A dispute broke out between Poland and Russia over the evacuation of a Russian school. Warsaw City Council took over the building. According to reports in the Polish media, it is a preparatory school attended by the children of Russian diplomats.
sOlin confiscated the premises of a Russian secondary school in Warsaw on Saturday. A spokesman for the Polish Foreign Ministry told AFP that the school building „will in the future belong to the Warsaw City Council.” Therefore, the city administration commissioned a bailiff to confiscate the building.
According to reports in the Polish media, it is a preparatory school attended by the children of Russian diplomats. As reported by TVP, police officers appeared in front of the building on Saturday morning.
Warsaw Deputy Mayor Tomasz Pratek announced this afternoon that the City of Warsaw had „taken over” the building. Pratek told the Polish news agency that the Russian side initially „refused” to open the school’s gate and doors. „We had to call a locksmith who gave us access to the building with his tools.” Then he handed the Russian deputy ambassador the keys to the school.
Read also
An AFP photographer noted that Polish police officers and officials eventually entered the school. The items were taken out of the building and loaded into cars with diplomatic plates.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said it classified the confiscation of the school building as „another hostile act by the Polish authorities and a flagrant violation of the 1961 Vienna Convention”. He announced „a reaction and harsh consequences for the Polish authorities and Poland’s interests in Russia.”
The Russian ambassador to Poland, Sergey Andreev, spoke of an „illegal action”. He told the Russian news agency RIA Novosti that the confiscation was „a storming of a diplomatic facility.” The Ambassador also noted that teachers and staff live in the school premises. School operations will continue in other embassy buildings in order to enable students to have a „good end to the school year” and exams.
A Russian investigative committee also announced late Saturday night (local time) that it wanted to review the legal status of the expropriation of the school building. However, the details of the procedure were not provided.
Read also
Lukasz Jasina, a spokesman for the Polish Foreign Ministry, told Reuters that Russia had the right to protest but that Poland acted within the law: „Our opinion, upheld by the courts, is that this building belongs to the Polish state and was illegally stolen by Russia.”
Already strained relations between the two countries have deteriorated due to the war in Ukraine. Earlier this week, Russian Ambassador Andreev complained that Polish prosecutors had confiscated large sums of money from the frozen bank accounts of the Russian Embassy and the Trade Mission. In March 2022, Poland has already expelled 45 Russian diplomats suspected of working for Russian intelligence.
„Kick-off” is WELT’s daily news podcast. Top topic analyzed by WELT editors and today’s dates. Subscribe to the podcast at SpotifyAnd Apple PodcastAnd Amazon MusicAnd Google Podcast or directly via RSS feed.
South Africa’s Constitutional Court has excluded 82-year-old former President Zuma from parliamentary elections scheduled for next week. There are major fears of unrest – and his supporters are threatening violence.
TV channels are broadcasting live, Zuma’s fans are gathering before the Constitutional Court, and the public interest is huge. Little wonder, after all, that the Constitutional Court, South Africa’s highest court, had to decide a highly explosive legal dispute.
A far-reaching decision by the court
The proceedings were not just about the political future of the 82-year-old. Rather, the question is whether the requirements of the state constitution apply equally to all candidates in next week’s parliamentary elections – and therefore the credibility and legitimacy of these elections as a whole.
The judges had to decide whether former president Jacob Zuma could run for a seat in Parliament despite his criminal record.
Supporters of Jacob Zuma demonstrate in front of the Constitutional Court in South Africa.
Zuma has a criminal record
It sounds like a legal quirk, but it’s not. Anyone who has been sentenced to one year or more in prison is not allowed to run for office for five years after the end of their sentence – this is stipulated in the South African Constitution.
According to the country’s electoral commission, this is exactly what applies to Jacob Zuma. In the summer of 2021, he became the first former head of state in South African history to be jailed for 15 months because he refused to testify in court about rampant corruption during his time in office.
According to an independent investigative report, during Zuma’s rule from 2009 to 2018, Zuma, along with his political and business accomplices, took control of the country and systematically plundered state-owned enterprises such as the electricity company Eskom and the railway company Transnet.
However, Zuma was released after three months behind bars for health reasons. The remainder of the sentence was waived by current President Cyril Ramaphosa. Therefore, Zuma said that the 15-month prison sentence was no longer valid, and that there was nothing standing in the way of his candidacy.
