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Thailand Protesters Clash On Eve Of Elections

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 01 Februari 2014 | 20.18

At least three people have been injured as gunfire and explosions broke out during clashes between rival protesters in Thailand.

The violence came during fighting between government supporters and opposition demonstrators, who had surrounded a ballot box distribution centre in the capital, Bangkok.

Security personnel and journalists ran for cover after a man pulled an assault rifle from a bag and began firing, an AFP reporter at the scene said.

"One victim was apparently shot in the chest and was hospitalised," an official from the city's Erawan emergency centre said.

The two others were reportedly hurt in two blasts in the north of Bangkok, where supporters of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's Puea Thai Party had gathered to ensure Sunday's election was not disrupted.

Some opposition supporters have vowed to block the polls in order to prevent the re-election of Ms Yingluck.

The protesters have demanded the government be replaced by an unelected council that would implement political and electoral reforms.

The prime minister has refused to step down, arguing she is open to changes and such a council would be unconstitutional.

Three months of anti-government protests in Bangkok have left 10 people dead and nearly 600 wounded. Advance polling in the capital last week descended into chaos.

Polling day is unlikely to resolve the crisis as protesters managed to stop candidates from registering in some areas, meaning parliament will not have enough members to convene.

This could leave Thailand in political limbo as Ms Yingluck will be unable to form a government or pass a budget.

The protests took hold late last year after Ms Yingluck's party tried to push through an amnesty bill that would have allowed her brother Thaksin Shinawatra to return from exile.

He was forced from power in 2006 but remains popular with the rural majority in the north. However, Bangkok's elite and many in the south consider him and his family a corrupting influence on the country.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


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US Tight-Lipped Over Knox Extradition Chances

The US will not reveal whether it has received a request to extradite Amanda Knox after her murder conviction was upheld.

The 26-year-old, who lives in Seattle, faces a 28-and-a-half year jail sentence after an Italian court reinstated the guilty verdicts against her and her former boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito.

They are accused of killing 21-year-old British student Meredith Kercher in 2007.

The State Department's deputy press secretary Marie Harf said: "We've been following it closely as it's gone through the Italian legal system.

Amanda Knox reacts during her interview on ABC's "Good Morning America" in New York Knox wiped away tears during a TV interview in the US

"I don't have any more analysis of the Italian judicial procedure for you. But again, we'll just keep monitoring it and if we have anything else to say as we get further along in the process, we will.

"Extradition requests I understand, are legally private and confidential, so I don't think I have more comment than that. We do have an extradition treaty, which has been in force since 1984."

On Friday, Knox wept on television as she vowed to fight her latest conviction for the murder of Miss Kercher "to the very end".

She broke down several times in the TV interview and said: "This really has hit me like a train."

Meredith KercherKnox, the U.S. student convicted of murdering her British flatmate in Italy in November 2007, arrives at the court during her appeal trial session in Perugia Exchange student Miss Kercher lived with Knox

She made it clear she would never voluntarily return to Italy to serve the sentence handed down by a court in Florence.

Legal experts say there is no reason why the US should refuse Italy's request, meaning Knox could be jailed in Italy.

Lyle Kercher, Meredith's brother, said: "If somebody's found guilty and convicted of a murder - if an extradition law exists between those two countries - I don't see why they (the US) wouldn't.

"It would set a difficult precedent if a country such as the US didn't choose to go along with laws they themselves uphold when extraditing convicted criminals from other countries."

Lyle and Stephanie Kercher Members of Ms Kercher's family want Knox extradited

Sollecito, who was not in court for the verdict but had attended lengthy hearings earlier in the day, was sentenced to 25 years.

The 29-year-old has been held by Italian police after being stopped near the country's border with Austria on Friday morning.

Lawyers for Knox and Sollecito have said they intend to appeal to Italy's highest court and a long legal battle for Knox's extradition is expected.

Knox and Sollecito were charged in 2007 after Miss Kercher's semi-naked body was found with her throat cut in the bedroom of the house she shared with Knox in the central Italian city of Perugia.

Raffaele Sollecito Sollecito has been held by police near the Austrian border

The Leeds University student from Coulsdon, Surrey, had been sexually assaulted.

