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Iran Executes Two MEK Members Accused of Attacks on Civilian Infrastructure

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Iran Executes Two MEK Members Accused of Attacks on Civilian Infrastructure

TEHRAN, Iran (BN240 — Iranian authorities have executed two men affiliated with the outlawed Mujahideen-e-Khalq (MEK) organization for launching attacks on civilian infrastructure using improvised projectiles, the judiciary’s official news agency Mizan reported Sunday, amid fresh international condemnation over the fairness of their trial.

The executions of Mehdi Hassani and Behrouz Ehsani-Eslamloo, whom authorities labeled as “operational elements” of the exiled MEK group, were carried out following a September 2024 death sentence that was upheld by Iran’s Supreme Court. The court denied the men’s request for a retrial, finalizing the sentence after more than a year of legal proceedings, according to Mizan.

In its report, Mizan stated the men were involved in the construction of homemade launchers and hand-held mortars under the direction of MEK leadership abroad. Authorities alleged that the two launched projectiles indiscriminately at civilian areas, including residential buildings, public service offices, schools, and charitable facilities, as part of an effort to “undermine national security.”

The two were convicted of “moharebeh,” an Islamic legal term meaning “waging war against God,” as well as membership in a terrorist organization and the destruction of public property.

International human rights groups condemned the executions. Amnesty International had earlier described the trial as “grossly unfair,” asserting that the defendants were denied legal representation during interrogations and were subjected to torture, including prolonged solitary confinement and beatings, to extract forced confessions.

“According to informed sources, agents interrogated them without lawyers present and subjected them to torture and other ill-treatment… to extract self-incriminating statements,” Amnesty said in a January report.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights noted a surge in executions in Iran in 2024, reporting at least 901 cases — the highest total recorded since 2015.

The MEK, also known as the People’s Mujahideen Organisation of Iran, was once a prominent revolutionary group that targeted the shah’s regime and U.S. interests in the 1970s. It later fell out with other factions during the 1979 Islamic Revolution and has since operated from exile, with its political leadership now based in Paris. Although previously designated a terrorist organization by both the United States and the European Union, it was delisted by both in 2012.

Iran has consistently accused the MEK of attempting to destabilize the state and orchestrating violent plots from abroad. The group denies involvement in recent attacks inside the country and has not commented on the executions.

Cameroon Election Board Disqualifies Main Opposition Leader Maurice Kamto from Presidential Race

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Cameroon Election Board Disqualifies Main Opposition Leader Maurice Kamto from Presidential Race

YAOUNDÉ, Cameroon (BN24) — Cameroon’s electoral commission has barred opposition leader Maurice Kamto from contesting the country’s October 12 presidential election, a move that intensifies fears of political unrest and increases the likelihood of another term for longtime President Paul Biya.

The national elections body, known as ELECAM, announced Saturday that it had approved 13 candidates for the ballot. Kamto, the prominent head of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (MRC) and a former government minister, was not among them. The commission offered no explanation for his exclusion, though it confirmed that Biya, 92, will once again be a candidate.

Kamto, who placed a distant second in the 2018 presidential race with 14% of the vote, was widely regarded as Biya’s main challenger. His disqualification is expected to fuel public outrage and deepen skepticism over the credibility of the upcoming election, already shadowed by past accusations of fraud and voter suppression.

Cameroon has been ruled by Biya since 1982, making him one of the world’s longest-serving leaders and currently the oldest head of state still in power. Last month, despite persistent rumors about his declining health, Biya announced his intention to run again, sparking both domestic criticism and international concern.

The political environment surrounding Saturday’s announcement was tense. Security forces were heavily deployed throughout the capital Yaoundé and the commercial hub Douala, particularly around ELECAM’s headquarters and major roadways. The United Nations Department of Safety and Security had issued a warning Friday, anticipating that the publication of the candidate list could provoke demonstrations.

While Kamto has not publicly reacted, he has two days to file an appeal challenging ELECAM’s decision. His exclusion, if upheld, would effectively remove the most formidable opposition to Biya’s decades-long rule.

Biya’s administration has been marred by recurring allegations of corruption and has struggled to manage a separatist conflict in the country’s English-speaking regions. That crisis has displaced tens of thousands and shuttered schools, adding to widespread discontent.

As the country edges closer to the election, the removal of a high-profile opposition figure has stirred fears of further instability in a nation already gripped by political and social upheaval.

