Following the Trump administration’s refusal to comply with court orders to repatriate Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was mistakenly deported to a dangerous El Salvadoran prison, Judge Paula Xinis ordered sworn testimony from relevant officials. This action follows the administration’s repeated defiance of a Supreme Court order to facilitate Abrego Garcia’s return, despite claims of lacking authority and assertions from El Salvador’s president that repatriation is impossible. The judge rejected these arguments, emphasizing that the Supreme Court’s decision is binding. Abrego Garcia’s lawyers contend that the U.S. government possesses the means to secure his release and that contempt proceedings may be necessary.
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President Bukele refused to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia to the United States, defying a Supreme Court order compelling his repatriation. Bukele, meeting with President Trump, argued that returning Abrego Garcia, who was deported due to an administrative error, was impossible and would undermine El Salvador’s security gains. The Trump administration, while acknowledging the error, similarly claimed a lack of legal obligation to facilitate Abrego Garcia’s return. The Supreme Court upheld the lower court’s order, demanding updates on the situation from the administration. Despite this, Bukele asserted he would not comply.
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The Netherlands will return over 100 Benin Bronzes, looted from Nigeria in 1897, to their country of origin. This repatriation, the largest of its kind, involves artifacts from the Wereldmuseum and represents a significant step towards rectifying a historical injustice. The returned items, including sculptures and carvings dating from the 15th to 19th centuries, hold immense cultural and spiritual value for the people of Edo State. This action is expected to pressure other institutions, particularly the British Museum, to follow suit and return their own collections of Benin Bronzes.
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Two Malaysian detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Mohammed Farik bin Amin and Mohammed Nazir bin Lep, were transferred to Malaysia after pleading guilty to conspiracy charges related to the 2002 Bali bombings and agreeing to testify against alleged mastermind Encep Nurjaman. Their testimony will be used in Nurjaman’s upcoming trial. This transfer follows the repatriation of a Kenyan detainee held without charge for 17 years, leaving 27 detainees remaining at Guantanamo. The transfers have drawn criticism from Australian victims’ families, who expressed concerns about the lack of remorse shown by the Malaysian men.
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John Q. Hosedrinker