Latest news with #OfficeoftheDirectorofPublicProsecutions
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- The Advertiser
Use of restraints key focus of death in custody probes
The use of restraints will be examined in a major inquiry sparked by the death of a man who became unresponsive during a police arrest. Gaurav Kundi, 42, died in hospital on Friday, two weeks after the early hours incident on May 29 at the Adelaide suburb of Royston Park. The matter is being treated as a death in custody, sparking a string of investigations. The major crime investigation branch will launch a probe to be referred to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, with a report prepared for the coroner. An internal police investigation had been launched along with a Commissioner's Inquiry. South Australia Police confirmed on Friday use of restraints during the incident would be "closely examined" as part of the Commissioner's Inquiry. SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said the officers' body cam footage had been reviewed. "We can say definitively that at no time during the incident did any police officer place a knee on Mr Kundi's neck," he told reporters. "And I can confirm that his head was not forced into the police vehicle ... nor was his head forced into the ground during the incident." None of the officers involved in the arrest have been stood down from duty. "There is nothing at this point in time that would warrant that determination," Commissioner Stevens said. "If information comes to light during any of the processes that indicates otherwise then that would be something that would be reconsidered at that time." He could not give a timeframe on how long the multiple probes would take but urged the public to keep an "open mind". "Police are required to step into a variety of situations and often make decisions with limited information and with limited time to fully assess the circumstances," he said. "It never looks good when force is used against a member of the community. "I would just caution people to maintain an open mind until all of the information is collected." Commissioner Stevens said Mr Kundi's family was being updated and supported, with some flying to Adelaide. The Consulate General of India has been advised of Mr Kundi's death and would be updated, he said. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she would not comment on the matter until the investigations had concluded. "More broadly what I would say to the Indian community here in Australia, and the broader Indian community, this is an investigation that will be done properly and be assured of our friendship," she told reporters on Friday. The use of restraints will be examined in a major inquiry sparked by the death of a man who became unresponsive during a police arrest. Gaurav Kundi, 42, died in hospital on Friday, two weeks after the early hours incident on May 29 at the Adelaide suburb of Royston Park. The matter is being treated as a death in custody, sparking a string of investigations. The major crime investigation branch will launch a probe to be referred to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, with a report prepared for the coroner. An internal police investigation had been launched along with a Commissioner's Inquiry. South Australia Police confirmed on Friday use of restraints during the incident would be "closely examined" as part of the Commissioner's Inquiry. SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said the officers' body cam footage had been reviewed. "We can say definitively that at no time during the incident did any police officer place a knee on Mr Kundi's neck," he told reporters. "And I can confirm that his head was not forced into the police vehicle ... nor was his head forced into the ground during the incident." None of the officers involved in the arrest have been stood down from duty. "There is nothing at this point in time that would warrant that determination," Commissioner Stevens said. "If information comes to light during any of the processes that indicates otherwise then that would be something that would be reconsidered at that time." He could not give a timeframe on how long the multiple probes would take but urged the public to keep an "open mind". "Police are required to step into a variety of situations and often make decisions with limited information and with limited time to fully assess the circumstances," he said. "It never looks good when force is used against a member of the community. "I would just caution people to maintain an open mind until all of the information is collected." Commissioner Stevens said Mr Kundi's family was being updated and supported, with some flying to Adelaide. The Consulate General of India has been advised of Mr Kundi's death and would be updated, he said. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she would not comment on the matter until the investigations had concluded. "More broadly what I would say to the Indian community here in Australia, and the broader Indian community, this is an investigation that will be done properly and be assured of our friendship," she told reporters on Friday. The use of restraints will be examined in a major inquiry sparked by the death of a man who became unresponsive during a police arrest. Gaurav Kundi, 42, died in hospital on Friday, two weeks after the early hours incident on May 29 at the Adelaide suburb of Royston Park. The matter is being treated as a death in custody, sparking a string of investigations. The major crime investigation branch will launch a probe to be referred to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, with a report prepared for the coroner. An internal police investigation had been launched along with a Commissioner's Inquiry. South Australia Police confirmed on Friday use of restraints during the incident would be "closely examined" as part of the Commissioner's Inquiry. SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said the officers' body cam footage had been reviewed. "We can say definitively that at no time during the incident did any police officer place a knee on Mr Kundi's neck," he told reporters. "And I can confirm that his head was not forced into the police vehicle ... nor was his head forced into the ground during the incident." None of the officers involved in the arrest have been stood down from duty. "There is nothing at this point in time that would warrant that determination," Commissioner Stevens said. "If information comes to light during any of the processes that indicates otherwise then that would be something that would be reconsidered at that time." He could not give a timeframe on how long the multiple probes would take but urged the public to keep an "open mind". "Police are required to step into a variety of situations and often make decisions with limited information and with limited time to fully assess the circumstances," he said. "It never looks good when force is used against a member of the community. "I would just caution people to maintain an open mind until all of the information is collected." Commissioner Stevens said Mr Kundi's family was being updated and supported, with some flying to Adelaide. The Consulate General of India has been advised of Mr Kundi's death and would be updated, he said. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she would not comment on the matter until the investigations had concluded. "More broadly what I would say to the Indian community here in Australia, and the broader Indian community, this is an investigation that will be done properly and be assured of our friendship," she told reporters on Friday. The use of restraints will be examined in a major inquiry sparked by the death of a man who became unresponsive during a police arrest. Gaurav Kundi, 42, died in hospital on Friday, two weeks after the early hours incident on May 29 at the Adelaide suburb of Royston Park. The matter is being treated as a death in custody, sparking a string of investigations. The major crime investigation branch will launch a probe to be referred to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, with a report prepared for the coroner. An internal police investigation had been launched along with a Commissioner's Inquiry. South Australia Police confirmed on Friday use of restraints during the incident would be "closely examined" as part of the Commissioner's Inquiry. SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said the officers' body cam footage had been reviewed. "We can say definitively that at no time during the incident did any police officer place a knee on Mr Kundi's neck," he told reporters. "And I can confirm that his head was not forced into the police vehicle ... nor was his head forced into the ground during the incident." None of the officers involved in the arrest have been stood down from duty. "There is nothing at this point in time that would warrant that determination," Commissioner Stevens said. "If information comes to light during any of the processes that indicates otherwise then that would be something that would be reconsidered at that time." He could not give a timeframe on how long the multiple probes would take but urged the public to keep an "open mind". "Police are required to step into a variety of situations and often make decisions with limited information and with limited time to fully assess the circumstances," he said. "It never looks good when force is used against a member of the community. "I would just caution people to maintain an open mind until all of the information is collected." Commissioner Stevens said Mr Kundi's family was being updated and supported, with some flying to Adelaide. The Consulate General of India has been advised of Mr Kundi's death and would be updated, he said. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she would not comment on the matter until the investigations had concluded. "More broadly what I would say to the Indian community here in Australia, and the broader Indian community, this is an investigation that will be done properly and be assured of our friendship," she told reporters on Friday.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Use of restraints key focus of death in custody probes
The use of restraints will be examined in a major inquiry sparked by the death of a man who became unresponsive during a police arrest. Gaurav Kundi, 42, died in hospital on Friday, two weeks after the early hours incident on May 29 at the Adelaide suburb of Royston Park. The matter is being treated as a death in custody, sparking a string of investigations. The major crime investigation branch will launch a probe to be referred to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, with a report prepared for the coroner. An internal police investigation had been launched along with a Commissioner's Inquiry. South Australia Police confirmed on Friday use of restraints during the incident would be "closely examined" as part of the Commissioner's Inquiry. SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said the officers' body cam footage had been reviewed. "We can say definitively that at no time during the incident did any police officer place a knee on Mr Kundi's neck," he told reporters. "And I can confirm that his head was not forced into the police vehicle ... nor was his head forced into the ground during the incident." None of the officers involved in the arrest have been stood down from duty. "There is nothing at this point in time that would warrant that determination," Commissioner Stevens said. "If information comes to light during any of the processes that indicates otherwise then that would be something that would be reconsidered at that time." He could not give a timeframe on how long the multiple probes would take but urged the public to keep an "open mind". "Police are required to step into a variety of situations and often make decisions with limited information and with limited time to fully assess the circumstances," he said. "It never looks good when force is used against a member of the community. "I would just caution people to maintain an open mind until all of the information is collected." Commissioner Stevens said Mr Kundi's family was being updated and supported, with some flying to Adelaide. The Consulate General of India has been advised of Mr Kundi's death and would be updated, he said. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she would not comment on the matter until the investigations had concluded. "More broadly what I would say to the Indian community here in Australia, and the broader Indian community, this is an investigation that will be done properly and be assured of our friendship," she told reporters on Friday.