Israel to Pause Military Operations Daily in Gaza to Allow Aid Flow Amid Worsening Hunger Crisis

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Israel to Pause Military Operations Daily in Gaza to Allow Aid Flow Amid Worsening Hunger Crisis

JERUSALEM (BN24) — Israel’s military announced Sunday it will implement daily 10-hour pauses in specific areas of Gaza to enable the delivery of desperately needed humanitarian aid, as images of emaciated Palestinians and rising child deaths from starvation prompt global alarm.

According to the Israeli army, military activity will halt daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time in several parts of the besieged enclave, including Al-Mawasi, a designated humanitarian zone along the coast, as well as central Deir al-Balah and northern Gaza City. The army also said new aid corridors and secure convoy routes will be opened from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., starting Sunday.

The announcement follows growing international pressure and deepening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, where the Gaza Health Ministry says at least 127 people, including 85 children, have died of malnutrition since the start of the war. On Saturday, a five-month-old girl, Zainab Abu Haleeb, died of severe acute malnutrition at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, her grieving parents said.

U.N. aid chief Tom Fletcher confirmed humanitarian teams will intensify operations during the new daily pauses. “Our teams on the ground … will do all we can to reach as many starving people as we can in this window,” Fletcher said on X.

The Egyptian Red Crescent, meanwhile, announced the dispatch of over 100 aid trucks carrying 1,200 metric tons of food through the Kerem Shalom crossing into southern Gaza. Israel has also resumed airdropping supplies in an attempt to ease deteriorating humanitarian conditions. Still, many aid groups say Gaza’s 2.2 million residents are experiencing widespread hunger and aid is not reaching those who need it most.

The United Nations has welcomed the temporary halts in fighting, calling them a necessary measure to “scale up humanitarian assistance,” but criticized Israel for not providing sufficient access routes for humanitarian convoys in previous weeks. The U.N. has said it is operating under severe logistical constraints due to Israeli restrictions.

Israel says it remains committed to allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza but insists it must maintain strict controls to prevent supplies from being seized by Hamas militants. Israeli officials have repeatedly blamed Hamas for the suffering of Gaza’s civilians, while arguing that enough food has been permitted into the territory.

Tensions within the Israeli government over the aid decision became public Sunday when far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir condemned the move, which he claimed was made without his input. He called it a “capitulation to Hamas’ deceitful campaign” and renewed calls to cut off aid entirely, reoccupy the strip, and encourage Palestinians to leave. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office did not respond to requests for comment on Ben-Gvir’s statement.

Reactions from inside Gaza were mixed, with some residents expressing cautious optimism while others voiced skepticism over the safety and fairness of aid distribution. “People are happy that large amounts of food aid will come into Gaza,” said Tamer al-Burai, a local business owner. “We hope today marks a first step in ending this war that burned everything up.” But displaced resident Suhaib Mohammed warned that airdropped aid had previously injured people and caused damage. “Aid should enter in a logical way,” he said.

Sunday’s announcement comes amid faltering ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas. On Friday, Israel and the United States indicated that negotiations had broken down, accusing Hamas of not seeking a genuine agreement.

The war erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led gunmen stormed across the border into southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people—mostly civilians—and taking 251 hostages. In the months since, Israel’s offensive has left nearly 60,000 people dead in Gaza, according to health officials in the Hamas-run enclave, most of them civilians. Much of Gaza has been reduced to rubble, and nearly the entire population has been displaced.

At Least 21 Killed in East Congo Church Attack by Islamic State-Linked Rebels

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At Least 21 Killed in East Congo Church Attack by Islamic State-Linked Rebels

KOMANDA, Democratic Republic of Congo (BN24) — At least 21 people were killed early Sunday when suspected Islamic State-backed militants launched a deadly assault on a Catholic church compound in eastern Congo, a local civil society leader said.

The attack occurred around 1 a.m. in Komanda, a town in Ituri province, where members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) stormed the church grounds, shooting worshippers and burning homes and shops in the surrounding area. The ADF is a Uganda-rooted rebel group with longstanding ties to the Islamic State and a violent track record of targeting civilians in eastern Congo.

Dieudonné Duranthabo, a civil society coordinator in Komanda, told The Associated Press that at least 21 people were gunned down both inside and outside the church, and that three charred bodies were also recovered among the ruins. “The search is continuing,” he added, suggesting the death toll could rise as responders comb through burned structures.

