidrun Anschlag, were planted in former West Germany from 1988 by the Soviet Union's KGB and later worked for its successor the SVR.

The couple had obtained NATO and EU political and military secrets, focussed especially on the relationship between NATO and the EU with eastern European and central Asian countries.

Germany on Tuesday detained a German-Afghan man on suspicion he was spying for Iran while working for the German army as a linguistic and cultural adviser. The 50-year-old identified as Abdul Hamid S.

Germany on Tuesday detained a German-Afghan man on suspicion he was spying for Iran while working for the German army as a linguistic and cultural adviser. The 50-year-old identified as Abdul Hamid S. was arrested in western Germany, federal prosecutors said in a statement. "The accused was a language evaluator and cultural issues adviser of the German armed forces. In this capacity, he is believed to have passed on information to an Iranian intelligence service," they added. According to Spiegel Online, he is suspected of working for Iranian secret services for several years. While working for the German army, he had access to highly sensitive information including on troop deployment in Afghanistan, the report added. Previous cases of infiltration by a foreign agency have sparked outrage and shock in Germany. In 2016, Markus Reichel, himself a former intelligence agent for Germany, was convicted for spying for both the CIA and the Russian secret service. He admitted handing over "scores of documents and internal information" to the CIA, including papers detailing Germany's counter-espionage strategies. Reichel also delivered three classified documents to the Russians. In 2011, Germany jailed a married couple for spying for the Russian secret services for more than 20 years. The pair, identified only by the code names Andreas and Heidrun Anschlag, were planted in former West Germany from 1988 by the Soviet Union's KGB and later worked for its successor the SVR. The couple had obtained NATO and EU political and military secrets, focussed especially on the relationship between NATO and the EU with eastern European and central Asian countries.

Germany arrests German-Afghan army adviser for 'spying for Iran'

A United Arab Emirates court sentenced British student Matthew Hedges to life in jail on spying charges on Wednesday, prompting a "shocked" Britain to warn of repercussions for relations with its longstanding Gulf ally.

Hedges, a 31-year-old PhD student, had protested his innocence ever since his arrest at Dubai airport on May 5 and British ministers had raised his case at the highest level.

"We can confirm that he was sentenced to life in prison," a family spokesperson told AFP.

"The hearing lasted less than five minutes, and his lawyer was not present."&nbsp;

Hedges was researching the UAE's foreign and internal security policies after the Arab Spring revolutions of 2011, studies that Britain insisted were entirely innocuous but which the UAE said threatened its political and economic security.&nbsp;

British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said he was "deeply shocked and disappointed" by the UAE court's decision and warned of repercussions.

"Today's verdict is not what we expect from a friend and trusted partner of the United Kingdom and runs contrary to earlier assurances," he said.

"The handling of this case... will have repercussions for the relationship between our two countries, which has to be built on trust.

"I regret the fact that we have reached this position and I urge the UAE to reconsider," he added.

Hunt said he had personally raised the case at the highest levels of the UAE government, including during a visit to Abu Dhabi on November 12.

The case comes with relations already tested by the UAE's heavy involvement alongside Saudi Arabia in a military coalition battling Yemeni rebels since March 2015.

The deployment of Emirati ground troops, trainers and advisers alongside government forces advancing on the lifeline rebel-held port of Hodeida has prompted calls for Britain to halt or place conditions on its huge arms sales to the UAE.&nbsp;

'Nightmare even worse'

Hedges's temporary release on bail on October 29 had raised a glimmer of hope in his case but he was constantly monitored until Wednesday's court hearing, only his third since his arrest.

Hedges's wife Daniela Tejada, who had campaigned vigorously for his release, said the court ruling showed that the UAE was not a genuine ally.

"They say that the UAE is an ally, but the overwhelmingly arbitrary handling of Matt's case indicates a scarily different reality, for which Matt and I are being made to pay a devastatingly high price."

Tejada, who was in court for sentencing, said it had been devastating for her husband and for herself.

"This has been the worst six months of my life, let alone for Matt who was shaking when he heard the verdict," she said.

"The UAE authorities should feel ashamed for such an obvious injustice. I am very scared for Matt. I don't know where they are taking him or what will happen now. Our nightmare has gotten even worse."

She had previously expressed concern for his safety saying he was being held in solitary confinement at an undisclosed location with limited access to the British consulate and his family.

'Take a stand'

Tejada was deeply critical of the British government over the failure of its discreet, behind-the-scenes diplomacy in the case.