In addition, he was not punished for a crime, but “only” for violating court orders. And: Whether he should be allowed to stand for election should not be decided by the court, but rather later by the newly elected Parliament.
But the South African Supreme Court sees the matter completely differently. A sentence is a sentence, and even the overturning of the sentence cannot change that, the country’s top judges decided in the final court.
Ballots have already been printed
According to legal experts, this measure put constitutional judges in a difficult position shortly before the parliamentary elections. Of course, the legal decision also has serious political consequences.
Without its driving force, Jacob Zuma, as the main candidate, the KP may end up having a harder time stealing votes from the ANC on election day – although Zuma’s name and face will remain on ballot papers in the election. Because they have already been printed and can no longer be exchanged when the election approaches.
In a joint appeal, 40 NGOs called on all concerned to respect the decision of the country’s highest court. There is great concern about a repeat of the unrest of 2021. Shortly after the verdict against Jacob Zuma, more than 300 people were killed in riots. Supporters of the former president recently publicly threatened to commit new acts of violence if Zuma was excluded from the parliamentary elections.
Zuma polarizes the country
Zuma has polarized South Africa in a way that no other politician has. This has become even more true since he announced that he will lead the newly founded Knesset Party in the upcoming parliamentary elections. Zuma appeared confident on Saturday during an election campaign and set his goal of obtaining a two-thirds majority.
However, according to current polls, MK is far from that. However, the ANC leader and former state president still has many supporters, especially among the Zulu ethnic group to which he himself belongs, despite all the corruption allegations.
Zuma’s former party opposed it
The ruling African National Congress had tried several times unsuccessfully to prevent its former leader from using legal means. Among other things, the ANC wanted to ban the name of Zuma’s new party. MK means „Umkhonto we Sizwe”, translated: „Spear of the Nation”. This was the name of the armed wing of the ANC during the apartheid regime. This lawsuit was rejected, and the request not to accept the Knesset member in the parliamentary elections was rejected.
More and more allegations emerged
New accusations were made against Zuma’s party weeks ago. Among other things, MK is said to have fraudulently registered as a political party using forged signatures. There is also an issue with founder MK Jabulani Khumalo, who was allegedly expelled from the party at Zuma’s instigation and now claims Zuma’s daughter forged his resignation letter.
Even after the Constitutional Court decided not to allow Zuma to run in South Africa’s parliamentary elections, the controversial former president and his new party will continue to cause political unrest.
Rescue teams in Iran found the helicopter that crashed with President Ebrahim Raisi on board. State media now confirm his death. What is known.
-6:58
158 comments
This audio version was created artificially.
The audio version of this article was created artificially. We are constantly developing this offering and look forward to receiving your feedback.
Iranian state television shows images of SUVs racing through a forested area in search of President Ebrahim Raisi. A helicopter belonging to the presidential fleet crashed on Sunday. Iranian state media now reports that Raisi has been killed. What is known.
What happened?
A helicopter belonging to the presidential fleet of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was involved in an accident. Iranian Interior Minister Ahmed Vahidi said that one of the three helicopters belonging to the presidential fleet was on its way back Azerbaijan He made a „hard landing.” Vahidi initially left it open whether the president was on the plane or not, as reported by the official IRNA news agency. It was not clear for several hours how the president and staff were faring.
Early Monday morning, the Red Crescent announced that the helicopter that crashed was on a mountain in the northwest of the country Iran Its location has been determined. According to the Iranian government, 65 rescue teams equipped with police dogs and drones, in addition to the Red Crescent, were deployed. The search process has become difficult due to weather conditions and the nature of the terrain. Media reported heavy rain, fog and winds. Rescuers sometimes search on foot in the dark.
Iranian state television and state news agencies then announced Raisi’s death that morning. The Iranian Mehr News Agency reported that all passengers on the plane were killed in the accident.
The cause of the accident remains unclear. However, Iran’s air force is very old. Many of the planes and helicopters date back to before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, when the country enjoyed close relations with the United States. Accidents and falls are not uncommon.
Where did the accident happen?
There is no accurate information about the location of the accident. Iranian official media reported that the helicopter crashed in East Azerbaijan province near the city of Julfa or east near the village of Uzi.
East Azerbaijan Province is located in northwestern Iran and borders Azerbaijan and Armenia. It consists largely of mountains. The official IRNA news agency reported that the affected area was a forested area.
