标签： Europe

MADRID (AP) — In a bizarre yet significant operation, Spanish authorities have dismantled a criminal network specializing in the theft of outdoor seating from restaurants and bars. The National Police announced on Wednesday the arrest of seven individuals accused of stealing over 1,100 chairs in just two months. The suspects, comprising six men and one woman, targeted 18 establishments in Madrid and Talavera de la Reina, a smaller city southwest of the capital, during August and September. The stolen chairs, primarily made of metal or hard plastic, were resold both domestically and internationally, including in Morocco and Romania. The total estimated value of the stolen property is approximately €60,000 ($69,000). In Spain, it is common for restaurants and bars to leave outdoor furniture, often chained together, unattended overnight. The suspects now face charges of theft and involvement in a criminal organization.

In a powerful statement supporting press freedom, the European Union has awarded its prestigious Sakharov Prize to two journalists currently imprisoned in Belarus and Georgia. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola announced the decision on Wednesday, highlighting their unwavering commitment to justice and democracy. Andrzej Poczobut, a correspondent for Poland’s Gazeta Wyborcza, is serving an eight-year sentence in Belarus for allegedly “harming national security.” Mzia Amaghlobeli, a prominent Georgian journalist and founder of independent media outlets, was sentenced to two years for slapping a police chief during an anti-government protest—a case widely criticized as an attack on media freedom. Both journalists have become symbols of the fight for human rights and democracy in their respective countries. The Sakharov Prize, established in 1988 and named after Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov, honors individuals or groups defending fundamental freedoms. This year’s award sends a strong message of solidarity to political prisoners worldwide, emphasizing that journalism is not a crime. The ceremony will take place in December at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, accompanied by a €50,000 ($58,000) endowment.

The Louvre Museum in Paris has resumed operations three days after a daring daylight robbery saw thieves make off with €88 million worth of jewelry. The museum reopened its doors at 09:00 local time on Wednesday, though the Apollo Gallery, the site of the heist, remains closed. The audacious theft, which took place on Sunday morning, involved masked thieves using power tools to break into the museum and escape on scooters within eight minutes. The stolen items include a diamond and emerald necklace gifted by Emperor Napoleon to his wife, a tiara worn by Empress Eugenie, and several pieces from Queen Marie-Amelie’s collection. French President Emmanuel Macron has called for accelerated security enhancements at the Louvre, labeling the incident an attack on the nation’s heritage. A preliminary investigation revealed significant lapses in the museum’s security, including the absence of CCTV in one-third of its rooms and a malfunctioning alarm system. The museum’s director, Laurence des Cars, is scheduled to address the French Senate’s culture committee to discuss the incident. Meanwhile, French authorities have intensified efforts to apprehend the perpetrators, with Interior Minister Laurent Nunez expressing confidence in their capture. The heist has prompted a nationwide review of security measures at cultural institutions.

In a disturbing turn of events, six individuals were apprehended following a violent confrontation outside the CityWest Hotel in Saggart, near Dublin. The incident, which unfolded on Tuesday evening, saw a crowd hurl bricks, bottles, and fireworks at law enforcement officers, culminating in the burning of a police van. The Garda Siochana, Ireland’s national police force, reported that one officer sustained a foot injury during the melee. The unrest was reportedly incited by allegations of a sexual assault in the vicinity, prompting hundreds of demonstrators, many brandishing Irish tricolor flags, to gather outside the hotel. Attempts to breach the police line using horse-drawn carts were met with pepper spray as officers sought to disperse the crowd. Police Commissioner Justin Kelly denounced the actions as “thuggery” by a “mob intent on violence,” while Prime Minister Micheál Martin emphasized that there was “no justification” for the disorder. This incident is part of a broader pattern of protests targeting hotels housing asylum-seekers in Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Britain, often fueled by anti-immigration sentiments and far-right rhetoric. In a related development, Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan confirmed that a man had been arrested and appeared in court over the alleged sexual assault in Saggart. He lamented the exploitation of crime to sow societal discord, reiterating that while peaceful protest is a democratic right, violence is inexcusable.

Irish authorities have pledged to pursue those responsible for the violent clashes that erupted during a protest outside a Dublin hotel housing asylum seekers. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday evening at the Citywest Hotel in Saggart, saw Gardaí (Irish police) attacked with bricks, fireworks, and glass bottles. A female officer sustained a foot injury, while a police helicopter was targeted with lasers and a police vehicle was set ablaze. Garda Ch Supt Michael McNulty, the scene commander, described the violence as orchestrated by “disparate groups on social media, who stir up hatred and violence.” He emphasized that the protest was far from peaceful, labeling the actions as “thuggery” and an attempt to intimidate and injure. Approximately 300 officers, including half from the public order unit, were deployed to manage the situation. While a water cannon was on standby, it was not used. Officers on horseback and a dog unit were also present. Irish broadcaster RTÉ reported that around 2,000 people attended the protest, with some attempting to breach the police cordon using horse-drawn carts. Taoiseach Micheál Martin condemned the attacks, stating there was no justification for such violence. Acting Deputy Commissioner Paul Cleary reiterated that the violence was “unacceptable” and vowed to identify and prosecute those responsible, regardless of attempts to conceal their identities. The area remains cordoned off, with debris scattered and a burnt-out police van visible. Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly condemned the actions as “thuggery,” while RTÉ’s crime correspondent Paul Reynolds noted that the violence appeared pre-planned but was more contained than previous incidents. Detectives are already gathering high-quality CCTV and bodycam footage to identify further perpetrators.