rferl--2020-03-18--COVID-19: Iran Surpasses 1,000 Deaths With Highest 24-Hour Rise Yet

The global coronavirus pandemic has infected nearly 200,000 people worldwide , causing mass disruptions as governments continue to try to slow the spread of the new respiratory illness .
Iran 's death toll from the coronavirus has reached 1,135 , with 147 deaths over the past 24 hours -- the highest 24-hour rise yet -- state TV reported on March 18 , as President Hassan Rohani defended his government 's response to the outbreak .
Iran has been the hardest-hit country in the Middle East , with a total of 16,169 confirmed cases , roughly 90 percent of the region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of acting too slowly and of even covering up initial cases .
But Rohani on March 18 rejected criticism of his government 's response to the coronavirus outbreak , telling a government meeting that authorities have been “ straightforward '' with the nation , and that it had announced the outbreak as soon as it learned about it on February 19 .
`` We spoke to people in a honest way .
We had no delay , ” Rohani said .
Government officials pleaded for weeks with clerics to completely close crowded holy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus .
The government finally shut down the shrines this week .
“ It was difficult of course to shut down mosques and holy sites , but we did it .
It was a religious duty to do it , ” Rohani said .
The outbreak has cast a shadow over the Persian New Year , Norouz , that begins on March 20 .
Iran warned on March 17 that “ millions ” could die in the Islamic republic if people keep traveling and ignore health guidance .
Moldova on March 18 reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A first Moldovan citizen died of the coronavirus infection last night .
This is a 61-year-old woman , '' Health , Labor , and Social Protection Minister Viorica Dumbraveanu said .
The woman had recently returned from Italy and was suffering from several illnesses , Dumbraveanu said .
The manager of the Chisinau hospital where the woman died told the media that the woman 's village has been placed under quarantine .
Moldova , a nation of 3.5 million sandwiched between EU member Romania and Ukraine , reported 30 confirmed coronavirus cases as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on March 17 imposed a 60-day state of emergency in a bid to prevent the spread of the virus .
The country , one of the poorest in Europe , has already temporarily shut its borders and suspended all international flights from March 17 .
Hundreds of thousands of Moldovans have been working abroad , many of them in Italy and Spain , two of the countries most affected by the coronavirus pandemic .
Separately , Moldova 's breakaway region of Transdniester declared a state of emergency until April 5 in the wake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1990 and fought a bloody war with Moldova two years later .
It is unrecognized by the international community but is unofficially backed by Russia , which stations hundreds of troops in the region. Thousands of workers returning from Western Europe have arrived overnight at Hungary 's border with Romania after traveling all night from Austria in a police-monitored column .
The estimated 7,000 Romanians had been blocked for almost 24 hours at the border between Austria and Hungary after Budapest closed its border crossings to slow the spread of the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ returning from Italy and Spain , the world 's second- and fourth-most affected countries by the virus .
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban 's government imposed sweeping restrictions just after at midnight on March 17 , closing land crossings to foreigners and as well as border crossings at airports .
Romanian media reports say more than 800 vehicles arrived in the early hours of March 18 at the Nagylak-Nadlac border crossing after Hungary 's government agreed to open a one-off `` humanitarian corridor '' following a request from Romanian Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the lack of prior official notice from Hungary about its intention to close the borders .
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto agreed to the request on condition the travelers take a designated transit route and be accompanied by police .
A number of Bulgarians were also among the returning travelers .
Hungary reported having 50 confirmed coronavirus infections on March 17 , with one death .
On March 18 , Romania reported 29 more confirmed cases , bringing the total to 246 , as well as 19 recovered cases .
There have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Bulgaria announced it has entered into a fiscal deficit and Ukraine said it is seeking a bigger lending program from the International Monetary Fund beyond the $ 5.5 billion for which it was asking .
Confirmed cases in Bulgaria , the EU ’ s poorest but least indebted country , spiked by 30 percent on March 17 to 81 .
The government in Sofia banned all foreign and domestic holiday trips until April 13 .
Kosovar President Hashim Thaci the same day asked the country ’ s parliament to declare a state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law is required within 48 hours .
“ As a president , I never thought that it would come to this moment , ” Thaci said at a news conference .
The Balkan country has 19 registered cases of the virus and has closed all schools , borders , bars , and eateries , and canceled all flights , while keeping grocery stores and pharmacies open .
Neighboring Bosnia-Herzegovina declared a state of emergency to enable coordination of activities between its two autonomous regions .
`` We are focusing in all ways on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus , '' Prime Minister Zoran Tegeltija told reporters .
Kyrgyzstan says it has confirmed its first three cases of the coronavirus in a group of travelers returning from Saudi Arabia .
Kyrgyz Health Minister Kosmosbek Cholponbaev said on March 18 that the three Kyrgyz nationals who tested positive are from the southern Suzak district in the Jalal-Abad region .
The travelers , who returned to the country on March 12 , are 70 , 62 , and 43 years of age , he added .
Authorities in the district have sealed off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Orta-Aziya and placed 19 checkpoints nearby , regional officials said .
Deputy Foreign Minister Nurlan Abdrakhmanov said in a statement that as of March 18 , all foreigners have been banned from entering Kyrgyzstan .
In neighboring Kazakhstan , the Health Ministry said on March 18 that the number of coronavirus cases had reached 35 , after two more were confirmed in the country ’ s largest city , Almaty .
Kazakhstan has declared a state of emergency until April 15 and as of March 19 two major cities , Nur-Sultan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be in lockdown .
Another Central Asian country , Uzbekistan , confirmed on March 18 that its total number of confirmed cases had reached 13 .
So far , no coronavirus cases have been officially announced in two other Central Asian nations , Tajikistan and Turkmenistan .
Meanwhile , in the Czech Republic , authorities said they seized nearly 700,000 face masks needed for the coronavirus outbreak from a company that sought a higher price for shipment .
The EU country has reported 434 cases of the pathogen as of March 18 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the world .
European Union leaders on March 17 agreed to shut down the bloc ’ s external borders for 30 days .
“ Very , very limited exceptions ” will be given to people allowed to enter the EU during the entry ban , according to German Chancellor Angela Merkel .
Norway , Switzerland , Iceland , and Britain also agreed to the entry ban .
Italy now accounts for one-third of the global death toll with 2,503 deaths and 27,980 infections .
Spain , the fourth-most infected country , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China , where the virus was first reported in December , has the most with 3,241 .
With reporting by AP , Reuters , Interfax , TASS , AFP , RFE/RL 's Romanian and Moldovan services , hotnews.ro , digi24.ro , and g4media.ro