"Matthew is innocent. The Foreign Office know this and have made it clear to the UAE authorities that Matthew is not a spy for them. This whole case has been handled appallingly from the very beginning with no one taking Matthew's case seriously," she said.

"The British government must take a stand now for Matthew, one of their citizens."

UAE attorney general Hamad al-Shamsi said earlier this month that Hedges was accused of "spying for a foreign country, jeopardising the military, political and economic security of the state".

A United Arab Emirates court sentenced British student Matthew Hedges to life in jail on spying charges on Wednesday, prompting a "shocked" Britain to warn of repercussions for relations with its longstanding Gulf ally.

A United Arab Emirates court sentenced British student Matthew Hedges to life in jail on spying charges on Wednesday, prompting a "shocked" Britain to warn of repercussions for relations with its longstanding Gulf ally. Hedges, a 31-year-old PhD student, had protested his innocence ever since his arrest at Dubai airport on May 5 and British ministers had raised his case at the highest level. "We can confirm that he was sentenced to life in prison," a family spokesperson told AFP. "The hearing lasted less than five minutes, and his lawyer was not present." Hedges was researching the UAE's foreign and internal security policies after the Arab Spring revolutions of 2011, studies that Britain insisted were entirely innocuous but which the UAE said threatened its political and economic security. British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said he was "deeply shocked and disappointed" by the UAE court's decision and warned of repercussions. "Today's verdict is not what we expect from a friend and trusted partner of the United Kingdom and runs contrary to earlier assurances," he said. "The handling of this case... will have repercussions for the relationship between our two countries, which has to be built on trust. "I regret the fact that we have reached this position and I urge the UAE to reconsider," he added. Hunt said he had personally raised the case at the highest levels of the UAE government, including during a visit to Abu Dhabi on November 12. The case comes with relations already tested by the UAE's heavy involvement alongside Saudi Arabia in a military coalition battling Yemeni rebels since March 2015. The deployment of Emirati ground troops, trainers and advisers alongside government forces advancing on the lifeline rebel-held port of Hodeida has prompted calls for Britain to halt or place conditions on its huge arms sales to the UAE. 'Nightmare even worse' Hedges's temporary release on bail on October 29 had raised a glimmer of hope in his case but he was constantly monitored until Wednesday's court hearing, only his third since his arrest. Hedges's wife Daniela Tejada, who had campaigned vigorously for his release, said the court ruling showed that the UAE was not a genuine ally. "They say that the UAE is an ally, but the overwhelmingly arbitrary handling of Matt's case indicates a scarily different reality, for which Matt and I are being made to pay a devastatingly high price." Tejada, who was in court for sentencing, said it had been devastating for her husband and for herself. "This has been the worst six months of my life, let alone for Matt who was shaking when he heard the verdict," she said. "The UAE authorities should feel ashamed for such an obvious injustice. I am very scared for Matt. I don't know where they are taking him or what will happen now. Our nightmare has gotten even worse." She had previously expressed concern for his safety saying he was being held in solitary confinement at an undisclosed location with limited access to the British consulate and his family. 'Take a stand' Tejada was deeply critical of the British government over the failure of its discreet, behind-the-scenes diplomacy in the case. "Matthew is innocent. The Foreign Office know this and have made it clear to the UAE authorities that Matthew is not a spy for them. This whole case has been handled appallingly from the very beginning with no one taking Matthew's case seriously," she said. "The British government must take a stand now for Matthew, one of their citizens." UAE attorney general Hamad al-Shamsi said earlier this month that Hedges was accused of "spying for a foreign country, jeopardising the military, political and economic security of the state".

UAE court sentences British student to life for spying

A Bahraini opposition leader and Shia Muslim cleric was sentenced on Sunday to life in prison by the Supreme Court of Appeals for allegedly spying for Qatar, overturning an earlier acquittal by a lower court, Bahrain's office of the public prosecutor announced.

Sheikh Ali Salman, who heads the banned political opposition group al-Wefaq, along with fellow opposition leaders Sheikh Hassan Sultan and Ali Alaswad had their June acquittals overturned, although a member of their legal defense said an appeal was in the works.

"The defense team will appeal the decision before the Court of Cassation (Bahrain's final court of appeal)," one of Salman's lawyers, who asked not to be identified, told EFE following the trial without giving further details.

These sentences come in the run-up to parliamentary and municipal elections in Bahrain, scheduled for November 24, in which the main opposition parties such as al-Wefaq are not allowed to take part.

