China arrests 20 foreign tourists over ‘terror group’ linksJuly 15, 2015 - 12:00 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A group of 20 foreign tourists including Britons, South Africans and an Indian national, have been arrested in northern China, according to Britain's Foreign Office and a South African charity, on suspicion some had ties to a "terror group", Reuters reports. China has agreed to release 11 of the tourists, but the rest will continue to be held without charge at a detention center in Inner Mongolia, the South African charity, Gift of the Givers Foundation, said. Chinese authorities said some of those arrested had been watching propaganda videos from a banned group in their hotel room, the charity added in its statement. Five South Africans, three Britons and one Indian national make up the nine being held, it said. "Consular staff have visited the group to provide assistance and we are liaising with Chinese authorities," Reuters quoted a British Foreign Office spokesman as saying. The group was on a 47-day tour of the country when they were detained at an airport in the Inner Mongolian city of Erdos. Their tour operator realized something had gone "horribly wrong" on Sunday, two days later, the foundation said, when he hadn't heard from them. "These individuals have no terror links, no criminal record in their country," said Gift of the Givers, which has negotiated hostage releases. "The families thank the South African government for their unwavering support and call upon the Chinese government to release the detainees immediately." Several of those detained are relatives of Shameel Joosub, chief executive of telecoms company Vodacom Group Ltd., the charity added. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | India wants Armenia’s proposals on use of Chabahar port India is expecting proposals from Armenia regarding the use of Chabahar port in Iran, Indian ambassador says. EU welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan “progress” The EU has welcomed “progress” made in the framework of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation process. Belarus opposition leader slams Lukashenko for Karabakh trip Belarusian opposition politician Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has harshly criticized the visit of Lukashenko to Karabakh. Mkhitaryan raises arrest of former Karabakh leaders in Azerbaijan Inter Milan star Henrikh Mkhitaryan has shared a news story about the extension of the arrest of former Karabakh leaders. |