The global coronavirus pandemic has infected more than 201,000 people worldwide, causing mass disruptions as governments continue to try to slow the spread of the new respiratory illness.
Here's a roundup of developments in RFE/RL's broadcast countries.
Iran
Iran's death toll from the coronavirus has reached 1,135, with 147 deaths over the past 24 hours -- the highest 24-hour rise yet -- state TV reported on March 18, as President Hassan Rohani defended his government's response to the outbreak.
Iran has been the hardest-hit country in the Middle East, with a total of 16,169 confirmed cases, roughly 90 percent of the region's cases.
Iran has been accused of acting too slowly and of even covering up initial cases.
But Rohani on March 18 rejected criticism of his government's response to the coronavirus outbreak, telling a government meeting that authorities have been “straightforward" with the nation, and that it had announced the outbreak as soon as it learned about it on February 19.
"We spoke to people in a honest way. We had no delay," Rohani said.
Government officials pleaded for weeks with clerics to completely close crowded holy shrines to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The government finally shut down the shrines this week.
"It was difficult of course to shut down mosques and holy sites, but we did it. It was a religious duty to do it," Rohani said.
The outbreak has cast a shadow over the Persian New Year, Norouz, that begins on March 20.
It was later announced that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will pardon 10,000 prisoners, including political ones, to mark Norouz.
"Those who will be pardoned will not return to jail," judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili told state TV on March 18, adding that "almost half of those security-related prisoners will be pardoned as well."
Judicial officials had previously announced the temporary release of 85,000 inmates to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus in Iran's prisons. They confirmed that those freed included political prisoners, which Iranian authorities describe as "security-related prisoners."
Pakistan
The Pakistani government has confirmed the country's first fatality from coronavirus in the northwest province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The South Asian country had a total of 260 confirmed cases of the infection as of late March 18, including 19 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
"With deep regret I confirm the death of first Pakistani due to coronavirus. A 50-year-old male from Mardan city recently returned from Saudi Arabia. He developed fever, cough, and breathing difficulty and tested positive for the COVID-19," Health Minister Zafar Mirza tweeted.
A 36-year-old man from Hangu district also died of the respiratory disease after returning from Turkey to Islamabad via Dubai, according to a spokesperson for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial government.
Thousands of Pakistanis, mostly pilgrims, have been put in quarantine in recent weeks at the Taftan border crossing in Pakistan's southwestern province of Balochistan after returning from Iran, one of the world's worst-affected countries.
Amid the steep rise in known cases, Pakistani authorities have moved to discourage crowds and gatherings.
Islamabad on March 17 announced that all gyms, swimming pools, religious shrines, and children's parks would remain closed for three weeks.
Health officials in Punjab, Pakistan's largest province, urged the public to avoid unnecessary social contacts or traveling and to stay indoors.
Governments around the world continue to take sweeping measures to try to slow the spread of coronavirus, which has now infected more than 201,000 people and killed over 8,000.
Ukraine
The speaker of the Ukrainian parliament and other lawmakers will be tested for the novel coronavirus after one of their colleagues tested positive on March 18, local media has reported.
Authorities are trying to trace everyone who has been in contact with lawmaker Serhiy Shakhov of the Dovira (Faith) parliamentary group since he entered the legislature earlier in the week following a trip to an unspecified European Union member state.
Shakhov appeared on Ukrainian television on March 12-13, according to deputy Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, and participated in a meeting of the parliament’s Environment Committee on March 13.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the infected lawmaker's voter card was registered in parliament on March 17 and was used to vote, although Shakhov was absent.
"Unfortunately, his colleagues are guilty of multiple voting," Zelenskiy said about the widespread phenomenon in parliament that is now punishable by law.
Ukraine, which has confirmed 16 cases of the respiratory illness and two deaths in four regions and the capital, Kyiv, closed its borders to foreigners for two weeks starting on March 16.
Authorities have also canceled air, rail, and bus connections between cities and regions, and shut down the subway in all three cities where they operate, including Kyiv.
Moldova
Moldova on March 18 reported its first death from coronavirus.
"A first Moldovan citizen died of the coronavirus infection last night. This is a 61-year-old woman," Health, Labor, and Social Protection Minister Viorica Dumbraveanu said.
The woman had recently returned from Italy and was suffering from several illnesses, Dumbraveanu said.
The manager of the Chisinau hospital where the woman died told the media that the woman's village has been placed under quarantine.
Moldova, a nation of 3.5 million sandwiched between EU member Romania and Ukraine, reported 30 confirmed coronavirus cases as of March 18.
Moldova's parliament on March 17 imposed a 60-day state of emergency in a bid to prevent the spread of the virus.
The country, one of the poorest in Europe, has already temporarily shut its borders and suspended all international flights from March 17.
Hundreds of thousands of Moldovans have been working abroad, many of them in Italy and Spain, two of the countries most affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
Separately, Moldova's breakaway region of Transdniester declared a state of emergency until April 5 in the wake of the outbreak.
Transdniester declared independence in 1990 and fought a bloody war with Moldova two years later. It is unrecognized by the international community but is unofficially backed by Russia, which stations hundreds of troops in the region.
Romania/Hungary
