Russian Cyber Spies Try To Steal Covid-19 Vaccine Research

July 17, 2020 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Russian spies are targeting organisations trying to develop a coronavirus vaccine in the UK, US and Canada, security services have warned.

The UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) said the hackers "almost certainly" operated as "part of Russian intelligence services". It did not specify which organisations had been targeted, or whether any information had been stolen. But it said vaccine research had not been hindered by the hackers. Russia has denied responsibility.

Shooting In North London Kills Man In His 20's

July 16, 2020 / By Armoured Cars / In security

A man has died in a shooting in north London.

The man, believed to be aged in his 20s, was found with a gunshot wound in Windrush Road, near Harlesden, at about 03:00 BST. Police officers provided first aid until paramedics arrived but the man was pronounced dead at the scene. The Met is contacting his next of kin.

A murder investigation has been launched and inquires are under way. No arrests have been made.

Iran Executes Alleged Spy For Selling Missile Secrets To CIA

July 15, 2020 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Iran says it has executed a former defence ministry employee convicted of selling information to the US.

The execution of Reza Asgari took place last week, judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili told reporters. Mr Esmaili said that Asgari had passed on details about Iran's missile programme to the Central Intelligence Agency after retiring from the defence ministry's aerospace division in 2016. He did not mention when Asgari was arrested, put on trial or sentenced.

Islamist Extremist Mali War Crimes Trial Begins

July 14, 2020 / By Armoured Cars / In security

The ex-head of the Islamic police in Timbuktu was part of a "reign of terror" in the Malian city in 2012, prosecutors in The Hague say.

Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz Ag Mohamed Ag Mahmoude refused to enter a plea to the International Criminal Court (ICC) charges, which include torture and sexual slavery. He was a member of an Islamist militant group that imposed strict Islamic law. He is also charged with directing attacks against historic monuments.

These include ancient manuscripts and buildings dedicated to Islam, which the militants considered idolatrous.

Ryanair Flight Escorted To Stansted By RAF Jets After Bomb Note Found

July 14, 2020 / By Armoured Cars / In security

A flight from Krakow to Dublin was forced to land after a note was discovered in a toilet claiming there were explosives on board.

The Ryanair flight was diverted to Stansted Airport to allow Essex Police officers to carry out checks. Two RAF jets escorted the plane which landed at about 18:40 BST on Monday.

Police said nothing suspicious was found and two men have been arrested on suspicion of making threats to endanger an aircraft. The men, aged 26 and 47, remain in custody and the plane has been handed back to Stansted Airport and the operator.

German Police Hunt Armed Man In The Black Forest

July 13, 2020 / By Armoured Cars / In security

German police backed by helicopters are hunting a homeless man in the Black Forest, who is reportedly armed with pistols and a bow and arrows.

The manhunt was launched on Sunday in Oppenau, south-west Germany, about 25km (16 miles) from the French border. Media reports say Yves Rausch, 31, wearing camouflage gear, disarmed four police officers on Sunday after threatening them with a pistol.

Police have warned the public and aircraft to avoid the area. The police warning says "Beware!... The wanted man has several guns!" Local drivers have been warned against picking up hitch-hikers.

Death Row Inmate To Be Executed After Court Appeal

July 13, 2020 / By Armoured Cars / In security

The first federal execution in the United States for more than 17 years is set to go ahead in Indiana on Monday following a ruling by an appeal court.

Daniel Lewis Lee and an accomplice were convicted of killing three members of the same family in 1996. Some of the victims' relatives oppose his execution and sought to have it delayed, saying attending it could expose them to coronavirus. But the ruling means the execution by lethal injection will now proceed.

Probationary Met Police Officer Charged With Five Offences

July 10, 2020 / By Armoured Cars / In security

A probationary Metropolitan Police officer has been charged with being a member of a banned neo-Nazi group.

Benjamin Hannam, 21, has been charged with five offences following an investigation by the Met's Counter Terrorism Command. Scotland Yard says he has been suspended from duty.

Mr Hannam, from North London, will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court next month. Charges include possession of an indecent photograph of a child in 2018 and possession of a prohibited image of a child in 2016.

Arms Exports To Saudi Arabia Resumed By UK

July 9, 2020 / By Armoured Cars / In security

The UK is to resume arms sales to Saudi Arabia despite concerns they could be used against civilians in Yemen, in violation of international humanitarian law.

Sales were suspended last year after a legal challenge by campaigners. A subsequent review found "isolated incidents" of possible violations but no pattern of non-compliance and "no clear risk" of future serious breaches. The Campaign Against the Arms Trade said it was a "morally bankrupt" move. It accused the government of "rank hypocrisy" after, on Monday, it banned 20 senior Saudi officials from entering the UK and frozen their assets…

Russia's Space Chief Advisor Arrested For Treason

July 7, 2020 / By Armoured Cars / In security

A spokesman for the head of the Russian space agency has been arrested for treason, the agency says.

Roskosmos said in a statement (in Russian) that former journalist Ivan Safronov's arrest was not linked to his current job there. There is speculation that he was detained because of his previous work reporting on military affairs.

Safronov worked at the business dailies Kommersant and Vedomosti before joining Roskosmos in May. The space agency said it was helping investigators with their inquiries.