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Perth Now
Use of restraints key focus of death in custody probes
The use of restraints will be examined in a major inquiry sparked by the death of a man who became unresponsive during a police arrest. Gaurav Kundi, 42, died in hospital on Friday, two weeks after the early hours incident on May 29 at the Adelaide suburb of Royston Park. The matter is being treated as a death in custody, sparking a string of investigations. The major crime investigation branch will launch a probe to be referred to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, with a report prepared for the coroner. An internal police investigation had been launched along with a Commissioner's Inquiry. South Australia Police confirmed on Friday use of restraints during the incident would be "closely examined" as part of the Commissioner's Inquiry. SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said the officers' body cam footage had been reviewed. "We can say definitively that at no time during the incident did any police officer place a knee on Mr Kundi's neck," he told reporters. "And I can confirm that his head was not forced into the police vehicle ... nor was his head forced into the ground during the incident." None of the officers involved in the arrest have been stood down from duty. "There is nothing at this point in time that would warrant that determination," Commissioner Stevens said. "If information comes to light during any of the processes that indicates otherwise then that would be something that would be reconsidered at that time." He could not give a timeframe on how long the multiple probes would take but urged the public to keep an "open mind". "Police are required to step into a variety of situations and often make decisions with limited information and with limited time to fully assess the circumstances," he said. "It never looks good when force is used against a member of the community. "I would just caution people to maintain an open mind until all of the information is collected." Commissioner Stevens said Mr Kundi's family was being updated and supported, with some flying to Adelaide. The Consulate General of India has been advised of Mr Kundi's death and would be updated, he said. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she would not comment on the matter until the investigations had concluded. "More broadly what I would say to the Indian community here in Australia, and the broader Indian community, this is an investigation that will be done properly and be assured of our friendship," she told reporters on Friday.
Straits Times
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Missing Uganda opposition activist charged and remanded, his lawyer says
NAIROBI - A missing Ugandan opposition activist whom the president's son said he was holding in his basement was brought to court limping on Monday, charged with robbery and remanded to prison, opposition leader Bobi Wine and his lawyer said. Eddie Mutwe, whose real name is Edward Ssebuufu, and who also acts as the chief bodyguard for Bobi Wine, went missing on April 27 after being grabbed close to the capital Kampala by armed men, according to his party, the National Unity Platform. In a series of posts on X last week, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda's military chief and son of Uganda's long-serving President Yoweri Museveni, said he had captured Mutwe "like a grasshopper", was holding him in his basement and threatened violence against him. Kainerugaba is widely seen as being groomed to succeed his 80-year-old father who has ruled Uganda since 1986. In a video posted by Uganda's largest independent newspaper, Daily Monitor, Mutwe's lawyer Magellan Kazibwe said his client had been produced in a chief magistrate's court in Masaka city, 140 km (87 miles) south of the capital Kampala and charged with simple robbery and aggravated robbery. "He (Mutwe) has told me and my colleague that he was tortured every day ... they were electrocuting him," Kazibwe said. "He is in great pain, he has not been receiving medication, he has not accessed any doctor." Jacqueline Okui, the spokesperson for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and Rusoke Kituuma, the police spokesperson, did not pick up calls when sought for comment. The government did not respond to requests for comment on reports of Kainerugaba's detention of Mutwe last week. A video posted by local broadcaster NTV Uganda on the X platform showed who it said was Eddie Mutwe limping and supported by two people as they walked him to court. He was remanded to prison after he was charged, Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, said in a post on X. On Friday the Uganda Human Rights Commission, a government body, ordered Kainerugaba to release Mutwe, who they said had been unlawfully detained. Museveni is expected to stand for re-election next January. His opponents and human rights activists have regularly accused his government of wide-ranging abuses including abductions and illegal detentions. Officials deny the accusations. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
ABC News
02-05-2025
- ABC News
Australia's complex patchwork of surrogacy laws is leaving some children in legal limbo
