rferl--2020-04-29--COVID-19: EU Provides 'Unparalleled' Support To Balkans; EU Commissioner Says  Belarus 'Interested'

COVID-19: EU Provides 'Unparalleled' Support To Balkans; EU Commissioner Says  Belarus 'Interested' In Aid

The global death toll from the coronavirus is more than 215,000 with more than 3 million infections confirmed , causing mass disruptions as governments continue to try to slow the spread of the new respiratory illness .
The European Commission says it is allocating 180 million euros ( $ 195 million ) in grants to help six EU hopefuls in the Western Balkans cope with the coronavirus pandemic and its socioeconomic consequences .
Also on April 29 , the European Investment Bank said it would provide a 1.7 billion-euro ( $ 1.84 billion ) loan package for Albania , Bosnia-Herzegovina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Serbia .
Overall , the bloc has mobilized a package of some 3.3 billion euros to benefit the six countries , the European Commission said in a document sent to EU institutions ahead of a video conference between EU and Balkan leaders scheduled for May 6 .
The EU `` has a particular responsibility and interest to lead the global response and provide assistance to partners in need , all the more in its immediate neighborhood , '' the document reads .
`` As part of its international efforts , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Western Balkans , '' it adds .
At the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak in Europe , there was criticism that the EU had been slow to help the Balkans , with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic slamming the bloc for `` abandoning his country '' and praising China for its assistance during the crisis .
Restrictions on exports of medical equipment from the EU to the region , which have since been lifted , were also criticized .
Speaking to journalists in Brussels , European Commission Vice President for Values and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assistance package was aimed at providing `` immediate support for the health sector through social and economic recovery needs , '' as well as `` continuous support to address the impact of the COVID-19 crisis once the immediate measures to contain the pandemic are eased . ''
`` This longer-term recovery will focus on transport and energy links for the region , the challenges faced by young people , alongside the encouraged green and digital transitions , '' Jourova added .
Economic growth in the Western Balkans is expected to contract between 3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the World Bank , as the region grapples with the fallout from the coronavirus epidemic .
`` While the economic impact of the ongoing pandemic in the region is difficult to forecast , there is little doubt that this pandemic is wreaking havoc on lives around the region -- taxing health-care systems , paralyzing economic activity , and undermining the well-being of people , '' Linda Van Gelder , World Bank country director for the Western Balkans , said in a statement on April 29 .
According to a `` baseline scenario @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the end of June and a gradual recovery could begin in the second half of the year .
The `` downside scenario '' assumes containment measures will only be lifted at end of August , with a recovery of economic activity only possible in the final quarter of 2020 .
Belarus is considering seeking financial assistance from the European Union to help mitigate the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic , European Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis says .
Belarus `` has expressed interest in the macrofinancial assistance program .
So we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Dombrovskis said in an interview with RFE/RL on April 29 .
`` Of course , there are also certain political preconditions to be met , but in this case too , Belarus needs to seek and reach also at least IMF precautionary financing , ” he cautioned .
Under its macrofinancial-assistance ( MFA ) program , the EU provides medium-/long-term loans or grants , or a combination of these , to countries experiencing a balance-of-payments crisis , as a complement to financing from the International Monetary Fund ( IMF ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries must respect human rights , democracy , and the rule of law .
Last week , the European Commission announced it had adopted a proposal for a 3 billion-euro ( $ 3.25 billion ) MFA package for 10 mainly East European countries to help them limit the economic fallout of the COVID-19 epidemic .
The 10 countries included Georgia , Moldova , Ukraine , and most Western Balkan states .
Earlier on April 29 , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) called on Minsk to implement further measures to slow the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WHO said after sending a mission to Belarus that the pandemic `` has entered the community transmission scenario , '' and warranted `` additional interventions -- particularly physical-distancing measures . ''
`` The COVID-19 response in Belarus has provided valuable insights towards a better understanding of the transmission of the virus and the importance of a multisectoral approach to this pandemic .
These experiences will benefit not only the development of the next phase of the response in Belarus , but also the responses in other European countries and the global efforts to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in an executive summary of the mission 's report .
Belarus has been criticized for not imposing social-distancing measures or restricting public activities in response to the coronavirus pandemic .
In stark contrast to other European countries which have adopted strict lockdown measures to contain the pandemic , Belarus 's borders remain open , while factories , shops , and restaurants continue to conduct business as usual , and spectators are permitted to attend sporting events , including matches held by the national soccer league .
Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has publicly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus several times .
According to the latest data provided by Belarusian health authorities , there have been 12,208 confirmed coronavirus cases in the country , including 79 deaths .
Several hundred small-business owners have protested in the Ukrainian capital , demanding the authorities ease restrictions imposed to stem the spread of the coronavirus .
The demonstrators gathered on April 29 near a government building in the center of Kyiv and briefly blocked traffic in defiance of rules against public gatherings .
Wearing face masks , the protesters called for permission to reopen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and cafes to save them from bankruptcy .
`` One more day of your protection and we will disappear , '' one sign read .
Ukraine has confirmed 9,866 coronavirus cases , including 250 deaths , according to official data .
Authorities imposed lockdown restrictions in March , ordering all nonessential businesses to close and reserving public transport for employees of essential services , including police and hospital staff .
The government plans to gradually lift the lockdown after May 11 if virus cases do n't spike .
With reporting by RFE/RL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and AFP

The global death toll from the coronavirus is more than 215,000 with more than 3 million infections confirmed, causing mass disruptions as governments continue to try to slow the spread of the new respiratory illness.
Here's a roundup of COVID-19 developments in RFE/RL's broadcast regions.
Western Balkans
The European Commission says it is allocating 180 million euros ($195 million) in grants to help six EU hopefuls in the Western Balkans cope with the coronavirus pandemic and its socioeconomic consequences.
Also on April 29, the European Investment Bank said it would provide a 1.7 billion-euro ($1.84 billion) loan package for Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia.
Overall, the bloc has mobilized a package of some 3.3 billion euros to benefit the six countries, the European Commission said in a document sent to EU institutions ahead of a video conference between EU and Balkan leaders scheduled for May 6.
The EU "has a particular responsibility and interest to lead the global response and provide assistance to partners in need, all the more in its immediate neighborhood," the document reads.
"As part of its international efforts, the EU is providing essential and unparalleled support to the Western Balkans," it adds.
At the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak in Europe, there was criticism that the EU had been slow to help the Balkans, with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic slamming the bloc for "abandoning his country" and praising China for its assistance during the crisis.
Restrictions on exports of medical equipment from the EU to the region, which have since been lifted, were also criticized.
Speaking to journalists in Brussels, European Commission Vice President for Values and Transparency Vera Jourova said that the EU assistance package was aimed at providing "immediate support for the health sector through social and economic recovery needs," as well as "continuous support to address the impact of the COVID-19 crisis once the immediate measures to contain the pandemic are eased."
"This longer-term recovery will focus on transport and energy links for the region, the challenges faced by young people, alongside the encouraged green and digital transitions," Jourova added.
Economic growth in the Western Balkans is expected to contract between 3 and 5.6 percent this year, according to the World Bank, as the region grapples with the fallout from the coronavirus epidemic.
"While the economic impact of the ongoing pandemic in the region is difficult to forecast, there is little doubt that this pandemic is wreaking havoc on lives around the region -- taxing health-care systems, paralyzing economic activity, and undermining the well-being of people," Linda Van Gelder, World Bank country director for the Western Balkans, said in a statement on April 29.
According to a "baseline scenario," containment measures could be lifted by the end of June and a gradual recovery could begin in the second half of the year.
The "downside scenario" assumes containment measures will only be lifted at end of August, with a recovery of economic activity only possible in the final quarter of 2020.
Belarus
Belarus is considering seeking financial assistance from the European Union to help mitigate the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, European Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis says.
Belarus "has expressed interest in the macrofinancial assistance program. So we are in close contact with Belarusian authorities," Dombrovskis said in an interview with RFE/RL on April 29.
"Of course, there are also certain political preconditions to be met, but in this case too, Belarus needs to seek and reach also at least IMF precautionary financing,” he cautioned.
Under its macrofinancial-assistance (MFA) program, the EU provides medium-/long-term loans or grants, or a combination of these, to countries experiencing a balance-of-payments crisis, as a complement to financing from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
To benefit from such a program, countries must respect human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.
Last week, the European Commission announced it had adopted a proposal for a 3 billion-euro ($3.25 billion) MFA package for 10 mainly East European countries to help them limit the economic fallout of the COVID-19 epidemic.
RFE/RL's Coronavirus Crisis Archive Features and analysis, videos, and infographics explore how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the countries in our region.
The 10 countries included Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, and most Western Balkan states.
Earlier on April 29, the World Health Organization (WHO) called on Minsk to implement further measures to slow the coronavirus spread in the country.
The WHO said after sending a mission to Belarus that the pandemic "has entered the community transmission scenario," and warranted "additional interventions -- particularly physical-distancing measures."
"The COVID-19 response in Belarus has provided valuable insights towards a better understanding of the transmission of the virus and the importance of a multisectoral approach to this pandemic. These experiences will benefit not only the development of the next phase of the response in Belarus, but also the responses in other European countries and the global efforts to combat this virus," the WHO said in an executive summary of the mission's report.
Belarus has been criticized for not imposing social-distancing measures or restricting public activities in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
In stark contrast to other European countries which have adopted strict lockdown measures to contain the pandemic, Belarus's borders remain open, while factories, shops, and restaurants continue to conduct business as usual, and spectators are permitted to attend sporting events, including matches held by the national soccer league.
Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has publicly dismissed concerns about the dangers of the virus several times.
According to the latest data provided by Belarusian health authorities, there have been 12,208 confirmed coronavirus cases in the country, including 79 deaths.
Ukraine
Several hundred small-business owners have protested in the Ukrainian capital, demanding the authorities ease restrictions imposed to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
The demonstrators gathered on April 29 near a government building in the center of Kyiv and briefly blocked traffic in defiance of rules against public gatherings.
Wearing face masks, the protesters called for permission to reopen small enterprises such as shops, restaurants, and cafes to save them from bankruptcy.
"One more day of your protection and we will disappear," one sign read.
Ukraine has confirmed 9,866 coronavirus cases, including 250 deaths, according to official data.
Authorities imposed lockdown restrictions in March, ordering all nonessential businesses to close and reserving public transport for employees of essential services, including police and hospital staff.
The government plans to gradually lift the lockdown after May 11 if virus cases don't spike.
With reporting by RFE/RL's Belarus and Ukrainian services, AP, and AFP


