Report Denies That Ceylan Önkol was Killed By a Mortar Blast

The Village of ?enlik in Diyarbak?r province Turkey

Graphic Content


 

On September 28 Ceylan Önkol went out to tend the family sheep as her mother prepared macaroni for her. According to villagers there was a sound in the air followed by an explosion, shortly thereafter Ceylan (whose ages been reported as 12 and 14) was found dead with her midsection shredded. Body parts were scattered over 150 m with some landing in the branches of nearby trees. Despite the massive damage to her midsection witnesses say her legs and feet as well as her arms, hands and head were relatively uninjured.

The authorities were contacted and the family waited at the scene for what they expected to be military security forces, a doctor, and the local prosecutor. Security forces did not arrive, after six hours of waiting the family was informed that the doctor and prosecutor would also not be coming because they feared for their safety. The village Imam had been instructed to take photographs of the scene and the family was asked to gather the girl’s remains and bring them to the police station in Bingöl province where an autopsy could be performed. According to local protocol the prosecutors should have conducted the autopsy at the scene.

Önkol’s brother, R?fat Önkol said:

“The village headman called; we wanted soldiers and the prosecutor. The prosecutor said he could not come because it was not safe. Soldiers did not come either. The prosecutor told the imam to take pictures.”

According to the Human Rights Association, a local NGO, the prosecutor did arrive three days later to conduct an investigation; they went on to say that this might have only been in response to public pressure.

Ceylan Önko's mother said:

“My Ceylan was torn to pieces. Why was my child killed for no reason? Who is going to answer for this?”

It has also been reported that not only did the prosecutor not properly conduct the autopsy but also the doctor who did allowed janitors to participate.

The family, local media, and NGOs believe that a mortar round, possibly fired from a nearby military base, hit Ceylen. This is primarily based on the reports of the noise in the air before the explosion and the lack of injuries to her upper and lower body.

As of October 11 it was being reported that the case was being investigated as a terror crime, however, the final report found otherwise. The results of the official investigation were released this week and deny the claims that a mortar round hit Ceylan. The investigation has concluded that she detonated unexploded ordnance that had been left in the area at some previous time.

The family and NGOs alike have questioned the results of this investigation due to the initial lack of response, unorthodox autopsy, and the pattern of injuries. The Human Rights Association has gone so far as to say that they believe she may have been targeted:

"Due to the Forensic Examination Record Ceylan Önkol was not badly injured at her head, her arms and her legs. Whereas when stepping on a mine or another explosive, bad injuries of the legs would eminently occur. If a found explosive sets off because it was monkeyed with, serious injuries of the arms in particular would occur. However, according to the forensic examination record, serious injuries of Ceylan Önkols abdomen caused her death."

"It is possible that an explosive hits the abdominal region. That is to say, the explosive has to be fired from somewhere, targeting Ceylan Önkol".

As many as 40 NGOs and other organizations have joined in a campaign demanding that the details of the investigation be released.

The Great Wall Of Jerusalem, 3700 year old wall discovered

On the slope of the Silwan Valley archeologist have made an an amazing discovery, a 26 foot high, 79 foot long section of a wall built from giant boulders weighing as much as 4-5 tons each. The wall is believed to date back 3700 years.

Archeologist have been digging at this site since 1995, they are amazed by this discovery not only because of the discovery itself but the fact that the ancient Canaanites (believed to have built the wall) could have accomplished such a feat.

The excavation’s director, Ronny Reich, said:

“To build straight walls up 8 meters…I don’t know how to do it today without mechanical equipment, I don’t think that any engineer today without electrical power could do it,”.

The wall is believed to have been built to help protect a natural spring that supplied water to the people of Jerusalem. It is also believed that the wall could have been connected to a fortress that possibly stood at the top of the hill.

Archeologist say that this discovery could be the tip of the ice burg and plan to continue their work at the site.

 

Cambodia: One Dead and Six Ill after Eating Poisonous Frogs

For many in the village of Mondul 3 in Siem Reap Cambodia poverty is a way of life, for Sov Soparath this poverty ended in tragedy. Sov and friends caught and ate brown frogs after a heavy rain, 2 hours later Sov was dead and his brother was in critical condition at Kantha Bopha Children's Hospital. Two other children and three adults were also treated at Siem Reap Provincial Hospital and recovered.