Two years after the pair were found guilty at their original trial in 2009 - and handed jail terms totalling more than 50 years - the verdicts were overturned and both walked free from court, with Knox returning to the US and going on to sign a book deal.

Their acquittals in 2011 came after a damning 100-page report outlined a catalogue of errors and breaches of procedure that had been made in collecting evidence.

The third trial began last September in Florence.

After nearly 12 hours of deliberations on Thursday, the court upheld the 2009 convictions.

Drug dealer Rudy Guede was sentenced to 16 years for Miss Kercher's murder. Investigators said he did not act alone.

:: Watch Sky News live on television on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


20.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Shark Cull Protesters Hit Australia's Beaches

Thousands of people have gathered on beaches across Australia to demand the end of a new policy which allows sharks to be caught and killed.

Baited hooks are being placed on drum lines off popular beaches in and around Perth to kill white, bull and tiger sharks.

Any shark longer than three metres (10 feet) snagged by the lines will be killed, with the first shark shot dead last week.

Shark cull protest Shark soft toys were popular at the Cottesloe Beach protest

The Western Australia state government policy says smaller sharks are to be released, but an undersized tiger shark was found dead on a hook on Saturday morning.

Another tiger shark - believed to be about 2.3m long - was also snagged on Saturday, but it was released offshore.

The cull is in response to seven fatal shark attacks in Australia's southwest in three years, but the policy has caused widespread anger.

Shark cull protest A protester at Cottesloe Beach

On Cottesloe Beach in Perth, an estimated 6,000 people, including environmentalists, divers and surfers, gathered carrying shark soft toys and signs calling for an end to the cull.

"Rights, rights, rights for great whites," the crowd chanted.

The protest action started about 4.30am (local time) when a female activist chained herself to a fisheries boat at Cottesloe to prevent it leaving to set and monitor baited hooks.

Emergency services cut the 19-year-old from the vessel, which was reportedly delayed by about two hours.

About 2,000 people rallied at Manly Beach in Sydney's north, while hundreds of South Australians protested at Glenelg.

Shark attack survivor Rodney Fox told the Glenelg rally that the money being spent on culling sharks should be used to research their behaviour.

Shark cull protest Politicians, including Greens leader Christine Milne, addressed the rallies

"We've tagged them with satellite tags with sonic tags. There's just not enough money to put enough sonic or satellite tags to find out where they go, what time of year, when there's more around. The money should be put into science," he said.

Marine biologist Dan Monbeux says there is no scientific evidence to suggest that killing sharks will reduce the risk of attacks.

"We need to understand their feeding and foraging behaviours," he said.

"I think we also need to bring the users of the marine environment, particularly those who are out at remote surf breaks who are at highest risk to understand they are sharing waters with large predators who will follow seals which are often seen at those same surf breaks."

Several celebrities have also criticised the cull, including Sir Richard Branson, who said it was "very sad" such a bad example was being set to the rest of the world.

"Last year, Australia was praised all over the world for creating the biggest marine reserves," he said.

Richard Branson Sir Richard Branson is one of high-profile figures criticising the cull

"This year, the world is looking at Australia - and particularly Western Australia - and wondering 'what on earth is going on?'"

As well as Sir Richard, high-profile figures such as comedian Ricky Gervais and diver Tom Daley have added their voices to the anti-cull campaign.

While sharks are common in Australian waters, deadly attacks are rare, with only one in 15 attacks a year on average proving fatal.

But the WA government has said a spike in shark attacks has dented tourism and leisure businesses, with recreational diving operators reporting a greater than 90% plunge in people learning to dive.

The catch-and-kill policy lasts until April, when it will face a full environmental assessment.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


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Volcano Eruption Kills 11 In Indonesia

Eleven people, including four pupils on a school trip, have been killed after a volcano in Indonesia erupted, officials have said.

Mount Sinabung, on the western island of Sumatra, spat out scorching ash clouds in its biggest eruption in recent days.

The 11 victims were found dead in Sukameriah village, including the four high school students, said Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, the spokesman for the National Disaster Management Agency.

The students were on a sightseeing trip to Mount Sinabungo, the spokesman said.

More follows...


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Knox Extradition Demanded By Kercher Family

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 31 Januari 2014 | 20.18

Meredith Kercher's brother has said Amanda Knox should be handed over by the US despite the American saying she is "frightened and saddened" after being found guilty again of murder.