rferl--2020-04-29--Reports: Top Russian FSB General Linked To 2014 MH17 Disaster

Open-source researchers have linked a top general in Russia ’ s main security and intelligence agency to the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over eastern Ukraine .
A report published jointly by Bellingcat and the Russian news site The Insider on April 28 said that Colonel General Andrei Burlaka , of Russia ’ s Federal Security Service , is one of the Russian officials whose calls with separatist militia leaders in eastern Ukraine were intercepted and recorded .
Three Russians and one Ukrainian have been identified by Dutch investigators , and a Dutch court began criminal proceedings against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believed to be in Russia .
Most of the 298 people on board MH17 were Dutch citizens .
The jet was downed by a Russian-built surface-to-air missile system , which Dutch officials believe was secretly transported across the Russian border into Ukraine .
As part of their investigation , Dutch authorities released intercepted phone calls and called for public help in identifying some of the individuals heard on the calls .
One was a key figure named as `` Vladimir Ivanovich . ''
Bellingcat and The Insider identified him as Burlaka , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff for the Border Guard Service of the Federal Security Service , known as the FSB .
The outlets said that they established Burlaka ’ s identity by searching phone records , travel data and comparing his voice from different recordings .
`` This FSB general is the highest-ranking Russian official identified as a person of interest in the criminal investigation into the downing of MH17 , '' Bellingcat said .
The Insider said Burlaka ’ s position in the Border Guard Service puts him close in the hierarchy to FSB director Aleksandr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vladimir Putin .
Burlaka was `` in a crucial position to supervise the movement of weapons from Russia to Ukraine , and thus would have had to authorize the transfer of the Russian Buk missile launcher that shot the Malaysian airliner after crossing the border , '' Bellingcat said .
Russia has repeatedly denied any role in the crash , and refused to turn over the four men to stand trial in the Netherlands .

Open-source researchers have linked a top general in Russia’s main security and intelligence agency to the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over eastern Ukraine.
A report published jointly by Bellingcat and the Russian news site The Insider on April 28 said that Colonel General Andrei Burlaka, of Russia’s Federal Security Service, is one of the Russian officials whose calls with separatist militia leaders in eastern Ukraine were intercepted and recorded.
Three Russians and one Ukrainian have been identified by Dutch investigators, and a Dutch court began criminal proceedings against them last month. All four are believed to be in Russia.
Most of the 298 people on board MH17 were Dutch citizens. The jet was downed by a Russian-built surface-to-air missile system, which Dutch officials believe was secretly transported across the Russian border into Ukraine.
As part of their investigation, Dutch authorities released intercepted phone calls and called for public help in identifying some of the individuals heard on the calls.
One was a key figure named as "Vladimir Ivanovich." Bellingcat and The Insider identified him as Burlaka, who they said was the chief of operational staff for the Border Guard Service of the Federal Security Service, known as the FSB.
The outlets said that they established Burlaka’s identity by searching phone records, travel data and comparing his voice from different recordings.
"This FSB general is the highest-ranking Russian official identified as a person of interest in the criminal investigation into the downing of MH17," Bellingcat said.
The Insider said Burlaka’s position in the Border Guard Service puts him close in the hierarchy to FSB director Aleksandr Bortnikov, who answers directly to President Vladimir Putin.
Burlaka was "in a crucial position to supervise the movement of weapons from Russia to Ukraine, and thus would have had to authorize the transfer of the Russian Buk missile launcher that shot the Malaysian airliner after crossing the border," Bellingcat said.
Russia has repeatedly denied any role in the crash, and refused to turn over the four men to stand trial in the Netherlands.


rferl--2020-04-29--Man In North Caucasus Faces New Terrorism Charge After Serving 16 Years

STAVROPOL , Russia -- A man from Russia 's North Caucasus region of Karachai-Cherkessia has been charged with masterminding the financial support of a terrorist organization just as he was to be released from prison after serving a 16-year term for the attempted killing of a law enforcement officer .
Aslan Sanashokov 's lawyer , Ramazan Uzuyev , told RFE/RL on April 28 that his client was charged with organizing a cash transfer in 2014 while in custody to a man allegedly linked to a terrorist group in Syria .
According to Uzuyev , Sanashokov was charged on April 22 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be released from a correctional institution in the Stavropol Krai region after finishing his 16-year term .
Instead of being released , Sanashokov was sent to a pretrial detention center until June 22 .
Sanashokov rejects the charge , saying it was n't possible to organize cash transfers to anyone while behind bars .
He says officers of the Federal Security Service ( FSB ) fabricated the case against him after they interrogated his wife last year and planted a flashcard in his belongings , the contents of which were later used against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the practice of filing new charges against inmates to keep them incarcerated right before their expected release has been common for years .
The FSB 's directorate in the Stavropol Krai refused to comment on the situation when contacted by RFE/RL by phone , saying that the directorate does not have a press service .
The directorate confirmed , however , that it had received RFE/RL 's written questions and promised to answer them `` in the nearest future . ''
Karachai-Cherkessia is one of several autonomous republics making up Russia 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which has long been plagued by criminal violence and Islamic radicals who have mounted frequent attacks against police , public officials , and moderate Muslims in the region .
However , rights activists have criticized security officials and police in the region -- which also includes the volatile republics of Chechnya , Daghestan , Ingushetia , and Kabardino-Balkaria -- for abuse of power , human rights violations , fabricating criminal cases , torture , and even extrajudicial killings .

STAVROPOL, Russia -- A man from Russia's North Caucasus region of Karachai-Cherkessia has been charged with masterminding the financial support of a terrorist organization just as he was to be released from prison after serving a 16-year term for the attempted killing of a law enforcement officer.
Aslan Sanashokov's lawyer, Ramazan Uzuyev, told RFE/RL on April 28 that his client was charged with organizing a cash transfer in 2014 while in custody to a man allegedly linked to a terrorist group in Syria.
According to Uzuyev, Sanashokov was charged on April 22, the day he was supposed to be released from a correctional institution in the Stavropol Krai region after finishing his 16-year term. Instead of being released, Sanashokov was sent to a pretrial detention center until June 22.
Sanashokov rejects the charge, saying it wasn't possible to organize cash transfers to anyone while behind bars. He says officers of the Federal Security Service (FSB) fabricated the case against him after they interrogated his wife last year and planted a flashcard in his belongings, the contents of which were later used against him.
In many former Soviet republics, the practice of filing new charges against inmates to keep them incarcerated right before their expected release has been common for years.
The FSB's directorate in the Stavropol Krai refused to comment on the situation when contacted by RFE/RL by phone, saying that the directorate does not have a press service.
The directorate confirmed, however, that it had received RFE/RL's written questions and promised to answer them "in the nearest future."
Karachai-Cherkessia is one of several autonomous republics making up Russia's restive, mostly Muslim-populated North Caucasus, which has long been plagued by criminal violence and Islamic radicals who have mounted frequent attacks against police, public officials, and moderate Muslims in the region.
However, rights activists have criticized security officials and police in the region -- which also includes the volatile republics of Chechnya, Daghestan, Ingushetia, and Kabardino-Balkaria -- for abuse of power, human rights violations, fabricating criminal cases, torture, and even extrajudicial killings.


rferl--2020-04-30--Iran’s Government To Keep Religious Sites Closed In Blow To Hard-Line Clerics

Iran ’ s Health Ministry has announced that religious shrines will remain closed in what appears to be a blow to influential hard-line clerics who are pushing for the sites to reopen amid efforts to contain one of the Middle East ’ s worst coronavirus outbreaks .
`` Until there ’ s full assurance that pilgrims to religious sites will not face problems , we wo n't allow ourselves to open the doors of these centers to the people , '' Health Minister Saeed Namaki was quoted as saying by the semiofficial ISNA news agency on April 30 .
Namaki @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health Ministry official , Alireza Raeisi , said religious sites in several cities , including Qom and the capital , Tehran , will remain shut until the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan , which started over the weekend , unless conditions change .
`` Although , with the current situation , it is unlikely that this happens soon , '' he added .
The comments come amid reports of pressure on the government to reopen shrines that were shut in March , triggering protests by hard-liners who attempted to storm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Imam Reza shrine in the northeastern city of Mashhad .
The government shut the holy Shi ’ ite sites , visited annually by millions of pilgrims who often touch and kiss the shrines , in an effort to contain the country 's coronavirus outbreak , which has killed nearly 6,000 people and infected over 93,500 , according to Health Ministry figures released on April 29 .
Given the lack of transparency by government officials and media reporting restrictions , real numbers are believed to be significantly higher .
On April 29 , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the holy Shi ’ ite city of Qom , where the outbreak erupted in February before spreading to the rest of the country , called on President Hassan Rohani to reconsider his decision to close the shrines and apologize to Iranians for shutting them .
Hojatoleslam Abbas Rafaati Naeini claimed that experts at the country ’ s anti-coronavirus taskforce have concluded that the shrines had a minimal role in the spread of the coronavirus in the country .
There have been similar calls by other clerics to reopen the shrines , including by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alamolhoda , who leads Friday Prayers in Iran ’ s second-largest city Mashhad .
Rohani 's adviser Hesamedin Ashna had suggested on Twitter that there had been tough discussions regarding the reopening of religious sites .
`` Unfortunately , we will have to live with the coronavirus for a while longer , '' Rohani said earlier this week .
The Iranian president said that , as a cleric , he had hoped that religious sites could reopen more quickly .
Iran has in past days eased some of the restrictions it had introduced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses to salvage the economy , which is already under intense pressure from crippling U.S. economic sanctions .
Authorities have repeatedly called on Iranians to follow health protocols and social distancing guidelines to slow the outbreak amid warnings that the country could be hit by a second wave of infections .

