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‘Leave Kyiv now’, India tells its nationals

This advisory comes as satellite images have emerged showing a long convoy of Russian military vehicles snaking along roadways northwest of Kyiv…reports Asian Lite News

The Indian embassy in Ukraine on Tuesday advised its nationals to leave the capital city Kyiv “urgently today” amid the deteriorating security situation due to the Russian-Ukraine conflict.

“Advisory to Indians in Kyiv: All Indian nationals including students are advised to leave Kyiv urgently today. Preferably by available trains or through any other means available,” the Indian embassy in Ukraine tweeted.

The Union government has launched Operation Ganga to bring back stranded students and Indian citizens from conflict-torn Ukraine.

Pic credits ians

This advisory comes as satellite images have emerged showing a long convoy of Russian military vehicles snaking along roadways northwest of Kyiv, CNN reported. Hundreds of tanks, towed artillery, armored and logistical vehicles can be seen in the image released by a US-based space technology company.

About 8000 Indian nationals have left since the initial advisories were issued by the country, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said.

“Evacuation efforts on Ukraine situation on the ground continue to be complex and fluid, some of them quite concerning, but we’ve been able to accelerate evacuation process. Over 8000 Indian nationals have left Ukraine since we issued the initial advisories,” the MEA spokesperson said during a media briefing.

He also informed that the six evacuation flight have landed in India bringing back over 1400 citizens under Operation Ganga.

“The six evacuation flights have landed in India bringing back around 1400 (1396) citizens. The four flights were from Bucharest (Romania), while the other two were from Budapest (Hungary), he said.

The MEA also informed that the government will send four Union Ministers as special envoys to neighbouring countries of Ukraine to coordinate evacuations of stranded Indians amid ongoing Russian military operations in Ukraine. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Boris offers visas to Ukrainians with kin in Britain

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Mysterious symbols emerge on various buildings in Kyiv

It comes amid rising concerns that Kyiv could soon come under heavy attack, after the Kremlin this morning warned civilians to leave the city via a “safe highway” to the southwest…reports Asian Lite News

A set of mysterious symbols have emerged on various buildings in Kyiv, sparking fears that Russian saboteurs may be marking out targets for a major aerial assault, Daily Mail reported.

Images of the symbols circulated on social media after Ukraine’s State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection (DSSZZI) posted a warning on social media encouraging residents to cover them up.

Red and orange crosshairs have been painted onto various structures in the capital, including several high-rise buildings, with certain symbols only visible under UV light, the report said.

“City officials are asking residents of high-rise buildings who have access to the roof to urgently check the rooftops for symbols,” the post read.

“If any symbols are found, please cover them up with dirt or something else.”

Fears that the symbols could in fact be target indicators were confirmed over the weekend when Mayor of Kyiv Vitali Klitschko declared: “City officials are urging citizens to immediately report tagged locations, submit photos to law enforcement, and report suspects who may be involved in tagging.”

“Labels are placed to adjust the fire of the occupying forces of the Russian Federation.”

It comes amid rising concerns that Kyiv could soon come under heavy attack, after the Kremlin this morning warned civilians to leave the city via a “safe highway” to the southwest.

Russia used similar tactics during its intervention in Syria, in which military leaders told civilians to leave cities along a safe route before conducting heavy bombing campaigns while fighting alongside Bashar al-Assad.

The use of target indicators (TIs) for aerial assaults was pioneered primarily by the RAF and the German Luftwaffe in World War II, Daily Mail reported.

Now, the Ukrainian military has reportedly seized several silent, light-emitting beacons from several positions around the capital, which are believed to be TIs for Russian aircraft or missiles.

These lights can be used as TIs to lead missiles to their targets with pinpoint accuracy and help them to avoid obstacles or enemy fire.

The painted crosshairs meanwhile represent a more old-fashioned approach to target indication – though they are less susceptible to sabotage, jamming and hacking unlike more technologically advanced methods, Daily Mail reported.

A video shared on Twitter purported to show one of the transmitting devices captured by Ukrainian forces, which flashed intermittently with a sharp green light.