Sov's family could not afford the price of a funeral or a coffin; he was laid to rest in a coffin made from a wooden table. The News Hope Community center paid $250 for the funeral and held an email fundraiser for the family, they raised over $1000. They plan to use the money to restore the family’s home that is in need of major repairs; they also plan to pay for an education for Sov's younger brother.

Kerry Huntly, director of the community centers told the Phnom Penh Post that this is not the first time someone has been poisoned by eating frogs:

"About three months ago, two little army girls, one 3-year-old and one 5-year-old, caught a frog ... grilled it, ate it and were severely sick. At one stage, the younger girl was not expected to survive, but she pulled through."

"This is what happens when you have poverty like this. This lot here don't have a choice when it comes to food, and they'll eat anything. They also eat ants that sometimes make them sick."

According to New Hope 78 percent of the people in Siem Riep earn less than $2 per day, 45% of the children 5 years old and younger suffer from malnutrition, many children survive on rice water, salt and the frogs and ants they catch. Mothers who are to malnourished to produce breast milk will sometimes be forced to feed their babies rice water. In many cases the family may be forced to give their children away to someone that can provide a better life for them.

Sov's homemade coffin was carried through the streets on a cart before the funeral to warn others about the dangers of eating the poisonous frogs.

VCU Student Group Named in a Leaked Terror Threat Assessment

In what came as a surprise to both the Virginia state police and the public, especially the Muslim Student Association at Virginia Commonwealth University the Virginia State Police 2009 terrorism threat assessment was leaked.

The document was never intended for the public and carries the following warning at the top of the page:

" This is LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE information and is protected by Code of Virginia Title 52-48 and 52-49 unless otherwise noted.
Further distribution of this document is restricted to law enforcement agencies, intelligence agencies, and Department of Defense organizations only.
Prior approval shall be obtained from VFC for dissemination to other agencies.
Persons or organizations violating distribution restrictions may be prosecuted and will be prohibited from receiving future documents.
NO REPORT OR SEGMENT THEREOF MAY BE RELEASED TO ANY MEDIA SOURCES."

Despite this warning the document somehow found its way on to the internet and caught some Virginia students by surprise. Members of the Muslim Student Association at VCU were shocked to find that they are in the document as possibly being a front organization for The Muslim Brotherhood. On page 41 the document states:

"There are indications the VCU chapter of the Muslim Student Association is a front organization for the Muslim brotherhood, and is possibly involved with terrorism financing and recruitment."


The Muslim Brotherhood is the U.S. chapter of The International Muslim Brotherhood and is one of the worlds most influential Islamic fundamentalist groups and has a violent history in the Middle East. In the U.S. they prefer to operate behind the scenes and rarely identify themselves as members of the brotherhood even to other Muslims.

According to the Va State Police document the International Muslim Brotherhood has influenced such groups as Al-Qa'ida and Hamas. The U.S. chapter’s mane international objective is reportedly to support Hamas. Some of their suspected activities include member recruitment, fundraising, and subversive political pursuits.

Dr. Reuban Rodriguez, VCU Dean of Students told channel 12 news that this is

"Not even close to anything we've been contacted either by law enforcement or anybody outside the VCU community as being a problem with this student organization,"


And

"They raise donations so that people do not have to go hungry not only in the Richmond community but around the world as well,"


VCU says the only financing done by the group is for those less fortunate. Two predominately African American schools, Virginia State and Virginia Union Universities, are also mention in the report for contributing to the presence of race based extremist groups.

Kent Willis of the American Civil Liberties Union told channel 12:

"In essence, this is a report that uses both demographic and racial and religious stereotypes to assume that terrorism exists but then backs it up with no information,”


The Virginia State Police are not commenting on this document. I sent emails to both the state and national offices of Muslim Student Association asking them to comment, I have not received a response from either at this time.

Ohio: Child Protective Services Face Budget cuts

For the first time in Ohio's history the number of child abuse and neglect cases being reported toped 100,000 and Governor Ted Strickland's state budget plan has child protective service workers concerned.

