US Army Lieutenant Colonel Brandon Tyner Identified in Britain Russia Spying Arrest
A U.S. Army lieutenant colonel arrested in Britain on suspicion of attempting to provide sensitive military information to Russia has been identified as Brandon Tyner, a 41-year-old officer assigned to a NATO command, according to The Hill and other news reports. [1]
US Army Officer Identified in Russia Spying Case
A U.S. Army lieutenant colonel arrested in Britain on suspicion of attempting to provide sensitive military information to Russia has been identified as Brandon Tyner, a 41-year-old officer assigned to a NATO command, according to The Hill and other news reports. [1] Tyner, 41, is a lieutenant colonel in the US Army. [1] He was arrested in Britain on suspicion of spying for Russia. [1]
Moldova Detains Suspect Accused of Spying for Russia
A person suspected of gathering information about the activities of Moldova's security agencies, allegedly acting on instructions from Russian secret services, has been arrested and remanded in custody in Moldova. [5] The detainee is suspected of having been recruited to obtain information about the activities of state institutions, primarily those responsible for national security. [5] The SIS said the person may have cooperated with representatives of Russian secret services, including through intermediaries in unconstitutional security structures in the unrecognised region of Transnistria. [5] The SIS said: "This person allegedly acted on the basis of specific instructions and in coordination with representatives of foreign intelligence, seeking to obtain information held by state institutions about activities carried out on the territory of the Republic of Moldova by representatives of foreign intelligence services, the authorities' level of awareness of their operations, as well as any measures taken by national institutions in this regard." [5] Criminal proceedings have been initiated against the detainee for the unauthorised collection of information. [5] Law enforcement agencies are continuing their investigation to establish all the circumstances of the case and identify other people involved. [5]
South African Gunman Jailed for Activist's Assassination
A few years ago, activist and former politician Loyiso Nkohla was approached to help find a solution to moving residents living illegally on train tracks in Cape Town’s Philippi. [2] Nkohla’s involvement in this process – representing the residents – ultimately led to his assassination. [2] He was fatally shot and three others were wounded during a community meeting near the Philippi train station on 17 April 2023. [2] Zukisa Tshabile, a gunman who admitted to being paid R20,000 to pull the trigger on Nkohla, was jailed. [2] His charges led to a sentence that totalled 149 years. [2] The sentences, however, will run concurrently, meaning he is set to spend an effective 30 years behind bars. [2] Zukisa Tshabile, a gunman who admitted to his role in the April 2023 murder of activist Loyiso Nkhohla and the wounding of three others, was involved in other crimes. [2] Aside from the shooting in Philippi, Cape Town, Tshabile also faced charges for an armed robbery a couple of months later at a pizza place in Kraaifontein, in early July 2023. [2] Tshabile admitted that he was among a group that stormed the establishment, pointed firearms at two people, threatened to kill them, and stole R15,000 cash, alcohol, and two cellphones. [2] A person was shot during the incident. [2] A police sergeant was also shot in the stomach, but his bulletproof vest saved him from injury. [2] Tshabile entered into a plea and sentencing agreement with the State. [2] Tshabile’s plea agreement described how Nkohla was previously approached to act as “a social facilitator” between Prasa and the Philippi residents facing eviction because they were living illegally on train tracks. [2] “During this period, Mzansi Fire, a security company that contracted for Prasa, was looking for a local security company to secure the Philippi Railway Station,” Tshabile’s plea read. [2] This opportunity was offered to Nkohla and his wife, Nyameka Mabandla. [2] Tshabile’s plea explained that because the couple did not have a registered security company at the time, “they approached Thobani Maxengana, who operated a security company known as Limise Protection Services”. [2] The couple entered into a business partnership with Maxengana, but things did not go smoothly. [2] “I admit that the partnership encountered difficulties arising from the non-payment of security personnel employed on the project at Philippi Railway Station,” Tshabile’s plea agreement said. [2] “Despite receiving payment from Mzansi, Thobani Maxengana failed and/or refused to pay approximately 17 security workers for their services.” [2] Nkohla subsequently decided to pay the workers himself and obtained half the shares in a new security company that would replace that of Maxengana. [2]
Nigerian Drug Raid in Benin City
Officers of the Edo State Command have raided the notorious drug spot at Ihama Road, GRA, Benin City. [3] The officers arrested three suspects and recovered illicit substances such as synthetic cannabis and Nitrous Oxide, known as Laughing Gas. [3] The suspects arrested include Omoreghan Paul, 26 years old, caught with Cannabis Loud weighing 3.17 grams. [3] Others are Omoruyi Osarobo, who hails from Orhionmwon Local Government Area, and Obed Osagie, who hails from Uhunmwonde Local Government Area of the State. [3] Both suspects were found in possession of six cylinders of Nitrous Oxide. [3] The Edo State Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, said the directive by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd), to flush out drug peddlers and commercial sex workers providing cover for illicit drug activities has yielded positive results. [3] “The directive of the Chairman to flush out drug peddlers and commercial sex workers who give cover to illicit drug activities has yielded positive results, but this operation will be intensified and sustained. No stone will be left unturned in ensuring a drug-free Edo State,” he said. [3] “Our operatives raided the notorious drug spot at Ihama Road, GRA, Benin City and arrested three suspects and recovered illicit substances such as synthetic cannabis and Nitrous Oxide known as Laughing Gas,” he added. [3]
Nigerian National Shot Dead in Malaysia After Attacking Police
A Nigerian man has been shot dead by police in Malaysia after allegedly hacking off the right hand of a police officer during an attack in the Desa Amanpuri area of Kepong. [4] The suspect, who was armed with two machetes, reportedly charged out of a residential apartment and attacked police officers, firefighters and Health Ministry personnel at about 7pm on Wednesday. [4] The Selangor Police Chief, Commissioner Shazeli Kahar, said the suspect was shot after he was spotted near a playground not far from the apartment, shortly after injuring the police officer. [4] According to Shazeli, the suspect attempted to attack the officers again, prompting them to fire several shots in self-defence while trying to apprehend him. [4] “The gunshots injured the suspect and police personnel made efforts to take him to hospital for treatment,” Shazeli told reporters at Selayang Hospital late on Wednesday night. [4] He added that the suspect was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. [4] The injured officer, a 26-year-old lance corporal, reportedly suffered the amputation of his right hand and was in stable condition while undergoing surgery at Kuala Lumpur Hospital. [4] The attack reportedly began after police received a public complaint at about 4pm concerning a man behaving aggressively at the residential property. [4] Police officers, firefighters and Health Ministry personnel were dispatched to the apartment to manage the situation. [4] However, when the door was opened, the suspect allegedly charged at the responding personnel with two machetes, injuring the police officer and several other first responders. [4] The injured officer, who was attached to the Mobile Patrol Vehicle unit of the Gombak District Police Headquarters, also sustained injuries to his head and body. [4] Police said the suspect fled after the attack but was later located near a playground at about 8pm. [4] He reportedly attacked the officers again when they attempted to arrest him, prompting them to open fire. [4] Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, condemned the attack and prayed for the injured officer’s speedy recovery. [4] In a statement on Thursday, Anwar described violence against enforcement personnel entrusted with protecting public safety as unacceptable. [4] “Firm action must be taken against any criminal acts, regardless of who the perpetrators are, to uphold the rule of law and ensure the safety of enforcement personnel on duty,” he said. [4] Subsequent reports by Malay Mail on Thursday disclosed that doctors had successfully reattached the injured officer’s right hand following surgery at Kuala Lumpur Hospital. [4]
What to watch next: Law enforcement agencies in Moldova are continuing their investigation to establish all the circumstances of the case and identify other people involved. [5] In South Africa, Stanfield and Johnson are now among a group on trial in the Western Cape high court for various crimes. [2]
