NewzIntel.com

Category: Justice

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gov. Kemp Announces State Court Judge and County Solicitor Appointments

    Source: US State of Georgia

    Atlanta, GA – Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced the following appointments: Mason Rountree to the Paulding County State Court and Melissa Poole as the Solicitor General of Long County.

    Mason B. Rountree is a native Georgian and founding partner of Rountree Law Firm in Paulding County, where he practiced primarily non-domestic civil litigation, misdemeanor criminal defense, and small business law. Rountree graduated from the University of Georgia with a business degree in economics and from Georgia State University College of Law. While attending law school, Rountree interned for Georgia Supreme Court Justices George Carley and Hugh Thompson. Upon graduating with his J.D., he served as the law clerk in the Tallapoosa Judicial Circuit for the Honorable Superior Court Judges Arthur Fudger; William A. Foster, III; and Marion Cummings. Rountree joined the law firm of Brock, Clay, Wilson & Rogers in Cobb County in 1996 as a civil litigation associate before forming his law firm in 1999. He also previously served part-time as Judge of the City of Dallas. Rountree and his wife, Ana, have four children, one grandchild, and enjoy spending time on the water looking for wildlife on the Georgia coast and exploring their bat cave in west Georgia.  

    Melissa Poole currently serves as an assistant district attorney for the Atlantic Judicial Circuit and a solicitor for the City of Richmond Hill. Poole received her bachelor’s degree in international studies from Mount Vernon College and her J.D. from Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law. After graduation, she served as a law clerk in the Oconee Judicial Circuit. Poole then joined the firm King & Spalding before joining the District Attorney’s Office in 2001. She has also worked as a certified mediator in the Atlantic Judicial Circuit. Poole has three children and is involved in their schools, including serving on both the parent’s council and the booster club.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Felon Involved in Elizabeth City Shooting Sentenced to More than Nine Years

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    RALEIGH, N.C. – A felon involved in an Elizabeth City shooting was sentenced to 115 months in prison for possession of ammunition by a felon.  On November 22, 2024, Jermel Trevon Williams, age 30, pled guilty to the charge.

    According to court documents and other information presented in court, on August 7, 2023, officers from the Elizabeth City Police Department (ECPD) responded to a shooting outside a downtown bar in Elizabeth City. Review of surveillance footage in the area showed an individual, later identified as Williams, and a second person, discharging firearms. Officers recovered five 9mm shell casings from the area and two .45 caliber shell casings. On October 29, 2023, officers with the Raleigh Police Department (RPD) conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a window tint violation. Williams was a passenger in the car. After spotting two marijuana roaches in plain view, officers conducted a search of the vehicle. The search resulted in the recovery of a digital scale located in the center console, and a stolen 9mm handgun and two baggies of marijuana under the front passenger seat where Williams was previously seated. Williams subsequently admitted to ownership of the contents of the vehicle. Williams is a previously convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing ammunition.

    The conviction is a result of the ongoing Violent Crime Action Plan (VCAP) initiative which is a collaborative effort with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, working with the community, to identify and address the most significant drivers of violent crime. VCAP involves focused and strategic enforcement, and interagency coordination and intelligence-led policing.

    Daniel Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, ECPD and RPD investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney John Newby  prosecuted the case.

    Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-00012-D-BM.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Armed Drug Dealer Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    RALEIGH, N.C. – A Rocky Mount man was sentenced to 240 months in prison for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense and bribery of a public official. On October 8, 2024, Quatavious Arnez Hunter, age 32, pled guilty to the charges.

    According to court documents and other information presented in court, on September 16, 2021, officers of the Rocky Mount Police Department (RMPD) conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle in which Hunter was a passenger. Hunter was wearing a ski mask covering his entire face. Searches of Hunter’s person revealed a loaded, 9mm handgun on his hip, over $1,500 in cash, 45 bindles of heroin, one plastic bag containing approximately 5.7 grams of crack cocaine and two bags weighing a total of approximately 7.6 grams of powder cocaine.

    In March 2023, while Hunter’s case was pending in federal court, he was held in the Bladen County Jail (BCJ). During this time, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) began investigating claims that Hunter and another inmate were orchestrating payments to a BCJ detention officer in exchange for drugs smuggled into the jail in resealed potato chip bags. Hunter’s cell was searched and was found to contain contraband, including synthetic marijuana and a lighter. The investigation further revealed that Hunter’s girlfriend made Cash App payments to a BCJ detention officer. Upon the officer’s arrest, he admitted to making multiple deliveries of contraband to Hunter in exchange for payments via Cash App.

    Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. The Rocky Mount Police Department and Nash County Sheriff’s Office investigated the drug and gun offenses and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Bladen County Sheriff’s Office investigated the contraband smuggling case. Assistant United States Attorneys Sarah E. Nokes and Ashley H. Foxx prosecuted the cases.

    Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 5:21-CR-407-1D and 7:23-CR-101-4D.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Senior officer thanks community following Lewisham disturbance

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A senior officer from the South East Area Command has thanked local residents for their patience while officers dealt with a disturbance on Lewisham High Street yesterday.

    Police were called to the location at around 10.45hrs on Monday, 10 February.

    A cordon was put in place to ensure the safety of the wider public and a man who was inside a property, while officers worked closely with the London Fire Brigade and London Ambulance Service.

    Officers gained entry to the property at 02:35hrs on Tuesday, 11 February and detained the man, who was alone in the address. He was taken to hospital following his arrest on suspicion of affray and threats to kill.

    Enquiries remain ongoing.

    Detective Chief Superintendent Trevor Lawry, who leads policing in the South East Area, said: “I appreciate the incident in Lewisham High Street yesterday caused a lot of concern for residents and I would like to thank them for their patience.

    “To clarify, this situation did not involve any hostages and our specially-trained officers engaged with a man who was believed to be suffering with a mental health crisis.”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Georgia Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Role in Methamphetamine Trafficking Organization

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News (b)

    HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Nehmiah Allen-Griggs, also known as “Newski,” 23, of Dallas, Georgia, was sentenced today to ten years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Allen-Griggs admitted to his role in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) responsible for distributing large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl in the Southern District of West Virginia.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 1, 2023, Allen-Griggs distributed approximately 1 pound of methamphetamine to a confidential informant in a Huntington parking lot in exchange for $2,000.

    On November 15, 2023, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at a Highlawn Avenue residence in Huntington and seized quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl, a Landor Arms Canyon Arms 12-gauge shotgun, a Walther P22 .22-caliber pistol equipped with a silencer, a Kel-Teck .22-caliber pistol, and various rounds of ammunition. Allen-Griggs admitted that he and others used the residence to store and distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl.

    Allen-Griggs is among 27 individuals indicted in a 53-count indictment that charges the defendants with distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl transported from Detroit, Michigan, in Huntington and other locations within the Southern District of West Virginia.

    Allen-Griggs is also among 22 defendants who have pleaded guilty in the main case. One other of the 27 indicted individuals pleaded guilty to a related offense in a separate case. The indictment against the remaining defendants is pending. An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), the West Virginia State Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. MDENT is composed of the Charleston Police Department, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Nitro Police Department, the St. Albans Police Department and the South Charleston Police Department.

    United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorneys Joseph F. Adams and Stephanie Taylor prosecuted the case.

    The investigation was part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The program was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and is the keystone of the Department of Justice’s drug reduction strategy. OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States.

    A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:23-cr-180.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Mayor’s Violence Reduction Unit secures funding boost to deliver key youth work interventions driving down violence

    Source: Mayor of London

    • Government invests £9.4m in violence prevention in London
    • New funding to build on delivery of youth workers embedded in hospital and police custody
    • Data shows 90 per cent of young people arrested did not reoffend and three-quarters reduced their risk of harm as a result of interventions by youth workers
    • National investment to work alongside Sadiq’s record funding for prevention and early intervention work

    The Mayor of London’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) has secured £9.4 million investment from the Home Office to build on youth work intervention programmes that are working to drive down violence in the capital.

    New funding will enable London’s VRU to deliver key violence prevention work, which includes embedding teams of skilled and experienced youth workers in hospitals and in police custody, to offer support, guidance and a route away from violence for young people.

    Youth workers will continue delivering diversionary work from eight A&E hospitals and four Major Trauma Centres. Delivered by St Giles Trust, Catch22/Redthread and Oasis, hospital locations are determined by the levels of young victims of violence in the surrounding area. 

    It builds on a programme which has supported more than 3,100 young people since 2022, and contributed to significant reductions in young people deemed high risk to others or to further violence. After engaging with a youth worker, 77 per cent reduced their risk of harm from others and 73 per cent felt safer post intervention.

    Government investment in the VRU, which was set up by the Mayor in 2019 and the first in England and Wales, will also fund youth workers embedded in police custody suites across London. The Divert and Engage programmes, which involves youth workers embedded in police custody, are reaching 10,000 young people at a point of crisis with two-thirds achieving positive outcomes in reintegration into education, training or employment. 

    For those up to 18, nearly 90 per cent arrested for violent offences did not reoffend over the next 12 months following engagement with a youth worker.  

    Youth workers based in hospital and in police custody provide an opportunity to intervene in a young person’s life much earlier. Known as the ‘reachable, teachable moment’ skilled youth workers engage with young people when they arrive at hospital with injuries or after having been arrested – the time when they are most receptive to changing their behaviour.

    Clinical leads in hospitals across the capital have worked in partnership to provide opportunities for youth workers to speak confidentially to young people, giving them the support and guidance they need.

    National funding will also be used for diversionary activities through sport and works alongside the Mayor’s record investment in prevention and early intervention, which is working to tackle school exclusions, mentoring and a commitment to fund a further 250,000 positive opportunities for young people.

    The Mayor, the Director of the VRU, Lib Peck, and the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Kaya Comer-Schwartz, were today joined by Diana Johnson MP, the Crime and Policing Minister, at a visit to the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel. It’s one of 12 hospitals delivering the youth work intervention programme. Since 2022, St Giles Trust youth workers have supported 550 young people who had been involved in violence, including knife injury, gunshots, or self-harm. Last year, interventions by youth workers resulted in 85 per cent of young people they engaged with no longer involved in gang activity, and led to an 83 per cent reduction in their risk of harm and involvement in violence.

    Policing Minister, Dame Diana Johnson said: “Tackling violence and making our streets safer is at the heart of this government’s Plan for Change. We have already banned zombie-style knives, are fast progressing our ban on Ninja swords and are strengthening age-verification checks for buying knives online. 

    “But we cannot do this alone. One of the first things the Prime Minister did was launch the Coalition to tackle knife crime, which brings together different communities and voices to ensure our work will actually make a difference to young people.

    “I am grateful to the London VRU and the Mayor of London for the vital work they already do, supporting vulnerable young lives in exceptionally difficult and complex circumstances, and today we have committed to a £9.4 million investment to ensure this continues.” 

    The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I am committed to tackling violence and building a safer London for everyone by being tough on crime and tough on its complex causes.

    “Alongside record investment in policing, I set up and fund the Violence Reduction Unit as part of my commitment to prevention and investing in young Londoners.

    “I welcome the Government’s investment and support so that we can continue delivering targeted interventions that we know are working to divert young people away from violence and towards opportunity.” 

    Lib Peck, Director of London’s Violence Reduction Unit, said: “We firmly believe that violence is preventable, not inevitable. But key to this is approach is the role that youth workers play in changing the lives of young people every day in London.

    “Evidence now firmly shows that embedding youth workers in hospitals and custody suites has impact in cutting reoffending rates and offering young people a route away from violence.

    “We are really pleased to secure the funding and backing we need to continue supporting the life-changing impact that youth workers have on young people to keep them save and able to thrive in our great city.”

    Tracey Burley, Chief Executive of St Giles, said: “Collaborating with staff at The Royal London Hospital and Barts NHS Trust has been transformative. By integrating our lived experience approach to tackle violence, we seize a critical opportunity during hospital stays to positively impact young lives.