According to the prosecutor's office, the three opposition members had allegedly maintained contacts with Qatari intelligence services since 2010, passing on sensitive information in exchange for financial compensation, and had spread rumors through the Qatari news channel Al Jazeera to allegedly provoke chaos and the overthrow Bahrain's government.

In response to the ruling, Amnesty International said "This verdict is a travesty of justice that demonstrates the Bahraini authorities' relentless and unlawful efforts to silence any form of dissent," according to a statement from Middle East and North Africa Director Heba Morayef.

Salman was already sentenced to four years in prison in 2015 for allegedly insulting the interior ministry, inciting hatred and calling for disobedience, and his sentence was extended to nine years in 2016 for supposedly attempting to overthrow the government.

The espionage charges were first made in the midst of the diplomatic crisis that broke out in June 2017 between Qatar and four Arab countries, including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Bahraini authorities, with the help of military forces from Saudi Arabia and the UAE, crushed the 2011 popular uprising led by the country's Shia Muslim majority, which has long felt discriminated against by the Sunni Muslim monarchy.

A Bahraini opposition leader and Shia Muslim cleric was sentenced on Sunday to life in prison by the Supreme Court of Appeals for allegedly spying for Qatar, overturning an earlier acquittal by a lower court, Bahrain's office of the public prosecutor announced.

A Bahraini opposition leader and Shia Muslim cleric was sentenced on Sunday to life in prison by the Supreme Court of Appeals for allegedly spying for Qatar, overturning an earlier acquittal by a lower court, Bahrain's office of the public prosecutor announced. Sheikh Ali Salman, who heads the banned political opposition group al-Wefaq, along with fellow opposition leaders Sheikh Hassan Sultan and Ali Alaswad had their June acquittals overturned, although a member of their legal defense said an appeal was in the works. "The defense team will appeal the decision before the Court of Cassation (Bahrain's final court of appeal)," one of Salman's lawyers, who asked not to be identified, told EFE following the trial without giving further details. These sentences come in the run-up to parliamentary and municipal elections in Bahrain, scheduled for November 24, in which the main opposition parties such as al-Wefaq are not allowed to take part. According to the prosecutor's office, the three opposition members had allegedly maintained contacts with Qatari intelligence services since 2010, passing on sensitive information in exchange for financial compensation, and had spread rumors through the Qatari news channel Al Jazeera to allegedly provoke chaos and the overthrow Bahrain's government. In response to the ruling, Amnesty International said "This verdict is a travesty of justice that demonstrates the Bahraini authorities' relentless and unlawful efforts to silence any form of dissent," according to a statement from Middle East and North Africa Director Heba Morayef. Salman was already sentenced to four years in prison in 2015 for allegedly insulting the interior ministry, inciting hatred and calling for disobedience, and his sentence was extended to nine years in 2016 for supposedly attempting to overthrow the government. The espionage charges were first made in the midst of the diplomatic crisis that broke out in June 2017 between Qatar and four Arab countries, including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Bahraini authorities, with the help of military forces from Saudi Arabia and the UAE, crushed the 2011 popular uprising led by the country's Shia Muslim majority, which has long felt discriminated against by the Sunni Muslim monarchy.

Bahrain opposition leader sentenced to life in prison for alleged spying

It&rsquo;s Navratri time and once again, reports are emerging that more and more people are hiring detectives to keep a track on their near and dear ones. Whether it&rsquo;s parents who want to know about the whereabouts of their children, or would be couple checking on prospective partners, the trend is on the rise in India.

&ldquo;We are mostly hired by parents who want to keep an eye on their children, or by spouses who have trust issue with their partner,&rdquo; said Rahul Roy, who runs a private detective agency in Mumbai.

&ldquo;Parents think their children are in love with someone. Then there are cases of extra-marital affairs where our help is sought,&rdquo; Roy added.

These private eyes start spying on the people from their homes.

&ldquo;We follow them, click their photographs and send those pictures to their families,&rdquo; said Durgesh Kamalkant Pandey, a detective.

Out of more than 15,000 cases of spying in a year, 500 are reported during Navratris. The detectives use spy cameras to broadcast live footage of a person to his/her family members who want to check if that person is really at a Garba event.

This may seem straight out of a reality show Emotional Atyachar, where people who doubt their partner&rsquo;s loyalty participate in a secretive experiment with the television show&rsquo;s crew, the detective agencies are welcoming the booming business during this period.

