Vladimir Putin's spokesperson has described the murder of Russia's ambassador in Turkey as a serious blow to Turkey, according to Russian news media.
Dmitry Peskov, the Russian president's spokesperson, has been further quoted as saying that Turkish authorities should not rush with any theories on who is behind the assassination of Andrey Karlov before the investigation produces results.
"This is certainly a blow to the country's prestige," Peskov was quoted as saying on Wednesday by the RIA news agency.
Karlov was killed on Monday evening at a photograph exhibition in Ankara by Mevlut Mert Altintas of the Turkish capital's riot-police squad. He was then killed in a police operation.
Peskov said Russia did not believe Altintas acted alone, but refused to explain the reasons for the suspicion.
"We should not rush with any theories before the investigators establish who were behind the assassination of our ambassador," he said without offering suggestions about who those people might be.
Possible Gulen links
Russia has flown a team of 18 investigators and foreign ministry officials to Turkey to take part in the inquiry. Karlov's body and his family have been returned to Russia.
A senior Turkish government official told Al Jazeera on Monday that Turkey was focusing on possible links to the Gulen network.
The network, led by self-exiled Turkish Muslim leader Fethullah Gulen, is accused by Turkey of orchestrating the July 22 failed coup, and is seen by the government of Recept Tayyip Erdogan as a terrorist organisation.
Gulen has denied the accusations.
A Turkish official said on Tuesday evening that Mevlet Cavusoglu, Turkey's foreign minister, spoke to John Kerry, US secretary of state, by phone and provided information on the assailant.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Kerry was told that that both Turkey and Russia "know" that the network led by Gulen was behind the attack.
Turkey is pressing the US to extradite Gulen to Turkey to stand trial for his alleged role in the coup attempt.
During the phone call, Kerry raised concerns about "some of the rhetoric coming out of Turkey with respect to American involvement or support, tacit or otherwise, for this unspeakable assassination", John Kirby, Kerry's spokesman, said.
"It is a ludicrous claim, absolutely false," Kirby said.
Much of Turkey's media, both broadcast and print, has reported claims that the assassin had links to the Gulen network, including reports of Gulen literature being found in his home, and of him having studied at a Gulen-run school.
Wednesday, December 21, 2016
EU judges rule against UK Government's 'snooper's charter'
EU member states cannot force internet companies to keep email data on a "general and indiscriminate" basis, the European Court of Justice has ruled.
The EU's highest court found that only targeted retention aimed at fighting serious crime could justify serious interference by the state.
Legislation which provided for the "general and indiscriminate" retention of data "exceeds the limits of what is strictly necessary and cannot be considered to be justified within a democratic society", it said.
The judgement, which was made in response to a complaint by deputy Labour leader Tom Watson, could have major implications for the Government's controversial Investigatory Powers Act - labelled the "snooper's charter" by critics - which recently passed into law.
This requires communications companies to keep data for a year, something civil liberties campaigners say should be dropped in light of the ruling.
Communications data does not include the content of emails and telephone conversations, but the emails and phone numbers used and the times of the exchanges.
The case will now be sent back to the Court of Appeal in London.
Mr Watson's challenge was in relation to the Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Act (DRIPA) 2014, which was passed by the previous coalition government, which has been replaced by the Investigatory Powers Act.
A Home Office spokesperson said the Government was "disappointed" with the judgement.
"The Government will be putting forward robust arguments to the Court of Appeal about the strength of our existing regime for communications data retention and access," they said.
"Given the importance of communications data to preventing and detecting crime, we will ensure plans are in place so that the police and other public authorities can continue to acquire such data in a way that is consistent with EU law and our obligation to protect the public."
Mr Watson, whose challenge was originally backed by Conservative MP David Davis before he became Brexit Secretary, said the ruling "shows it's counter-productive to rush new laws through Parliament without proper scrutiny".
"At a time when we face a real and ever-present terrorist threat, the security forces may require access to personal information none of us would normally hand over," he said.
