Weekly News Recap (16 – 22 March 2026) © Photo by Swiveler via Flickr International Justice Section PCA: Hearings Begin in Rwanda’s Arbitration Proceedings Against UK Over Cancelled Migration Agreement...
Weekly News Recap (13 - 19 January 2025)
© Photo by EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid via Flickr
- US: Federal Judge Allows Partial Release of Trump Election Case Report
- ECtHR: Türkiye Found In Violation of Convention Over Judicial Dismissals
- Bangladesh: Supreme Court Acquits Former Prime Minister of Embezzlement
- South Korea: President Arrested by National Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials
- Germany: Syrian National Charged With War Crimes Against Yazidis
- Bolivia: Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Former President in Human Trafficking Case
- Russia: Sentencing of Russian Lawyers Condemned by Human Rights Group
- Pakistan: Former Prime Minister and Wife Sentenced to Imprisonment in Corruption Case
International Peace & Security Section
Nigeria: At Least 40 Farmers Killed by Boko Haram Militants in Northeast Nigeria
Haiti: Over One Million People Displaced Amidst Escalating Gang Violence
US: President Biden Issues Memorandum to Boost Security Ties with Cyprus
Israel: Security Cabinet Weighs Hostage Deal and Ceasefire Amidst Delays
Gaza: WHO Optimistic About Boosting Aid to Gaza Amidst Ceasefire Reports
Iran: Two Veteran Supreme Court Judges Assassinated in Courtroom Attack
- Ukraine: At Least 6 Killed in Early Morning Drone and Missile Attack on Kyiv
International Justice Section
US: Federal Judge Allows Partial Release of Trump Election Case Report
On 13 January 2025, a U.S. federal judge authorised the partial release of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s report on investigations into president-elect Donald Trump. Judge Aileen Cannon rejected an emergency motion by Trump associates Waltine Nauta and Carlos de Oliveira to block the release of Volume One, which addresses Trump’s alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Nauta and de Oliveira argued that releasing the report would violate their Fifth Amendment rights and claimed the investigation was unconstitutional. Judge Cannon disagreed, ruling that Volume One does not pertain to their criminal charges. However, she blocked the release of Volume Two, which focuses on Trump’s alleged mishandling of classified documents, as it directly involves the defendants. A hearing was scheduled for a later date to consider a limited release of Volume Two to select members of Congress. Criminal charges against Trump in both cases were dropped in November 2024, with the Department of Justice (DOJ) citing the proximity of his inauguration.
ECtHR: Türkiye Found In Violation of Convention Over Judicial Dismissals
On 14 January 2025, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) ruled that Türkiye violated the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) by denying 42 judges and prosecutors the right to challenge their dismissals under the 2014 Law No. 6524. The court found this breached Article 6 of the ECHR, which guarantees the right to a fair trial, and awarded each applicant €7,800 in damages. Türkiye defended the domestic law, citing efforts to counter the Gülen movement, but the court rejected this, affirming the dismissed judges’ right to legal recourse. Law No. 6524, which restructured the judiciary in Türkiye, was later partially annulled by Türkiye’s Constitutional Court for undermining judicial independence. However, the annulment was not retroactive, leaving dismissed officials without a remedy. This judgment highlights ongoing concerns over judicial independence in Türkiye, which ranks 117th in the 2024 Rule of Law Index.
Bangladesh: Supreme Court Acquits Former Prime Minister of Embezzlement
On 15 January 2025, the Supreme Court of Bangladesh closed the Zia Orphanage Trust Case against the former Prime Minister and leader of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Khaleda Zia. The convictions of Zia, as well as her son and four other individuals, were cleared by the court unanimously, following an appeal lodged by Zia. The Supreme Court found that “the proceedings, constituting the subject matter of these appeals, are found to manifest contrived misapplication of the law as tantamount to malicious prosecution”, including for the five other individuals who did not appeal but were still convicted unjustly. The Zia Orphanage Trust Case was initially brought to attention by the Anti-Corruption Commission in 2009, when the organisation accused Zia and her son of embezzling over 21 million taka (US$305,000) in the Zia Orphanage Trust. In 2018, Bangladesh’s Fifth Special Judge’s Court sentenced Zia to five years in prison after finding her guilty of embezzlement. The same court also sentenced the five other individuals involved to 10 years’ imprisonment each for their involvement in the joint criminal enterprise, and this was the basis of appeal to the Supreme Court.
