20 Jul 2009 | Index Index, minipost
Officials in Kyrgyzstan have claimed at a news conference that a local police officer has admitted to inflicting the injuries on freelance journalist Almazbek Tashiyev that resulted in his death last week. They claim the policeman knew Tashiyev well and the row was personal and now consider the case to be closed. Upon admission to hospital Tashiyev, and his brother who also witnessed the incident said he had been assaulted by “about 10 policemen”. Read more here
20 Jul 2009 | Index Index, minipost
A garden gnome giving the Nazi salute has landed a German artist in trouble with the authorities in Nuremberg. Prosecutors are investigating whether the gnome, which went on show in one of the city’s galleries, breaks the strict law banning Nazi symbols and gestures. The 59-year-old artist, Ottmar Hoerl, has been president of Nuremberg’s Academy of Fine Arts since 2005. Read more here
20 Jul 2009 | Index Index, minipost
The Ministry of Justice has announced plans to incorporate only four new bodies in the Freedom of Information Act after lengthy consultation. These include the Association of Chief Police Officers, Academy schools, the Financial Ombudsman Service and UCAS. Companies that provide public services will not be brought within the Act, a decision The Campaign for Freedom of Information have said is extremely disappointing given the growing role the private sector had in providing public services. Read more here
20 Jul 2009 | Index Index, minipost
Two journalists have been released after paying an undisclosed “heavy fine” at a Namibian court after being arrested for filming the annual seal cull, which involves clubbing seal pups to death. Jim Wilckens from the UK and South African cameraman Bart Smithers were allegedly attacked with clubs by seal hunters before being arrested. Read more here