Some of them are booked for an entire month.

These agents are also contacted by employers who wants to check on their employees, to know what they are doing during holidays. Then there are parents who fear that their children don&rsquo;t attend classes or are in bad company, or those who just want to know about the whereabouts of someone.

&ldquo;I have come to this detective agency because I want to check where my boyfriend goes during Navratri celebrations. Who he meets, what he does&hellip; it&rsquo;s not that I don&rsquo;t trust him,&rdquo; said a woman who visited Roy&rsquo;s agency.

This trend is specially picking up among those who are about to get married. They want to know more about their future partner - who he/she hangs out with, where they spend most of their time, just to be sure. And this, they think, gives them mental peace and satisfaction that they know all about their partner.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Whether it?s parents who want to know about the whereabouts of their children, or would be couples checking on prospective partners, the trend is on the rise in India.

It’s Navratri time and once again, reports are emerging that more and more people are hiring detectives to keep a track on their near and dear ones. Whether it’s parents who want to know about the whereabouts of their children, or would be couple checking on prospective partners, the trend is on the rise in India. “We are mostly hired by parents who want to keep an eye on their children, or by spouses who have trust issue with their partner,” said Rahul Roy, who runs a private detective agency in Mumbai. “Parents think their children are in love with someone. Then there are cases of extra-marital affairs where our help is sought,” Roy added. These private eyes start spying on the people from their homes. “We follow them, click their photographs and send those pictures to their families,” said Durgesh Kamalkant Pandey, a detective. Out of more than 15,000 cases of spying in a year, 500 are reported during Navratris. The detectives use spy cameras to broadcast live footage of a person to his/her family members who want to check if that person is really at a Garba event. This may seem straight out of a reality show Emotional Atyachar, where people who doubt their partner’s loyalty participate in a secretive experiment with the television show’s crew, the detective agencies are welcoming the booming business during this period. Some of them are booked for an entire month. These agents are also contacted by employers who wants to check on their employees, to know what they are doing during holidays. Then there are parents who fear that their children don’t attend classes or are in bad company, or those who just want to know about the whereabouts of someone. “I have come to this detective agency because I want to check where my boyfriend goes during Navratri celebrations. Who he meets, what he does… it’s not that I don’t trust him,” said a woman who visited Roy’s agency. This trend is specially picking up among those who are about to get married. They want to know more about their future partner - who he/she hangs out with, where they spend most of their time, just to be sure. And this, they think, gives them mental peace and satisfaction that they know all about their partner.

Beware, a detective might be spying on you during Navratri

The UN&#39;s top court is to rule Thursday on an urgent bid by India to stop Pakistan from carrying out a death sentence imposed on an Indian national convicted of spying.

In an emergency hearing on Monday held only days after India lodged its case, lawyers for New Delhi called on the International Court of Justice to order Islamabad to suspend its execution of Kulbhushan Jadhav.

Jadhav was arrested in the southwestern province of Balochistan in March 2016 and Pakistani officials claim he has confessed to spying for Indian intelligence services.

A military court in Pakistan sentenced him to death last month.&nbsp;

The UN tribunal, based in The Hague, said in a statement issued Wednesday that it &quot;will deliver its order on the request for the indication of provisional measures made by India in the Jadhav Case (India v. Pakistan), tomorrow on Thursday 18 May 2017&quot;.

The president of the court, Ronny Abraham, will read out the decision at 3.30 pm.

The case, a rare foray for the two nations into the international courts, has highlighted the recent sharp upsurge in tensions between the nuclear-armed rivals.&nbsp;

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Locals hold &#39;Hawan&#39; in Mumbai, ahead International Court of Justice&#39;s verdict on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KulbhushanJadhav?src=hash">#KulbhushanJadhav</a> today <a href="https://t.co/aimuMc3mbf">pic.twitter.com/aimuMc3mbf</a>
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India has denied Jadhav was a spy, and on Monday accused Pakistan of &quot;egregious violations of the Vienna convention&quot; by denying him access to legal counsel and consular visits, and refusing to reveal the charge sheet against him.

It wants the ICJ to decide whether Pakistan has broken the convention and international human rights law.

But in the meantime as the court considers whether to take up India&#39;&#39;s case, New Delhi asked the tribunal to order a stay of execution until the end of the legal battle.

Jadhav was &quot;an innocent Indian national, who, incarcerated in Pakistan for more than a year on concocted charges ... has been held incommunicado... and faces imminent execution,&quot; Indian lawyer Deepak Mittal told the tribunal Monday.

