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Luis Rubiales to stand trial over World Cup kiss

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Luis Rubiales, the former head of the Spanish football federation, is facing trial for sexual assault and coercion stemming from an incident involving Women’s World Cup player Jenni Hermoso. The incident occurred during a World Cup match against England last year when Rubiales kissed Hermoso without her consent, sparking widespread controversy.

Rubiales, who resigned from his position following the incident, maintains his innocence, claiming the kiss was consensual. However, Hermoso and her teammates have stated otherwise, describing the kiss as unwanted and demeaning.

In addition to Rubiales, three other individuals associated with the women’s national team are also facing charges of coercion for allegedly pressuring Hermoso to claim the kiss was consensual. If convicted, each could face up to 18 months in jail.

The trial is set to take place at the Audiencia Nacional in Madrid, although the date has not yet been confirmed. Rubiales has been ordered to pay a bail of €65,000 for his sexual assault charge, with an additional bail for the coercion charge to be posted jointly with the other defendants.

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Luis Rubiales arrested in corruption investigation

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Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Spanish football federation (RFEF), has been detained upon his arrival in Madrid from the Dominican Republic as part of a corruption investigation. It is alleged that Rubiales received illegal commissions during negotiations for the Spanish Super Cup competition to be held in Saudi Arabia.

Prosecutors are seeking a two-and-a-half-year jail term for Rubiales, who vehemently denies any wrongdoing. Following his arrival, Rubiales was taken into custody by members of the Civil Guard and is now subject to 72 hours of questioning. This action follows a previous search of his home by the police last month, along with simultaneous searches conducted at the football federation headquarters, resulting in several arrests.

In addition to the corruption allegations, Rubiales is also facing a separate trial for sexual assault. This case emerged after an incident where he kissed the player Jenni Hermoso on the mouth after the World Cup final, which she and her teammates deemed unwanted and demeaning. Despite denying any misconduct, Rubiales was forced to resign from his position as RFEF president amidst the controversy surrounding the incident.

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Director Roman Polanski goes on trial for defamation

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In Paris, a defamation lawsuit against the long-standing filmmaker Roman Polanski was scheduled to commence on Tuesday, brought forward by British actress Charlotte Lewis.

The lawsuit stems from Polanski’s remarks to Paris Match magazine in 2019, where he accused Lewis of fabricating a sexual assault allegation against him from four decades ago. Polanski, now 90, had fled the United States in 1978 after admitting to unlawful sexual activity with a thirteen-year-old girl. Despite numerous allegations of abuse from other women, Polanski has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

Polanski, residing in Paris, has opted not to attend the trial personally, with his legal representation handling the proceedings. On the other hand, Lewis, currently living in the UK, was expected to be present.

Lewis initiated the legal action four years ago, expressing her readiness for the trial despite the prolonged and distressing process. In 2010, she had accused Polanski of assaulting her at the age of 16 during a casting trip to Paris in 1983, although she later appeared in one of his films.

Polanski’s defense in the defamation case refers to a 1999 article in a now-defunct British tabloid, where Lewis allegedly expressed admiration for him. However, Lewis maintains that the quotes attributed to her were inaccurate.

The defamation complaint led to automatic charges against Polanski under French law. The filmmaker, celebrated for works like “Chinatown” and “The Pianist,” has remained a controversial figure, evading extradition attempts by US authorities due to his French and Polish citizenship.

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Former Barcelona footballer Dani Alves’s rape trial begins

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Former Barcelona and Brazil footballer Dani Alves is currently facing charges of rape in a Barcelona nightclub, accused of assaulting a 23-year-old woman. The prosecution is relying on substantial scientific evidence, video footage, and witness statements to support their case. The alleged incident took place on December 30, 2022, in the VIP area of the Sutton nightclub. According to the prosecution, Alves bought the woman and her friends drinks, invited her to a bathroom without surveillance cameras, and is accused of assaulting her when she refused his advances.

Alves, aged 40, could potentially face a 12-year prison sentence if convicted. The trial began with the victim testifying from behind a screen with her voice electronically distorted for privacy. The alleged assault came to light when the victim immediately reported the incident, leading to a medical examination and the collection of extensive evidence by the police in the nightclub’s bathroom area.

The case has garnered significant attention as it is seen as a litmus test for the judiciary’s approach to sexual assault cases, particularly after the controversial “wolf pack” case. Alves has changed his defense multiple times since first being questioned by the police in January 2023. Initially denying knowing the accuser, he later admitted to various activities, citing different defenses, including intoxication.

The trial coincides with other high-profile sexual assault cases in Spain, such as the incident involving Luis Rubiales, the president of the Spanish football federation, who faces prosecution for forcibly kissing Jenni Hermoso during the World Cup victory celebrations. The Catalan equality minister, Tània Verge, has emphasized that these cases mark the end of impunity for alleged sexual aggressors, irrespective of their fame or power.

