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Iran
SEVENTEEN people have been killed in protests in Iran against the death of a young woman in police custody, state television reported this week.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have called on the judiciary to prosecute “those who spread false news and rumours” about a young woman whose death in police custody has triggered nationwide protests.
Protesters in Tehran and other Iranian cities torched police stations and vehicles this week as outrage over the death of Mahsa Amini, 22, showed little to no signs of easing.
Scores of people, mostly angered women, took to the streets of Iran, removing their hijabs and burning them to protest the death of Mahsa Amini
Amini died last week after being arrested in Tehran for wearing “unsuitable attire”. She fell into a coma while in detention. The authorities have said they would launch an investigation into the cause of her death. | AFP and Reuters
Guinea
GUINEA’S ruling military junta has accused the Umaro Sissoco Embalo, pictured, the president of the West African regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas), of “lies” over his call for sanctions on Conakry if it seeks a three-year transition back to civilian rule.
“Crude lies and intimidation are backward steps that dishonour (Ecowas) and at the same time tarnish Ecowas’ image,” Colonel Amara Camara, a senior junta figure, said
In July, Embalo said he had convinced Guinea’s junta to hasten the return to democracy.
Three years in power before a return to civilian rule is “unacceptable for Ecowas”, Embalo, who is also president of Guinea-bissau, said this week.
“Unacceptable and non-negotiable,” he added. | AFP
Hong Kong
SEVERAL Hong Kong doctors and more than 20 patients have been arrested over allegedly fraudulent vaccine exemption certificates, police said this week.
Coronavirus vaccines are not mandatory but the Chinese city uses a QR health-code system. Only those with an exemption certificate issued by a doctor can still access most public premises.
The police said that five doctors and three assistants have been arrested so far this month on charges of “conspiracy to defraud”.
The doctors are accused of having issued nearly 24 000 exemptions, with prices ranging from HK$350 (about R780) to more than HK$5 000. The offence carries up to 14 years in jail. | AFP