The UN Security Council has been urged by U.S Secretary of State Antony Blinken to authorize deployment of a Kenya-led security mission to Haiti. He has also promised “robust financial and logistical assistance” for a campaign to address ongoing gang violence which has paralyzed Haiti for more than two years. [node:read-more:link]
The Guantanamo Bay trial of one accused in the September 2011 terrorist attacks in the U.S. has been suspended after a military psychiatrist told the court that Ramzi bin al-Shibh is “unable to understand the nature of the proceedings against him or cooperate intelligently.” He was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, associated psychotic features and a delusional disorder [node:read-more:link]
Iran’s decision to ban some UN nuclear inspectors is being denounced by the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, as a “disproportionate and unprecedented unilateral measure.” Iran linked its decision to criticism by U.S., Britain, France and Germany and the maintenance of economic sanctions. [node:read-more:link]
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel played host September 15 to his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, signalling a revitalization of ties between the two countries. Among other things, Lula lamented the U.S.-led embargo of Cuba, calling it “an illegal economic embargo” and rejecting “the inclusion of Cuba on the list of state sponsors of terrorism.” [node:read-more:link]
The longest sentence handed down so far in connection with the January 2021 attack on the U.S. capitol has been given to Enrique Tarrio, erstwhile leader of the militant neo-fascist Proud Boys. Convicted in May on various charges, including seditious conspiracy, he was sentenced September 5 to 22 years in prison. [node:read-more:link]
The Supreme court of Canada is being asked to rule on the cases of four men detained in Syria after allegedly travelling to join the Islamic State. A Federal Court of Canada judge ruled last January that the government could request their release but that was overturned by the Federal Court of Appeal in May. [node:read-more:link]
A Montrealer who pleaded guilty to sending Donald Trump a ricin-laced letter in 2020 has been sentenced in Washington to nearly 22 years in prison. However, Pascale Ferrier, 56, who also was charged with sending similar letters to police and prison officials in Texas, told the presiding judge that her actions were “activism” rather than terrorism. [node:read-more:link]
Plea agreements are being considered for the group of men detained in Guantanamo Bay after the September 11 attacks against the U.S. in 2001. The FBI and the Department of defense have advised families of some of the victims that the deals would negate the possibility of capital punishment. [node:read-more:link]
Acting on a royal commission recommendation in December 2022, New Zealand has confirmed plans for a National Security & Intelligence Agency in the hope of facilitating faster responses to threats. It will be over and above the current Security Intelligence Service and the Government Communications Security Bureau. [node:read-more:link]
The federal government imposed sanctions on seven more Iranians August 8, boosting the total to 170 individuals and 192 Iranian entities. The targets are deemed to be involved in activities Global Affairs says “gravely threaten international peace and security or that constitute gross and systemic violations of human rights.” [node:read-more:link]
UN investigators reported “strong evidence” today that Myanmar’s military is committing “increasingly frequent and brazen war crimes”, including mass executions and sexual violence. The country has been ravaged by violence since the elected government was deposed in February 2021. [node:read-more:link]
Mohammad Moiz Omar, who pled guilty to assaulting worshippers at a mosque in Toronto last year, was sentenced July 25 to eight years in prison. His sentence conforms with a prosecution-defence agreement which stated that he was motivated by an intense hatred for and desire to intimidate Muslims, prompted by his belief that Islam is “an intolerant and violent religion.” [node:read-more:link]
More than seven years after suicide bombers killed 32 people at Brussels Airport and a transit station, six men have been found guilty of terrorist murder. Several of the accused had already been convicted of taking part in attacks in Paris several months earlier. [node:read-more:link]
Khaled Hussein, 28, of Edmonton, was charged today under British terrorism legislation along with Anjem Choudary, 56, whom Crown prosecutors is a radical preacher previously convicted of aiding the Islamic State. Arrested last week on arrival at Heathrow Airport, Hussein is charged with membership in a proscribed organization. [node:read-more:link]
Turkey’s request for the extradition of two refugees it calls terrorists was rejected today by the Supreme Court of Sweden. Turkey says the two men joined an online network headed by a U.S. Muslim cleric but the court said that “downloading and using a mobile application cannot in itself be considered to constitute such participation as is required for criminality under the Terrorist Crimes Act.” [node:read-more:link]