ALSO READ-Truss vows to bring Russian economy to its knees

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New Zealand, UK Ink free trade deal

The FTA was signed in London by New Zealand Minister for Trade and Export Growth Damien O’Connor and Britain’s Secretary of State for International Trade Anne-Marie Trevelyan….reports Asian Lite News

New Zealand and Britain signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on Tuesday that unlocks unprecedented access to the British market and accelerates New Zealand’s Covid-19 recovery, said New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

“Virtually all our current trade will be duty-free from entry into force, including duty-free quotas for key products like meat, butter and cheese, helping to accelerate our economic recovery,” Ardern said in a statement.

The deal will boost New Zealand’s GDP by up to NZ$1 billion ($680 million), supporting business and jobs, he added, Xinhua news agency reported.

Pic credits Twitter@annietrev

This is New Zealand’s first bilateral trade agreement to include a specific article on climate change and includes provisions towards eliminating environmentally harmful subsidies, such as harmful fossil fuel subsidies, and prohibiting fisheries subsidies which lead to overfishing, she said.

The FTA was signed in London by New Zealand Minister for Trade and Export Growth Damien O’Connor and Britain’s Secretary of State for International Trade Anne-Marie Trevelyan.

It’s estimated New Zealand goods exports to Britain will increase by more than 50 per cent through the agreement, O’Connor said, adding the agreement will enter into force by the end of 2022 after both partners ratify the agreement through respective parliaments.

Britain was New Zealand’s seventh-largest trading partner pre-Covid, with two-way trade worth NZ$6 billion ($4.06 billion) to March 2020, he said.

ALSO READ: Boris offers visas to Ukrainians with kin in Britain

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Dubai EXPO 2020 UAE News

4th Emirati-French Business Engagement Summit opens

Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) opened the 4th Emirati-French Business Engagement Summit…reports Asian Lite News

Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) opened the 4th Emirati-French Business Engagement Summit held under the theme: Innovative and Sustainable Mobility Solutions, Building the City of Tomorrow at the French Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai.

Attendees included Xavier Chatel, Ambassador of the Republic of France to the UAE, Nathalie Kennedy, Consul-General of France in Dubai, Geoffroy Bunetel, President of CCI France UAE. About 20 companies among the leaders in mobility and innovation took part in the summit.

Al Tayer was delighted with the opening of the fourth summit which succeeded in the previous editions in boosting the commercial and investment cooperation between RTA in Dubai and the French business community. He noted that the summit had cemented the bilateral relationships in a variety of aspects that include driverless transport, future of mobility, innovative project financing and big data.

Al Tayer also paid tribute to the French companies that had undertaken a host of key RTA projects citing examples such as the Enterprise Command and Control Centre for Roads and Transport Systems (EC3), the extension of the Red Line of the Dubai Metro to the site of Expo (Route 2020), and the contract with Keolis-MHI Consortium to operate and maintain the Dubai Metro and operate the Dubai Tram.

RTA has an ambitious plan that extends up to 2030 for uplifting roads and public transport means in Dubai to achieve the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President, Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai the best city for living in the world, and realise the objectives of the Dubai Urban Plan 2040.

“RTA’s plan includes boosting the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in funding and constructing the transport infrastructure in accordance with the law regulating the PPP in Dubai. Accordingly, RTA has concluded a study for undertaking a portfolio of projects under the PPP model costing more than AED 5 billion. We are planning to study further 12 projects up to 2025 costing more than AED15 billion. The list includes mega projects such as the extension of the Dubai Metro network, suspended mobility pods, and the autonomous air taxi,” revealed Al Tayer.

4th Emirati-French Business Engagement Summit opens (WAM)

“RTA has a history of undertaking pioneering experiences and practices in conjunction with the private sector in the construction of a variety of roads and transport infrastructure projects. On top of these is the partnership with Careem in providing e-hail taxi service, and e-bike rental service. RTA has also joined hands with Cruise Company to operate Origin autonomous vehicle to provide taxi and e-hail ride services, thus rendering Dubai the first city outside the USA to operate these vehicles worldwide. RTA is also teaming with the private sector in the construction and installation of more than 1500 shelters for waiting bus riders in several points across the emirate. Examples of PPP projects also include the development of three comprehensive rest-stops for trucks and four multi-level parking terminals.

Xavier Chatel, Ambassador of the Republic of France to the UAE expressed his deep delight with the staging of the 4th Emirati-French Business Engagement Summit, which signals the solid cooperative relationships between France and the UAE.

