German police have arrested a man they suspect of sending threatening letters inspired by a shadowy neo-Nazi cell that committed a string of racist murders in the 2000s, prosecutors said Tuesday.

The 53-year-old unemployed German national had been convicted in the past of crimes linked to the far right, the prosecutor's office for the western city of Frankfurt said.
He is "strongly suspected" of having sent, since August 2018, a series "of threatening letters with hateful, insulting and threatening content" under the pseudonym "NSU 2.0", the prosecutor said.
The name refers to the National Socialist Underground, a neo-Nazi extremist group uncovered in 2011 that murdered 10 people and planted three bombs.
The letters were mainly addressed to public officials, notably members of the federal parliament and that of the Hesse region.
Investigators had initially suspected that the man was linked to the police themselves, as information on the people threatened had been collected from police stations.
But prosecutors said the person detained was not a police officer. The suspect was taken into custody at his Berlin apartment during a search.
The assassination in June 2019 of pro-migration politician Walter Luebcke shocked the country and highlighted the growing threat of right-wing extremism.
Previously, the NSU was able to carry out the murders of eight Turkish immigrants, a Greek and a German policewoman as investigators focused their probe in error on members of Germany's immigrant communities.

The 53-year-old unemployed German national had been convicted in the past of crimes linked to the far right

The letters were mainly addressed to public officials, notably members of the federal parliament and that of the Hesse region

German police nab suspect over neo-Nazi threats

The first US military helicopters, that will take part in the "Quick Response 21" bilateral exercise together with the Armed Forces of B&amp;H, landed yesterday at the Dubrave airport near Tuzla.
 
The arrival of the remaining US helicopters is planned in the coming days, and before the start of the exercise, an increased number of helicopter flights is expected in order to get acquainted with the terrain configuration in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the AFB&amp;H and the US Embassy announced via social networks.
These are the first two UH-60 helicopters from the Combat Aviation Brigade of the 1st Infantry Division of the US Armed Forces, stationed in Poznan, Poland. They were welcomed by members of the 5th Infantry Brigade of the AF B&amp;H and the staff of the Tuzla International Airport.

The arrival of the remaining US helicopters is planned in the coming days

Before the start of the exercise, an increased number of helicopter flights is expected

US military helicopters land in Tuzla for Quick Response 21 exercise

Lufthansa launched Frankfurt-Sarajevo-Frankfurt flight yesterday, connecting the capital of B&amp;H with the main hub of Lufthansa in Germany.
 
This respectable company will operate on this route four times a week in May. As of June this year, Lufthansa plans to increase up to seven flights a week, the Sarajevo International Airport announced.
By establishing these flights to Sarajevo, the Lufthansa Group will offer its passengers a better connections with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In this way, the LH Group complements the existing connections of Austrian Airlines to Sarajevo from Vienna, but at the same time offers the opportunity to passengers from Bosnia and Herzegovina to use all advantages of the Lufthansa Group's global network.

They will  operate on this route four times a week in May, and as of June seven times

By establishing these flights to Sarajevo, the Lufthansa Group will offer its passengers a better connections with Bosnia and Herzegovina

Lufthansa launches Sarajevo - Frankfurt flights

The best tennis player in the world, Novak Đoković, who arrived in Visoko today, went on a tour of the Bosnian pyramids. He is accompanied by his wife Jelena and children Tara and Stefan.
We remind you that Đoković landed at the Sarajevo Airport a little over an hour ago, from where he immediately headed to Visoko.
According to the reporters of the Avaz portal which are currently on the spot, Đoković is in the good mood, and with his family and professor Osmanagić and his wife Sabina, set out on a tour of Ravne Park.
A trip to the Pyramid of the Sun is also planned.

He was welcomed there by Semir and Sabina Osmanagić.
This is the third visit of the Serbian tennis player in Visoko, hosted by Semir Osmanagić, the founder of the "Archaeological Park - Bosnian Pyramid of the Sun" Foundation.

We remind you that Đoković landed at the Sarajevo Airport a little over an hour ago, from where he immediately headed to Visoko

"Avaz" on the spot: Novak Đoković, accompanied by his wife and children, went on a tour of the pyramids

German authorities have uncovered one of the largest child porn platforms in the darknet with four people arrested in the case, the Federal Criminal Office (BKA) said on Monday in the southwestern city of Wiesbaden.

