Weekly News Recap (25 - 31 May 2026)
© Photo by USAID U.S. Agency for International Development via Flickr
International Justice Section
Tunisia: Court Sentences Presidential Critic Sonia Dahmani to New Two-Year Prison Term
ICC: Duterte’s Crimes Against Humanity Trial Set to Open on 30 November 2026
Australia: Woman Charged with Terror Offences Following Links to Islamic State
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Court Acquits Former Commander of War Crimes in Čajniče
Madagascar: Court Rejects Bid to Remove President Randrianirina from Office
International Peace & Security Section
Pakistan: Death Toll from Train Suicide Bombing Rises to Over 30
China-Pakistan: Reach New Consensus on Strategic and Economic Cooperation
Hungary: Parliament Votes to Maintain ICC Membership
Bolivia: Congress Passes Legislation to Allow Military Deployment as Protests Escalate
DRC: WHO Reports Worsening Ebola Outbreak Amid Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis
Lebanon: At Least 31 Killed and 40 Injured in Israeli Airstrikes in Southern Lebanon
US: Military Strike on Alleged Drug Vessel in Eastern Pacific Kills One
International Justice Section
Tunisia: Court Sentences Presidential Critic Sonia Dahmani to New Two-Year Prison Term
On 25 May 2026, it was reported that the Tunis Court of First Instance sentenced lawyer and columnist Sonia Dahmani to two years’ imprisonment. This marks Dahmani’s second conviction this year, amid a growing crackdown on government critics. The case arose from a complaint filed by Tunisia’s General Administration of Prisons regarding comments Dahmani made during a 2023 radio interview in which she criticised prison conditions. Lawyers for Dahmani said an appeal has been lodged against the decision. The case is one of five ongoing prosecutions against Dahmani, all relating to her public statements, initiated under Decree 54, a law established in 2022 that criminalises “false information”. Dahmani was previously sentenced to two 18-month sentences in separate cases linked to media comments on migration and racial discrimination. Human rights organisations have condemned the application of Decree 54 against lawyers, journalists, and activists, asserting that it has been utilised to curtail freedom of expression and political dissent.
Cambodia: Opposition Leader Kem Sokha Granted Royal Pardon by King Norodom Sihamoni for Treason Sentence
On 25 May 2026, Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni granted a royal pardon to opposition politician Kem Sokha, who had been convicted of treason in 2023 and sentenced to 27 years under house arrest for allegedly conspiring with foreign powers to overthrow the government of former Prime Minister Hun Sen. This pardon followed the rejection of Sokha’s appeal earlier that month and came in the context of ongoing international criticism regarding Cambodia’s treatment of opposition figures and the dissolution of the Cambodia National Rescue Party. While the pardon lifted Sokha’s house arrest, it did not eliminate restrictions on his political activities, including a five-year prohibition on leaving the country. Human rights organisations and foreign governments have criticised the prosecution, arguing that it was politically motivated and part of a broader crackdown on opposition figures.
France: Appeals Court Orders Release of Former Lafarge Executives Convicted of Financing Terrorism in Syria Pending Appeal
On 26 May 2026, the Paris Court of Appeal ordered the release of former Lafarge chief executive Bruno Lafont and former deputy managing director Christian Herrault under judicial supervision pending appeal proceedings. The appellate court said their pre-trial detention was “not the indispensable means” to guarantee their appearance at the appeal trial, while also considering what it described as the “shock of imprisonment” experienced by the two men. Lafont and Herrault had been sentenced on 13 April to six and five years’ imprisonment respectively after the Paris Criminal Court found them guilty of financing terrorism in Syria. The two were among nine defendants convicted in the case. The pair appealed their convictions and applied for release on 19 May pending their appeals. As part of their release conditions, the appellate court banned both men from leaving France and ordered bail payments of €100,000 for Lafont and €90,000 for Herrault. The prosecutor’s request to prevent contact between the two men was rejected. It has been reported that the two shared the same cell at La Santé prison in Paris while detained. The court determined that almost €5.6 million had been paid to jihadist groups to keep Lafarge’s cement plant operating in Jalabiya, northern Syria, during the civil war. Lafarge was ordered to pay a penalty of €1.125 million. In addition, the company, along with four former executives, was ordered to pay a customs penalty of €4.57 million for violating international financial sanctions. All convicted parties, including the company, have lodged appeals against the decision. The case against Lafarge, a global cement giant, has become one of the most significant corporate accountability trials in France. Lafarge has since been acquired by Swiss group Holcim.