ALSO READ: Expo School Programme hits 500k student visits

“We are proud of the strong partnership between RTA and French companies along RTA’s journey to develop the infrastructure for smart and sustainable mobility with leading rail companies such as Alstom and Thales, which were part of the Expolink Consortium that had undertaken the construction of Route 2020 project to extend the Dubai Metro Red Line to the site of Expo 2020. It is also satisfying to see the current collaboration between Keolis and Mitsubishi in operating and maintaining the Dubai Metro, and operating the Dubai Tram,” commented the Ambassador.

Bernard Tabary, CEO International, Keolis Group said: “The Emirati-French Business Engagement Summit is a fantastic opportunity for the leaders and senior executives of French companies to meet with the Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors as well as senior executives of RTA to share views about innovation in mobility, shared & sustainable transport and projects that RTA is considering to roll out in future.”

Geofroy Bunetel, President of CCI France UAE, said: “The summit offers an opportunity to France and the UAE to explore and establish partnerships in urban transport. The exploration of innovative and sustainable mobility solutions is extremely important for planners in any city.”

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Truss vows to bring Russian economy to its knees

She informed the Parliament that the country has removed some of the Russian banks from the SWIFT system in order to kick them out from international finance…reports Asian Lite News

British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, on Monday, has warned countries to face sanctions if they try to establish new trade relations with Russia. The warning from Truss when she was speaking at the Parliament on the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict.

The Foreign Secretary said that the country has been keeping a close eye on those countries who were seeking to make profits from gaps left in the trade after several European Union and Western countries imposed stringent sanctions on Russia– both politically and economically– for the action taken against Kyiv. “Those countries seeking to establish business ties with Russia could face severe sanctions,” she said.

“Russian President Vladimir Putin must lose. We are doing everything we can to stop him, and to restore Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We’ll do this by backing Ukraine against unjustified aggression; by degrading the Russian economy and stopping it from funding Putin’s war machine; and by isolating Putin on the world stage,” she added.

Further, she informed the Parliament that the country has removed some of the Russian banks from the SWIFT system in order to kick them out from international finance.

“This is the first step towards a total SWIFT ban. Our collective action against Russia’s Central Bank will prevent them from deploying their international reserves to mitigate the impact of our sanctions. We are also launching a joint task force to hunt down the assets of oligarchs,” stressed Truss.

Notably, the UK had on Saturday imposed several sanctions on Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. It also barred Russian airlines and private jets from using the country’s airspace. “Sanctions will devastate Russia’s economy and targets Vladimir Putin directly and his inner circle including Sergey Lavrov,” she said. “More than 100 companies and oligarchs at the heart of Putin’s regime have been hit with sanctions worth 100s of billions of pounds, asset freezes and travel bans,” she added.

Notably, Russian troops engaged in a deadly war with its neighbouring country, Ukraine on Thursday. Since then, they have reportedly captured several strategic locations in Ukraine.

According to the data presented by Ukraine’s Interior Ministry, at least 352 Ukrainian civilians have died in the Russian invasion including 14 children. On the other hand, Ukrainian Ambassador to United Nations, Sergiy Kyslytsya, during the UNGC meeting, claimed nearly 4,300 Russian troops killed and over 200 were taken as prisoners of war– a claim that Russia denied.

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Boris offers visas to Ukrainians with kin in Britain

UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said: “Putin’s regime has undertaken an illegal and violent assault against the people of Ukraine.”…reports Asian Lite News

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced that Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion can come to the UK if they already have members of their immediate family settled in the country.

As part of a new 40 million pounds humanitarian package for the supply of basic necessities and medical supplies such as medicines, syringes, dressings and wound care pack, Johnson confirmed that any person settled in the UK will be able to bring their Ukrainian immediate family members to join them here.

Downing Street said this would benefit many thousands of people who at this moment are making desperate choices about their future.

“The UK will not turn our backs in Ukraine’s hour of need. We are providing all the economic and military support we can to help those Ukrainians risking everything to protect their country,” Johnson said.

“In the last days the world has witnessed awe-inspiring displays of bravery and heroism from the Ukrainian people in response to those who seek to obliterate their freedom by force,” he said.