A child born to an overseas commercial surrogate is in legal limbo, with experts estimating hundreds of other Australian children are also living with uncertain parentage. In January, a court refused to grant a parenting order to a The case has shone a spotlight on Australia's complex patchwork of surrogacy laws, which differ across the country, and the push for law reform. Photo shows Close up shot of arms holding a small child, whose bare leg and foot are visible. A Brisbane couple could face prosecution after they admitted to using a commercial surrogacy service to have a baby abroad. Federal Circuit and Family Court Justice Catherine Carew ordered documents in the Brisbane couple's case be referred to Queensland's Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to determine whether charges should be laid. Her decision followed depositions showing the Brisbane couple had entered into a commercial surrogacy agreement, paying a company about $140,000, which resulted in the baby boy's birth overseas last year. The Queensland Police Service has confirmed it is making enquiries. What is commercial surrogacy? Commercial surrogacy is where a surrogate is "paid more than their reasonable expenses", such as a fee or reward, to carry someone else's child. The practice is illegal in all Australian states and territories for domestic surrogacy, with Queensland, NSW and the ACT also making it a crime for residents to pay surrogates abroad. The offence in Queensland attracts a penalty of up to three years' jail. Altruistic surrogacy — where a surrogate's expenses can be paid but the pregnancy cannot be used for personal profit — is legal in Australia. ( Pexels: Lazaro Rodriguez Jr ) An Australian government website says commercial surrogacy has been banned to "protect the rights of each of the people involved in a surrogacy arrangement". Concerns around the arrangements include the exploitation of women, and the legal rights and citizenship of children born through surrogacy. However, altruistic surrogacy — where a surrogate's expenses can be paid but the pregnancy cannot be used for personal profit — is legal in Australia. Expenses can include the costs of medical treatment; travel costs, such as fuel and parking fees, life insurance; loss of income for time they need to take off for appointments during the pregnancy and birth; and allied health treatments, such as massage, and pre-natal supplements. How common is overseas surrogacy? Surrogacy lawyer Stephen Page said more than 3,300 Australian children had been born to surrogates abroad, with "hundreds" having uncertain parentage in Australia. "What we know by the numbers is that for every child born in Australia through surrogacy, about three or four are born overseas," he said. Stephen Page says he's been advocating for legal reform for more than a decade. ( ABC News: Mark Leonardi ) What does this mean for children born to an overseas surrogate? According to the federal government website, "legal parentage is usually not recognised in Australia for parents who commission a child under a commercial surrogacy arrangement". "This means by law the surrogate will remain the legal parent of the child," the website says. Photo shows Asian-American woman in hospital bed, holding newborn baby wearing pink beanie and blanket. The practice of surrogacy has been around since biblical times, and today it's a multi-billion-dollar industry. But is it ethical? Accredited Family Law Specialist and Surrogacy Australia president Sarah Bevan said parentage orders were not available for Queensland-based parents who turn to international commercial surrogacy. "Without this order being made … there is indeed a form of legal limbo for the child," Ms Bevan said. In the case of the Brisbane couple, an application for a parenting order was made to the court after the baby was born, despite the fact that commercial surrogacy is illegal in Queensland. Surrogacy Australia board member Sam Everingham said many other couples avoided the courts, creating an "underclass" of children, born to overseas surrogates, who do not have a legal parent in Australia. Legal parentage is not usually recognised in Australia for parents who "commission a child under a commercial surrogacy arrangement". ( ) "It does create a real or potential problem for these children," he said. "Officially, these kids are supposed to have a legal parent signing off consents for hospital admissions and for school." At the same time, he said the Commonwealth government was "happy to process citizenship and passports for foreign surrogacy births". In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it could not comment on individual cases. What's the push for reform? Mr Page has been advocating for surrogacy law reform in Australia for more than a decade. Photo shows Two men stand on either side of a pregnant woman holding her belly. An increasing number of women are putting their hand up to become surrogate mothers. He said state laws covering overseas surrogacy "cannot be enforced and therefore should be repealed". To his knowledge, Mr Page said no-one in Australia had been successfully prosecuted for overseas commercial surrogacy. That's despite at least three other Australian cases where judges had referred couples to prosecutors. "It makes a mockery of the law," Mr Page said. He's calling for uniform surrogacy laws across the country, suggesting surrogates should be compensated. In the case of the Brisbane couple, their overseas surrogate was not employed at the time and was the primary carer for her own three children. "The surrogate does not have a spouse or partner and is a sole parent," the court judgement said. Advocates are calling for uniform surrogacy laws across Australia. ( Unsplash/Aditya Romansa ) Because the couple engaged an overseas commercial surrogacy agency to "make all the necessary arrangements" for the birth of the baby, Justice Carew said "there is no evidence of what payment or other benefits the surrogate received for her part in the surrogate arrangement". Mr Page believes women should be compensated for carrying someone else's child. "Everyone else is — the doctor, the lawyer, the embryologist, the nurses, the counsellor. But not the woman at the middle of it all taking the risk," he said. "The idea that a woman will take on the potential risk of death, and if she's not a family member or friend, will willingly put her hand up and be a surrogate, I think is fanciful." Are the laws being reviewed? Australian surrogacy laws are subject to a federal inquiry. ( ABC News: Demi Lynch ) The federal government has asked the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) to conduct an inquiry into Australian surrogacy laws. The ALRC final report is due in mid-2026.
