Sept. 13
QATAR:
Qatar Accuses Christian Parents of Harvesting Organs from Adopted African
Daughter; Police skeptical that American Christians would adopt children who
are not 'good-looking' or lack same 'hereditary traits.'
The American parents of an adopted Ethiopian girl have finally been found
guilty of abusing her to death. The case of Carri and Larry Williams in
Washington state drew much attention for its connection to a controverial
childrearing book based on Bible passages.
However, what has drawn less attention is the plight of an American Christian
couple accused by Qatari officials of trafficking African children in order to
harvest their organs.
Matthew and Grace Huang, who moved to Doha last year, are facing trial in Qatar
for the death of their adopted 8-year-old daughter, Gloria. Qatari officials
allege that Gloria, adopted from Ghana, was deliberately trafficked and starved
so that her parents could harvest her organs.
The Huangs tell the story differently. According to the Associated Press, the
Huangs have adopted 3 African children, including Gloria from Ghana when she
was 4 years old. Since her adoption, Gloria had demonstrated a history of
disordered eating - a common problem among adopted children who previously have
experienced malnutrition.
The Huangs say they had been trying to address their daughter's problems when
Gloria died unexpectedly on Jan. 15.
But when a Qatari autopsy "concluded the cause of death was dehydration and
wasting disease," officials in Doha charged the Huangs with premeditated
murder, Qatar-based Al Jazeera reports. "Qatari investigative report ...
suggested that the couple 'bought' their children in order to harvest their
organs or conduct medical experiments, and accused them of starving their
daughter."
The potential sentence for such a charge? The death penalty.
However, the California Innocence Project (CIP) and the David House Agency,
which are working together to free the Huangs, say the "unjust" accusations are
a case of cultural misunderstanding. CIP states:
This is a case of faulty science and what appears to be racial and cultural
misunderstandings by the Qatari officials about American norms regarding
international adoptions and homeschooling....For example, the investigative
police reports repeatedly suggest that Matthew and Grace could not have had a
legitimate reason to adopt children who were not "good-looking" and who did not
share their "hereditary traits." Investigators in Qatar understandably are very
concerned about human trafficking. But it appears they did not know that
adoptions of children from other countries and other racial backgrounds is
common in the United States.
CT has regularly reported on the trend of adoption among Christian families,
including a recent international crackdown that has left adoptable children in
short supply even though demand remains high. CT also recently tackled author
Kathryn Joyce's accusations against Christian adoptive parents and argued that
adoption "horror stories" actually are few and far between.
CT has also noted controversy over corporal punishment by parents.
(source: Christianity Today)
INDONESIA:
Man maintains innocence to drug possession
A jobless man charged with possessing 8.36 gm Syabu and 5.26 gm Ketamine
maintained his innocence in the Magistrate's Court here yesterday.
Jong Ted Min, 48, from Taman Malihah had pleaded not guilty to possessing the
drugs when he was arrested at Batu Kawa New Township at 7.30pm on July 7.
Both charges come under Section 12(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and are
punishable under Section 12(3) of the same Act which provides for a maximum
penalty of 5 years' in jail and a fine up to RM100,000 upon conviction.
Magistrate Zulhairil Sulaiman released Jong on RM2,000 cash bail with 2
sureties pending the disposal of the case.
The case was fixed for further mention on Oct 10.
Inspector Yunus appeared for the prosecution while counsel Lim Lian Kee
represented the accused.
In an unrelated case, the Magistrate???s Court set Oct 11 for the mention of a
murder case in Bau and the one involving a 50-year-old accused person. No plea
was recorded from Jirem Anas from Kampung Simpang Pejiru Bogag in Bau who
appeared before Magistrate Shafiza Abdul Razak Tready yesterday.
The magistrate also made an order for the accused to be placed on further
remand as the offence is non-bailable. Jirem allegedly killed Christina Nyoher,
43, at Kampung Simpang Pejiru Bogag around 11am on July 8.
Murder, under Section 302 of the Penal Code, carries the mandatory death
sentence upon conviction.
(source: The Borneo Post)
IRAN----execution
A prisoner has been hanged in public in Darab
A prisoner has been hanged in public in Darab of Fars province.
According to a report by the website of the Fars province department of
justice, the prisoner who is identified as "A-Sh" has been hanged in public.
According to this report this prisoner "had killed his father and mother-in-law
because of a family conflict and was arrested and sentenced to death by the 2nd
branch of penal court of Fars province."
This verdict had been confirmed by the Supreme Court and head of the judiciary
of Iran. (source: Human Rights Activists News Agency)
*************
3 prisoners Hanged Publicly in western Iran- 2 Prisoners Hanged in the Prison-
At Least 24 Executions in the Last 12 Days
3 prisoners were hanged publicly in the town of Dehdasht (western Iran) this
morning. 2 other prisoners were hanged in Shahroud (northern Iran) on Tuesday
September 10.
Based on the official and confirmed unofficial reports at least 24 people have
been executed in the last 12 days in Iran. 17 of these executions have been
announced by the official Iranian sources.
