wrongful detention
Palestinian Territories
On 9 September, Israeli forces stopped a UN convoy at the Wadi Gaza checkpoint in northern Gaza, alleging that Palestinian militants were on board. Israeli forces fired live rounds and damaged UN vehicles with bulldozers. Despite prior coordination with Israeli authorities, two out of the 12 UN staff members were detained and questioned for more than eight hours before the convoy was able to leave. The convoy formed part of the UN's recent initiative to roll out polio vaccines to children in Gaza.
wrongful detention
Iran
On 17 September, Iranian authorities granted an Austrian national early release from prison. The Austrian citizen was detained in Iran’s West Azerbaijan Province in August 2022, on allegations of espionage and carrying dangerous weapons. In February 2024, Austria’s foreign ministry announced that the conviction for spying had been overturned on appeal, and his sentence on other charges commuted. Iran regularly detains Western nationals on charges of espionage, typically to be used as leverage to win concessions from Western countries.
organised crime
Australia
On 23 August, the government placed the construction division of the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) under administration over allegations of bullying, corruption and organised criminal activity. Over the weeks that followed, investigations revealed that gang members had infiltrated the union, taking up prominent positions and engaging in extortion, bribery and tender corruption. While these allegations have centred around the construction industry in the state of Victoria, investigations into CFMEU branches in Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia are also ongoing.
piracy
Nigeria
On 2 September, pirates kidnapped 10 people from a passenger vessel on the Bonny Waterway between Bonny and Port Harcourt in Rivers State. The Nigerian Navy rescued the hostages a few days later. Authorities suspect that some local boat operators may be collaborating with pirate groups by faking boat breakdowns, allowing the pirates to stage attacks and take hostages. Despite the potential for similar incidents in the Delta Region in the coming months, there is no indication that these dynamics will lead to an increase in offshore piracy.
extortion
Greece
In July, authorities announced the arrest of 14 people, including employees of the Culture Ministry, police officers, and local government officials, suspected of being part of a syndicate that extorted local businesses in Athens. The group primarily targeted restaurants and hotels, demanding payments to avoid administrative fines and inspections. The syndicate reportedly earned over EUR 700,000 (USD 780,000) annually, with individual payments ranging from EUR 1,000 (USD 1,110) to EUR 6,000 (USD 6,670). While extortion syndicates are known to operate in Athens, the direct involvement of local officials is rare.
active assailant
Croatia
On 22 July, 51-year-old Krešimir Pahoki entered a nursing home in Daruvar, Slavonia, and opened fire, killing six people and injuring several others. Police later arrested Pahoki at a nearby café, where he was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm. The motive for the attack remains unclear, though authorities indicated that Pahoki was experiencing financial difficulties and may have been disgruntled with the nursing home where his mother resided. Mass shootings are rare in Croatia, although a significant number of weapons remain in circulation following the 1991-1995 conflict. The shooting has prompted calls for stricter gun laws.
wrongful detention
Venezuela
On 14 September, police detained six foreign nationals, including one Czech, two Spanish, and three US nationals on allegations of plotting to destabilise the government. The detainees were accused of separately planning attacks on various members of government, including President Nicolás Maduro. The respective governments of the detainees have rejected the allegations. The arrests come in the context of increased tensions following the general election in Venezuela in July 2024, where multiple governments, including the US, have disputed Maduro’s claims of victory.
active assailant
US
On 4 September, an assailant opened fire at the Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, killing four people and injuring nine others. The assailant, Colt Gray, a student at the school, surrendered to the police after the shooting and has since been charged with murder. The motive for the attack remains unclear. School shootings are not uncommon in the US, with at least 50 school shootings in 2024, including thirteen on university campuses and 37 on school grounds.