    “We are deeply thankful to the London VRU, Royal London Hospital and Barts NHS Trust for partnering with us and sharing our belief in the power of first-hand experience to drive meaningful change to young people’s lives and wider communities.” 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Legal fight against AI-generated child pornography is complicated – a legal scholar explains why, and how the law could catch up

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Wayne Unger, Assistant Professor of Law, Quinnipiac University

    Child pornography laws may be clear, but AI makes enforcement more difficult. AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

    The city of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was shaken by revelations in December 2023 that two local teenage boys shared hundreds of nude images of girls in their community over a private chat on the social chat platform Discord. Witnesses said the photos easily could have been mistaken for real ones, but they were fake. The boys had used an artificial intelligence tool to superimpose real photos of girls’ faces onto sexually explicit images.

    With troves of real photos available on social media platforms, and AI tools becoming more accessible across the web, similar incidents have played out across the country, from California to Texas and Wisconsin. A recent survey by the Center for Democracy and Technology, a Washington D.C.-based nonprofit, found that 15% of students and 11% of teachers knew of at least one deepfake that depicted someone associated with their school in a sexually explicit or intimate manner.

    The Supreme Court has implicitly concluded that computer-generated pornographic images that are based on images of real children are illegal. The use of generative AI technologies to make deepfake pornographic images of minors almost certainly falls under the scope of that ruling. As a legal scholar who studies the intersection of constitutional law and emerging technologies, I see an emerging challenge to the status quo: AI-generated images that are fully fake but indistinguishable from real photos.

    Policing child sexual abuse material

    While the internet’s architecture has always made it difficult to control what is shared online, there are a few kinds of content that most regulatory authorities across the globe agree should be censored. Child pornography is at the top of that list.

    For decades, law enforcement agencies have worked with major tech companies to identify and remove this kind of material from the web, and to prosecute those who create or circulate it. But the advent of generative artificial intelligence and easy-to-access tools like the ones used in the Pennsylvania case present a vexing new challenge for such efforts.

    In the legal field, child pornography is generally referred to as child sexual abuse material, or CSAM, because the term better reflects the abuse that is depicted in the images and videos and the resulting trauma to the children involved. In 1982, the Supreme Court ruled that child pornography is not protected under the First Amendment because safeguarding the physical and psychological well-being of a minor is a compelling government interest that justifies laws that prohibit child sexual abuse material.

    That case, New York v. Ferber, effectively allowed the federal government and all 50 states to criminalize traditional child sexual abuse material. But a subsequent case, Ashcroft v. Free Speech Coalition from 2002, might complicate efforts to criminalize AI-generated child sexual abuse material. In that case, the court struck down a law that prohibited computer-generated child pornography, effectively rendering it legal.

    The government’s interest in protecting the physical and psychological well-being of children, the court found, was not implicated when such obscene material is computer generated. “Virtual child pornography is not ‘intrinsically related’ to the sexual abuse of children,” the court wrote.

    States move to criminalize AI-generated CSAM

    According to the child advocacy organization Enough Abuse, 37 states have criminalized AI-generated or AI-modified CSAM, either by amending existing child sexual abuse material laws or enacting new ones. More than half of those 37 states enacted new laws or amended their existing ones within the past year.

    California, for example, enacted Assembly Bill 1831 on Sept. 29, 2024, which amended its penal code to prohibit the creation, sale, possession and distribution of any “digitally altered or artificial-intelligence-generated matter” that depicts a person under 18 engaging in or simulating sexual conduct.

    Deepfake child pornography is a growing problem.

    While some of these state laws target the use of photos of real people to generate these deep fakes, others go further, defining child sexual abuse material as “any image of a person who appears to be a minor under 18 involved in sexual activity,” according to Enough Abuse. Laws like these that encompass images produced without depictions of real minors might run counter to the Supreme Court’s Ashcroft v. Free Speech Coalition ruling.

    Real vs. fake, and telling the difference

    Perhaps the most important part of the Ashcroft decision for emerging issues around AI-generated child sexual abuse material was part of the statute that the Supreme Court did not strike down. That provision of the law prohibited “more common and lower tech means of creating virtual (child sexual abuse material), known as computer morphing,” which involves taking pictures of real minors and morphing them into sexually explicit depictions.

    The court’s decision stated that these digitally altered sexually explicit depictions of minors “implicate the interests of real children and are in that sense closer to the images in Ferber.” The decision referenced the 1982 case, New York v. Ferber, in which the Supreme Court upheld a New York criminal statute that prohibited persons from knowingly promoting sexual performances by children under the age of 16.

    The court’s decisions in Ferber and Ashcroft could be used to argue that any AI-generated sexually explicit image of real minors should not be protected as free speech given the psychological harms inflicted on the real minors. But that argument has yet to be made before the court. The court’s ruling in Ashcroft may permit AI-generated sexually explicit images of fake minors.

    But Justice Clarence Thomas, who concurred in Ashcroft, cautioned that “if technological advances thwart prosecution of ‘unlawful speech,’ the Government may well have a compelling interest in barring or otherwise regulating some narrow category of ‘lawful speech’ in order to enforce effectively laws against pornography made through the abuse of real children.”

    With the recent significant advances in AI, it can be difficult if not impossible for law enforcement officials to distinguish between images of real and fake children. It’s possible that we’ve reached the point where computer-generated child sexual abuse material will need to be banned so that federal and state governments can effectively enforce laws aimed at protecting real children – the point that Thomas warned about over 20 years ago.

    If so, easy access to generative AI tools is likely to force the courts to grapple with the issue.

    Wayne Unger does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Legal fight against AI-generated child pornography is complicated – a legal scholar explains why, and how the law could catch up – https://theconversation.com/legal-fight-against-ai-generated-child-pornography-is-complicated-a-legal-scholar-explains-why-and-how-the-law-could-catch-up-247980

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Oceana County Man Sentenced To 90 Years For Sexually Exploiting A Child

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

              GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Andrew Birge announced that Brandon Lee Chase, 45, of Walkerville, previously pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and was sentenced yesterday to 90 years in federal prison.

              According to court documents, Chase sexually abused the child of a woman he was dating. The sexual abuse happened repeatedly and continued for years. Chase also recorded explicit videos of the abuse. Chase is a repeat sex offender and has also pleaded no contest to criminal sexual conduct in a separate case that is pending sentencing in Shelby Village.

              “Today’s sentencing of Brandon Chase is a decisive victory in the FBI’s unyielding battle against sexual predators who prey on our most vulnerable population,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “I am grateful of the tireless investigative efforts of the FBI’s WEBCHEX Task Force, alongside our law enforcement partners at the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office and the Muskegon Justice for Women Task Force. The priority of the FBI in Michigan is to protect our communities and disrupt criminal acts that could harm the residents and visitors of Michigan. Lastly, I would like to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan for their essential partnership in ensuring Mr. Chase is held accountable for his criminal acts and that those who were victimized are a step closer to healing.”

              This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, Muskegon Township Police Department, and Muskegon Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Doaa Al-Howaishy prosecuted it.

              This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, county prosecutor’s offices, the Internet Crimes Against Children task force (ICAC), federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement are working closely together to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children. The partners in Project Safe Childhood work to educate local communities about the dangers of online child exploitation, and to teach children how to protect themselves. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. Individuals with information or concerns about possible child exploitation should contact local law enforcement officials.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Crime rises 5% in 2024

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    A total of 94,747 crimes were reported in 2024, representing an increase of 5% compared to the figure for 2023, Police said today.

    The upsurge was mainly attributed to an increase in deception cases.

    The overall detection rate was 30.4%, similar to that of 2023.

    Leaving deception cases aside, the overall crime figure recorded a drop of 185 cases last year, while the detection rate rose by 1.7 percentage points to 47.9%.

    There were 10,485 cases of violent crime, registering a rise of 3.6% – primarily driven by the rise in “naked chat blackmail” cases.

    Apart from deception and blackmail, another major crime of rape recorded an increase.

    A number of traditional crimes record a lower case load in 2024, with the detection rate for robbery and snatching cases hitting a record high.

    Deception cases rose 11.7% year-on-year in 2024 to 44,480, accounting for 46.9% of the overall number of crimes. Among them, 61.8% were Internet-related.

    The rise in deception cases was mainly attributed to the emergence of the new modus operandi of telephone deception involving “Impersonating Customer Service” since early last year. A total of 5,575 cases of such modus operandi were reported in 2024.

    As to the national security situation, since the National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance came into force, as at the end of December 2024, Police’s National Security Department arrested a total of 316 people, with 60% having been charged.

    Looking forward, Police will focus this year on safeguarding national security, working to combat deception cases and ensuring that the 15th National Games will be conducted in a safe and orderly manner.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Acting Chairman Statement on Climate-Related Disclosure Rules

    Source: Securities and Exchange Commission

    Today, I am taking action on The Enhancement and Standardization of Climate-Related Disclosures for Investors rule that was adopted by the Commission on March 6, 2024 (the “Rule”).[1] The Rule is currently being challenged in litigation consolidated in the Eighth Circuit[2] and the Commission previously stayed effectiveness of the Rule pending completion of that litigation.[3] The Rule is deeply flawed and could inflict significant harm on the capital markets and our economy.

    Both Commissioner Peirce and I voted against the Rule’s adoption.[4] Commissioner Peirce said that then-existing disclosure rules were sufficient and that the “[R]ule’s anticipated benefits do not outweigh the costs.”[5] She argued that “only a mandate from Congress should put us in the business of facilitating the disclosure of information not clearly related to financial returns.”[6] I stated that the Commission was “without statutory authority or expertise” to address climate change issues and that “this [R]ule is climate regulation promulgated under the Commission’s seal.”[7]

    During the comment period, many submissions likewise urged that the Rule not be adopted. Among the reasons were that the Rule would require a large volume of financially immaterial information, financially material climate-related risks were already subject to disclosure under existing rules, and the proposed rules overstepped the SEC’s regulatory authority.[8]

    The Commission’s briefs previously submitted in the cases consolidated in the Eighth Circuit do not reflect my views. The briefs defend the Commission’s adoption of the Rule, but I continue to question the statutory authority of the Commission to adopt the Rule, the need for the Rule, and the evaluation of costs and benefits. I also question whether the agency followed the proper procedures under the Administrative Procedure Act to adopt the Rule.

    The lack of statutory authority is a weighty factor. Commissioners have a constitutional obligation to determine the bounds of the agency’s statutory authority, and my views on the Commission’s authority here were the result of lengthy study and research informed by many comments on all sides of the issue.

    These views, the recent change in the composition of the Commission, and the recent Presidential Memorandum regarding a Regulatory Freeze,[9] bear on the conduct of this litigation. I believe that the Court and the parties should be notified of these changes.

    Therefore, I have directed the Commission staff to notify the Court of the changed circumstances and request that the Court not schedule the case for argument to provide time for the Commission to deliberate and determine the appropriate next steps in these cases. The Commission will promptly notify the Court of its determination about its positions in the litigation.

    [2] Iowa v. SEC, No. 24-1522 (8th Cir.); see also Liberty Energy Inc. v. SEC, No. 24-cv-739 (N.D. Tex.).

    [5] Commissioner Peirce Statement.

    [7] Commissioner Uyeda Statement.

    [8] See, e.g., Comment of the Federal Regulation of Securities Committee of the Business Law Section of the American Bar Association (Jun. 24, 2022); Comment of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce (Jun. 16, 2022); Comment of the National Association of Convenience Stores (Jun. 8, 2022); Comment of the National Association of Manufacturers (Jun. 6, 2022).

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Phobos Ransomware Affiliates Arrested in Coordinated International Disruption

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    Note: View the superseding indictment here.

