rferl--2020-01-29--Kazakhstan Shutting Down Transport Links With China Over Coronavirus Fears

Kazakhstan says it is suspending all forms of passenger travel to and from neighboring China , as an outbreak of @ @ @ @ @ widen .
Cross-border bus journeys have already been halted , while passenger train movement would @ @ @ @ @ flights would be suspended two days later , the government said in a statement on @ @ @ @ @ the Central Asian nation has also suspended the issuance of visas to Chinese citizens .
@ @ @ @ @ of the virus but has isolated 35 people with respiratory-infection symptoms upon arrival from China @ @ @ @ @ tests , according to the Health Ministry .
The coronavirus has caused 132 deaths , @ @ @ @ @ at least 16 other countries .
Based on reporting by Reuters and AP

Kazakhstan says it is suspending all forms of passenger travel to and from neighboring China, as an outbreak of a new coronavirus continued to widen.
Cross-border bus journeys have already been halted, while passenger train movement would stop on February 1 and flights would be suspended two days later, the government said in a statement on January 29.
It said the Central Asian nation has also suspended the issuance of visas to Chinese citizens.
Kazakhstan has registered no cases of the virus but has isolated 35 people with respiratory-infection symptoms upon arrival from China and is carrying out additional tests, according to the Health Ministry.
The coronavirus has caused 132 deaths, spreading across China and to at least 16 other countries.
Based on reporting by Reuters and AP


rferl--2020-01-29--Russia Joins China In Search For Vaccine As Virus Outbreak Spreads

Russia says it has received the genome of the coronavirus from China and is working jointly with its neighbor to develop a vaccine against the illness as the number of deaths and confirmed cases continues to jump .
Chinese authorities said on January 29 that there are 5,974 confirmed cases nationwide in the country , from which 132 people have died .
Another 9,239 suspected cases of the respiratory illness are being monitored , the government ’ s National Health Commission said on January 29 .
Dozens of cases have been confirmed outside mainland China as well , including in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ East , and elsewhere in Asia , prompting Russia , which has no confirmed cases , to join the race to stop the illness .
`` Russian and Chinese experts have begun developing a vaccine , '' the Russian consulate in China 's Guangzhou Province said in a statement on its website .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) has said it believes China is able to contain the coronavirus , but mounting concern over the jump in cases has prompted hundreds of foreign nationals to leave the provincial capital , Wuhan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The total number of confirmed cases now surpasses that of SARS , another respiratory illness that killed more than 600 people worldwide in 2002-2003 .
Symptoms of the new kind of coronavirus include fever , cough , and shortness of breath .
Authorities have sealed off access to 17 cities in Hubei Province , where the pathogen is believed to have originated and was first reported in December .
Australia plans to quarantine its 600 returning citizens for two weeks on Christmas Island , some 2,000 kilometers from the mainland .
The European @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States , Japan , and South Korea are also repatriating their nationals .
British Airways has suspended bookings on its website for direct flights from London to Beijing and Shanghai until March .
The World Health Organization has recognized the outbreak as a national emergency but stopped short of declaring it an international one .
With reporting by South China Morning Post , AP , AFP , Reuters , and TASS

Russia says it has received the genome of the coronavirus from China and is working jointly with its neighbor to develop a vaccine against the illness as the number of deaths and confirmed cases continues to jump.
Chinese authorities said on January 29 that there are 5,974 confirmed cases nationwide in the country, from which 132 people have died.
Another 9,239 suspected cases of the respiratory illness are being monitored, the government’s National Health Commission said on January 29.
Dozens of cases have been confirmed outside mainland China as well, including in Europe, North America, the Middle East, and elsewhere in Asia, prompting Russia, which has no confirmed cases, to join the race to stop the illness.
"Russian and Chinese experts have begun developing a vaccine," the Russian consulate in China's Guangzhou Province said in a statement on its website.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has said it believes China is able to contain the coronavirus, but mounting concern over the jump in cases has prompted hundreds of foreign nationals to leave the provincial capital, Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak.
The total number of confirmed cases now surpasses that of SARS, another respiratory illness that killed more than 600 people worldwide in 2002-2003.
Symptoms of the new kind of coronavirus include fever, cough, and shortness of breath.
Authorities have sealed off access to 17 cities in Hubei Province, where the pathogen is believed to have originated and was first reported in December.
Australia plans to quarantine its 600 returning citizens for two weeks on Christmas Island, some 2,000 kilometers from the mainland.
The European Union as well as countries including the United States, Japan, and South Korea are also repatriating their nationals.
British Airways has suspended bookings on its website for direct flights from London to Beijing and Shanghai until March.
The World Health Organization has recognized the outbreak as a national emergency but stopped short of declaring it an international one.
With reporting by South China Morning Post, AP, AFP, Reuters, and TASS


rferl--2020-01-29--Former Moscow Police Officers Accused Of Fabricating Case Against Journalist Golunov

Five former Moscow police officers have been detained in the high-profile drug-trafficking case against Russian investigative journalist Ivan Golunov , who was arrested and then released amid a public outcry and allegations of police corruption in June 2019 .
The Investigative Committee said on January 29 that the detained officers from the Moscow antidrug unit are currently being questioned .
In its second statement the same day , the Investigative Committee said former officers Denis Konovalov , Akbar Sergaliyev , Roman Feofanov , Maksim Umetbayev , and their former supervisor , Igor Lyakhovets , were suspected of planting drugs in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The investigation has established that the officers intended to illegally file criminal charges against Golunov and ... falsified the results of evidence-gathering operations which then served as proof of Golunov 's guilt , '' the statement says .
It says that `` the drugs planted [ in Golunov 's apartment and backpack ] had been illegally obtained and also illegally carried by the police officers . ''
The Investigative Committee 's statement is a very rare admission of wrongdoing by Russian law enforcement agencies .
The 37-year-old Golunov , who works for Latvia-based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moscow for allegedly attempting to sell illegal drugs .
He was released several days later after the charges were dropped following a public outcry .
The case sparked an investigation into his detainment over the charges and also into why Golunov suffered bruises , cuts , a concussion , and a broken rib during the ordeal .
In mid-July , three police officers and their supervisor were fired for violating Golunov 's rights while detaining him .
After Golunov 's release , Russian President Vladimir Putin fired Major General Yury Devyatkin , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drug-control directorate , and Major General Andrei Puchkov , the police chief in Moscow 's western administrative district , over the case .
Authorities announced in November that the case had been classified , a decision harshly criticized by Golunov 's lawyers , who called the move an attempt to cover up the `` wrongful arrest '' of their client .

Five former Moscow police officers have been detained in the high-profile drug-trafficking case against Russian investigative journalist Ivan Golunov, who was arrested and then released amid a public outcry and allegations of police corruption in June 2019.
The Investigative Committee said on January 29 that the detained officers from the Moscow antidrug unit are currently being questioned.
In its second statement the same day, the Investigative Committee said former officers Denis Konovalov, Akbar Sergaliyev, Roman Feofanov, Maksim Umetbayev, and their former supervisor, Igor Lyakhovets, were suspected of planting drugs in Golunov's backpack and apartment.
"The investigation has established that the officers intended to illegally file criminal charges against Golunov and...falsified the results of evidence-gathering operations which then served as proof of Golunov's guilt," the statement says.
It says that "the drugs planted [in Golunov's apartment and backpack] had been illegally obtained and also illegally carried by the police officers."
The Investigative Committee's statement is a very rare admission of wrongdoing by Russian law enforcement agencies.
The 37-year-old Golunov, who works for Latvia-based Meduza, was arrested in June in Moscow for allegedly attempting to sell illegal drugs.
He was released several days later after the charges were dropped following a public outcry. The case sparked an investigation into his detainment over the charges and also into why Golunov suffered bruises, cuts, a concussion, and a broken rib during the ordeal.
In mid-July, three police officers and their supervisor were fired for violating Golunov's rights while detaining him.
After Golunov's release, Russian President Vladimir Putin fired Major General Yury Devyatkin, the head of the Moscow police department's drug-control directorate, and Major General Andrei Puchkov, the police chief in Moscow's western administrative district, over the case.
Authorities announced in November that the case had been classified, a decision harshly criticized by Golunov's lawyers, who called the move an attempt to cover up the "wrongful arrest" of their client.


rferl--2020-01-30--Kazakh Ambulance Drivers Accused Of Spreading False Information About Coronavirus

Two ambulance drivers in Kazakhstan 's southeastern town of Qapshaghai have been detained on suspicion of spreading false information about @ @ @ @ @ country .
Police said in a statement on their website on January 30 that the @ @ @ @ @ were not disclosed , will be charged with the `` premeditated spreading of false information @ @ @ @ @ application .
According to the statement , the two suspects said via WhatsApp on January @ @ @ @ @ Qapshaghai had admitted two patients with coronavirus symptoms , which turned out to be false @ @ @ @ @ commented on the accusation .
Under Kazakhstan 's Criminal Code , spreading false information is @ @ @ @ @ year in prison .
Kazak authorities have suspended the issuance of visas to Chinese citizens @ @ @ @ @ of passenger travel to and from its neighbor because of the coronavirus outbreak .
Kazakhstan @ @ @ @ @ of the virus , but 35 people with respiratory-infection symptoms upon arrival from China have @ @ @ @ @ are carried out , according to the Health Ministry .