ICC: Duterte’s Crimes Against Humanity Trial Set to Open on 30 November 2026
On 27 May 2026, Trial Chamber III of the International Criminal Court (ICC) confirmed that the trial in the case The Prosecutor v. Rodrigo Roa Duterte is set to begin on 30 November 2026. The schedule was decided following a Status Conference that addressed submissions from the Prosecution, the Defence, and Legal Representatives of Victims. It also considered the time required for disclosure of evidence and other materials. Before the trial begins, the Chamber will resolve all remaining matters and adopt necessary procedures to facilitate fair proceedings. Trial Chamber III consists of Judge Joanna Korner, Judge Keebong Paek, and Judge Nicolas Guillou. Duterte faces three counts of crimes against humanity related to the killing of at least 76 individuals and the attempted murder of two others. The crimes occurred during his anti-narcotics campaign from 2016 to 2022, which prosecutors say resulted in thousands of deaths in the Philippines. He was arrested on 7 March 2025 and has been held in the ICC detention centre in The Hague since. Duterte could face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment if found guilty of the charges.
https://www.icc-cpi.int/news/duterte-case-trial-open-30-november-2026
Australia: Woman Charged with Terror Offences Following Links to Islamic State
On 28 May 2026, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) stated an Australian woman had been charged with allegedly joining Islamic State and entering and remaining in a declared conflict zone after returning home from a Syrian refugee camp last September. Both offences carry a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison. The AFP said the accused travelled to Syria between 2013 and 2014 to join Islamic State. In March 2019, Kurdish forces detained the woman and held her with family in the Al-Hawl refugee camp. She returned to Australia from Lebanon with another woman, and investigations into both are ongoing. Earlier this month, two women were charged with offences related to slavery, while a third woman was charged with terror-related offences. From 2012 until 2016, many Australian women went to Syria to accompany their husbands, who were alleged Islamic State members. Many have been detained since the collapse of the caliphate in 2019.
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Court Acquits Former Commander of War Crimes in Čajniče
On 28 May 2026, Ramiz Duraković, former commander of the 43rd Brigade of the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina, was acquitted on charges of war crimes by the Appellate Panel of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He had been charged with war crimes against Serbian civilians in the Čajniče area in 1993, which included murder and burning of houses. Duraković was accused of having knowledge of the crimes and failing to take measures to punish those responsible. He was previously sentenced to three and a half years’ imprisonment by the court. In overturning the original verdict, the Appellate Panel explained it could not be proven Duraković had any knowledge of the crimes committed. The Chairperson of the Appellate Council, Amela Husić, stated, “No one disputes that the crime took place, nor that the accused led the action, but none of the evidence presented indicates that the information about the murder and the burning of the houses reached the accused, directly or indirectly.” Defence lawyers stated Duraković maintained from the beginning that he did not commit any war crimes. The trial had been ongoing since October 2024.
https://sarajevotimes.com/court-of-bih-acquitts-durakovic-of-war-crimes-in-the-area-of-cajnice/
Madagascar: Court Rejects Bid to Remove President Randrianirina from Office
On 29 May 2026, it was reported that an attempt to remove Madagascar’s President Michael Randrianirina from office was rejected by Madagascar’s High Constitutional Court. Antoine Rajerison, a prominent lawmaker, requested the President’s removal from office over allegations of treason for “serious and repeated violations of the constitution,” which included making his own government appointments. However, the court deemed the request inadmissible because it did not meet the constitutional requirements to remove a President. The court stated, “It is therefore irregular and must be declared inadmissible.” Randrianirina took over as President in October 2025 in a transitional government after his predecessor Andry Rajoelina was forced into exile following weeks of youth-led protests. Earlier this year, President Randrianirina survived two assassination attempts as tension rises between the country’s military and civil factions. Madagascar continues to be in a difficult political state as the country prepares to hold presidential elections and a referendum in 2027.
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/top-madagascar-court-rejects-bid-to-remove-president/3950851
Italy: Prosecutors Open Investigation into Two Iranian Nationals Over Alleged Threats Against Dissidents
On 29 May 2026, prosecutors in Milan placed two Iranian nationals living in Italy under investigation and ordered searches of their homes over alleged threats and intimidation against Iranian dissidents residing in Italy. Italian judicial authorities indicated that the investigation is focused on allegations of threats against members of the Iranian diaspora who are critical of the government in Tehran. According to the search warrant, prosecutors are examining suspected aggravated threats, as well as suspected association for terrorist purposes and attempts to undermine democracy. This inquiry originates from complaints submitted by several Iranian nationals in Italy. In one instance referenced in judicial documents, an Iranian dissident reported receiving a phone call warning that she had been sentenced to death for backing the opposition and would have her assets in Iran seized. The warrant further indicated that one of the two suspects maintained an Instagram account used to issue death threats against individuals supporting Reza Pahlavi’s accession to power, the exiled son of Iran’s former Shah. The warrant identified the suspects as Jalilian Farshid and Adib Ansari Rohoulah and noted both were known to frequent an Islamic centre in Milan owned by the Iranian consulate.
