Global Updates: Detentions, Prison Sentences, and Ceasefires

A Ukrainian former military officer, Serhiy Kuznetsov, is on a hunger strike in an Italian prison where he is being held on suspicion of involvement in the 2022 Nord Stream gas pipeline sabotage. Kuznetsov accuses Italian authorities of mistreating him to force a confession, claiming he is being held in a high-security facility with 'maximum restrictions' and being denied his dietary preferences. His lawyer says he has been 'abandoned' by the Ukrainian government. Kuznetsov's extradition to Germany has been approved, but he is appealing the decision. The attack on the Nord Stream pipelines was a high-profile incident that occurred at the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with many initially suspecting Russian involvement. German prosecutors have issued arrest warrants for Kuznetsov and another Ukrainian citizen, Volodymyr Zhuravlyov, on charges of 'anti-constitutional sabotage'.

British journalist Sami Hamdi is set to be released from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody after being detained for two weeks. Hamdi, a critic of Israel, was arrested while on a speaking tour in the US for allegedly supporting terrorism and posing a threat to national security. His lawyers argued he was targeted for his criticism of Israel and its war in Gaza. The US government revoked his visa, citing his alleged support for terrorism, but the charging document only accused him of overstaying his visa. Hamdi's representatives welcomed an agreement allowing him to voluntarily return to the UK instead of facing deportation.

British journalist Sami Hamdi was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at San Francisco International Airport while on a speaking tour. After accepting the U.S. government's offer to leave the country voluntarily, Hamdi is expected to be released. His detention was met with criticism from his family and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), who believe it was due to his criticisms of Israel. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claimed Hamdi was an 'illegal alien and terrorist sympathizer.' Hamdi's family and supporters expressed relief and disappointment at his treatment by U.S. authorities.

A French court sentenced Charles Dietrich, a 50-year-old American man from Colorado, to 30 years in prison for killing his estranged wife and her lover outside Paris in 2020. Dietrich was found guilty of shooting dead his former partner, Aurelie, and her new love interest, Christophe, in the town of Saint-Maur-des-Fosses. The court imposed a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years and stripped Dietrich of his parental rights. Dietrich claimed he was framed and insisted on his innocence throughout the trial, despite incriminating evidence presented by prosecutors, including security camera footage and ballistics tests linking him to the crime.

Hamas has returned the remains of Hadar Goldin, an Israeli soldier killed in 2014, after holding his body for over 4,000 days. The handover was part of a U.S.-brokered peace deal, with Israel releasing the remains of 15 Palestinians for each Israeli hostage returned. Goldin's family had campaigned for 11 years to bring their son home for burial. The return of Goldin's remains brings to 23 the number of hostages released by Hamas since the ceasefire began last month.

A doctor, Taleb A, accused of killing six people, including a nine-year-old boy, by driving a car into a crowded German Christmas market in December 2024, apologized to the boy's family during his trial. The 51-year-old Saudi-born defendant is charged with murder, attempted murder, and injuring hundreds. During his testimony, Taleb A expressed remorse but also made political statements and allegations against various individuals and groups. The trial is ongoing and is expected to continue until March.

Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former US President Donald Trump, met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem to discuss the next stage of the Gaza ceasefire. The ceasefire, brokered by the US, has been in place since October 10 and has focused on stopping the fighting, releasing hostages, and increasing humanitarian aid to Gaza. The first phase of the ceasefire is nearing its end, with Hamas having returned all 20 living hostages and the remains of 24 hostages. The second phase, which includes deploying an international security force, disarming Hamas, and governing post-war Gaza, has not been agreed upon yet. Kushner played a key role in developing the White House plan to wind down the fighting in Gaza.

The article discusses the looming risk of a de facto partition of Gaza between Israel and Hamas as US President Donald Trump's plan to end the war falters. The plan, which aimed to establish a transitional authority and multinational security force, is stalled due to disagreements between Israel and Hamas. The Israeli military currently controls 53% of Gaza, while Hamas controls the remaining area. The article highlights the concerns of European officials and analysts that the current situation could lead to a long-term division of Gaza, with reconstruction efforts limited to the Israeli-controlled area.