South Korea: President Arrested by National Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials
On 15 January 2025, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested for questioning by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO). The arrest is related to Yoon’s martial law declaration in December 2024, with multiple criminal investigations ongoing along with an impeachment trial. One of the investigations pertains to a potential insurrection charge, which is a crime punishable by life imprisonment and even death penalty in South Korea. Previously, Yoon has resisted arrest for a week. After his arrest, he allegedly refused to cooperate with the questioning, according to the CIO. This marks the first time that a sitting president has been arrested in South Korean history.
https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/14/asia/south-korea-yoon-suk-yeol-residence-intl/index.html
Germany: Syrian National Charged With War Crimes Against Yazidis
On 15 January 2025, it was reported that German prosecutors formally charged Ossama A., a Syrian national and high-ranking member of Islamic State (IS), with war crimes and crimes against humanity, including aiding genocide against the Yazidi community. The suspect joined IS in 2014 and allegedly led a unit that seized properties in Syria. Two of these were used to imprison Yazidi women, who were subjected to sexual abuse and exploitation by IS fighters. Prosecutors stated this was part of IS’s broader aim to destroy the Yazidi religious community. Ossama A. was originally arrested in Germany in April 2024 and remains in custody. Germany has become a leader in prosecuting Syrian war crimes under universal jurisdiction. This follows recent efforts to hold perpetrators accountable, especially since the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad last year, which has opened new pathways for justice. IS controlled large areas of Iraq and Syria between 2014 and 2017 before being defeated in 2019.
Bolivia: Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Former President in Human Trafficking Case
On 17 January 2025, a Bolivian criminal court judge ordered the arrest of former president Evo Morales for failing to attend a precautionary hearing related to an aggravated human trafficking case. Judge Nelson Rocabado imposed national travel restrictions, froze Morales’ assets, and directed the freezing of his bank accounts. Morales missed a previous hearing, citing health issues, but the court rejected his medical certificates and held him in contempt. This is the second arrest warrant in this case, which began with formal charges in October 2024, accusing Morales of starting a relationship with a minor in 2015. His defence team argues the charges are politically motivated, with plans to challenge the judge’s actions. The case has intensified tensions between Morales and current President Luis Arce, whom Morales accuses of using legal means to block his presidential ambitions. Morales stepped down in 2019 amid electoral fraud allegations and subsequent political shifts. His presidency had been marked by weakened judicial independence and politically charged cases against opponents.
Russia: Sentencing of Russian Lawyers Condemned by Human Rights Group
On 17 January 2025, Amnesty International reported that it has condemned the sentencing of three Russian lawyers – Vadim Kobzev, Aleksei Liptser, and Igor Sergunin – for supporting Alexei Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), labeling the decision “shameful.” The organisation criticised the Russian authorities for targeting these lawyers for defending Navalny, which it views as an attack on the right to legal defence. The lawyers were arrested in October 2023 for their alleged participation in FBK, designated as an extremist organisation in 2021. Prosecutors claimed they relayed Navalny’s messages to FBK members, but defence lawyer Andrei Grivtsov argued there was no extremist content in their actions. He also challenged the use of wiretapped evidence, which he stated violated legal protections. Navalny, a key opposition leader, was imprisoned on various charges before his death in 2024. His case and the sentencing of his lawyers have drawn international condemnation, highlighting the broader crackdown on independent legal professionals in Russia.
Pakistan: Former Prime Minister and Wife Sentenced to Imprisonment in Corruption Case
On 17 January 2025, former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were sentenced to 14 and 7 years in prison, respectively, by the Islamabad Bench of Pakistan’s National Accountability Bureau Court in a £190 million corruption case. The court also fined Khan PKR 1 million and Bibi PKR 500,000, with additional imprisonment if the fines are unpaid. The Al-Qadir University Project Trust property was ordered to be forfeited to the government. Khan rejected the verdict as politically motivated, pledging to continue his fight for democracy and criticising judicial bias. He defended the Al-Qadir University as a charitable project, denying any personal financial gain and condemning the targeting of his wife. The case revolves around allegations of corruption linked to a 2019 agreement involving businessman Malik Riaz, whose £190 million in assets were returned to Pakistan. Khan also faces multiple other convictions, including charges related to the misuse of official secrets and violating marriage laws.
