Imran Khan: Former Pakistan prime minister’s trial from jail is ‘illegal’, lawyer says | World News
Imran Khan: Former Pakistan prime minister’s trial from jail is ‘illegal’, lawyer says | World News
Imran Khan’s trial within prison walls is “illegal” and “unconstitutional”, one of his lawyers has told Sky News.
It follows a court document, seen by Sky News, ordering an “open trial” for Pakistan’s former prime minister – despite it being held inside Adiala jail, near Islamabad.
But a lawyer for his political party PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf), Hafiz Qaiser Hajvery, has said the trial is far from open.
“A trial in jail cannot be open. What we are seeing is unlawful,” he said. “This so-called ‘open’ trial is the killing of justice in Pakistan.
“It’s illegal, unconstitutional and violates human rights.”
Khan – who was the country’s prime minister from 2018 to April 2022 – has been held in Adiala jail since the end of September, for the alleged leaking of state secrets and a slew of other charges.
He denies the charges, and says they are a ploy from the government and military to keep him away from the upcoming general election, on 8 February.
The court order justifies the jail trial with reference to Mr Khan’s safety.
It states “threat assessments” of the 71-year-old “cannot be disregarded lightly”.
Read more: Khan’s fight for innocence could keep him off campaign trail Who is Imran Khan? From playboy to prime minister Former Pakistan PM says democracy at all time low
Mr Hajvery, however, alleged this was a “fix” to “humiliate Imran Khan”.
The Islamabad High Court last week ruled that holding Khan’s trial in prison on security grounds was illegal – and ordered it restarted in an open court.
But despite the ruling, the court document today posits the jail trial “shall be in an open court” from Friday, with lawyers, some family members and “members of the public and all those, who wish to attend the trial proceedings”.
The key bit, Mr Hajvery told Sky News, is the caveat that comes next: “So far as they can be accommodated in the courtroom.
“There is no such thing as open court or a fair trial. Here in Pakistan there is no rule of law.
“Will the jail allow media representatives inside the prison? They have not so far.
Image: Imran Khan outside court in May 2023
“The court ordered the jail holding Imran Khan to present him at trial – but they did not.
“The High Court has categorically said there must be an open trial.”
Mr Hajvery added: “What we are seeing is a violation of a high court decision.”
The cipher charge at the centre of this is related to a classified cable sent to Islamabad by Pakistan’s ambassador in Washington early last year, which Khan is accused of making public.
At the time, Khan held up the alleged letter, claiming it was proof that he was being threatened and that his ousting was a US conspiracy allegedly executed by the military and the government in Pakistan – claims denied by both Washington and Pakistani officials.
Khan denies making the document public and says its contents appeared in the media from other sources.
Sky News has contacted Pakistan’s Ministry of Human Rights and Public Prosecution Department for comment.
Spain ‘very close’ to post-Brexit Gibraltar deal after Cameron meeting | World News
Spain ‘very close’ to post-Brexit Gibraltar deal after Cameron meeting | World News
Spain says it’s “very close” to agreeing a deal on the post-Brexit status of Gibraltar.
The country’s foreign minister made the statement after meeting Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron in Brussels at a NATO meeting.
“Today we have made progress, because David Cameron has shown a willingness to reach an agreement,” Jose Manuel Albares told reporters.
“We are very, very close,” he added, in comments broadcast by Spain’s TVE.
Mr Albares said the pair were discussing details such as how both sides would use the island’s airport.
In a call with Mr Albares on Monday, Lord Cameron reiterated Britain’s commitment to conclude a deal on Gibraltar “as soon as possible”, said a Foreign Office spokesperson.
The question of how to police Gibraltar’s border with Spain long term has been undecided since Brexit.
A last-minute deal on 31 December 2020 meant Gibraltar stayed part of EU agreements, such as the Schengen Area, and left Spain to police the port and airport until another solution could be worked out.
Image: Lord Cameron met his counterpart at a Brussels meeting of NATO foreign ministers
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Spain’s foreign minister said he hoped an agreement could be signed as early as Wednesday after his country recently tabled “a balanced and generous agreement”.
In late 2022, the European Commission and Spain proposed keeping Gibraltar’s land border to Spain open and ensuring the free flow of people.
The narrow peninsula – known colloquially as ‘The Rock’ – has been a British territory since 1713, but Spain has long called for it to be handed back.
Who are the first 61 Israeli hostages released by Hamas? | World News
Who are the first 61 Israeli hostages released by Hamas? | World News
Ten more Israeli hostages have been released from the Gaza Strip by Hamas, according to the Red Cross.
It’s the fifth release under a ceasefire deal that began on Friday.
Two foreign nationals were also released on Tuesday, while Qatar said another 30 Palestinian prisoners had been freed by Israel in exchange.
Some 240 people were kidnapped during the deadly Hamas attack – the names of those released as of Tuesday night are:
Rimon Kirsht, 36
The 36-year-old volunteers at a sexual assault and domestic violence support centre, where she assists victims and accompanies them to courts and police stations.
Rimon and her husband Yagev got married two years ago and lived in Kibbutz Nirim. Yagev is still a hostage in Gaza.
Image: Rimon Kirsht. Pic: Bring Them Home Now
Clara Marman, 63, Gabriela Leimberg, 59, and Mia Leimberg, 17
Clara has lived in Nir Yitzhak since 1982 and has two daughters and three grandchildren.
She’s a retired kindergarten teacher but continues working with the elderly and with at-risk families.
Clara was kidnapped with her partner, Luis, and her brother, Fernando; both remain hostages in Gaza.
Her sister, Gabriela, and niece, Mia, were released at the same time as her.
Gabriela moved to Israel from Argentina in the 1990s and lives in Jerusalem, where she works for a disabilities inclusion group and runs an autism day centre.
Mia is a 12th-grade student who’s described as a phenomenal singer. She works at a bookshop.
Image: Clara Rosa Marman. Pic: Bring Them Home Now
Image: Gabriela Leinmberg. Pic: Bring Them Home Now
Image: Mia Leimberg. Pic: Bring Them Home Now
Ofelia Roitman, 77
A resident of Kibbutz Nir Oz, she emigrated from Argentina in 1985 and was an educator for 20 years.
She was also a principal at Jewish schools in Argentina for five years before she moved to Israel.
Image: Ofelia Roitman. Pic: Bring Them Home Now
Ditza Heiman, 84
Ditza is one of the founders of Kibbutz Nir Oz – she served in the Nahal group, where she met her first husband.
Since her husband passed away, she lives alone and adopted a cat named Mia.
Image: Ditza Heiman. Pic: Bring Them Home Now
Tamar Metzger, 78
She was kidnapped with her husband Yoram, who remains in Hamas captivity.
Tamar has limited mobility and spends a lot of time on the balcony of her small home – with the newspaper, crosswords and cigarettes.
Image: Tamar Metzger. Pic: Bring Them Home Now
Merav Tal, 53
She was kidnapped at Kibbutz Nir Oz, where she was visiting her partner Yair.
He’s still being held hostage but his children, Yagil and Or, were released yesterday.
Image: Merav Tal. Pic: Bring Them Home Now
Ada Sagi, 75
A resident of Kibbutz Nir Oz, she has three children and six grandchildren.
Ada teaches Hebrew and Arabic and was supposed to arrive in London on 20 October to celebrate her birthday with family there.
Her British-Israeli son, Noam Sagi, said his mother’s release was a “moment we have dreamt of and worked for every minute of every day since October 7”.
“It will be hard to believe it is true until we are able to embrace in person,” he said.
“Our first priority is my mum’s mental and physical health and we ask for time and space while we prioritise her wellbeing.”
