BANGKOK: Thai soldiers are believed to have shot an Italian photographer during mass opposition street protests in Bangkok in 2010, an official inquest found yesterday. The probe by a criminal court, however, was unable to identify the individual who fired the bullet that struck freelancer Fabio Polenghi covering the two-month-long demonstrations. “During the inquest, experts testified that the victim died of a wound from a high velocity bullet like those used by security forces and there was no evidence of any other group in the area,” said the court.
Vietnam jails eight rebels
HANOI: Vietnam jailed eight members of an ethnic minority for between three and 11 years for trying to establish an independent state, official media said yesterday. The defendants from the Central Highlands were convicted of “sabotaging the policy on solidarity” during a trial in Gia Lai province, the Vietnam News Agency reported. Prosecutors accused them of inciting thousands of residents to demonstrate against eviction from their village.
New cyberwar unit in Taiwan
TAIPEI: Taiwan is preparing to launch a fourth cyberwar unit, a local newspaper reported yesterday, in response to what it claims is a growing security threat from Chinese hackers. The unit is scheduled to open on July 1 and will work to counter cyber attacks on government websites, said the Taipei-based United Evening News. It will bring to four the number of military units assigned to cyberwar and information-related tasks, added the paper.
Foreigners told to obey law
SINGAPORE: Singapore yesterday issued a warning to foreigners to abide by its laws, after Malaysians arrested for staging an illegal protest appealed for leniency. “Foreigners who break the law in Singapore should be prepared to face consequences, including having their visas or work passes revoked,” the foreign and interior ministries said in a joint statement. Twenty-one Malaysians were arrested on May 11 after they staged an illegal protest following disputed elections in their neighbouring homeland.
China plans digital drill
BEIJING: China will next week conduct its first “digital” technology military exercise, state media said yesterday, against growing concern in Washington and elsewhere about Chinese hacking attacks. The official Xinhua news agency said the exercise, in north China’s remote Inner Mongolia region, will “test new types of combat forces, including units using digital technology amid efforts to adjust to informationalised war”.
Bhutan to elect second govt
THIMPHU: Voters in the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan will begin electing their second government on Friday, five years after the Buddhist “dragon kings” gave way to democracy. The electorate of less than 400,000 will choose from four parties when the primary round of voting for the lower house of the National Assembly begins. The two most popular parties will contest a run-off round on July 13 to form the next government.
Agencies