    Phobos Group Alleged to have Attacked Over 1,000 Victims Worldwide

    The Justice Department today unsealed criminal charges against Roman Berezhnoy, 33, and Egor Nikolaevich Glebov, 39, both Russian nationals, who allegedly operated a cybercrime group using the Phobos ransomware that victimized more than 1,000 public and private entities in the United States and around the world and received over $16 million in ransom payments. Berezhnoy and Glebov were arrested this week as part of a coordinated international disruption of their organization, which includes additional arrests and the technical disruption of the group’s computer infrastructure.

    From May 2019, through at least October 2024, Berezhnoy, Glebov, and others allegedly caused victims to suffer losses resulting from the loss of access to their data in addition to the financial losses associated with the ransomware payments. The victims included a children’s hospital, health care providers, and educational institutions.

    8Base Seizure Banner

    According to court documents, Berezhnoy, Glebov, and others operated a ransomware affiliate organization, including under the names “8Base” and “Affiliate 2803,” among others, that victimized public and private entities through the deployment of Phobos ransomware.

    As part of the scheme, Berezhnoy, Glebov, and others allegedly hacked into victim computer networks, copied and stole files and programs on the victims’ network, and encrypted the original versions of the stolen data with Phobos ransomware. The conspirators then allegedly extorted the victims for ransom payments in exchange for the decryption keys to regain access to the encrypted data by, among other things, leaving a ransom note on compromised victim computers and separately reaching out to victims to initiate ransom payment negotiations.

    As alleged, the conspirators also threatened to expose victims’ stolen files to the public or to the victims’ clients, customers, or constituents if the ransoms were not paid. The conspirators are further alleged to have established and operated a darknet website where they repeated their extortionate threats and ultimately published the stolen data if a victim failed to pay the ransom.

    After a successful Phobos ransomware attack, criminal affiliates paid fees to Phobos administrators for a decryption key to regain access to the encrypted files. Each deployment of Phobos ransomware was assigned a unique alphanumeric string in order to match it to the corresponding decryption key, and each affiliate was directed to pay the decryption key fee to a cryptocurrency wallet unique to that affiliate.

    The charges unsealed today against Berezhnoy and Glebov follow the recent arrest and extradition of Evgenii Ptitsyn, a Russian national, on charges relating to his alleged administration of the Phobos ransomware variant.

    In parallel with this week’s arrests, Europol and German authorities have announced an international operation involving the FBI and other international law enforcement partners to disrupt over 100 servers associated with this criminal network.

    Berezhnoy and Glebov are charged in an 11-count indictment with one count of wire fraud conspiracy, one count of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit computer fraud and abuse, three counts of causing intentional damage to protected computers, three counts of extortion in relation to damage to a protected computer, one count of transmitting a threat to impair the confidentiality of stolen data, and one count of unauthorized access and obtaining information from a protected computer. If convicted, Berezhnoy and Glebov face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each wire fraud-related count; 10 years in prison on each computer damage count; and five years in prison on each of the other counts. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron for the District of Maryland, Assistant Director Bryan Vorndran of the FBI’s Cyber Division, and Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno of the FBI Baltimore Field Office made the announcement.

    The FBI Baltimore Field Office is investigating the case. The Justice Department extends its thanks to international judicial and law enforcement partners in the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Spain, Belgium, Poland, Czech Republic, France, Thailand, Finland, and Romania, as well as Europol and the U.S. Department of Defense Cyber Crime Center, for their cooperation and coordination with the Phobos ransomware investigation. The National Security Division’s National Security Cyber Section and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs also provided valuable assistance.

    Senior Counsel Aarash A. Haghighat of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas M. Sullivan for the District of Maryland are prosecuting the case. Former CCIPS Trial Attorney Riane Harper and former Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron S.J. Zelinsky and Jeffrey J. Izant for the District of Maryland provided substantial assistance.

    Additional details on protecting networks against Phobos ransomware are available at StopRansomware.gov, including Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Advisory AA24-060A.

    An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Since 2011, 220 police facilities have been renovated and improved in Moscow

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Since 2011, 220 police facilities have been comprehensively renovated and improved in the capital. Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Housing and Public Utilities and Improvement made a report on this topic at a meeting of the Moscow Government Petr Biryukov. Following the discussion Sergei Sobyanin instructed to continue work in this area.

    The Moscow government provides systematic assistance to the capital’s police in modernizing its material and technical base. In the newly constructed and renovated buildings of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia for the city of Moscow, comfortable conditions for service are created: modern duty stations, service offices, laboratories, rest rooms, gyms, shooting ranges, canteens and buffets are equipped, and the territory is also being improved.

    The safety of employees and visitors is ensured by modern electronic security, surveillance and access control systems.

    Detainees are guaranteed conditions of detention that do not degrade human dignity.

    Moscow Mayor Opens New Building of Tverskoy District Police Department

    In total, 26 new facilities of the capital police were put into operation in 2010–2024. Among them are the building complexes of the Internal Affairs Directorates for the Western, Southern and Eastern Administrative Districts. In addition, the Internal Affairs Directorates for the districts of Akademichesky, Beskudnikovsky, Golyanovo, Danilovsky, Kotlovka, Ochakovo-Matveyevskoye, Rostokino, Tverskoy, Khovrino, Khoroshevo-Mnevniki, Yakimanka and the city of Moskovsky, the Kommunarsky MO of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, the Canine Service Center, as well as a complex of administrative buildings on Ryabinovaya Street.

    It is planned to build more than 10 buildings for district departments of internal affairs, which are currently located on the ground floors of residential buildings, in former kindergartens and other unsuitable premises or have a small area.

    At the same time, comprehensive repairs and improvements are being carried out at the facilities of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia for the city of Moscow. Since 2011, work has been completed on 220 of them. Among them are 79 buildings of district departments of internal affairs, six residential buildings – family dormitories for police officers, 91 sports and hockey grounds for training and recreation of employees and 44 other departmental facilities.

    Sobyanin spoke about the opening of a new building of the Yakimanka District Department of Internal Affairs

    During major repairs, work is carried out to replace engineering systems for heating and air conditioning, water supply and sanitation, sewerage, and power supply. In addition, video surveillance systems, access and evacuation control and management, automatic fire alarms are installed at the facilities, communication networks, telephones, and radio broadcasting are installed, and interior decoration of the premises is done.

    The plans for 2025 include starting the renovation of another building of the district department of internal affairs and two buildings of separate departments of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for the city of Moscow, as well as continuing work on the modernization of the complex of buildings on Petrovka (house 38, second stage).

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/mayor/tkhemes/12373050/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: SMX Announces Acquisition of cBEYONData

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HERNDON, Va., Feb. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SMX, a leader in next-generation mission support, digital transformation, and IT solutions, today announced the acquisition of cBEYONData. cBEYONData is a provider of implementation, design, and managed service capabilities, as well as a proprietary portfolio of budget management and financial analytics solutions that provide real-time data visibility and transparency to customers within the Department of Defense (DoD) and federal civilian agencies. Together, SMX and cBEYONData (collectively the “Company”) are well-positioned to support customers across the public sector, helping them achieve enhanced visibility, operational efficiency, and financial transparency, each key priorities of Congress and the new administration.

    The acquisition creates a leading provider of differentiated digital transformation capabilities, offering a tailored set of solutions that help government customers manage their increasingly complex financial, planning, and analytical needs. Expertise spans across top financial platforms like Oracle, SAP, and Momentum, while ensuring enhanced scalability, flexibility, and security driven by the Company’s strong relationships with leading cloud infrastructure providers such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud.

    Combined, the Company’s deepened capabilities provide meaningful growth and cross-selling opportunities across its base of complementary customers driven by its end-to-end portfolio of specialized enterprise data and system solutions. One example is CFO Control Tower®, a software suite designed to seamlessly integrate with government ERP systems and provide real-time financial data analytics, robust budget planning capabilities, and enhanced collaboration and automation tools. cBEYONData also offers cBEYONDLab®, a cloud-hosted demonstration environment that allows federal agencies to perform continuous exploration of ERP and ERP-enabled solutions prior to making major software purchases, saving substantial costs associated with process realignment and technology initiatives.

    In recognition of cBEYONData’s breadth of solutions, as well as its multi-decade history serving prominent customers including the U.S. Army, Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, and other high priority federal agencies, cBEYONData will continue to operate with its current leadership team under a newly established horizontal business unit within SMX—Enterprise Systems and Solutions (ESS)—led by SMX President, Sandeep Dorawala.

    In welcoming cBEYONData, SMX CEO Peter LaMontagne stated, “cBEYONData brings valuable scale and technical expertise to our strategic growth plan to expand our work supporting the business of government. cBEYONData’s successful solutions at the ‘nexus of data and dollars’ is particularly relevant today as government executives and senior military leaders focus on financial transparency and accountability.”

    cBEYONData CEO Dyson Richards commented on the transaction, “In SMX we have found the right partner to accelerate our growth into new areas while embracing our client and employee focused culture. SMX is a great fit for us based on their corporate philosophy and digital transformation acumen, and we see a very bright future together.”

    Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. cBEYONData was a portfolio company of Bluestone Investment Partners (“Bluestone”). KippsDeSanto & Co. and G Squared Capital Partners served as financial advisors, and Holland & Knight as legal counsel to cBEYONData and Bluestone. Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP served as legal counsel to SMX.

    About SMX
    SMX is a leader in next-generation cloud, C6ISR, and advanced engineering and IT solutions operating in close proximity to clients across the U.S. and around the globe. SMX delivers scalable and secure solutions combined with the mission expertise needed to accelerate outcomes for the Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, Public Sector, Fortune 1000, and other public and private sector clients. For more information on our services, please visit https://www.smxtech.com/.

    About OceanSound Partners
    OceanSound Partners is a New York-based private equity firm that pursues control investments in technology and technology-enabled services companies serving government and enterprise end-markets. OceanSound employs a partnership approach, working closely with founders, entrepreneurs, and executives of middle market businesses to drive transformational growth. For more information, visit www.oceansoundpartners.com.

    About cBEYONData
    cBEYONData improves the business of government by understanding the overlapping relationship between data and dollars. We diagnose, design, and implement processes, technology platforms, and the tools and methodologies that help government operate effectively. We believe the right mix of advice, technology, and implementation expertise allows our clients to do right by the budgets, the people, and the mission so that the business of government runs at its very best.

    For inquiries about this press release, please contact us at communications@smxtech.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Phobos Ransomware Affiliates Arrested in Coordinated International Disruption

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    WASHINGTON — The Justice Department today unsealed criminal charges against Roman Berezhnoy, 33, and Egor Nikolaevich Glebov, 39, both Russian nationals, who allegedly operated a cybercrime group using the Phobos ransomware that victimized more than 1,000 public and private entities in the United States and around the world and received over $16 million in ransom payments. Berezhnoy and Glebov were arrested yesterday as part of a coordinated international disruption of their organization, which includes additional arrests and the technical disruption of the group’s computer infrastructure.

    From May 2019, through at least October 2024, Berezhnoy, Glebov, and others allegedly caused victims to suffer losses resulting from the loss of access to their data in addition to the financial losses associated with the ransomware payments. The victims included a children’s hospital, health care providers, and educational institutions.

    According to court documents, Berezhnoy, Glebov, and others operated a ransomware affiliate organization, including under the names “8Base” and “Affiliate 2803,” among others, that victimized public and private entities through the deployment of Phobos ransomware.

    As part of the scheme, Berezhnoy, Glebov, and others allegedly hacked into victim computer networks, copied and stole files and programs on the victims’ network, and encrypted the original versions of the stolen data with Phobos ransomware. The conspirators then allegedly extorted the victims for ransom payments in exchange for the decryption keys to regain access to the encrypted data by, among other things, leaving a ransom note on compromised victim computers and separately reaching out to victims to initiate ransom payment negotiations.

    As alleged, the conspirators also threatened to expose victims’ stolen files to the public or to the victims’ clients, customers, or constituents if the ransoms were not paid. The conspirators are further alleged to have established and operated a darknet website where they repeated their extortionate threats and ultimately published the stolen data if a victim failed to pay the ransom.