Image: Ada Sagi. Pic: Bring Them Home Now
Noralin ‘Natalie’ Babadilla, 60
A resident of Yahud-Monoson, she’d travelled with her partner, Gideon Babani, to the home of friends in Kibbutz Nirim to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the kibbutz.
Gideon was murdered in the Hamas attack on 7 October.
Image: Noralin Babadilla. Pic: Bring Them Home Now
Eitan Yahalomi, 12
Eitan is described as “a very sensitive boy” who has “a big heart and immense empathy”. He was kidnapped with his father Ohad.
Image: Eitan Yahalomi. Pic: Bring Them Home Now
Karina Engel-Bart, 52, and daughters Mika Engel, 18, and Yuval Engel, 11
Ms Engel-Bart has just recovered from breast cancer after two years of treatment and surgeries and is still taking medication for it.
She was kidnapped with her husband and their two daughters from Kibbutz Nir Oz. Her husband, Ronen, remains a Hamas captive.
Image: Karina Engel-Bart. Pic: Bring Them Home Now
Image: Mika Engel. Pic: Bring Them Home Now
Image: Yuval Engel. Pic: Bring Them Home Now
Sahar Kalderon, 16, and Erez Kalderon, 12
Sahar is described as loving art, drawing, sculpting clay, and listening to Korean pop and Billie Eilish. She also plays the bass.
Erez plays the trumpet, likes video games and has “very cynical” sense of humour “like a stand-up comedian”.
Their grandmother, Carmela Dan, was murdered in the Hamas attack and their dad, Ofer, was still being held hostage when they were released.
Image: Sahar Kalderon. Pic: Bring Them Home Now
Image: Erez Kalderon. Pic: Bring Them Home Now
Or Yaakov, 16, and Yagil Yaakov, 12
Or is described as introverted, polite and a “delicate and sensitive soul” – who’s also addicted to Fortnite and loves going to the gym.
His brother Yagil is described as a “12-year-old who acts like he’s 22” who loves being the centre of attention and is the “class clown”.
The boys’ father, Yair, is also still being held by Hamas.
Image: Yagil Yaakov. Pic: Bring Them Home Now
Image: Or Yaakov. Pic Bring Them Home Now
Sharon Aloni Cunio, 34, and twins Ema Cunio and Yuly Cunio, both three
Ms Cunio is personal adviser for the head of Ashkol regional council. She once did PR for a film and later ended up marrying its lead actor, David.
He wasn’t released alongside her. Her brother-in-law, Ariel, is also still a hostage.
The twins are described as “full of love” and “true kibbutz girls” who prefer trucks and mechanical tools over dolls.
Image: Sharon Aloni Cunio. Pic: Bring Them Home Now
Image: Ema Cunio. Pic: Bring Them Home Now
Image: Yuly Cunio. Pic: Bring Them Home Now
Hagar Brodetz, 40, with her children, Ofry, 10, Yuval, eight, and Oriya, who is four
Image: Hagar Brodetz. Pic: Bring Them Home Now
Image: Ofry Brodetz. Pic: Bring Them Home Now
Image: Yuval Brodetz. Pic: Bring Them Home Now
Image: Oriya Brodetz . Pic: Bring Them Home Now
The family was taken hostage together on 7 October.
Chen Goldstein-Almog, with her three children, Agam, who is 17, Gal, 11, and eight-year-old Tal
Image: Goldstein – Almog Chen. Pic: Bring Them Home Now
Image: Goldstein – Almog Agam. Pic: Bring Them Home Now
Image: Goldstein – Almog Gal. Pic: Bring Them Home Now
Image: Goldstein – Almog Tal. Pic: Bring Them Home Now
Ms Goldstein-Almog, 49, is a social worker and was taken by Hamas alongside her children.
