News
Ten Chinese caught spying in Kabul allowed to fly home
BY S VENKAT NARAYAN
Our Special Correspondent
NEW DELHI, January 6: The ten Chinese nationals who were arrested for spying in Kabul last month were allowed by Afghanistan to fly back to China on Saturday in a special aircraft arranged by the Chinese authorities, the Hindustan Times reported on its website today.
The Chinese Government is reported to have put diplomatic pressure on Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to procure the release of its nationals.
Afghanistan’s National Directorate of Security (NDS) had busted a Chinese spy ring last month, but kept the case a closely-guarded secret. On Tuesday, the NDS confirmed for the first time that the security agency did detain Chinese nationals for espionage.
At least two of the 10 spies were learnt to have been in touch with the Haqqani Network, the terrorist group that is blamed for many bloody attacks and doubles as the sword arm of the Taliban. The Haqqani Network is backed by Pakistan’s spy network, the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI).
The NDS had initially declined comment on the detentions to the media in Afghanistan.
The official confirmation about the Chinese spy ring came on Tuesday after members of Wolesi Jirga, the Afghan House of Representatives, demanded answers from the NDS Chief Ahmad Zia Saraj to the news about the Chinese spy ring’s arrest, first reported by the Hindustan Times, an Indian newspaper published from here.
Saraj confirmed that a group of Chinese nationals had been arrested on charges of espionage in Kabul, the Afghan private news channel Ariana News reported. But he declined to give any more details.
“Yes, a group of Chinese has been arrested. But, due to it being a sensitive issue, I cannot share details,” the NDS chief told the lawmakers, according to the news channel.
The official confirmation, however, comes after Afghanistan came under pressure from President Xi Jinping’s Government, and allowed the 10 Chinese nationals to leave the country on Saturday.
Diplomats and security officials in Afghanistan believe that the 10 were linked to the Chinese intelligence agency, Ministry of State Security.
President Ashraf Ghani was briefed about the detentions right in the beginning in view of the sensitivities involved. First Vice President Amrullah Saleh, a former NDS chief who is credited with rebuilding the intelligence agency, was tasked to oversee the investigation and engage the Chinese.
Amrullah Saleh met the Chinese envoy to Kabul Wang Yu, and had initially conditioned their release on an official apology from Beijing.
The terms of the arrangement between the two countries are not known.
A diplomat in Kabul said President Ashraf Ghani may have been keen to wrap up the case as soon as possible before it lands in a position where Beijing’s adversaries, such as the US, use it to fire at China from his shoulders.
Victor Ivan, former editor of the Raavaya newspaper has passed away . He was 75 at the time of his demise.
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Landslide early warnings issued to the district of Badulla , Kandy , Kurunegala and Matale
The National Building Research Organization [NBRO] has issued landslide early warnings to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala and Matale at 0800 hrs today valid until 0800hrs on Monday 20th January 2025.
Accordingly,
Level II [Amber] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Ududumbara in the Kandy district and Rattota, Yatawatta, Ukuwela and Wilgamuwa in the Matale district.
Level I [Yellow] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Badulla, Passara and Hali Ela in the Badulla district, Meda Dumbara, Phatha Dumbara and Doluwa in the Kandy district and Laggala Pallegama, Ambanganga Korale, Pallepola, Naula and Matale in the Matale district
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It is the Government’s intention to provide justice to the grieving people – Prime Minister
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said that it is the Government’s intention to provide justice to the people who are deprived of the same due to rewards and sponsorships.
The Premier made this statement at the occasion of handing over the renovated Court of Appeal building to the public on Saturday (18). The renovations was a donation from the People’s Republic of China.
Further she mentioned that the investment made in a country’s judicial system and in the provision of facilities for the delivery of justice to the people is a reflection of the commitment made towards the country and its people. “This is not just a building, but a symbol of the delivery of justice, fairness of law, equality and dignity. Our country has suffered for decades because many were denied justice under systems of rewards and sponsorships. Our intention is to resolve those deficiencies, bring forth fairness and ensure that everyone has access to justice”, she added.
“The people must be able to keep trust and rely on the judicial system by exemplifying that the legal powers granted to judges by the Constitution are exercised fairly and providing independent and fair judgment to the parties concerned. Everyone, including women, children and the disabled community, expects justice. Their aspiration is that such a system will ensure that no one faces hardships, an attention will be paid to their mental conditions, protection from the consequences they may face when seeking justice for them or defending their rights. All actors in this process must be treated with respect. There are people who have faced hardships for years in the pursuit of justice. We ensure that they are treated fairly. They should not be subjected to intimidation, harassment or threat in the pursuit of justice”, the Premier highlighted.
The Prime Minister further expressed her gratitude to the People’s Republic of China for their generosity and support.
A group of invitees including the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Sri Lanka, Qi Zhenhong, Chief Justice Murdu Fernando and many others participated in this event.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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