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Winnipeg Free Press
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
An adviser to an ex-Ukrainian president is killed near an American school in Spain, officials say
POZUELO DE ALARCON, Spain (AP) — An adviser to former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych was shot to death Wednesday outside the American School of Madrid, where at least one of his children was enrolled, Spanish authorities and witnesses said. Andrii Portnov, 51, was shot at 9:15 a.m. (0715 GMT) as students were arriving, Spain's Interior Ministry said. Portnov was a former politician tied closely to Yanukovych, the pro-Moscow president of Ukraine from 2010 until he was ousted in a popular uprising in 2014 after shelving plans to bring the country closer to the European Union and instead deepen ties with President Vladimir Putin's Russia. Yanukovych's ouster in February 2014 followed a brutal crackdown on anti-government protesters, with dozens of people killed, many by police snipers. Portnov was deputy head of the presidential office in that period and was involved in drafting legislation aimed at punishing participants of the uprising. Ukrainian authorities opened a treason case against him, which was later closed, and he also was the subject of U.S. sanctions involving corruption in Ukraine. Ukrainian officials did not immediately comment on Portnov's killing. Witnesses said Portnov was shot several times in the head and body by more than one gunman when he was getting into a Mercedes Benz registered to him, police said. The unidentified assailants then fled on foot, and local media reported police helicopters later flew over a nearby park. Portnov died in the parking lot with at least three shots to his body, Madrid's emergency services said. He had one child enrolled at the school, according to a parent and an uncle of students there who spoke with The Associated Press. The school declined to comment. Portnov's past After fleeing Ukraine in 2014, Portnov reportedly lived in Russia in 2015 before relocating to Austria. It wasn't immediately clear when he moved to Spain. In 2018, when pro-Western Petro Poroshenko was president of Ukraine, the country's Security Service, or SBU, opened an investigation against Portnov on suspicion of state treason, alleging his involvement in Russia's illegal annexation of the Crimean Peninsula. The criminal case was closed in 2019, three months after Volodymyr Zelenskyy came to power. The United States imposed personal sanctions on Portnov in 2021, designating him as someone 'responsible for or complicit in, or (who) has directly or indirectly engaged in, corruption, including the misappropriation of state assets, the expropriation of private assets for personal gain, corruption related to government contracts or the extraction of natural resources, or bribery.' High-profile killings Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, there have been a number of killings of high-profile figures linked to Moscow and Kyiv. The killings have included Darya Dugina, the daughter of a prominent Russian nationalist; military blogger Vladlen Tatarsky; and several high-ranking Russian military officers. In those instances, Ukraine denied involvement. One exception was former Ukrainian lawmaker Illia Kyva, who fled to Russia before the invasion and was killed there in 2023. The SBU said in a statement that its chief, Vasyl Maliuk, has said the enemies of Ukraine 'will definitely be held accountable for their crimes.' One killing that prompted speculation of retaliation by Moscow was the shooting death in Spain last year of Russian pilot Maxim Kuzminov, who defected to Ukraine in 2023, although there was no independent confirmation of Russia's involvement. A school in shock Police cordoned off a crime scene in a parking lot outside the gate of the American School of Madrid, located in the upscale town of Pozuelo de Alarcón, north of Madrid. Luis Rayo, 19, who lives in a neighboring building, said he was sleeping when he heard gunfire and went to see what happened. One student, who is in 11th grade, said he was 20 minutes into his first class when he and his classmates heard of the shooting. School administrators told students that a man had been shot and pronounced dead outside. 'I thought it was a drill,' he said. 'I was worried because at first I thought it might be a parent of someone I know.' His mother, who is originally from Azerbaijan, said she knew someone through the emigre community with the same first name as the victim, but did not know him well. 'I didn't know there were Ukrainian politicians there,' she said, adding that the man she knew had a son in the fourth grade. 'I was in shock. Like how is it possible that this happens here?' ___ This story has been updated to clarify that the woman from Azerbaijan said she knew someone with the same first name as the victim. It also clarifies that her acquaintance has a son in the fourth grade. ——— Wilson reported from Barcelona, Spain, and Novikov reported from Kyiv, Ukraine. Yuras Karmanau in Tallinn, Estonia, contributed.