Dafna Elyakim, 15, and Ela Elyakim, 8
Abigail Edan, four
Image: Four-year-old Israeli-American girl, Abigail Mor Edan, was released by Hamas on Sunday
Four-year-old Abigail is a dual Israeli-American national, whose parents were reportedly killed in the 7 October attacks.
US President Joe Biden said on the day she was released that her father was “gunned down while using his body to shield little Abigail”, who then ran to a neighbour’s house where she was taken hostage alongside another family.
“What she endured is unthinkable,” Mr Biden told a news conference.
Ron Krivoi, 25
Image: Ron Krivoi
Mr Krivoi is a Russian-Israeli, whom Hamas said it had freed in appreciation of Moscow’s support during the conflict.
Alma Avraham, 84
Image: Alma Avraham
Ms Avraham was among those freed on 26 November, the third day of the temporary truce deal between Israel and Hamas.
Aviva Adrienne Siegel, 62
Image: Aviva Adrienne Siegel
Ms Siegel was freed after more than seven weeks in captivity.
Emily Hand, nine
Irish-Israeli schoolgirl Emily was taken from Be’eri on 7 October.
She was sleeping at her best friend’s house when the attack took place.
Image: Emily Hand. Pic: Bring Them Home Now
Her mother, Liat, died of cancer when Emily was two years old. Her father, Thomas, made multiple pleas for her safe return.
Thomas was initially told that Emily’s body had been found, but was later told that she was alive and among the hostages.
Hila Rotem Shoshani, 13
Hila managed to escape her home in Be’eri, but was found hiding in nearby bushes and kidnapped by Hamas militants.
Image: Hila Rotem-Shoshani . Pic: Bring Them Home Now
Her mother, Raaya, was also kidnapped.
Hila had recently returned from a holiday in Korea and Thailand, where she had been visiting for her uncle’s wedding.
Maya Regev, 21
Maya was kidnapped, along with her brother Itay and their friend Omer She-Tov, while attending the Re’im festival.
Image: Maya Regev. Pic: Bring Them Home Now
She had gone to the festival hours after landing from Mexico, where she had been on holiday with her family.
Maya is due to go travelling across South America next month.
Noam Or, 17, and his 13-year-old sister, Alma
Noam was kidnapped from kibbutz Be’eri, along with his sister, Alma.
Image: Noam Or . Pic: Bring Them Home Now
Image: Alma Or. Pic: Bring Them Home Now
Their mother, Yonat, was murdered during the same attack.
Their eldest brother, Yahli, survived the attack as he was away in northern Israel on national service.
Shiri Weiss, 53, and her 18-year-old daughter, Noga
Described as “very family-oriented”, Shiri Weiss, an accountant for an agricultural association, was kidnapped from Be’eri, alongside her husband, Ilan, and her daughter, Noga.
Friends say Ms Weiss likes being in charge of planning family trips, while Noga has been described as a sports fan – particularly volleyball.
Image: Shiri Weiss. Pic: Bring Them Home Now
Image: Noga Weiss. Pic: Bring Them Home Now
Noga hid under the bed during the attack, but was forced to flee the home after it was set on fire.
She escaped through a window, but was found hiding in bushes and was kidnapped.
Sharon Avigdori, 52, and her 12-year-old daughter, Noam
A drama therapist who works with people on the autism spectrum, Sharon Avigdori was taken with her daughter Noam while visiting her brother in kibbutz Be’eri.
Noam, a member of the Scouts movement, was about to celebrate her Bat Mitzvah when she was taken.
Image: Sharon Avigdori. Pic: Bring Them Home Now
Image: Noam Avigdori. Pic: Bring Them Home Now
A further seven members of Ms Avigdori’s family were kidnapped and three were murdered on 7 October.
Shoshan Haran, 67, her daughter, Adi Shoham, and her grandchildren, Nave, eight, and Yahel, three
Sharon Haran is the founder of a non-profit organisation, who previously worked on agricultural projects in Africa.