    After a successful Phobos ransomware attack, criminal affiliates paid fees to Phobos administrators for a decryption key to regain access to the encrypted files. Each deployment of Phobos ransomware was assigned a unique alphanumeric string in order to match it to the corresponding decryption key, and each affiliate was directed to pay the decryption key fee to a cryptocurrency wallet unique to that affiliate.

    The charges unsealed today against Berezhnoy and Glebov follow the recent arrest and extradition of Evgenii Ptitsyn, a Russian national, on charges relating to his alleged administration of the Phobos ransomware variant.

    In parallel with today’s arrests, Europol and German authorities have announced an international operation involving the FBI and other international law enforcement partners to disrupt over 100 servers associated with this criminal network.

    Berezhnoy and Glebov are charged in an 11-count indictment with one count of wire fraud conspiracy, one count of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit computer fraud and abuse, three counts of causing intentional damage to protected computers, three counts of extortion in relation to damage to a protected computer, one count of transmitting a threat to impair the confidentiality of stolen data, and one count of unauthorized access and obtaining information from a protected computer. If convicted, Berezhnoy and Glebov face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each wire fraud-related count; 10 years in prison on each computer damage count; and five years in prison on each of the other counts. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Erek L. Barron, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland; Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; and Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno of the FBI Baltimore Field Office, made the announcement.

    The FBI Baltimore Field Office is investigating the case. The Justice Department extends its thanks to international judicial and law enforcement partners in the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Spain, Belgium, Poland, Czech Republic, France, Thailand, Finland, and Romania, as well as Europol and the U.S. Department of Defense Cyber Crime Center, for their cooperation and coordination with the Phobos ransomware investigation. The Justice Department’s National Security Division and Office of International Affairs also provided valuable assistance.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas M. Sullivan for the District of Maryland and Senior Counsel Aarash A. Haghighat of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) are prosecuting the case. Former CCIPS Trial Attorney Riane Harper and former Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron S.J. Zelinsky and Jeffrey J. Izant for the District of Maryland provided substantial assistance.

    Additional details on protecting networks against Phobos ransomware are available at StopRansomware.gov, including Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Advisory AA24-060A.

    An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Awards Launch Service Task Order for Pandora Mission

    Source: NASA

    NASA has selected SpaceX of Starbase, Texas, to provide the launch service for the agency’s Pandora mission, which will study at least 20 known exoplanets and their host stars to find out how changes in stars affect our observations of exoplanet atmospheres.
    The selection is part of NASA’s Venture-Class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare (VADR) launch services contract. This contract allows the agency to make fixed-price indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity awards during VADR’s five-year ordering period, with a maximum total value of $300 million across all contracts.
    During its one-year primary mission, Pandora will observe each exoplanet 10 times, observing for 24 hours each visit. It will capture critical data about the planet and its host star during transits, an event where a planet crosses in front of the star it orbits.
    The satellite will use an innovative 17-inch (45-centimeter)-wide all-aluminum telescope to simultaneously measure the visible and near-infrared brightness of the host star and obtain near-infrared spectra of the transiting planet. This will allow scientists to cleanly separate star and planetary signals, knowledge that will enhance observations from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope and future missions searching for habitable worlds, like the agency’s Habitable Worlds Observatory.
    Pandora is a joint effort between NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California. The Astrophysics Pioneers program, from the Astrophysics Division at NASA Headquarters in Washington, funds Pandora and other astrophysics science missions using smaller, lower cost hardware and payloads. NASA’s Launch Services Program, based at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, manages the VADR contract.
    To learn more about NASA’s Pandora mission, visit:

    Pandora

    -end-
    Tiernan DoyleHeadquarters, Washington202-358-1600tiernan.doyle@nasa.gov
    Patti BiellingKennedy Space Center, Florida321-501-7575patricia.a.bielling@nasa.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Murder investigation launched in Ealing

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A murder investigation has been launched after a fatal stabbing in Ealing.

    Police were called at approximately 22:30hrs on Tuesday, 10 February, to reports of a man found with stab wounds outside an address in Oaklands Road, Hanwell.

    Officers and London Ambulance Service crews attended, but despite their best efforts, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

    Although formal identification has yet to take place, officers believe the victim was in his 30s.

    A post-mortem examination will be carried out in due course.

    DCI Alison Foxwell, from Major Investigation Team 12, said:

    “Our thoughts today are with the victim’s family and friends in light of this truly tragic event.

    “Local residents will see an increased number of officers in and around Hanwell while our investigative work is carried out. I want to thank residents for their patience while this continues. I would ask anyone who was in the area of Oaklands Road, who may have seen or heard anything suspicious, to come forward to us.”

    Anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting crime reference CAD7176/10FEB25.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – Press conference: Call for EU support for the International Criminal Court (ICC)

    Source: European Parliament

    Today, the Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights will hold a press conference in Strasbourg, after President Trump issued an executive order imposing sanctions on the ICC.

    When: Tuesday 11 February 15.00 CET

    Where: European Parliament, Strasbourg, Daphne Caruana Galizia press conference room (WEISS N -1/201)

    Participants:

    – Chair of the Subcommittee on Human rights (DROI) Mounir Satouri (Greens/EFA, France);
    – Mama Bea, member of the NGO “Association des mamans Anti-Bwaki” (AMAB), implementing partner of the ICC Trust Fund for Victims in DRC;
    – David Yambio, victim of Almasri in Libya, President and spokesperson for Refugees in Libya Association.

    Interpretation will be provided in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Polish.

    Accredited media representatives may attend the press conference in person. Journalists wishing to ask questions remotely can connect via Interactio. The press conference will also be web streamed live and recorded on the Parliament’s Multimedia Centre.

    Background

    On 6 February 2025, US President Donald Trump issued an executive order imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court, including suspending the entry of ICC officials, employees, and agents, as well as their immediate family members into the United States.

    A delegation of MEPs of the Subcommittee on Human rights travelled to The Hague on 29-30 October 2024 to meet with members of the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Court (ICC), EUROJUST and other key partners. After the mission, DROI Chair said he was concerned about the serious threats these institutions face, underlining the crucial role of the ICC to support the victims and declared that  International Criminal Court decisions were binding on all EU member states.

    In their annual report 2023 on Human rights and democracy in the world and the EU’s policy on the matter, MEPs condemned attempts to undermine the work of the ICC and its legitimacy, and called for the EU and its member states to encourage their partners to ratify the Rome Statute and its amendments, expanding the Court’s jurisdiction.

    Information for the media – Use Interactio to ask questions

    To ask questions remotely during the press conference, please connect via Interactio using this link: https://ep.interactio.eu/s871-h7gf-91mi

    Interactio is only supported on iPad (with the Safari browser) and Mac/Windows (with the Google Chrome browser). When connecting, enter your name and the media you are representing in the first name / last name fields. For better sound quality, use headphones and a microphone. Interpretation is only possible for interventions with video.

    Journalists who have never used Interactio before are asked to connect 30 minutes before the start of the press event to perform a connection test. IT assistance can be provided if necessary. When connected, open the chat window (upper right corner) to be able to see the service messages.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – EU-Israel Association Council meeting 2025 – P-000539/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Priority question for written answer  P-000539/2025
    to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
    Rule 144
    Marc Botenga (The Left), Pernando Barrena Arza (The Left), Ilaria Salis (The Left), Lynn Boylan (The Left), Özlem Demirel (The Left), Giorgos Georgiou (The Left), Jonas Sjöstedt (The Left), Danilo Della Valle (The Left), Merja Kyllönen (The Left), Irene Montero (The Left)

    The EU plans to hold an Association Council meeting with Israel in February 2025. Due to Israel’s disregard for human rights and international law, including through illegal settlement expansion in the West Bank, no such meetings took place between 2012 and 2022. Similar concerns impeded the meetings in 2023 and 2024.

    Indeed, Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which constitutes the framework for these meetings, states that ‘relations between the Parties … shall be based on respect for human rights’, underscoring that this ‘constitutes an essential element of this Agreement’.

    Since the 2022 meeting of the Association Council, the International Court of Justice has confirmed the illegal character of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory. The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for the Israeli prime minister for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

    • 1.Does the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy recognise that war crimes, crimes against humanity and acts of genocide violate Article 2?
    • 2.Will the meeting of the Association Council be made conditional upon Israel’s compliance with Article 2? If not, why not?
    • 3.If the meeting does take place, what measures will the European side put on the table to make Israel comply with Article 2?

    Submitted: 5.2.2025

    Last updated: 11 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the further deterioration of the political situation in Georgia – B10-0106/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Reinier Van Lanschot, Mārtiņš Staķis, Maria Ohisalo, Sergey Lagodinsky, Markéta Gregorová, Ville Niinistö, Erik Marquardt, Nicolae Ştefănuță, Villy Søvndal
    on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group

    B10‑0106/2025

    European Parliament resolution on the further deterioration of the political situation in Georgia

    (2025/2522(RSP))

    The European Parliament,

    – having regard to its previous resolutions on Georgia,

    – having regard to the statement of 1 December 2024 by the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (VP/HR) Kaja Kallas and Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos on Georgia,

    – having regard to the Council conclusions on Enlargement of 17 December 2024,

    – having regard to the Association Agreement of July 2016 between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community and their Member States, of the one part, and Georgia, of the other part, and its establishment of a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area,

    – having regard to Rule 136(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

    A. whereas mass grass-roots protests have been taking place in Georgia since the October 2024 parliamentary election; whereas civil society, opposition parties and international and local observers did not accept the reported election results and continue to demand a new election; whereas the protests have been marred by the police’s use of excessive and disproportionate violence, countless arrests and the ill treatment of detainees while in custody;

    B. whereas local and international human rights organisations have documented a worrying trend of police brutality, stating that hundreds of protesters, dispersed and arrested by police, have faced violence that, in some cases, amounts to torture; whereas Georgia’s police forces are operating under a veil of apparent impunity, using sporadic acts of violence by protesters, often provoked by their own actions, as a pretext for repression; whereas no officials responsible for abuses have been held accountable;

    C. whereas hundreds of anti-government protesters and activists are still being detained, of whom more than 300 are alleging that they suffer beatings, torture and other ill treatment in detention; whereas detainees face swift court hearings resulting in fines or detention for alleged administrative offences, while dozens of people have been arrested on criminal charges in the context of the ongoing anti-government protests;

    D. whereas UN experts have condemned the pattern of repression and human rights violations in Georgia, while the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe has called this suppression a serious breach of the right of freedom of assembly;

    E. whereas prominent journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli, founder of Georgian independent news outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti, was detained in Batumi on 12 January 2025 for posting a protest poster and then detained again after she suffered ill treatment while in detention, which allegedly resulted in her slapping a Batumi police officer who had insulted her; whereas the Georgian Prosecutor’s Office then charged her with ‘attacking a police officer,’ a criminal offence that carries a prison sentence of four to seven years; whereas on 20 January, it became known that Amaghlobeli had begun a hunger strike; whereas international and local human rights organisations, foreign and Georgian politicians, 14 embassies and more than 300 Georgian journalists, editors and media managers have expressed deep concern about her medical condition and called for her immediate release;

    F. whereas the ruling Georgian Dream party convened the new parliament in violation of the country’s constitution, resulting in a boycott of parliament by the opposition; whereas on 5 February 2025, Georgian Dream members of parliament (MPs) voted to strip 49 opposition MPs of their mandates; whereas Georgian authorities have arrested several opposition figures, including politicians Nika Melia and Gigi Ugulava;

    G. whereas Georgian Dream has adopted new legislation that came into effect on 30 December 2024, which imposes further arbitrary restrictions on the rights of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, along with hefty fines for the use of protest slogans or posters, and enables preventive detentions of anyone suspected of planning to violate these rules governing public assembly or other laws, for up to 48 hours; whereas the authorities are routinely abusing administrative and criminal proceedings by the Georgian authorities as part of the worsening crackdown on protest and peaceful dissent;