Morocco World
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Morocco World
Casablanca Authorities Crack Down on Unauthorized Churches
Marrakech – Local authorities in Casablanca have taken action against the spread of unauthorized churches operating illegally in apartments and commercial spaces, Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit announced on Thursday. The minister's statement came in response to a written parliamentary question from Justice and Development Party (PJD) representative Abdessamad Haiker, who raised concerns about the proliferation of these informal worship spaces. 'Local authorities in Casablanca have implemented several measures, recognizing the need to balance protection of religious freedom with the risks that unlicensed places of worship pose to public order,' Laftit stated in his official response. Joint inspection committees have visited locations being used illegally in several neighborhoods, including Oulfa, Hay Hassani, Sidi Maarouf, and Sidi El Khadir. These teams have instructed occupants to comply with applicable legal requirements. Tenants were informed that these spaces 'are not intended for religious activities,' the minister said, noting that property owners were also contacted and asked to ensure their tenants adhere to rental contract terms. These communications with property owners have already resulted in the regularization of several locations previously used for such activities, according to the Interior Ministry. Additionally, authorities launched an awareness campaign targeting foreign Christian residents, warning them about the risks of practicing religious rituals in unsuitable spaces. The issue was thrust into the spotlight following reports on social media about underground spaces allegedly being used as unauthorized 'churches,' particularly in working-class neighborhoods. These reports created concern among local residents. In his parliamentary question, Haiker expressed worry about the lack of clear information regarding these spaces. He questioned their legality and whether those operating them had obtained necessary permits. Such phenomena could 'spread anxiety and a lack of spiritual security among citizens,' the PJD representative warned, calling on the relevant ministries to disclose planned measures to address these issues and ensure compliance with laws governing religious practices in Morocco. The phenomenon of unlicensed churches has become widespread in the Hay Hassani area, according to converging reports. Local sources indicate that property owners have been renting their premises to individuals from sub-Saharan African countries, who convert them into primary locations for religious practices without proper authorization. The ministry confirmed that additional inspections will be conducted in the coming weeks, while continuing dialogue and awareness efforts with the affected communities. Some reports suggest that several of these 'informal churches' are located in basements or discreet premises, sometimes set up in precarious conditions. Read also: Moroccan Christians 'Hope for a Future Civil Code That Includes All Moroccans' Tags: Casablancachurches in morocco
Yemen Online
a day ago
- Politics
- Yemen Online
Yemen Seizes 1.5 Million Captagon Pills, Alleges Houthis Fueling War Through Drug Trade
Yemeni authorities said they seized 1.5 million Captagon pills hidden on the roof of a refrigerated truck traveling from the Houthi-controlled capital, Sanaa, to Saudi Arabia — a bust that officials allege reveals a shift in regional drug trafficking routes and highlights the Houthis' growing reliance on narcotics smuggling to fund their military operations. The seizure, announced by Yemen's Interior Ministry, suggests that Yemen may be emerging as a new hub in the Captagon trade following reported crackdowns in Syria, where the trade had flourished for years under the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. According to a statement from the ministry, the truck driver admitted the shipment belonged to drug dealers in Sanaa. Authorities believe the shipment is tied to the Iran-backed Houthi militia, and say it reflects the presence of extensive drug production and smuggling networks operating inside Houthi-controlled territory. Brig. Gen. Abdullah Lahmadi, director general of drug control at the ministry, said the discovery underscores the scale of trafficking allegedly supported by the Houthis. Information Minister Muammar al-Eryani of the internationally recognized Yemeni government wrote on X that this attempt comes at 'a sensitive time after the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria, which represented the main corridor for the Captagon trade to the Gulf states.' 'With the collapse of [the Assad] regime, the Houthis exploited the resulting vacuum to enhance their criminal activities and transform Yemen into a new starting point for drug smuggling, which deepens their security threats and further deteriorates the regional situation,' he added. Al-Eryani said the seizure 'highlights the malicious tactics that the Houthi militia relies on to finance its military operations and terrorist activities.' Abdulhamid Amer, head of the National Center for Strategic Studies, echoed the accusation, telling the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) that the Houthi group 'relies heavily on drugs to finance its ongoing wars.' A 2024 report by a U.N. Panel of Experts on Yemen also accused the Houthis of generating 'substantial illegal resources' through trafficking in drugs, arms and telecommunications equipment. Amer pointed to a rise in drug smuggling toward Saudi Arabia and the Gulf after the Assad regime's collapse and the weakening of Hezbollah in Syria — two groups previously linked to Captagon trafficking. He said the shift has been enabled by the Houthis' control over large areas in Yemen. Among the signs of increased smuggling, Amer cited a surge in land and maritime trafficking operations, a spike in drug volumes, the rise of commercial and agricultural fronts used for laundering, and growing domestic drug use, especially among youth. While the internationally recognized Yemeni government has accused the Houthis of spearheading the shift in the Captagon trade, the Houthi authorities have blamed Saudi Arabia. In 2021, Abdul Khaleq Al-Ajri, then-spokesman for the Houthi-run Interior Ministry, alleged that Riyadh was behind large-scale drug smuggling. He claimed Saudi Arabia released 3,000 Yemeni prisoners on the condition that they engage in trafficking within Yemen. Saudi Arabia backs Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), which leads the internationally recognized government and is tasked with uniting anti-Houthi factions. A Houthi government spokesperson was not immediately available for comment. Meanwhile, Syria's interim government has claimed to be cracking down on the Captagon trade. Transitional Interior Minister Anas Khattab recently said all production facilities in the country had been shut down. But evidence suggests smuggling continues: in a recent incident, authorities intercepted 200,000 Captagon pills being smuggled through Syria. Still, the Washington-based New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy noted that seizures have not led to significant arrests of traffickers. 'The technical knowledge to produce Captagon remains and could be redeployed elsewhere. Smuggling networks continue to operate, though likely on a diminishing scale, as regime-linked stockpiles dwindle,' the institute said in a recent report. The group also noted that Syria's interim government 'lacks the institutional capacity for effective counternarcotics operations,' with primitive disposal methods such as burning or dumping pills into waterways. Syria became the region's leading source of Captagon during the last decade, with the Assad regime accused of transforming the country into a narco-state. A 2023 joint investigation by OCCRP and the BBC found that members of the Assad family and Syrian Armed Forces were directly involved in the billion-dollar trade.