Two ambulance drivers in Kazakhstan's southeastern town of Qapshaghai have been detained on suspicion of spreading false information about a coronavirus infection in the country.
Police said in a statement on their website on January 30 that the two men, whose identities were not disclosed, will be charged with the "premeditated spreading of false information" via the WhatsApp messaging application.
According to the statement, the two suspects said via WhatsApp on January 29 that a hospital in Qapshaghai had admitted two patients with coronavirus symptoms, which turned out to be false.
The suspects have not commented on the accusation.
Under Kazakhstan's Criminal Code, spreading false information is punishable by up to a year in prison.
Kazak authorities have suspended the issuance of visas to Chinese citizens and temporarily halted all forms of passenger travel to and from its neighbor because of the coronavirus outbreak.
Kazakhstan hasn't registered any cases of the virus, but 35 people with respiratory-infection symptoms upon arrival from China have been quarantined while additional tests are carried out, according to the Health Ministry.


rferl--2020-01-30--At Least 10 Civilians Reported Killed In Syria Air Strikes; Russia Denies Involvement

Russian air strikes have killed at least 10 civilians in Syria 's Idlib Province , the opposition 's last stronghold , activists say , an allegation quickly rejected by Moscow .
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Syrian Civil Defense said on January 30 that a hospital and a bakery were struck in the overnight attack in the town of Ariha , amid Syrian government advances on the enclave that had been controlled by rebel forces for nearly eight years .
They said women and children were among those killed and wounded .
Russia 's Defense Ministry denied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not carry out any combat tasks in the area .
Russia-backed Syrian government forces have pressed ahead with its offensive in Idlib in recent weeks .
UN humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock said on January 29 that at least 20,000 people were displaced in the previous two days and 115,000 left their homes in the past week , bringing total of those uprooted by the violence since December to 390,000 .
Earlier , President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey was losing patience with the military assault in Idlib and accuse of Russia of `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the violence there .
Turkey and Russia , which support opposing sides in Syria 's conflict , have agreed to work toward de-escalating the fighting in Idlib and creating a demilitarized zone .
Based on reporting by AP and AFP

Russian air strikes have killed at least 10 civilians in Syria's Idlib Province, the opposition's last stronghold, activists say, an allegation quickly rejected by Moscow.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Syrian Civil Defense said on January 30 that a hospital and a bakery were struck in the overnight attack in the town of Ariha, amid Syrian government advances on the enclave that had been controlled by rebel forces for nearly eight years.
They said women and children were among those killed and wounded.
Russia's Defense Ministry denied the reports, saying Russian aircraft did not carry out any combat tasks in the area.
Russia-backed Syrian government forces have pressed ahead with its offensive in Idlib in recent weeks.
The U.S. special envoy for Syria, James Jeffrey, said 200 air strikes by Syrian and Russian warplanes had hit the region in the last three days alone.
UN humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock said on January 29 that at least 20,000 people were displaced in the previous two days and 115,000 left their homes in the past week, bringing total of those uprooted by the violence since December to 390,000.
Earlier, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey was losing patience with the military assault in Idlib and accuse of Russia of "not honoring" agreements aimed at stemming the violence there.
Turkey and Russia, which support opposing sides in Syria's conflict, have agreed to work toward de-escalating the fighting in Idlib and creating a demilitarized zone.
Based on reporting by AP and AFP


rferl--2020-01-30--Russia Closes Border With China To Prevent Possible Coronavirus Spread

Russia has closed its border with China over the coronavirus as countries across the globe begin isolating hundreds of citizens evacuated from the Chinese city of Wuhan in an effort to stop the spread of the viral outbreak that has killed at least 170 people .
Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said at a cabinet meeting on January 30 that the border , the fifth-longest land border in the world , would close immediately .
`` The corresponding order was signed today , and it started being implemented .
We will properly inform everyone of the measures linked to the closure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ region , as well as other measures by the government [ to prevent the spread of the coronavirus ] , '' Mishustin said , adding that there were no cases of coronavirus infection in Russia .
With a confirmed case in Tibet on January 30 , the coronavirus outbreak has now spread to every region of mainland China .
Infections have also been reported in at least 16 other countries .
Chinese health authorities have said there were more than 7,700 confirmed cases in the country .
The virus is thought to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market in Wuhan , the capital of the central province of Hubei where almost all the deaths so far have been reported .
Hubei , home to 60 million people , is now under virtual lockdown .
Australia , South Korea , Singapore , and New Zealand have said they will quarantine all of their evacuated citizens for at least two weeks , while the United States and Japan planned voluntary isolation for shorter periods .
Meanwhile , China 's soccer federation announced it was postponing all domestic games in response to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , scheduled to take place in China in March , were postponed until next year .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) will meet later in the day to discuss whether the epidemic constitutes a global emergency .
`` In the last few days the progress of the virus , especially in some countries , especially human-to-human transmission , worries us , '' WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said .
With reporting by AFP , the BBC , and Reuters

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak of a new coronavirus from China a global emergency after cases spiked more than tenfold in a week, but said there was no reason to restrict international travel over the situation.
The UN health agency's decision on January 30 came after China reported its biggest single-day jump in deaths, bringing the total to at least 170, with more than 7,700 confirmed cases in the country, where a confirmed case reported in Tibet meant the virus has now spread to all mainland regions.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced the move after a meeting of its Emergency Committee, an independent panel of experts, amid mounting evidence of the virus spreading to some 18 countries.
However, Tedros told a news conference in Geneva that he saw no reason to restrict travel and trade.
"WHO does not recommend and actually opposes any restrictions" on travel and trade, Tedros said, adding that he was confident China was taking adequate measures.
"Let me be clear, this declaration is not a vote of no confidence in China," he said.
"Our greatest concern is the potential for the virus to spread to countries with weaker health systems."
Earlier, Russia, where there are no confirmed cases of coronavirus, kept its 4,300 kilometer-long land border -- the fifth-longest land border in the world -- with China partially closed and suspended the issuance of electronic visas to Chinese nationals.
Rail freight is continuing to circulate between the two countries, direct daily flights are continuing, and a passenger train that operates between Moscow and Beijing remains in service.
Countries across the globe have begun isolating hundreds of citizens evacuated from the Chinese city of Wuhan in an effort to stop the spread of the viral outbreak.
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin announced his country's measures to tackle the virus at a cabinet meeting on January 30.
"The corresponding order was signed today, and it started being implemented. We will properly inform everyone of the measures linked to the closure of the border in the Far East region, as well as other measures by the government [to prevent the spread of the coronavirus]," he said.
The virus is thought to have emerged last month from a live wild-animal market in Wuhan, the capital of the central province of Hubei where almost all the deaths so far have been reported. Hubei, home to 60 million people, is now under virtual lockdown.
Italy's health ministry said two Chinese passengers on a cruise ship had tested negative for the coronavirus, meaning thousands of stranded passengers could disembark.
The owner, Costa Cruises, was offering to pay for food and hotels for some 1,140 people who had been due to disembark at the Civitavecchia port near Rome, and the Costa Smeralda, carrying some 7,000 passengers, was to set sail again on January 31 in the morning, Italian media said.
Australia, South Korea, Singapore, and New Zealand have said they will quarantine all of their evacuated citizens for at least two weeks, while the United States and Japan planned voluntary isolation for shorter periods.
Meanwhile, the Pakistani government said it will not evacuate its nationals stranded in China. Addressing a news conference in Islamabad, Zafar Mirza, Special Assistant to Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, said the decision was in accordance with recommendations from the WHO.
"It is in the interest of the region, world, and country that we don't evacuate them now," Mirza said, adding that four Pakistani students in China were diagnosed with the coronavirus. Some 500 Pakistani students are based in Wuhan.
U.S. health officials said that, for the first time in the United States, the virus has spread from one person to another.
The latest case -- the sixth in the country -- is the husband of a Chicago woman who got sick from the virus after she returned from Hubei. There have been previous cases in China and elsewhere of the virus spreading between people in a household or workplace.


rferl--2020-01-30--Soldiers, Militants Killed In Shoot-Out In Northwestern Pakistan

BANNU , Pakistan -- Two Pakistani soldiers and five militants have been killed in a shoot-out in the northwestern region @ @ @ @ @ military says .
The army said on January 30 that the militants holed up inside @ @ @ @ @ area opened fire when security forces surrounded them .
Officials told RFE/RL that the militants @ @ @ @ @ were involved in target killings and blasts caused by improvised explosive devices in the area @ @ @ @ @ immediate comments from the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan or other militant groups .
Pakistan launched a @ @ @ @ @ Waziristan in 2014 to cleanse the region of militant groups .
But the region bordering @ @ @ @ @ the scene of violent attacks , targeted killings , and land-mine blasts .

