Tehran sentences 10 military personnel for Ukrainian plane downing in 2020

Today's headlines: Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong sentenced to three months in prison; controversial former Indian MP murdered, assailants shouted Hindu slogans; South Korean navy warning shots fired at North's trespassing fishing vessel;at least 41 people killed in Syria in Islamic State attacks; Malaysia wants to introduce a second 5G network.

IRAN
Tehran has sentenced 10 members of the armed forces to prison for their involvement in the downing on 8 January 2020 of Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752, causing the death of the 176 people on board. According to Mizan Online, one commander will have to serve 10 years in prison, while nine others received sentences of between one and three years. 

HONG KONG
One of Hong Kong's most prominent pro-democracy activists, 26-year-old Joshua Wong, who has been detained since 2020, was sentenced today to a further three months in prison for disseminating information about a policeman in violation of a court order. The officer allegedly opened fire on protesters during a protest in 2019. Wong attended the hearing but made no statement. 

INDIA
Gunmen mixed in with journalists killed a former Indian politician and his brother live on TV as the two were taken in handcuffs to hospital by police. The victim, 61-year-old Atiq Ahmed (together with his brother Ashraf), had been in prison since 2019 for being convicted of kidnapping. The two were Muslims, the assailants after striking shouted Hindu slogans. 

KOREA
Tensions on the Korean peninsula are rising again. Yesterday, the Seoul army fired warning shots towards a North Korean ship that had crossed the sea border. The incident occurred at 11am on 15 April. Today South Korea is holding joint naval missile exercises with the US and Japan against Pyongyang's 'threat'. 

SYRIA
At least 41 people, including 24 civilians, were killed in Syria in two attacks attributed to the Islamic State against truffle gatherers and shepherds. Activist groups report attacks in the desert east of Hama, 17 pro-government fighters also killed. Over 240 people have been killed by Isis since the beginning of February while picking truffles in the desert, which are then sold at exorbitant prices.

MALAYSIA
Malaysia wants to introduce a second 5G network starting next year, in line with a policy promoted by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim that aims to dismantle monopolies and promote competition to improve services to the public. The launch is expected to take place in January 2024 and will challenge the state-owned Digital Nasional Berhad (Dnb). 

RUSSIA - UKRAINE
The Russian Ministry of the Interior has published regulations for the implementation of the new law 'on the special legal status of Russians holding Ukrainian nationality', especially in the four newly annexed republics. They will be placed under close observation for 25 years to check that they completely renounce their ties with Ukraine.

CHINA - KAZAKHSTAN
Beijing is preparing for the China-Central Asia summit to be held in Xi'an on 18-19 May by offering generous gifts to partners in the region. These include the recent agreement signed with Kazakhstan to abolish the 30-day entry visa for citizens of the two countries, and evaluating several other transport and logistics projects that are very beneficial for the entire area.

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