A polytechnic school in Russia’s Tatarstan, a region some 900 kilometers east of Moscow, is using manufacturing facilities that are part of a nearby special economic zone to assemble Iranian attack drones and are increasingly turning to underage students as laborers, many of whom often work in exploitative conditions.
The revelations at Alabuga Polytechnic University raise troubling implications about the lengths that Russian authorities are going to in order to boost the war effort and how the advanced Iranian weaponry -- which is increasingly used to bombard Ukrainian cities and has only recently begun to be manufactured inside Russia -- could contribute to escalating tensions and rising civilian casualties.
The use of underage students as drone factory workers and the details of the manufacturing facilities were first reported by Russian independent media outlets Protokol and Razvorot, which published a series of investigations in July.
Since then, RFE/RL’s Idel.Realities has spoken with students who describe grueling working conditions and interviewed dozens of parents whose children have been enrolled at Alabuga Polytechnic University -- some as young at 15 -- who say that their children were forced to work exceedingly long hours, often without proper breaks or meals, and under hostile conditions that have deeply affected their mental health.
“My son enrolled and 2 1/2 months later he called for me to take him away,” Zhanna, who asked to be identified only by her first name to protect against reprisals for speaking about the operation, told RFE/RL. “He said to me on the phone, ‘Come and get me or I’ll die,’ so I picked him up immediately.”
Zhanna, who asked that her underage son’s name also not be used, says that she sent him from Nizhny Novgorod to study at Alabuga Polytechnic University in 2022 because of its reputation as a leading technical institution inside Russia.
The school offered students -- often between the ages of 15-18 -- an opportunity to get vocational training as part of a dual program that combines a classroom education with practical work experience. Students were also promised an opportunity to work and earn a locally competitive salary of up to 70,000 rubles ($700) a month as part of the work experience program that could further their career growth.
Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's full-scale invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war in Ukraine, click here.
But, instead, those enrolled were encouraged and in some cases pressured into working at the drone facility, where the salaries of the mostly underage laborers are contingent on meeting tough production quotas.
“This is a textbook definition of what constitutes exploitation,” Sergei Podsytnik, an investigative journalist at Protokol who worked on the series of reports, told RFE/RL. “[Students] assemble drones, with the work taking priority over their studies.”
The pressure to fulfill these quotas has allegedly led to strenuous back-to-back days -- with some shifts lasting up to 15 hours -- with little time for sleep or adequate sustenance. Overtime work is often unpaid, further highlighting potential labor violations. Exhausted students also reported not always meeting their quotas, which led to them not earning the salary initially promised by the school. Many students came from disadvantaged backgrounds and relied on their earnings to cover costs for tuition, room, and board and would send the remainder home.
Other parents, such as Marina, said she decided to take her daughter out of the program when she discovered that she was working in apparent unsafe conditions and that staff from the school had instructed students not to tell their parents about the drone assembly work.
“This was the last straw for me,” Marina, who also asked for her identity to be concealed, told RFE/RL. “This is a dangerous production process that involves dangerous chemicals. They also forbid the kids from telling everything to their parents.”
RFE/RL sent multiple requests for comment to various staff and administrators at Alabuga Polytechnic University but received no replies.
Making Iranian Drones In Russia
The complicated and concerning dynamic at Alabuga Polytechnic University stems from growing military cooperation between Iran and Russia that has accelerated since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Iran has said it provided drones to Russia before the start of the war, but not since. However, U.S. intelligence officials have warned for months of continued deliveries and deepening cooperation between Moscow and Tehran, saying the two sides were exploring how to set up a manufacturing plant for Iranian drones inside Russia.
According to The Wall Street Journal, an Iranian delegation visited Yelabuga in Tatarstan on January 5, touring a potential site for such a factory at the Alabuga special economic zone close to Alabuga Polytechnic University. U.S. officials released satellite images in April of the plant being built.
Russia already possesses an array of unarmed aerial vehicles, or UAVs, which are used mainly for surveillance and artillery spotting, but has turned increasingly to Tehran for attack drones.
After being forced to abandon Ukrainian territory that its troops captured in the early stretches of the war, Moscow shifted to a strategy of relentless air assaults on Ukrainian cities. These attacks often rely on a combination of cruise missiles and self-detonating drones packed with explosives to knock out electricity and running water for the civilian population in Ukraine.
So far, Iran has provided Russia mostly with so-called "suicide" drones, known as the Shahed-136, that contain a modest amount of explosives that can detonate when the drones crash into targets, military experts say.
In acquiring its own domestic assembly line, Russia could dramatically increase its stockpile of the relatively inexpensive but highly destructive weapons systems.
WATCH: Russia has resorted to using Shahed-136 drones from Iran in its war on Ukraine. Ukraine says it's already downed many of the drones, which work by slamming into their intended target, laden with explosives. Ordinary Ukrainians say they can already recognize the sound of the drones, which use two-stroke engines like lawnmowers or motorbikes. Iran has denied supplying the drones to Russia.
The arrangement also offers substantial economic and political benefits for Iran, which has sought to portray itself as neutral in the Ukraine war. The appearance of Iranian-made drones over Ukrainian cities, however, has triggered threats of new economic sanctions from the West. The United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom have also all issued rules in recent months designed to cut off the flow of drone components to Russia and Iran.
The Washington Post reported in November 2022, citing unnamed U.S. intelligence officials, that the agreement to deliver Iranian drone schematics and materials for manufacture in Russia resulted from Iranian leaders believing that the arrangement would allow Tehran to avert new sanctions.
Foreign Recruitment And Patriotic Education
Alabuga Polytechnic University is formally not a college. All of its students are officially enrolled at nearby Yelabuga Polytechnic College, with the Alabuga institution existing on paper as a specialized program for students looking to break into high-tech industries.
Currently, about 1,000 students are studying at Alabuga Polytechnic University, with several hundred of them -- most of whom are between the ages of 15 and 17 -- involved in assembling the Iranian drones.
In addition to the work on the drones, there are other signs that point to blurred lines in Russia between the education system and the country’s military amid the war in Ukraine.
According to current and former Alabuga Polytechnic University students, team-building and organized extracurricular activities through the school often take on a “patriotic” character that may be designed to expose students to official government narratives of international events or echo talking points from state television.
Organized paintball games have become a mainstay for students, especially first-year arrivals, in which they are encouraged to compete against one another and then play together against more experienced outside players. Teachers and administration officials regularly refer to paintball as being part of a “patriotic” education needed to complement the technical aspect of their studies.
In one instance, a group of new students competed in paintball as Soviet soldiers against outside players who were dressed as troops from Nazi Germany in a capture-the-flag competition meant to simulate the World War II battle of Stalingrad. According to one student, the Nazi flag contained the compass symbol used by the NATO military alliance instead of the swastika used by Nazi Germany.
Other instances of political teachings from staff are more direct. In a recording obtained by RFE/RL from June 16, a senior administrator can be heard telling the teenagers that NATO launched a hybrid war against Russia back in 2011 and that it has slowly become more overt. The man then goes on to tell students that their hard work and exceeding long days at the drone factory are part of a nationwide struggle against the West and that their patriotism will be rewarded.
Several students and parents identified the man in the recording as Timur Shagivaleev, the director-general of the special economic zone where Alabuga Polytechnic University and the drone factory operate.
Shagivaleev did not respond to RFE/RL’s request for comment.
The man in the recording then goes on to tell students not to take holidays and to continue working “even if it's mom's birthday,” before ending his speech with, “Long live our great country.”
WATCH: Amid a new wave of Russian drone attacks on Ukraine, analysts in Kyiv are gaining useful intelligence from a collection of downed Russian aerial weapons. They have been studying the remains of Iranian Shahed drones and Russian Kinzhal missiles, among others.
Multiple current and former students told RFE/RL that students who work in the drone factory are often praised by staff, while those who have refused or asked to be reassigned due to the high workload are often publicly shamed. In some instances -- according to recordings heard by RFE/RL -- staff even encourage students to bully others who are not deemed “patriotic” enough.
According to Protokol and Razvorot’s investigations, Alabuga Polytechnic University has also turned toward recruiting foreign students to enroll. The majority of them come from African countries, but also from Central Asia and Azerbaijan, where they are promised “world class” salaries as part of the dual-track world experience program.
However, these foreign students are then given low-skill and menial tasks around the campus and the special economic zone, such as janitorial work, and are also paid lower salaries than initially promised.
Written by Reid Standish based on reporting by RFE/RL’s Idel.Realities