BANNU, Pakistan -- Two Pakistani soldiers and five militants have been killed in a shoot-out in the northwestern region of North Waziristan, the military says.
The army said on January 30 that the militants holed up inside a compound in the Dattakhel area opened fire when security forces surrounded them.
Officials told RFE/RL that the militants killed in the overnight operation were involved in target killings and blasts caused by improvised explosive devices in the area.
There have been no immediate comments from the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan or other militant groups.
Pakistan launched a massive military operation in North Waziristan in 2014 to cleanse the region of militant groups.
But the region bordering Afghanistan has continued to be the scene of violent attacks, targeted killings, and land-mine blasts.


rferl--2020-01-30--Israel's Netanyahu Briefs Putin On Trump's Middle East Plan

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow to discuss the U.S. peace plan for the Middle East .
Netanyahu made a stopover in the Russian capital on January 30 after visiting Washington where U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled his long-awaited proposals the previous day .
The plan met with wild praise by the Israeli leader but was greeted coolly at the United Nations and European Union and with anger by Palestinians and others .
Meeting Putin in the Kremlin , Netanyahu described his Moscow visit as symbolizing `` further strengthening relations '' and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader 's `` insights '' about the U.S. peace plan .
`` You are the first leader I am speaking with after my visit in Washington for Trump 's deal of the century , '' he said .
`` I think there is a new opportunity here , maybe even unique opportunity . ''
The prime minister also thanked Putin for what he said was a `` swift '' decision to grant pardon to a U.S.-Israeli national jailed in Russia on drug charges .
`` We will have a chance to say a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said Putin , who did not mention the peace plan in his public remarks .
Trump 's plan would give Israel control over Jewish settlements on the West Bank and the strategic Jordan Valley and it declared Jerusalem as Israel 's `` undivided capital . ''
It also spoke of the possibility of an independent Palestine with its capital in parts of eastern Jerusalem , but set a series of conditions that must be first met by the Palestinians .
Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas immediately rejected the plan as too pro-Israel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue peace talks with neutral brokers .
Palestinians have said they do not consider Washington to be an impartial player in the decades-long conflict after Trump made what they consider to be pro-Israeli policy decisions .
Russia , meanwhile , has been seeking a larger role in the region and as a mediator between the Israelis and Palestinians in recent years .
Putin met last week with Netanyahu in Jerusalem and Abbas in Bethlehem .
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on January 29 said Russia was `` ready to continue to undertake all efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reach a viable peace in the Middle East . ''
Netanyahu 's visit to Moscow coincides with the January 30 release of a woman holding dual Israeli and U.S. citizenship from a penal colony in the Moscow region .
The move comes a day after Putin pardoned Naama Issachar , who was serving a 7 1/2-year prison sentence for smuggling drugs , on `` humanitarian principles . ''
Issacher was arrested at a Moscow airport in April and sentenced to prison in October for possession of 9 grams of marijuana .
With reporting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TASS , and Interfax

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow to discuss the U.S. peace plan for the Middle East.
Netanyahu made a stopover in the Russian capital on January 30 after visiting Washington where U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled his long-awaited proposals the previous day.
The plan met with wild praise by the Israeli leader but was greeted coolly at the United Nations and European Union and with anger by Palestinians and others.
Meeting Putin in the Kremlin, Netanyahu described his Moscow visit as symbolizing "further strengthening relations" and said he wanted to hear the Russian leader's "insights" about the U.S. peace plan.
"You are the first leader I am speaking with after my visit in Washington for Trump's deal of the century," he said. "I think there is a new opportunity here, maybe even unique opportunity."
The prime minister also thanked Putin for what he said was a "swift" decision to grant pardon to a U.S.-Israeli national jailed in Russia on drug charges.
"We will have a chance to say a few words about our bilateral relations," said Putin, who did not mention the peace plan in his public remarks.
Trump's plan would give Israel control over Jewish settlements on the West Bank and the strategic Jordan Valley and it declared Jerusalem as Israel's "undivided capital."
It also spoke of the possibility of an independent Palestine with its capital in parts of eastern Jerusalem, but set a series of conditions that must be first met by the Palestinians.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas immediately rejected the plan as too pro-Israel and said the Palestinians would prefer to continue peace talks with neutral brokers.
Palestinians have said they do not consider Washington to be an impartial player in the decades-long conflict after Trump made what they consider to be pro-Israeli policy decisions.
Russia, meanwhile, has been seeking a larger role in the region and as a mediator between the Israelis and Palestinians in recent years.
Putin met last week with Netanyahu in Jerusalem and Abbas in Bethlehem.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on January 29 said Russia was "ready to continue to undertake all efforts, do everything it can, to reach a viable peace in the Middle East."
On his flight back to Israel, Netanyahu was accompanied by dual Israeli-U.S. citizen Naama Issachar, who had been released earlier in the day from a penal colony in the Moscow region.
Putin on January 29 pardoned Naama Issachar, who was serving a 7 1/2-year prison sentence for smuggling drugs, on "humanitarian principles."
Issacher was arrested at a Moscow airport in April and sentenced to prison in October for possession of 9 grams of marijuana.
Issachar's fate had sparked a wave of sympathy in Israel, and bringing the 26-year-old home after 10 months in prison was a publicity coup for Netanyahu ahead of March 2 elections.
Israeli TV stations screened live coverage of Issachar's arrival at Ben Gurion airport, near Tel Aviv.
With reporting by dpa, AP, AFP, TASS, and Interfax


rferl--2020-01-30--Pakistan Criticized Over 'Draconian' Proposal To Regulate Web TV

Reporters Without Borders ( RSF ) has joined associations in Pakistan in calling on the country 's parliament to reject a `` draconian '' proposal for regulating web TV and online video-streaming services , saying it shows the `` authoritarian '' broadcast-media regulator 's intent to censor content `` relentlessly . ''
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority ( PEMRA ) published a proposal earlier this month to regulate content on video platforms such as YouTube and Vimeo and streaming services such as Netflix .
RSF said in a statement on January 29 that a `` parallel and much more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is being circulated to federal government agencies .
`` By means of pressure and harassment , the Pakistani authorities have been forcing more and more journalists to censor themselves in the traditional media , with the result that the Internet has become one of the few remaining spaces where independent voices can make themselves heard , '' said Daniel Bastard , the head of the Paris-based media-freedom watchdog 's Asia-Pacific desk .
`` We urge parliamentarians to reject this proposal outright because , even in the toned-down version published by the PEMRA , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information , '' he added .
Earlier this week , scores of citizens ' groups and journalists ' organizations in Pakistan slammed the government 's `` attempts to curtail freedom of expression , right to information and digital rights ; and appropriation of internet and cyberspace . ''
`` The environment for free speech for the citizens and the media is already heavily curtailed in Pakistan as part of an ongoing process of suppressing civil liberties and engendering a climate of censorship , '' they said in a joint statement .
`` These @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and will be used to censor online content and curb freedom of expression and right to information of media practitioners and citizens . ''
According to the PEMRA document , online TV operators would have to pay up to 10 million rupees ( $ 65,000 ) for a license -- a sum few individuals or media outlets would be able to afford to operate an ordinary YouTube channel , according to RSF .
It said video media outlets could also be suspended for violating PEMRA 's existing code of conduct , which the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ summarily '' interrupt several TV news channels .
RSF said PEMRA lacked independence , with its members being unable to resist the influence of the military establishment and intelligence services .
Pakistan is ranked 142nd out of 180 countries in RSF 's 2019 World Press Freedom Index .

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has joined associations in Pakistan in calling on the country's parliament to reject a "draconian" proposal for regulating web TV and online video-streaming services, saying it shows the "authoritarian" broadcast-media regulator's intent to censor content "relentlessly."
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) published a proposal earlier this month to regulate content on video platforms such as YouTube and Vimeo and streaming services such as Netflix.
RSF said in a statement on January 29 that a "parallel and much more drastic proposal for regulating content censorship" is being circulated to federal government agencies.
"By means of pressure and harassment, the Pakistani authorities have been forcing more and more journalists to censor themselves in the traditional media, with the result that the Internet has become one of the few remaining spaces where independent voices can make themselves heard," said Daniel Bastard, the head of the Paris-based media-freedom watchdog's Asia-Pacific desk.
"We urge parliamentarians to reject this proposal outright because, even in the toned-down version published by the PEMRA, it reflects a determination to control all information," he added.
Earlier this week, scores of citizens' groups and journalists' organizations in Pakistan slammed the government's "attempts to curtail freedom of expression, right to information and digital rights; and appropriation of internet and cyberspace."
"The environment for free speech for the citizens and the media is already heavily curtailed in Pakistan as part of an ongoing process of suppressing civil liberties and engendering a climate of censorship," they said in a joint statement. "These newly proposed regulations and measures...can and will be used to censor online content and curb freedom of expression and right to information of media practitioners and citizens."
According to the PEMRA document, online TV operators would have to pay up to 10 million rupees ($65,000) for a license -- a sum few individuals or media outlets would be able to afford to operate an ordinary YouTube channel, according to RSF.
It said video media outlets could also be suspended for violating PEMRA's existing code of conduct, which the regulatory authority used last year to "summarily" interrupt several TV news channels.
RSF said PEMRA lacked independence, with its members being unable to resist the influence of the military establishment and intelligence services.
Pakistan is ranked 142nd out of 180 countries in RSF's 2019 World Press Freedom Index.


rferl--2020-01-30--Former Moscow Police Charged With Fabricating Case Against Journalist

Five former Moscow police officers have been charged for their roles in the attempted framing of Russian investigative journalist Ivan Golunov by planting drugs in his backpack and apartment last year .
The Basmanny district court 's press service said on January 30 that the former officers of the Moscow narcotics unit were charged with abuse of service duties , falsification of evidence , and illegal handling of drugs .
Denis Konovalov , Akbar Sergaliyev , Roman Feofanov , Maksim Umetbayev , and their former supervisor , Igor Lyakhovets , were detained and questioned on January 29 before being charged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to an investigator at the court .
Pleas for the other officers were yet to be released .
OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Desir on January 29 tweeted that he was following the investigation `` with great interest , '' saying it was `` important that perpetrators face justice . ''
The 37-year-old Golunov , who works for Latvia-based Meduza , was arrested in June 2019 in Moscow for allegedly attempting to sell illegal drugs .
He was released several days later after the charges were dropped following a public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into his detainment over the charges and also into why Golunov suffered bruises , cuts , a concussion , and a broken rib during the ordeal .
In mid-July , three police officers and their supervisor were fired for violating Golunov 's rights while detaining him .
After Golunov ’ s release , Russian President Vladimir Putin fired Major General Yury Devyatkin , the head of the Moscow police department 's drug-control directorate , and Major General Andrei Puchkov , the police chief in Moscow 's West administrative region , over the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case had been classified , a decision harshly criticized by Golunov 's lawyers , who called the move an attempt to cover up the `` wrongful arrest '' of their client .
With reporting by Interfax and Dozhd TV