An Italian court yesterday reinstated her conviction for killing the 21-year-old British student.

Knox's ex-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito was also found guilty after judges ruled the pair should not have been cleared on appeal in 2011.

Speaking at a news conference on Friday morning, Lyle Kercher, Meredith's brother, said: "If somebody's found guilty and convicted of a murder - if an extradition law exists between those two countries - I don't see why they (the US) wouldn't.

"It would set a difficult precedent if a country such as the US didn't choose to go along with laws they themselves uphold when extraditing convicted criminals from other countries."

Knox, who was in her hometown of Seattle when she learned her conviction had been reinstated, has been sentenced to 28 years and six months.

Amanda Knox (C), with her head covered by clothing, leaves the home of her parents Amanda Knox leaves her Seattle home after the verdict was announced

The 26-year-old described the decision as "unjust".

"Having been found innocent before, I expected better from the Italian justice system," she said.

"The evidence and accusatory theory do not justify a verdict of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

"Rather, nothing has changed. There has always been a marked lack of evidence. My family and I have suffered greatly from this wrongful persecution."

Meredith KercherAmanda Knox's Mother Testifies At The Meredith Kercher Trial Exchange student Miss Kercher lived with Knox

Sollecito, who was not in court for the verdict but had attended lengthy hearings earlier in the day, was sentenced to 25 years.

Reports in Italy say the 29-year-old is now being held by police after being stopped near the country's border with Slovenia on Friday morning.

Lawyers for Knox and Sollecito have said they intend to appeal to Italy's highest court and a long legal battle for Knox's extradition is expected.

Miss Kercher's sister Stephanie told reporters on Friday that she would not read a letter Knox is said to have written to her until the appeals process is exhausted.

"I am told there was a letter - I have not physically seen it ... I don't have a need to read it at the moment."

Meredith Members of Ms Kercher's family were in court

She also said she did not want to meet Knox, who reportedly has tried to make contact with the Kercher family.

"It's not something we would want to do at the moment - and I can't say we ever will. Regardless of a guilty or not guilty verdict, a lot has happened over this amount of time."

Speaking after the verdict on Thursday, Lyle Kercher told Sky News he could never forgive those responsible for his sister's death.

"I think you'd have to be a very strong-willed - arguably religious - person to find that forgiveness," he said. "I think it is so easily forgotten what happened to Meredith.

Raffaele Sollecito Sollecito is in Italy but was not in court for the verdict

"When I read reports even now, I find myself skimming past the paragraphs that refer to what actually happened to her because it is so horrific."

Knox and Sollecito were charged in 2007 after Miss Kercher's semi-naked body was found with her throat cut in the bedroom of the house she shared with Knox in the central Italian city of Perugia.

The 21-year-old Leeds University student from Coulsdon, Surrey, had been sexually assaulted.

Two years after the pair were found guilty at their original trial in 2009 - and handed jail terms totalling more than 50 years - the verdicts were overturned and both walked free from court, with Knox returning to the US and going on to sign a book deal.

Their acquittals in 2011 came after a damning 100-page report outlined a catalogue of errors and breaches of procedure that had been made in collecting evidence.

The third trial began last September in Florence.

After nearly 12 hours of deliberations on Thursday, the court upheld the 2009 convictions.

In an interview recorded before the verdict, Knox said the court's decision meant she was now technically a fugitive. 

"I'm definitely not going back (to Italy) willingly," she said. "They'll have to catch me and pull me back kicking and screaming."

Kercher The verdicts being delivered in Florence

Speaking to The Guardian, Ms Knox said her memory of what happened on the night the murder was clear.

"I knew what I did that night," she said. "I very clearly remembered what I did that night. That I was with Rafael, we had dinner, we did what we always normally do when we're all the things we do when we're together.

"But they started questioning me about that, making me doubt what I was telling them. I kept telling them, 'look, I don't know what time I was doing things. 

"All I can tell you is I left my house, me and Rafael went to his house, we were hanging out, listening to music, I read some Harry Potter ... I remember reading emails, we talked, we had dinner; that's what we did."

Though Knox has remained in the US, she emailed the court to protest her innocence in a statement read out by her lawyer in which she insisted she ''was not a monster".