rferl--2020-04-30--COVID-19: Tajikistan Set To Officially Confirm First Cases

The global death toll from the coronavirus is approaching 230,000 with more than 3.2 million infections confirmed , causing mass disruptions as governments continue to try to slow the spread of the new respiratory illness .
Tajikistan 's State Commission for the Prevention of the Coronavirus Pandemic , headed by the Prime Minister Qohir Rasulzoda , has admitted for the first time that there are at least 15 coronavirus infection cases in the country .
Sources who were present at an emergency meeting of the commission told RFE/RL on April 30 that five cases were confirmed in the capital , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city of Khujand .
Tajikistan has not officially confirmed any COVID-19 cases to date , though the sources said a televised announcement on the virus is expected in the coming hours .
Even though it had not confirmed any cases , the Tajik government last week closed schools for two weeks and suspended the national league 's soccer season over the coronavirus .
Galina Perfilyeva , a representative of the World Health Organization in Tajikistan , said on April 27 that the Central Asian country must be ready for the `` worst-case scenario @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus cases , Turkmenistan will be the only country in the region without any confirmed cases of the virus .
Meanwhile , other countries across Central Asia began to ease restrictions that were suspended over the coronavirus outbreak .
Kyrgyz Prime Minister Mukhammedkalyi Abylgaziev said on April 30 that the resumption of economic activities will take into consideration priorities and proceed in 10-day stages beginning on May 1 .
According to Abylgaziev , his cabinet has allocated some $ 9 million for measures to slow the spread of the virus .
Kyrgyz Interior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 that all checkpoints in Bishkek , the capital , will be removed on May 1 and that police will patrol streets to monitor vehicle movements .
The Health Ministry said on April 30 that the number of coronavirus cases in the country had reached 746 , including eight deaths .
Neighboring Uzbekistan has begun to ease restrictions as well , announcing that , as of April 30 , citizens could resume using private cars from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. , and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m .
The use of private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the pandemic .
A day earlier , the Uzbek government extended the suspension of all flights abroad to June 30. International flights , except cargo flights , were suspended initially for one month on March 30 .
According to health officials , there were 2,017 coronavirus cases , including nine deaths , in Uzbekistan as of April 30 .
The largest number of coronavirus cases in the region has been officially registered in Kazakhstan , where the latest figures on April 30 were 3,273 cases with 25 deaths .
Serbian President Aleksandar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to just one day to allow for celebrations of the May 1 holiday amid ongoing public protests over restrictions imposed to combat the spread of the coronavirus .
`` We propose that the curfew begin at 6 p.m. [ on April 30 ] and last until [ May 1 ] at 5 a.m. , '' Vucic told state broadcaster RTS on April 29 .
An original plan would have imposed a curfew from the evening of April 30 until the morning of May 4 in order to limit gatherings of people in public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with large picnics .
Serbia introduced draconian measures last month , including a state of emergency , the closure of borders , a daily curfew from 5 p.m. , and total lockdowns all weekend , including all four days of the Orthodox Easter holiday .
Gatherings of more than five people remain banned , Vucic said .
The decision follows three nights of noisy protests by Serb citizens who were stuck at home and resorted to banging tin pans and drums to vent their anger at the government and its tough containment measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ similar to one held in 1996 and 1997 in response to what they saw as electoral fraud attempts by the Socialist Party of Serbia , led by President Slobodan Milosevic , after local elections in 1996 .
The coronavirus protests have also provided an outlet for discontent with the policies of Vucic , a former nationalist firebrand and ex-information minister under Milosevic who later adopted pro-European values .
Many Serbs say Vucic , in power since 2012 , and his ruling coalition are displaying traits of authoritarianism , employing oppression against political opponents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cronyism , and ties with organized crime .
Vucic and his allies deny such accusations .
As of April 2 , the number of coronavirus infections in Serbia was almost 8,500 , with 168 deaths , according to Serbia 's Health Ministry .
With reporting by RFE/RL 's Kyrgyz , Tajik , Uzbek , Kazakh , and Balkan services , Reuters , and dpa

The global death toll from the coronavirus is approaching 230,000 with more than 3.2 million infections confirmed, causing mass disruptions as governments continue to try to slow the spread of the new respiratory illness.
Here's a roundup of COVID-19 developments in RFE/RL's broadcast regions.
Tajikistan
Tajik authorities said they had registered 15 coronavirus cases in the country, the first such cases after weeks of mounting speculation that officials were suppressing information about the disease.
The confirmation of the cases, made April 30 by the government task force charged with fighting the coronavirus, poses a dangerous challenge for the authoritarian government.
Tajikistan’s health-care system is underfunded and unequipped to deal with a widespread outbreak of cases. The government, under President Emomali Rahmon, has suppressed opposition parties, civil society groups, and independent media for years, leading to a vacuum of information.
The country's Health Ministry said five coronavirus cases had been recorded in Dushanbe and 10 in the northern city of Khujand.
The ministry did not release any further details such as when the cases were discovered or which hospitals the patients were being treated at.
The state-run Khovar news agency said that the task force ordered that all Tajiks must now wear face coverings when outdoors.
Even as infections skyrocketed in other Central Asian nations, Rahmon flouted warnings from international experts to order social-distancing restrictions or other measures to try to curtail any spread of the disease.
Suspicion has grown amid a spike in respiratory diseases that have been described as pneumonia or tuberculosis.
Even though it had not confirmed any cases at the time, the government last week closed schools for two weeks and suspended the national soccer season over the coronavirus.
Adding to the confusion, the country representative of the World Health Organization, Galina Perfilyeva, has for weeks repeated government insistence that there were no cases in the country.
On April 27, she warned that the country must be ready for the "worst-case scenario." WHO officials said a team of experts were expected to travel to Tajikistan on April 30.
Turkmenistan now is the only country in Central Asia that has not officially reported any cases of the virus.
Central Asia
Other countries across Central Asia have begun to ease restrictions that were suspended over the coronavirus outbreak.
Kyrgyz Prime Minister Mukhammedkalyi Abylgaziev said on April 30 that the resumption of economic activities will take into consideration priorities and proceed in 10-day stages beginning on May 1.
According to Abylgaziev, his cabinet has allocated some $9 million for measures to slow the spread of the virus.
Kyrgyz Interior Minister Kashkar Junushaliev told reporters on April 30 that all checkpoints in Bishkek, the capital, will be removed on May 1 and that police will patrol streets to monitor vehicle movements.
The Health Ministry said on April 30 that the number of coronavirus cases in the country had reached 746, including eight deaths.
Neighboring Uzbekistan has begun to ease restrictions as well, announcing that, as of April 30, citizens could resume using private cars from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The use of private vehicles was temporarily banned in March because of the pandemic.
A day earlier, the Uzbek government extended the suspension of all flights abroad to June 30. International flights, except cargo flights, were suspended initially for one month on March 30.
According to health officials, there were 2,017 coronavirus cases, including nine deaths, in Uzbekistan as of April 30.
The largest number of coronavirus cases in the region has been officially registered in Kazakhstan, where the latest figures on April 30 were 3,273 cases with 25 deaths.
Kazakhstan
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has called on Kazakhstan to stop harassing journalists covering the coronavirus outbreak in the country, saying they are being subjected to “interrogation, prosecution, and violation of the confidentiality of their sources.”
"On the pretext of avoiding panic, the authorities are harassing journalists and bloggers who stray from the official line on the epidemic," Jeanne Cavelier, the head of RSF’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia desk, said in a statement on April 30.
"This exploitation of the state of emergency is harming press freedom in Kazakhstan. It must stop," Cavelier added.
The statement cited the case of Zaure Mirzakhodjaeva, a journalist and blogger in the southern city of Shymkent, who was summoned and questioned by the police for seven hours last week over a Facebook post.
It said Mirzakhodjaeva is now being criminally investigated for allegedly spreading false information.
Media in Kazakhstan have been subjected to “judicial harassment” since the Central Asian country declared a state of emergency on March 16, according to RSF.
The Paris-based media freedom watchdog said the authorities are “monitoring social media and media outlets closely for what they regard as excessive criticism of the government’s handling of the health crisis.”
Serbia
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has shortened a three-day weekend curfew to just one day to allow for celebrations of the May 1 holiday amid ongoing public protests over restrictions imposed to combat the spread of the coronavirus.
"We propose that the curfew begin at 6 p.m. [on April 30] and last until [May 1] at 5 a.m.," Vucic told state broadcaster RTS on April 29.
An original plan would have imposed a curfew from the evening of April 30 until the morning of May 4 in order to limit gatherings of people in public places. Serbs traditionally celebrate May 1 with large picnics.
Serbia introduced draconian measures last month, including a state of emergency, the closure of borders, a daily curfew from 5 p.m., and total lockdowns all weekend, including all four days of the Orthodox Easter holiday.
Gatherings of more than five people remain banned, Vucic said.
The decision follows three nights of noisy protests by Serb citizens who were stuck at home and resorted to banging tin pans and drums to vent their anger at the government and its tough containment measures against the virus.
The protests are similar to one held in 1996 and 1997 in response to what they saw as electoral fraud attempts by the Socialist Party of Serbia, led by President Slobodan Milosevic, after local elections in 1996.
The coronavirus protests have also provided an outlet for discontent with the policies of Vucic, a former nationalist firebrand and ex-information minister under Milosevic who later adopted pro-European values.
Many Serbs say Vucic, in power since 2012, and his ruling coalition are displaying traits of authoritarianism, employing oppression against political opponents, stifling media freedoms, corruption, cronyism, and ties with organized crime.
Vucic and his allies deny such accusations.
As of April 2, the number of coronavirus infections in Serbia was almost 8,500, with 168 deaths, according to Serbia's Health Ministry.
With reporting by RFE/RL's Kyrgyz, Tajik, Uzbek, Kazakh, and Balkan services, Reuters, Khovar, and dpa


rferl--2020-04-30--Russia Says Suspected Terrorists 'Liquidated' In Yekaterinburg

Russia 's National Anti-Terrorist Committee ( NAK ) says security forces have `` liquidated '' three suspected extremists in the @ @ @ @ @ According to the NAK , the three men were killed in a counterterrorist operation early @ @ @ @ @ 30 .
The NAK said that weapons , ammunition , and handmade explosive devices were @ @ @ @ @ the killed suspects .
The NAK asserted that the men were members of the Islamic @ @ @ @ @ planning terrorist attacks in the city , but did not give details .
The claims @ @ @ @ @ could not be independently verified , but the NAK 's statement echoed similar descriptions by @ @ @ @ @ between security forces and suspected militants .
Based on reporting by RIA Novosti , TASS @ @ @ @ @