Three German men are accused of having operated the “Boystown” platform as administrators.
Meanwhile, another German suspect is said to have been one of the most active users of the portal which had more than 400,000 members and to have posted more than 3,500 posts.
German authorities arrested the suspects in mid-April and they have been in custody since.
Prior to the arrests, investigators from the BKA and the Frankfurt Public Prosecutor's Office searched also seven addresses in three German states -- North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria and Hamburg.
At the same time, another suspected gang member was arrested in Paraguay following a request by German law enforcement authorities, the BKA said.

4 suspects arrested in connection with case, authorities say

Three German men are accused of having operated the “Boystown” platform as administrators

German police smash child porn ring on darknet

A former French soldier, who has admitted killing an eight-year-old girl in a case that shook the country nearly four years ago, appeared in court Monday on charges he also beat a man to death just a few months before.

Nordahl Lelandais, 38, was brought from prison to the courthouse in Chambery, a town in the French Alps where the victim, another soldier, was last seen after leaving a nightclub.
He has admitted to killing Corporal Arthur Noyer in the early hours of April 12, 2017, after picking him up as he hitchhiked.
Lelandais has also confessed to killing eight-year-old Maelys de Araujo in August 2017, in a case that horrified France and which is set to go to trial next year.
He has insisted both deaths were accidental but his confessions prompted the reopening of investigations into dozens of other killings to see if he was linked to these unsolved cases. 
More than 100 journalists watched as he entered under heavy police escort, wearing a face mask and a dark cap pulled low over his eyes.
Lelandais told police that a fight broke out with Noyer after they stopped at a parking spot, which he claims Noyer started, but Lelandais said he did not intend to kill him.
But prosecutors say he later put the victim's unconscious body in the trunk of his car and drove it some 20 kilometres (12 miles) away before dumping it on the side of a road.
They have charged him with voluntary manslaughter, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.
Investigators only linked Lelandais to Noyer's death after he was arrested over the murder of Maelys, who vanished in the early hours of August 27, 2017, while attending a wedding near Chambery with her parents.
Police searched for months for the girl before arresting Lelandais, who was also a guest at the wedding, and he finally led them to her remains in February 2018 after traces of her blood were found in his car.
The two cases sparked fears that Lelandais could be involved in dozens of other unsolved disappearances in the region, and reopened several cases after reviewing his background and movements over several years.
Despite three years of inquiries, however, and psychiatric exams that have revealed signs of Lelandais's "pathological lying," no evidence has emerged to link Lelandais to other cases.
The trial over Noyer's killing is set to run until May 12, while his trial over Maelys's death is expected next year.

Nordahl Lelandais, 38, was brought from prison to the courthouse in Chambery, a town in the French Alps where the victim, another soldier, was last seen after leaving a nightclub

Nordahl Lelandais (L) arrives escorted by French prison administration (administration penitentiaire) officers at the courthouse of the French Alps city of Chambery on May 3, 2021, on the first day of his trial for the murder of French army Corporal Arthur Noyer in 2017.

Frenchman accused of child's murder goes on trial for second killing

The Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina has extended the custody of Hasan Dupovac and Zijad Mutap, suspected of organized crime and aiding and abetting the perpetrator in the "Dženan Memić" case, for the next two months.
The Prosecutor's Office of B&amp;H requested that their detention be extended for three months because the investigation was extended to more people and because they are waiting for the expertise of the seized mobile phones.
Detention was proposed because of the danger that their release could obstruct the investigation, conceal evidence and influence witnesses or accomplices, as well as due to the special circumstances of the criminal offense due to which the stay of the suspects at large would cause disturbance to the citizens and the public.

The Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina has requested that their detention be extended by three months because the investigation has been extended to more people and because forensic examinations of confiscated mobile phones are pending

Detail from yesterday's session in the Court of B&H

"Dženan Memić" case: Mutap and Dupovac will stay in custody for another two months

The United States supports the key role of the High Representative in monitoring and supporting the implementation of the civilian aspect of the Dayton Peace Agreement, the US Embassy in B&amp;H told for "Avaz".
They added that Bosnia and Herzegovina must meet the specific criteria established by the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) in order to end international supervision.

<h2>The 5 + 2 criteria are complementary to B&H's path to the European Union</h2>

- The 5 + 2 criteria are complementary to B&amp;H's path to the European Union. Now is the time to focus again on meeting the set criteria. The transition of leadership is a normal part of the functioning of any institution and any future transition will be carried out in accordance with the conditions prescribed by law. A potential change in OHR leadership should not affect the mandate of the institution itself. Its purpose and goals remain the same - this includes 5 + 2 - they said.

They stressed that as a member of the Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council, the United States would support the candidacy of Christian Schmidt.