"That's why it's absolutely vital that proper safeguards are put in place to ensure this power is not abused, as it has been in the recent past.
"Most of us can accept that our privacy may occasionally be compromised in the interests of keeping us safe but no one would consent to giving the police or the Government the power to arbitrarily seize our phone records or emails to use as they see fit."
A spokesman for Mr Davis said he had withdrawn his name from the case when he was appointed to the Government.
"Like any minister, he will now make his arguments on any issue within Cabinet, and takes collective responsibility very seriously," he said.
Liberty, which supported the case, said ministers would now have to amend the Investigatory Powers Act.
"Today's judgment upholds the rights of ordinary British people not to have their personal lives spied on without good reason or an independent warrant," Director Martha Spurrier said.
The EU's highest court found that only targeted retention aimed at fighting serious crime could justify serious interference by the state.
Legislation which provided for the "general and indiscriminate" retention of data "exceeds the limits of what is strictly necessary and cannot be considered to be justified within a democratic society", it said.
The judgement, which was made in response to a complaint by deputy Labour leader Tom Watson, could have major implications for the Government's controversial Investigatory Powers Act - labelled the "snooper's charter" by critics - which recently passed into law.
This requires communications companies to keep data for a year, something civil liberties campaigners say should be dropped in light of the ruling.
Communications data does not include the content of emails and telephone conversations, but the emails and phone numbers used and the times of the exchanges.
The case will now be sent back to the Court of Appeal in London.
Mr Watson's challenge was in relation to the Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Act (DRIPA) 2014, which was passed by the previous coalition government, which has been replaced by the Investigatory Powers Act.
A Home Office spokesperson said the Government was "disappointed" with the judgement.
"The Government will be putting forward robust arguments to the Court of Appeal about the strength of our existing regime for communications data retention and access," they said.
"Given the importance of communications data to preventing and detecting crime, we will ensure plans are in place so that the police and other public authorities can continue to acquire such data in a way that is consistent with EU law and our obligation to protect the public."
Mr Watson, whose challenge was originally backed by Conservative MP David Davis before he became Brexit Secretary, said the ruling "shows it's counter-productive to rush new laws through Parliament without proper scrutiny".
"At a time when we face a real and ever-present terrorist threat, the security forces may require access to personal information none of us would normally hand over," he said.
"That's why it's absolutely vital that proper safeguards are put in place to ensure this power is not abused, as it has been in the recent past.
"Most of us can accept that our privacy may occasionally be compromised in the interests of keeping us safe but no one would consent to giving the police or the Government the power to arbitrarily seize our phone records or emails to use as they see fit."
A spokesman for Mr Davis said he had withdrawn his name from the case when he was appointed to the Government.
"Like any minister, he will now make his arguments on any issue within Cabinet, and takes collective responsibility very seriously," he said.
Liberty, which supported the case, said ministers would now have to amend the Investigatory Powers Act.
"Today's judgment upholds the rights of ordinary British people not to have their personal lives spied on without good reason or an independent warrant," Director Martha Spurrier said.
'Plastic rice' seized in Nigeria
Nigeria has confiscated 2.5 tonnes of "plastic rice" smuggled into the country by unscrupulous businessmen, the customs service says.
Lagos customs chief Haruna Mamudu said the fake rice was intended to be sold in markets during the festive season.
He said the rice was very sticky after it was boiled and "only God knows what would have happened" if people ate it.
It is not clear where the seized bags came from but rice made from plastic pellets was found in China last year.
Rice is the most popular staple food in Nigeria.
Whoever made this fake rice did an exceptionally good job - on first impression it would have fooled me. When I ran the grains through my fingers nothing felt out of the ordinary.
But when I smelt a handful of the "rice" there was a faint chemical odour. Customs officials say when they cooked up the rice it was too sticky - and it was then abundantly clear this was no ordinary batch.
They've sent a sample to the laboratories to determine exactly what the "rice" is made of.
They are also warning the public not to consume the mystery foodstuff as it could be dangerous.
