Mr Meiwes appeared relaxed before the opening of his trial
The court will test if Mr Brandes gave his life willingly
Latest News
DECEMBER 2003 - PART ONE
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Man eating man
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Mr Meiwes appeared relaxed before the opening of his trial |
The court will test if Mr Brandes gave his life willingly
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A man accused of killing, dissecting and eating another man has gone on trial in central Germany. The court heard how horror films had fuelled Arwan Meiwes's childhood fantasies of eating school friends. The 41-year-old computer technician is charged with murder, even though the victim allegedly volunteered for his fate by replying to an internet advert. The gruesome incident was all captured on camcorder and the footage is expected to form part of the evidence. "I had the fantasy, and in the end I fulfilled it," he said. The fantasy first developed between the ages of eight and 12, he added. Mr Meiwes spoke of how he felt ignored by his father, and longed for a good-looking younger brother - whom he would bind to himself forever by consuming. It is Germany's first cannibalism case, and the world's media have gathered in Kassel to watch the proceedings. Television images showed Mr Meiwes - wearing a jacket and a tie - smiling and talking light-heartedly to his lawyer moments before the trial began. It was the first time that the self-confessed cannibal had been seen in public since his arrest. The grisly details of the case caused a sensation in the German media when Mr Meiwes was arrested in December, 2002. In a recent newspaper interview he admitted that he had killed and then partly eaten his victim. Mr Meiwes advertised on the internet for a well-built male prepared to be slaughtered and then consumed. "Slim and blond, that would have been the type", he told the court. The victim, 43-year-old Bernd-Jurgen Brandes, answered the advert in March 2001. Mr Meiwes told investigators he took Mr Brandes back to his home in Rotenburg, where Mr Brandes agreed to have his penis cut off, which Mr Meiwes then flambéed and served up to eat together. Prosecutors say Mr Meiwes then stabbed the victim repeatedly in the neck and dissected the corpse.
Shock value
Legally it is a tricky case, says the BBC's correspondent in Berlin, Ray Furlong. Cannibalism is not a recognised offence under German law and the defence will argue that, since the victim volunteered, this was no murder. If the court accepts the defence argument, Mr Meiwes can expect a jail term of up to five years. But the prosecution will push for a life sentence on the basis that Mr Meiwes is simply too dangerous ever to be released. Meanwhile, Germans will continue to be treated to a media frenzy that plays on the story's unrivalled shock value. And among the "highlights" will be the two-hour video that Mr Meiwes took of the whole incident on his camcorder, our correspondent says. "The public probably won't be excluded from this part of proceedings; we have a tradition of open trials," says legal expert Felix Hardenberg. "But the panel of judges will show only the relevant parts: what the victim is saying and doing before and during the killing." Mr Meiwes has said that after his trial he intends to pass the time in jail - if convicted - by writing his memoirs. The court will hear 38 witnesses and 14 sessions are scheduled in the trial, which is scheduled to end in late January. The case only came to light when an Austrian student spotted another advertisement placed by Mr Meiwes on the internet and alerted police.
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Dinning as they talk about men's
problems at men's only dinner
Several men from Barking and Dagenham in London on Saturday 29th November, 2003 for a African men's health talk and dinner at Ibis Hotel, Baking. The well organised and lively workshop was facilitated by Jacinto Dasilva of Newham Health Advocacy Project originally from Angola and organised by Sahara Communities Abroad (Sacoma). The issues addressed covered the overview of African men's health, impact of people sexual behaviour and how it affects every one and the reality of HIV/AIDS impact among African people. It was quite impressive to see people contributing with issues and the amount of information they hold. The discussion covered a wide range of African men problems in the UK which include social, financial and health problems. Mr. Jacinto who quite informative about African communities informed the group that 71 percent of HIV infections through sex between men and women were among Africans or were associated with Africa. Out of a total of 856 babies born HIV positive in the UK, 609 were from African mothers.
Mr. Jacinto added: "Your health is important. You may be in the UK for a short time or for a longer period; you may be working, unemployed, a student, an asylum seeker or a refugee. Whatever your situation, there are many things you can do to maintain and improve your health. Being well informed on health issues and taking responsibility for all aspects of your health is important, it also puts you in a position to be able to offer advice or support others as father, brother, a son or just as a friend. It is not 'unmanly' to worry about your health; it is about being responsible for yourself and your relatives. Sometimes everyday life can be a struggle when you are working and trying to support yourself and your family. Getting health checks and making an effort to maintain good health by making changes tot he way you live can protect you from many health problems in the future. This applies even when you are not sick.