Russia's National Anti-Terrorist Committee (NAK) says security forces have "liquidated" three suspected extremists in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg.
According to the NAK, the three men were killed in a counterterrorist operation early in the morning on April 30.
The NAK said that weapons, ammunition, and handmade explosive devices were found at the residence of the killed suspects.
The NAK asserted that the men were members of the Islamic State extremist group and were planning terrorist attacks in the city, but did not give details.
The claims that those killed were terrorists could not be independently verified, but the NAK's statement echoed similar descriptions by Russian authorities of numberous encounters between security forces and suspected militants.
Based on reporting by RIA Novosti, TASS, URA.ru, and Interfax


rferl--2020-04-30--U.S., Israel Hail German Move Banning Iran-Backed Hizballah

Germany has banned Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hizballah 's activities on its soil and designated it a terrorist organization , a move welcomed by Tehran 's rivals the United States and Israel .
`` Interior Minister Horst Seehofer has banned the Shi'ite terrorist organization Hizballah in Germany , '' Interior Ministry spokesman Steve Alter tweeted on April 30 .
The announcement came after German police conducted early morning raids in the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia , Bremen , and the capital , Berlin , to detain suspected members of the group .
Hizballah has already been designated a terrorist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
U.S .
Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell welcomed the move and urged other EU countries to follow suit .
The German ban `` reflects the resolve of the West to confront the global threat posed by [ Hizballah ] , '' Grenell said in a statement , adding that the group `` can not be allowed to use Europe as a safe haven to support terrorism in Syria and across the Middle East . ''
Grenell 's statement was echoed by Iran 's archfoe Israel , which also called on other European @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` It is a very important decision and a valuable and significant step in the global fight against terrorism , '' Foreign Minister Israel Katz said .
Germany had previously distinguished between Hizballah 's political arm and its military units , which have fought alongside President Bashar al-Assad 's army in Syria .
The group is also a significant backer of Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab 's government which took office in January .
As many as 1,050 people in Germany are part of Hizballah 's extremist wing , security officials estimate .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and AFP


rferl--2020-04-30--World Anti-Doping Agency Completes Probe Into Russian Sports Cheating

The World Anti-Doping Agency ( WADA ) has completed an investigation into nearly 300 Russia athletes , with almost half showing evidence of manipulation .
WADA said in a statement on April 30 it has handed over the cases of 298 athletes to 28 anti-doping organizations , including 27 international sports federations and one major invent organization .
Of those investigated , the files of 145 athlete were marked for manipulation .
WADA said the relevant international organizations would have to decide on what action to take against each doping case .
But it also said it has the option @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court if action against doping isn ’ t taken “ in a reasonable timeframe.
” “ The fact that we have moved to the results management phase now for the entire target group means we are another step closer to bringing those who cheated to justice .
This has always been the objective for us as we continue to do what is best for clean sport and athletes around the world , ” said Gunter Younger , the director of WADA ’ s independent Intelligence and Investigations team .
WADA investigators sifted through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ samples on a computer archive it obtained in 2019 from a disgraced Moscow laboratory and the facility 's Laboratory Information Management System ( LIMS ) , where doping cases were covered up .
WADA said its investigators faced hurdles due to alleged Russian manipulation of the data archive and other attempts to throw them off track in the probe .
The anti-doping agency ’ s president , Witold Banka , emphasized investigations would continue into Russian manipulation .
“ This is not the end of the road , ” he said , pointing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ samples from the Moscow laboratory .
Doping allegations have plagued the country since the revelation of large-scale state-sponsored doping aimed at improving its medal performance at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Russia ’ s Black Sea resort of Sochi .
In 2019 , WADA banned Russia from all major international sporting events for four years for its attempts to undermine the investigation into state-backed doping , which Moscow denies .
With reporting by AFP , AP , and Reuters

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has completed an investigation into nearly 300 Russia athletes, with almost half showing evidence of manipulation of anti-doping test results.
WADA said in a statement on April 30 that it has handed over the cases of 298 athletes to 28 anti-doping organizations, including 27 international sports federations.
Of those investigated, the files of 145 athletes were marked for manipulation.
WADA said the relevant international organizations would have to decide on what action to take against each doping case.
But it also said it has the option to bring cases to a sports arbitration court if action against doping isn’t taken “in a reasonable time frame.”
“The fact that we have moved to the results management phase now for the entire target group means we are another step closer to bringing those who cheated to justice. This has always been the objective for us as we continue to do what is best for clean sport and athletes around the world,” said Gunter Younger, the director of WADA’s independent intelligence and investigations team.
WADA investigators sifted through 24 terabytes of data and thousands of samples on a computer archive it obtained in 2019 from a disgraced Moscow laboratory and the facility's Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), where doping cases were covered up.
WADA said its investigators faced hurdles due to alleged Russian manipulation of the data archive and other attempts to throw them off track in the probe.
The anti-doping agency’s president, Witold Banka, emphasized investigations would continue into Russian manipulation.
“This is not the end of the road,” he said, pointing to a reanalysis of at least 57 samples from the Moscow laboratory.
Doping allegations have plagued the country since the revelation of large-scale state-sponsored doping aimed at improving its medal performance at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Russia’s Black Sea resort of Sochi.
In 2019, WADA banned Russia from all major international sporting events for four years for its attempts to undermine the investigation into state-backed doping, which Moscow denies.
With reporting by AFP, AP, and Reuters


rferl--2020-04-30--Russia Calls Prague Poison Plot 'Fabrications' As Spy Drama Deepens

Russia ’ s foreign minister has dismissed claims a Russian agent was sent to Prague to poison its mayor and two other city officials as “ fabrications , ” in the highest-level denial yet on an issue that is straining ties between the two countries .
Respekt , a Czech investigative weekly , published a report on April 26 quoting unnamed security sources as saying that a suspected Russian intelligence officer traveling on a diplomatic passport had arrived recently in Prague carrying the deadly toxin ricin as part of an alleged poisoning plot .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Czech authorities would identify the man carrying poison and let him in the country .
“ They found a deadly poison and let him into the country ?
” he said at a briefing .
“ Would any sound person believe in these fabrications ?
” Moscow , suspected in the 2018 poisoning in Britain of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter with a nerve agent , earlier this week dismissed the alleged poisoning plot against the three Czechs as part of a `` disinformation campaign '' aimed at discrediting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Czech-Russian relations .
The Czech counterintelligence service , BIS , has previously issued reports warning of the threat posed by Russian spies using diplomatic cover at the Russian Embassy in Prague to carry out espionage activity .
Upon arrival the suspected intelligence agent was driven to the Russian Embassy , according to Respekt .
The weekly said the Russian national entered the country with a suitcase containing the toxin ricin around 3 1/2 weeks ago .
That suitcase or any diplomatic envelope could have escaped customs inspection as per diplomatic protocol .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the Czech Republic was a `` sovereign state '' that would not tolerate `` any world power '' trying to interfere in its internal affairs .
`` It 's not acceptable -- if it 's true -- for a foreign state to take action against our citizens here , '' Babis said .
Czech Foreign Minister Tomas Petricek is reported to have warned Aleksandr Zmeyevsky , Russia 's ambassador in the Czech Republic , of repercussions if anything happens to the three Czech officials .
All three have taken or supported actions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the renaming of the square in front of the Russian Embassy after a slain former Kremlin critic and the removal of a statue of a Soviet-era general .
As possible payback , Moscow is suspected of having a role in a recent wave of cyberattacks in the Czech Republic .
The officials have all confirmed they have been given around-the-clock police protection .
One of them , Prague Mayor Zdenek Hrib , told RFE/RL on April 30 that he can ’ t comment on details surrounding the police protection .
But Hrib said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filed a criminal complaint after noticing “ I had been followed near my home . ''
Ondrej Kolar , the Prague 6 district mayor who is also in hiding , told Prima TV on April 28 that he was restricted from disclosing details about the case , which also involves Pavel Novotny , another Prague district mayor .
`` I can really only tell you that I have police protection .
It was ordered on the basis of certain facts and those facts are that there is a Russian here who was given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kolar said .
'Not only me , but Mr. Hrib and Mr .
Novotny . ''
Kolar was criticized by the Kremlin after his district on April 3 removed the statue of Marshal Ivan Konev , who led the Red Army forces during World War II that drove Nazi troops from most of Czechoslovakia .
Moscow called the statue 's removal an insult and an attempt to rewrite history .
Days later several masked attackers threw smoke bombs at the Czech Embassy in Moscow and placed a banner saying Stop Fascism on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the statue on April 30 , Lavrov said its removal violated a 1993 friendship treaty that obliges the Czech Republic to protect memorials to Russian World War II heroes .
Kolar previously said the statue would be moved to a new museum .
Novotny irritated the Kremlin after proposing to erect a monument to a controversial World War II military division called the Vlasov Army made up of Soviet defectors that fought alongside the Nazis but turned against them in the final days of the war and helped liberate Prague .
Novotny told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under police protection but also said he was under restrictions when speaking about the case .
Asked whether he found the ricin poisoning plot credible , Novotny did n't hesitate .
`` Are [ the Russians ] capable of something like that ? ''
he asked .
`` Definitely . ''
Relations between Prague and Moscow also soured over a Czech decision to rename the square where the Russian Embassy is located , a decision backed by Hrib .
Two months ago , Prague officials dedicated the leafy square in front of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minister Boris Nemtsov , an outspoken critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin who was fatally shot in Moscow in February 2015 .