Fake food scandals are thankfully rare in Nigeria when you compare it to countries such as China.
The big scandal here is fake pharmaceutical drugs that a kill a huge number of people every year.
A total of 102 sacks, each containing 25kg (55lb), was seized.
Investigations are under way to establish how much of the contraband has already been sold.
The customs official called on "economic saboteurs who see yuletide season as a peak period for their nefarious acts to desist from such illegal" business activity.
Mr Mamudu did not explain how the plastic rice was made but said it had been branded as "Best Tomato Rice".
Lagos customs chief Haruna Mamudu said the fake rice was intended to be sold in markets during the festive season.
He said the rice was very sticky after it was boiled and "only God knows what would have happened" if people ate it.
It is not clear where the seized bags came from but rice made from plastic pellets was found in China last year.
Rice is the most popular staple food in Nigeria.
Whoever made this fake rice did an exceptionally good job - on first impression it would have fooled me. When I ran the grains through my fingers nothing felt out of the ordinary.
But when I smelt a handful of the "rice" there was a faint chemical odour. Customs officials say when they cooked up the rice it was too sticky - and it was then abundantly clear this was no ordinary batch.
They've sent a sample to the laboratories to determine exactly what the "rice" is made of.
They are also warning the public not to consume the mystery foodstuff as it could be dangerous.
Fake food scandals are thankfully rare in Nigeria when you compare it to countries such as China.
The big scandal here is fake pharmaceutical drugs that a kill a huge number of people every year.
A total of 102 sacks, each containing 25kg (55lb), was seized.
Investigations are under way to establish how much of the contraband has already been sold.
The customs official called on "economic saboteurs who see yuletide season as a peak period for their nefarious acts to desist from such illegal" business activity.
Mr Mamudu did not explain how the plastic rice was made but said it had been branded as "Best Tomato Rice".
Polish driver Lukasz Urban 'still alive' during lorry attack on Berlin market
The Polish driver of the lorry that ploughed into the Berlin market was still alive after the attack and was shot dead just before the hijacker fled, say reports.
It is believed Lukasz Urban, 37, was beaten and stabbed before the lorry was driven by the hijacker at the market in Breitscheidplatz on Monday evening killing 12 people.
He died from a gunshot wound and was found in the truck's passenger seat.
He worked for his cousin Ariel Zurawski's transport company in northern Poland and had been come from Italy to deliver steel beams.
Zurawski was shown a picture of his injuries which suggested he had been alive until he was shot after the attack, Bild newspaper reported.
He told the newspaper: "It was terrible. There were bruises, his face was swollen. It looked like a fight."
"One person would not have been able to overpower him," Zurawski said of the relative he had grown up with, a heavyset man who weighed 120 kilos (265 pounds) and stood 183 centimetres (six feet) tall.
At around 3pm on Monday Urban spoke briefly to his wife and the couple agreed to talk again an hour later but they never did.
According to Zurawski, GPS data from the vehicle showed it had been driven, but only made small movements "as if someone was learning how to drive it".
An investigator told Die Welt newspaper that the suspect drew a knife and stabbed the driver several times, possibly because the Pole grabbed the steering wheel in an attempt to save people.
Police are still looking for the hijacker and said they are now hunting a Tunisian man after finding an identity document in the truck.
Der Spiegel reported that the document, believed to be asylum office papers, contained the name of Anis A who was born in Tataouine, Tunisia, in 1992.
A 23-year-old Pakistani asylum seeker was detained and released because of a lack of evidence in the aftermath of the attack in the German capital.
Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack.
It is believed Lukasz Urban, 37, was beaten and stabbed before the lorry was driven by the hijacker at the market in Breitscheidplatz on Monday evening killing 12 people.
He died from a gunshot wound and was found in the truck's passenger seat.
He worked for his cousin Ariel Zurawski's transport company in northern Poland and had been come from Italy to deliver steel beams.
Zurawski was shown a picture of his injuries which suggested he had been alive until he was shot after the attack, Bild newspaper reported.
