News in brief
US financier Epstein committed suicide in prison
AFP, New York
The wealthy US financier Jeffrey Epstein, indicted on charges he trafficked underage girls for sex, committed suicide in prison, US news media reported yesterday.
Epstein, who had hobnobbed with politicians and celebrities over the years and was already a convicted sex offender, hanged himself in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center and his body was found around 7:30 Saturday morning, The New York Times and other media said, quoting officials.
Epstein, 66, had been found in his cell in late July with marks on his neck after an apparent suicide attempt.
The hedge fund manager was denied bail in late July after appearing at a New York court charged with one count of sex trafficking of minors and one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors.
He denied the charges and had faced up to 45 years in prison -- effectively the rest of his life -- if convicted.
The Metropolitan Correction Center, a federal facility in Manhattan that is often used to house suspects awaiting or during trial, is considered one of the most secure penal establishments in the US.
Former Panama leader cleared of corruption
AFP, Panama City
Panamas ex-president Ricardo Martinelli was acquitted on charges of spying on political foes and misappropriation of public funds in a court decision Friday.
The case marked the first time a Panamanian former president was tried in criminal court. The 67-year-old supermarket tycoon was accused of spying on some 150 opponents between 2012 and 2014 as well as using state resources in the pursuit, including $13 million in equipment which subsequently disappeared.
Martinelli is found not guilty, said Raul Vergara, one of three judges on the tribunal. Shouts of joy from Martinellis supporters rang out in the courtroom after the verdict was read.
Thank you to my lawyers, thank you to the Panama authorities, this was a criminal conspiracy, Martinelli told journalists and supporters. After his release, Martinelli held a small party at one of his luxurious properties.
Martinelliwho was president from 2009-14 and fled to Miami in 2015 to avoid arrestclaims he was a victim of political persecution by the government of his successor Juan Carlos Varela, a former political ally.
10 Turkish sailors kidnapped off Nigeria coast freed
AFP, Istanbul
Ten Turkish sailors on a cargo ship who were kidnapped by pirates off the coast of Nigeria last month have been freed, Turkeys state news agency Anadolu reported Friday.
The sailors, who Anadolu says are in good health, were seized by armed men who attacked the Turkish-flagged Paksoy-1 cargo vessel, operated by shipping company Kadioglu Denizcilik. No details were immediately available on the release of the captives.
A company statement cited by Turkish media last month said the ship was attacked by pirates on its way from Cameroon to the Ivory Coast. It was carrying no freight.
Pirates normally seize sailors for ransom. Nigeria reported 14 pirate attacks in the first quarter of 2019 compared with 22 in the same period in 2018.
An International Maritime Bureau (IMB) report in April attributed the drop to the Nigerian navys increased efforts to actively respond to reported incidents by dispatching patrol boats.