Under Governor Strickland's proposed budget  $62 million usually used for child protective service by the counties of Ohio would be shifted to the state subsidized childcare program. This is just one of a series of cuts that have forced many counties to lay off caseworkers.  Director of the Hancock County Department of Job and Family Services, Judy Wauford, says that she has lost a large portion of her staff and most of her funding for protective services. Under these conditions protective service agencies are finding it difficult to keep up with the cases and respond to complaints within 24 hours as mandated by the state.

According to statistics released by Public Children Services Association of Ohio statewide reports of abuse and neglect are up by 14% and Franklin County has shown an increase of 16%. The report also says that the number of children being removed from their homes is down by 9% despite the increase in reports.

Child abuse and neglect can have many causes; drugs and alcohol as well as mental illness may be the first to come to mind.  However it is believed that the current economy and foreclosures are at least in part to blame for the spike in reported cases. As some parents struggle with the usual personal and marital issues their frustrations can be compounded by layoffs, foreclosure and other financial issues. They find themselves overwhelmed and unable to cope, the resulting stress can be taken out on the children.

Shooting Victims Family outraged by Controversial Verdict

After a day of swimming, LSD and alcohol Joey Parrish, 17, Ethan Parrish, 24, and Stephanie Reynolds, 19 (all White) pulled into a Sheetz parking lot in Powhattan Virginia to drop off two friends. At this point there was a verbal confrontation with 18-year old Tahliek Taliaferro, (African American) and friends: Courtney Jones, Lawrence Harris, Tommie Williams, Kendall Trainum, and Kwamaine Marshall. The confrontation ended a short distance down the road with Taliaferro dead and 15-year old Jones seriously wounded.

Grand jury testimony and evidence led to certification of charges against the two Parrish cousins including first degree murder, aggravated malicious wounding, two counts of attempted murder, and charges of using a firearm in the commission of felonies.  Joey Parrish, a convicted felon, received an additional charge for possessing a firearm.

Emotions ran high in Powhattan this week after the jury dropped most of the charges against Joey and Ethan Parrish finding them guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Taliaferro, and misdemeanor assault for wounding Jones.

Although the shooting is not believed to be racially motivated some in the community believe the verdict was. One bystander outside of the court described it as the most racist thing he had ever heard and went on to say, "That’s Powhattan".

The Virginia NAACP released a statement after the verdict was read expressing disappointment in the outcome of the trial.

"This verdict reaffirms what many citizens of Powhatan County have always felt, that there is no justice for African Americans here. We now await the lenient sentence that this jury will impose. The judicial system did not work for Tahliek Taliaferro, his family, friends, loved ones and citizens."

Kaa Caputo, Taliaferro’s mother in an emotional statement to 12 news said: "How did they come to that conclusion? Involuntary manslaughter - do they know what it means?"

Jean Taliaferro, Tahliek's grandmother added: "They can go to see their son but I can't go and see Tahliek, I guess they thought he was a deer or a duck or something."

Carolyn Jackson, Jones's mother said "It's unbelievable they did not give him first degree murder, I cannot believe that my child was shot in the back and you said you are going to give him a pat on the back. What would have happened if he had died? It's unfair, unfair."

The jury recommended a sentence of 10 years for involuntary manslaughter and an additional 12 months for assault and battery in the case f Ethan Parrish. Joey Parrish has not been sentenced yet but could face up to 16 years, 11 for involuntary manslaughter and assault and an additional 5 years for possessing a firearm.

 

Below is a brief recap of the grand jury testimony and the trial that led to the controversial verdict.

Defendant Stephanie Reynolds (granted testimonial immunity) told the grand jury:

“Someone ‘bucked' at Joey and Ethan got mad, Ethan and Joey started cussing and then Ethan pulled out a gun from between his feet and made like he was going to get out, but I grabbed him and told him not to.”

According to further testimony, before leaving the Sheetze parking lot Joey told Taliaferro: “Come on if you want to finish this.” Reynolds went on to say that she assumed that Taliaferro and his friends would follow them but the Parrish cousins said they would handle it.