Who was on board the helicopter?
According to Iranian official media, President Raisi, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, the governor of Iran’s East Azerbaijan province, and other officials were on board the helicopter. A total of three helicopters are said to be on their way back from Azerbaijan.
Raisi has been Iran’s president since August 2021. The 63-year-old was considered a conservative hardliner. He was the preferred candidate and disciple of religious leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the final say on all strategic matters.
Relations with the West have deteriorated under Raisi, and his government has been criticized for years for its repressive policies against the population and the economic crisis. The United States imposed sanctions on Raisi over his role in the mass execution of thousands of political prisoners in 1988.
Main lesson: Theology and Islamic law. He worked in the judiciary for more than three decades, and was appointed head of the judiciary in 2019. He was said to have been responsible for numerous arrests and executions of political opponents in his previous position as prosecutor.
In recent months, Raisi has emerged primarily as a fierce opponent of Israel, Iran’s arch enemy, in the Gaza war. He assured the Islamic Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip of Iran’s support for him.
Why was my boss in East Azerbaijan?
Raisi, 63, was in the border area with Azerbaijan on Sunday morning. There, the dam was opened with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. The opening was intended to be a sign of cooperation, as the relationship between the two countries has been considered tense recently.
Aliyev said after the incident was revealed: “Our prayers are directed to God Almighty for President Ibrahim Raisi and his accompanying delegation. The Republic of Azerbaijan, as a neighbor, friendly and brotherly country, is ready to provide any necessary support.”
How does the Iranian regime respond?
The Iranian Cabinet held an emergency meeting on Sunday headed by First Vice President Mohammad Majbar, the official IRNA news agency reported. Mujbar has begun additional procedures for the rescue operation. In the event of the death of my president, he is, according to protocol, the prime minister.
According to an IRNA report, religious leader Khamenei called on residents not to worry. He added: „There will be no disruption to government work.” State affairs will not be affected by the incident.
Government members called on the public to pray for the president. Pictures broadcast on state television showed believers gathering at the central Hajj shrine in the city of Mashhad.
How does the international community respond?
There have been many offers of assistance internationally. A government spokesman said that Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani ordered the Ministry of Interior, the Iraqi Red Crescent and “other relevant authorities” to provide all available resources to Iran to search for the presidential helicopter. According to the official news agency, Saudi Arabia also promised to provide all necessary support.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan promised Iran to provide „all necessary assistance.” The state rescue service AFAD said that a team of 32 mountain rescue specialists and six vehicles will be brought to Iran.
The European Union Commission announced that it would activate satellite service to assist in the search. This was in response to a similar request for support from Iran, EU Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčić wrote in X.
Russia also offered support in researching and investigating the causes. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said: “We are closely following new information about the fate of the passengers of the third helicopter, among whom are high-ranking Iranian officials, including President Raisi.” „We sincerely hope they are alive.”
A US State Department spokesman said they were closely following reports of „a possible emergency landing of a helicopter in Iran.” The White House said that US President Joe Biden was informed of the latest events in Iran.
With material from news agencies AP, dpa, AFP and Reuters
Iranian state television shows images of SUVs racing through a forested area in search of President Ebrahim Raisi. A helicopter belonging to the presidential fleet crashed on Sunday. Iranian state media now reports that Raisi has been killed. What is known.
According to official media reports, a helicopter belonging to the Iranian presidential fleet was involved in an accident. President Ibrahim Raisi was on board the plane.
Update from May 19, 10:46 p.m.: The area suspected to be the site of Ibrahim Raisi’s helicopter crash is said to be 20 square kilometres. The Iranian Red Crescent announced this via Telegram on Sunday evening. Deploying rescue workers searching the area is said to have become more difficult. Some rain in the area turned to snow, further hampering the progress of rescue workers. According to reports, the Iranian army was able to locate the signal issued by the helicopter. However, the situation is still unclear.
Update from May 19, 10:20 p.m.: After Iranian President Raisi’s helicopter crash, the media situation remains ambiguous. “We are 3 hours away from one of the possible sites of the presidential helicopter crash,” the deputy head of the Iranian Red Crescent said on Telegram.