The Congolese army acknowledged the attack but offered a lower initial toll. Lt. Jules Ngongo, spokesperson for the army in Ituri province, said that about 10 people were “killed and massacred” by armed men wielding machetes during the incursion near Komanda. He confirmed that several shops were set ablaze in the violence.

The ADF has been one of the deadliest rebel groups operating along the porous border region between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Over the past decade, the group has intensified its brutality and was officially designated by the Islamic State as its Central Africa Province affiliate in 2019. Since then, its attacks have increased in both frequency and scale, often targeting remote villages, churches, and humanitarian convoys.

Sunday’s attack marks the latest in a string of atrocities in Ituri and neighboring North Kivu province, where Congolese security forces and a regional military coalition continue struggling to contain militant violence.

AP

Passengers Evacuate American Airlines Jet via Emergency Slide After Aborted Takeoff in Denver

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Passengers Evacuate American Airlines Jet via Emergency Slide After Aborted Takeoff in Denver

DENVER (BN24) — Passengers aboard an American Airlines flight were forced to evacuate using emergency slides after the plane aborted takeoff at Denver International Airport on Saturday due to a reported issue with its landing gear. One person was transported to a hospital with minor injuries, officials said.

The incident involved American Airlines Flight 3023, which was bound for Miami when it experienced what the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) described as a “possible landing gear incident during departure.” The FAA confirmed it is now investigating.

According to FlightRadar24, the aircraft—a Boeing 737 Max 8—reached a takeoff speed of 127 knots (nearly 150 mph) before the pilot called off the departure. In air traffic control audio obtained from LiveATC.net, the pilot informed the tower, “We’re aborting on the runway,” to which the controller replied, “You got a lot of smoke.” The controller then added, “There was some flames—it looks like the smoke’s kind of dying down a bit.”

Following the aborted takeoff, 173 passengers and six crew members exited the plane onto the runway using inflatable emergency slides. Video footage showed passengers sliding down and being escorted to safety by emergency crews. Buses transported the evacuees back to the terminal.

The Denver Fire Department responded quickly, extinguishing flames observed from the aircraft. Denver International Airport reported that six people were evaluated by medical personnel, and one individual was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

In a statement, American Airlines said the aircraft has been taken out of service for inspection, and passengers would be rebooked on a replacement flight to Miami later Saturday. “We thank our team members for their professionalism and apologize to our customers for their experience,” the airline said.

The aborted takeoff and emergency evacuation come amid ongoing safety concerns surrounding Boeing aircraft. The FAA’s investigation will focus on the aircraft’s landing gear systems and any mechanical or procedural issues that may have contributed to the emergency.

U.S. Designates Venezuela’s Cartel de los Soles a Terrorist Group, Alleging Maduro’s Leadership

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U.S. Designates Venezuela’s Cartel de los Soles a Terrorist Group, Alleging Maduro’s Leadership

WASHINGTON (BN24) — The U.S. Department of the Treasury has formally designated the Venezuela-based Cartel de los Soles as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist organization, alleging that the powerful criminal group is led by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and other senior members of his regime.

FILE – Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro addresses government loyalists gathered at the presidential palace in support of his reelection one month after the presidential vote, in Caracas, Venezuela, Aug. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos, File)

The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced Friday that the cartel has been added to the U.S. terrorist blacklist for its ties to foreign terrorist organizations including Tren de Aragua and Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel, both of which were previously labeled as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) earlier this year.

The designation comes amid intensified efforts by the Trump administration to target violent transnational networks fueling the U.S. drug crisis, with a renewed focus on Latin American syndicates. According to OFAC, Cartel de los Soles supports terrorist-linked groups engaged in drug trafficking, human smuggling, money laundering, and sexual exploitation.

“This action reflects President Trump’s commitment to put America First by cracking down on violent organizations—including Tren de Aragua, the Sinaloa Cartel, and their facilitators like Cartel de los Soles,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement.

The cartel, long suspected of having deep ties within Venezuela’s military and political elite, has now become a central focus of U.S. law enforcement and national security policy in Latin America. The OFAC ruling will result in the blocking of all assets tied to the cartel and prohibits U.S. individuals or entities from engaging in transactions with its members.