 Men's dinner as they talk about the problems that affects them in the UK |
 Mr. Jacinto Dasilva (left) address the workshop. "You don't need to be sick to go for a medical check-up" he advised |
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Heading to be a barrister
Last week ending 28th November, 2003 was a busy week for Universities in the UK as thousands of people headed for graduation. Themes University in West London which holds a capacity of 45,000 students held their graduation at Wembley Conference Centre as from Monday 24thto 26th November, 2003. Several Kenyans were graduated at the ceremony. Among them was Rose Muigai who graduated as a Bachelor of Laws, Mrs. Margaret Kingaru (wife of Rev. John Gichiri of Southhall (Nurse), Monica Wanja Mwangi (Nurse), Jane Mutonga (Hotel Management), Hannah Rosemary Timothy (BA in Tourism Management), Clara Onyango (Higher Diploma in Travel and Tourism), Rose Woki Njoroge (Common Professional Examination), Antony Mark Thuo (BA Information Systems), Geoffrey Wachira (BA Business), Adelyne Nyambura Maina (Advertising), Geoffrey Mwangi Mbutu (Finance) and Catherine Thuku (Business). There is a huge number of Kenyans living around Themes University catchments areas and the low number of Kenyans who graduated portrayed that only a few number of the Kenyans are studying in the UK.
On Tuesday 25th November, 2003 Rose Muigai's family and friends joined her for her graduation at the Wembley Conference Centre. The colourful ceremony was followed by a get-together dinner with their residence at Hounslow, Middlesex, UK.
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Rose Muigai dressed to join graduation |
 Family and friends joined her for a photo before graduation |
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Mr. Muigai (centre) all the way from Kenya sharing a joke with a Mr. Singh a classmate of her daughter Rose (left) just before graduation "who was defeating the other in class?" Mr. Muigai seems to ask the Singh |
 Rev. James Kirika and his wife scanning through the graduation booklet trying to track down Rose's name in the list. "Mama Joy where is her name - you know she is from our church" http://www.discipleshipcenter.org/ |
 Rose Muigai receiving her medal from the registrar at the graduation ceremony |
 Behind every successful woman there is a man - Mr. Macharia husband to Rose posing with her at the graduation |
 Kabura Mbatia posing with graduation hat at the ceremony as she wishes to be a graduate one day |
 Finally brethrens, the family had a get-together at home |
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North London World Aids Day
It was a well organised event by Innovative Vision Organisation (IVO) to mark world Aids Day on Friday 28th November, 2003 at Selby Centre Hall, in Tottenham, North London. The ceremony which was characterised by several events among them dancers, drummers and speakers. The aim and objectives of the function was to celebrate world Aids day and to provide HIV/Aids information, support and advice to African communities in order to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS and improve their quality of life. Two HIV positive people addressed the meeting urging those present to be careful of the sexual behaviour. Mr. Thendo one of the speakers revealed to the surprise of the congregation that they had carried a research in the prostitution districts in London and they found that 90 per cent black men practice unprotected sex and to make the matter worse most of them have families. Among the dignitaries who attended the celebrations was the mayor of Haringey Mrs. Earline Prescott, Police Commissioner for the area and Tuberculosis team from North Middlesex Hospital.
 Somali women at the meeting |
 Drummers with all types of drums and they explained that in many African countries a sound of a drum sends a message across and they have different meanings |
 The mayor of Haringey Mrs. Earline Prescott (right) |
 HIV positive addressing the gathering |
 Mr. Thando a HIV positive gave a very impressive speech and he explained that by the look you won't know that he is HIV positive |
 Somali girls gave an impressive Somalia dance |
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See wonders of nature before you grow old
After anthropologist Susan McKinley came back home from an expedition in South America, she noticed a very strange rash on her left breast. Nobody knew what it was and she quickly dismissed it believing that the sores would leave in time. Upon her return she decided to see a doctor after she started developing intense pains. The doctor, not knowing the exact severity of the case, gave her antibiotics and special creams. As time elapsed the pain did not subside and her left breast became more inflamed and started to bleed. She decided to bandage her sores however as Susan’s pain grew more intense she decided to seek help from a more certified doctor.
Dr. Lynch could not diagnose the infection and told Susan to seek the aid of one of his colleagues who specialized in dermatology whom was sadly on vacation. She waited for two weeks and finally was able to reach the dermatologist. Sadly, a life changing event was about to unfold during her appointment. To Miss McKinley’s surprise, after she removed the bandages, they found larva growing and squirming within the pores and sores of her breast. Sometimes these wicked creatures would all together simultaneously move around into different crevices. What she didn't know was that the holes were in fact, deeper than she had originally thought for these larvae were feeding off the fat, tissue, and even milk canals of her bosom. - Credit goes to Lilian Mwaura who sent the article.