International Peace & Security Section
Sudan: Army Recaptures Wad Madani City From Rebel Forces
On 13 January 2025, it was reported the Sudanese army had recaptured the strategic city of Wad Madani from rebel forces. This is one of the army’s biggest gains in the two-year long war. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) leader, Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, admitted the defeat, citing the army’s air advantage and Iranian drones as reasons for the loss, but pledged to continue fighting. Wad Madani is the capital of Gezira state and is only 140 km from the capital Khartoum. It is also a strategic city which connects several states through highways. Since 2023 Sudan has been engulfed in war, fought between the Sudanese army and the RSF. At present, the RSF controls large swathes of Sudan’s western Darfur region, along with parts of the south of the country. The army controls north and east Sudan, plus sections of the capital Khartoum. The brutal war has resulted in thousands of deaths and a humanitarian crisis. It is estimated about nine million people have been forced to flee their homes, with the UN describing the situation as one of the world’s “largest displacement crises.” Furthermore, the country is in danger of famine, with about 24.6 million people in need of food. In recent developments, the US accused the RSF of committing genocide and sanctioned their leader for his role in systematic atrocities against the Sudanese people during war.
Nigeria: At Least 40 Farmers Killed by Boko Haram Militants in Northeast Nigeria
On 13 January 2025, at least 40 farmers were killed in an attack in Nigeria’s northeastern Borno State. It is reported the attack was carried out by forces from the Boko Haram group and ISIL (ISIS) affiliate in West Africa Province (ISWAP). Borno State Information Commissioner, Usman Tar, said the armed group gathered up dozens of farmers in Dumba on the shorelines of Lake Chad and shot them. He added that early reports suggest about 40 farmers were killed while the location of others who escaped the attack are being investigated so they can be reunited with their families. Tar stated the government has ordered soldiers fighting rebels “to track and obliterate the insurgent elements” operating in the Dumba area and the broader Lake Chad region. Tar outlined that the farmers had strayed outside the safe zones for farming and fishing that had been set by the army due to the region being a haven for militants from ISWAP and Boko Haram. Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum warned people to stay within the safe zones that had been cleared of militants by the army. Zulum also called for an investigation into the attack. The region around Lake Chad, which extends into Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Chad is used as a hideaway for Boko Haram and ISWAP and operates as a centre to launch attacks. Boko Haram began fighting in 2009 to contest Western education and enforce their version of Islamic law. As a result of the conflict an estimated 35,000 people have been killed, with more than two million displaced in Northeast Nigeria.
Haiti: Over One Million People Displaced Amidst Escalating Gang Violence
On 14 January 2025, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that 1,041,000 people had been displaced in Haiti amid the worsening gang violence crisis, with children making up more than half of the internally displaced population. This marks a threefold increase in displacement from 315,000 in December 2023 to over a million. IOM Director General, Amy Pope, stated “Haiti needs sustained humanitarian assistance right now to save and protect lives.” The majority of those displaced come from the capital city of Port-au-Prince, with many people fleeing to seek refuge in Haiti’s provinces, putting severe pressure on host communities to provide for the displaced people with limited resources. Also, the number of displacement camps in the capital have grown in number from 73 to 108 within a year. These camps are overcrowded and lack access to vital services such as food, water and sanitation. IOM’s Chief in Haiti, Grégoire Goodstein, stated that the IOM is on the ground delivering essential aid to people in need, but the demands are growing. The IOM has appealed for continued humanitarian support in Haiti, combined with long-term planning and investment to improve governance, security, and social cohesion. These initiatives are needed to bring an end to the violence and displacement and to encourage community stability.
UK-Iraq: Announce Bilateral Deals in Trade and Defence
On 14 January 2025, the UK and Iraq announced they had agreed a trade deal worth GBP£12.3 billion and a bilateral defence agreement. The announcement came after a meeting between Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, and UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer in London. The trade deal includes a GBP£1.2 billion UK manufactured power transmission system which will be used for a grid interconnection project between Iraq and Saudi Arabia. The deal also includes upgrades worth GBP£500 million to the Al-Qayyarah air base in northern Iraq. Further to this, the deal consists of a water infrastructure project by a UK-led consortium that will help deliver clean water to parts of southern and western Iraq. The defence agreement between the UK and Iraq will put in place the foundation for a new era in security cooperation. Sudani stated that the security agreement would improve bilateral military relations following the announcement last year that the US managed coalition established to combat Islamic State would conclude its operations in Iraq in 2026. Sudani’s visit to the UK comes during a time of significant geopolitical changes in the Middle East. Iraq is attempting to avoid turning into a conflict zone amid a period of regional instability that has seen Iran’s allies, Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, significantly weakened in their wars with Israel, as well as the recent collapse of Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria.