The local news agency Boyernews reported that four men were arrested convicted
of a rape and 3 of them were hanged in public today. The 4 prisoners were
identified as "S. S.", "H. Kh.", "B. H." and "H. A.". The report didn't mention
anything about the fate of the 4th person. The prisoners were hanged in front
of hundreds of people at the Shiroodi Square of Dehdasht, by being pulled up by
a crane.
The state run news agency Fars reported about execution of 2 prisoners in the
prison of Shahroud (northern Iran). The prisoners were identified as "M. B."
convicted of trafficking and possession of 750 grams of Shisheh (crystal) and
14836 grams of opium, and "A. K." fro possession and trafficking of 836 grams
of crystal and 15228 grams of opium, said the report. The executions were
carried out in the prison of Shahroud on Tuesday September 10.
(source: Iran Human Rights)
MALAYSIA:
Malaysia court sentences German to death for drugs
A Malaysian court on Friday sentenced a German businessman to death for drug
trafficking, his lawyer said.
A high court outside the capital Kuala Lumpur found Bebou Akpo Bouraima guilty
of trafficking, which carries the mandatory death penalty by hanging, his
lawyer Karpal Singh said.
The German, who is of Togolese descent and is reportedly 40 years old, was
found guilty of smuggling 1.5 kilogrammes (3.3 pounds) of methamphetamine at
the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in 2011, he said.
"She (the judge) didn't believe his story... that his bag was intended for his
girlfriend," Karpal told AFP, adding the defence would appeal the ruling.
Anyone with at least 50 grammes of the drug is considered a trafficker in the
Muslim-majority Southeast Asian country.
Two other Germans of Afghan descent were acquitted earlier this year for drug
smuggling in a separate case.
They were arrested for smuggling more than 10 kilogrammes of methamphetamine
into Malaysia in 2012. They remain in jail pending appeal, said Karpal, who
also defended them.
On Monday, Malaysian authorities re-arrested an Australian man, who was
acquitted of drug trafficking last week.
His lawyers, seeking his release, have argued detaining him pending appeal is
unconstitutional. A court is to rule on the case next Tuesday.
Hundreds of people are on death row in Malaysia, many for drug-related
offences, though few have been put to death in recent years.
(source: MSN News)
CHINA:
China terror attack: 3 get death sentence
A court in China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region Thursday sentenced 3 men to
death and 1 man to 25 years in jail for a terrorist attack that killed 24
people earlier this year, Xinhua reported.
The Intermediate People's Court of the Turpan Prefecture, which administers
Shanshan county, handed the death penalty to Ahmatniyaz Sidiq for organising,
and leading a terrorist organisation responsible for 24 deaths June 26. He was
also deprived of political rights for life.
The court sentenced Urayim Eli and Abdulla Esrapil to death for their
participation in the terrorist organisation and homicide.
Akram Usman was sentenced to 25 years in jail and was deprived of political
rights for 5 years for his participation in the terrorist organisation,
homicide and arson, the court said.
The court found that Akram Usman, Urayim Eli and Abdulla Esrapil gathered with
Eli Ahmatniyaz and others frequently at Lukqun township to engage in illegal
religious activities.
They advocated and spread religious extremism, watched violence-inciting videos
from foreign terrorist organisations, and read books on religious extremism to
conspire terrorist activities, the court said.
Eli Ahmatniyaz gathered with Akram Usman and 4 others at Lukqun Township on
June 19 and plotted attacks against the local police station, government and a
market.
Akram Usman and his accomplice raised about $1,750 and bought gasoline and 47
knives from June 20-25, according to the court.
A gang of 13 people including Ahmatniyaz Sidiq, Urayim Eli, Abdulla Esrapil and
Eli Ahmatniyaz, carried out the violent attack June 26.
Police investigation showed that the multiple attacks in Shanshan were
premeditated and organised.
The attacks killed 24 people, including 2 police officers, and injured 23
others.
(source: Business-Standard)
KUWAIT:
Killers of Al-Bazali deserve death penalty, says Huraiji; 'Give full
entitlements to ex-GCC, bedoun policemen'
The National Assembly Observer MP Saud Al-Huraiji has called for tough
punishment against murderers.
He was commenting on a recent court verdict which was issued against four men
for killing innocent citizen Nawaf Al-Bazali. The man was tortured, killed and
dumped in an open area which has not only shocked the people but attracted huge
media coverage to such an extent it even became a public opinion issue.
He said, "The disparity of verdicts in spite of the heinous nature of the crime
makes it necessary for us to call for strict penal code."
He added the murder of innocent Al-Bazali by 4 men was a heinous act and a
violation of Allah's Sharia. He said the murderers deserve death penalty as a
reward for their act.
He added, he was surprised by this verdict in spite of all the evidences and
confessions of the culprits during interrogation by the Public Prosecution. He
pointed out what is happening is irrational. He said the death penalty for the
murderers will serve as deterrent for those who dare think of killing innocent
people.
He stressed on the need for the Interior Ministry to exert all efforts to
prevent the recurrence of such heinous crimes.