Hungary on March 18 moved to relax a sweeping border closure after thousands more travelers – many angry and lacking supplies -- clogged its crossings with Austria to the west and Romania to the east.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's right-wing government on March 17 closed its land crossings to foreigners as well as border crossings at airports to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Thousands of travelers were massed on March 18 at the Nickelsdorf-Hegyeshalom border crossing between Austria and Hungary, after missing a window of several hours allowed by Budapest overnight for those who wanted to transit the country on their way to Romania and Bulgaria.
Meanwhile, some 7,000 people who had reached the Romanian border to the east overnight were facing another hours-long bottleneck due to health checks imposed by Bucharest.
The two-pronged crisis prompted Budapest to reopen the border with Austria at noon on March 18 until the easing of the blockage to the west, and to allow daily passage for Romanians and Bulgarians from 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. on preapproved routes, according to a statement by Romania's Foreign Ministry.
Austrian authorities on March 18 advised drivers to keep away from the Hungarian border as the traffic jam there grew to 45 kilometers and protests broke out among stranded travelers.
"There is no use in coming to the border," said Astrid Eisenkopf, the deputy governor of Austria's Burgenland Province, which neighbors Hungary.
Most of the delayed Romanians are workers returning from Italy and Spain, the world's second- and fourth-most affected countries by the virus, but also from other Western countries.
Romania is the European Union’s second-poorest country, and at least 4 million Romanians work abroad, according to estimates.
On March 18, Romania reported 29 more confirmed cases, bringing the total to 246, as well as 19 recovered cases. There have been no coronavirus deaths inside the country.
But specialists warn that Romania has so far tested only some 3.000 people for the coronavirus, while in other countries the number of those tested was in the tens of thousands.
Hungary reported having 50 confirmed coronavirus infections on March 17, with one death.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria announced it has entered into a fiscal deficit and Ukraine said it is seeking a bigger lending program from the International Monetary Fund beyond the $5.5 billion for which it was asking.
Confirmed cases in Bulgaria, the EU’s poorest but least indebted country, spiked by 30 percent on March 17 to 81. The government in Sofia banned all foreign and domestic holiday trips until April 13.
Kosovo
Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti has fired Interior Minister Agim Veliu for purportedly spreading "panic" about coronavirus after he backed a presidential call for a state of emergency over the pandemic.
Kurti announced Veliu’s dismissal on March 18, just hours after Veliu said he supported a proposed state of emergency that has divided officials in the Balkan country.
President Hashim Thaci late on March 17 signed a decree declaring a state of emergency. It has been sent to Kosovo's parliament, which has 48 hours to either accept or reject the move.
But Kurti has rejected calls for a state of emergency. He said it would cause "unnecessary panic."
"At this time, when the entire public administration is making the utmost efforts to minimize the damage caused by the coronavirus, the heads of central institutions, including those in the government cabinet, need to prove maturity both in decision-making and in making statements," Kurti said in his announcement about firing Veliu.
The move may resonate far beyond the debate about how to react to the coronavirus pandemic.
It could cause a rift in the governing coalition that took power in Kosovo just over a month ago.
Veliu is from the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), which is in a fragile coalition with Kurti's Self-Determination party.
LDK leader Isa Mustafa gave Kurti until the end of the week to "annul the decision to dismiss Veliu and make a decision to abolish the tariffs" on Serbian imports.
Pristina is under huge pressure from the European Union and the United States to revoke the 100 percent import tariff it imposed on goods from Serbia in November 2018.
The tariff came in response to Belgrade's diplomatic campaign to encourage some of the 110-plus countries that have recognized Kosovo since it declared independence from Serbia in 2008 to reverse their position.
Kosovo says it has confirmed 19 cases of the coronavirus since the first infected person was discovered on March 13.
Most cases are people who had traveled to nearby Italy or had been in contact with others who'd been to Italy.
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Neighboring Bosnia-Herzegovina declared a state of emergency to enable coordination of activities between its two autonomous regions.
"We are focusing in all ways on how to alleviate the consequences of the coronavirus," Prime Minister Zoran Tegeltija told reporters.
Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan has confirmed its first three cases of the coronavirus in a group of travelers returning from Saudi Arabia.
Kyrgyz Health Minister Kosmosbek Cholponbaev said on March 18 that the three Kyrgyz citizens are from the southern Suzak district in the Jalal-Abad region.
The infected had returned to Kyrgyzstan on March 12, he said. They are 70, 62, and 43 years of age.
Authorities in the district have sealed off the villages of Blagoveshchenka, Boston, and Orta-Aziya. They've also set up 19 checkpoints nearby, regional officials said.
Deputy Foreign Minister Nurlan Abdrakhmanov said in a statement that as of March 18, all foreigners are banned from entering Kyrgyzstan.
Elsewhere In Central Asia
In neighboring Kazakhstan, the Health Ministry said on March 18 that the number of coronavirus cases had reached 36, after three more infections were confirmed in Almaty.
Kazakhstan has declared a state of emergency until April 15. As of March 19, the cities of Nur-Sultan and Almaty will be in lockdown.
Uzbekistan announced on March 18 that its total number of confirmed cases had reached 15.
So far, no coronavirus cases have been officially announced in the Central Asian former Soviet republics of Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.
The new coronavirus has spread to more than 100 countries worldwide. It has infected more than 201,000 people and killed more than 8,000, with the number of people now recovered at more than 82,000, according to a tally kept by Johns Hopkins University.
With reporting by RFE/RL's Balkan, Romanian, Moldovan, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Ukrainian, Uzbek services and Radio Mashaal, AP, Reuters, Interfax, TASS, AFP, Hromadske, Ukrayinska pravda, Hotnews.ro, Digi24.ro, and G4media.ro


