Andriy Filonenko, a founder of the Tornado battalion, was equally defiant about accusations against his fighters. Eight members of the battalion have been accused of crimes including rape, murder and smuggling. Ukrainian officials say one video shows a re-enactment of how members of Tornado forced two captives to rape another man; they also say some 40 members of the battalion have criminal records.See also:
Filonenko told Reuters the charges were ridiculous. "I don't understand all this talk about criminal records," he said. "All I know is that people spilt their blood for Ukraine, for the motherland."
"As indicated earlier, at an appropriate time and conclusion of the investigation, the results will be made available to the affected families."This comes after 21 children mysteriously died in the tavern last month.
Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana
Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane has welcomed the arrest of Enyobeni tavern owner Siyakhangela Ndevu for allegedly selling alcohol to children under the age of 18, saying it sends a strong message to other liquor traders.They really seem to be talking around the subject, avoiding the main question: What killed the kids?
Ndevu was arrested by two detectives on Tuesday, alongside his two employees.
The arrests came a week after the burial of the 21 victims whose cause of death is still being investigated.
Police spokesperson Tembinkosi Kinana said the arrests were made after the Eastern Cape Liquor Board lodged charges against the owner for contravention of the Liquor Act.
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Grieving aunt Ntombizonke Mgangala however said the arrests made no difference to her and her family.
"I want to know what killed my niece - that will be the only thing that will give me peace.
"And by the look of things there is nothing connecting him (the tavern owner) towards our children's deaths. He won't be held liable for that.
"(The probe) is only for the contravention of the Liquor Act. We lost a mathematics and physical science grade 11 learner who was supposed to bring change to my brother's life and well-being.
"All I am looking forward to is the closure to the matter which will only be getting answers to what really killed my niece. The arrest is not an excitement to me at all, as it is not about what killed Sinothando Mgangala," said the aunt.
South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) Provincial Manager Dr Eileen Carter said they were engaging with the families to determine a way forward.
"The SAHRC notes the arrest of the tavern owner responsible for allegedly selling alcohol to minors. We are however of the view that this is a link in a chain of role players who have been identified as having allegedly failed in their oversight and responsibilities to ensure that this tragedy did not occur in the first place. We are continuing our own investigation and are liaising with the families of the deceased to determine a way forward," she said.
Fox News host Tucker Carlson reported a former business partner of Hunter Biden's criminal defense attorney has been picked as a top Justice Department official in President Biden's new administration.
It has already been revealed that Nicholas McQuaid, a former federal prosecutor, was picked as acting chief of the Justice Department's criminal division. Hunter Biden confirmed in early December, after his father won the 2020 election, that he was under federal investigation.
Carlson said on his show Friday night that McQuaid worked with Christopher Clark as partners at Latham & Watkins and worked on cases together right until McQuaid took the job at the Justice Department.
Comment: More excellent reporting from Revolver: