Euro Court of Human Rights ( CIA guilty of torture - and beating man ) World News

Euro-Court Testimony Reveals U.S. Guilty of Ruthless Torture

December 26, 2012 AFP

By Richard Walker

On December 13, the European Court of Human Rights found Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) agents guilty of beating and torturing a German citizen, who had been kidnapped and placed in the CIA’s rendition program. They also sodomized him in front of others and held him at a secret detention site for months.

Never before had the European Court of Human Rights defined CIA activities as torture or gone to the extent of explaining in graphic detail what had happened to 49-year-old Khaled al-Masri.

In January 2004, al-Masri was dragged from a hotel by police in Skopje, the Macedonian capital. After 14 days of questioning, he was handed over to the CIA. His crime was that his name was similar to that of an Arab revolutionary.

In the landmark ruling, the European court singled out Macedonia as one of the guilty parties in the torture and eventual rendition of al-Masri to the “Salt Pit,” a special CIA interrogation site in Afghanistan. Leading judicial figures in Europe are now calling on the Obama administration to compensate all those caught up in the rendition program since 2001.

The court’s ruling was remarkable because it highlighted the fact that the American court system has turned a blind eye to the issue of torture and has used the cover of “state secrets” to avoid dealing with cases like al-Masri’s.

Macedonia will certainly have to answer to the court and to other European Union institutions for its role in permitting torture on its soil. According to the evidence, a CIA “black snatch team,” under orders from CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia, transferred him from Macedonia by way of Iraq to Afghanistan. Al-Masri was actually sodomized in front of Macedonian officials before he was drugged, diapered and moved to Afghanistan.

While al-Masri was being tortured in Afghanistan, the CIA’s Office of Technical Services, responsible for “gadgets, disguises, forgeries, secret writings, weapons and assassinations,” realized they had the wrong man. Still, they continued to allow him to be treated horrifically until his release. The CIA eventually flew al-Masri to Albania and dumped him on a desolate border road, forcing him to make his own way back to Germany. Two of the CIA officials in Langley who authorized his rendition were female operatives. They were never disciplined.

But Macedonia is not the only country in the European judges’ crosshairs. The CIA had secret interrogation facilities in Poland, Lithuania and Romania. In 2009, Italy found 22 CIA agents guilty of kidnapping an Italian citizen and carting him off to Egypt where he was tortured.

Rendition secrets are beginning to unravel. On December 13, the British government paid a Libyan dissident almost $5M. He and his wife and child had been kidnapped by Britain’s MI6. While in custody the husband was tortured. There are other torture cases presently being examined by the British judicial system.

BOSTON ( Associated Press article - Possible Suspect in Custody -20 yr old Saudi National )

April 15, 2013  UPDATE SUSPECT IN CUSTODY  4-19-2013   551pm

Bombing suspect reportedly in custody; 12 reportedly dead

Staff ReportsAssociated PressMon Apr 15, 2013, 05:39 PM EDT

BOSTON — Two bombs exploded near the crowded finish line of the Boston Marathon on Monday in a terrifying scene of broken glass, smoke and severed limbs, authorities said.

The New York Post says a federal law-enforcement source confirmed there are at least 12 dead. Massachusetts General Hospital was treating 10 people with amputated limbs and all operating rooms were on hold, sources said. The Associated Press at 5:30 p.m. was still reporting two dead.

The Post also reports authorities have a identified a suspect, a Saudi national, who is currently being guarded in a Boston hospital with shrapnel wounds.


Comments  made ( people ran after 20 year old saudi man and tackled him ),..
A civilian at the scene of the blasts claimed the potential suspect was acting suspiciously. The civilian reportedly chased him down and tackled him after the explosions.Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2309570/Boston-explosions-Hunt-man-black-Authorities-search-dark-skinned-black-male-police-guard-potential-suspect-Boston-hospital.html#ixzz2QaV6ir6y
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A third blast rocked the John F. Kennedy Library a few miles away and more than an hour later, but no injuries were reported, the police commissioner said. Their are current reports it's not related to the marathon blasts.

A senior U.S. intelligence official said two other explosive devices were found near the marathon finish line.

There was no word on the motive or who may have launched the attack, and authorities in Washington said there was no immediate claim of responsibility.

The twin blasts at the race took place almost simultaneously and about 100 yards apart, tearing limbs off numerous people, knocking spectators and at least one runner off their feet, shattering windows and sending smoke rising over the street.

As people wailed in agony, bloody spectators were carried to a medical tent that had been set up to care for fatigued runners.

"They just started bringing people in in with no limbs," said Tim Davey, of Richmond, Va. He said he and his wife, Lisa, tried to keep their children's eyes shielded from the gruesome scene.

"They just kept filling up with more and more casualties," Lisa Davey said. "Most everybody was conscious. They were very dazed."

Some 27,000 runners took part in the 26.2-mile race, one of the world's premier marathons and one of Boston's biggest annual events.

After the explosions, cellphone service was shut down in the area to prevent any possible remote explosive detonations, a law enforcement official said. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation was ongoing.


murder  suspects Call FBI
 

Boston Police Commissioner Edward Davis asked people to stay indoors or go back to their hotel rooms and avoid crowds as bomb squads checked parcels and bags left along the race route.

The Federal Aviation Administration barred low-flying aircraft from within 3.5 miles of the site.

President Barack Obama was briefed on the explosions by Homeland Security adviser Lisa Monaco. Obama also told Mayor Tom Menino and Gov. Deval Patrick that his administration would provide whatever support was needed, the White House said.

"There are people who are really, really bloody," said Laura McLean, a runner from Toronto, who was in the medical tent being treated for dehydration when she was pulled out to make room for victims.

About two hours after the winners crossed the line, there was a loud explosion on the north side of Boylston Street, just before the photo bridge that marks the finish line. Another explosion could be heard a few seconds later.

The Boston Police Department said two people were killed. Hospitals reported at least 57 injured, at least eight of them critically.

A senior U.S. intelligence official said the two other explosive devices found nearby were being dismantled. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the findings publicly.

Competitors and race volunteers were crying as they fled the chaos. Authorities went onto the course to carry away the injured while race stragglers were rerouted away from the smoking site.

Roupen Bastajian, a 35-year-old state trooper from Smithfield, R.I., had just finished the race when they put the heat blanket wrap on him and he heard the blasts.

"I started running toward the blast. And there were people all over the floor," he said. "We started grabbing tourniquets and started tying legs. A lot of people amputated. ... At least 25 to 30 people have at least one leg missing, or an ankle missing, or two legs missing."

Smoke rose from the blasts, fluttering through the national flags lining the route of the world's oldest and most prestigious marathon. TV helicopter footage showed blood staining the pavement in the popular shopping and tourist area known as the Back Bay.

Cherie Falgoust was waiting for her husband, who was running the race.

"I was expecting my husband any minute," she said. "I don't know what this building is ... it just blew. Just a big bomb, a loud boom, and then glass everywhere. Something hit my head. I don't know what it was. I just ducked."

Runners who had not finished the race were diverted straight down Commonwealth Avenue and into a family meeting area, according to an emergency plan that had been in place.

The Boston Marathon honored the victims of the Newtown, Conn., shooting with a special mile marker in Monday's race.

Boston Athletic Association president Joanne Flaminio previously said there was "special significance" to the fact that the race is 26.2 miles long and 26 people died at Sandy Hook Elementary school.

Boston ( Two Explosions shattered the finish of the Boston Marathon )

BOSTON (AP) -- Two explosions shattered the finish of the Boston Marathon on Monday, sending authorities out on the course to carry away the injured while stragglers in the 26.2-mile race were rerouted away from the smoking site.