rferl--2020-03-18--Iranian National Extradited To U.S. For Allegedly Exporting Military Items

An Iranian national arrived in Texas on March 14 from Georgia as part of an extradition procedure for allegedly exporting sensitive military equipment from the United States to Iran , the U.S. Department of Justice said in a news release on March 17 .
Merdad Ansari , 38 , arrived in San Antonio to face federal charges “ in connection with a scheme to obtain military sensitive parts for Iran in violation of the Iranian Trade Embargo , ” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Demers and other officials .
The dual-use parts could be used in such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidance and development , secure tactical radio communications , offensive electronic warfare , military electronic countermeasures , and radar warning and surveillance systems , ” the Justice Department said .
Christopher Combs , the Federal Bureau of Investigation ( FBI ) San Antonio division special agent in charge , also thanked the Georgian government for its “ unwavering support ” in pursuing leads that led to Ansari ’ s extradition .
The suspect and his co-defendant , Mehrdad Foomanie , also from Iran , were charged in June 2012 “ with conspiracy to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , conspiracy to launder money , and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
” A third defendant , Taiwanese citizen Susan Yip , was sentenced to two years in a federal prison in October 2012 after pleading guilty to conspiring to violate the ITR .
The defendants allegedly obtained or attempted to obtain from companies worldwide more than 105,000 parts valued at about $ 2.6 million involving more than 1,250 transactions from October 9 , 2007 , to June 15 , 2011 .
While conducting 599 transactions with 63 different U.S. companies , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were being shipped to Iran or obtained the required U.S. government license to ship the parts to Iran .
If found guilty , Foomani and Ansari face up to 20 years in federal prison .