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Fasting fakir flummoxes physicians
Doctors and experts are baffled by an Indian hermit who claims not to have eaten or drunk anything for several decades - but is still in perfect health. Prahlad Jani, a holy man, or fakir, who is over 70 years old, has just spent 10 days under constant observation in Sterling Hospital, in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad. During that time, he did not consume anything and "neither did he pass urine or stool", according to the hospital's deputy superintendent, Dr Dinesh Desai. Yet he is in fine mental and physical fettle, say doctors. Most people can live without food for several weeks, with the body drawing on its fat and protein stores. But the average human can survive for only three to four days without water. Followers of Indian holy men and ascetics have often ascribed extraordinary powers to them, but such powers are seldom subject to scientific inspection.
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Hungry for blessings: Mr Jani receives a devotee
in hospital
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Mr Prahlad Jani under surveillance in hospital
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Mouthwash
"A series of tests conducted on him show his body mechanism is that of a normal person," said Dr Desai. Mr Jani spends most of his time in a cave near the Ambaji temple in Gujarat state. He spent his 10 days in hospital in a specially prepared room, with a sealed-off toilet and constant video surveillance. To help the doctors verify his claims, Mr Jani agreed to avoid bathing for his time in hospital. The only fluid he was allowed was a small amount of water, to use as mouthwash. One hundred millilitres of water were given to him, and then collected and measured in a beaker when he spat it out, to make sure none had been drunk.
Thank goddess
A statement from Ahmedabad's Association of Physicians says that despite no water entering his body, urine nonetheless appeared to form in his bladder - only to be re-absorbed by the bladder walls. At the end of his confinement, doctors noted no deterioration in his condition, other than a slight drop in his weight. "I feel no need for food and water," says Mr Jani, who claims he was blessed by a goddess at the age of eight and has lived in caves ever since. He grew up in Charod village in Mehsana district and wears the dress of a devotee of the goddess Ambaji - a red sari-like garment, nose ring, bangles and crimson flowers in the hair. He also wears the vermilion "tika" mark on his forehead, more often seen on married Hindu women. His followers call him "mataji" or goddess.
More tests
He says he has survived several decades without food or water because of a hole in his palate. Drops of water filter through this hole, he says, sustaining him. "He has never fallen ill and can continue to live like this," said Bhiku Prajapati, one of Mr Jani's many followers. "A hole in the palate is an abnormal phenomenon," says Dr Desai. His colleague, Dr Urman Dhruv, told the BBC a full medical report is being prepared on Mr Jani's 10 days under observation. Doctors say they cannot verify his claim to have not eaten or drunk for decades - but by observing his feat under laboratory conditions, they hope to learn more about the human body. It is likely that doctors will want to examine Mr Jani again in order to solve the medical mystery he has presented them with.
Thank you a million times
Mrs. S.M. Maina well known as Mama Njeri wife of the late S.M. Maina of Nairobi Kenya is back in London after almost six years since she left London. She is in London with a family message to all those who supported her during her stay with the late husband in the UK. "Thank you a million times all those who helped me either financially, morally or through prayers during our tough days in London", Mrs. Maina explained. Mrs. Maina lived in UK for five years at Aylesbury, as from May 1995 to January 1999 accompanying and helping her late husband late S.M. Maina who was admitted at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Aylesbury after being shot and paralysed by unknown people in Nairobi, in 1995. He was airlifted to UK where he stayed together with Mrs. Maina for five years before passing away in 1999. Many Kenyans and friends supported her during her stay in the UK and since she has not been able to come back to say thank you. She arrived in London from USA accompanied by her daughter Nduta who lives in the US. She will be in the UK for a few days before flying back to Kenya. When she met Mr. Seed Mrs. Maina was quick to ask him "Do you know Mumbi who lives here with her children? Tell her Mrs. Maina want to see urgently" Mrs. Maina laughed as she joked with Mr. Seed. If you know Mumbi, please pass this information. Her contact in London is 07747141774 or email dutsy@hotmail.com
Mrs. S.M. Maina (left) and her daughter Nduta
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Money or invitation card
There is a group of Kenyans in Hertfordshire by the name of Visionaries. They hold various events in Hertfordshire and are having one for Jamhuri Day on 06/12/03. The details are as follows: Date: 06/12/03. Venue: Bricketwood Country Club, St. Albans, Herts. Time: From 8:00 p.m. Admission £5.00. Dress: Smart-casual/Traditional Music: R&B, Soul, Hip-hop, Lingala, Kenyan Vibes. Hope its fine with you. Ngai Akorathime! Mr. Devan Jobanputra. Kenyan Society Hertfordshire. Contact: D.L.Jobanputra@herts.ac.uk
This is a invitation card for a group of Kenyans in Hertfordshire by the name of Visionaries
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MORE PHOTOS COMING UP AT EVENTS SECTION
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