But Pakistani representatives accused New Delhi of &quot;political grandstanding&quot; and told the court Jadhav &quot;has confessed to having been sent by India to wage terror on the innocent civilians and infrastructure of Pakistan&quot;.

Lawyer Khawar Qureshi denied the execution was imminent, though he did not give a timeframe.

The ICJ was set up in 1945 to rule on disputes between nations in accordance with international law.

The last time India and Pakistan took a dispute to the ICJ was in 1999 when Islamabad protested against the downing of a Pakistani navy plane that killed 16 people.

In that case, the tribunal decided it was not competent to rule in the dispute and closed the case.

India and Pakistan routinely accuse one another of sending spies into their countries, and it is not uncommon for either nation to expel diplomats accused of espionage, particularly at times of high tension.

But death sentences have rarely been issued in recent years.&nbsp;

(AFP)

The president of the court, Ronny Abraham, will read out the decision at 3.30 pm

The UN's top court is to rule Thursday on an urgent bid by India to stop Pakistan from carrying out a death sentence imposed on an Indian national convicted of spying. In an emergency hearing on Monday held only days after India lodged its case, lawyers for New Delhi called on the International Court of Justice to order Islamabad to suspend its execution of Kulbhushan Jadhav. Jadhav was arrested in the southwestern province of Balochistan in March 2016 and Pakistani officials claim he has confessed to spying for Indian intelligence services. A military court in Pakistan sentenced him to death last month. The UN tribunal, based in The Hague, said in a statement issued Wednesday that it "will deliver its order on the request for the indication of provisional measures made by India in the Jadhav Case (India v. Pakistan), tomorrow on Thursday 18 May 2017". The president of the court, Ronny Abraham, will read out the decision at 3.30 pm. The case, a rare foray for the two nations into the international courts, has highlighted the recent sharp upsurge in tensions between the nuclear-armed rivals. Locals hold 'Hawan' in Mumbai, ahead International Court of Justice's verdict on #KulbhushanJadhav today pic.twitter.com/aimuMc3mbf — ANI (@ANI_news) May 18, 2017 × India has denied Jadhav was a spy, and on Monday accused Pakistan of "egregious violations of the Vienna convention" by denying him access to legal counsel and consular visits, and refusing to reveal the charge sheet against him. It wants the ICJ to decide whether Pakistan has broken the convention and international human rights law. But in the meantime as the court considers whether to take up India''s case, New Delhi asked the tribunal to order a stay of execution until the end of the legal battle. Jadhav was "an innocent Indian national, who, incarcerated in Pakistan for more than a year on concocted charges ... has been held incommunicado... and faces imminent execution," Indian lawyer Deepak Mittal told the tribunal Monday. But Pakistani representatives accused New Delhi of "political grandstanding" and told the court Jadhav "has confessed to having been sent by India to wage terror on the innocent civilians and infrastructure of Pakistan". Lawyer Khawar Qureshi denied the execution was imminent, though he did not give a timeframe. The ICJ was set up in 1945 to rule on disputes between nations in accordance with international law. The last time India and Pakistan took a dispute to the ICJ was in 1999 when Islamabad protested against the downing of a Pakistani navy plane that killed 16 people. In that case, the tribunal decided it was not competent to rule in the dispute and closed the case. India and Pakistan routinely accuse one another of sending spies into their countries, and it is not uncommon for either nation to expel diplomats accused of espionage, particularly at times of high tension. But death sentences have rarely been issued in recent years. (AFP)

International Court of Justice to rule on Kulbhushan Jadhav case today

A human rights group Wednesday demanded the release of a US businesswoman held by China for alleged espionage since last year, after a UN committee said she had been &quot;arbitrarily detained&quot;. 
 
Sandy Phan-Gillis was seized in March 2015 while crossing the border to Macau at the end of a visit to China by a trade delegation from the Texas oil capital Houston, supporters said. 
 
The American has been investigated on accusations of &quot;spying and stealing state secrets&quot;, according to the website savesandy.org, which provides information on her case. 
 
The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) said Sunday that &quot;international norms relating to the right to a fair trial and to liberty and security&quot; had not been observed in her case. 
 
Violations by Chinese authorities were of &quot;such gravity as to give the deprivation of liberty of Ms. Phan-Gillis an arbitrary character,&quot; it said in a report posted online. 
 