After leaving the parking lot heading west on route 60 Ethan began digging around in the back seat of the car, he then told Reynolds to turn around and if she didn't she could get out and he would drive. Ethan made the comment that he was going to "scare" and "smoke" Tahliek. Shortly after making a U turn they turned on Dorset Road and stopped. Ethan told Joey to cover the licensee plate with a bag. Reynolds said Joey got back in the car as the other teens pulled along side of them on Dorset Road; she went on to say,

“Ethan was hanging out of the back driver’s side window with the assault rifle. Tahliek was just laughing at us, he wasn’t nervous — when he started laughing Ethan pulled the trigger.”

Courtney Jones said:

“I saw the back window go down and I saw a gun, then it just started shooting, I got down and then I looked and saw Tahliek laid over.” Jones was struck in the back and Taliaferro died at the scene from a gunshot wound to the head.

At the trial:

Margaret Ashton Bradbury, one of the teens being dropped off by the suspects, testified that before getting into her own car she heard Joey Parrish yelling at Taliaferro and his friends who were eating at the Bruster's ice cream shop next to the Sheetze. She said she couldn't make out everything Joey said but she thinks she heard him say 'If you want to fight, follow us,'“ She went on to say that she attempted to flag down the car that Taliaferro was riding in as they passed by a couple of minutes later, she wanted to warned them that Joey had a 9 mm and Ethan had an assault rifle in the car.

Courtney Jones along with other friends of Taliaferro testified that that the teen may have wanted to fight Joey and may have said, "Let's go fight them. Let's get them." (Accounts very, some say they did not hear him say this) he was not chasing Joey when the shooting began. Lawrence Harris, driver of the victim’s vehicle said that they turned down Dorset road to drop off one of his passenger, not to follow Parrish.

Reynolds told the jury that after Ethan ordered her to pull over and told Joey to cover the License plates they sat and watched Harris drive slowly past. She said that Harris had something in his hand but whatever it was wasn’t pointed at them, this is when Taliaferro saw the gun and started laughing, Ethan then began shooting.

Police testified that they recovered 6 shell casings fired from a semiautomatic Mac 90 military style assault rifle (83 round drum clip) at the scene, and found a bb gun and some baseball bats in Harris's car, they went on to say that 2 bullets hit the street and 4 hit the vehicle, one struck Jones in the lower back and another hit Taliaferro in the head killing him. All of the bullets entered from the rear of the vehicle.

Ethan Parrish told the court that he began firing out of fear, he believed that the other teens were coming after him, he also said he believed they had a gun. Joey Parrish didn't testify.

Outraged Over AIG Bonuses Turns To Protest

As many U.S. taxpayers lose their jobs and homes and others struggle just to hold on it seems that the recent bonuses handed out by AIG have put a face on the economic crisis, giving a direction for the public to focus their anger. American taxpayers are outraged by the insurance giant AIG's use of bailout funds to hand out bonuses to their top executives and they have taken their outrage to the source. This anger has taken various forms ranging from protest to death threats. 

On Thursday a rally was held in Phoenix at the local AIG office, led by the Service Employees International Union. The protestors wanted answers to questions about the bonuses and if any were paid to Arizona employees, no one was available to answer. They had also planned to present a large "reality" check to AIG but no one came forth to accept it. They wanted to draw attention to what they described as a class struggle between top executives and the average working American.

Union member Todd Schwartz said:

"These people are seriously out of touch with what life is like for working men and women in America,"

Members of the union also attended a protest outside of the Seattle AIG office located at 520 Pike St. With several police officers standing by, the protestor entered the office and attempted to deliver another "reality" check, they were told that it was private property and they would have to leave, the protestors asked to see someone from AIG in person, their request was refused as was their request to send the "reality" check up to AIG.

Linnae Riesen said:

"Corporations got bailed out, people got sold out, that's pretty much our message."

Saturday, about 40 Protesters made the rounds in Connecticut visiting Norwalk, New Haven, Hartford and other towns visiting AIG offices and the homes of executives to voice the opposition to the taxpayer funded bonuses given to executives.

