International
The U.S. Supreme Court says that the Prosecutor’s Office overtooke itself by accusing the Capitol assailants
The United States Supreme Court decided this Friday that accusing the assailants of the January 6, 2021 Capitol of obstruction of justice was inappropriate and that the Department of Justice was overdone.
By six votes to three, the country’s highest court ruled that the Prosecutor’s Office went overboard by accusing hundreds of people who moted at the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021, of obstruction.
The decision implies that the lower courts will now apply that standard and will probably dismiss the charges against many defendants.
This ruling could also interfere in one of the judicial proceedings against former Republican President Donald Trump – that of his involvement in the assault on the Capitol and his alleged attempt to interfere in the elections – since special prosecutor Jack Smith included the obstruction of an official procedure among the four charges that weigh against him in this trial.
Although Smith, who carries out the investigation, alleges that Trump’s obstruction of the Congressional procedure is much broader than that of the assailants, it is likely that the legal team of the former president will try to take advantage of the Supreme Court’s decision.
That January 6, about 10,000 people – most of them Trump followers – marched towards the Capitol and about 800 broke into the building while Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 elections was being certified. There were five dead and about 140 officers injured.
Since then, more than 1,000 people have been arrested practically in the 50 states of the country for crimes related to the attack and more than 350 have been charged with assault or obstruction of law enforcement, according to data from the Department of Justice.
The Supreme Court decided this Friday that charges could be filed against the rioters if the prosecutors can prove that they were not only trying to enter the building by force, but also to prevent the arrival of the certificates that confirmed the results of the election.
The president of the Supreme Court, John Roberts, wrote the majority opinion, which included a liberal judge, Ketanji Brown Jackson.
Judge Amy Coney Barrett presented a dissident opinion that was joined by Judges Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan.
The Supreme Court’s decision outraged the US Prosecutor’s Office, headed by Attorney General Merrick Garland, who claimed to be “disappointed.”
This limits “an important federal statute that the Department has tried to use to ensure that those primarily responsible for that attack face the appropriate consequences,” Garland said.
International
China calls for dialogue amid rising Iran-Israel conflict
The Chinese government emphasized on Monday the importance of “creating the conditions to return to the proper path of dialogue” between Iran and Israel, which have exchanged attacks in recent days resulting in more than 20 Israeli and over 220 Iranian deaths.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun expressed deep concern at a press conference over the Israeli attacks on Iran and the “sudden escalation” of the military conflict.
Guo called on all parties to “take immediate measures to ease tensions and prevent the region from descending into further turmoil,” stating that “force cannot bring lasting peace.”
“If the conflict between Israel and Iran continues to intensify or even expand, the countries of the Middle East will be the first to suffer the consequences,” he added, while noting that China “will continue to maintain communication with the relevant parties, promoting peace and dialogue.”
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke last Saturday with his Iranian and Israeli counterparts to condemn the Israeli airstrike on Iranian territory, which he described as a “violation of international law” with the potential to trigger “disastrous” consequences.
In both calls, Wang reiterated China’s rejection of the use of force, defended diplomacy as the only solution to the Iranian nuclear dispute, and offered China’s mediation to prevent further destabilization in the Middle East.
International
Suspect arrested in killing of Minnesota legislator and husband, governor Says
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced on Sunday the arrest of Vance Luther Boelter, 57, the main suspect in the killing of Democratic legislator Melissa Hortman and her husband in a Brooklyn Park suburb on Friday night.
Boelter, who also reportedly shot State Senator John Hoffman and his wife early Saturday morning, was apprehended in Sibley County following an intensive manhunt involving hundreds of law enforcement officers.
In a public statement, Governor Walz condemned Boelter’s “unthinkable actions,” which resulted in the death of a woman who “shaped the core of who we are as a state.”
“We cannot become numb to this. We are a deeply divided nation,” Walz said in a statement posted on his X account.
“We move forward not with hatred or violence, but with humility, grace, and civility,” he added.
Expressing solidarity with the victims’ families, Walz said the entire state of Minnesota is in mourning. He also thanked law enforcement for their bravery and professionalism: “They have saved lives,” he emphasized.
“As we heal, we will not let fear win,” Walz concluded. “We must honor Melissa by moving forward with understanding, service, and above all, humanity.”
Throughout Sunday, police and sheriff units searched a rural area in Minnesota for Vance Luther Boelter, a security company director and preacher who, according to Governor Walz, acted out of politically motivated violence.
International
40,000 tourists stranded in Israel amid airspace shutdown over Iran conflict
Approximately 40,000 tourists are stranded in Israel following the closure of the country’s airspace amid escalating hostilities with Iran, the Israeli Ministry of Tourism reported on Monday.
The ministry has set up a virtual office to provide information via email (virtual@goisrael.gov.il) and phone (+972-53-583-5808), as well as a Facebook page called Israel Virtual Tourist Office.
Israeli Tourism Minister Haim Katz is in contact with hotels and accommodations across the country to offer support to tourists in need, the ministry added.
Many stranded travelers are considering crossing overland into Jordan or Egypt to seek flights from those countries. The Israel Airports Authority reminded the public that land border crossings remain open.
Three German tourists stranded in Jerusalem told EFE today that they have not received any assistance from their country’s embassy in Israel, and their primary option currently is to cross into Jordan to catch a flight from there.
Since early Friday morning, Israel launched operations against Iran, targeting military personnel and infrastructure, including energy and nuclear facilities, as well as numerous residential areas in Tehran.
In response, Iran has fired hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israel, some of which have struck various locations across the country, leaving at least 24 dead so far, according to Israeli authorities.
Iranian health officials report at least 224 deaths, mostly civilians, including at least 17 senior military officials—nine from the Revolutionary Guard—and more than a dozen nuclear scientists.
The Israeli military has warned that many more “targets” remain, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guard declared on Monday that it will continue missile attacks against Israel until its “destruction.”
China calls for dialogue amid rising Iran-Israel conflict
Suspect arrested in killing of Minnesota legislator and husband, governor Says
40,000 tourists stranded in Israel amid airspace shutdown over Iran conflict
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