He told the newspaper: "It was terrible. There were bruises, his face was swollen. It looked like a fight."
"One person would not have been able to overpower him," Zurawski said of the relative he had grown up with, a heavyset man who weighed 120 kilos (265 pounds) and stood 183 centimetres (six feet) tall.
At around 3pm on Monday Urban spoke briefly to his wife and the couple agreed to talk again an hour later but they never did.
According to Zurawski, GPS data from the vehicle showed it had been driven, but only made small movements "as if someone was learning how to drive it".
An investigator told Die Welt newspaper that the suspect drew a knife and stabbed the driver several times, possibly because the Pole grabbed the steering wheel in an attempt to save people.
Police are still looking for the hijacker and said they are now hunting a Tunisian man after finding an identity document in the truck.
Der Spiegel reported that the document, believed to be asylum office papers, contained the name of Anis A who was born in Tataouine, Tunisia, in 1992.
A 23-year-old Pakistani asylum seeker was detained and released because of a lack of evidence in the aftermath of the attack in the German capital.
Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack.
Berlin attack: Tunisian man 'identified as suspect' from document found in truck
German police are hunting a Tunisian man over the Berlin market attack after finding an identity document in the lorry, according to reports.
The document was found under the driver's seat of the vehicle that ploughed into crowds at the Christmas market on Monday evening, killing 12 people.
Der Spiegel and Allgemeine Zeitung reported that the document, apparently asylum office papers announcing a stay of deportation, was in the name of Anis A, born in 1992 in Tataouine, Tunisia.
The suspect was also known to have two aliases, according to the newspapers.
Bild said Anis A was known to police for bodily harm and is considered dangerous.
Ralf Jaeger, interior minister for North Rhine-Westphalia, said the suspect - who arrived in Germany in July 2015 - had been in contact with the network of a leading Islamist ideologist known as Abu Walaa.
He told a news conference that "security agencies exchanged information about this person in the joint counter-terrorism centre, the last time in November".
Mr Jaeger said that state police had launched proceedings against the man on suspicion that he was preparing a serious crime. The suspect, who went by a number of names, had an asylum application rejected.
German media has said a police operation is under way in the North Rhine-Westphalia state as the manhunt continues.
A migrant shelter in Emmerich, near the border with the Netherlands, is also being searched, according to the Rheinische Post.
Die Welt said the identity documents were issued in Kleve, and the suspect - who had applied for asylum - had an address in Berlin and North Rhine-Westphalia.
He had been charged with assault in the summer, but failed to appear in court, the newspaper reported.
A 23-year-old Pakistani asylum seeker arrested near the market was released on Tuesday due to lack of evidence.
Berlin police say they have received 508 tips over the attack.
It comes after reports that a Polish man, whose lorry was hijacked before being used to wreak havoc, was beaten and stabbed and is thought to have only been shot dead after the attack.
The body of Lukasz Urban, 37, was found in the cab of the lorry in Breischeidplatz after it smashed through the market for up to 80m (260ft).
Six of those killed in the attack were German. Of the other five, one is thought to be an Italian woman.
Twenty-four people injured in the attack remain in hospital, 14 in a critical condition.
Islamic State has claimed it was behind the attack. The group's news agency Amaq said one of its "soldiers" had carried out the deadly crash.
The document was found under the driver's seat of the vehicle that ploughed into crowds at the Christmas market on Monday evening, killing 12 people.
Der Spiegel and Allgemeine Zeitung reported that the document, apparently asylum office papers announcing a stay of deportation, was in the name of Anis A, born in 1992 in Tataouine, Tunisia.
The suspect was also known to have two aliases, according to the newspapers.
Bild said Anis A was known to police for bodily harm and is considered dangerous.
Ralf Jaeger, interior minister for North Rhine-Westphalia, said the suspect - who arrived in Germany in July 2015 - had been in contact with the network of a leading Islamist ideologist known as Abu Walaa.