Protester Emeline Bravo-Blackport said:

"We think $165 million could be used in a more appropriate way to keep people in their homes, create more jobs and health care,”

In some cases public anger has taken a more sinister turn including death threats. In a recent AIG corporate security memoemployees were advised against wearing the AIG logo, the memo went on to advise employees to hide their corporate badges from public view before leaving the office building. Employees are also encouraged to avoid parking in dark areas and to travel in pairs after dark. These are only a few of the suggestion being made by AIG security.

One AIG employee speaking under terms of anonymity said:

"It's scary,People are very, very nervous for their security."

Company spokesman Mark Herr told the AP:

"However someone may feel about the appropriateness of the retention payments, there is nothing appropriate about the threats that people have made to and about employees,"

James Haas and Doug Poling, who have said that they will be returning their bonuses to AIG, did not reply to the AP's request for a comment regarding the threats.

The matter may be further complicated by recent accusations from Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal that AIG actually paid out $50 million more than they reported bringing the total to $218 million. AIG contends that the full amount of bonuses had already been explained to U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, the $165 million are for the March payments and do not include payments made in December.

Blumenthal responded responded by saying:

"We've not only added the numbers, but the company has given us documents that have the number at $218 million, some of that total is from earlier bonuses, but the main point is all of it seems to be out of taxpayer funds. ... Whether the payments were made in December or March seems to be beside the point. The total that was disclosed so far was $165 million.''

 

 

45 Richmond, Va Jobs to be Lost To Mexico

St. Louis-based Belden's Midlothian manufacturing plant employees 45 local workers who make connectors and components for industrial automation. In December 2008 Belden announced that it would cut its global workforce by 20% (around 1800 people) by late 2009. The layoffs are in response to the global economic downturn that has led to lower demand for their products.

In a December statement John Stroup, president and chief executive, said:

"As we reported in October, we have seen softening of our major markets globally, and we expect that economic conditions will remain challenging for some time, We regret the hardship these actions will impose on our (employees)."

During the December announcement Belden indicated that some U.S. plant closings would occur as part of a restructuring plan but declined to say what plants were being considered.

Belden now says that the Midlothian plant will be closed by July and the manufacturing operations transferred to their plant in Tijuana, Mexico. Belen says those affected by layoffs will be eligible for severance benefits. Beldoen is expecting to save up to 30 million Dollars in 2009 as a result of layoffs.

This is not the first Belden layoff that involved moving U.S. jobs to Mexico, in March of 2008 they announced plans to close the Manchester, Conn. plant resulting in 132 people losing their jobs, this plants operations were also transferred to Mexico.

"We regret the impact of these actions on the affected associates," said John Stroup,President and Chief Executive Officer of Belden. "It is a difficult, but necessary step in the implementation of our regional manufacturing strategy. The expected cost savings associated with this action are further benefit of this strategy and take advantage of our lower cost capacity at the recently completed Nogales, Mexico facility."

A Defiant Sudan Strikes Back after ICC Decision

On March 4,the International Criminal Court announced that they had issued an arrest warrant for Omar Hassan Ahmad Al Bashir, President of Sudan. The charges include war crime and crime against humanity stemming from allegations that he ordered attacks on civilians in the Darfur region. These attacks employed rape, murder, forcible relocation and torture as a standard method of war. These attacks have led to an estimated 200,000 to 400,000 deaths and over 2.5 million people being displaced.

A defiant Al Bashir reportedly said that the decision by the ICC would not stop him from doing his "work" calling the warrant a conspiracy against his country and new form of colonialism.

Sudanese ambassador Abdalmahmood Abdalhaleem said:

"We strongly condemn this criminal move, It amounts to an attempt at regime change. We are not going to be bound by it."

In an act of defiance The Sudanese government expelled at least 10 humanitarian aid groups including Portland based Mercy Corps who has about 225 aid workers in Darfur and for the past five years has been providing aid to around 200,000 internally displaced people. Also on the list of expelled aid groups are Oxfam, CARE, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)-Holland, Save the Children, the Norwegian Refugee Council, the International Rescue Committee, Action Contre la Faim, Solidarites and CHF International. According to the U.N. there are about 76 aid organization working in Darfur however the 10 being expelled did the majority of the work.