Speaking outside the Florence court, Knox's lawyer, Luciano Ghirga, said she would launch an appeal against the decision.

He added: "For those that, like me, are convinced that Amanda is innocent, it is a very difficult time.

"We have to respect the verdict but we will challenge them. We're very sad at the moment."

Sollecito's lawyer Luca Maori said: "There isn't a shred of proof."

Drug dealer Rudy Guede was sentenced to 16 years over Miss Kercher's murder. Investigators said he did not act alone.

:: Watch Sky News live on television on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


20.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Amanda Knox 'Will Be Extradited By US'

America will have little choice but to extradite Amanda Knox if Italy requests it, according to legal experts.

Knox says she will only go back to Italy "kicking and screaming" after an Italian court ruled she should not have been cleared.

But expectations that America will not extradite Knox to serve a 28-year sentence are unfounded, according to lawyers.

Gemma Lindfield, a UK barrister, specialising in extradition, told Sky News: "There's a valid extradition treaty between the US and Italy.

"The countries made that agreement in good faith and there's no reason why the Italians would not submit a request.

Meredith kercher brother and sister Miss Kercher's family believe Knox should be extradited

"The US would be obliged to arrest her on the extradition request and there would then be proceedings in the US."

Ms Lindfield said it was likely that Knox would vigorously fight the request in the US courts, most likely on the grounds of double jeopardy, passage of time or fairness.

"It would, however, be very difficult for a US court to sit in judgement of the Italian legal system and its fairness," Ms Lindfield, based at 7 Bedford Row chambers, said.

"I would also find it hard to conceive that they could refuse the request on the grounds of double jeopardy.

"In fact, I cannot see any reason why she would not be extradited."

Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz agreed that American judges will have little choice but to grant Italy's request.

"The United States seeks extradition of more people than any country in the world," Mr Dershowitz

Meredith Kercher Miss Kercher was murdered in Perugia

"We're trying to get NSA leaker Edward Snowden back and we're not going to extradite someone convicted of murder?" he told NBC News.

The professor said he doubted that even double jeopardy - where someone cannot be tried twice for the same offence - will protect Knox.

This is because she was initially found guilty and her acquittal was heard at an intermediate appeals level.

"If that happened in the US, it wouldn't be double jeopardy," he said.

Knox, risks immediate arrest if she leaves America, and could be seized if she sets foot in the EU.

Experts have said it is unlikely that Italy would request Knox's extradition before the verdict is made "final" by the Supreme Court of Cassation.

It is unclear when that will be.

Raffaele Sollecito Raffaele Sollecito will not go to jail until he exhausts his appeal avenues

If extradition does occur it is likely to take several years. The judge in the latest hearing made no requests for limits on Knox's movements.

Any extradition request would be routed to the US Department of Justice's Office of International Affairs (OIA) for consideration.

Justice Department lawyers would then evaluate the petition for "legal sufficiency" before deciding whether to seek an extradition certificate.

If they did, Knox's extradition would be heard before a federal judge, probably in Seattle.

But Mary Fan, a former federal prosecutor who teaches at the University of Washington Law School in Seattle, said any decision was "a matter of both law and politics".

"It's not a retrial of the case, and it's not a retrial of another country's justice system," she told the Seattle Times.

Ms Fan said federal lawyers may find it difficult to refuse an extradition request because of "reciprocity" concerns.

"Someday, the US might seek extradition of someone convicted of a serious crime, such as murder, from Italy," she said.

"So, it's reciprocity that's the major consideration. Not just in this case, but in future cases. That's something that the State Department has to consider."

While it could be years before any extradition hearing is completed in Knox's case, Sollecito could find himself behind bars much sooner.

However, under Italian law, he will not be locked up until his appeal avenues are exhausted.

In the meantime he has had his travel documents confiscated.

:: Watch Sky News live on television on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


20.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Kercher Killer Sollecito Held Near Border

Knox 'Will Be Extradited To Italy By US'

Updated: 11:30am UK, Friday 31 January 2014

America will have little choice but to extradite Amanda Knox if Italy requests it, according to legal experts.

Knox says she will only go back to Italy "kicking and screaming" after an Italian court ruled she should not have been cleared.

