Persian Realm

Inside Libya's most notorious jail: Abu Salim

Libyans remember jail massacre (bbc)

Libyans are for the first time publicly marking the anniversary of a prison massacre in which nearly 1,300 inmates were shot dead 16 years ago. 

Inside Libya's most notorious jail (bbc, VIDEO)

Colonel Gaddafi has called for Libya to be "engulfed in flames" in an audio message carried by a loyalist TV channel.

In Tripoli, human rights workers are trying to salvage records from inside Libya's most notorious prison, Abu Salim.

Over the course of several decades, thousands of Libyans are said to have been jailed and tortured in the prison by members of the Gaddafi regime.

Jeremy Bowen reports from Tripoli.

Libyans remember jail massacre by Gaddafi's henchmen

Libyans are for the first time publicly marking the anniversary of a prison massacre in which nearly 1,300 inmates were shot dead 16 years ago.

Karadzic fails in ICC acquittal bid

Bosnian Serb war crimes suspect Radovan Karadzic fails in his bid at The Hague war crimes tribunal to be cleared of all charges against him.

Hague court to rule on Karadzic acquittal bid

Bosnian Serb war crimes suspect Radovan Karadzic is due to hear whether his request to have his case thrown out has been successful.

ICC promises Libya staff probe

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has promised to investigate allegations of wrongdoing by its staff in Libya.

In a statement, the ICC said the probe would take place "following the return of the four staff members".

The four went to Zintan earlier this month to meet Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the son of the late Libyan leader.

One of them, Australian lawyer Melinda Taylor, was accused of trying to pass him documents from a former ally and was then detained.

"The ICC deeply regrets any events that may have given rise to concerns on the part of the Libyan authorities," the statement said.

"In carrying out its functions, the Court has no intention of doing anything that would undermine the national security of Libya," it added.

If found responsible for any misconduct, the ICC would ensure that staff "will be subject to appropriate sanctions," it went on.

Rwanda genocide courts shut down

Rwanda's controversial community "gacaca" courts finish their work, after 10 years of trying those accused of involvement in the 1994 genocide.

Gambian becomes ICC prosecutor

Fatou Bensouda, a former Gambian justice minister, is sworn in as the International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor - the first African to hold the post.

ICC seeks 30 years in Congo case

Prosecutors at the International Criminal Court seek a 30-year jail sentence for Thomas Lubanga, the Congolese warlord convicted of using child soldiers

ICC visits Australian detained in Libya

A delegation from the International Criminal Court has visited colleagues detained by a local militia in the Libyan mountain town of Zintan, a senior official says.

Ahmed al-Jehani, Libya's ICC envoy, said the group was eventually allowed into the town after an initial delay.

The four detained ICC staff had gone to Zintan to meet Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the son of the late Libyan leader.

One was then accused of trying to pass him documents from a former ally.

The Hague-based court, the Australian government and rights groups have all demanded their immediate release. The ICC say their detention is illegal as they are immune from prosecution.

But Tripoli says the accused have put national security in jeopardy and will be held for 45 days while they are investigated.

ICC staff 'moved to Libya jail'

Four people from an International Criminal Court (ICC) delegation to Libya have been moved to jail, a militia brigade chief has told the BBC.

The four were detained on Thursday and will be held for 45 days pending investigation, Ajami al-Ateri said.

One of the delegation, lawyer Melinda Taylor, is accused of trying to pass documents to Saif al-Islam Gaddafi.

Saif al-Islam, son of deposed leader Col Muammar Gaddafi, has been held by the Zintan brigade since November.

The four had been moved to jail under orders from the attorney general's office and the defence ministry, Mr Ateri said.

He also told the BBC that protests would be held in Zintan calling for the delegation to be prosecuted.

The Libyan foreign ministry confirmed the 45-day detention period but said that the four were still being held in a guest-house, the BBC's Rana Jawad reports from Tripoli.

Egyptian security services' files shine light on murky world

Secret history (bbc)

Egyptian security services' files shine light on murky world

Egypt's secret police were notorious for their methods of surveillance. When Egypt's state security buildings were stormed in March 2011, thousands of secret files gathered under Hosni Mubarak's rule were taken into custody by the military. A few are now turning up in some unusual places.

It was known as Egypt's Bastille Day, or "Stasi moment".

Protesters had heard rumours that the secret police files were being destroyed and they stormed the buildings to rescue them.

Should Saif Gaddafi be tried in Libya?

Should Saif be tried in Libya? (BBC, VIDEO)

Libya has asked the International Criminal Court to abandon its legal action against Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, so he can be tried in Tripoli.

But would he get a fair trial on home soil? And should this be permitted when he could face the death penalty?

The BBC has been speaking to the ICC's chief prosecutor, Luis Moreno Ocampo, to find out his views on the subject. 

Concern over ICC lawyer held in Libya

Australia says it is seeking consular access to an Australian lawyer being held in Libya after trying to meet the jailed son of Col Gaddafi.

Life sentence for Rwanda genocide planner

A former Rwandan youth minister has been given a life sentence after being found guilty of playing a key role in the 1994 genocide.

Callixte Nzabonimana was found guilty of genocide, conspiracy, incitement and extermination by the UN tribunal based in Arusha, Tanzania.