    H. whereas the Georgian authorities continue to ignore the numerous local and international calls to repeal the law ‘on transparency of foreign influence’ and the law ‘on family values and protection of minors’; whereas Georgian Dream has, however, announced plans to replace the so-called foreign agent legislation with a tougher law it describes as a ‘direct copy of the current US Foreign Agents Registration Act’; whereas Georgian Dream has also announced plans for a new draft law on media control which would reportedly restrict media funding from foreign sources, establish ‘standards for media objectivity and journalistic ethics’ and define institutional mechanisms for monitoring and safeguarding these standards;

    I. whereas a growing number of civil servants have been dismissed after speaking out against the halting of Georgia’s EU membership process, with Prime Minster Kobakhidze stating that the country’s civil service was going through a ‘process of self-cleansing’;

    J. whereas Giorgi Gakharia, leader of the For Georgia party and former prime minister, and Zviad Koridze, a journalist and a member of Transparency International Georgia, were physically assaulted in two separate incidents on 15 January;

    K. whereas Article 78 of the Georgian Constitution states that the constitutional bodies must take all measures within the scope of their competences to ensure the full integration of Georgia into the European Union;

    L. whereas the EU has firmly halted Georgia’s EU accession process, redirected EU funding from Georgia’s government to civil society and suspended visa-free travel to the EU for Georgian diplomats and officials; whereas, at the December 2024 Foreign Affairs Council, Hungary and Slovakia blocked broadly demanded targeted sanctions against leading Georgian officials, including Bidzina Ivanishvili;

    M. whereas Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have bilaterally imposed targeted sanctions against Ivanishvili and 10 government officials, including Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri; whereas, in December 2024, the US imposed individual sanctions against Ivanishvili, while the UK imposed individual sanctions against Mr Gomelauri, Deputy Interior Minister Aleksandre Darakhvelidze, Tbilisi Police Department Director Sulkhan Tamazashvili, Chief of the Special Tasks Department Zviad Kharazishvili, and Deputy Head of the Special Tasks Department Mileri Lagazauri; whereas on 13 January 2025, UK MP James MacCleary put forward a motion to sanction Ivanishvili in the House of Commons;

    N. whereas Ivanishvili and his family members have reportedly begun transferring their business assets, worth dozens of millions of euros, from offshore entities to Georgia-registered companies following the imposition of the US targeted sanctions;

    O. whereas a significant incentive for Georgian Dream and Ivanishvili in particular to remain on their confrontational path with democracy at home and against European integration is their confidence in cultivating alternative economic development opportunities with Russia, and the continued and growing geo-economic leverage of Georgia in respect of the West; whereas Georgia is a key partner country of the ‘Middle Corridor’ in terms of connectivity, energy and trade relations;

    1. Stands in solidarity with all people in Georgia who, for over three months, have been protesting for their country’s democracy and constitution, human rights and EU values; reiterates its unwavering support for the Georgian people’s legitimate European aspirations and their wish to live in a prosperous and democratic country, free from corruption, that fully respects fundamental freedoms, protects human rights and guarantees an open society, independent media and free and fair elections;

    2. Reconfirms its position that the reported extensive electoral fraud during the October 2024 parliamentary election undermined the integrity of the election process, the legitimacy of the results and the public’s trust in any new government, and that the results therefore do not serve as a reliable representation of the will of the Georgian people; calls for a new election within a year, and for the process to be conducted in an improved electoral environment by an independent and impartial election administration, under diligent international observation, in order to ensure a genuinely fair and transparent electoral process;

    3. Considers that the actions of the Georgian Dream party, both in parliament and on the streets against its own citizens, are rapidly steering the country towards authoritarianism, in a seemingly deliberate attempt to demonstrate that the will of the Georgian people no longer determines the country’s future;

    4. Condemns all violence against protesters and the ill treatment of detainees by Georgia’s police forces, especially the growing reports of torture; strongly urges the Georgian authorities to guarantee the right of citizens to assemble and to refrain from using unwarranted force against them; demands that all officials responsible for unlawful use of force, including acts of torture and other ill treatment, must be held fully accountable;

    5. Calls for the immediate and unconditional release of political prisoners and those detained during the anti-government protests; expresses its deep concern about the medical condition of Mzia Amaghlobeli and denounces Georgian Dream for her unlawful detention and criminal prosecution, which was intended to instil fear among independent media representatives, activists and civil society at large;

    6. Condemns the termination of the mandates of 49 opposition MPs by Georgian Dream; considers this the latest step in Georgian Dream’s attack on political pluralism in the country; warns the Georgian authorities that any attempts to turn its threats of a ban on established political parties into a reality would alienate Georgia from the EU and make any move towards EU accession impossible;

    7. Condemns the attacks on Giorgi Gakharia and Zviad Korids; demands an independent investigation into the incidents and for those responsible to be held accountable;

    8. Reiterates its call on the Georgian authorities to repeal the law ‘on transparency of foreign influence’ and the law ‘on family values and protection of minors’; expresses concern about recently announced and introduced laws limiting freedom of expression and assembly, increasing state control of the media and further tightening of the so-called foreign agent legislation; underlines that the law and policies implemented by Georgian Dream are unconstitutional and incompatible with Georgia’s EU integration;

    9. Condemns the broader campaign of attacks by the Georgian authorities vilifying civil society organisations and reputable international donors that support democracy, the rule of law and the protection of human rights in Georgia; notes in this regard attempts by Georgian Dream officials to align themselves on these issues with US President Donald Trump and Elon Musk;

    10. Deplores efforts by Hungary and Slovakia to block EU targeted sanctions against Georgian Dream officials at the December 2024 Foreign Affairs Council; reiterates its call on the Council to impose, without delay, individual sanctions on the officials and political leaders in Georgia who are responsible for the democratic backsliding, violations of electoral laws and standards, brutality by police and their proxies and the ill treatment of detainees, administrative abuses and misuse of state institutions, such as Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Mayor of Tbilisi and Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party Kakha Kaladze, Speaker of the Georgian Parliament Shalva Papuashvili, and Chairman of the Georgian Dream party Irakli Garibashvili, and to extend these sanctions to judges passing politically motivated sentences; reiterates its call on the Council and the EU’s democratic partners, in particular the UK, to impose immediate and targeted personal sanctions on Bidzina Ivanishvili and to freeze all his assets for his role in the deterioration of the political process in Georgia and for acting against the country’s constitutionally declared interests, including efforts to restore Russia’s sphere of influence over the country;

    11. Welcomes in this regard the sanctions imposed bilaterally by Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania; encourages other Member States, especially those hosting relevant assets, to similarly impose targeted sanctions against Georgian Dream officials, in particular Mr Ivanishvili, in a coordinated fashion, if EU level sanctions fail to be adopted in the Council; calls on France to revoke Ivanishvili’s Légion d’honneur;

    12. Reiterates its call for the EU and the Member States to adjust and accelerate the EU funding mechanisms for Georgian civil society and independent media to help make them resilient against efforts by the Georgian Government to cut off their financial lifeline; calls for the focus of that funding to reflect adjusted project needs in the context of a more hostile and anti-democratic environment; stresses that both fresh EU funding for Georgian civil society and the effective allocation of funding is more important than ever now that President Trump has frozen all such funding from the US; stresses that in Georgia’s increasingly repressive climate there is a rapidly growing need for EU and Member State emergency support for Georgian civil society and media, including core operational support, as well as support in countering disinformation;

    13. Calls for targeted sanctions on the financial sector of Georgia, as well as political and financial divestment away from planned connectivity projects, in order to disincentive Georgian Dream’s efforts to become a thriving hub for (illicit) Russian financial markets, and a key ‘partner of necessity’ for the West in the Caucasus in the Middle Corridor; stresses that there can be no deep political and economic relations between Georgia and the EU without Georgia upholding fundamental rights and the Georgian Constitution;

    14. Calls on VP/HR Kallas and Commissioner Kos, along with Magdalena Grono as the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia, to travel to Georgia at their earliest convenience in order to meet with civil society and democratic/pro-European opposition leaders, express support for political prisoners, and more broadly show that the EU has not forgotten those in Georgia protesting for democracy and human rights; expresses its continued support for the efforts of Georgia’s fifth President, Salome Zourabichvili, who continues to represent Georgia’s democratic ambitions;

    15. Calls for an immediate and comprehensive audit of EU policy towards Georgia in the context of the halt in the country’s EU accession process; calls on the Commission, in this regard, to conduct a review of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement, in particular Georgia’s adherence to the requirements of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement and its general principles;

    16. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the European External Action Service, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, and to the President, Prime Minister and Parliament of Georgia.

     

     

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – EP Conference of Presidents’ statement on EU support for Ukraine

    Source: European Parliament

    Statement of the Conference of Presidents on continuing the unwavering EU support for Ukraine, after three years of Russia’s full-scale war of aggression.

    Three years have passed since the Russian Federation launched its unprovoked, unjustified and illegal full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine, violating international law, the United Nations Charter, and undermining European and global security. The European Parliament Conference of Presidents again strongly condemns Russia’s ongoing war of aggression with deliberate targeting of civilian and critical infrastructure, and the atrocities committed against the Ukrainian population, all serious violations of international law and international humanitarian law.

    We reaffirm our steadfast solidarity with the people of Ukraine, who continue to demonstrate extraordinary resilience and courage in defending their sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.

    The European Union must remain united in its commitment to support Ukraine that includes political, military, economic, humanitarian and financial assistance. We commend the efforts of Member States, institutions, civil society organisations, companies and citizens who have mobilised resources and provided refuge to millions of displaced Ukrainians. At the same time, we call on the EU and its Member States to increase and speed up the delivery of its support, in particular of its military support and establish a legal regime allowing for the confiscation of Russian-owned assets frozen by the EU.

    We continue to call for accountability for all war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during this war of aggression. We welcome the recent steps made towards the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.

    We call for continued and enhanced military support to Ukraine, including the provision of defence equipment, training, and strategic assistance necessary to uphold Ukraine’s right to self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter.

    We reaffirm the EU’s commitment to sustainable and long-term financial and economic support to Ukraine, including macro-financial assistance, support for reconstruction and economic and social recovery, and measures to ensure the resilience of Ukraine’s economy and critical infrastructure.

    We call for the full implementation and a significant expansion of sanctions, including effective measures to prevent circumvention, against Russia and its accomplices, aimed at definitively undermining its capacity to wage war and holding accountable those responsible for aggression and human rights violations.

    We express full support for Ukraine’s European integration aspirations. The European Parliament remains committed to advancing Ukraine’s path towards EU membership, recognising its significant progress in reforms under the most challenging circumstances.

    In a challenging international and geopolitical environment, we stress the importance of maintaining transatlantic and global solidarity with Ukraine and countering Russian disinformation. We also highlight the need to ensure the international community’s continued focus on the consequences of this war and on supporting Ukraine in achieving a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace based on the Ukrainian peace formula

    As we mark three years of this brutal aggression, the European Parliament Conference of Presidents honours the resilience of the Ukrainian people and pays tribute to all those who have sacrificed their lives for freedom and democracy. We stand firm with Ukraine, reaffirming that peace, security, and justice will prevail.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Highlights – European Parliamentary Week 2025 – 17-18.02.25 – Committee on Budgets

    Source: European Parliament

    On the occasion of the European Parliamentary Week 2025, organised by the European Parliament and the Sejm and Senate of the Republic of Poland, the Committee on Budgets will hold an Inter-Committee Meeting on Monday 17 February at 16.20-19.20.

    The first session will focus on EU competitiveness and a debate on how to increase the synergies between the EU and national financial support. Piotr Serafin, Commissioner for budget, anti-fraud and public administration will give a keynote speech.