- The real job facing all leaders of this country, at all levels of government, is to initiate a serious dialogue and implement reforms necessary to achieve B&amp;H's significant steps on the EU path, and ensure a brighter and more prosperous future for all citizens - they concluded.

The transition of the leadership is a normal part of the functioning of any institution and any future transition will be carried out in accordance with the legally prescribed conditions, the US Embassy in B&H said

The United States will support Christian Schmidt as a candidate for High Representative in B&H

Fahrudin Solak, director of the Federal Civil Protection Administration (FCPA), who was preventively suspended from his duty immediately after the "Respirators" affair appeared in public, continues to receive full pay.

The decision on the suspension from May 11th last year, signed by Prime Minister Fadil Novalić, who is also like Solak accused for the purchase of 100 respirators at a price of 10.5 million KM, then stated that Solak would receive a regular salary.
This remained the same, almost a year since the suspension because the decision is still in effect.
This information was confirmed today for "Avaz" from FCPA, and as it was explained to us, according to the Civil Service Act, Solak is entitled to a full salary.
- In accordance with the provisions of the Law on Civil Service in the Federation of B&amp;H and the Decision of the Government of the Federation of B&amp;H, it is defined that the suspended director Fahrudin Solak receives the full amount of salary during the preventive suspension - said Sanita Alagić, Assistant Director Sector for Accounting and Finance procurement and storage.

This means that the accused Solak, who is charged with damaging the B&amp;H budget for all this time, still, if he does not work, receives almost 3,000 KM salary per month.
Namely, the salary of the directors of the federal administrations during this, but also in the past years, without a hot meal, contributions, past work and other compensations, amounted to more than 2,000 KM. With all fees, that amount ranges up to 2,500, or up to 3,000 KM, depending on the length of service.
These data proves that Solak, although suspended and accused of one of the biggest corruption scandals in the country, has so far "earned" more than 40,000 KM.

The administrative commission of the Government, we remind you, rejected last year the request of Solak, who asked for financial compensation for the injury after falling from the motorcycle. Namely, Solak demanded help from the budget, which does not have the character of a salary for the injury he got after falling from a motorcycle in April last year. He requested about 1,870 KM.

The decision on the suspension of May 11 last year, signed by Prime Minister Fadil Novalić, who is also like Solak accused, stated that he would receive a regular salary

Signed by Novalić: Fahrudin Solak, although accused, receives full director's salary for a year

Bulgaria's foreign ministry said Thursday that it would expel a Russian diplomat, a day after prosecutors said they had established links between six Russian nationals and several past explosions at arms depots.

-The Bulgarian foreign ministry declared one more Russian diplomat persona non grata- the ministry said in a statement. 
It urged Russia to "fully cooperate" in its probes aimed at "discovering the perpetrators and bringing them to justice".
The EU member -- which used to boast close ties with Russia -- has expelled seven other Russian diplomats and another Russian embassy staff member since October 2019 over various spying and other accusations.
Bulgarian prosecutors said Wednesday they have established links between six Russian nationals who spent time in Bulgaria and four explosions at arms depots in the EU country between 2011 and 2020.
Moscow, in turn, accused Bulgarian officials of trying to outdo authorities in Prague who allege that Russian secret services were behind an explosion in the Czech Republic in 2014.
The Czech accusations sparked a wave of EU-Russia tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions.
Sofia says the four explosions may be linked to the one in the Czech Republic.
Moscow denies involvement in the 2014 blast.
-Bulgaria wishes to maintain a mutually beneficial relationship on an equal footing with Russia- Thursday's ministry statement said. 
It added that it "insists on effective cooperation from the part of Russia to elucidate the facts related to the incidents on our territory," adding that Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva had already met the Russian ambassador in Sofia.

This happened a day after prosecutors said they had established links between six Russian nationals and several past explosions at arms depots

Bulgarian prosecutors said Wednesday they have established links between six Russian nationals who spent time in Bulgaria and four explosions at arms depots in the EU country between 2011 and 2020.

Bulgaria says it will expel Russian diplomat

Acting on the order of the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina, police officers of the State Investigation and Protection Agency - SIPA in cooperation with the Una-Sana Canton police, arrested two suspects in the area of Velika Kladuša, and found more than 20 illegal migrants, including children and minors, who will be handed over to the B&amp;H Service for Foreigners’ Affairs.
 
Persons deprived of liberty are suspected of providing accommodation and further illegal transport to Croatia and other European Union countries to members of the migrant population upon arrival in the USC area.
The persons under investigation are suspected of a criminal offense - organizing a group or association for smuggling migrants, as well as smuggling people.
The acting prosecutor was informed about the activities, and gave instructions to the police officers for further treatment of the suspects and undertaking further investigative actions, the Prosecutor's Office of B&amp;H announced.

They will be handed over to the B&H Service for Foreigners’ Affairs

The persons under investigation are suspected of a criminal offense - organizing a group or association for smuggling migrants, as well as smuggling people

SIPA arrests two people, more than 20 migrants found in the search

The Archbishop of Vrhbosna, Cardinal Vinko Puljić, extended congratulations to the Orthodox bishops in B&amp;H and the faithful on the occasion of the upcoming Christian holiday of Easter, celebrated by Orthodox Christians in accordance with the Julian calendar. 
 
-I received your kind Easter greetings for which I sincerely thank you- said Cardinal Puljić.
As you soon celebrate the same mystery of faith, I extend my most sincere congratulations and wishes to you personally, to your clergy and monks, as well as to the entire faithful people, with a joyful exclamation: "Christos Anesti!" (Christ is risen!).
-Along with the Easter greeting card, I also send the sincerest greetings, expressing communion with the Lord- it is emphasized in the greeting card of Cardinal Puljić.

Along with the Easter greeting card, I also send the sincerest greetings, expressing communion with the Lord, he emphasized

he Archbishop of Vrhbosna, Cardinal Vinko Puljić

Cardinal Puljić congratulates Easter to Orthodox bishops in B&H

Eight people died and nine were injured in a blaze that broke out in an illegal hostel early on Wednesday in central Riga, police and local authorities said.

-Eight people have died and nine were injured during the lethal fire in the hostel- Latvia's deputy police chief Andrejs Grishins told reporters in Riga. 
DNA tests will be used to identify the victims, he added. 
-The bodies are burned so badly that we cannot tell yet which country they are from. Their documents have gone up in flames.&nbsp;Coroners and experts will try to establish their identities but lengthy DNA tests will be required- Grishins said.-The hostel, located on the sixth floor on a state-owned building, was illegal- Martins Stakis, mayor of Riga, tweeted after visiting the scene. 
Residents living near the hostel quoted by local media said it had served people abusing drugs and alcohol.
Sandis Girgens, minister of interior affairs, confirmed that firefighters had been prevented from carrying out routine safety checks in the building since January. 
-They had thick steel doors installed, and the hostel did not let our firefighting officers in- Girgens told local media.
Authorities had decided to shut down the illegal hostel but the fire broke out before the decision was enforced.

DNA tests will be used to identify the victims

Residents living near the hostel quoted by local media said it had served people abusing drugs and alcohol

Eight die in blaze at illegal hostel in Latvia

The Party for Bosnia and Herzegovina presented today in Sarajevo the new acting president of that party, Semir Efendić.
 
As a candidate of the Party of Democratic Action, Efendić was elected as mayor of Novi Grad Sarajevo, where he is currently serving a new term of office.
He told at the press conference that he had accepted the party's offer to be acting president with the desire and intention to work hard to make a responsible, consistent, democratic and modern party that everyone in B&amp;H needs.
He added that he resigned from the SDA after many years because he was convinced that his further involvement in that party could not contribute to changing the political situation in B&amp;H.
-I hope that the Party for B&amp;H will achieve success in the next elections for the benefit of all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina- Efendić pointed out.
Asked about possible future coalitions of the Party for B&amp;H, he said that coalitions are sometimes a necessary evil, and that it would be best for citizens at least at the entity and lower levels of government to trust one party and know who is responsible.

He added that he resigned from the SDA after many years because he was convinced that his further involvement in that party could not contribute to changing the political situation in B&H

Efendić: With dedicated work, make the party that everyone in B&H needs

US Ambassador to B&amp;H Eric Nelson stated today in his blog that every day B&amp;H citizens feel the effects of a short-sighted focus on entity competencies rather than on creating a functional B&amp;H that strengthens all citizens.