More details of the new Ukrainian visa policy is set to be announced in Parliament this week.

“We want to be as generous as we possibly can, and certainly we want people who have relatives in Ukraine to be able to bring them over as fast as possible. We want to make sure that we have routes for people fleeing disaster, war, persecution in Ukraine to come here,” Johnson told reporters.

UK government humanitarian experts have also deployed to the region to support those fleeing the violence in Ukraine. Downing Street said the weekend assistance package brings the total amount of UK government aid pledged to Ukraine this year to 140 million pounds.

Last week, Prime Minister Johnson also announced the UK would guarantee up to $500 million of loans to Ukraine through Multilateral Development Banks and the UK said it continues to supply defensive military equipment to the Ukrainian military to bolster their resistance against invading Russian forces.

UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said: “Putin’s regime has undertaken an illegal and violent assault against the people of Ukraine.”

“The UK will provide 40 million pounds in aid to help our Ukrainian friends, more funding to tackle what is becoming a humanitarian crisis. We stand with Ukraine, shoulder to shoulder, in its hour of need.”

During a visit to the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in London on Sunday evening, Johnson delivered a similar message of support saying that the UK would fulfil its neighbourly duty to Ukraine. He also made a clear distinction that it was the Russian leadership led by President Vladimir Putin who was responsible for the crisis and not the Russian people.

“Never in all my study, my memory of politics and international affairs have I seen so clear a distinction between right and wrong, between good and evil, between light and dark. And that is the real reason why Ukraine is our neighbour today,” Johnson said in his address to the congregation.

“I want to stress that there is no hostility in my part towards the Russian people. None whatever. Quite the reverse. My heart aches for the Russian parents who are already losing their children in this vicious and appalling war, just as it aches for the civilians and the people of Ukraine. But when it comes to the Russian leadership that chose this path of violence, and I stress chose, this path of violence and aggression, there can be no possible excuse,” he added.

He said the people of Ukraine were facing “the darkest times in modern memory” and described Russia’s invasion as a “barbaric and unprovoked attack”.

In his latest phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday, Johnson promised further military aid for Ukrainian forces.

“President Zelenskyy said he believed the next 24 hours was a crucial period for Ukraine, and the Prime Minister said he would do all he could to help ensure defensive aid from the UK and allies reached Ukraine. The leaders agreed to continue to stay in close contact and the Prime Minister reiterated the UK’s staunch support for Ukraine’s sovereignty,” Downing Street said in a readout of the call.

ALSO READ-Regularly engaging with India on Ukraine crisis: US

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Chelsea owner trying to broker end to war in Ukraine

Abramovich’s involvement followed a request from Ukrainian film producer Alexander Rodnyansky…reports Asian Lite News

Russian-Israeli billionaire Roman Abramovich, who owns the Premier League football club Chelsea, has come under pressure to speak out following the invasion of Ukraine by Vladimir Putin’s forces, PA Media reported.

There have been calls in the Parliament for him to face sanctions as a major oligarch “with links to the Russian state”, The Guardian reported.

A spokesman for the Chelsea owner said: “I can confirm that Roman Abramovich was contacted by the Ukrainian side for support in achieving a peaceful resolution, and that he has been trying to help ever since.

“Considering what is at stake, we would ask for your understanding as to why we have not commented on neither the situation as such nor his involvement.”

Abramovich’s involvement followed a request from Ukrainian film producer Alexander Rodnyansky.

There were no further details about Abramovich’s role, although it was acknowledged that his influence was “limited”, The Guardian reported.

“I can confirm that the Ukrainian side have been trying to find someone in Russia willing to help them in finding a peaceful resolution,” Rodnyansky said.

He added: “They are connected to Roman Abramovich through the Jewish community and reached out to him for help. Roman Abramovich has been trying to mobilise support for a peaceful resolution ever since.

“Although Roman Abramovich’s influence is limited, he is the only one who responded and taken it upon himself to try.

“If this will have an impact or not, I don’t know, but I am in contact with (Ukraine President Volodymyr) Zelenskiy’s staff myself, and know that they are grateful for his genuine efforts”.

Abramovich stepped back from day-to-day running of Chelsea on Saturday night, handing stewardship to the west London club’s charitable foundation trustees, The Guardian reported.