    The second session will focus on European public goods in particular how to identify and finance them. On this matter, the audience will have the opportunity to hear from Professor Armin Steinbach, Jean Monnet Professor of Law and Economics at HEC Paris, non-resident fellow at Bruegel and Research Affiliate at the Max Planck Institute for Research and Collective Goods.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Egypt: Military trials of fishermen an affront to justice

    Source: Amnesty International –

    gyptian authorities must stop trying civilians in military courts, said Amnesty International and the Sinai Foundation for Human Rights, ahead of an expected verdict on 12 February in the military trials of five civilians in relation to fishing in a lake in North Sinai controlled by a development agency operating under the ministry of defence.

    On 6 and 7 January, a military police unit from the Egypt’s Future Sustainable Development Agency (EFSDA) arrested five fishermen at Lake Bardawil.  Military prosecutors investigated the men on charges of fishing during “prohibited periods” as well as being in a military area without permission. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi had placed the lake, a fishing spot for around 3,500 fishermen, under military jurisdiction in 2019, according to presidential Decree No. 294 of 2019.

    “It is a travesty that a group of fishermen have found themselves facing military trial for fishing in a lake without authorization. Trying civilians in military courts is a flagrant violation of Egypt’s international human rights obligations. Military authorities must immediately drop the charges against the five men and release them. They must be tried by independent and impartial civilian courts in proceedings meeting international standards of due process and fair trial,” said Ahmed Salem, Executive Director of the Sinai Foundation for Human Rights (SFHR).

    It is a travesty that a group of fishermen have found themselves facing military trial for fishing in a lake without authorization.

    Ahmed Salem, Executive Director of the Sinai Foundation for Human Rights

    “Egypt’s military courts have a notorious history of handing down unjust convictions and sentences, including death sentences, following grossly unfair trials. The authorities must overhaul legislation to ensure that military courts have no jurisdiction over civilians in any case,” said Sara Hashash, Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International.

    The fishermen, who are in their twenties, are facing two separate military trials. Amnesty International and the SFHR reviewed copies of the arrest reports, prosecution reports, and charge sheets for both trials. The organizations also spoke with a lawyer who attended the hearings, two employees of an official body responsible for lake management, and relatives of detainees.

    The trials were marred by violations of fair trial guarantees. According to a lawyer who attended hearings for both cases on 28 January the defendants’ lawyers made a request to cross-examine the prosecution witnesses, but the court ignored their request. The court also held two hearings on 5 and 6 February without any of the defendants present.

    All five detainees are currently held by Central Security Forces, operating under the ministry of interior, in Ismailia Security Forces Camp, which is not officially recognized as a detention facility.

    The five defendants are tried under Law No. 146 of 2021 on the Protection and Development of Lakes and Fisheries, which stipulates that Lake Protection and Fish Wealth Development Authority (LPFWDA), affiliated with the cabinet, is responsible for determining areas in or periods during which fishing is banned. According to the law, fishing during prohibited periods or in banned areas is a crime punishable by six months to two years imprisonment and/or a fine between 10,000 EGP to 100,000 EGP.

    In 2022, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi established the EFSDA by a decree No. 591 of 2022, which was never made public. Since then, the government has assigned several large projects to the agency including development projects in South Egypt and North Sinai, according to local media.

    On 31 October 2024, the spokesman of the government announced that the EFSDA will begin development works in Lake Bardawil aiming at achieving

    “the economic development of the lake”, according to an official statement by the Council of Ministers. The lake was previously under the supervision of LPFWDA, which by law supervises lakes across the country. Two employees at the LPFWDA told Amnesty International and SFHR that, since the government’s announcement EFSDA has taken full control of the lake supervision.

    Military trials of civilians in Egypt are inherently unfair because all personnel in military courts, from judges to prosecutors, are serving members of the military who report to the Minister of Defence and do not have the necessary training on rule of law or fair trial standards. Verdicts by military courts are subject to appeal before higher military courts as well, and ratification by the President.

    On 28 January 2024, the Egyptian parliament approved new amendments to Law No. 25 of 1966 on the Military Code of Justice that further expand the jurisdiction of military courts to prosecute civilians. The new amendments added to the military jurisdiction include “crimes committed against public and vital facilities and public properties, and other comparable things, that are protected by the armed forces”. Presidential ratification of the amendments was never published in the official gazette.

    These amendments coincided with the enactment of Law No. 3 of 2024, ratified by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on 5 February 2024, which expanded military jurisdiction over civilians for even more crimes than in the parliament’s previously mentioned amendments to the Military Code of Justice. The law authorizes the military to assist the police in safeguarding public and vital facilities and “services,” as well as addressing crimes committed against them, including crimes that “undermine the basic needs of society, including food commodities and essential products.”

    Background

    Egypt has a long track record of trying civilians before military courts. Most recently, in December 2024 a military court sentenced 62 residents of North Sinai governorate to prison terms ranging from three to 10 years on charges of damaging military vehicles and using force against public officials.

    The trial followed a sit-in in October 2023 by residents of Sheikh Zuwayed city, who had been forcibly evicted by the authorities demanding to return to their homes. The sit-in was forcibly dispersed by the military. On 24 December 2024, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi issued a presidential pardon for 54 of them. 

    For over a decade, Egyptian armed and security forces have engaged in military operations against armed groups in North Sinai. In April 2023, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi declared the end of ongoing military operations in North Sinai. However, the region remains as a de facto military zone, with the Egyptian authorities continuing to maintain a strict media blackout on the security situation in North Sinai. They have for years prevented media, human rights organizations and independent observers from accessing the region. Several presidential decrees, including Decree No. 444 of 2014 and Decree No. 420 of 2021, have placed large areas of North Sinai under military jurisdiction, further militarizing the region and hampering independent reporting.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Steps taken by the Government to restrict marketing and sale of alcohol and tobacco products near educational institutions

    Source: Government of India

    Steps taken by the Government to restrict marketing and sale of alcohol and tobacco products near educational institutions  

    Selling of tobacco products within 100 yards of any educational institute prohibited under the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act (COPTA), 2003

    Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019 enacted to prohibit the production, manufacture, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, storage, and advertisement of electronic cigarettes and similar devices

    Revised Guidelines for Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI) released by the Ministry for enacting Section 6(b) of COTPA, 2003 in 2019

    Tobacco Free Youth Campaign is conducted every year by the Ministry for creating mass awareness at the grassroot level, since 2023

    Posted On: 11 FEB 2025 3:35PM by PIB Delhi

    The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has been actively working to reduce the tobacco use among the youth. Under Section 6 of the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003 a provision has been made to prohibit the sale of tobacco products to an individual below 18 years of age. Under this Act, selling of tobacco products within 100 yards of any educational institute is prohibited. In addition to this, the Ministry released a revised Guidelines for Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI) in 2019.

    To create mass awareness at the grassroot level, the Ministry conducts Tobacco Free Youth Campaign every year, since 2023.

    The Ministry enacted Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA), 2019 to prohibit the production, manufacture, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, storage, and advertisement of electronic cigarettes and similar devices, which are harmful and has potential for initiating tobacco use amongst youth.

    Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued ToEFI Guidelines for enacting Section 6(b) of COTPA, 2003 which restrict the sale of tobacco products within 100 yards of educational institutes.

    The Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education has also released ToEFI Manual to implement nine anti-tobacco activities. Compliance of the Manual is monitored by the respective State/UT Nodal Officers.

    As per the Section 77 of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 enacted by Ministry of Women and Child Development, giving intoxicating liquor (e.g. alcohol) or any narcotic drug or tobacco products or psychotropic substance to a child under 18 years of age, except by a doctor’s order, is prohibited and punishable.

    The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Uniform Software for PACS

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 11 FEB 2025 3:21PM by PIB Delhi

    Government of India is implementing the Project for Computerization of functional PACS with a total financial outlay of ₹2,516 Crore, which entails bringing all the functional PACS onto an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) based common national software, linking them with NABARD through State Cooperative Banks (StCBs) and District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs). The National Level Common Software for the project has been developed by NABARD and 50,455 PACS have been onboarded on ERP software as on 27.01.2025.

    Computerization of PACS project aims to provide a comprehensive ERP solution for entailing more than 25 economic activities prescribed under the Model Bye-Laws for PACS covering various modules such as financial services for short, medium & long term loans, procurement operations, Public Distribution Shops (PDS) operations, business planning, warehousing, merchandising, borrowings, asset management, human resource management, etc.

    So far, proposals for computerization of 67,930 PACS from 30 States/ UTs have been sanctioned, for which Rs. 741.34 Cr. has been released as GoI share to the States/UTs concerned. All the participants States/UTs can customize the ERP software as per the needs & functional requirements of the concerned States/UTs.

    The ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) based common national software brings about efficiency in PACS performance through Common Accounting System (CAS) and Management Information System (MIS). Further, governance and transparency in PACS also improves, leading to speedy disbursal of loans, lowering of transaction cost, reduction in imbalances in payments, seamless accounting with DCCBs and StCBs. It will enhance trustworthiness in the working of PACS among farmers, thus contributing towards realizing the vision of “Sahakar se Samridhi”.

    This was stated by the Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Parliament Question: Scholarships For Young Achievers Scheme

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 11 FEB 2025 1:54PM by PIB Delhi

    Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment provides scholarship to Scheduled Castes (SC), Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Divyangjan namely:

    1. Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers (SHREYAS) for Scheduled Castes (SC): This is a Central Sector Umbrella Scheme of Department of Social Justice and Empowerment which comprises 04 sub-schemes namely: (a) Top Class Education for SC students (TCS), (b) National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste students (NFSC), (c) National Overseas Scholarship for Scheduled Castes etc. (NOS) and (d) Free Coaching for SC and OBC Students (FCS). Out of these four sub-schemes the first three are scholarship schemes.
    2. Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers (SHREYAS) for (OBC) and others: This is a Central Sector Umbrella Scheme of Department of Social Justice and Empowerment which comprises two sub-schemes namely: (a) National Fellowship for OBC (b) Dr.Ambedkar Central Sector Scheme of Interest Subsidy on Educational Loans for Overseas Studies for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Economically Backward Classes (EBCs). Out of these two sub-schemes only the first is scholarship scheme.
    3. The Department of Persons with Disabilities does not implement any Scheme under the name of Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers (SHREYAS). However, the Department is implementing an Umbrella Scheme namely ‘Scholarship for Students with Disabilities (Divyangjan)’ which comprises six sub-schemes viz. (a) Pre-Matric (b) Post-Matric (c) Top Class Education (d) National Overseas Scholarship (e) National Fellowship for PwDs and (f) Free Coaching Scheme.

    All the above-mentioned Schemes are Central Sector Schemes, therefore, funds are not allotted to States/Districts. These Schemes are implemented on pan India basis and students from any State can avail benefit under the Schemes.

    The number of students availing scholarship under the three Schemes during last five years are as under:

    SHREYAS for SC

    Financial Year

    Expenditure (in Crore)

    Male beneficiaries

    Female beneficiaries

    Total beneficiaries

    2019-20

    272.3

    3938

    2450

    6388

    2020-21

    218.89

    4778

    2372

    7150

    2021-22

    261.64

    5720

    2628

    8348

    2022-23

    306.33

    5320

    2557

    7877

    2023-24

    372.22

    5470

    2779

    8249

     

    SHREYAS for OBCs

    Financial Year

    Expenditure

    (in Crore)

    Male Beneficiaries

    Female Beneficiaries

    Total Beneficiaries

    2019-20

    52.50

    582

    610

    1192

    2020-21

    33.00

    623

    610

    1233

    2021-22

    55.55

    691

    647

    1338

    2022-23

    51.32

    846

    724

    1570

    2023-24

    89.70

    1095

    914

    2009

    Scholarship for Students with Disabilities (Divyangjan)

    Financial Year

    Expenditure

    (in Crore)

    Total number of beneficiaries

    2019-20

    114.57

    42972

    2020-21

    91.77

    26067

    2021-22

    131.43

    42136

    2022-23

    131.43

    44162

    2023-24

    145.2

    29374

     

    To ensure wider awareness of the Scheme, the Ministry has taken various steps such as advertisements in National and Regional Newspapers, running Social Media campaigns, Scheme Guidelines details uploaded on Website, follow up with States/UTs for popularizing the Scheme.

