World News
French serial killer Charles Sobhraj to be finally released Friday
Eva Deschamps / December 23, 2023
French serial killer Charles Sobhraj, who committed several murders across Asia in the 1970s and inspired the Netflix series “The Serpent,” was finally released from prison Friday in Nepal, according to an AFP reporter there.
Charles Sobhraj, 78, imprisoned in this Himalayan republic since 2003 for the murder of two North American tourists, is being transferred to the immigration services before his deportation to France, said the police.
The decision to release him was made by Nepal’s Supreme Court on Wednesday.
The serial killer was originally scheduled to be released on Thursday, but due to logistical and legal problems, his release was delayed by a day.
Prison officials told AFP that after receiving the court documents, they would hand him over to immigration authorities.
The court ordered that he be deported within 15 days to France.
“Once he is taken to immigration, it will be decided what to do next. He has a heart problem, he wants to be treated at Gangalal Hospital,” said Gopal Shiwakoti Chintan, his lawyer.
The serial killer needs open heart surgery and his release is in accordance with a Nepalese law allowing the release of bedridden prisoners who have already served three-quarters of their sentence, according to the court.
The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it had not yet officially received the request for expulsion of Charles Sobhraj from the Nepalese authorities, but that France would welcome it if necessary.
If such a request was “notified”, “France would be obliged to grant it since Mr. Sobhraj is a French national”, explained a spokeswoman of this ministry.
The French embassy in Nepal is monitoring the situation, the same source said.
A French citizen of Vietnamese and Indian descent, Charles Sobhraj began traveling the world in the early 1970s and ended up in the Thai capital, Bangkok.
Posing as a gem trader, he befriended his victims, often Western backpackers on the trail of 1970s hippies, before drugging, robbing and murdering them.
He despised the backpackers, poor young drug addicts. He saw himself as a criminal hero,” Australian journalist Julie Clarke, who interviewed him, told AFP in 2021.
Nicknamed the “Bikini Killer”, this suave and sophisticated man has been linked to more than 20 murders.
Charles Sobhraj’s other nickname, “The Snake,” comes from his ability to assume other identities to evade justice. It became the title of a hit BBC and Netflix series based on his life.
Arrested in India in 1976, he spent 21 years behind bars, before managing to escape briefly in 1986 after drugging prison guards. He was eventually recaptured in the Indian state of Goa.
Released in 1997, he retired to Paris but resurfaced in 2003 in Nepal, where he was spotted in the tourist district of Kathmandu and arrested.
The following year, a court sentenced him to life in prison for the 1975 murder of American tourist Connie Jo Bronzich. Ten years later, he was also convicted of the murder of Ms. Bronzich’s Canadian companion.
Nadine Gires, a French woman who lived in the same building as Charles Sobhraj in Bangkok, told AFP last year that she initially found him to be a “cultured” and impressive character.
But in the end, “he was not only a crook, a seducer, a thief of tourists, but an evil murderer.
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Datareportal, a leading authority in global digital insights, has released its highly anticipated “Digital 2024: Yemen” report, showcasing remarkable advancements in digital adoption across the country amidst ongoing challenges.
Key findings from the report include:
1. Internet Penetration Growth: Internet penetration in Yemen has surged by 22% from the previous year, with an estimated 10.5 million Yemenis now having access to the internet, representing 36% of the population.
2. Mobile Connectivity: Mobile devices remain the primary means of internet access, with smartphone ownership increasing by 18%, reaching a total of 9.2 million users. This growth is attributed to expanded mobile network coverage and more affordable data plans.
3. Social Media Usage: Social media usage has seen a significant uptick, with platforms like Facebook experiencing a 30% increase in active users, now totaling 7.8 million Yemenis. WhatsApp and YouTube follow closely, each with over 6 million active users.
4. E-Commerce Expansion: E-commerce has boomed, witnessing a 45% rise in online transactions compared to the previous year. The total value of e-commerce transactions in 2024 reached USD 360 million, indicating a growing preference for digital shopping experiences.
5. Digital Payments Surge: Digital payment systems have gained widespread adoption, with mobile money users growing by 55% to reach 4.3 million users. This surge in digital payments has led to a 25% decrease in cash transactions across various sectors.
While Yemen continues to face challenges, the rapid growth in digital adoption is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of its people,” said [SIMON KEMP], at Datareportal. “These numbers reflect the transformative potential of digital technologies in driving economic growth and improving access to essential services.
The report also sheds light on ongoing challenges such as intermittent power outages and internet disruptions, which hinder seamless digital integration. Additionally, the cost of digital access remains relatively high for many Yemenis, highlighting the need for continued efforts to enhance affordability and accessibility.
For a detailed analysis and access to the full “Digital 2024: Yemen” report, visit [Website URL].
– About Datareportal
Datareportal is a leading provider of comprehensive digital insights, empowering businesses, policymakers, and stakeholders with data-driven decision-making tools. With a commitment to accuracy and depth, Datareportal remains at the forefront of global digital trends and transformations.
Fuad Al-Qrize ( Arabic: فؤاد الكريزي ) – Yemeni Writer
World News
Moscow attack: Vladimir Putin promises those responsible will all be “punished”, EI says four of its fighters carried out the attack
Eva Deschamps / March 23,
At least 133 people were killed on Friday evening in an armed attack followed by a huge fire at a concert hall on the outskirts of Moscow, which was claimed by the jihadist group Islamic State (EI).
The four perpetrators” of the attack were arrested “on their way to Ukraine”, said the Russian president on Saturday March 23.
The Russian president spoke at a time of terrible tragedy in Russia. “The four perpetrators” of the attack near Moscow were arrested “on their way to Ukraine”, he said in a televised speech broadcast the day after the murderous attack. “According to initial data [from investigators], on the Ukrainian side, a passage had been prepared for them to cross the border”, he continued, notes Le Monde.
The attack, which killed at least 133 people near Moscow, was in the eyes of the Kremlin leader a “bloody and barbaric act of terrorism”. “Peaceful, innocent people […] including children, teenagers and women” were killed, he continued, adding, “I express my deepest and most sincere condolences to those who have lost their loved ones.” A national day of mourning will be observed on March 24.
“War”. In his speech, Vladimir Putin assured that “those behind these terrorists will be punished” and that they “will have no future”. On Saturday, the Kremlin announced that eleven people had been arrested, including the four suspects who carried out the attack.
Sylvie Claire / March 23,
After weeks of silence from the British royal family, cancer-stricken Princess Kate has announced that she has begun chemotherapy.
Princess Kate explains that it has taken them some time to explain the situation to their children George, Charlotte and Louis. She concludes her message: “But for now, I need to focus on my full recovery. I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer. For anyone facing this disease in any form, don’t lose faith or hide. You are not alone.
2024 Report Highlights Major Digital Growth in Yemen
A New Era of Global Communication Through Outernet