Five former Moscow police officers have been charged for their roles in the attempted framing of Russian investigative journalist Ivan Golunov by planting drugs in his backpack and apartment last year.
The Basmanny district court's press service said on January 30 that the former officers of the Moscow narcotics unit were charged with abuse of service duties, falsification of evidence, and illegal handling of drugs.
Denis Konovalov, Akbar Sergaliyev, Roman Feofanov, Maksim Umetbayev, and their former supervisor, Igor Lyakhovets, were detained and questioned on January 29 before being charged.
Feofanov pleaded not guilty, according to an investigator at the court. Pleas for the other officers were yet to be released.
OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Desir on January 29 tweeted that he was following the investigation "with great interest," saying it was "important that perpetrators face justice."
The 37-year-old Golunov, who works for Latvia-based Meduza, was arrested in June 2019 in Moscow for allegedly attempting to sell illegal drugs.
He was released several days later after the charges were dropped following a public outcry. The case sparked an investigation into his detainment over the charges and also into why Golunov suffered bruises, cuts, a concussion, and a broken rib during the ordeal.
In mid-July, three police officers and their supervisor were fired for violating Golunov's rights while detaining him.
After Golunov’s release, Russian President Vladimir Putin fired Major General Yury Devyatkin, the head of the Moscow police department's drug-control directorate, and Major General Andrei Puchkov, the police chief in Moscow's West administrative region, over the case.
Authorities announced in November that the case had been classified, a decision harshly criticized by Golunov's lawyers, who called the move an attempt to cover up the "wrongful arrest" of their client.
With reporting by Interfax and Dozhd TV


rferl--2020-01-30--Watchdog: Asia Seeing Growing Repression But Also Youth-Led Resistance

Amnesty International says governments across Asia are attempting to `` uproot '' fundamental freedoms , sparking a wave of youth-led protests against `` escalating repression . ''
In its annual report on the Asia-Pacific region , released on January 30 , the London-based human rights watchdog noted that governments in China , India , Pakistan , and other countries across South and Southeast Asia are increasingly active in silencing dissent and the media , reducing the space for peaceful protests , and introducing legislation that punish online critics .
`` 2019 was a year of repression in Asia , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Amnesty International 's regional director for East and Southeast Asia and the Pacific , said in a statement .
`` Online and offline , youth-led popular protests are challenging the established order , '' Bequelin added , citing Hong Kong 's mass protest movement against growing Chinese encroachment and protests in India against `` anti-Muslim policies . ''
The report said Chinese leader Xi Jinping 's efforts to crack down on dissent and impose the absolute control of the ruling Communist Party translated into increased persecution of human rights activists and others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Chinese authorities subjected Uyghurs , Kazakhs , and other mostly Muslim ethnic groups to intense surveillance , arbitrary detentions , and forced indoctrination .
In Pakistan , Amnesty International said that `` enforced disappearances continued relentlessly , as did cases of torture , violence against women , media censorship and the harassment of ethnic and religious minorities . ''
Human rights defenders , journalists , and members of the Shi'ite Muslim community were among the hundreds of people who were `` disappeared '' by security forces , often detained without charges or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sedition and defamation were used to curtail media freedoms and political activism , while anti-blasphemy laws continued to be used to `` harass individuals and enable human rights violations . ''
`` It has become increasingly difficult to fight for human rights in Pakistan at a time when the authorities continue to forcibly disappear people , censor journalists , crack down on peaceful demonstrations and enforce repression through draconian laws , '' said Omar Waraich , South Asia deputy director at Amnesty International .
Last year also saw Pakistanis taking to the streets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of women 's rights and students ' rights and against enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings , according to Waraich .
In Afghanistan , civilians continued to pay the price of the ongoing conflict as justice proved elusive for the victims , Amnesty International said .
The watchdog cited the International Criminal Court 's refusal to authorize an investigation into crimes under international law in Afghanistan and the country 's authorities ' failure to investigate human rights violations .
`` In 2020 , the world must shake off its indifference to this long-running conflict @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the protection they need and the justice they are owed , '' Waraich said .
In the first nine months of 2019 , 2,563 people were killed and 5,676 were injured , mainly in attacks carried out by armed groups such as the Taliban and the so-called Islamic State of Khorasan .

Amnesty International says governments across Asia are attempting to "uproot" fundamental freedoms, sparking a wave of youth-led protests against "escalating repression."
In its annual report on the Asia-Pacific region, released on January 30, the London-based human rights watchdog noted that governments in China, India, Pakistan, and other countries across South and Southeast Asia are increasingly active in silencing dissent and the media, reducing the space for peaceful protests, and introducing legislation that punish online critics.
"2019 was a year of repression in Asia, but also of resistance," Nicholas Bequelin, Amnesty International's regional director for East and Southeast Asia and the Pacific, said in a statement.
"Online and offline, youth-led popular protests are challenging the established order," Bequelin added, citing Hong Kong's mass protest movement against growing Chinese encroachment and protests in India against "anti-Muslim policies."
The report said Chinese leader Xi Jinping's efforts to crack down on dissent and impose the absolute control of the ruling Communist Party translated into increased persecution of human rights activists and others.
In the northwestern region of Xinjiang, Chinese authorities subjected Uyghurs, Kazakhs, and other mostly Muslim ethnic groups to intense surveillance, arbitrary detentions, and forced indoctrination.
In Pakistan, Amnesty International said that "enforced disappearances continued relentlessly, as did cases of torture, violence against women, media censorship and the harassment of ethnic and religious minorities."
Human rights defenders, journalists, and members of the Shi'ite Muslim community were among the hundreds of people who were "disappeared" by security forces, often detained without charges or trial, it said.
Laws against sedition and defamation were used to curtail media freedoms and political activism, while anti-blasphemy laws continued to be used to "harass individuals and enable human rights violations."
"It has become increasingly difficult to fight for human rights in Pakistan at a time when the authorities continue to forcibly disappear people, censor journalists, crack down on peaceful demonstrations and enforce repression through draconian laws," said Omar Waraich, South Asia deputy director at Amnesty International.
Last year also saw Pakistanis taking to the streets in large and peaceful rallies in support of women's rights and students' rights and against enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, according to Waraich.
In Afghanistan, civilians continued to pay the price of the ongoing conflict as justice proved elusive for the victims, Amnesty International said.
The watchdog cited the International Criminal Court's refusal to authorize an investigation into crimes under international law in Afghanistan and the country's authorities' failure to investigate human rights violations.
"In 2020, the world must shake off its indifference to this long-running conflict, and provide the people of Afghanistan with the protection they need and the justice they are owed," Waraich said.
In the first nine months of 2019, 2,563 people were killed and 5,676 were injured, mainly in attacks carried out by armed groups such as the Taliban and the so-called Islamic State of Khorasan.


rferl--2020-01-30--Russian Crews Rescue Hundreds Of Fishermen Stranded On Ice Floe

Russian crews have successfully rescued 536 ice fishermen who were stranded on a massive ice pack off the Far Eastern @ @ @ @ @ say .
Emergency crews said on January 29 that the rescue operation lasted nearly seven @ @ @ @ @ least 60 people had previously been able to get back to shore on their own @ @ @ @ @ fishermen were on an ice pack in Mordvinov Bay , off of Sakhalin Island , @ @ @ @ @ , state-run TASS news agency reported .
Twice previously this week , emergency crews in @ @ @ @ @ rescue ice fishermen stuck on drifting ice floes .
On January 22 , they rescued @ @ @ @ @ stranded on an ice floe , and about 600 others on January 26 .
Local @ @ @ @ @ caused by fishermen ignoring safety warnings and going ice fishing despite the danger of being @ @ @ @ @ .
Based on reporting by AP and dpa

Russian crews have successfully rescued 536 ice fishermen who were stranded on a massive ice pack off the Far Eastern island of Sakhalin, officials say.
Emergency crews said on January 29 that the rescue operation lasted nearly seven hours.
They said at least 60 people had previously been able to get back to shore on their own the night before.
The fishermen were on an ice pack in Mordvinov Bay, off of Sakhalin Island, about 2 kilometers from shore, state-run TASS news agency reported.
Twice previously this week, emergency crews in the Sakhalin region had to rescue ice fishermen stuck on drifting ice floes.
On January 22, they rescued some 300 people who were stranded on an ice floe, and about 600 others on January 26.
Local authorities said the incidents were caused by fishermen ignoring safety warnings and going ice fishing despite the danger of being stranded on the ice floes.
Based on reporting by AP and dpa


rferl--2020-01-30--Pentagon Identifies Airmen Killed In Afghan Crash, Denies Hostile Action

The Pentagon has identified the two U.S. Air Force officers killed in the crash of their Bombardier E-11A electronic-surveillance plane in Afghanistan and restated that there was no indication the plane was downed by hostile fire .
The U.S. military on January 29 said the victims were Lieutenant Colonel Paul Voss , 46 , of Guam and Captain Ryan Phaneuf , 30 , of New Hampshire .
The cause of the crash in Afghanistan 's Ghazni Province remains under investigation .
`` I 'm pretty confident there was no enemy action involved .
Aircraft mishaps happen , '' General Frank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , told reporters at the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia .
The Taliban claimed that its forces had shot down the U.S. plane .
McKenzie added that he did not believe U.S. troops suffered any resistance going to the crash site .
`` The main resistance was from the weather , which was really significant back there , '' he said .
He added that `` appropriate precautions '' were taken by U.S. recovery forces at the site `` because the last thing you want to do is have another mishap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in attempt to get up there . ''
Afghan officials had said their forces initially were driven back by Taliban snipers when they attempted to approach the wreckage .
The crash came as the Taliban and United States have been in talks on ending the 18-year war in Afghanistan .
The two sides had been negotiating the deal for a year and were on the brink of an announcement in September 2019 when U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly declared the process `` dead , '' citing Taliban violence .
Based on reporting by @ @ @ @

The education of girls and women is universally accepted in more than 200 countries and territories, including nearly 50 Muslim-majority nations.
But Afghanistan’s hard-line Islamist Taliban rulers have banned teenage girls from attending school after the sixth grade since they returned to power two years ago. The ban was extended in December to women in universities.
Countless protests by Afghans inside the country, pressure from the international community, and lobbying by Muslim scholars and clerics have failed to convince the fundamentalist Taliban leaders to reopen schools.
Experts are divided over whether the ban is rooted in how the Taliban’s interpretation of Islam is shaped by conservative Pashtun tribal customs and cultural practices or if it is prompted by how senior Taliban ideologues interpret Islamic teachings.
Most Taliban leaders are ethnic Pashtun, Sunni Muslim clerics. Many were educated in Deobandi madrasahs in neighboring Pakistan. Deobandism emerged as a puritanical Islamic revivalist movement in 19-century British Colonial India. Based on the Sunni Hanafi school of jurisprudence, it is a prominent strain among Islamists in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Tribal Influences
Sami Yousafzai, a veteran Afghan journalist and commentator, argues that the Taliban restrictions against women are linked to social customs and cultural practices in eastern and southern Afghanistan.
Most Taliban leaders come from various Pashtun rural tribal communities in these regions bordering Pakistan.
"They believe that a woman's place is either inside a house or in a grave," Yousafzai said of the basic Taliban belief influenced by the status of women in the families of clerics and religious leaders in these Pashtun regions.
“Women living in the households of the current Taliban policymakers were never educated and never left their homes,” said Yousafzai, who has tracked the Islamist group since it emerged as a ragtag militia in the southern Afghan province of Kandahar in late 1994. “These women never performed any government or nongovernmental jobs.”
Yousafzai says the Taliban backs policies shaped by this worldview by leaning on Islamic teachings supporting such ideas. He says Taliban leaders rely on sayings attributed to the Prophet Muhammad that discourage women from leaving their homes.
“Their primary belief is that pubescent girls should not leave home under any circumstance,” he said. “This is why they view women leaving home for education or work as engaging in moral corruption.”
In Afghanistan, a Muslim nation of some 40 million people, activists and rights advocates accuse the Taliban of implementing "gender apartheid" by denying women education, work, freedom of movement, and deciding how they can appear in public.
Most Muslims agree that Islam allows women to get an education. Yet the Taliban publicly says that it will allow girls access to education only after ensuring complete gender segregation and other unspecified conditions.
Almost all Afghan secondary schools were gender segregated and universities imposed a strict separation between men and women after the Taliban takeover.
Yousafzai says in conservative and traditional Muslim societies around the world, some clerics also favor restrictions on women's education, work, and their role in public life. But the governments in those countries usually oppose or limit such ideas.
In recent years, Saudi Arabia -- one of the most conservative Sunni Muslim nations -- has allowed women to drive and granted them freedom of movement without a male guardian. These steps are part of a reform and modernity drive by Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman.
The Taliban ban on education has invited universal condemnation from Muslims globally.
“The Taliban's ban on women's education is not rooted in [the Islamic] Shari’a law but rather reflects cultural biases that contradict the teachings of Islam,” said Salam al-Marayati, president of the Muslim Public Affairs Council in the United States.
He said that contrary to Taliban practices, “Islam emphasizes the importance of seeking knowledge and encourages all individuals, regardless of gender, to acquire an education.”
Historical Conflict
But Islamic scholars and those who have attempted to convince the Taliban about reopening girls schools offer a different explanation.
John Mohammad Butt, an Islamic scholar and former BBC broadcaster who is the only Westerner to graduate from India’s Darul Uloom Deoband, argues that the Taliban's policy on girls' education is not tribal but shaped by the century-old conflict over modern education.
“The problem is that girls' education in Afghanistan -- indeed, contemporary education in general -- has generally been introduced in Afghanistan in line with a secular agenda,” he said.
In the 1920s, a coalition of conservative clerics and tribal and community leaders deposed reformist King Amanullah Khan. He wanted to modernize Afghanistan along Turkish leader Kamal Ataturk's secular lines and championed modern education and rights for women.
This opposition to modernity and secularism continued, and conservative clerics opposed women's education and work. It became a key part of the Islamist opposition to the pro-Soviet Afghan communist governments after the April 1978 military coup that ended the Afghan monarchy. The mujahedin accused the communists of spreading immorality by promoting women’s education and empowerment.
“This has led to particular wariness on the part of conservative circles in Afghanistan with regard to girls' education,” Butt said.
'Deep Ideological Conviction'
Obaidullah Baheer, a political science lecturer at the American University of Afghanistan, became part of an effort to rescind the ban by talking to the Taliban last year.
But he says the effort failed because “the ban is a matter of deep ideological conviction” for the current supreme leader of the Taliban, Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada.
Baheer says that the most prominent Taliban leaders have studied in Pakistani madrasahs and were thus disconnected from village and tribal life.
“They have been indoctrinated by the Deobandi school of thought so that they now enforce the strictest version of Islam on the Afghan population,” he said.
He argues that the ban on girls’ schools is a deliberate policy championed by Akhundzada, who he says has endorsed Taliban Chief Justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani's Arabic language book The Islamic Emirate And Its System. In this book, Haqqani supports a fringe Islamic opinion of preferring the choice of one of the Prophet Muhammad's wives, Sawdah Bint Zam'ah, who chose to stay at home until her death.
Baheer says Haqqani ignores his other wives and other female companions that played an active role in many sectors of society and how they served as students and teachers for men.
“This fringe opinion is not held by all Taliban leaders but is one that the current absolute sovereign, the Taliban emir, seems to be convinced of,” he said.
Butt says that even Haqqani has acknowledged the principle that if there is something that women need to act upon, then that is also something that women need to learn about.
“I hope the Taliban authorities will come to realize in the not-too-distant future that education for women will make Afghan women into better Muslims,” he says. “It will enable them to make a stronger contribution to the well-being of their country.”
Two years after grappling with the issue, Western diplomats appear to be encouraging Afghan conservative and clerical circles to find ways to end the ban.
Tom West, the U.S. special representative for Afghanistan, recently tweeted that Afghan women must be educated and contribute to the economy to help their country stand on its own two feet.
“If change to policies is made, it will be because Afghans have asked for it, not a result of foreign requests,” he wrote.


rferl--2020-01-30--Pompeo To Meet Zelenskiy With Ukraine In U.S. Political Spotlight

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is scheduled to arrive in Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and other officials as part of a trip that will also take him to Belarus , Kazakhstan , and Uzbekistan .
The top U.S. diplomat 's visit to Kyiv on January 30 comes amid the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump , who has been accused by Democrats of abusing his power of office by pressuring Ukraine to investigate his political rival by withholding congressionally approved military aid and a highly desired invitation to the White House for Zelenskiy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked an NPR journalist in anger , `` Do you think Americans care about Ukraine ? ''
Ukraine relies heavily on U.S. military and political support , along with aid provided by European countries .
Pompeo 's meeting with Zelenskiy and other officials is scheduled for January 31.The meetings will `` highlight U.S. support for Ukraine 's sovereignty and territorial integrity , '' the State Department said in a statement ahead of his visit .
Pompeo is also scheduled to attend a ceremony in the capital honoring those who have died in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against Russia-backed separatists .
More than 13,000 people have died in the conflict since 2014 .
Russia also seized and annexed Ukraine ’ s Crimean Peninsula in a move not recognized by the international community .
A day before his talks with the Ukrainian leadership , the U.S. Treasury Department joined the European Union and Canada in imposing new sanctions on Russia in response to Moscow ’ s “ continued aggression toward Ukraine and attempted occupation of Crimea.
” Canada , the EU , and United States began issuing the restrictive measures after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2014 and their respective sanctions lists have grown over the subsequent years as Moscow has continued to back the separatists in eastern Ukraine .
Pompeo arrived in London on the first leg of his trip on January 29 and is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Boris Johnson on January 30 before moving on to Kyiv .
With reporting by AFP , Reuters , Bloomberg , and AP

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has arrived in Kyiv where he will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and other officials as part of a trip that will also take him to Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan.
The top U.S. diplomat's visit to Kyiv on January 30 comes amid the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, who has been accused by Democrats of abusing his power of office by pressuring Ukraine to investigate his political rival by withholding congressionally approved military aid and a highly desired invitation to the White House for Zelenskiy.
It also comes days after Pompeo reportedly asked an NPR journalist in anger, "Do you think Americans care about Ukraine?"
Ukraine relies heavily on U.S. military and political support, along with aid provided by European countries.
Pompeo's meeting with Zelenskiy and other officials is scheduled for January 31.The meetings will "highlight U.S. support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity," the State Department said in a statement ahead of his visit.
Pompeo is also scheduled to attend a ceremony in the capital honoring those who have died in the long, bloody conflict in eastern Ukraine against Russia-backed separatists.
More than 13,000 people have died in the conflict since 2014. Russia also seized and annexed Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula in a move not recognized by the international community.
A day before his talks with the Ukrainian leadership, the U.S. Treasury Department joined the European Union and Canada in imposing new sanctions on Russia in response to Moscow’s “continued aggression toward Ukraine and attempted occupation of Crimea.”
Canada, the EU, and United States began issuing the restrictive measures after Russia seized the Crimea region in March 2014 and their respective sanctions lists have grown over the subsequent years as Moscow has continued to back the separatists in eastern Ukraine.
Pompeo travels to Ukraine from London, where he held talks with Prime Minister Boris Johnson on January 30. The two discussed strengthening bilateral ties following Britain's departure from the European Union, including negotiating a free trade deal.
A State Department spokesman said the talks with Johnson focused on "strengthening bilateral ties" and "the importance of maintaining the integrity of communications networks."
Britain granted China's telecommunications giant Huawei a limited role in building its 5G network, despite Washington's concerns that Huawei could be compelled to help with electronic eavesdropping after Beijing enacted a 2017 national intelligence law.
With reporting by AFP, Reuters, and AP


rferl--2020-01-30--U.S. Senators Express Concerns Of Georgian ‘Backsliding” On Democracy

Two U.S. senators have expressed concerns in a letter to Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia over recent events that indicate `` a backsliding '' on the Caucasus country 's commitment to build the institutions of democracy , the second such letter to Tbilisi in just over a week .
`` We are increasingly concerned by recent events that indicate a weakening of Georgian democracy and governance , '' Senator Jim Risch ( Republican-Idaho ) and Jeanne Shaheen ( Democrat-New Hampshire ) wrote in the letter released on January 29 .
Risch is chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation .
The senators said that `` two of the most pressing matters are parliament 's failure to uphold its commitment to electoral reform and the government 's violent suppression of peaceful protests . ''
`` We understand that the promised electoral reform was expected to give proportional representation to Georgian voters to ensure the system did not unduly favor any one political party .
`` Your government 's decision to prevent that change indicates a backsliding from commitments to build the institutions of Georgia 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senators wrote that `` an independent , democratic Georgia has many international supporters , and we are eager to continue to assist your country . ''
`` However , we are motivated to support Georgia 's economic and political development only as long as we can rely on Georgia to be a stable , trustworthy , and democratic partner in this effort .
`` We sincerely hope that you will work quickly to reverse this decline and fulfill the promises made to the Georgian people . ''
The letter comes a week after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by four U.S. lawmakers in the House of Representatives expressing concerns over the government 's failure to deliver on promises of democratic reforms and a police crackdown on protesters over the issue .
Republican Congressmen Adam Kinzinger and Michael McCaul and Democrats Gerald Connoly and Eliot Engelwrote wrote in the letter dated January 21 and made public the next day that it was `` unacceptable '' that with parliamentary elections approaching later this year , the ruling Georgian Dream party had funded `` an extensive networks of accounts '' on Facebook `` apparently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Additionally , we are troubled by reports that prosecutors appointed by Georgian Dream are reopening old legal cases against the party 's opponents .
While some of these cases may have merits , others are perceived as targeting leading opposition political figures , news operators , international corporations , and civil society members .
`` Respect for the rule of law and an impartial justice system are key to a healthy democracy and to ensuring free and fair elections , which are guaranteed by your party , '' said the letter , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The congressmen expressed hope that Georgia 's government will work with the United States , the European Union , and NGOs `` to strengthen democratic institutions and enhance economic prosperity for the Georgian people so that Georgia can continue to be a strategic partner of the United States for many years to come . ''
Over the summer , several mass protests held in Tbilisi were violently dispersed by police .
Opposition parties have complained that Georgia 's electoral system unfairly favors the ruling Georgian Dream party .
Changing it to a proportional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demands of the thousands of demonstrators who rallied for weeks in Tbilisi in June and July .
The United States and the European Union have called on the Georgian government , political parties , and civil society to engage in a `` calm and respectful dialogue . ''

Two U.S. senators have expressed concerns in a letter to Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia over recent events that indicate "a backsliding" on the Caucasus country's commitment to build the institutions of democracy, the second such letter to Tbilisi in just over a week.
"We are increasingly concerned by recent events that indicate a weakening of Georgian democracy and governance," Senator Jim Risch (Republican-Idaho) and Jeanne Shaheen (Democrat-New Hampshire) wrote in the letter released on January 29.
Risch is chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, while Shaheen is the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation.
The senators said that "two of the most pressing matters are parliament's failure to uphold its commitment to electoral reform and the government's violent suppression of peaceful protests."
"We understand that the promised electoral reform was expected to give proportional representation to Georgian voters to ensure the system did not unduly favor any one political party.
"Your government's decision to prevent that change indicates a backsliding from commitments to build the institutions of Georgia's democracy," they wrote.
The senators wrote that "an independent, democratic Georgia has many international supporters, and we are eager to continue to assist your country."
"However, we are motivated to support Georgia's economic and political development only as long as we can rely on Georgia to be a stable, trustworthy, and democratic partner in this effort.
"We sincerely hope that you will work quickly to reverse this decline and fulfill the promises made to the Georgian people."
The letter comes a week after Georgia's government released a letter written by four U.S. lawmakers in the House of Representatives expressing concerns over the government's failure to deliver on promises of democratic reforms and a police crackdown on protesters over the issue.
Republican Congressmen Adam Kinzinger and Michael McCaul and Democrats Gerald Connoly and Eliot Engelwrote wrote in the letter dated January 21 and made public the next day that it was "unacceptable" that with parliamentary elections approaching later this year, the ruling Georgian Dream party had funded "an extensive networks of accounts" on Facebook "apparently spreading anti-democratic, anti-Western sentiments."
"Additionally, we are troubled by reports that prosecutors appointed by Georgian Dream are reopening old legal cases against the party's opponents. While some of these cases may have merits, others are perceived as targeting leading opposition political figures, news operators, international corporations, and civil society members.
"Respect for the rule of law and an impartial justice system are key to a healthy democracy and to ensuring free and fair elections, which are guaranteed by your party," said the letter, also addressed to Prime Minister Gakharia.
The congressmen expressed hope that Georgia's government will work with the United States, the European Union, and NGOs "to strengthen democratic institutions and enhance economic prosperity for the Georgian people so that Georgia can continue to be a strategic partner of the United States for many years to come."
Over the summer, several mass protests held in Tbilisi were violently dispersed by police.
Opposition parties have complained that Georgia's electoral system unfairly favors the ruling Georgian Dream party.
Changing it to a proportional one from 2020 was one of the demands of the thousands of demonstrators who rallied for weeks in Tbilisi in June and July.
The United States and the European Union have called on the Georgian government, political parties, and civil society to engage in a "calm and respectful dialogue."
With reporting by RFE/RL’s Georgian Service


rferl--2020-01-30--Trump Lawyers Say Pressuring Ukraine, Even If True, 'Cannot Be Impeachable'

U.S. President Donald Trump 's legal team has argued that even if he did attempt to trade military aid to Ukraine in exchange for political favors , it was not grounds for his impeachment and removal from office .
Retired professor Alan Dershowitz , a member of the Trump defense team , asserted that every politician equates his or her own interests with the public good and , therefore , `` it can not be impeachable . ''
The argument came during the first day of the question-and-answer segment of the historic impeachment trial of the president in the Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. history .
The previous two cases ended with acquittals , and this one appears set for the same result , given that the Republicans control the chamber and that a two-thirds majority is required for conviction .
Democrats in the House of Representatives charged on January 18 that Trump `` used his official powers to pressure '' Ukraine 's government to `` interfere in a United States election for his personal political gain and then attempted to cover up his scheme by obstructing Congress 's investigation into his misconduct . ''
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his political rivals by withholding aid approved by Congress and a desired White House visit until the Ukrainian government made a public announcement of a probe .
His team 's argument that there is nothing wrong with withholding aid for political favors appears to be a major shift from the previous defense .
Until now , Trump and his defenders denied he pressured Kyiv , said there was no `` quid pro quo , '' and called his dealings with Ukraine `` perfect . ''
In the Q & A session , Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if there was a quid pro quo -- an exchange of military aid and a White House visit for a political favor .
Dershowitz answered that it did not matter because many politicians equate their own reelection with the public good .
`` That 's why it 's so dangerous to try to psychoanalyze a president [ over his intentions ] , '' he said .
Adam Schiff , the Democrat leading the House prosecutors , appeared shocked by Dershowitz 's remarks .
`` All quid pro quos are not the same , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might be acceptable but others not .
`` And you do n't need to be a mind reader to figure out which is which .
For one thing , you can ask John Bolton , '' Schiff said , referring to the former U.S. national-security adviser whose explosive allegations in an upcoming book have shaken up the proceedings .
In the book , Bolton quoted Trump as telling him in August that he wanted to withhold $ 391 million in military aid to Ukraine until Kyiv helped by launching investigations into Democrats , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vice President Joe Biden , and son Hunter Biden , according to The New York Times , which cited the unpublished manuscript .
Democrats want to call Bolton to testify , but the White House has opposed the move .
A vote is likely over the matter in the Senate , but Republicans have said they are also against calling witnesses to testify .
Chuck Schumer , the senior Democrat in the Senate , asked whether the chamber could really deliver a fair verdict without hearing from Bolton or other White House aides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is now in question , after the White House on January 29 released a letter to Bolton 's lawyer objecting to `` significant amounts of classified information '' in the manuscript , including at the top-secret level .
Bolton and the lawyer have insisted that the book does not contain any classified information .
Meanwhile , Republicans expressed hope that the trial could end on January 31 , without calling witnesses .
John Barrasso , the No .
3 Republican senator in seniority , said that `` the momentum is clearly in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday . ''
`` We still have a couple members who said they want to listen to the answers to questions , but that 's where the momentum is , '' Barrasso said .
With reporting by AP and Reuters