Competitors and race volunteers were crying as they fled the chaos. Bloody spectators were being carried to the medical tent that had been set up to care for fatigued runners.
''There are a lot of people down,'' said one man, whose bib No. 17528 identified him as Frank Deruyter of North Carolina. He was not injured, but marathon workers were carrying one woman, who did not appear to be a runner, to the medical area as blood gushed from her leg. A Boston police officer was wheeled from the course with a leg injury that was bleeding.
Neither race officials nor public officials could immediately estimate the number or degree of injuries.
About three hours after the winners crossed the line, there was a loud explosion on the north side of Boylston Street, just before the photo bridge that marks the finish line. Another explosion could be heard a few seconds later.
Smoke rose from the blasts, fluttering through the national flags lining the route of the world's oldest and most prestigious marathon. TV helicopter footage showed blood staining the pavement in the popular shopping and tourist area known as the Back Bay.
''There are people who are really, really bloody,'' said Laura McLean, a runner from Toronto, who was in the medical tent being treated for dehydration when she was pulled out to make room for victims of the explosions. ''They were pulling them into the medical tent.''
Cherie Falgoust was waiting for her husband, who was running the race.
''I was expecting my husband any minute,'' she said. ''I don't know what this building is ... it just blew. Just a big bomb, a loud boom, and then glass everywhere. Something hit my head. I don't know what it was. I just ducked.''
Runners who had not finished the race were diverted straight down Commonwealth Avenue and into a family meeting area, according to an emergency plan that had been in place.

Iran News ( 15 yr old shot in head and killed by Iranian Colonel ) Over illegal permit

14 April 2013

15-year old Ahwazi teenager killed in Ahvaz

Keywords : Political Prisoners

فارسى

Committee of Human Rights Reporters – On Friday April 12th, a 15-year old Ahwazi teenager by the name of Morteza Soweidi was killed by a gunshot to his head, and security forces arrested two citizens during a demonstration against the demolition of residential homes.

According to CHRR, security forces arrived with bulldozers in the Seyed Mousa area where the teenager lived to resume the illegal destruction of Ahwazi homes, prompting the residents to demonstrate against the demolitions. After Morteza Soweidi who lived at his home in the absence of his parents lost his life when he was struck in the head by a bullet, a clash ensued and security officials arrested two of the dead teenager’s relatives.

Other relatives who were contacted by CHRR confirmed that 15-year old Morteza Soweidi lost his life by the gunshot wound and named the perpetrator of the killing as Colonel Chabok Sawar.

As a result of extreme poverty in the Ahvaz region, during the past years many destitute Ahwazi Arab citizens have resorted to building cheap homes without obtaining the proper permits. Reports have been published about the oppression of citizens during the demolition process in these areas

Supreme Court - ( Court to hear Adopted Indian Girl Case - ICWA )

Supreme Court to consider adoption case of American Indian girl

By Harriet McLeod | Reuters – 1 hr 53 mins ago

By Harriet McLeod

CHARLESTON, South Carolina (Reuters) - The Supreme Court will hear arguments on Tuesday in an adoption fight between a South Carolina couple who raised a girl for more than two years after her birth and the child's biological father who won custody of her due to his American Indian heritage.

The case will test whether the Indian Child Welfare Act, a 1978 federal law designed to prevent the removal of American Indian children from Indian families and tribes, can be used to block an adoption initiated by a non-Indian parent.

The case has drawn wide attention from adoption attorneys, child welfare organizations and Indian tribes, who say it could affect adoptions nationwide by making clear how the federal act works with state family laws.

"In the real world, it's often a daunting task to determine whether the Indian Child Welfare Act applies to a particular child," said Mark Demaray, an adoption attorney in Washington state.

Charleston residents Matt and Melanie Capobianco, a Boeing technician and developmental psychologist, respectively, sought to adopt under South Carolina law a girl they named Veronica after she was born in September 2009 to a single woman in Oklahoma.

Christina Maldonado sought to have her baby adopted after the child's father, Dusten Brown, renounced his parental rights in a text message during her pregnancy, according to court documents.

Brown, a registered member of the Cherokee Nation and a soldier at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, said he learned of the adoption four months later and signed documents relinquishing parental rights, court records show.
But he later contested the adoption, saying he misunderstood the documents he signed.
Citing the Indian Child Welfare Act, a family court in South Carolina awarded custody to Brown in 2011. In late December 2011, the Capobiancos turned 27-month-old Veronica over to Brown, who took her back to Oklahoma. The girl is now 3-1/2.