Russia’s foreign minister has dismissed claims a Russian agent was sent to Prague to poison its mayor and two other city officials as “fabrications,” in the highest-level denial yet on an issue that is straining ties between the two countries.
Respekt, a Czech investigative weekly, published a report on April 26 quoting unnamed security sources as saying that a suspected Russian intelligence officer traveling on a diplomatic passport had arrived recently in Prague carrying the deadly toxin ricin as part of an alleged poisoning plot.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on April 30 that it was "unthinkable” Czech authorities would identify the man carrying poison and let him in the country.
“They found a deadly poison and let him into the country?” he said at a briefing. “Would any sound person believe in these fabrications?”
Moscow, suspected in the 2018 poisoning in Britain of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter with a nerve agent, earlier this week dismissed the alleged poisoning plot against the three Czechs as part of a "disinformation campaign" aimed at discrediting Russia and threatened "serious consequences" to Czech-Russian relations.
The Czech counterintelligence service, BIS, has previously issued reports warning of the threat posed by Russian spies using diplomatic cover at the Russian Embassy in Prague to carry out espionage activity.
Upon arrival, the suspected intelligence agent was driven to the Russian Embassy, according to Respekt.
The weekly said the Russian national entered the country with a suitcase containing the toxin ricin around 3 1/2 weeks ago. That suitcase or any diplomatic envelope could have escaped customs inspection as per diplomatic protocol.
Prime Minister Andrej Babis on April 28 said the Czech Republic was a "sovereign state" that would not tolerate "any world power" trying to interfere in its internal affairs.
"It's not acceptable -- if it's true -- for a foreign state to take action against our citizens here," Babis said.
Czech Foreign Minister Tomas Petricek is reported to have warned Aleksandr Zmeyevsky, Russia's ambassador in the Czech Republic, of repercussions if anything happens to the three Czech officials.
Police Protection
All three have taken or supported actions that have angered the Kremlin, including the renaming of the square in front of the Russian Embassy after a slain former Kremlin critic and the removal of a statue of a Soviet-era general. As possible payback, Moscow is suspected of having a role in a recent wave of cyberattacks in the Czech Republic.
The officials have all confirmed they have been given around-the-clock police protection.
One of them, Prague Mayor Zdenek Hrib, told RFE/RL on April 30 that he can’t comment on details surrounding the police protection.
But Hrib said that around a month ago, he had filed a criminal complaint after noticing “I had been followed near my home."
Ondrej Kolar, the Prague 6 district mayor who is also in hiding, told Prima TV on April 28 that he was restricted from disclosing details about the case, which also involves Pavel Novotny, another Prague district mayor.
"I can really only tell you that I have police protection. It was ordered on the basis of certain facts and those facts are that there is a Russian here who was given an assignment to liquidate me," Kolar said. "Not only me, but Mr. Hrib and Mr. Novotny."
Kolar was criticized by the Kremlin after his district on April 3 removed the statue of Marshal Ivan Konev, who led the Red Army forces during World War II that drove Nazi troops from most of Czechoslovakia. Moscow called the statue's removal an insult and an attempt to rewrite history. Days later, several masked attackers threw smoke bombs at the Czech Embassy in Moscow and placed a banner saying "Stop Fascism" on the compound’s fence.
Commenting on the statue on April 30, Lavrov said its removal violated a 1993 friendship treaty that obliges the Czech Republic to protect memorials to Russian World War II heroes.
Kolar previously said the statue would be moved to a new museum.
Novotny irritated the Kremlin after proposing to erect a monument to a controversial World War II military division called the Vlasov Army made up of Soviet defectors that fought alongside the Nazis but turned against them in the final days of the war and helped liberate Prague.
Novotny told RFE/RL on April 28 that he was under police protection but also said he was under restrictions when speaking about the case.
Asked whether he found the ricin poisoning plot credible, Novotny didn't hesitate.
"Are [the Russians] capable of something like that?" he asked. "Definitely."
Relations between Prague and Moscow also soured over a Czech decision to rename the square where the Russian Embassy is located, a decision backed by Hrib.
Two months ago, Prague officials dedicated the leafy square in front of the embassy complex to former Russian Deputy Prime Minister Boris Nemtsov, an outspoken critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin who was fatally shot in Moscow in February 2015.


rferl--2020-04-30--Albania Detains Tajik Terror Suspect Wanted In Germany

TIRANA -- Albania says it has arrested a Tajik citizen sought by Germany for suspected membership in a cell of the Islamic State ( IS ) terrorist group .
The announcement on April 30 comes two weeks after German authorities announced they had detained five Tajik nationals suspected of forming an IS cell that plotted attacks on German soil .
Two individuals in the cell were alleged to have traveled to Albania with plans to carry out a contract killing .
Albanian police said on April 30 that the country ’ s Antiterror Directorate arrested a 24-year-old Tajik national , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joint operation with Interpol .
A statement said the detained is subject to an international arrest warrant issued on April 21 by a federal court in Karlsruhe , Germany .
It said the suspect is accused of being a member of a “ terrorist cell ” in Germany that had been set up to carry out violent acts on behalf of the IS group .
The case was referred to prosecutors in the capital , Tirana , in order to carry out further legal procedures for the detainee ’ s extradition .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Komrom Zukhurov and said he was detained in Tirana late on April 29 .
It also posted a photo of the man .
The suspect is said to be part of the same group whose members were detained in Germany earlier this month for allegedly planning attacks , including on U.S. Air Force bases in the country and an unidentified individual they deemed critical of Islam .
German prosecutors said four of the suspects -- all from Tajikistan -- were arrested on April 15 in the city of Siegen and in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ western state of North Rhine-Westphalia .
The fifth suspect , also a Tajik national believed to be the leader of the terror cell , was already in custody after being detained in March 2019 .
The men are all aged between 24 and 32 , and came to Germany as refugees .
The men joined IS in January 2019 and were instructed by the IS group to form a cell in Germany , prosecutors said .
They said the attacks were not planned for the immediate future but that the group had already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as secured directions and precursors for making a bomb from the Internet .
To help finance the terror plans , prosecutors said the ringleader , identified as Ravshan B. , and another suspect traveled to Albania to carry out a $ 40,000-contract killing , but the operation fell apart and they returned to Germany , the statement added .
The men are alleged to have been in contact with two high-ranking IS figures in Syria and Afghanistan .
In recent years , Germany has seen several terrorist attacks claimed by IS , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market in December 2016 that left 12 people dead .

TIRANA -- Albania says it has arrested a Tajik citizen sought by Germany for suspected membership in a cell of the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group.
The announcement on April 30 comes two weeks after German authorities announced they had detained five Tajik nationals suspected of forming an IS cell that plotted attacks on German soil. Two individuals in the cell were alleged to have traveled to Albania with plans to carry out a contract killing.
Albanian police said on April 30 that the country’s Antiterror Directorate arrested a 24-year-old Tajik national, identified only as K.Z., in a joint operation with Interpol.
A statement said the detained is subject to an international arrest warrant issued on April 21 by a federal court in Karlsruhe, Germany.
It said the suspect is accused of being a member of a “terrorist cell” in Germany that had been set up to carry out violent acts on behalf of the IS group.
The case was referred to prosecutors in the capital, Tirana, in order to carry out further legal procedures for the detainee’s extradition.
A news website in Albania identified the suspect as Komrom Zukhurov and said he was detained in Tirana late on April 29. It also posted a photo of the man.
The suspect is said to be part of the same group whose members were detained in Germany earlier this month for allegedly planning attacks, including on U.S. Air Force bases in the country and an unidentified individual they deemed critical of Islam.
German prosecutors said four of the suspects -- all from Tajikistan -- were arrested on April 15 in the city of Siegen and in the towns of Heinsberg and Werdohl in the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
The fifth suspect, also a Tajik national believed to be the leader of the terror cell, was already in custody after being detained in March 2019. The men are all aged between 24 and 32, and came to Germany as refugees.
The men joined IS in January 2019 and were instructed by the IS group to form a cell in Germany, prosecutors said.
They said the attacks were not planned for the immediate future but that the group had already acquired firearms and ammunition, as well as secured directions and precursors for making a bomb from the Internet.
To help finance the terror plans, prosecutors said the ringleader, identified as Ravshan B., and another suspect traveled to Albania to carry out a $40,000-contract killing, but the operation fell apart and they returned to Germany, the statement added.
The men are alleged to have been in contact with two high-ranking IS figures in Syria and Afghanistan.
In recent years, Germany has seen several terrorist attacks claimed by IS, including a truck rampage through a Berlin Christmas market in December 2016 that left 12 people dead.


rferl--2020-04-30--Russian PM Tests Positive For Coronavirus

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin says he will self-isolate after testing positive for the coronavirus .
`` I have just learned that the test on the coronavirus I took was positive , '' Mishustin said in a video call with President Vladimir Putin on April 30 , adding that he will self-isolate to protect other cabinet members .
Mishustin suggested that First Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov should temporarily perform his duties , but the prime minister insisted he would remain in touch on key issues .
The Kremlin later announced that Putin signed a decree appointing Belousov acting prime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government . ''
Putin wished Mishustin a speedy recovery and expressed hope that he would continue taking part in drafting policies to shore up the Russian economy , which has been hard hit by the pandemic .
The 54-year-old was named prime minister in January .
His positive test came on the same day that Russia recorded a record 7,099 new virus cases , taking the total number of confirmed infections above 106,000 .
Authorities said 1,073 people have now died of coronavirus , a relatively low number for Russia 's size @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases of pneumonia , which is often caused by the coronavirus , as evidence that the real number of COVID-19-related deaths is higher .
The mayor of Moscow , which accounts for half of Russia ’ s reported infections , said he does not think the Russian capital is close to overcoming the spread of the disease .
“ We ’ re not even at the midpoint , in my opinion ; at best we have passed a quarter of this way , ” Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said .
Putin and many other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent weeks in an effort to shield themselves from the outbreak .
With reporting by AFP , AP , Reuters , dpa , and Interfax