U.S. President Donald Trump's legal team has argued that even if he did attempt to trade military aid to Ukraine in exchange for political favors, it was not grounds for his impeachment and removal from office.
Retired professor Alan Dershowitz, a member of the Trump defense team, asserted that every politician equates his or her own interests with the public good and, therefore, "it cannot be impeachable."
The argument came during the first day of the question-and-answer segment of the historic impeachment trial of the president in the Senate, only the third such trial in U.S. history.
The previous two cases ended with acquittals, and this one appears set for the same result, given that the Republicans control the chamber and that a two-thirds majority is required for conviction.
Democrats in the House of Representatives charged on January 18 that Trump "used his official powers to pressure" Ukraine's government to "interfere in a United States election for his personal political gain and then attempted to cover up his scheme by obstructing Congress's investigation into his misconduct."
They accuse him of pressuring Kyiv to investigate his political rivals by withholding aid approved by Congress and a desired White House visit until the Ukrainian government made a public announcement of a probe.
His team's argument that there is nothing wrong with withholding aid for political favors appears to be a major shift from the previous defense. Until now, Trump and his defenders denied he pressured Kyiv, said there was no "quid pro quo," and called his dealings with Ukraine "perfect."
In the Q&A session, Texas Republican Ted Cruz asked if it mattered if there was a quid pro quo -- an exchange of military aid and a White House visit for a political favor.
Dershowitz answered that it did not matter because many politicians equate their own reelection with the public good.
"That's why it's so dangerous to try to psychoanalyze a president [over his intentions]," he said.
Adam Schiff, the Democrat leading the House prosecutors, appeared shocked by Dershowitz's remarks.
"All quid pro quos are not the same," he said, adding that some might be acceptable but others not.
"And you don't need to be a mind reader to figure out which is which. For one thing, you can ask John Bolton," Schiff said, referring to the former U.S. national-security adviser whose explosive allegations in an upcoming book have shaken up the proceedings.
In the book, Bolton quoted Trump as telling him in August that he wanted to withhold $391 million in military aid to Ukraine until Kyiv helped by launching investigations into Democrats, including his potential election opponent, former Vice President Joe Biden, and son Hunter Biden, according to The New York Times, which cited the unpublished manuscript.
Democrats want to call Bolton to testify, but the White House has opposed the move. A vote is likely over the matter in the Senate, but Republicans have said they are also against calling witnesses to testify.
Chuck Schumer, the senior Democrat in the Senate, asked whether the chamber could really deliver a fair verdict without hearing from Bolton or other White House aides.
The publication date of the book is now in question, after the White House on January 29 released a letter to Bolton's lawyer objecting to "significant amounts of classified information" in the manuscript, including at the top-secret level.
Bolton and the lawyer have insisted that the book does not contain any classified information.
Meanwhile, Republicans expressed hope that the trial could end on January 31, without calling witnesses.
John Barrasso, the No. 3 Republican senator in seniority, said that "the momentum is clearly in the direction of moving to final judgment on Friday."
"We still have a couple members who said they want to listen to the answers to questions, but that's where the momentum is," Barrasso said.
With reporting by AP and Reuters


rferl--2020-01-29--UN Confirms Cyberattack At Geneva, Vienna Offices In 2019

The United Nations says its offices in Geneva and Vienna were hit by a cyberattack last year that exposed lists of user accounts , but it insisted that no sensitive information had been obtained by the hackers .
The statement on January 29 confirmed a report by the New Humanitarian agency , which earlier in the day reported it had obtained a confidential UN report detailing how hackers broke into dozens of UN servers in the Swiss and Austrian cities beginning in July 2019 .
The group described the attack as `` one of the largest ever known to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warned it raised serious data safety concerns .
Officials did not speculate on the source of the hack .
But given the high skill level , it is possible a state-backed actor was behind it , one official said .
“ It 's as if someone were walking in the sand , and swept up their tracks with a broom afterward .
There 's not even a trace of a cleanup , ” the official added .
Geneva houses several UN agencies , including the Human Rights Council , the High Commissioner for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Refugees , the World Health Organization , and the World Trade Organization .
Organizations in Vienna include the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Office on Drugs and Crime .
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric confirmed to reporters that the UN had been the target of the cyberattack , but he stressed that `` the damage related to the specific attack has been contained and additional measures implemented . ''
He downplayed the attack , saying that `` the UN responds to multiple attacks at various levels of sophistication on a daily basis .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ AP , and Reuters

A former top FBI counterintelligence agent pleaded guilty to charges related to his work for notorious Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, changing his plea after federal prosecutors filed new, reduced charges of conspiring to violate U.S. sanctions on Russia by working for the billionaire industrialist.
The move by Charles McGonigal, made on August 15 before a federal judge in New York City, ends a prosecution that had stunned the FBI, where McGonigal had investigated Russian influence operations for years while climbing the bureau’s ranks.
The 55-year-old also still faces a separate set of foreign agent charges in Washington, D.C., related to work he did for Albanian officials.
McGonigal, who retired as head counterintelligence in the FBI's New York bureau in 2018, was originally indicted in January by a grand jury on more serious charges of money laundering and violating U.S. sanctions.
Prosecutors alleged that McGonigal and a former Russian diplomat with whom he was associated, were paid more than $200,000 to do work for Deripaska, a wealthy Russian metals tycoon who has long been seen as a Kremlin insider. Deripaska was hit with sanctions by the U.S. Treasury Department in 2018.
U.S. authorities said McGonigal was hired to dig up negative information on Vladimir Potanin, a rival oligarch to Deripaska. McGonigal and the former diplomat, Sergei Shestakov, also worked to try and get Deripaska removed from U.S. sanctions lists.
Shestakov has pleaded not guilty to the more serious charges than had been originally filed against McGonigal.
They "attempted to conceal Deripaska's involvement by, among other means, not directly naming Deripaska in electronic communications, using shell companies as counterparties in the contract that outlined the services to be performed, using a forged signature on that contract, and using the same shell companies to send and receive payment from Deripaska," the Justice Department said in a press release after McGonigal entered his plea.
McGonigal could receive up to five years in prison when he is sentenced in December.
The separate case filed in Washington, D.C., by federal prosecutors centers on work McGonigal allegedly did on behalf of a former Albanian intelligence officer, for which he was paid $225,000.
McGonigal also allegedly lied to the FBI about his contacts with foreign nationals and foreign travel while he was still employed by the bureau.
Deripaska also faces charges of violating U.S. sanctions through real estate deals and a complicated scheme under which he allegedly arranged for his girlfriend to travel to the United States to give birth to two of their children.


rferl--2020-02-04--Former Armenian Soccer Federation Head Hayrapetyan Released From Police Custody

YEREVAN -- A former Armenian lawmaker who headed the country ’ s soccer governing body was released three hours after being taken into police custody on suspicion of illegally possessing and carrying firearms and ammunition .
After his release on February 4 , Ruben Hayrapetyan called his detention an act of a repressive government and an attempt by the authorities to intimidate him .
“ They tried to scare me , but they don ’ t understand one thing that people like me aren ’ t scared so easily like that , ” Hayrapetyan told journalists at a briefing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ me… [ the police ] know that I ’ ll pour it on them and wipe my feet on them that ’ s for sure.
” Earlier in the day his lawyer told journalists that police officers in masks detained Hayrapetyan , who was a member of parliament in the former ruling Republican party , and impounded two of his vehicles .
Authorities have several open criminal cases into alleged abuses at the Armenian Football Federation ( FFA ) during Hayrapetyan ’ s tenure as its head between 2002 and 2018 .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raided his mansion as part of investigations into alleged large-scale misappropriation , forgery of documents by a group of people , abuse of authority by employees of commercial or other organizations as well as official negligence .
Hayrapetyan has been questioned as a witness , not as a suspect , in the probes , his lawyer Edgar Dzhanoyan has said .
A friend of former President Serzh Sargsyan , the high-profile businessman said he has a license to carry and possess three firearms and that police didn ’ t find illegal weapons on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 said police have not returned the two impounded vehicles .
In December 2018 , the Republican party failed to reach the threshold for seats in the parliamentary elections .
After the change in leadership in the country , Hayrapetyan has criticized the new government headed by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan .

YEREVAN -- A former Armenian lawmaker who headed the country’s soccer governing body was released three hours after being taken into police custody on suspicion of illegally possessing and carrying firearms and ammunition.
After his release on February 4, Ruben Hayrapetyan called his detention an act of a repressive government and an attempt by the authorities to intimidate him.
“They tried to scare me, but they don’t understand one thing that people like me aren’t scared so easily like that,” Hayrapetyan told journalists at a briefing. “Even if they pour concrete on me…[the police] know that I’ll pour it on them and wipe my feet on them, that’s for sure.”
Earlier in the day his lawyer told journalists that police officers in masks detained Hayrapetyan, who was a member of parliament in the former ruling Republican party, and impounded two of his vehicles.
Authorities have several open criminal cases into alleged abuses at the Armenian Football Federation (FFA) during Hayrapetyan’s tenure as its head between 2002 and 2018.
At the end of last year, police raided his mansion as part of investigations into alleged large-scale misappropriation, forgery of documents by a group of people, abuse of authority by employees of commercial or other organizations as well as official negligence.
Hayrapetyan has been questioned as a witness, not as a suspect, in the probes, his lawyer Edgar Dzhanoyan has said.
A friend of former President Serzh Sarkisian, the high-profile businessman said he has a license to carry and possess three firearms and that police didn’t find illegal weapons on his person.
His lawyer on February 4 said police have not returned the two impounded vehicles.
In December 2018, the Republican party failed to reach the threshold for seats in the parliamentary elections. After the change in leadership in the country, Hayrapetyan has criticized the new government headed by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian.


rferl--2020-02-04--Trial Of Russian Soldier Charged With Killing Armenian Woman Begins, Without Defendant

YEREVAN -- The trial of a Russian soldier charged with beating a woman to death has begun in the Armenian city of Gyumri , although the defendant was not transported from the Russian military base to the court for the proceedings .
As the trial began on February 4 , 24-year-old Andrei Razgildeyev remained on the Russian military base in Armenia where he was stationed and where he has been detained for more than a year since his arrest .
The trial was adjourned for a month , court officials said after the day 's proceedings .
Razgildeyev was arrested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Julietta Ghukasian , a 57-year-old street cleaner from Gyumri .
He was charged by Armenian law enforcement with assault and involuntary manslaughter , but a possible motive remains unclear .
If convicted , he faces five to 10 years in prison .
The refusal to transfer the defendant to Armenian authorities has angered the victim 's family and rights activists .
Aleksandr Gladyshev , a representative of the Russian military base , said the base commander had in a letter prohibited Razgildeyev from being transported off the territory of the facility until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soldier in writing , something the Russian Defense Ministry says has not yet occurred .
Gladyshev asserted that `` since this is a high-profile case , any transfer of the Russian serviceman to the territory of Armenia raises concerns . ''
`` This issue was raised by the Russian Defense Ministry .
We are still waiting for permission from the commanders regarding [ Razgildeyev 's ] movement in the territory of Armenia , '' he said .
The trial had originally been expected to open on September 6 , but it has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ghukasian 's daughter , Anahit , demanded that the defendant be brought to the court , saying : `` Bring the Russian here so we can finally see what this trial is going to be like .
I have lost a parent , not a chicken . ''
Her lawyer , Arayik Chaylian , petitioned that the court ensure Razgildeyev 's presence at the next hearing .
`` The fact is that Razgildeyev has failed to appear in court for ungrounded reasons , '' he said .
Rights activist Artur Sakunts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Russian commander 's stance as `` an exceptionally contemptuous attitude toward the sovereignty of the Republic of Armenia . ''
Armenian lawyer Narine Rshtuni , who is representing Razgildeyev , said she knew nothing about the base commander 's decision before the start of the hearing .
But she said of her client , `` I can only say that he does not plead guilty .
You will see the rest during the trial . ''
The northwestern Armenian city of Gyumri , where Russia maintains a garrison , was the site @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Russian soldier based there .
A local court in 2016 sentenced Private Valery Permyakov to life in prison for the killing of seven members of an Armenian family .
Permyakov was held in detention at the Russian base before and during his trial and was later transferred to Russia to serve his sentence .
The case sparked protests in Gyumri and elsewhere in Armenia .

YEREVAN -- The trial of a Russian soldier charged with beating a woman to death has begun in the Armenian city of Gyumri, although the defendant was not transported from the Russian military base to the court for the proceedings.
As the trial began on February 4, 24-year-old Andrei Razgildeyev remained on the Russian military base in Armenia where he was stationed and where he has been detained for more than a year since his arrest.
The trial was adjourned for a month, court officials said after the day's proceedings.
Razgildeyev was arrested in December 2018 following the violent death of Julietta Ghukasian, a 57-year-old street cleaner from Gyumri. He was charged by Armenian law enforcement with assault and involuntary manslaughter, but a possible motive remains unclear.
If convicted, he faces five to 10 years in prison.
The refusal to transfer the defendant to Armenian authorities has angered the victim's family and rights activists.
Aleksandr Gladyshev, a representative of the Russian military base, said the base commander had in a letter prohibited Razgildeyev from being transported off the territory of the facility until Armenian authorities provided security guarantees for the soldier in writing, something the Russian Defense Ministry says has not yet occurred.
Gladyshev asserted that "since this is a high-profile case, any transfer of the Russian serviceman to the territory of Armenia raises concerns."
"This issue was raised by the Russian Defense Ministry. We are still waiting for permission from the commanders regarding [Razgildeyev's] movement in the territory of Armenia," he said.
The trial had originally been expected to open on September 6, but it has been postponed at least three times without explanation.
Ghukasian's daughter, Anahit, demanded that the defendant be brought to the court, saying: "Bring the Russian here so we can finally see what this trial is going to be like. I have lost a parent, not a chicken."
Her lawyer, Arayik Chaylian, petitioned that the court ensure Razgildeyev's presence at the next hearing. "The fact is that Razgildeyev has failed to appear in court for ungrounded reasons," he said.
Rights activist Artur Sakunts, who also represents Anahit Ghukasian, described the Russian commander's stance as "an exceptionally contemptuous attitude toward the sovereignty of the Republic of Armenia."
Armenian lawyer Narine Rshtuni, who is representing Razgildeyev, said she knew nothing about the base commander's decision before the start of the hearing.
But she said of her client, "I can only say that he does not plead guilty. You will see the rest during the trial."
The northwestern Armenian city of Gyumri, where Russia maintains a garrison, was the site of a 2015 deadly attack attributed to a Russian soldier based there.
A local court in 2016 sentenced Private Valery Permyakov to life in prison for the killing of seven members of an Armenian family.
Permyakov was held in detention at the Russian base before and during his trial and was later transferred to Russia to serve his sentence. The case sparked protests in Gyumri and elsewhere in Armenia.


rferl--2020-02-04--Russia Wants Talks On Norway's 'Restrictions' To Its Activities On Arctic Islands

Russia has asked Norway for talks to address what it called illegal restrictions of its activities on the Arctic Svalbard archipelago .
Svalbard , about 850 kilometers north of mainland Norway , is regulated by a 1920 treaty that awarded the Scandinavian country sovereignty over the archipelago .
But the treaty also gave Russia and other signatories equal rights to engage in commercial activities .
On February 4 , the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had formally asked Oslo for bilateral consultations to remove `` restrictions on Russian entities operating on the archipelago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 200-year-old treaty 's guarantees of `` equal liberty of access and entry and the possibility of doing business there on equal terms , '' the ministry said , citing `` restrictions '' on the use of Russian helicopters , a deportation procedure `` solely '' targeting Russian nationals , the `` unlawful '' establishment of a fish-protection zone , and the `` artificial '' expansion of nature-protection zones that limit business activity .
Oslo confirmed receiving the Russian request and said Moscow 's grievances were `` well-known to Norwegian authorities . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in accordance with Norwegian law , '' the Norwegian Foreign Ministry said in an e-mail to Reuters , without providing further details .
Svalbard is seen as a potential flashpoint between Moscow and the West as climate change is opening up the Arctic and Russia is increasing its military presence in the region .
The sectors of tourism and services are growing on the archipelago , but the traditional industry is coal mining .
Russia operates a coal mine in the town of Barentsburg .
Russia `` does not intend to curtail '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ministry said .
`` On the contrary , we have long-term plans for strengthening , diversifying and modernizing it , '' the statement said .
With reporting by Reuters and Interfax

Russia has asked Norway for talks to address what it called illegal restrictions of its activities on the Arctic Svalbard archipelago.
Svalbard, about 850 kilometers north of mainland Norway, is regulated by a 1920 treaty that awarded the Scandinavian country sovereignty over the archipelago. But the treaty also gave Russia and other signatories equal rights to engage in commercial activities.
On February 4, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had formally asked Oslo for bilateral consultations to remove "restrictions on Russian entities operating on the archipelago."
Such restrictions go against the 100-year-old treaty's guarantees of "equal liberty of access and entry and the possibility of doing business there on equal terms," the ministry said, citing "restrictions" on the use of Russian helicopters, a deportation procedure "solely" targeting Russian nationals, the "unlawful" establishment of a fish-protection zone, and the "artificial" expansion of nature-protection zones that limit business activity.
Oslo confirmed receiving the Russian request and said Moscow's grievances were "well-known to Norwegian authorities."
"All activities in Svalbard must take place in accordance with Norwegian law," the Norwegian Foreign Ministry said in an e-mail to Reuters, without providing further details.
Svalbard is seen as a potential flashpoint between Moscow and the West as climate change is opening up the Arctic and Russia is increasing its military presence in the region.
The sectors of tourism and services are growing on the archipelago, but the traditional industry is coal mining. Russia operates a coal mine in the town of Barentsburg.
Russia "does not intend to curtail" its presence there, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
"On the contrary, we have long-term plans for strengthening, diversifying and modernizing it," the statement said.
With reporting by Reuters and Interfax