Ilham Aliyev holds high-level talks in Turkmenistan
Ilham Aliyev’s working visit to Turkmenistan on 22 August featured high-level discussions with Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty Gurbanguly Berdimuham...
South Korea’s former President Yoon Suk Yeol lay on the floor of his cell on Friday and refused to comply with questioning, a spokesperson for a special prosecutor said, as investigations into alleged abuse of power and influence-peddling continue.
Yoon, who was removed from office in April by the Constitutional Court over his failed attempt to declare martial law, is being held at the Seoul Detention Centre while facing trial for insurrection and other charges.
Prosecutors from a special investigation team formed under new President Lee Jae Myung attempted to bring Yoon in for questioning regarding influence-peddling allegations involving him and his wife, former First Lady Kim Keon Hee.
"But the suspect stubbornly refused to do so, while lying on the ground, not dressed in a prison uniform," spokesperson Oh Jung-hee told a news briefing. She said prosecutors would try again, even by force if necessary.
Yoon was reportedly wearing only his undershirt and underwear when officials approached him, according to Yonhap News Agency, citing the special prosecution.
Yu Jeong-hwa, one of Yoon’s lawyers, criticised the comments on his attire. “Bringing up what he was wearing in a small space where the temperature was close to 40 degrees Celsius (104°F) was a public insult to his dignity and showed how the state was violating inmates' human rights,” Yu said..
The former president was returned to a solitary cell in July as prosecutors sought additional charges related to his December martial law declaration.
He is currently on trial for insurrection, a capital offence punishable by life imprisonment or death.
Yoon also faces multiple other investigations, including one into alleged inappropriate influence over elections involving him and his wife. Both have denied wrongdoing.
Yoon’s legal team has repeatedly cited health concerns to justify his refusal to appear for questioning. His lawyers said Thursday that he suffers from preexisting conditions, including one that could cause vision loss.
In a veiled reference to Yoon’s previous role as a top prosecutor, Oh said the public was watching closely.
“The suspect has consistently highlighted the importance of laws, principles, fairness, and common sense, and through this cas,e people are watching if the law applies equally to everyone,” she said.
Separately, investigators have requested that Kim Keon Hee appear for questioning on 6 August.
Her lawyers said she would cooperate with the investigation.
A powerful eruption at Japan’s Shinmoedake volcano sent an ash plume more than 3,000 metres high on Sunday morning, prompting safety warnings from authorities.
According to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck the Oaxaca region of Mexico on Saturday.
The UK is gearing up for Exercise Pegasus 2025, its largest pandemic readiness test since COVID-19. Running from September to November, this full-scale simulation will challenge the country's response to a fast-moving respiratory outbreak.
Honduras has brought back mask mandates as COVID-19 cases and a new variant surge nationwide.
Kuwait says oil prices will likely stay below $72 per barrel as OPEC monitors global supply trends and U.S. policy signals. The remarks come during market uncertainty fueled by new U.S. tariffs on India and possible sanctions on Russia.
Afghanistan’s Minister of Public Health, Noor Jalal Jalali, met with Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Kabul, Gaziz Akbasov, to press for enhanced health-sector cooperation, part of a broader bilateral push that includes infrastructure, trade, and humanitarian aid ties.
Authorities and employers should protect the health of workers who are exposed to extreme heat, according to a report by the United Nations. The UN warns that high temperatures are endangering people worldwide with serious health risks.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 22th of August, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Chinese President Xi Jinping will host Russia’s Vladimir Putin, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and more than 20 heads of government at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjin from 31 August to 1 September.
California lawmakers have fast-tracked a redistricting plan giving Democrats a potential five-seat gain in Congress, with Governor Gavin Newsom signing the measure on Thursday to counter Republican efforts in Texas.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment