CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia: Federal authorities have leveled hate crime charges against the 21-year-old man accused of plowing a car into protesters in Charlottesville last year, killing a woman.
James Alex Fields Jr. was indicted Wednesday on 30 federal charges stemming from the attack against those protesting a white nationalist rally. Fields had already been charged with murder in state court.
One of the federal charges is death-penalty eligible, although US Attorney Thomas Cullen says that decision has not yet been made.
Prior to the attack, authorities say the Maumee, Ohio, man engaged in chants promoting white supremacy and other racist and anti-Semitic views.
The attorney representing Fields on those counts declined to comment. Fields is expected to appear in federal court soon, possibly next week.
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Hate crime charges leveled after Charlottesville attack
Hate crime charges leveled after Charlottesville attack
Turkiye’s Erdogan says Israel’s recognition of Somaliland benefits nobody
- Recep Tayyip Erdogan: 'I would like to emphasize that Israel’s recognition of Somaliland does not benefit Somaliland or the Horn of Africa'
- NATO member Turkiye has increased its influence in Africa in recent years, including the training of Somalia’s security forces
ANKARA: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that Israel’s recognition of the breakaway Republic of Somaliland would not benefit Somaliland or the region.
In December, Erdogan had said Israel’s decision to formally recognize Somaliland, a northern region that declared itself independent in 1991, was illegal and unacceptable, and he accused Israel of trying to destabilize the Horn of Africa.
“I would like to especially underline our stance of valuing the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states in the area where Ethiopia is located,” Erdogan told a press conference during a visit to Addis Ababa, adding Turkiye did not want to see new conflicts in the region.
“We believe regional countries need to find solutions to the problems of the region and for the Horn of Africa not to become a competition field for foreign forces. In that regard, I would like to emphasize that Israel’s recognition of Somaliland does not benefit Somaliland or the Horn of Africa,” he added.
NATO member Turkiye has increased its influence in Africa in recent years, training Somalia’s security forces and supplying development assistance in return for a foothold on a key global shipping route. Ankara has also developed close ties with other regional countries, including Ethiopia.
Turkiye has been one of the most vocal critics of Israel and its assault on Gaza, calling it a genocide. It has cut all trade with Israel and called for international measures against its leaders.
In December, Erdogan had said Israel’s decision to formally recognize Somaliland, a northern region that declared itself independent in 1991, was illegal and unacceptable, and he accused Israel of trying to destabilize the Horn of Africa.
“I would like to especially underline our stance of valuing the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states in the area where Ethiopia is located,” Erdogan told a press conference during a visit to Addis Ababa, adding Turkiye did not want to see new conflicts in the region.
“We believe regional countries need to find solutions to the problems of the region and for the Horn of Africa not to become a competition field for foreign forces. In that regard, I would like to emphasize that Israel’s recognition of Somaliland does not benefit Somaliland or the Horn of Africa,” he added.
NATO member Turkiye has increased its influence in Africa in recent years, training Somalia’s security forces and supplying development assistance in return for a foothold on a key global shipping route. Ankara has also developed close ties with other regional countries, including Ethiopia.
Turkiye has been one of the most vocal critics of Israel and its assault on Gaza, calling it a genocide. It has cut all trade with Israel and called for international measures against its leaders.
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