International Peace & Security Section
Pakistan: Death Toll from Train Suicide Bombing Rises to Over 30
On 25 May 2026, it was reported that at least 30 people were killed in a suicide bombing targeting a train in Quetta, located in southwestern Pakistan, an increase from initial reports of 24 deaths. The attack involved a suicide bomber who drove an explosive-laden car into the shuttle train transporting Pakistani security personnel and their families. The blast caused the engine and three coaches to derail, while two other coaches also overturned. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the bombing, the latest in a series of attacks by the separatist group. The train was reportedly travelling from a military cantonment in Quetta to connect with the Jaffar Express, as passengers were returning home for Eid al-Adha. The bombing caused significant damage, including burnt-out vehicles, scattered debris, and destroyed railway infrastructure. The BLA has waged a long-running insurgency in the resource-rich province of Balochistan, which borders Iran and Afghanistan.
China-Pakistan: Reach New Consensus on Strategic and Economic Cooperation
On 26 May 2026, China and Pakistan announced a “new broad consensus” on strengthening their long-standing strategic partnership following talks in Beijing between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. In a joint statement, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the “All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership” and agreed to accelerate development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship component of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Key priorities include upgrading the 1,300km Karakoram Highway and further developing the strategic port of Gwadar Port as a regional connectivity hub. The visit comes as Islamabad seeks greater investment amid regional instability and domestic security challenges. Both countries pledged enhanced coordination on security, with Pakistan promising stronger measures to protect Chinese nationals and infrastructure projects following repeated attacks on Chinese workers. The statement also underscored shared positions on regional and global issues, including support for a multipolar world order and opposition to unilateral actions by other states. China welcomed Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement in efforts linked to a temporary ceasefire in the US-Israel war on Iran, while both sides expressed support for a five-point initiative aimed at broader Middle East peace. Pakistan reaffirmed its adherence to the One China principle, describing Taiwan as an “inalienable” part of China, a position firmly rejected by Taipei. The two countries also highlighted cooperation with Afghanistan and reiterated opposition to militant groups such as the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), which they say threaten regional stability and cross-border security.
Hungary: Parliament Votes to Maintain ICC Membership
On 27 May 2026, Hungary’s parliament passed legislation to halt the country’s planned withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), reversing a policy established under former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. This decision came in the wake of disputes surrounding Hungary’s refusal to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a visit, despite existing ICC arrest warrants. The newly elected government, led by Prime Minister Péter Magyar, contended that remaining part of the Rome Statute system was essential for ensuring accountability for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. The legislation effectively reverses Hungary’s withdrawal plans and retains its participation in the ICC.
Bolivia: Congress Passes Legislation to Allow Military Deployment as Protests Escalate
On 27 May 2026, Bolivia’s Congress approved legislation making it easier for President Rodrigo Paz to declare a state of emergency and deploy the military in response to ongoing protests. The decision follows nearly a month of nationwide unrest involving road blockades and demonstrations by miners, farmers, and indigenous groups demanding his resignation, alongside widespread shortages of fuel, food, water, and medicines caused by disrupted supply chains. The protests, initially sparked by a land reform proposal and later expanded to include opposition to austerity measures and subsidy cuts, have increasingly paralysed parts of the country. While Paz has scrapped the original reform and proposed dialogue with affected sectors, unrest has continued, with demonstrators also criticising rising living costs and economic adjustments linked to fuel subsidies. In parallel to the political escalation, Paz announced a 50% salary cut for himself and his cabinet ministers as a symbolic measure aimed at showing “commitment to the country” amid the crisis. However, the government has also faced criticism over its broader response, with opponents warning that expanded military powers could intensify tensions rather than de-escalate them. Despite government attempts at dialogue and economic adjustments, including subsidy reforms and institutional reshuffles, protests and blockades have so far continued to disrupt daily life across Bolivia.
DRC: WHO Reports Worsening Ebola Outbreak Amid Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis
On 27 May 2026, the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned that the Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) was rapidly worsening amid ongoing conflict, mass displacement, and severe food insecurity. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said delays in detecting cases had left health authorities “playing catch-up”, warning that the epidemic was currently “outpacing” containment efforts. Nearly 1,000 suspected cases and more than 220 suspected deaths have been reported, while the outbreak has spread beyond Ituri province into North and South Kivu, as well as neighbouring Uganda, where seven confirmed cases have been recorded, including among healthcare workers. The outbreak involves the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which no approved vaccine or treatment currently exists. WHO said the virus was spreading through family clusters, healthcare facilities, and unsafe funeral practices, while insecurity and attacks by armed groups including the ADF, CODECO and M23 have severely disrupted humanitarian operations and access to affected communities. The crisis is unfolding alongside acute hunger affecting millions across eastern DRC, with UN agencies warning that malnutrition is increasing vulnerability to infection. WHO has called for an immediate ceasefire to allow medical and humanitarian teams safe access to affected areas and stressed that building trust with local communities remains essential to containing the outbreak.