He told a news conference that "security agencies exchanged information about this person in the joint counter-terrorism centre, the last time in November".
Mr Jaeger said that state police had launched proceedings against the man on suspicion that he was preparing a serious crime. The suspect, who went by a number of names, had an asylum application rejected.
German media has said a police operation is under way in the North Rhine-Westphalia state as the manhunt continues.
A migrant shelter in Emmerich, near the border with the Netherlands, is also being searched, according to the Rheinische Post.
Die Welt said the identity documents were issued in Kleve, and the suspect - who had applied for asylum - had an address in Berlin and North Rhine-Westphalia.
He had been charged with assault in the summer, but failed to appear in court, the newspaper reported.
A 23-year-old Pakistani asylum seeker arrested near the market was released on Tuesday due to lack of evidence.
Berlin police say they have received 508 tips over the attack.
It comes after reports that a Polish man, whose lorry was hijacked before being used to wreak havoc, was beaten and stabbed and is thought to have only been shot dead after the attack.
The body of Lukasz Urban, 37, was found in the cab of the lorry in Breischeidplatz after it smashed through the market for up to 80m (260ft).
Six of those killed in the attack were German. Of the other five, one is thought to be an Italian woman.
Twenty-four people injured in the attack remain in hospital, 14 in a critical condition.
Islamic State has claimed it was behind the attack. The group's news agency Amaq said one of its "soldiers" had carried out the deadly crash.
Gambia’s President Yahya Jammeh lambasts Ecowas mediators
Gambian President Yahya Jammeh has hit out at regional mediators urging him to step down, saying he will not be intimidated.
The West African regional bloc Ecowas had called on him to honour his initial pledge to accept electoral defeat.
Mr Jammeh, who subsequently said the 1 December poll was flawed, added that he would defend his country if need be.
Ecowas had said military intervention might be a possibility if diplomatic efforts failed.
Mr Jammeh has launched a court action to annul the vote after the electoral commission changed some results - though it insists the outcome has not been affected and that Adama Barrow won by 4% of the vote.
Africa Live: More on this and other stories
In a 45-minute speech at the African Bar Association on Tuesday night, Mr Jammeh defended his position.
"I will not be intimidated by any power in this world. I want to make sure justice is done.
"I'm a man of peace, but I cannot also be a coward. I am a man of peace but that does not also mean that I will not defend myself and defend my country and defend my country courageously, patriotically and win."
German police step up manhunt after Berlin truck attack
German police intensified a manhunt for the driver of a truck who killed 12 people when he drove through a crowded Berlin Christmas market at high speed, as concerns about the political and social fallout mounted.
After releasing a Pakistani asylum-seeker arrested near the scene, authorities warned on Wednesday the attacker is on the run and may be armed. They also said it is unclear if the perpetrator was acting alone or with others.
The 25-tonne truck smashed into wooden huts serving mulled wine and sausages, injuring about 45 people - many of those seriously. Six of those killed were Germans and the Polish driver of the truck was found shot dead in the cabin of the vehicle.
Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has claimed responsibility for the attack.
The head of the Association of German Criminal Detectives told German television late on Tuesday police hoped to make another arrest soon.
"I am relatively confident that we will perhaps tomorrow - or in the near future - be able to present a new suspect," Andre Schulz told a talk show on the ZDF public channel.
After releasing a Pakistani asylum-seeker arrested near the scene, authorities warned on Wednesday the attacker is on the run and may be armed. They also said it is unclear if the perpetrator was acting alone or with others.
The 25-tonne truck smashed into wooden huts serving mulled wine and sausages, injuring about 45 people - many of those seriously. Six of those killed were Germans and the Polish driver of the truck was found shot dead in the cabin of the vehicle.
Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has claimed responsibility for the attack.
The head of the Association of German Criminal Detectives told German television late on Tuesday police hoped to make another arrest soon.
"I am relatively confident that we will perhaps tomorrow - or in the near future - be able to present a new suspect," Andre Schulz told a talk show on the ZDF public channel.
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