Senator Rick Scott of Florida praised the designation, saying on X (formerly Twitter), “Americans are safer now that it’s harder for this disgusting gang to terrorize our country by flooding it with deadly drugs.”

The decision follows a dramatic move earlier this year when the U.S. deported 250 Venezuelans—believed to be linked to the Tren de Aragua gang—to El Salvador under wartime provisions invoked by Trump. The deportations were part of a broader prisoner exchange that also saw the release of 10 American detainees held by the Maduro regime.

Though the U.S. recently eased restrictions on Chevron Corp. to resume oil operations in Venezuela, this latest action signals that the Trump administration has not softened its stance toward Maduro, who is still subject to an outstanding U.S. warrant and considered illegitimate by Washington.

Tren de Aragua, which operates across Latin America and has gained a foothold in the U.S., is accused of trafficking women and children, running extortion rackets, and conducting drug operations in cooperation with the Sinaloa Cartel.

The Venezuelan government has not yet issued a response to the designation. Newsweek has contacted the Venezuelan foreign ministry for comment.

As pressure builds on Caracas and President Maduro’s inner circle, the U.S. is signaling that cooperation with terrorist-linked organizations will come at steep economic and political costs.

Ghislaine Maxwell Offered Conditional Immunity in DOJ Interviews Amid Epstein Case Pressure-Newsweek

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Ghislaine Maxwell Offered Conditional Immunity in DOJ Interviews Amid Epstein Case Pressure-Newsweek

WASHINGTON (BN24) — Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence for her role in the sexual abuse crimes of Jeffrey Epstein, was granted conditional immunity by the Department of Justice before sitting for two days of interviews with U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, according to multiple reports.

Sources told ABC News that the immunity—formally known as “proffer immunity”—was extended to protect Maxwell from self-incrimination during the interviews, unless she was found to have lied. The rare meeting between Maxwell and Blanche, who previously served as President Donald Trump’s personal attorney, comes amid escalating political pressure on the Trump administration to unseal confidential records tied to the Epstein investigation.

The Department of Justice and the White House have not yet responded to requests for comment, while Maxwell’s attorney, David Markus, denied that his client had sought any leniency or favors in return for her cooperation.

“We haven’t asked for anything. This is not a situation where we are asking for anything in return for testimony,” Markus said. “Of course, everybody knows Ms. Maxwell would welcome any relief.”

Maxwell’s legal team acknowledged she had answered questions about “probably 100 people,” including many high-profile individuals allegedly linked to Epstein’s inner circle. Markus also addressed speculation about a potential pardon from Trump. “We haven’t spoken to the president—or anybody—about a pardon,” he said. “The president this morning said he had the power to do so. We hope he exercises that power in a right and just way.”

Trump, asked by ABC News whether he would consider granting a pardon to Maxwell, replied, “I can’t talk about that now because, you know, it’s a very sensitive interview going on.”

The revelation of the DOJ’s conditional immunity offer has intensified scrutiny over the Trump administration’s handling of the Epstein probe. This past week, a House Oversight subcommittee voted to subpoena the DOJ for full disclosure of documents related to the Epstein case after GOP leadership blocked an earlier vote to release the files before the August recess.

Lawmakers from both parties have also voted to compel Maxwell to testify before Congress, a move that could further shake the Republican Party amid lingering accusations of stonewalling the Epstein investigation.

Maxwell reportedly initiated the meeting with Blanche as part of her ongoing appeal of her 2021 conviction. The New York Times reports that Blanche plans to release more information from the Maxwell interview “at the appropriate time.” In the meantime, Congress is expected to revisit efforts to obtain Maxwell’s testimony during a session set for the week of August 11.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer condemned the DOJ’s handling of the meeting, writing on X, formerly Twitter: “Trump sending his personal lawyer, Todd Blanche, to meet with Ghislaine Maxwell stinks of high corruption and conflict of interest.”

Alan Dershowitz, a former attorney for Epstein, told Fox News that Maxwell is “the Rosetta Stone” of the Epstein case. “She arranged every single trip with everybody. She knows everything.”

As Maxwell continues to appeal her conviction, her meetings with the DOJ and the prospect of her testifying before Congress have renewed public and political demands for transparency in a scandal that continues to engulf global elites.