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


rferl--2020-03-18--Agricultural Executive Takes Over As Ukraine’s New Economy Minister

Ukraine ’ s parliament has approved as 44-year-old executive Ihor Petrashko as economy minister .
A stable majority of 243 lawmakers voted for Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal ’ s appointee on March 17 , the last day before the legislature went on quarantine amid a snowballing coronavirus outbreak .
Petrashko 's management career has been in large-scale farming , investment banking , and consulting .
The vote came the same day that Iryna Venedyktova was approved as the new prosecutor-general , completing a government reshuffle initiated by the president on March 4 .
As minister of the economy , trade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Petrashko takes control over an economy bracing for a potential economic fallout amid the global coronavirus pandemic .
The nation ’ s currency , the hryvnia , has dipped by 5 percent since early March and the central bank last week spent more than $ 1 billion from a $ 26 billion fund as part of an intervention to prevent devaluation .
Petrashko most recently was the deputy CEO of UkrLandFarming , Ukraine ’ s largest egg producer and operator of one of the most expansive farmland holdings owned by oligarch Oleh Bakhmatyuk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debt problems and investigations into his business dealings , including a bank he owned that is suspected of embezzling nearly $ 50 million before its license was revoked in 2015 .
Petrashko was educated at Lviv National Polytechnical University and also studied abroad at the Tennessee-based Vanderbilt University , graduating in 2001 with a business administration degree .
He returned to Lviv to earn a law degree in 2002 .
He went on to work with Enron Energy Services and GlobalSpec , both U.S.-based companies .
In 2004 , Petrashko joined the Moscow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then joined the firm ’ s Kyiv office in less than a year .
Three years later , he started working for the Ukrainian unit of Russian investment bank Troika Dialog as managing director .
Between 2012 and 2013 , Petrashko worked for Russian state-owned Sberbank in Ukraine , heading its corporate business department .
In April 2013 , he was hired as deputy CEO of UkrLandFarming .