Phan-Gillis was first held for six months in a secret location and later at a detention centre in the southern region of Guangxi, where she was initially placed in solitary confinement, WGAD said. 
 
The report marked the first time in WGAD&#39;s 25-year history that it had &quot;ruled that (Chinese) agents have arbitrarily detained an American citizen in violation of international human rights law,&rdquo; US-based rights group the Dui Hua Foundation said Wednesday. 
 
Phan-Gillis has been allowed to see a lawyer for the first time, 14 months after she had been taken into custody, the group added in a statement. 
 
The case has &quot;badly damaged US-China relations,&quot; the group&#39;s executive director John Kamm said. 
 
He added: &quot;Dui Hua joins the WGAD, the American government, and members of Congress in calling for Sandy Phan-Gillis&rsquo; immediate release&quot;. 
 
Though Phan-Gillis, who was a member of Houston&#39;s International Trade and Development Council, is currently the only American being held on suspicion of spying in China, other foreign citizens have been accused of espionage. 
 
Feng Xue, a Chinese-born US geologist who spent more than seven years in a Chinese prison after being convicted on state secrets charges, was released last year and deported. 
 
Australian national Stern Hu, an executive with the mining giant Rio Tinto, was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2010 on bribery and trade secrets charges. 
 
A Canadian Christian couple who ran a coffee shop in the Chinese border city of Dandong, and had aided Christians fleeing North Korea, were detained on espionage charges in 2014. The husband was formally charged with stealing state secrets and his wife bailed. 
 
(AFP)

Phan-Gillis was first held for six months in a secret location and later at a detention centre in the southern region of Guangxi

A human rights group Wednesday demanded the release of a US businesswoman held by China for alleged espionage since last year, after a UN committee said she had been "arbitrarily detained". Sandy Phan-Gillis was seized in March 2015 while crossing the border to Macau at the end of a visit to China by a trade delegation from the Texas oil capital Houston, supporters said. The American has been investigated on accusations of "spying and stealing state secrets", according to the website savesandy.org, which provides information on her case. The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) said Sunday that "international norms relating to the right to a fair trial and to liberty and security" had not been observed in her case. Violations by Chinese authorities were of "such gravity as to give the deprivation of liberty of Ms. Phan-Gillis an arbitrary character," it said in a report posted online. Phan-Gillis was first held for six months in a secret location and later at a detention centre in the southern region of Guangxi, where she was initially placed in solitary confinement, WGAD said. The report marked the first time in WGAD's 25-year history that it had "ruled that (Chinese) agents have arbitrarily detained an American citizen in violation of international human rights law,” US-based rights group the Dui Hua Foundation said Wednesday. Phan-Gillis has been allowed to see a lawyer for the first time, 14 months after she had been taken into custody, the group added in a statement. The case has "badly damaged US-China relations," the group's executive director John Kamm said. He added: "Dui Hua joins the WGAD, the American government, and members of Congress in calling for Sandy Phan-Gillis’ immediate release". Though Phan-Gillis, who was a member of Houston's International Trade and Development Council, is currently the only American being held on suspicion of spying in China, other foreign citizens have been accused of espionage. Feng Xue, a Chinese-born US geologist who spent more than seven years in a Chinese prison after being convicted on state secrets charges, was released last year and deported. Australian national Stern Hu, an executive with the mining giant Rio Tinto, was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2010 on bribery and trade secrets charges. A Canadian Christian couple who ran a coffee shop in the Chinese border city of Dandong, and had aided Christians fleeing North Korea, were detained on espionage charges in 2014. The husband was formally charged with stealing state secrets and his wife bailed. (AFP)

Rights group demands release of US woman held for 'spying' in China

US Assistant Attorney General John Carlin said on Tuesday that Chinese hacking activity appears to have declined since the Chinese government vowed last September to stop supporting the hacking of US trade secrets. 
 
The assertion supports findings released earlier this month from cyber security firm FireEye that breaches attributed to China-based groups had plunged by 90 per cent in the past two years. 
 
(Reuters) 
 
 
 
&nbsp;

The reported decline comes nine months after China vowed to stop supporting hacking of US trade secrets

US Assistant Attorney General John Carlin said on Tuesday that Chinese hacking activity appears to have declined since the Chinese government vowed last September to stop supporting the hacking of US trade secrets. The assertion supports findings released earlier this month from cyber security firm FireEye that breaches attributed to China-based groups had plunged by 90 per cent in the past two years. (Reuters)

Chinese economic cyber-espionage on decline, says US official

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