The South Carolina Supreme Court affirmed the ruling in a split decision, with one justice calling the case a "human tragedy."

COUPLE SEEKS TO GET CHILD BACK
The adoptive parents, who have not seen the child in more than a year, are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse the decision and return Veronica to them. The couple and the child's birth mother will attend the oral arguments.
The adoptive couple argues South Carolina state law is on their side and say a ruling in their favor would not dismantle the Indian Child Welfare Act, which was originally enacted to prevent social welfare authorities from forcibly separating Indian children from their parents, a practice that was common enough at the time to prompt Congress to take action. They say the federal act "requires more of a parental relationship than biology alone."
"All the future requires is that unwed Indian fathers — like all other fathers — appreciate that their choices have consequences and that some decisions cannot be undone," the couple said in a court brief filed this month.
Lawyers with the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, which filed a brief in support of the couple, said in a telephone briefing last week that they hope the court will clarify how the act works with state family laws.
Under South Carolina law, Brown did not step forward soon enough to assert his parental rights, said Demaray, the academy's immediate past president.
"What does an alleged father have to do and when does he have to do it to establish paternity to be deemed a parent and therefore have the right to participate in a planned adoption?" Demaray said.
A coalition of 18 child welfare organizations agreed that state and federal laws have long required biological fathers to take financial and other responsibility for a child in order to be deemed a legal parent.
However, the group filed a brief in support of Brown and the Cherokee Nation that urged the court to protect the Indian Child Welfare Act.
The act is the "gold standard" for ensuring the well-being of children by requiring efforts be made to develop bonds between a child and fit birth parents, said Linda Spears, vice president for policy and public affairs at the Child Welfare League of America.
"There's more at stake than the custody of just one child," said David Sanders, executive vice president for systems improvement at Casey Family Programs. "We want to ensure that the act does not become collateral damage in this emotionally charged legal action."
Jay McCarthy, an adoption attorney in Flagstaff, Arizona, said he hoped the justices would go beyond questions of paternity to define the rights of children.
"The Indian Child Welfare Act, which grants individuals and tribes statutory rights, does not trump the child's constitutional rights," McCarthy said.
"This case provides an excellent opportunity for the Supreme Court to finally, hopefully and at long last clarify: Does a child have a constitutional right to a secure and stable home? They've never reached that issue yet."
The case is Adoptive Couple v. Baby Girl, U.S. Supreme Court, 12-399.

CANCUN Mexico ( Six people killed - one decapitated - Drug deal gone wrong )

CANCUN, Mexico (Reuters) - Six people were strangled to death and one decapitated in the southern Mexican tourist resort of Cancun on Sunday, the state's deputy attorney general said, in the latest mass killing to strike the city in the last few weeks.

Police found the bodies of the five men and two women in a shack in the outskirts of Cancun, a major tourist destination on Mexico's Caribbean coast, that has largely escaped the drug-related violence that has racked Acapulco, a faded tourist destination on the Pacific coast.

"It looks like the victims were independent drug dealers without any links to any specific cartel," said Juan Ignacio Hernandez, deputy attorney general of Quintana Roo state.

Last month six people died and five were injured after two men opened fire in a bar on the outskirts of Cancun.
In a separate incident, police on Sunday found the body of another man in Cancun who had been gagged, bound and wrapped in sheets.

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto has promised to put an end to the violence that exploded after his predecessor, Felipe Calderon, launched a military-led attack on the warring cartels.

More than 70,000 people have been killed in drug-related violence in Mexico since 2007

New Delhi ( 10 yr old girl raped by bus driver - suspect arrested )

10-year-old girl allegedly raped inside bus in Delhi, driver arrested

Reported by Tanima Biswas, Edited by Amit Chaturvedi | Updated: April 14, 2013 21:46 IST

 

 

New Delhi: A 10-year-old girl was allegedly raped inside a bus in Delhi's Sultanpuri area yesterday. The bus driver, accused of raping her, has been arrested.

In their police complaint, girl's parents said she had gone to play inside the bus parked near the slum cluster where the family stays. The driver allegedly sexually assaulted her there.

The parents approached the police today who registered a case of rape