Local Spain
a day ago
- Local Spain
Spain reminds hotels that it's illegal to make a copy of guests' IDs
The Spanish Data Protection Agency (AEPD) has sent a reminder to hotels that they are not authorised to make or request copies of passports and ID cards from their guests. The notification was also sent to Spain's Interior Ministry and the Confederation of Companies warning that copies can pose a risk to people's privacy. A 2021 decree states that hotels and other tourist accommodation must collect certain pieces data from guests such as name, passport or ID number, address and date of birth. Many of these are found in passports and ID cards and the agency has noticed that many hotels simply take a copy of these to get all the information at once, instead of asking guests to fill out each detail themselves. While this might save time for both the hotel and the guest, it also violates the principle of data minimisation. This means that these types of travel documents contain much more information than is required by law. Photographs, expiration date and parents' names for example are not necessary to check into a hotel, but by photocopying a passport, hotels automatically has all these as well. This in turn increases a risk of identity theft, with hotel staff potentially able to get hold of these information and sell it on to others on the black market. According to the Spanish Data Protection Agency, the ID cards are not a valid means of complying with the regulation, and sending a copy of documents does not allow for accurate verification of the identity of the person sending it. AEPD advises that to authenticate the data provided in person, a visual verification of the document is enough. If done online, digital certificates can be used as a form of authentication, but as these are usually only held by people in Spain, they are not useful for clients coming from abroad. Therefore, the agency also suggests that codes could be sent to the customer's phone or email to verify them. One of the biggest issues is that at the beginning of December 2024, the Spanish government announced that hotels and other tour agencies, as well as car rental companies, would have to collate even more personal data from their customers. Royal Decree 933/2021, now requires around 18 extra pieces of information from travellers, bringing it to a total of 42 separate details needed when registering tourists in Spain. This is a lot of information to ask from tourists at check-in after a long flight or even to ask over e-mail. This goes a long way in explaining why many just decide to photocopy or ask for pictures of passports or ID cards instead.
News18
2 days ago
- Politics
- News18
'Leave If You Feel Unsafe': India Urges Citizens To Consider Voluntary Exit From Israel, Issues Helpline
The Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv has not ordered a mandatory evacuation, but has 'strongly urged' Indian nationals to voluntarily depart if they feel insecure. Amid growing fears of a potential military escalation between Israel and Iran, India has advised its citizens in Israel to consider leaving the country if they feel unsafe, top government sources have told CNN-News18. This advisory comes in the wake of a similar security warning issued by the United States to its nationals, raising concerns over the regional conflict intensifying. According to sources familiar with the matter, the Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv has not ordered a mandatory evacuation, but has 'strongly urged" Indian nationals to voluntarily depart if they feel insecure. Approximately 40,000 Indians currently reside in Israel, and the embassy has prepared a comprehensive database to assist and coordinate any evacuation efforts. To ensure efficient communication, all Indian nationals have been requested to register with the embassy via its official portal ( This will allow them to receive real-time alerts and emergency support. The embassy has also activated 24/7 emergency helplines for assistance: +972-3-5226748 (emergency) and +972-3-7620700 (general enquiries). Unlike the government-led evacuation from Iran – where Indian citizens were flown out via Armenia — the current plan for Israel is voluntary, land-based, and coordinated with the support of the embassy. Indian citizens are being advised to exit the country using two key land routes: Via Jordan: Indians can exit through the Allenby Bridge or King Hussein Bridge crossings. However, this requires obtaining an eVisa through Jordan's Interior Ministry portal. For those who choose to remain in Israel, the embassy has shared a set of safety guidelines. These include avoiding non-essential travel, staying close to bomb shelters, and closely monitoring alerts issued by the Israeli Home Front Command through its website ( Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reportedly conveyed India's deep concern over the tensions and reaffirmed India's support for peace and stability in the region during discussions with Israeli leadership. In view of the situation, Indian nationals in Israel are being urged to remain alert, stay informed through embassy updates, and proactively plan their exit routes if concerned about their safety. First Published: June 19, 2025, 13:36 IST
