The Hague, Netherlands: Radovan Karadzic, who, along with Slobodan Milosevic, led Serb forces during the Bosnian War of 1992-5, is currently standing trial at the Hague. He is accused of genocide and crimes against humanity for his actions during the war, particularly relating to his role in the Siege of Sarajevo. Defending himself, he first claimed that the atrocities committed during the siege were invented by the media and, later, that Bosnian Muslims in Sarajevo killed their own people in order to ensure NATO intervention in their defence. He has described the Serbian cause in the war as 'just and holy', and claimed their forces had acted in self-defence.
Kunda, India: At least sixty people were killed in a stampede at the Ram Janki temple, which occured during a ceremony marking the anniversary of the death of a religious leader’s wife. The cause of the incident is disputed; some sourecs described the incident as a ‘stampede for free clothes’, while others claimed that it was the result of mass panic following the collapse of the temple gate. The owners of the building are being investigated by the police for negligence.
Niamey, Niger: A military coup has overthrown President Mamadou Tandja following his attempts to extend his term of office. His efforts were prevented by a court ruling last June, after which Tandja declared emergency rule and dissolved parliament. Military leaders deposed him on February 18th, a move welcomed by street celebrations in the capital city but criticised by France and the African Union, which suspended Niger’s membership. The new leaders have promised to hold elections but have not specified a date.
Pyongyang, North Korea: A dissident has been executed for passing information on living conditions to a friend in South Korea. He is said to have passed the details via his mobile phone, breaking restrictions on the phone’s use.
Tokyo, Japan: Authorities announced an investigation into the notorious ‘Unit 731’ medical experiments carried out during World War II, which are regarded as “some of the worst atrocities ever done in the name of medical science”. The experiments involved vivisection and aerial spraying of civilian villages with pathogens. The Japanese government managed to hide details of the experiments, allegedly with the assistance of the US, until the 1980s.
Havana, Cuba: Political prisoner Orlando Zapata has died following an eighty-five day hunger strike. He was one of 75 dissidents arrested in 2003 and was striking in protest at his treatment, although the government denies accusations of torture. His funeral was well-attended by security forces, who expected anti-government protests; at least fifty dissidents had been arrested earlier in the day.
Post new comment