标签： Asia

Nobel Peace Prize recipient Narges Mohammadi remains completely incommunicado since her detention by Iranian authorities last Friday, according to statements released by her support network on Sunday. The prominent human rights advocate was apprehended following her address at a memorial service in Mashhad for lawyer Khosrow Alikordi, whose recent death under unclear circumstances has sparked controversy.

The Mashhad prosecutor’s office confirmed 38 individuals were detained during the gathering, including Mohammadi and fellow activist Sepideh Gholian. Javad Alikordi, brother of the deceased lawyer, was arrested separately later that same day. Mohammadi had been temporarily released from prison on medical grounds in December 2024 but continued her advocacy work during this period.

Disturbing reports indicate that Mohammadi has been unable to make any contact with her family or legal representatives since the arrest. Her foundation expressed grave concerns regarding the physical and psychological welfare of all detainees, demanding their immediate and unconditional release. The organization revealed that Mohammadi’s case has been transferred to Mashhad’s revolutionary prosecutor, potentially involving national security charges.

Eyewitness accounts describe security forces violently apprehending Mohammadi after she addressed the crowd without wearing the mandatory headscarf. The foundation estimates actual arrest numbers may exceed 50 individuals, contradicting official figures.

Prosecutor Hassan Hemmatifar defended the arrests through state media, accusing those detained of delivering provocative speeches and inciting public disorder. The memorial service honored Alikordi, a lawyer known for defending protesters during the 2022-2023 demonstrations, whose death authorities attribute to natural causes while activists describe it as suspicious.

This incident occurs against a backdrop of intensified suppression in Iran, with activists reporting over 1,400 executions this year alone, maintaining pressure on dissent despite the conclusion of recent regional conflicts.

In a remarkable display of courage during Sunday’s violent attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, a civilian bystander intervened directly with an armed assailant, an act authorities believe prevented further casualties. Video evidence circulating across social platforms depicts 43-year-old fruit market proprietor Ahmed al Ahmed confronting a rifle-wielding attacker in a parking area. The footage shows al Ahmed, distinguished by his white shirt, charging from behind to wrestle the firearm away from the dark-clad gunman before redirecting the weapon toward its owner.

The assailant subsequently retreated toward an overpass where an additional shooter was positioned, while the civilian hero carefully placed the confiscated rifle on the ground. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns characterized the intervention as ‘the most unbelievable scene I’ve ever seen’ and declared the bystander ‘a genuine hero’ whose bravery undoubtedly preserved numerous lives.

The shooting occurred during a Hanukkah celebration at the popular beach destination, leaving one suspected gunman deceased and another in critical condition. Law enforcement officials are investigating potential involvement of a third attacker. Although Reuters verified the authenticity of the viral video through cross-referenced visual evidence, the bystander’s identity remains officially unconfirmed. Local media outlet Seven News reported that al Ahmed sustained two gunshot wounds during the confrontation and required hospitalization.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joined in praising citizens who demonstrated extraordinary valor by moving toward danger to assist others. Social media platforms overflowed with public admiration for the civilian’s actions, with one commentator noting ‘most people run from danger but this man… was not one of those people’ while another declared him a hero who saved countless lives during the Bondi Beach tragedy.

SYDNEY – A joyous Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach turned into a scene of carnage on Sunday when two assailants opened fire on a crowd of over 1,000 people, killing 11 and injuring 29 others in what Australian authorities have declared a terrorist attack.

The assault occurred during the ‘Hanukkah by the Sea’ ceremony marking the first night of the Jewish festival of lights. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns confirmed the attack was deliberately orchestrated to target Sydney’s Jewish community, transforming an occasion meant for spiritual reflection and happiness into one of profound tragedy.

Law enforcement response was immediate, with one gunman fatally shot by police and the other apprehended at the scene. Among the wounded were two police officers reported to be in critical condition following the confrontation.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressed the nation, characterizing the violence as a “dark moment” for Australia and condemning the attack as an assault on the country’s fundamental values. “There is no place for this hate, violence and terrorism in our nation,” he stated, while calling for national unity and vowing a comprehensive investigation.

Dramatic eyewitness footage circulated by Australian media depicted a bystander heroically tackling and disarming one attacker before the individual retreated. Simultaneously, a second shooter positioned on a nearby bridge continued firing toward the crowd from approximately 50-100 meters away.

Authorities later discovered a vehicle containing several improvised explosive devices in the Bondi area, heightening concerns about the planned scale of the attack. New South Wales Police issued urgent advisories for the public to avoid the Bondi Beach vicinity as operations continued through the evening.

The Chinese Consulate General in Sydney promptly issued a security alert for Chinese nationals residing in New South Wales, advising heightened vigilance, precautionary measures, and maintained communication channels.

Federal and state law enforcement agencies, including the Australian Federal Police and Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, have initiated a joint counterterrorism investigation to identify all individuals associated with planning and executing the attack. Acting AFP Commissioner Nigel Ryan pledged the deployment of all available specialist resources and powers to ensure a thorough investigation.