Nigeria Clinch Historic 10th WAFCON Title With Stunning 3-2 Comeback Over Morocco in Rabat

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Nigeria Clinch Historic 10th WAFCON Title With Stunning 3-2 Comeback Over Morocco in Rabat

RABAT, Morocco (BN24) — Nigeria’s Super Falcons staged a breathtaking second-half turnaround to defeat hosts Morocco 3-2 in a pulsating final on Saturday night, sealing their record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title in dramatic fashion.

In front of a packed 21,000-seat Olympic Stadium in Rabat, the Atlas Lionesses appeared on course for their first-ever continental crown after racing to a 2-0 lead at halftime. But Nigeria, invoking their self-styled “Mission X” mantra, overturned the deficit with a dominant second-half display, capped by a late winner that left the Moroccan crowd silenced.

The triumph not only returned the Super Falcons to the pinnacle of African women’s football for the first time since 2018 but also preserved their perfect record in WAFCON finals—10 wins from 10.

Morocco Dominates Early, Nigeria Struggles to Respond

Morocco drew first blood in the 13th minute when Halimatu Ayinde surrendered possession deep in Nigeria’s half, allowing veteran captain Ghizlane Chebbak to curl a superb left-footed shot just inside the post. The home side doubled their lead 11 minutes later as Sanaa Mssoudy scuffed a low shot across goal that beat goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.

Nigeria, Africa’s highest-ranked women’s side, appeared rattled and unable to impose their trademark tempo and physicality during a sluggish opening 45 minutes. Head coach Justin Madugu’s tactical setup looked flat against Jorge Vilda’s organized Moroccan press.

Super Falcons Soar After Break

But the complexion of the final shifted decisively in the second half.

Esther Okoronkwo emerged as the heartbeat of Nigeria’s revival. In the 64th minute, she converted from the penalty spot after a VAR review confirmed that Nouhaila Benzina had handled a cross from Folamide Ijamilusi inside the area.

Okoronkwo was involved again seven minutes later, slicing through Morocco’s backline before laying the ball off for Ijamilusi, who made no mistake in slotting home the equalizer. The Super Falcons’ bench erupted, and the momentum had firmly shifted in Nigeria’s favor.

Morocco were handed a lifeline in the 79th minute when Imane Saoud’s cross struck Nigerian defender Blessing Demehin’s arm from close range. Namibian referee Antsino Twanyanyukwa initially awarded a penalty, but after a lengthy VAR review, the decision was overturned.

That reprieve set the stage for Nigeria’s crowning moment. In the 88th minute, Okoronkwo delivered a pinpoint free kick into the area, where substitute Jennifer Echegini darted in front of Benzina to tuck the ball past the Moroccan keeper from close range. The goal sparked scenes of euphoria as the Nigerian players collapsed in celebration at the final whistle.

A Bitter Night for Morocco

The loss marked Morocco’s second consecutive defeat in a WAFCON final, following their 2022 loss to South Africa. The country had invested heavily in both men’s and women’s football, with backing from King Mohammed VI, and brought in 2023 Women’s World Cup-winning coach Jorge Vilda following his controversial departure from Spain.

Despite flashes of promise, Morocco’s route to the final was fraught. They came from behind in three of their five matches and needed penalties to overcome Ghana in the semifinals. While Vilda has introduced tactical improvements, the team ultimately fell short against a battle-tested Nigerian side.

Captain Chebbak, who won the tournament’s Golden Boot with five goals, had hoped to follow in the footsteps of her late father Larbi Chebbak, a 1976 AFCON champion with Morocco. At 35, her chance of matching that family legacy may have passed.

Nigeria Makes History — Again

With Saturday’s win, Nigeria became the first team to lift the redesigned WAFCON trophy and were awarded $1 million in prize money, double the amount offered in the previous edition.

It also marked the third time the Super Falcons have beaten a host nation in the final, following similar triumphs over South Africa in 2000 and Cameroon in 2016.

Despite the magnitude of the occasion, the Olympic Stadium had emptied significantly by the time FIFA President Gianni Infantino and CAF President Patrice Motsepe arrived for the trophy presentation.

For Nigeria, the title completes a journey they openly dubbed “Mission X” — a goal to claim their 10th continental crown. With their dominance reaffirmed, attention will now turn to the Paris 2024 Olympics, where the West Africans will look to carry this momentum onto the global stage.