    This information was provided by UNION MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT, SHRI RAMDAS ATHAWALE, in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

     

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: ERADICATION OF LEFT WING EXTREMISM

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 11 FEB 2025 1:22PM by PIB Delhi

    To address the LWE problem holistically, a “National Policy and Action Plan” to address LWE was approved in 2015. It envisages a multi- prolonged strategy involving security related measures, development interventions, ensuing rights and entitlements of local communities etc. While on security front, the Government of India (GoI) assists the LWE affected States by providing Central Armed Police battalions, training & funds for modernization of State police forces, equipment & arms, sharing of intelligence, construction of Fortified Police Stations etc; on development side, apart from flagship schemes, GoI has taken several specific initiatives in LWE affected States, with special thrust on expansion of road network, improving telecommunication connectivity, skilling and financial inclusion.

    Resolute implementation of the ‘National Policy and Action Plan’ to Address Left Wing Extremism (LWE) both by the Centre and the States has resulted in a consistent decline in LWE both in terms of geographical spread and violence. There has been a progressive decline in the number of districts affected by LWE. In view of the continuously improving situation, three review of LWE affected districts have been undertaken in the last six years with reduction from 126 to 90 districts in April 2018, further to 70 in July 2021 and then to 38 in April 2024. Violence perpetrated by LWE have reduced by 81% in 2024 in comparison to the high levels of 2010 (2024: 374, 2010:1936). The resultant deaths (Civilians + Security Forces) have also reduced by 85% during the same period (2024: 150, 2010: 1005).

    In Chhattisgarh, violence perpetrated by LWE have reduced by 47% in 2024 in comparison to the high levels of 2010 (2024: 267, 2010: 499).

    The resultant deaths (Civilians + Security Forces) have also reduced by 64% during the same period (2024: 122, 2010: 343). The year-wise details of incidents of LWE violence during last five years are placed at Annexure.

    Under Security Related Expenditure (SRE) Scheme funds are provided to LWE affected states for capacity building through provisions of ex-gratia to the family of civilian/Security Forces killed in LWE violence, training and operational needs of Security Forces, rehabilitation of surrendered LWE cadres, community policing, compensation to Security Force personnel/civilians for property damage by LWE etc. Under this scheme Rs. 1925.83 crore have been released to all LWE affected States during last 5 years (between 2019-20 to till date). This includes Rs. 829.80 Crore for Chhattisgarh.

    Strengthening of Special Forces, Special Intelligence Branches (SIBs) and District Police is undertaken through Special Infrastructure Scheme (SIS). Under this scheme Rs. 394.31 crore have been released to all LWE affected States during last 5 years (between 2019-20 to till date). This includes Rs. 85.42 Crore for Chhattisgarh. 702 Fortified Police Stations (FPSs) including 147 for Chhattisgarh have been sanctioned for LWE affected states. Of these, 612 FPSs, including 125 in Chhattisgarh have been constructed.

    To give further impetus for development in most LWE affected districts, funds are provided to the states under Special Central Assistance (SCA) Scheme to fill critical gapes in public infrastructure and services. Under this scheme Rs. 2384.17 crore have been released to all LWE affected States during last 5 years (between 2019-20 to till date). This includes Rs. 773.62 Crore for Chhattisgarh.

    Further, Rs. 654.84 crore have been given to Central Agencies during the last 05 years (2019-20 to till date) for helicopters and addressing critical infrastructure in security camps in LWE affected areas, under Assistance to Central Agencies for LWE Management (ACALWEM) Scheme.

    On development front, following specific initiatives have been taken in Chhattisgarh:

    • For  expansion of  road  network,  4046  km  roads  have  been constructed so far in LWE affected areas.
    • To   improve  telecom   connectivity,  1333  towers   have   been commissioned.
    • For financial inclusion of the local population in the LWE affected districts, 1214 Post Offices have been opened. Further, 297 Bank Branches and 268 ATMs have been opened.
    • For skill development, 09 ITIs and 14 Skill Development Centers (SDCs) have been made functional.
    • For quality education of tribals in LWE affected districts, 45 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) have been made functional.
    • In addition, under Civic Action Programme, Central Armed Police Forces (CRPF, BSF, SSB and ITBP) deployed in LWE affected areas undertake various civic activities for welfare of the locals and to wean away the youth from the influence of the Maoists.

    Tribal Youth Exchange Programs (TYEPs) are also being organized through Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) for integration of tribal youth of LWE affected districts with National mainstream.

    Annexure

    LWE Violence Incidents In Past 5 Years

    S.No.

    Year

    In All LWE Affected States

    Chhattisgarh

    1

    2020

    470

    241

    2

    2021

    361

    188

    3

    2022

    413

    246

    4

    2023

    486

    305

    5

    2024

    374

    267

    This was stated by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Shri Nityanand Rai, in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: NARCOTICS TRADE

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 11 FEB 2025 1:20PM by PIB Delhi

    Government has taken various measures to address the issue of illicit narcotics trade and to improve cooperation between local police and anti-narcotics efforts. Some of which are: –

      1. A 4-tier Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) mechanism for ensuring better coordination between Central & State Drug Law Enforcement Agencies and other stake holders in the field of controlling drug trafficking and drug abuse in India has been established. An all in-one NCORD portal has been developed for information related to drug law enforcement.
      1. To monitor the investigation of important and significant seizures, a Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) under the Chairmanship of Director General, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has been set up.
      1. A dedicated Anti Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) headed by Additional Director General/ Inspector General level Police Officer has been established in each State/Union Territory and follow-up on compliance of decisions taken in NCORD meetings at different levels.
      1. Government has empowered National Investigation Agency under NDPS Act, 1985 in the year 2020 for investigation of narco-terrorism cases.
      1. Border Guarding Forces (Border Security Force, Assam Rifles and Sashastra Seema Bal) have been empowered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 to carry out search, seizure and arrest for illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs at international border. Further, Railway Protection Force (RPF) has also been empowered under NDPS Act to check drug trafficking along the railway routes.
      1. The Indian Coast Guard has been empowered under the Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 for making interdiction of narcotic drugs in Coastal and high seas.
      1. A high level dedicated group has been created in National Security of Council Secretariat (NSCS) to analyze drug trafficking through maritime routes, challenges and solutions (Maritime Security Group- NSCS).
      1. Narcotics Control Bureau in association with Interoperable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) has created a portal called National Integrated Database About Arrested NDPS Offenders (NIDAAN).
      1. Towards the capacity building of drug law enforcement agencies of the country, Narcotics Control Bureau is continuously imparting training to the officers of other  drug law enforcement agencies.

    A National Narcotics Helpline “Madak-Padarth Nished Asoochana Kendra” (MANAS) has been created as a 24×7, toll-free number – 1933 National Narcotics Call Centre. Accordingly, MANAS has been envisioned as an integrated system providing a single platform for citizens to log, register, track and resolve drug related issues/ problems through various mode of communications like call, SMS, Chat-bot, email & web-link. It has also been integrated with Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) Helpline No.-14446. It has features like 24×7 calls via Toll-free Number, Web-Portal, email, and Mobile App under UMANG. All the information provided by the citizens on MANAS Helpline is kept confidential. In addition to this ANTF of States have been integrated with MANAS for better coordination.

    Government has formulated and implemented the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) under which the Government is taking a sustained and coordinated action for arresting the problem of substance abuse among the youth across the country. This includes:

      1. Launching of Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) in 272 identified most vulnerable  districts, later on extended to all districts of the country. So far NMBA has reached out to more than 14.07 crore people including 4.90 crore youth and 2.93 crore women.
      1. 350 Integrated Rehabilitation Centers for Addicts (IRCAs), 46 Community based Peer Led Intervention (CPLI) Centers, 74 Outreach and Drop in Centers (ODICs), 124 District De-addiction Centres (DDACs) and 125 Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs) are supported by the Government.
      1. A Toll-free Helpline No.–14446 for de-addiction is being maintained by the Government for providing primary counseling and immediate assistance to persons seeking help.
      1. Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed with Spiritual organizations like – The Art of Living, Brahma Kumaris, Sant Nirankari Mission, ISKCON, Shri Ram Chandra Mission and All World Gayatri Pariwar, to support NMBA and conduct mass awareness activities.
      1. Awareness is also being spread through official Social Media accounts of the Abhiyaan on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram.
      1. A mass pledge/oath on NMBA was conducted on 12th August, 2024 and a total of about 3+ crore people from 2+ lakh institutions participated in the nationwide pledge.
      1. National/Regional Conferences under the Chairmanship of Union Home Minister are being held from time to time with the Hon’ble Governors/ Lieutenant Governors and Chief Ministers of States/UTs, wherein effective measures to curb illegal drug peddling and trading to their respective district level are discussed.

    This was stated by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Shri Nityanand Rai, in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

    ******

    RK/VV/ASH/PR/PS/1343

    (Release ID: 2101651) Visitor Counter : 17

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah chairs Parliamentary Consultative Committee for Ministry of Home Affairs on ‘Cyber Security and Cyber Crime’ in New Delhi

    Source: Government of India

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah chairs Parliamentary Consultative Committee for Ministry of Home Affairs on ‘Cyber Security and Cyber Crime’ in New Delhi

    Under the leadership of Modi Ji, the country is witnessing a ‘digital revolution’, to face the challenges of cyber security one needs to understand its size and scale

    AI will be used to identify and close the mule accounts before they are made operational

    To prevent cybercrime, Home Minister stresses on raising awareness on Modi Ji’s mantra of ‘Stop-Think-Taje Action’

    Modi government is moving forward with a four-pronged strategy to tackle cybercrimes: Convergence, Coordination, Communication, and Capacity

    Union Home Minister says that to prevent cybercrimes, there should be a greater focus on increasing awareness among the public and promoting the Cyber Helpline ‘1930’

    The three basic elements of cyberspace – software, services, and users are important in tackling cyber frauds

    The members gave suggestions on issues related to ‘Cyber Security and Cyber Crime’ and appreciated the steps taken by the Govt.

    Posted On: 11 FEB 2025 11:41AM by PIB Delhi

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah  chaired a meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Home Affairs on the topic of ‘Cyber Security and Cyber Crime’ in New Delhi. The meeting was attended by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Shri Nityanand Rai, Shri Bandi Sanjay Kumar, members of the Committee, the Union Home Secretary, and senior officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs. The committee discussed various issues related to ‘Cyber Security and Cyber Crime’ during the meeting.

    Addressing the meeting, Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah said that in recent years, there has been an expansion of digital infrastructure in India, which has naturally led to an increase in the number of cyber attacks. He said that when we look at cyberspace from a different perspective, it forms a complex network of ‘software,’ ‘services,’ and ‘users.’ He emphasized that until we consider controlling cyber fraud through ‘software,’ ‘services,’ and ‘users,’ it will be impossible to resolve the issues of cyberspace. Shri Shah further mentioned that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Ministry of Home Affairs has taken several significant steps towards making India a cyber-safe nation.

    Shri Amit Shah said that cybercrime has erased all geographical boundaries. He stated that it is a ‘borderless’ and ‘formless’ crime, as it has no limits or fixed form. He mentioned that India has witnessed a ‘digital revolution’ in the last decade. Without understanding the size and scale of the ‘digital revolution,’ we cannot face the challenges in the cyber domain.

    Union Home Minister said that today, 95 per cent villages in the country are digitally connected, and one lakh gram panchayats are equipped with Wi-Fi hotspots. In the past ten years, the number of internet users has increased by 4.5 times. He mentioned that in 2024, a total of 246 trillion transactions worth ₹17.221 lakh crore were made through UPI. In 2024, 48 per cent of the global digital transactions took place in India. He also said that in terms of the startup ecosystem, India has become the third-largest country in the world. In 2023, the contribution of the digital economy to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was around ₹32 lakh crore, which is 12 per cent, and nearly 15 million jobs were created.