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India News

Hijab petitioner slams college authorities for ‘sowing seeds of hatred’

Alamas A.H., Hazra Shifa and Bibi Ayesha, the three petitioners among the six college students who are studying in science stream, were denied entry on Monday….reports Asian Lite News

Three girl students from Udupi Girls Pre-University College, who have moved to the High Court to seek consent for attending classes with hijab, were denied entry to sit for practical examinations while wearing hijab.

Later, one of the students released a video slamming the college authorities “for sowing the seeds of hatred against the hijab”. The video has gone viral on social media.

Alamas A.H., Hazra Shifa and Bibi Ayesha, the three petitioners among the six college students who are studying in science stream, were denied entry on Monday.

Expressing their displeasure over social media platforms, one of the students put out a video in Kannada and Urdu languages, alleging that they were “ruthlessly asked to get out from the college premises by the Principal of the college and were warned of slapping cases against them”.

The three students had come to the classroom with hijab to appear for a practical examination on Monday. The Principal of the college Rudre Gowda asked them to take exams without hijab and when they refused to take off their hijab, asked them to leave the place.

The students had also made representations to the Pre-University education department requesting to postpone the practical examinations.

Almas, one of the students, stated, “Today was our final practical exam. We had completed our record books and went in great hopes to attend the practical exam. It was so disheartening when our principal threatened us saying ‘you have 5 minutes to leave, if you don’t leave, I will file a police complaint.

“Right now, we should have been in our labs attending the practicals, not compelled to leave. The hopes I had from my college and my dreams are getting shattered due to the hatred sowed against hijab,” she said. However, the Principal Rudre Gowda has denied the allegations.

The education department has made it clear that about 80,000 Muslim girl students are studying in Pre-University Colleges in the state and only a handful of them are objecting to attend classes without hijab. The state government has stated that they suspect the role of an organisation behind these students and the police department is probing the matter.

Meanwhile, the larger bench of the High Court constituted to look into the issue of hijab has heard the matter and posted the matter for judgment.

ALSO READ: ‘Hijab row an unnecessary controversy’

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London Diary UK News

Londoners to join war in Ukraine

His call for an international legion carried echoes of the International Brigades that fought against the fascists – backed by Nazi Germany – in the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s…reports Asian Lite News

Scores of British volunteers are preparing to leave shores to join the fight in Ukraine

The Russian aggression in Ukraine is prompting scores of Londoners and members of Ukraine diaspora to join the fight to defend the homeland. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss’s support also fuelling the campaign.

Volunteers are also collecting donations, medical supplies and essential items like batteries, power-banks to support the refugees fleeing Ukraine.

Several people turned up to enrol at the Ukrainian embassy in London on Monday, after Foreign Secretary Truss said she would “absolutely” support British nationals who chose to go to help fight against the Russian invasion.

A diplomat at the embassy handed out sheets of paper to those wishing to join Ukraine’s army, containing a phone number and an email address for a contact co-ordinating the volunteers. As well as Britons, nationals from other countries were also among those volunteering to join the fight against Russia.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced the formation of a new “international legion” to help defend his country and appealed to foreign volunteers to come forward, promising them arms to fight against the Russian troops.

His call for an international legion carried echoes of the International Brigades that fought against the fascists – backed by Nazi Germany – in the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s.

Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba appeared to encourage the comparison, saying that just as Hitler had finally been defeated, “we will defeat Putin, too”.

But there is a legal hurdle for the volunteers. In 2014, the Crown Prosecution Service warned that UK nationals who went to fight in the Syrian civil war could be committing an offence, even if they joined the rebels fighting to overthrow President Bashar Assad. So the volunteers are facing terrorism charges on their return.

Meanwhile, another report says that Roman Abramovich is involved in the attempts to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine, Chelsea owner’s spokesperson claimed.

 The Russian billionaire handed “stewardship” of Chelsea to the club foundation’s trustees on Saturday amid the ongoing crisis between Russian and Ukraine, in a move aimed to protect the Stamford Bridge club. However, it has now emerged that Abramovich is attempting to help bring about an end to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

  “I can confirm that Roman Abramovich was contacted by the Ukrainian side for support in achieving a peaceful resolution and that he has been trying to help ever since. Considering what is at stake, we would ask for your understanding as to why we have commented on neither the situation as such nor his involvement. Thank you,” Abramovich’s spokesperson was quoted as saying by Skysports.