She was taken along with eight members of her family, while her husband, sister, and brother-in-law, were murdered.
Her daughter, Adi Shoham, fromMa’aleh Tzvia, was kidnapped from Be’eri along with her husband and their two children, Nave and Yahel, and five other members of the family.
Image: Haran Shoshan. Pic: Bring Them Home Now
Image: Adi Shoham. Pic: Bring Them Home Now
Image: Nave Shoham. Pic: Bring Them Home Now
Image: Yahel Shoham. Pic: Bring Them Home Now
They were in Be’eri for a holiday visit.
Ms Shoham works as a clinical psychologist, while Nave is a huge fan of the Argentinian football star Lionel Messi, and his sister, Yahel, is a fan of singing.
The names of the hostages released on Friday are:
Adina Moshe, 72
She was kidnapped from her home in Kibbutz Nir Oz, after Hamas militants killed her husband Sa’id Moshe.
Image: Adina Moshe. Pic: Bring Them Home Now
She has four children – Maya, Yael, Sasson, and Amos – and a number of grandchildren.
Her hobbies include cooking, gardening and reading.
Margalit Moses, 77
Image: Margalit Moses. Pic: Bring Them Home Now
A cancer survivor, she has diabetes and fibromyalgia, and takes additional medications for blood pressure and thyroid.
She is said to be a sworn nature lover, especially of birds, and loves hiking despite her poor health.
Last summer she went on sailing trip in northern Norway and had plans to visit Mozambique this winter. Margalit’s other hobbies include knitting.
Daniel Aloni, 45, and her six-year-old daughter Emilia
Image: Daniel Aloni. Pic: Bring Them Home Now
Image: Emilia Aloni. Pic: Bring Them Home Now
The pair were kidnapped in Nir Oz while visiting Daniel’s sister Sharon Aloni-Cunio – who was also kidnapped along with her three-year-old twins Emma and Yuli, and their father David Cunio.
On 7 October at 11am Daniel sent a “last message” to her family which said there were terrorists in the house and she was afraid they would not survive.
Ruthy Munder, 78, Keren Munder, 54 and nine-year-old Ohad Munder
Image: Ruthy Munder. Pic: Bring Them Home Now
Image: Keren Munder. Pic: Bring Them Home Now
Image: Ohad Munder. Pic: Bring Them Home Now
Ohad was kidnapped along with his mother, Keren, while they were visiting his grandmother Ruthy, who was also seized. He reportedly turned nine while in captivity. His mother is a teacher and children’s volleyball coach.
Ruthy Munder’s hobbies are said to include knitting, painting and sewing. Her husband, Ohad’s grandfather, was also kidnapped and is still being held by Hamas, it is thought.
Doron Katz Asher, 34, and her daughters Aviv, two, and Raz, four
Image: Doron Katz Asher
Image: Aviv Katz Asher. Pic: Bring Them Home Now
Image: Raz Katz Asher. Pic: Bring Them Home Now
The trio were kidnapped during a visit to relatives, including the girls’ grandmother, in Kibbutz Nir Oz.
Ms Katz Asher works as an accountant.
Hanna Peri, 79
Image: Hanna Peri. Pic: Bring Them Home Now
The mother-of-three immigrated to Israel from South Africa in the 1960s. She works in a grocery store.
Ms Peri is said to have diabetes and suffers from severe vision loss in one eye. Her hobbies including gardening, Tai Chi and looking after her pet cat.
Footage, apparently of her, being taken away on a golf buggy went viral following Hamas’s attack.
Yaffa Adar, 85
Image: Yaffa Adar
Ms Adar has three children, eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
One of her grandchildren, Tamir Adar, 38, was kidnapped alongside her and is still thought to be held by Hamas.
Hana Katzir, 76
Image: Hana Katzir. Pic: Bring Them Home Now
Ms Katzir was the 13th hostage to be released on Friday. Hamas forces reportedly claimed earlier this week that she had died in captivity.