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin says he will self-isolate after testing positive for the coronavirus.
"I have just learned that the test on the coronavirus I took was positive," Mishustin said in a video call with President Vladimir Putin on April 30, adding that he will self-isolate to protect other cabinet members.
Mishustin suggested that First Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov should temporarily perform his duties, but the prime minister insisted he would remain in touch on key issues.
The Kremlin later announced that Putin signed a decree appointing Belousov acting prime minister to "ensure uninterrupted functioning of the government."
Putin wished Mishustin a speedy recovery and expressed hope that he would continue taking part in drafting policies to shore up the Russian economy, which has been hard hit by the pandemic.
The 54-year-old was named prime minister in January.
His positive test came on the same day that Russia recorded a record 7,099 new virus cases, taking the total number of confirmed infections above 106,000.
Authorities said 1,073 people have now died of coronavirus, a relatively low number for Russia's size.
Critics point to official figures on cases of pneumonia, which is often caused by the coronavirus, as evidence that the real number of COVID-19-related deaths is higher.
The mayor of Moscow, which accounts for half of Russia’s reported infections, said he does not think the Russian capital is close to overcoming the spread of the disease.
“We’re not even at the midpoint, in my opinion; at best we have passed a quarter of this way,” Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said.
Putin and many other senior officials have been working remotely in recent weeks in an effort to shield themselves from the outbreak.
With reporting by AFP, AP, Reuters, dpa, and Interfax


rferl--2020-04-30--Turkmen Province 'In Chaos' After Deadly Windstorms

Hundreds of people have been left homeless in the northeastern Turkmen province of Lebap following severe windstorms that swept through the country .
Many parts of Lebap still remain without electricity , drinking water , and natural gas , RFE/RL correspondents reported from the scene on April 30 .
Mobile phone and Internet connections have been cut off , they added .
Local media reported that at least 10 people died in the April 27 disaster , while the independent news website and human rights organization Turkmen.news , based in the Netherlands , said that “ dozens ” of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still unaccounted for .
A large number of people have been admitted to the main hospital in the provincial capital , Turkmenabat , with injuries sustained from falling objects during the rain and windstorms , it added .
State media in the strictly controlled Central Asian nation hasn ’ t reported about the destructive windstorms and the destruction they left in their wake .
“ It 's as if the authorities have disappeared , no measures are being taken [ by the government ] to help people , ” an RFE/RL correspondent reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the scene as “ chaotic.
” “ People were at loss , they didn ’ t know what to do , ” the correspondent said .
“ Authorities are n't telling people anything.
” The correspondents said that a lack of information has led to unsubstantiated rumors of an imminent earthquake and floods , sparking more panic among the people .
There were also reports of looting in shops and people ’ s homes amid the chaos .
“ In Turkmenabat , the dome of the local Ruhyet Palace was destroyed by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were left without roofs , ” Turkmen.news reported .
“ Amid the crisis , some private traders raised the price of food supplies , ” it added .
Turkmen authorities ’ clampdown on media and free speech makes it difficult to get information about the extent of the damage in Lebap and other parts of Turkmenistan .
The rains and windstorms also affected neighboring Uzbekistan ’ s Bukhara , Navoyi , Samarkand , and Qashqadaryo provinces .

Hundreds of people have been left homeless in the northeastern Turkmen province of Lebap following severe windstorms that swept through the country.
Many parts of Lebap still remain without electricity, drinking water, and natural gas, RFE/RL correspondents reported from the scene on April 30. Mobile phone and Internet connections have been cut off, they added.
Local media reported that at least 10 people died in the April 27 disaster, while the independent news website and human rights organization Turkmen.news, based in the Netherlands, said that “dozens” of people may have died and dozens more are still unaccounted for.
A large number of people have been admitted to the main hospital in the provincial capital, Turkmenabat, with injuries sustained from falling objects during the rain and windstorms, it added.
State media in the strictly controlled Central Asian nation hasn’t reported about the destructive windstorms and the destruction they left in their wake.
“It's as if the authorities have disappeared, no measures are being taken [by the government] to help people,” an RFE/RL correspondent reported from Lebap, describing the situation at the scene as “chaotic.”
“People were at loss, they didn’t know what to do,” the correspondent said. “Authorities aren't telling people anything.”
The correspondents said that a lack of information has led to unsubstantiated rumors of an imminent earthquake and floods, sparking more panic among the people.
There were also reports of looting in shops and people’s homes amid the chaos.
“In Turkmenabat, the dome of the local Ruhyet Palace was destroyed by the windstorms and several schools and kindergarten buildings were left without roofs,” Turkmen.news reported.
“Amid the crisis, some private traders raised the price of food supplies,” it added.
Turkmen authorities’ clampdown on media and free speech makes it difficult to get information about the extent of the damage in Lebap and other parts of Turkmenistan.
The rains and windstorms also affected neighboring Uzbekistan’s Bukhara, Navoyi, Samarkand, and Qashqadaryo provinces.
Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoev visited Bukhara, the most-affected region, on April 29.


rferl--2020-04-30--COVID-19: Tajikistan Officially Confirms First Cases

The global death toll from the coronavirus is approaching 230,000 with more than 3.2 million infections confirmed , causing mass disruptions as governments continue to try to slow the spread of the new respiratory illness .
Tajik authorities said they had registered 15 coronavirus cases in the country , the first such cases after weeks of mounting speculation that officials were suppressing information about the disease .
The confirmation of the cases , made April 30 by the government task force charged with fighting the coronavirus , poses a dangerous challenge for the authoritarian government .
Tajikistan ’ s health-care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a widespread outbreak of cases .
The government , under President Emomali Rahmon , has suppressed opposition parties , civil society groups , and independent media for years , leading to a vacuum of information .
The country 's Health Ministry said five coronavirus cases had been recorded in Dushanbe and 10 in the northern city of Khujand .
The ministry did not release any further details such as when the cases were discovered or which hospitals the patients were being treated at .
The state-run Khovar news agency said that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now wear face coverings when outdoors .
Even as infections skyrocketed in other Central Asian nations , Rahmon flouted warnings from international experts to order social-distancing restrictions or other measures to try to curtail any spread of the disease .
Suspicion has grown amid a spike in respiratory diseases that have been described as pneumonia or tuberculosis .
Even though it had not confirmed any cases at the time , the government last week closed schools for two weeks and suspended the national soccer season over the coronavirus .
Adding to the confusion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health Organization , Galina Perfilyeva , has for weeks repeated government insistence that there were no cases in the country .
On April 27 , she warned that the country must be ready for the `` worst-case scenario . ''
WHO officials said a team of experts were expected to travel to Tajikistan on April 30 .
Turkmenistan now is the only country in Central Asia that has not officially reported any cases of the virus .
Other countries across Central Asia have begun to ease restrictions that were suspended over the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said on April 30 that the resumption of economic activities will take into consideration priorities and proceed in 10-day stages beginning on May 1 .
According to Abylgaziev , his cabinet has allocated some $ 9 million for measures to slow the spread of the virus .
Kyrgyz Interior Minister Kashkar Junushaliev told reporters on April 30 that all checkpoints in Bishkek , the capital , will be removed on May 1 and that police will patrol streets to monitor vehicle movements .
The Health Ministry said on April 30 that the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reached 746 , including eight deaths .
Neighboring Uzbekistan has begun to ease restrictions as well , announcing that , as of April 30 , citizens could resume using private cars from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. , and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m .
The use of private vehicles was temporarily banned in March because of the pandemic .
A day earlier , the Uzbek government extended the suspension of all flights abroad to June 30. International flights , except cargo flights , were suspended initially for one month on March 30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were 2,017 coronavirus cases , including nine deaths , in Uzbekistan as of April 30 .
The largest number of coronavirus cases in the region has been officially registered in Kazakhstan , where the latest figures on April 30 were 3,273 cases with 25 deaths .
Reporters Without Borders ( RSF ) has called on Kazakhstan to stop harassing journalists covering the coronavirus outbreak in the country , saying they are being subjected to “ interrogation , prosecution , and violation of the confidentiality of their sources.
” '' On the pretext of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ journalists and bloggers who stray from the official line on the epidemic , '' Jeanne Cavelier , the head of RSF ’ s Eastern Europe and Central Asia desk , said in a statement on April 30 .
`` This exploitation of the state of emergency is harming press freedom in Kazakhstan .
It must stop , '' Cavelier added .
The statement cited the case of Zaure Mirzakhodjaeva , a journalist and blogger in the southern city of Shymkent , who was summoned and questioned by the police for seven hours last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Mirzakhodjaeva is now being criminally investigated for allegedly spreading false information .
Media in Kazakhstan have been subjected to “ judicial harassment ” since the Central Asian country declared a state of emergency on March 16 , according to RSF .
The Paris-based media freedom watchdog said the authorities are “ monitoring social media and media outlets closely for what they regard as excessive criticism of the government ’ s handling of the health crisis.
” Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has shortened a three-day weekend curfew to just one day to allow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amid ongoing public protests over restrictions imposed to combat the spread of the coronavirus .
`` We propose that the curfew begin at 6 p.m. [ on April 30 ] and last until [ May 1 ] at 5 a.m. , '' Vucic told state broadcaster RTS on April 29 .
An original plan would have imposed a curfew from the evening of April 30 until the morning of May 4 in order to limit gatherings of people in public places .
Serbs traditionally celebrate May 1 with large picnics .
Serbia introduced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state of emergency , the closure of borders , a daily curfew from 5 p.m. , and total lockdowns all weekend , including all four days of the Orthodox Easter holiday .
Gatherings of more than five people remain banned , Vucic said .
The decision follows three nights of noisy protests by Serb citizens who were stuck at home and resorted to banging tin pans and drums to vent their anger at the government and its tough containment measures against the virus .
The protests are similar to one held in 1996 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saw as electoral fraud attempts by the Socialist Party of Serbia , led by President Slobodan Milosevic , after local elections in 1996 .
The coronavirus protests have also provided an outlet for discontent with the policies of Vucic , a former nationalist firebrand and ex-information minister under Milosevic who later adopted pro-European values .
Many Serbs say Vucic , in power since 2012 , and his ruling coalition are displaying traits of authoritarianism , employing oppression against political opponents , stifling media freedoms , corruption , cronyism , and ties with organized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such accusations .
As of April 2 , the number of coronavirus infections in Serbia was almost 8,500 , with 168 deaths , according to Serbia 's Health Ministry .
With reporting by RFE/RL 's Kyrgyz , Tajik , Uzbek , Kazakh , and Balkan services , Reuters , Khovar , and dpa


rferl--2020-05-01--Uzbek Dam Bursts, Forcing Evacuation Of Thousands Of Villagers

A recently built dam in Uzbekistan has burst , sending water rushing toward villages on the floodplain downstream from the @ @ @ @ @ region of Sidaryo .
Authorities say 11,600 villagers were evacuated on May 1 after the @ @ @ @ @ developed a breach at about 6 a.m. local time .
Video footage obtained by RFE/RL @ @ @ @ @ section of the 29-meter-high concrete structure and a torrent of water rushing toward the nearby @ @ @ @ @ RFE/RL the breach had weakened the structure and they feared it could cause the entire @ @ @ @ @ President Shavkat Mirziyoev visited the site on May 1 after the evacuation of the flooded @ @ @ @ @ Uzbek Service reports that construction of the Sardoba Reservoir dam by Uzbek state builders began @ @ @ @ @ in 2017 .
Uzbekistan also has signed a $ 23 million contract with China for @ @ @ @ @ power station at the site of the dam .
The Chinese hydroelectric project had been @ @ @ @ @ .