But expectations that America will not extradite Knox to serve a 28-year sentence are unfounded, according to lawyers.

Gemma Lindfield, a UK barrister, specialising in extradition, told Sky News: "There's a valid extradition treaty between the US and Italy.

"The countries made that agreement in good faith and there's no reason why the Italians would not submit a request.

"The US would be obliged to arrest her on the extradition request and there would then be proceedings in the US."

Ms Lindfield said it was likely that Knox would vigorously fight the request in the US courts, most likely on the grounds of double jeopardy, passage of time or fairness.

"It would, however, be very difficult for a US court to sit in judgement of the Italian legal system and its fairness," Ms Lindfield, based at 7 Bedford Row chambers, said.

"I would also find it hard to conceive that they could refuse the request on the grounds of double jeopardy.

"In fact, I cannot see any reason why she would not be extradited."

Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz agreed that American judges will have little choice but to grant Italy's request.

"The United States seeks extradition of more people than any country in the world," Mr Dershowitz

"We're trying to get NSA leaker Edward Snowden back and we're not going to extradite someone convicted of murder?" he told NBC News.

The professor said he doubted that even double jeopardy - where someone cannot be tried twice for the same offence - will protect Knox.

This is because she was initially found guilty and her acquittal was heard at an intermediate appeals level.

"If that happened in the US, it wouldn't be double jeopardy," he said.

Knox, risks immediate arrest if she leaves America, and could be seized if she sets foot in the EU.

Experts have said it is unlikely that Italy would request Knox's extradition before the verdict is made "final" by the Supreme Court of Cassation.

It is unclear when that will be.

If extradition does occur it is likely to take several years. The judge in the latest hearing made no requests for limits on Knox's movements.

Any extradition request would be routed to the US Department of Justice's Office of International Affairs (OIA) for consideration.

Justice Department lawyers would then evaluate the petition for "legal sufficiency" before deciding whether to seek an extradition certificate.

If they did, Knox's extradition would be heard before a federal judge, probably in Seattle.

But Mary Fan, a former federal prosecutor who teaches at the University of Washington Law School in Seattle, said any decision was "a matter of both law and politics".

"It's not a retrial of the case, and it's not a retrial of another country's justice system," she told the Seattle Times.

Ms Fan said federal lawyers may find it difficult to refuse an extradition request because of "reciprocity" concerns.

"Someday, the US might seek extradition of someone convicted of a serious crime, such as murder, from Italy," she said.

"So, it's reciprocity that's the major consideration. Not just in this case, but in future cases. That's something that the State Department has to consider."

While it could be years before any extradition hearing is completed in Knox's case, Sollecito could find himself behind bars much sooner.

However, under Italian law, he will not be locked up until his appeal avenues are exhausted.

In the meantime he has had his travel documents confiscated.

:: Watch Sky News live on television on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


20.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tourist Diving Boat Sinks In Thailand

Footage has emerged of a tourist boat in Thailand sinking off the coast within minutes.

All 13 people on board the dive boat Aladdin, which sank in the Similan islands, were rescued by a second boat which by chance was close by.

The unfolding drama was recorded by Swedish diver Dennis Karlsson, 46, who was on the Phuket-based vessel Peter Pan.

The boat sinking Some of the tourists were dragged under as the boat sank

He told Sweden's Aftonbladet paper: 'It was just coincidence that our boat was there and could come to the rescue.

''It was really, really serious.

''People threw themselves headlong into the water.

"Some disappeared under the surface.

"It was a very close thing for some of them and people were so grateful that the Peter Pan was there.''

Reports say the Aladdin was not registered and was operating illegally.

:: Watch Sky News live on television on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


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Ukraine's President Yanukovich On Sick Leave

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 30 Januari 2014 | 20.18

Ukraine's President Viktor Yanukovich, who has faced protests calling for his resignation, has taken sick leave.

The embattled leader, who has an acute respiratory illness and high fever, has already lost his prime minister Mykola Azarov, who resigned on Tuesday.

It is not clear how long Mr Yanukovich, 63, will be away from his desk.

The president, who does not have a history of illness, has strong backing in the parliament, and his absence could create a power vacuum.

He has faced violent protests on the streets calling for early elections and other demands, and many state buildings have been occupied by anti-government demonstrators.