The operational director of MSF-Holland, Arjan Hehenkamp, said:

"It is absurd that we as an independent organization are caught up in a political and judicial process,"

Vice President Ali Osman Mohammed Taha of Sudan confirmed the expulsion of the groups saying:

"Whenever an organization takes humanitarian aid as a cover to achieve a political agenda that affects the security of the county and its stability, measures are to be taken by law to protect the country and its interests,"

According to the aid groups this decision will affect up to two million people who are relying on them for food, shelter and water.

U.S. State Department Warning About Traveling to Mexico

The U.S. State department has issued a new travel warning for U.S citizens traveling to Mexico. Skirmishes between Mexican authorities and the drug cartels in border towns and elsewhere are being described as "small unit combat" and in some cases foreign bystanders have been caught in the cross fire resulting in injuries and death.

 

Although large-scale confrontations between authorities and the cartels have occurred across Mexico they have recently became more frequent in Northern Mexico in towns such as Tijuana, Chihuahua City and Ciudad Juarez and others. The border towns can erupt into combat zones as government officials confront cartels that are using automatic weapons and hand grenades in their fight for the valuable Northern drug trade routs.

U.S. citizens are being advised to cooperate fully with any official Mexican checkpoints they may in counter. They are also advised to be extremely aware of their surroundings at all times, travel only on main roads (Toll roads are the most secure) and avoid any areas known for drugs or prostitution as well as isolated areas. The U.S. Embassy and consulates will issue travel advisories asking their employees and tourist to stay away from certain roads or areas of the country due to dangerous conditions and criminal activities, be aware of these advisories and stay up to date.

Criminals along the border region are known to be heavily armed and have used police and military uniforms as well as vehicles that appear to be official in the commission of various crimes.

The drug war in Mexico is having a dramatic impact on Mexican and U.S. Businesses located in border towns, the fear of violence has led many U.S. shoppers to refrain from their usual shopping trips south of the border. In many cases merchants are reporting that sales are down by as much as 75%. Gabriel Lara, a Mexican businessman, said:

“The economy is very bad. We need your money,”

Sharelene Reams from Arizona said:

“I haven’t been down shopping for a long time just because of what we heard about the shootings six months or so ago,”

Mexican tourists who do not live in the Northern region may otherwise visit the U.S. border states, but due to the ever-increasing violence they are afraid to travel through the area.

Two Top Police Commanders Become the Latest Victims in Mexico

Francisco Federico Lopez Brito, a local garrison commander for the Tabasco state police was gunned down while getting into his vehicle outside of his home in Cardenas. Police found dozens of shell casings on the street. 

His death came only days after the assassination of officer Carlos Reyes López, a member of an elite state squad that was created to tackle the growing violence. López along with eleven others was killed when his home was stormed by a group of armed men Saturday. Lopez’s wife, mother and several of her grandchildren as well as a strawberry vendor were among the dead; the youngest victim was 2 years old. Caledonio Reyes López, also a police officer and the brother of Carlos López, and two others were wounded. 

Both officers were involved in joint anti-drug operations involving both police and military elements; authorities believe the assassinations are in retaliation for recent drug related arrest. They are also investigating the possibility that an ongoing feud between López and another family could have played a role in his death. 

President Felipe Calderón has had some success in the war against the cartels; he has increased the number of drug seizures and arrested top cartel leaders. However despite the use of tens of thousands of soldiers and police officers throughout Mexico he has been unable to control the rapidly increasing violence. 5630 people died in the drug related violence in 2008 alone, with an estimated total of 9830 over the past three years. The majority of the deaths were in towns along the U.S.-Mexico border. 

To complicate matters more Mexican protesters blocked roads and bridges entering the U.S. in the towns of Monterrey and Veracruz to protest the Military-backed drug war. Some protestors carried their children as they blocked the roads. Officials have accused the cartels of organizing the protest saying that they paid people and gave free school supplies to poor families in exchange for them marching in the protest. 

President Calderon condemned the protest saying: 

"Those who see ... their criminal structure weakened have tried to provoke the army's retreat,”

and

"True to form as cowards, they have even used women and children for their wretched goals,"