(source: Arab Times)
PAPUA NEW GUINEA:
Julie Bishop's opportunity to press PNG on death penalty
Papua New Guinea's prime minister Peter O'Neill has declared his resolve to see
the death penalty handed to the murderers of 2 porters killed during last
Tuesday's attack on a group of Australian and New Zealand trekkers.
'These are appalling crimes, and they attract the death penalty under laws
passed by the parliament since the last election,' he said. 'At a time when we
are seeking to increase tourism these crimes are an obvious setback - but we
must not let them deter tourists visiting PNG, and our own people helping
visitors in their travels.'
In May, PNG passed legislation to promote its use of the death penalty,
following a number of high-profile and violent crimes such as rape, robbery and
sorcery-related murder. Capital punishment had never been outlawed but there
have been no executions since 1954, when PNG was administered by Australia.
Soon after the legislation went through parliament, then Australian foreign
minister Bob Carr voiced our opposition to capital punishment during a visit to
Port Moresby: 'I said to foreign minister Pato, Australia is opposed to the
death penalty in all circumstances and we never cease to make that clear.'
In the wake of O'Neill's vow to make the attackers face the death penalty for
their crimes against the trekking party that included Australian nationals,
Australia's incoming foreign minister Julie Bishop needs to remind PNG that
Australia remains opposed to the death penalty, and that PNG will curry no
favour with Australia by executing criminals who harmed Australians. The
involvement of the Australians as victims gives us the opportunity to make a
representation without necessarily interfering in the sovereign affairs of
another nation.
O'Neill is behaving brazenly when he makes it clear that, in seeking the death
penalty, he is more driven by a desire to protect the country's tourism
industry than seeing justice administered for its own sake. In a statement that
eerily echoes the current state sponsored blood bath in Syria, PNG's Catholic
bishops criticised the capital punishment legislation 'that draws Papua New
Guinea closer to the point of legally killing its own citizens'.
In a statement released in May and signed by Archbishop Douglas Young of Mt
Hagen, they were particularly worried that the enacting of the capital
punishment legislation looked like a covert exercise of executive authority
that lacked accountability:
It seems that the legislation was passed 'on the voices' thereby making it
difficult for many voters to know the actual stand of their own members. The
Attorney General noted that there had been widespread debate in the public
forum but he did not indicate who had won the debate. Only the decision of the
government.
The passing of legislation in such a dubious manner, and now the idea that
humans can be executed in an effort to demonstrate to foreigners that PNG is a
safe tourist destination, is a sign that PNG's law and order problem can be
traced not just to an unruly criminal element, but to the country's rulers
themselves.
(source: Michael Mullins is editor of Eureka Street)
****************
PNG prime minister calls for death penalty for trek attack----'They just
started hacking and slashing,' says Australian injured in attack in which two
porters were killed
The Papua New Guinea prime minister, Peter O'Neill, has condemned the machete
attack on a trekking party in which 2 porters were hacked to death and invoked
the nation's death penalty.
"These are appalling crimes, and they attract the death penalty under laws
passed by the national parliament since the last election," he said.
The Australian trekkers who survived the attack returned home on Thursday.
8 Australians, one New Zealander and a group of porters were attacked by 6
people in the PNG jungle while hiking the Black Cat track. Three of the
attackers - who were armed with guns, butcher knives and machetes - are
believed to be prison escapees and the other 3 from a rival tribe.
PNG trackers and police are working to find the group as the PNG prime minister
called for the death penalty for what he called an appalling crime.
The group were attacked about 2pm PNG time on Tuesday and two of the porters
were hacked to death with machetes. One of the Australians was speared in the
leg, another had his head slashed by a machete, and about 10 other porters in
the group were critically injured and beaten.
The attackers retreated back into the jungle after stealing passports, mobile
phones and other valuables from the group, who were led for 4 hours back to the
village of Wau by Australian nurse Christiana King, who has lived in the
country for a few years with her husband and 2 children.
King and the people in the group who had managed to trek back raised the alarm
and the injured were retrieved from the jungle, along with the bodies of the 2
porters.
Melbourne man Peter Stevens, who suffered leg injuries, said the attackers went
for the porters first.
"These guys rushed into the camp area and they went into the porters lines and
just started hacking and slashing basically," he told the Seven Network.
"A number of the porters made a break for it, some made it, some didn't," he
said.
A motive is not yet known for the attack, but reports out of PNG suggest
village rivalry in the area could have boiled over.
One of the guns used in the attack was believed to be homemade while the other
was a .303 factory-made rifle, but nobody was shot during the attack.
The Australians were treated in Port Moresby where they were expected to meet
with the Australian high commissioner before flying home on Thursday.
Australia has issued a new warning for travellers wanting to walk the Black Cat
track, but has kept its travel advice for other notable PNG treks - such as
Kokoda - unchanged.
The Black Cat track is known to be tougher than the famous Kokoda track and
usually takes about 6 days for experienced hikers to complete.
During the 2nd world war Australian and Japanese troops fought on the track and
it was used for gold prospecting in the 1920s.
(source: The Guardian)
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