Other world news in brief
Freed Biggs 'weak' with pneumonia
Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs started the “last chapter” of his life last night after being freed from prison on compassionate grounds.
Biggs, 80 today, was said to be “extremely weak” in hospital in Norwich, where he is being treated for pneumonia. Relatives said they hoped that Biggs, who spent 30 years on the run after being part of a gang which stole £2.6 million in 1963, would be fit enough to move to a nursing home later this month.
Family fail to halt retrial
MOSCOW – A Moscow military court yesterday turned down a petition by the family of murdered Kremlin critic Anna Politkovskaya intended to push authorities to find the mastermind they believe was behind her shooting.
The judge refused to halt a retrial of three alleged accomplices in her murder, who were cleared at their first trial. The family believe the retrial is a distraction from the hunt for a man on the run believed to have pulled the trigger and further investigation into who might have ordered the hit. – (Reuters)
Four die catching Albanian fugitive
TIRANA – Four police officers were killed during a midday shootout in an Albanian holiday resort yesterday, in which the countrys most wanted fugitive was finally arrested after six years on the run, police said.
Special operations police surrounded the car of convicted murderer Dritan Dajti when it stopped in the seaside town of Durres, a police statement said.
“The most-wanted man Dritan Dajti immediately opened fire on the police officers, leaving four of them dead. He was also heavily wounded,” the statement said. – (Reuters)
Albino murder cases are halted
DAR ES SALAAM – A Canada-based rights group has questioned Tanzanias commitment to stop albino murders after courts in the northwest of the African country suspended cases against suspected killers due to lack of funds.
At least 53 Tanzanian albinos have been murdered since 2007.To date, the authorities have arrested more than 90 people, including four police officers, for involvement in the killings or trade of albino body parts – which witchdoctors say will bring them luck. – (Reuters)
Clinton pushes South Africa role
PRETORIA – US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton encouraged South Africa yesterday to use its influence to bolster reforms in Zimbabwe and said closer ties would be built with Pretoria after strains under the Bush administration.
Mrs Clinton said she would urge the government to get Zimbabwe to raise the pace of political reform. – (Reuters)