Army claims to have located key helicopter – 'hoping for good news’
Update from May 19. 9:51 PM: It appears that the Iranian army was able to determine the exact location of the helicopter in which the Iranian president is said to be located. This was reported by the American CNN network, citing the Iranian news agency IRNA. Emergency services were able to locate a signal from the helicopter and a passenger’s cell phone. The IRNA news agency quoted the commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard in the East Azerbaijan region as saying, “Military forces are on their way to the site and are awaiting good news.”
Iraniantreasury It’s likely to happen urgent meeting together
Update from May 19, 9:32 p.m.: The Iranian Cabinet met with President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian in an emergency meeting in light of the helicopter crash. The official IRNA news agency reported that First Vice President Mohammad Mujbar chaired the meeting late in the evening. Therefore, further procedures for the rescue operation were initiated. In the event of Raisi’s death, Mujbar becomes prime minister according to protocol.
65 rescue teams are now participating in the search for the helicopter crew, including the Iranian Armed Forces.
Raisi’s fate is unclear after the helicopter accident – Türkiye sends help
Update from May 19, 8:45 p.m.: The Turkish Civil Protection Agency (AFAD) announced that Iran has requested assistance from Turkey in searching for President Ibrahim Raisi. At Iran’s request, a helicopter with night vision capabilities was sent, as the authority announced on the X website (formerly Twitter). In addition, six vehicles and a search team of 32 climbers were sent.
Update from May 19, 8:30 p.m.: Several Iranian sources reported that Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s helicopter had been found. The Iranian Red Crescent has now denied these reports. She added, according to Iranian media, that “searches have not succeeded so far.”
Possible helicopter crash in Iran: Iraq offers help in search for Raisi
Update from May 19, 8:00 p.m.: A senior official in the Iranian presidential office said, according to the news agency KnightAfter the helicopter accident of President Ibrahim Raisi, two of the helicopter passengers were contacted several times. “This shows that the accident was not very serious,” the representative told the agency.
Update from May 19, 7:25 p.m.: After the disappearance of a helicopter apparently carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, neighboring Iraq offered to help in the search. Government spokesman Bassem Al-Awadi said on Sunday that Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani had instructed the Ministry of Interior, the Iraqi Red Crescent and “other relevant authorities” to provide all available resources to Iran to search for the presidential helicopter.
More than 40 Rescue teams Requests helicopter from Main
Update from May 19, 7:05 p.m.: According to an Iranian government spokesman, there are currently no new developments to report in the search and rescue operations of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s helicopter. The news agency quoted him as saying: “We find ourselves in difficult and complex circumstances.” Tasneem. The spokesman continued: “We now need prayers, patience and trust in rescue workers.”
Update from May 19, 6:55 p.m.: More than 40 teams are participating in the search and rescue operation for Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Iranian media reported, citing authorities. Meanwhile, in addition to fog, heavy rain was also reported in the accident area. This makes rescue work more difficult.
Update from May 19, 6:10 p.m.: According to Israeli Radio Kisheth 12 Diplomatic sources in Western countries believe that Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi did not survive the helicopter accident. An Iranian official told the news agency Reutersthat although they are „optimistic”, the news from the crash site is „extremely worrying”. The source said that the lives of the president and the foreign minister “are in danger.” It appears that Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdullahian was also on the plane.
Update from May 19, 4:30 p.m.: Iranian moreThe news agency had reported that Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was in good condition and was heading to Tubrus in a motorcade. However, the agency later deleted this message. Iranian sources mostly reported that the search for the head of state’s helicopter was continuing. Images from the area show very dense fog. This makes rescue operations more difficult, according to Iranian media. Sources close to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard asked the Iranian people to pray for the president’s health.
The first report: TEHRAN – The fate of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has become unclear after an “accident” involving a helicopter in the Iranian presidential fleet on Sunday. Iranian state television stated, „Unconfirmed reports indicate that a helicopter carrying President Raisi was involved in an accident in East Azerbaijan Province.” Rescue workers are on a mission to find the helicopter, but weather conditions are bad due to heavy fog in the mountainous area.
The official Iranian news agency Erna I later reported that Raisi and his Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian were among the passengers in the helicopter. Raisi visited East Azerbaijan Province in northwestern Iran on Sunday (May 19). There, together with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, he opened a dam on the border between the two countries.
Raisi, 63 years old, has been president of the Islamic Republic of Iran since the summer of 2021. (LRG/AFP)