    Shri Amit Shah said that today India has become the third-largest country in terms of digital landscape in the world. The digital economy contributes 20 per cent to the total economy of India. He also mentioned that the Ministry of Home Affairs’ goal is to ensure zero cybercrime cases and their FIRs.

    Union Home Minister said that to tackle cybercrime, we have adopted four types of strategies, which include Convergence, Coordination, Communication, and Capacity. All of these are being implemented with clear objectives and a strategic approach. He mentioned that inter-ministerial and inter-departmental coordination within the Ministry of Home Affairs has been strengthened, ensuring seamless communication and smooth flow of information.

    Shri Amit Shah said that a healthy tradition of exchange of information between the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Electronics and IT, CERT-IN, I4C, and departments like Telecom and Banking has led to successfully tackling many cybercrime cases.

    Union Home Minister emphasized the importance of raising awareness among the public to prevent cybercrime and requested all the members of the committee to promote the I4C helpline number 1930. He stated that in light of cyber financial fraud, the ‘1930’ helpline provides a one-point solution offering various services, such as blocking cards.

    Shri Amit Shah said that efforts are underway to use Artificial Intelligence for identifying mule accounts, in coordination with the Reserve Bank and all banks, to establish a system for their detection. He mentioned that we will ensure the closure of mule accounts before they are even operational. Union Home Minister stated that the government has also ensured that people are made aware of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s mantra ‘STOP-THINK-TAKE ACTION’ in order to make them more vigilant against cybercrimes.

    Union Home Minister stated that a total of 1 lakh 43 thousands FIRs have been registered on the I4C portal, and over 19 crore people have used this portal. He mentioned that, for national security reasons, 805 apps and 3,266 website links have been blocked based on I4C’s recommendations. Additionally, 399 banks and financial intermediaries have come on board. Over 6 lakh suspicious data points have been shared, more than 19 lakh mule accounts have been caught, and suspicious transactions worth ₹2,038 crore have been prevented.

    Shri Amit Shah said that Cyber Crime Forensic Training Labs have been established in 33 states and union territories. On the ‘CyTrain’ platform, a “Massive Open Online Course (MOOC)” platform, 101,561 police officers have registered, and over 78,000 certificates have been issued.

    The committee members gave their suggestions on issues related to ‘Cyber Security and Cyber Crime’ and appreciated the important steps taken by the government for enhancing cyber security.

    ***

    RK/VV/ASH/PR/PS

    (Release ID: 2101613) Visitor Counter : 46

    Read this release in: Hindi

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Appeal for information on missing woman in Tin Sum (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Appeal for information on missing woman in Tin Sum (with photo)
    Appeal for information on missing woman in Tin Sum (with photo)
    ***************************************************************

         Police today (February 11) appealed to the public for information on a woman who went missing in Tin Sum.     Lau Suet-ying, aged 31, went missing after she got on a train towards Wu Kai Sha at MTR Hin Keng Station yesterday (February 10) morning. Her family then made a report to Police.          She is about 1.65 metres tall, around 70 kilograms in weight and of fat build. She has a round face with yellow complexion and short black hair. She was last seen wearing a dark grey jacket, a grey shirt, blue trousers, dark blue shoes and carrying a beige backpack.     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing woman or may have seen her is urged to contact the Regional Missing Persons Unit of New Territories South on 3661 1173 or 5217 5562 or email to rmpu-nts-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

     
    Ends/Tuesday, February 11, 2025Issued at HKT 11:38

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Commissioner – law ruling leaves policing in a “hopeless position”

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    The Commissioner has responded to a High Court judgment published today on a judicial review that sought to challenge Operation Assure.

    Operation Assure is the Met’s process, based on national guidance, to consider dismissing officers who can no longer pass vetting. The Met lost the judicial review.

    Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said:

    “For more than two decades police leaders have been asking Government for greater powers to sack officers who are not fit to wear the uniform. For two-and-a half-years I have repeated that call and successive Governments have promised change.

    “Tens of thousands of good officers joined the police because we care deeply about public safety. The majority of the Met is committed to this drive to clear out those who threaten our collective integrity. This makes us better placed to protect communities.

    “Being able to sack officers who fail vetting is critical. Under Op Assure, in the last 18 months

    • 96 officers have been sacked or resigned due to vetting removal
    • 29 more are on special vetting leave, having lost vetting
    • Over 100 more are in the early stages of vetting reviews

    “Those we have removed vetting from, had a pattern of behaviour that meant if they applied to work in policing today, we’d never let them in.

    “But today’s ruling on the law has left policing in a hopeless position.

    “We now have no mechanism to rid the Met of officers who are not fit to hold vetting – those who cannot be trusted to work with women, or enter the homes of vulnerable people.

    “It is absurd that we cannot lawfully sack them – this would not be the case in other sectors where staff have nothing comparable to the powers a police officer holds.

    “This judgement is focussed on the human rights of Sgt Di Maria. But there are wider human rights at play here, those of the public, and those of colleagues who have to work alongside officers like this.

    “We are seeking leave to appeal the judgment, not just for the Met but for law enforcement nationally due to these profoundly damaging implications.

    “The judge identified a clear gap in the law, one we have done our best to bridge. But as the judge said, the answer lies in strengthened Police Vetting Regulations.

    “So in repeating the same request for two-and-a half-years, echoed by the Casey and Angiolini reports, I am once again calling on the Government today, to introduce new regulations as a matter of extreme urgency.

    “It is crucial they are practical, nimble and empowering. They must allow police forces to deal with those who pose risks to colleagues and of course to the public, and must apply to those we have already removed.

    “Finally, regardless of the current legal framework, the public of London have my assurance and that of my colleagues that Di Maria and those like him will not be policing the streets or working alongside other officers. They will remain on ‘vetting special leave’, a ridiculous waste of public money but the least bad option until regulations are fixed. “

    +++

    A judgment has been published in relation to a judicial review heard at the High Court between 15 and 16 January 2025.

    Sgt Lino Di Maria is a Met officer who during his police service has received allegations of rape, and other allegations about his conduct towards women.

    Under the Met’s ‘Operation Assure’ – a key part of our drive to raise standards and root out corruption – Di Maria’s vetting clearance was reviewed and, in light of the significant pattern of adverse information against him, his vetting was removed.

    Sgt Di Maria applied to the court for judicial review, challenging the lawfulness of the Met’s decision to remove his vetting and refer him to gross incompetence proceedings.

    He challenged the wider Operation Assure process which is the Met’s process, based on national guidance, to consider dismissing officers who can no longer pass vetting.

    The officer would have been dismissed many months ago but for this legal action, which is funded in support of him by the Police Federation.

    The College of Policing and Home Secretary were interested parties to the proceedings.

    The judgment has found in favour of Sgt Di Maria. It is published here: Di Maria -v- Met Police and others – Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

    Background

    Operation Assure

    In March 2023 the Met became the first police service in the UK to adopt a new process, based on College of Policing guidance and called Operation Assure, to consider dismissing officers and staff who can no longer pass vetting.

    It is unacceptable there has never been an explicit legal provision to enable sacking of officers who fail vetting reviews. Policing has asked for this loophole to be closed for more than 20 years. We have been promised for two-and-a-half years that changes will happen but little progress has been made.

    The regulations make it too hard to remove those few who undermine the majority. Our own analysis and that of Casey and Angiolini pointed to the need to ‘join the dots’ – using intelligence to spot patterns of behaviour to remove those who should not be in the job. This followed in the wake of significant cases such as Wayne Couzens and David Carrick.

    Operation Assure is a programme of prioritised vetting reviews for serving officers and staff where we hold significant adverse information that means we need to review their vetting clearance. In most cases this information has not previously led to a criminal conviction, and, in all cases, not dismissal from the Met.    

    Operation Assure provides a pathway for the Met to follow if an officer’s basic vetting clearance cannot be maintained. It can lead to that person being dismissed from the Met at a gross incompetence hearing – as their inability to hold vetting clearance makes them ‘incompetent’ to hold a role.

    There are hundreds of pages of guidance, law and regulations telling us at length how important vetting is and how it should be done. But these are far less clear on what to do if things change and an officer can no longer can be trusted to hold that vetting, nor how such an officer should be dismissed.

    We carefully interpreted the existing guidance and laws as best we could and we filled that gap in the public interest. Operation Assure was the right thing to do in circumstances when the law did not provide a clear way of doing this, and it was supported by the College of Policing. It was a risk, but the issue was too important to ignore and too urgent to wait – the public deserve better.

    Police officers are vetted when they join the Met, with vetting renewal every seven-10 years. The framework exists in the Vetting Approved Professional Practice – as set by the College of Policing.  The framework also says that vetting clearance should be reviewed upon ‘adverse information’.

    The majority of those subject to Assure have worrying patterns of behaviour, mainly allegations of sexual offending. They would not pass vetting if joining the police for the first time today.

    The primary pipeline for Operation Assure is Operation Onyx. The Operation Onyx team have reviewed completed domestic or sexual abuse cases against officers and staff for offences from the last 10 years (until April 2022) to ensure those cases were dealt with properly, and revisit them if not via Operation Assure.

    Operation Assure to date

    • More 300 officers and staff referred into the Assure process overall so far.
    • 107 officers/staff have had vetting withdrawn. 
    • 96 officers/staff have exited the Met (dismissals, retirements and resignations) while in the Op Assure process (including 19 who resigned before their gross incompetence hearing). 
    • This includes 24 officers/staff dismissed at gross incompetence hearing (or staff equivalent) for failure to maintain vetting.
    • Today, 29 officers and staff are in the Met having had their vetting removed and are on vetting special leave. Until the judgment today, 12 of those were due to attend a hearing soon where they may have been dismissed – others had appeals ongoing.
    • Approximately 100 officers and staff are at an earlier stage of the Assure process – perhaps at an early review stage, or awaiting their vetting interview or vetting decision.

    And:

    • 82 have had their vetting retained – which is important to note as it shows the process is fair and proportionate.
    • 7 successful appeals. 

    Examples

    • Officer received multiple rape and sexual assault allegations from a number of separate female complainants in 2011-2023. Under Op Assure, officer had vetting reviewed, removed and he was dismissed at a gross incompetence hearing. Criminal charges followed a year later, as further information came to light following his dismissal. This was the first officer we dismissed under Assure, in October 2023.
    • Officer had numerous domestic abuse allegations, including rape of ex-partner, and also had received two reports of sexual assault/harassment of colleagues. He had been reduced in rank to a PC in 2022 for a separate matter for misuse of his warrant card while off-duty. Under Op Assure, officer had vetting reviewed, removed and he was dismissed at a gross incompetence hearing.     
    • Officer committed indecent act on a train and pleaded guilty to outraging public decency – later received a final written warning. Under Op Assure, officer had vetting reviewed, removed and he was dismissed at a gross incompetence hearing. 
    • Following intelligence checks it was identified that a serving officer was arrested in the USA on charge of endangering welfare of child, having travelled there to meet a 13-year-old girl he had met online.  No criminal charges were brought but the intelligence was reconsidered as part of Assure. Officer resigned in May 2023 when he was told he was to have a vetting review.

    Judicial Review

    A Judicial Review took place at the High Court on 15/16 January between Met officer Sgt Lino Di Maria, supported by the Met Police Federation, and the Met Police supported by the College of Policing and the Home Office as interested parties.

    The Judicial Review challenged the legality of Operation Assure, and how it applied to Sgt Di Maria’s case.

    The multiple historic and serious allegations against Sgt Lina Di Maria, attached to forensics at Kentish Town, were outlined in the hearing.

    His vetting clearance was removed in Sept 2023 and his appeal against this dismissed. In March 2024 he was referred to a gross incompetence hearing due to having no vetting clearance. His particular case was paused pending the outcome of the JR.   

    MIL Security OSI –