A recently built dam in Uzbekistan has burst, sending water rushing toward villages on the floodplain downstream from the Sardoba Reservoir in the eastern region of Sirdaryo.
Authorities say 11,600 villagers were evacuated on May 1 after the dam on the Sirdaryo River developed a breach at about 6 a.m. local time.
Video footage obtained by RFE/RL shows a gap in one section of the 29-meter-high concrete structure and a torrent of water rushing toward the nearby villages.
Uzbek officials told RFE/RL the breach had weakened the structure and they feared it could cause the entire dam to collapse.
Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoev visited the site on May 1 after the evacuation of the flooded villages began.
RFE/RL's Uzbek Service reports that construction of the Sardoba Reservoir dam by Uzbek state builders began in 2010 and was completed in 2017.
Uzbekistan also has signed a $23 million contract with China for the construction of a hydroelectric power station at the site of the dam.
The Chinese hydroelectric project had been scheduled for completion in 2022.


rferl--2020-05-01--Trump Claims Former National-Security Adviser Flynn 'Exonerated'

U.S. President Donald Trump has launched a fresh wave of criticism against U.S. law enforcement agents as lawyers for his former national-security adviser , Michael Flynn , disclosed internal FBI documents in their attempt to have Flynn ’ s criminal conviction overturned .
Flynn was among the first individuals swept up in the U.S. investigation into possible collusion between Russia and the Trump election campaign team in 2016 .
He was fired by Trump in February 2017 , having served as national-security adviser for only 24 days , after it emerged that he ’ d lied to Vice President Mike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ambassador to the United States .
In December 2017 , Flynn pleaded guilty on charges of lying to the FBI about his conversations with the Russian ambassador .
But Trump says the FBI documents disclosed by Flynn 's lawyers have led him to believe that Flynn should be cleared in court .
If that does n't happen , Trump suggested he could use his presidential powers to pardon Flynn .
“ It looks to me like Michael Flynn would be exonerated based on everything I see , ” Trump told reporters in Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m not the judge , but I have a different type of power .
But I don ’ t know that anybody would have to use that power .
I think he ’ s exonerated.
” Trump has long said he is considering a presidential pardon for Flynn .
On April 29-30 , Trump retweeted a series of supportive statements about Flynn and condemned the FBI 's investigation of his former adviser .
“ What happened to General Michael Flynn , a war hero , should never be allowed to happen to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Trump tweeted .
Pence said on April 30 that he was now “ inclined to believe ” that the false statements Flynn had made to him were “ unintentional.
” Flynn ’ s lawyers on April 30 accused the FBI and the U.S. Justice Department of misconduct during their investigation .
The lawyers cited newly unsealed documents that they claim show the FBI tried to “ intentionally frame ” Flynn during their investigation of Russia ’ s interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election .
With reporting by The New York Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AP , and Reuters

U.S. President Donald Trump has launched a fresh wave of criticism against U.S. law enforcement agents as lawyers for his former national-security adviser, Michael Flynn, disclosed internal FBI documents in their attempt to have Flynn’s criminal conviction overturned.
Flynn was among the first individuals swept up in the U.S. investigation into possible collusion between Russia and the Trump election campaign team in 2016.
He was fired by Trump in February 2017, having served as national-security adviser for only 24 days, after it emerged that he’d lied to Vice President Mike Pence about his contacts with the Russian ambassador to the United States.
In December 2017, Flynn pleaded guilty on charges of lying to the FBI about his conversations with the Russian ambassador.
But Trump says the FBI documents disclosed by Flynn's lawyers have led him to believe that Flynn should be cleared in court.
If that doesn't happen, Trump suggested he could use his presidential powers to pardon Flynn.
“It looks to me like Michael Flynn would be exonerated based on everything I see,” Trump told reporters in Washington on April 30. "I’m not the judge, but I have a different type of power. But I don’t know that anybody would have to use that power. I think he’s exonerated.”
Trump has long said he is considering a presidential pardon for Flynn.
On April 29-30, Trump retweeted a series of supportive statements about Flynn and condemned the FBI's investigation of his former adviser.
“What happened to General Michael Flynn, a war hero, should never be allowed to happen to a citizen of the United States again,” Trump tweeted.
Pence said on April 30 that he was now “inclined to believe” that the false statements Flynn had made to him were “unintentional.”
Flynn’s lawyers on April 30 accused the FBI and the U.S. Justice Department of misconduct during their investigation.
The lawyers cited newly unsealed documents that they claim show the FBI tried to “intentionally frame” Flynn during their investigation of Russia’s interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
With reporting by The New York Times, Bloomberg Business News, Politico, AP, and Reuters


rferl--2020-05-01--Russia Reports Record Daily Increase In Coronavirus Cases

Russia on May 1 reported 7,933 new cases of the coronavirus during the previous 24 hours -- a record daily increase that has brought the country 's acknowledged nationwide tally to 114,431 cases .
The daily toll is nearly 900 cases higher than the previous record of 7,099 new infections reported by Russia a day earlier .
Meanwhile , Russia 's official nationwide death toll on May 1 stood at 1,169 after the country 's coronavirus crisis response center reported 96 fatalities during the previous 24 hours .
Critics point to official figures on cases of pneumonia , which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence that Russia 's real number of COVID-19-related deaths is higher .
The latest tallies come a day after Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin announced in a video call with President Vladimir Putin that he would self-isolate because he had tested positive for the coronavirus .
The 54-year-old Mishustin was named prime minister in January .
Mishustin 's spokesman , Boris Belyakov , said late on April 30 that Mishustin would be kept under observation at an unnamed medical facility .
Meanwhile , the Kremlin announced that Putin had signed a decree appointing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acting prime minister to `` ensure uninterrupted functioning of government . ''
Putin and many other senior Russian officials have been working remotely in recent weeks in an effort to shield themselves from the pandemic .
Based on reporting by Reuters , AFP , AP , dpa , TASS , and Interfax

The global death toll from the coronavirus is more than 233,000 with almost 3.3 million infections confirmed, causing mass disruptions as governments continue to try to slow the spread of the new respiratory illness.
Here's a roundup of COVID-19 developments in RFE/RL's broadcast regions.
Russia
Russia on May 1 reported 7,933 new cases of the coronavirus during the previous 24 hours -- a record daily increase that has brought the country's acknowledged nationwide tally to 114,431 cases.
The daily toll is nearly 900 cases higher than the previous record of 7,099 new infections reported by Russia a day earlier.
Meanwhile, Russia's official nationwide death toll on May 1 stood at 1,169 after the country's coronavirus crisis response center reported 96 fatalities during the previous 24 hours.
Critics point to official figures on cases of pneumonia, which is often caused by the coronavirus, as evidence that Russia's real number of COVID-19-related deaths is higher.
The latest tallies come a day after Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin announced in a video call with President Vladimir Putin that he would self-isolate because he had tested positive for the coronavirus. The 54-year-old Mishustin was named prime minister in January.
Mishustin's spokesman, Boris Belyakov, said late on April 30 that Mishustin would be kept under observation at an unnamed medical facility.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin announced that Putin had signed a decree appointing First Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov as acting prime minister to "ensure uninterrupted functioning of government."
Putin and many other senior Russian officials have been working remotely in recent weeks in an effort to shield themselves from the pandemic.
Pakistan
The speaker of Pakistan's National Assembly has tested positive for COVID-19, raising concerns about whether he infected other officials.
"I have quarantined myself at home," Asad Qaiser, who is also a close aide to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, said on Twitter on April 30.
Qaiser met with Khan on April 27 as well as with other leading Pakistani politicians figures over the past few days, local media reported. He also hosted an iftar dinner to celebrate Ramadan.
Qaiser is the second individual infected with COVID-19 to come into contact with Khan.
Faisal Edhi, the head of Pakistan’s biggest charity organization who was also diagnosed with COVID-19, recently met with Khan at the prime minister's office.
Khan last month tested negative for the disease. It is unclear if he will be tested again.
Pakistan is seeing a growing number of cases as its ramps up testing. The country now has more than 17,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with more than 400 fatalities.
Though small in comparison to the United States, Western Europe, Russia, and China, the number of cases in Pakistan is rapidly growing with nearly 1,000 new infections reported on April 30, the country’s largest single-day tally.
Pakistan, which has a population of more than 200 million people, is testing about 8,000 individuals a day.
With reporting by Reuters, Dawn, AFP, AP, dpa, TASS, and Interfax