Lebanon: At Least 31 Killed and 40 Injured in Israeli Airstrikes in Southern Lebanon
On 27 May 2026, the Lebanese Health Ministry reported that at least 31 people were killed and a further 40 injured in Israeli airstrikes targeting the towns of Burj al-Shamali, Kawthariyet El Riz, Habboush, Maarakeh, and Selaa, in southern Lebanon. The strike on Burj al-Shamali reportedly killed at least 10 people, including women and children. At least three airstrikes were recorded near the Qaraoun Dam located in the eastern part of the country, home to the largest water reservoir in Lebanon. The attacks occurred after statements by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who warned of escalating military action against Hezbollah in response to its drone strikes targeting Israeli forces. Since 2 March 2026, Israel has intensified its military campaign in Lebanon, with officials reporting that approximately 3,200 people have been killed, more than 9,600 injured, and over 1.6 million displaced. Israeli military operations have continued despite a US-mediated ceasefire that entered into force on 17 April and was subsequently extended until early July.
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/world/israeli-airstrikes-kill-31-wound-40-in-southern-lebanon/3949445
US: Military Strike on Alleged Drug Vessel in Eastern Pacific Kills One
On 27 May 2026, the US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) confirmed that one male “narco-terrorist” was killed in a US military strike on a vessel suspected of transporting drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Two others survived and were left stranded at sea. SOUTHCOM said it “immediately” informed the US Coast Guard to launch search and rescue operations for the survivors. US President Donald Trump described the military operations as part of an “armed conflict” against cartels in Latin America, aimed at reducing drug flow into the US, which he said is driving fatal drug overdoses. Since September 2025, at least 194 people have been killed in strikes targeting suspected drug-trafficking vessels, in a campaign labelled “Southern Spear”. The US military said the strikes targeted a vessel “operated by Designated Terrorist Organisations” that was moving along “known narco-trafficking routes.” The military did not provide evidence that the vessel was transporting drugs to support the allegation. Legal experts and international rights organisations have raised concerns about the legality of the strikes, noting the lack of evidence to support the designation of those targeted as “narco-terrorists.” They caution that the strikes may amount to extrajudicial killings, as they appear to have targeted civilians who do not pose an immediate threat to the US. In early May, Trump approved a new “counterterrorism strategy” that targets the eradication of drug cartels in the Western Hemisphere as the government’s top priority.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/5/27/us-strike-on-alleged-drug-boat-in-pacific-kills-one
Russia-Afghanistan: Sign Military Cooperation Agreement
On 28 May 2026, Russia and Afghanistan signed a military-technical cooperation deal amid ongoing efforts to strengthen ties between Moscow and Kabul. The agreement was signed during the International Security Forum in Moscow by Sergei Shoigu, Secretary of the Russian Security Council, and Mohammad Yaqoob, Afghan Defence Minister. During the meeting, Yaqoob said collaboration with Russia is important for Afghanistan, noting that the two countries have a long-standing historical relationship. Shoigu stated that Western countries should unfreeze Afghan assets and take responsibility for the reconstruction of Afghanistan following two decades of military presence. The agreement comes as Russia and the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan have increased diplomatic and security engagements. Earlier in May 2026, at a security meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Shoigu said Russia had initiated dialogue with the Taliban and that both sides were working on a “full-fledged partnership.”
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/eurasia/russia-afghanistan-sign-military-cooperation-deal/3950346
Sudan: Medical Group Accuses RSF of Killing 27 Civilians
On 29 May 2026, the Sudan Doctors Network accused fighters affiliated with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of killing at least 27 civilians, including elderly residents, during attacks on villages in the al-Murrah area west of Bara in North Kordofan state. The Cairo-based medical NGO described the assault, which reportedly took place during Eid al-Adha, as a “new crime targeting unarmed civilians” in areas without military presence, and condemned what it called repeated attacks on civilian communities amid Sudan’s worsening humanitarian crisis. The attacks come as fighting between the RSF and the Sudanese army continues to intensify across Kordofan and Darfur, key regions containing strategic oil fields and gold mines. Sudan has been engulfed in civil war since April 2023, with the conflict causing mass displacement and widespread destruction. Aid agencies estimate that hundreds of thousands of people have been killed and millions displaced since the war began. The incident also coincides with worsening food insecurity across Sudan. A new UN-backed IPC report warned that nearly 19.5 million people, more than 40% of the population, are facing acute hunger as conflict, displacement and economic collapse deepen what humanitarian organisations describe as one of the world’s most severe crises. The Sudan Doctors Network called on the international community to increase pressure on RSF leaders and strengthen efforts to protect civilians from further attacks.