-The simple and important impacts can cost lives, like the lack of a central 112 emergency number. An updated state-level e-signature law is another commonsense reform that will improve the life of every B&amp;H citizen by reducing bureaucracy, speeding up delivery of public services, and easing international commerce. A central registry of bank accounts is necessary to combat money laundering, hinder corruption, block terrorist financing, and better secure the banking sector- wrote Nelson. 
He thinks that the future of all citizens is a single B&amp;H of two entities, three constituent peoples, with all citizens moving together as part of the European community.
-As Secretary Blinken communicated clearly, basic yet important rule of law, economic, and electoral reforms are what B&amp;H leaders can achieve this year. Instead of doing the work needed to create jobs and economic growth, root out corruption, end discrimination, and enable freer and fairer elections, politicians seek to distract and to abandon their own responsibility- Nelson stressed. 
He added that they do so by stoking fear and division reminiscent of the 1990s, a period to which nobody wants to return. They call for secession, want to revert to a retrograde "Original Dayton," and call into question the DPA-guaranteed existence of both entities.
-These distractions serve leaders’ interests by preserving the opaque and unequal economic and political systems that enrich them and maintain their influence at the expense of ordinary citizens and lives. Sanctions for destabilizing the DPA and for corruption are on the table. Citizens can deliver an even more powerful sanction at the ballot box. This is why reforms are so essential in this non-election year and why leaders seem intent on distracting citizens from what is at stake- wrote Nelson, the U.S. Embassy said.

He thinks that the future of all citizens is a single B&H of two entities, three constituent peoples, with all citizens moving together as part of the European community

Nelson: Politicians seek to distract and to abandon their own responsibility

The Mayor of Mostar, Mario Kordić and the Mostar City Council President Salem Marić received the OSCE Ambassador to B&amp;H, Kathlen Kavalec and Head of the OSCE Mostar Office, Ioannis Piliouris at the City Hall today.

Ambassador Kavalec congratulated Mayor Kordić and President of the City Council Marić on their election to the leading positions and emphasized the importance of conducting local elections in Mostar.
She emphasized that the OSCE Mission to B&amp;H, together with other representatives of the international community in B&amp;H, advocated for the holding of the elections and participated in their implementation, said the Mostar City Administration.
The participants at the meeting agreed that the great expectations of the citizens of Mostar are that the processes and projects in Mostar, which were slowed down or postponed, have now been accelerated because the City finally has the City Council and that everyone is ready to work together to achieve concrete results and make up for the backlog.
Among other things, the participants of the meeting discussed the project of completing the renovation of the Music School building.
The OSCE Mission offered its assistance through various projects related to transparency, digitalization and informatization of the City Administration and the City Council of Mostar.
Also, one of the topics of the meeting was a potential construction of a monument to commemorate all civilian victims of the past war, it is said in the statement from the Mostar City Council.&nbsp;

German police nab suspect over neo-Nazi threats

US military helicopters land in Tuzla for Quick Response 21 exercise

Lufthansa launches Sarajevo - Frankfurt flights

"Avaz" on the spot: Novak Đoković, accompanied by his wife and children, went on a tour of the pyramids

German police smash child porn ring on darknet

Frenchman accused of child's murder goes on trial for second killing

"Dženan Memić" case: Mutap and Dupovac will stay in custody for another two months

The United States will support Christian Schmidt as a candidate for High Representative in B&H

Signed by Novalić: Fahrudin Solak, although accused, receives full director's salary for a year

Bulgaria says it will expel Russian diplomat

SIPA arrests two people, more than 20 migrants found in the search

Cardinal Puljić congratulates Easter to Orthodox bishops in B&H

Eight die in blaze at illegal hostel in Latvia

Efendić: With dedicated work, make the party that everyone in B&H needs

Nelson: Politicians seek to distract and to abandon their own responsibility

Mostar Mayor and City Council Chair receive OSCE delegation led by Ambs. Kavalec

News

German police nab suspect over neo-Nazi threats

US military helicopters land in Tuzla for Quick Response 21 exercise

Lufthansa launches Sarajevo - Frankfurt flights

"Avaz" on the spot: Novak Đoković, accompanied by his wife and children, went on a tour of the pyramids

German police smash child porn ring on darknet

Frenchman accused of child's murder goes on trial for second killing

"Dženan Memić" case: Mutap and Dupovac will stay in custody for another two months

The United States will support Christian Schmidt as a candidate for High Representative in B&H

Signed by Novalić: Fahrudin Solak, although accused, receives full director's salary for a year

Bulgaria says it will expel Russian diplomat

SIPA arrests two people, more than 20 migrants found in the search

Cardinal Puljić congratulates Easter to Orthodox bishops in B&H

Eight die in blaze at illegal hostel in Latvia

Efendić: With dedicated work, make the party that everyone in B&H needs

Nelson: Politicians seek to distract and to abandon their own responsibility

Mostar Mayor and City Council Chair receive OSCE delegation led by Ambs. Kavalec