Anti-government protesters wait for decision on amnesty law at barricade in Kiev Protesters take to the streets in freezing conditions in Kiev

An attempt by parliament to resolve the crisis earlier this week, by repealing harsh anti-protest laws, failed to appease the opposition who said it did not go far enough.

On Wednesday, it passed a measure offering amnesty to some of those arrested on condition demonstrators vacated most of the buildings they occupy. However, the opposition quickly rejected the offer.

The demonstrations, being held in sub-zero conditions, began when Mr Yanukovich backed out of a long-awaited agreement to deepen ties with the European Union, instead turning towards Moscow.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered a $15 billion bailout deal.

But they quickly came to stand for a wide array of discontent over corruption, heavy-handed police and dubious courts.

One estimate puts the number of arrests at more than 300. Two activists have been shot dead in front of police lines.

Serhiy Arbuzov, who was Mr Azarov's first deputy, has stepped in as interim prime minister.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Azarov adjusts his glasses during an interview at World Economic Forum in Davos Serhiy Arbuzov pictured at Davos

Mr Azarov was deeply unpopular among protesters, whom he has referred to as "terrorists".  

The 66-year-old was considered a key figure in the government's decision not to sign the EU trade deal in November.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

Related Stories

  1. Ukraine Protesters: We'll Hang Yanukovich
  2. Ukraine Scraps Controversial Anti-Protest Laws

20.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

North Korea: Kim Jong-Un Official Speaks

By Alistair Bunkall, Defence Correspondent

A senior North Korean diplomat has told Sky News that the United States is to blame for the tense situation on the Korean peninsula but relations between the two countries could be "normalised" if Washington gave up its "hostile policy".

In an unprecedented interview, North Korea's ambassador to the UK Hyun Hak-bong also urged South Korea to cancel an upcoming joint military exercise with the US.

"It is high time for South Korea to cancel or to stop the military exercises. And it is advisable for the international community to try hard to prevent such a kind of dangerous military exercises," Ambassador Hyun said.

But he was not willing to predict how North Korea might respond if the exercise did go ahead.

He said: "It is not helpful for the United States to remain in South Korea.

"The US makes the situation tense all the time by bringing in military equipment and disrupts peace on the peninsula by pursuing hostile policies and threatening the DPR Korea with nuclear weapons.

"So I don't think the US is helpful unless it abandons its hostile policy towards DPR Korea."

The interview follows an open letter sent by Pyongyang to Seoul. The letter calls for "realistic measures to prevent impending nuclear disasters with concerted efforts of the Korean nation".

Kim Jong-Un The ambassador gave an insight into the thinking of Kim Jong-Un's regime

The United States has insisted that North Korea stop all production of nuclear weapons before peace talks can begin again.

But the ambassador suggested that was not a step that his country was willing to take in the current climate.

He said: "DPR Korea has no option but to have the nuclear deterrent in order to defend the sovereignty of the country and in order to save the security and peace on the Korean peninsula as well as the lives of the people."

The Ambassador also explained in more detail than previously heard, the process behind the execution of Jang Song Thaek, Kim Jong Un's uncle.

He said: "Well Jang Song Thaek did lots of crimes. He made anti-party, anti-government crimes, and as well he abused his power in hindering the national economy and hindering the efforts of the national economy and for improving people's living standards.

"He spent 4.6 million euro in 2009 alone. He made tremendous crimes against the government, against the people, against the country."

North Korea stadiu event The interview is a rare glimpse behind North Korea's pomp and propaganda

"Actually our party pardoned him on several occasions when he made wrong-doings in the past, but this time his crimes is beyond the level, is beyond the red line.

"So they enlarged a meeting of the party and handed (him) over to the legal system. So the special Military Court of the Ministry of State Security put him on trial, he confessed to what he did wrong and according to article 60 of the Criminal Code of DPR Korea he was executed."

"According to the laws by the criminal court he was sentenced to death. Well he was shot to death."

I challenged Ambassador Hyun to confirm the fate of the uncle's family after recent reports suggested they too might have been executed, along with anyone else loyal to the former General.

"This is the political propaganda by our enemies," he replied.

"I think that this fabricated report does not deserve my comment. I know he was punished but if his family were punished or not, I don't know."

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


20.18 | 0 komentar | Read More
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