KINSHASA: A German woman of Congolese origin was sentenced Wednesday to 10 years in prison in the Democratic Republic of Congo for an attempted bank robbery in broad daylight.
Honorine Porsche, 37, appeared in the military court in the Congolese capital Kinshasa looking haggard as she was found guilty of armed robbery.
On October 17, around midday, a RawBank branch in downtown Kinshasa was surrounded by security forces after it was targeted in an attack.
A chaotic standoff ensued lasting several hours, before five people, including Porsche, were eventually arrested inside the building. No one was injured.
According to the bank, the equivalent of about $20,000 in cash disappeared and has never been recovered.
During her trial, Porsche admitted to initially taking the money but claimed it was later stolen from her by members of the security forces who raided the bank.
Following her arrest, the German woman appeared partially undressed in videos posted on social media, with members of the security forces seen groping and sexually abusing her.
The images sparked outrage in the DRC, a country where the police are notorious for their brutality.
Porsche refused to speak in court on Wednesday, telling AFP as she left the building that she did not have “the strength to speak.”
Keno Grade, Germany’s consul in Kinshasa, who was present in court, declined to comment.
Porsche’s lawyer indicated that she intends to appeal.
German woman convicted of bank robbery in DR Congo
https://arab.news/vhtg5
German woman convicted of bank robbery in DR Congo
- Honorine Porsche appeared in the military court in Kinshasa looking haggard as she was found guilty
- She admitted to initially taking the money but claimed it was later stolen from her
Kremlin says Putin is mediating in Iran to normalize situation
- Putin had then been briefed by Pezeshkian in a separate call on what the Kremlin called Tehran’s “sustained efforts” to normalize the situation inside Iran
MOSCOW: President Vladimir Putin is mediating in the Iran situation to quickly de-escalate tensions, the Kremlin said on Friday, after the Russian leader spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Moscow has condemned US threats of new military strikes after Iran acted against protests that broke out late last month.
Putin in his call with Netanyahu expressed Russia’s willingness to “continue its mediation efforts and to promote constructive dialogue with the participation of all interested states,” the Kremlin said, adding he had set out his ideas for boosting stability in the Middle East.
No further details were given on Putin’s mediation attempt.
Putin had then been briefed by Pezeshkian in a separate call on what the Kremlin called Tehran’s “sustained efforts” to normalize the situation inside Iran.
“It was noted that Russia and Iran unanimously and consistently support de-escalating
the tensions — both surrounding Iran and in the region as a whole — as soon as possible
and resolving any emerging issues through exclusively political and diplomatic means,” the Kremlin said.
Putin and Pezeshkian had confirmed their commitment to their countries’ strategic partnership and to implementing joint economic projects, the Kremlin added.
Separately, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which includes Russia, China, India, and Iran, among others, said it opposed external interference in Iran and blamed Western sanctions for creating conditions for unrest.
“Unilateral sanctions have had a significant negative impact on the economic stability of the state, led to a deterioration in people’s living conditions, and objectively limited the ability of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to implement measures to ensure the country’s socio-economic development,” the SCO said in a statement.
Protests erupted on Dec. 28 over soaring inflation in Iran, whose economy has been crippled by sanctions.
Asked what support Russia could provide to Iran, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “Russia is already providing assistance not only to Iran but also to the entire region, and to the cause of regional stability and peace. This is partly thanks to the president’s efforts to help de-escalate tensions.”
The US Treasury on Thursday announced new sanctions targeting Iranian officials, including Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme Council for National Security.