Notably, Alves joins a list of top-flight players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Mason Greenwood, Benjamin Mendy, and Robinho, who have faced rape accusations. In most cases, charges were dropped or settled financially, but Alves’s alleged victim has consistently refused any financial settlement. The trial is scheduled to last three days, and the outcome will be closely watched for its implications on justice for sexual assault victims.

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Luis Rubiales: Fifa uphold three-year ban against ex-Spanish football federation chief

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Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Spanish football federation, has been unsuccessful in his appeal against a three-year ban from football-related activities imposed by FIFA. This decision follows an incident where Rubiales kissed Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain’s Women’s World Cup final victory against England. Hermoso later filed a legal complaint, alleging that the kiss was not consensual.

FIFA stated that Rubiales violated the principles of fair play and displayed offensive behavior, citing Article 13 of the FIFA disciplinary code. The governing body’s appeal committee expressed satisfaction that Rubiales behaved contrary to these principles during and after the final of the FIFA Women’s World Cup. The ban could potentially be contested before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

A Spanish judge has proposed that Rubiales should stand trial over the incident, describing the kiss as “not consensual and… a unilateral and surprising initiative.” Prosecutors had previously charged Rubiales with sexual assault and coercion. Despite Rubiales maintaining that the kiss was a “consensual peck,” the controversy led to his resignation as the president of the Spanish football federation, sparking a global conversation about sexism in women’s sports.

The incident also had repercussions in the coaching staff, as World Cup-winning manager Jorge Vilda was sacked in September and is under investigation as part of the criminal case against Rubiales. Jenni Hermoso, who claimed her image was tarnished by the kiss, made a return to the national side in October, scoring a crucial 89th-minute winner against Italy.

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Judge proposes Spain’s Luis Rubiales face trial over Hermoso World Cup kiss

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A Spanish judge has proposed that former football federation president Luis Rubiales should stand trial for a non-consensual kiss involving captain Jenni Hermoso during the women’s World Cup celebration. The judge in Madrid described the kiss as “not consensual” and deemed it a “unilateral and surprising initiative,” finding enough evidence for the matter to proceed to trial. Rubiales, who denies any wrongdoing, faces charges of sexual assault and coercion, with potential penalties ranging from a fine to four years in prison.

In addition to Rubiales, other football executives are implicated in the case. Hermoso’s former coach, Jorge Vilda, former marketing manager Rubén Rivera, and the sports director of the men’s team, Albert Luque, have been ordered to stand trial. They are accused of pressuring Hermoso to publicly state that the kiss was consensual. The judge’s decision implies that all involved parties will have to face legal proceedings to determine their culpability in the controversial incident.

The incident occurred during the medal ceremony in Sydney on August 20 last year, following Spain’s victory over England. Despite initially indicating in a statement that the kiss was consensual, Hermoso later complained of being pressured by officials from the Spanish football federation to endorse the statement. The conflicting narratives surrounding the incident have drawn attention to issues of consent and sexism in women’s sports, triggering a wave of global criticism and discussions on the treatment of female athletes at the highest levels of competition.

Luis Rubiales, who had maintained that the kiss was a “consensual peck,” was compelled to resign as president of the Spanish football federation in the aftermath of the incident. The judge’s decision to proceed with a trial indicates the legal ramifications that the individuals involved may face as the case unfolds.

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Ousman Sonko: Gambian ex-minister goes on trial in Switzerland for murder

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A former interior minister from The Gambia, Ousman Sonko, is facing trial in Switzerland on charges of crimes against humanity. Sonko fled to Switzerland in 2016, just before the fall of Gambian President Yahya Jammeh’s repressive regime. He is accused of involvement in killings, rape, and torture, with evidence presented by NGOs leading to his arrest. Sonko’s defense argues that he was not responsible, claiming the National Intelligence Agency was behind the alleged crimes and was not under his authority.

Switzerland is utilizing universal jurisdiction to prosecute the case, allowing countries to try individuals for crimes committed elsewhere. Sonko is the highest-ranking government official in Europe to be prosecuted under this principle. The trial is seen as a potential warning to repressive governments, emphasizing that they can be held accountable even outside their borders. The extensive charges against Sonko include ordering killings, torture, and rape against political opponents, potentially constituting crimes against humanity under Swiss law.

Swiss investigators gathered evidence in The Gambia, interviewing numerous victims and witnesses. The trial marks only the second instance of Switzerland using universal jurisdiction for crimes against humanity. Human rights groups believe it serves as a precedent for accountability. Sonko, who was a key figure in Jammeh’s regime, fled to Switzerland and claimed asylum, leading to his arrest after Trial International provided details of his alleged abuses. The trial is expected to last a month, with a verdict scheduled for March. Other countries are also pursuing cases against members of Jammeh’s regime, contributing to efforts for accountability in the face of widespread abuses during his rule.

