Peru’s Castillo accused of rebellion, as new President takes helm
Lima, PeruReuters Peru’s former President Pedro Castillo faced a first court hearing on Thursday over his arrest on rebellion charges, as his successor issued her first pronouncements from the presidential palace after a day of high drama that shocked the region. Castillo’s swift fall from power on Wednesday came after congressional lawmakers voted overwhelming to […]
Colombia court orders penalties for President, cites national park
Bogota, ColombiaReuters A court in Colombia has ordered President Ivan Duque to be fined and placed under house arrest for five days, it said on Saturday, citing the Andean country’s leader failure to comply with a previous ruling that demanded he protect a national park. Experts say the order by the court in Ibague, the […]
In the US, McLean Bible Church leaders hope a new church election will resolve lawsuit
United StatesRNS Leaders of a prominent Washington, DC-area congregation hope to end an ongoing conflict by redoing a contested church election. That election is the subject of a lawsuit pending in Virginia state court. Several current and former members claim McLean Bible Church leaders failed to follow the church’s constitution during an election for church […]
Four convicted in Islamic State killing of French priest
Lyon, France AP Four men were convicted in Paris Wednesday of terrorist conspiracy after the murder of a Catholic priest in a Normandy church in 2016, an attack claimed by the Islamic State group. The four were handed sentences of between eight years and life in prison over the attack on Father Jacques Hamel, 85, […]
Argentine bishop defended by Pope sentenced in abuse case
Buenos Aires, Argentina AP An Argentine court on Friday sentenced a Roman Catholic bishop to four-and-a-half years in prison for sexual abuse of two former seminarians in a major blow to Pope Francis, who had defended Gustavo Zanchetta following initial allegations. The prosecutors’ office in the northern province of Salta reported the conviction and sentence […]
Ex-officer jailed for Syrian war crimes after landmark German trial
Koblenz, GermanyReuters A German court on Thursday jailed a Syrian ex-intelligence officer for life for murder, rape and crimes against humanity, handing down the first ever conviction for state-backed torture committed during Syria’s civil war after a landmark trial. Anwar Raslan was found guilty on 27 of out 58 counts of murder, rape and sexual […]
Iraq’s top court rejects appeal contesting election results
Baghdad, IraqAP Iraq’s top court on Monday rejected an appeal filed by Iran-backed factions contesting the results of country’s parliamentary elections held in October. The development marked another boost for an influential Shiite cleric who had been confirmed as the winner of the vote. The appeal was submitted by Hadi al-Ameri, head of a pro-Iran […]
Lawyer: Hillsong founder to deny concealing abuse in court
Sydney, AustraliaAP Hillsong Church founder Brian Houston will plead not guilty to illegally concealing alleged child abuse by his father, his lawyer told a court on Tuesday. Houston did not appear at Sydney’s Downing Center Local Court when his charge was mentioned before a registrar for the first time. His lawyer told the court Houston […]
Guatemalan court charges retired soldiers for civil war killings, disappearances
Guatemala City, GuatemalaReuters A judge in Guatemala on Wednesday charged six ex-military members for their alleged participation in the death and forced disappearance of at least 183 civilians during Guatemala’s civil war in the 1980s. Judge Miguel Galvez said there was sufficient evidence to bring the retired soldiers to trial for the 1983-1985 crimes, part […]
Pakistan acquits Christian couple facing death for blasphemy
Islamabad, PakistanAP A Pakistani appeals court on Thursday acquitted a Christian couple sentenced to death on blasphemy charges for allegedly insulting Islam’s Prophet Muhammad, their defence lawyer said. The appeal of their 2014 death penalty by Shagufta Kausar and her husband Shafqat Emmanuel from the country’s eastern Punjab province had not been heard until now […]