South Africa mine lift plummets 200m killing 11 people and injuring more | World News
South Africa mine lift plummets 200m killing 11 people and injuring more | World News
A mine shaft lift in South Africa dropped 200m, killing 11 people and injuring 75, the operator of the site has said.
The incident happened at the end of a shift at the mine in Rustenburg, west of Pretoria, while staff were being carried back to the surface.
All the 75 injured workers were taken to hospital, with officials saying 14 of them are in a critical condition.
Nico Muller, head of mine operator Impala Platinum Holdings (Implats), described the event as “the darkest day in the history of the Implats”, adding an investigation into what caused the lift to drop was under way.
All operations at the mine were suspended on Tuesday.
There is also a government investigation taking place.
A spokesperson said all 86 of those killed or injured were in the lift, and some have “serious compact fractures”, adding it was a “highly unusual accident”.
The lift in question has three levels, all of which can hold 35 workers, with the shaft itself being 1km (0.6 miles) deep, the firm said.
Read more: Hundreds leave mine after three days held ‘hostage’ underground Rescuers break through Indian tunnel collapse
The Impala Rustenburg mine, which has nine shafts, was the world’s largest platinum mine by production last year.
Last year, South Africa suffered 49 deaths from mining incidents, government figures showed, down from 74 the year before.
Hamas releases 12 more captives as Gaza truce holds for fifth day | Israel-Palestine conflict News
Hamas releases 12 more captives as Gaza truce holds for fifth day | Israel-Palestine conflict News
Israel releases 30 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for 10 Israeli hostages, according to mediator Qatar.
Hamas has released 12 more hostages, the Israeli military and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have said, as a shaky truce continues to hold in Gaza.
The ICRC said that it successfully facilitated the release and transfer of 12 hostages out of Gaza via the Rafah crossing with Egypt on Tuesday, the fifth day of an extended six-day truce between Israel and the Palestinian armed group in Gaza.
The Israeli army said 10 Israelis and two Thai nationals had arrived in Israel.
In exchange for the release of the 10 Israelis, 30 Palestinian prisoners were released from Israeli prisons later, according to Qatar, a key mediator in the Israel-Hamas deal.
The agreement provides for the possibility of extending the truce in return for the release of a further 10 captives each day.
The Palestinian Prisoner’s Club said 15 women and 15 minors would be released.
Among them was 14-year-old Ahmad Salayme.
“The first day of the war there were a number of beatings, female inmates were beaten,” Salayme said in an interview with Al Jazeera’s Mohammed Jamjoom.
“They told me no celebrations, and on the day of my release I’m not allowed to leave my house, raise any signs or banners, use a megaphone,” he added. “And if I break any of these rules I will be taken back.”
“We are very happy but our happiness is incomplete because we mourn those who are lost, those who are wounded and those who are missing,” he said, referring to the Palestinians in Gaza.
Before his arrival, the boy’s relatives, his friends and journalists had been huddling in the living room in Ras al-Amoud, a neighbourhood of East Jerusalem, in silence as Israeli security forces were outside.
Israeli authorities have warned the families of Palestinian women and children being released as part of the Gaza truce against celebrating their return home.
Qatar said that of the 10 Israelis released, there were nine women and one minor. It said one of those freed has Austrian citizenship, two have Argentinian citizenship, and one has Filipino citizenship.
About 240 captives were seized as Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel on October 7, killing approximately 1,200 people, according to Israeli officials. Dozens of hostages have since been released, the vast majority through the Israel-Hamas deal that is set to expire early on Thursday.
In addition to the exchanges, the deal includes a cessation of hostilities in Gaza and an increase in humanitarian aid to the territory which Israel had bombarded and besieged for more than seven weeks.
More than 15,000 people have been killed in the Israeli air and ground assault, including more than 6,000 children, according to Palestinian officials. Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced amid dire humanitarian conditions.