Illinois Man Convicted in Hate Crime Killing of 6-Year-Old Palestinian Boy Dies in Prison

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Illinois Man Convicted in Hate Crime Killing of 6-Year-Old Palestinian Boy Dies in Prison

CHICAGO (BN24) — Joseph Czuba, the Illinois man convicted of murdering a 6-year-old Palestinian American boy in a brutal 2023 hate crime that drew national outrage, has died in prison, authorities confirmed Saturday.

Czuba, 73, was serving a 53-year sentence for the stabbing death of Wadee Alfayoumi and the attempted murder of the child’s mother, Hanan Shaheen. The Will County Sheriff’s Office said Czuba died Thursday but did not disclose a cause of death.

The killing, which occurred just days after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attacks in Israel and the launch of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, sparked nationwide condemnation and highlighted a rise in anti-Muslim hate crimes during a time of heightened Middle East tensions.

In February, a jury convicted Czuba of first-degree murder, attempted murder, aggravated battery and hate crimes. Prosecutors said he targeted the family “due to them being Muslim and the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict involving Hamas and the Israelis.”

Shaheen and her son had been renting a room in Czuba’s Plainfield Township home, a suburb southwest of Chicago. They had lived there peacefully for nearly two years, sharing common areas with Czuba and his wife. But following the outbreak of the war in Gaza, Shaheen testified, Czuba’s demeanor changed. He accused her people of “killing Jewish people” and demanded she move out.

On the day of the attack, Czuba reportedly forced his way into their room, stabbed Shaheen 12 times while shouting “You must die!” and assaulted her so violently that he attempted to break her teeth with his fingers. Her son, Wadee, stood frozen in the corner.

Shaheen testified that Czuba turned to the boy and said, “Wadee, I will take care of you. I will raise you,” and “Don’t tell people I killed your mom,” before stabbing him 26 times. Shaheen managed to escape to the bathroom and called 911 while her son was being attacked. “He is killing my baby,” she cried repeatedly on the recorded call played in court.

The case gripped the nation and prompted statements from President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, both condemning the murder as a hate-driven tragedy that had no place in the United States.

“This horrific act of hate has no place in America,” Biden said at the time. “The child’s Palestinian Muslim family came to America seeking what we all seek — a refuge to live, learn, and pray in peace.”

Ahmed Rehab, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations’ Chicago office, responded to Czuba’s death in a statement Saturday, saying: “This depraved killer has died, but the hate is still alive and well.”

Shaheen, who immigrated to the U.S. from the West Bank nearly 15 years ago, survived the attack but remains deeply traumatized. Her attorney did not immediately comment on Czuba’s death.

4 Arrested After 9 Abused Children Found Caged in Florida Home, Authorities Say

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4 Arrested After 9 Abused Children Found Caged in Florida Home, Authorities Say

FORT WHITE, Fla. (BN24) — Four members of a Florida family have been arrested and charged with aggravated child abuse after investigators discovered nine children living in disturbing conditions, including being locked in a homemade cage and subjected to physical and psychological torment, authorities said Friday.

The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office identified the suspects as Brian and Jill Griffeth and their adult children, 21-year-old Dallin Griffeth and 19-year-old Liberty Griffeth. The four were taken into custody following a criminal investigation that revealed what deputies described as systemic abuse in their Fort White home, located about 35 miles northwest of Gainesville.

According to investigators, the children — five biological and four adopted, ranging in age from 7 to 16 — were subjected to beatings with a cane, locked in their bedrooms for extended periods, and sprayed in the face with vinegar as a form of punishment. Some were reportedly given medication that had not been prescribed to them.

Authorities said a wooden enclosure made of plywood had been constructed under a bunk bed to confine some of the children. The sheriff’s office added that the victims were instructed to lie about their situation and were denied basic education, leaving many of them unable to read or write.

All nine children have been removed from the home by court order.

The investigation began after a mandatory reporter from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in nearby Branford raised concerns. The sheriff’s office said the tip came after one of the children was found with a functioning electronic stun gun at a church camp days earlier.

During a subsequent home visit by the Florida Department of Children and Families, investigators observed a clear disparity in treatment between the Griffeths’ biological and adopted children. The adopted children were forced to complete chores while the biological children watched TV or played, officials said.

Some of the adopted children reportedly did not know their full names or birthdays. Investigators also believe the adopted children were treated more harshly than the biological ones.

The sheriff’s office said each adult is being held on a $500,000 bond. It remains unclear whether they have secured legal counsel.

NBCNEWS

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