US: President Biden Issues Memorandum to Boost Security Ties with Cyprus
On 16 January 2025, Cyprus welcomed a US memorandum boosting security ties between the two countries. In a statement the Cypriot presidency stated the memorandum recognises Cyprus “as a pillar of stability and security in the Eastern Mediterranean, with the potential to further contribute to peace and the management of humanitarian challenges.” US President, Joe Biden, issued the memorandum on Wednesday which will enhance security relations and allow Cyprus to be eligible to receive American defence articles, military sales and training. Over the years, Cyprus has played an important role in evacuating people out of war-torn areas and also established a maritime aid corridor for Gaza. For many years, Cyprus had close ties to Russia, but recently there has been a notable allegiance shift. Many in Cyprus saw similarities with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to Turkey’s invasion of Cyprus in 1974. As an EU member state Cyprus followed other members in adopting sanctions on Russia. Turkey is closely monitoring the growing US and Cyprus links, and in September criticised their signing of a roadmap to improve defence cooperation.
US: Sanctions Leader of the Sudanese Armed Forces
On 16 January 2025, the US Treasury announced sanctions against the leader of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, as well as Ahmad Abdalla and Portex Trade Limited (Portex). These sanctions were imposed pursuant to Executive Order 14098, “Imposing Sanctions on Certain Persons Destabilizing Sudan and Undermining the Goal of a Democratic Transition.” Al-Burhan was sanctioned for his leadership role in the SAF, which was identified to have committed legal attacks against civilians and civilian objects, intentionally denied humanitarian aid, and used starvation as a war tactic. Abdalla was sanctioned for aiding in sanctions evasion on behalf of the Defense Industries System, a sanctioned entity under the same Executive Order. Similarly, Portex was sanctioned for being an entity under the control of Abdalla.
Israel: Security Cabinet Weighs Hostage Deal and Ceasefire Amidst Delays
On 17 January 2025, Israel’s security cabinet met to decide whether to approve a deal that would release dozens of hostages held by militants in Gaza and a ceasefire. If the cabinet approves, the deal will go to the government for the final sign-off. This meeting was ordered after the Israeli prime minister, Netanyahu, delayed a security cabinet vote Thursday, blaming the dispute with Hamas for holding up approval. If everything goes well, the vote will begin on Sunday, and 33 hostages are set to be released over the next six weeks, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians detained by Israel.
Gaza: WHO Optimistic About Boosting Aid to Gaza Amidst Ceasefire Reports
On 17 January 2025, WHO expressed optimism over the potential increase in aid relief in Gaza amidst ceasefire reports. WHO representative in Palestine, Rik Peeperkorn said the target is to get between 500 and 600 trucks in per day over the coming weeks, which would be a massive increase from the 40-50 trucks reaching Gaza during the war, and similar to the amount of aid reaching Gaza before the war erupted on 7 October 2023. Peeperkorn warned that it will be a big challenge because of chronic and severe shortages of food, fuel and medical supplies, but WHO plans to begin the deliveries on Sunday.
Iran: Two Veteran Supreme Court Judges Assassinated in Courtroom Attack
On 18 January 2025, it was reported that two veteran Iranian Supreme Court judges, Mohammad Moghiseh and Ali Razini, were shot dead in a planned assassination inside the Tehran court. The assailant, who had no pending legal cases, killed the judges and attempted to flee before taking his own life. A guard was also injured in the attack. Moghiseh and Razini were known for handling high-profile cases involving protesters, artists, and activists. Moghiseh had been sanctioned by the US and EU for overseeing numerous unfair trials. He sentenced several Facebook users, filmmakers, and poets to long prison terms for anti-regime activities and sentenced human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh to 33 years in prison and 148 lashes in 2019. Razini, who survived a previous assassination attempt in 1999, was linked to the 1988 “Death Commission,” which executed thousands of political prisoners.
https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/18/middleeast/iranian-judges-killed-in-tehran-intl/index.html
Ukraine: At Least 6 Killed in Early Morning Drone and Missile Attack on Kyiv
On 18 January 2025, it was reported that a Russian drone and missile attack on Kyiv killed at least six people, with additional casualties reported in southern Ukraine. This attack on Kyiv’s city centre prompted President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko to urge residents to seek shelter. Air defences were active around the city, and the Shevchenkivskyi district suffered damage, including shattered windows and the closure of the Lukianivska metro station. The Russian military claimed the strike targeted a manufacturer of long-range rockets in retaliation for Ukraine’s use of US-supplied ATACMS missiles against Russian territory.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/18/russian-attacks-on-centre-of-kyiv-leave-four-dead
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