His lawyer told AFP he will appeal.

Ethnic Hutu militia and soldiers killed some 800,000 minority Tutsis and politically moderate Hutus in 100 days between April and June 1994.

Public incitement

Syria 'should be referred to ICC' say's UN's CHR Navi Pillay

Syria 'should be referred to ICC'Watch (BBC, VIDEO)

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay has repeated her request that UN investigators be granted full access on the ground in Syria, in a statement read out by her representative to an emergency session of the UN Human Rights Council.

All those who ordered, helped or failed to stop attacks on civilians were individually criminally liable for their actions, Ms Pillay said.

She urged the UN Security Council to refer the case of Syria to the International Criminal Court (ICC) 

Former Liberian President Taylor gets 50 years

Liberia's Taylor gets 50 years (bbc)

Former Liberian President Charles Taylor is sentenced to 50 years in jail for aiding war crimes in Sierra Leone by a UN-backed court in The Hague.The Hague.

Politiekcafé invites Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi for conference

Politiekcafé met Iraanse kroonprins Reza Pahlavi

We wish to invite you to attend our International Politiek Cafe, May 30th 2012 at 20.00 hours at Societeit De Witte, Plein 24, The Hague (open: 19.30 hours). Our guest of honor will be Reza Pahlavi, Crown Prince of Iran, human rights activist. Our moderator is mr. Edward Asscher, former member of the Dutch senate, assisted by Yalda Walinezjad, founder of IranInstituut.  

Our foundation’s aim is to broaden awareness in national and international politics and to stimulate people to become active in political debate. If you wish to attend the meeting it is obligatory, as you will understand, to let us know by using the registrationform.

Yours Faithfully,

Pam Evenhuis,

Politiek Cafe Bezuidenhoutseweg 72W 2594 AW ‘s-

Gravenhage

Crown Prince Reza Currently in The Hague Netherlands

Shah's son visits the Netherlands (Dutch News)

Shah's son visits the Netherlands

Tuesday 29 May 2012

Reza Pahlavi, son of the former Shah of Persia, is in the Netherlands on Thursday to speak at a closed session of parliament.

Pahlavi, once crown prince of what is now Iran, will discuss the current situation in his home country and the case for democracy and human rights.

He was born in Tehran and left for air force training at the age of 17. During his absence, his late father was overthrown and the establishment of the clerical regime made it impossible for him to return.

He lives in exile in the US with his wife and three children.

On Wednesday evening, he will speak at a political cafe in The Hague.

Liberia's Taylor to be sentenced

Convicted former Liberian President Charles Taylor is to be sentenced for war crimes by a UN court, with the prosecution pressing for an 80-year prison term.

زنده باد عزرائيل

:-)

Wanted Nazi dies in Germany at 90

Dutch-born Nazi war criminal Klaas Carel Faber, wanted by the Netherlands after escaping from jail there in 1952, dies in Germany, aged 90.

Argentina jails 'Angel of Death'

Argentina jails 'Angel of Death' (bbc)

Former Argentine naval officer Alfredo Astiz has been jailed for life for crimes against humanity during military rule in 1976-83.

Astiz - known as the "Blond Angel of Death" - was found guilty of torture, murder and forced disappearance.

Among his victims were two French nuns and the founders of the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo human rights group.

Eleven other former military and police officers were also given life sentences for crimes against humanity.

Four others were jailed for between 18 and 25 years.

All worked at the Naval Mechanical School in Buenos Aires - known as Esma - which was the biggest secret torture and killing centre set up by the military during what became known as the "Dirty War".

Of the 5,000 or so prisoners taken to Esma, 90% did not come out alive.

Some were killed by firing squad while others were thrown from planes - drugged but still alive - into the Atlantic Ocean.

More than 70 of those who did make it out were among the witnesses in the 22-month trial. 

ICC: Ex-Gaddafi spy chief al-Senussi 'charged' in Mauritania

Ex-Gaddafi spy chief 'charged' (bbc)

Muammar Gaddafi's ex-spy chief Abdallah al-Senussi - wanted by Libya and the ICC - is charged with illegal entry into Mauritania, officials say.

Rwandan rebels kill at least 50 civilians in DR Congo

Ratko Mladic to go on trial in the Hague over Bosnian war crimes

Mladic to face genocide charges (bbc)

Former Bosnian Serb army commander Ratko Mladic is due to go on trial in The Hague on 11 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity

ICC seeks Congo arrest warrants

ICC seeks Congo arrest warrants (bbc)

The International Criminal Court's prosecutor seeks arrest warrants for what he says are the two "most dangerous" rebel leaders in DR Congo.

ICC says Muammar Gaddafi killing may be 'war crime'

The death of Libya's former leader Muammar Gaddafi "creates suspicions" of war crimes, says the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court.

ICC Prosecutor: 80 years urged for Charles Taylor

Liberian ex-president Charles Taylor should serve 80 years after his conviction at The Hague for war crimes in the Sierra Leone civil war, prosecutors say.

George Clooney urges end to ‘war crimes’ in Sudan

George Clooney urges end to ‘war crimes’ in Sudan (France 24, VIDEO)

Thanks Mehrban Jan

Thank you for your feedbacks. 

Will check it.