German authorities hunt climate activist suspected of power grid sabotage
German authorities are hunting a militant climate activist suspected of carrying out multiple attacks on the country's power grid, the latest in a series of sabotage incidents targeting critical infrastructure. [1]
Germany hunts climate activist over power grid attacks
German authorities were Friday hunting a militant climate activist suspected of a spate of attacks on the power grid, the latest sabotage targeting critical infrastructure. [1]
Ghana police foil alleged murder plot over debt
Two Ashaley Botwe lorry station masters have been arrested by the Madina Divisional Police Command for allegedly plotting to kill a woman over a debt of GH₵91,810. [2] The suspects, identified as 44-year-old Abubakari Ateni, the current station master, and 45-year-old Eric Tetteh, a former station master, are alleged to have planned the murder of the woman after she demanded repayment of the money owed her. [2] According to the Madina Divisional Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Dr. Aba Afari, the alleged plot followed a misunderstanding between the woman and Abubakari over the debt. [2] Police say Abubakari, who also worked as the woman's errands driver, was allegedly advised by Eric Tetteh to kill her to avoid further embarrassment over the debt. [2] The two allegedly first planned for Abubakari to strangle the woman, but after that proved difficult, they allegedly hired another person to carry out the killing. [2] Police say the suspects allegedly paid ₵2,000 upfront to the serial killer, with another ₵3,000 promised after the job. [2] The alleged plan was for the hired assailant to shoot and kill the woman while Abubakari was driving her home to stage a robbery. [2] The issue took a different turn when the hired supposed serial killer is a community volunteer and works with the Madina police in crime fight. [2] The police further arranged and arrested the suspect on Thursday, 2nd September when they were going to carry out their plans. [2] Chief Superintendent Dr. Aba Afari has assured residents of Madina of the Police Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property. [2] She also commended officers involved in the investigation for uncovering and foiling the alleged murder plot. [2] The suspects remain in police custody as investigations continue. [2]
Ukrainian prosecutor accused of shielding scam call centres
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office have announced that they have uncovered a criminal organisation which investigators say was headed by the head of a department at the Prosecutor General's Office. [3] Members of the organisation are suspected of regularly taking bribes from scam call centres and laundering the proceeds of crime. [3] Sources have told Ukrainska Pravda that the official in question is Serhii Kropyva. [3] NABU says the members received illicit payments in exchange for not interfering with the operations of scam call centres whose victims included Ukrainians and people in other countries. [3] The money they received was laundered in various ways. [3] Over UAH 20 million was spent on property, jewellery and other high-value assets. [3] According to NABU, the group's ringleader transferred ownership of additional assets with a market value of over UAH 12 million to third parties. [3] The investigators say more than UAH 10 million was placed in bank accounts belonging to close associates and disguised as business income. [3] Law enforcement agencies currently say they have exposed five members of the organisation. [3] The case has been provisionally classified as falling under articles of the Criminal Code that concern the establishment of and participation in a criminal organisation and the laundering of proceeds of crime. [3] The investigation is identifying other possible members. [3] NABU and SAPO said they were conducting a special operation to expose a criminal organisation headed by an official from the Prosecutor General's Office and involved in protecting a network of scam call centres and money laundering. [3] The Prosecutor General's Office said it will cooperate fully with the anti-corruption agencies in the case. [3] The Prosecutor General's Office added that it will suspend the employee whose possible involvement in unlawful activities is being investigated. [3]
Cyprus makes five more arrests in murder-for-hire case
Five more people have been arrested in connection with an alleged murder-for-hire plot in Cyprus, bringing the total number of arrests in the case to eight, police said on Saturday. [4] The five, aged 21, 25, 28 and two aged 22, were arrested during a coordinated police operation in the Paphos district on Friday. [4] According to police, evidence against the five emerged following the assessment of information and other material gathered during the investigation, and arrest warrants were subsequently issued. [4] Police intercepted a vehicle carrying the five suspects during Friday’s operation. [4] A search of the vehicle uncovered a pistol, two knives, gloves, masks and three mobile phones, all of which were seized. [4] Officers also searched the suspects’ accommodation in Paphos, where they seized another eight mobile phones, $1,400 in cash, documents, notes and other evidence. [4] The five were taken into custody and are expected to appear before court on Saturday for a remand hearing. [4] The investigation began after Cypriot police received information through Europol from Danish authorities concerning alleged plans to carry out killings in Cyprus in exchange for payment. [4] Three people, aged 33, 34 and 35, were previously arrested during police operations in the Larnaca and Famagusta districts and were remanded in custody for eight days. [4] The case concerns suspected conspiracy to commit murder and participation in a criminal organisation. [4] A special investigative team from police headquarters is continuing investigations in cooperation with Europol and law enforcement authorities in other countries. [4]
Investigations continue across cases
Chief Superintendent Dr. Aba Afari has assured residents of Madina of the Police Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property. [2] The suspects remain in police custody as investigations continue. [2] The investigation is identifying other possible members. [3] The Prosecutor General's Office said it will cooperate fully with the anti-corruption agencies in the case. [3] A special investigative team from police headquarters is continuing investigations in cooperation with Europol and law enforcement authorities in other countries. [4]
What to watch next: The suspects in the Ghana case remain in police custody as investigations continue, while NABU and SAPO continue identifying other possible members of the criminal organisation in Ukraine and a special investigative team in Cyprus presses ahead with its probe in cooperation with Europol and authorities in other countries.