  Ukrainian film director and producer Alexander Rodnyansky also confirmed that Abramovich is involved due to his connections with both the Russian and Ukrainian Jewish communities.

 “I can confirm that the Ukrainian side has been trying to find someone in Russia willing to help them in finding a peaceful resolution,” said Rodnyansky. “They are connected to Roman Abramovich through the Jewish community and reached out to him for help.

  On Sunday, the Blues owner handed “stewardship” of Chelsea to the club foundation’s trustees. However, in Abramovich’s statement, there was no mention or condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Abramovich had said his decision was in the best interest of the club.

  “During my nearly 20-year ownership of Chelsea FC, I have always viewed my role as a custodian of the Club, whose job it is ensuring that we are as successful as we can be today, as well as build for the future, while also playing a positive role in our communities,” said Abramovich in an official statement on Sunday.

  “I have always taken decisions with the Club’s best interest at heart. I remain committed to these values. That is why I am today giving trustees of Chelsea’s charitable Foundation the stewardship and care of Chelsea FC. I believe that currently, they are in the best position to look after the interests of the Club, players, staff, and fans.”

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5 Pakistani teens nabbed in Spain on terrorism charges

The arrests triggered the alert especially after learning that the detainee had maintained contacts with a compatriot based in Barcelona….reports Asian Lite News

Giving body blow to the already settled radical Islam in the country, the National Police of Spain arrested five Pakistani citizens for encouraging their compatriots through social networks to assassinate those who raise their voice against them.

Police arrested the Pakistani citizens on February 21 in Barcelona, Gerona, Ubeda (Jaen) and Granada, according to a media report.

The detainees, all in their twenties, were sympathizers neither of the Islamic State (ISIS) nor of Al Qaeda, the groups to which practically all of those arrested in Spain are related, but of a radical Islamist group of Pakistan, the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), with parliamentary representation and which advocates the implementation of Islamic law and execution of those who are branded as blasphemers, said the report.

The judge of the National High Court Manuel Garcia-Castellon has ordered the admission to preventive detention of all of the accused on charges of collaboration with a terrorist organization, glorification and incitement to commit murders.

The investigation that has led to these arrests began after the attack in September 2020 on the former Paris headquarters of Charlie Hebdo. The satirical magazine had already suffered a jihadist attack in January 2015 in which eight persons had died.

In the second attack, in which two people were seriously injured, Zaheer Hassan Mahmoud, a 25-year-old Pakistani who assured that his intention was to attack the publication again for its decision to re-disseminate the cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad, was arrested. The French police investigation found links between Zaheer Hassan Mahmood and the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan, the media report said.

According to the report, that arrest triggered the alert among Spanish anti-terrorist experts due to the fear of being faced with a new terrorist phenomenon, especially after learning that the detainee had maintained contacts with a compatriot based in Barcelona.

The investigations have revealed that those now detained used social networks, mainly profiles on Facebook and Tik-Tok, as an authentic propaganda device in Urdu (the language spoken in Pakistan) through which they disseminated audiovisual material, in part created by them, in which they praised the terrorist attacks that were being committed both in Europe and in Pakistan against those they considered blasphemous, said the report.

Pic credits ANI

“They were very active and had numerous followers, and not only in Spain, but also in other European countries, such as France, Greece or Italy,” sources close to the investigation pointed out, according to the report.

It was the increasing reach of their radical messages that precipitated the arrests. The alleged leader of the group was arrested in Barcelona; another two, in Girona; one more, in Ubeda (Jaen); and the last, in Granada.

In the records of their homes, the Police have not located weapons or plans to commit a specific attack, but abundant jihadist material from the Islamic State in which threats against Europe and Israel were poured, according to the report.

“They considered the brothers Cherif and Said Kouachi [perpetrators of the attack against Charlie Hebdo] as heroes of Islam”, highlights the same sources.

The operation was carried out by the Barcelona Provincial Intelligence Unit and the General Information Police Station, the National Intelligence Center (CNI) and Europol, the EU agency for police collaboration. (ANI)

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