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Italian court jails parents for life over ‘honour killing’ of Pakistani teen

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An Italian court has sentenced a Pakistani couple to life in prison for the murder of their 18-year-old daughter, Saman Abbas. She was killed because she refused an arranged marriage, and her body was discovered at a farmhouse in northern Italy in November 2022, 18 months after she went missing.

Saman’s father, Shabbar Abbas, was arrested in Pakistan and extradited for trial in August. He pleaded his innocence, expressing disbelief at the idea of killing his daughter. Saman’s mother, Nazia Shaheen, was convicted in absentia as she is believed to be in hiding in Pakistan.

The court also sentenced Saman’s uncle, Danish Hasnain, to 14 years in jail for his involvement in the murder. However, two of her cousins were acquitted. Saman Abbas’s murder, labeled an “honour killing,” shocked Italy, leading to a fatwa against forced marriages by Italy’s union of Islamic communities.

Saman had moved with her family from Pakistan to Novellara in 2016. Her relationship with a young man drew her parents’ anger, and they wanted her to undergo an arranged marriage in Pakistan in 2020, which she refused. After living under social services’ protection, she returned home in April 2021, only to disappear shortly afterward.

CCTV footage showed family members carrying tools on the night of her disappearance. Saman’s body was found near the family’s home after her uncle revealed the burial location. The autopsy indicated a broken neck, suggesting strangulation.

While her father and uncle were apprehended in 2022, her mother remains at large in Pakistan. The court convicted both parents, despite Shabbar Abbas’s claims of innocence, stating that the trial is incomplete, and he wants to know who killed his daughter.

“Honour killings” are rooted in tribal customs where allegations against a woman bring dishonour to the family. These crimes are often committed when a woman refuses an arranged marriage or faces accusations of inappropriate behavior. In Pakistan, “honour killings” of women occur frequently, while a smaller number involve men. Recently, another similar incident occurred in the Kohistan district, where an 18-year-old woman was killed by her father and uncle based on doctored photos showing her with a man.

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Samuel Paty: Six French teenagers on trial over teacher’s murder

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Six teenagers in France, aged between 13 and 15 at the time, are currently on trial for their alleged complicity in the murder of teacher Samuel Paty in 2020. The tragic incident occurred when Paty, who had shown cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad during a class on freedom of expression, was killed by a Chechen refugee. The teenagers are accused of slander and of guiding the murderer to Paty at the school.

The youngest among them, a 13-year-old girl, had been suspended from school just days before the murder, for reasons unrelated to the case. However, she falsely claimed to her father that she confronted Paty over an alleged request for Muslim students to leave the class, leading to social media posts that prosecutors believe influenced the killer’s actions.

These teenagers face serious charges, and if convicted, they could be sentenced to a maximum of 2.5 years in prison. The case has sparked significant public attention and highlights the complex dynamics surrounding the events leading up to Paty’s murder. The teenagers are not accused of directly committing the murder but rather of playing a role in facilitating the tragic incident.

In addition to the ongoing trial of these six teenagers, a second trial is scheduled for next year. It involves eight adults, including the father of the 13-year-old girl currently on trial. The second trial will further explore allegations of complicity in the murder, bringing to light the broader network and individuals who may have contributed to the events leading up to Paty’s death.

The broader context of this case includes accusations against two friends of the Chechen refugee who carried out the murder. They are facing charges of “complicity in a terrorist murder,” the most severe crime in this case. One is accused of accompanying the murderer to buy weapons, while the other is accused of driving him to the school where Paty taught on the day of the murder. These accusations underscore the serious nature of the events surrounding the teacher’s death and the varied roles individuals are alleged to have played in its execution.

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Spanish Restraining Order Issued to Luis Rubiales Following World Cup Kiss Incident

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A Spanish court has issued a restraining order against Luis Rubiales, the former head of Spain’s football federation, preventing him from approaching footballer Jenni Hermoso within 200 meters.

The order came as the court considers allegations of sexual assault and coercion against Rubiales after he kissed Hermoso on the lips following Spain’s Women’s World Cup victory. Rubiales denies the accusations, insisting the kiss was consensual.

He recently resigned from his position, and this incident has cast a shadow over the national team, leading to ongoing disputes and a potential boycott. Prosecutors have submitted charges of sexual assault and coercion, citing pressure on Hermoso to defend Rubiales after the incident.

The case’s outcome may be influenced by Spain’s recent legal reforms regarding consent. Hermoso is set to provide testimony, and videos from the event will be crucial in determining if the case goes to trial.

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