Ukraine’s parliament has approved as 44-year-old executive Ihor Petrashko as economy minister.
A stable majority of 243 lawmakers voted for Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal’s appointee on March 17, the last day before the legislature went on quarantine amid a snowballing coronavirus outbreak.
Petrashko's management career has been in large-scale farming, investment banking, and consulting.
The vote came the same day that Iryna Venedyktova was approved as the new prosecutor-general, completing a government reshuffle initiated by the president on March 4.
As minister of the economy, trade, and agriculture, the politically untested Petrashko takes control over an economy bracing for a potential economic fallout amid the global coronavirus pandemic.
The nation’s currency, the hryvnia, has dipped by 5 percent since early March and the central bank last week spent more than $1 billion from a $26 billion fund as part of an intervention to prevent devaluation.
Petrashko most recently was the deputy CEO of UkrLandFarming, Ukraine’s largest egg producer and operator of one of the most expansive farmland holdings owned by oligarch Oleh Bakhmatyuk.
Bakhmatyuk is currently residing abroad amid debt problems and investigations into his business dealings, including a bank he owned that is suspected of embezzling nearly $50 million before its license was revoked in 2015.
Petrashko was educated at Lviv National Polytechnical University and also studied abroad at the Tennessee-based Vanderbilt University, graduating in 2001 with a business administration degree. He returned to Lviv to earn a law degree in 2002.
He went on to work with Enron Energy Services and GlobalSpec, both U.S.-based companies.
In 2004, Petrashko joined the Moscow office of auditor Ernst & Young and then joined the firm’s Kyiv office in less than a year.
Three years later, he started working for the Ukrainian unit of Russian investment bank Troika Dialog as managing director.
Between 2012 and 2013, Petrashko worked for Russian state-owned Sberbank in Ukraine, heading its corporate business department.
In April 2013, he was hired as deputy CEO of UkrLandFarming.


rferl--2020-03-17--Azerbaijani Journalist Freed After Court Cuts Short Six-Year Prison Sentence

An Azerbaijani court in Baku on March 17 ordered the release of investigative reporter Afqan Muxtarli from prison , commuting a six-year sentence , according to the media watchdog Committee to Protect Journalists ( CPJ ) .
He was flown to Germany the same day where his wife , Leyla Mustafayeva , lives in exile , she told CPJ .
“ We are relieved that Afqan Muxtarli is free and on his way to reunite with his family .
But he should not have spent a single day in jail , ” said Gulnoza Said , CPJ ’ s Europe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Azerbaijani authorities should release all remaining journalists from jail and allow them to report freely and safely .
Those involved in Muxtarli 's abduction from Georgia and unlawful imprisonment in Azerbaijan should be held responsible.
” Muxtarli was abducted in Georgia 's capital , Tbilisi , on May 29 , 2017 , and subsequently transferred to Azerbaijan , where he was convicted of smuggling , illegally crossing the border , and using force against a government official .
He has maintained his innocence and called the charges false .
Human Rights Watch has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The journalist contributed to independent new outlets Meydan TV and the Institute for War and Peace Reporting .
He had lived in exile since 2014 before his kidnapping three years later .
In Tbilisi , he had held protests in front of Azerbaijan ’ s embassy and wrote about the persecution of Azerbaijani activists in Georgia .

An Azerbaijani court in Baku on March 17 ordered the release of investigative reporter Afqan Muxtarli from prison, commuting a six-year sentence, according to the media watchdog Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
He was flown to Germany the same day where his wife, Leyla Mustafayeva, lives in exile, she told CPJ.
“We are relieved that Afqan Muxtarli is free and on his way to reunite with his family. But he should not have spent a single day in jail,” said Gulnoza Said, CPJ’s Europe and Central Asia program coordinator.
“Azerbaijani authorities should release all remaining journalists from jail and allow them to report freely and safely. Those involved in Muxtarli's abduction from Georgia and unlawful imprisonment in Azerbaijan should be held responsible.”
Muxtarli was abducted in Georgia's capital, Tbilisi, on May 29, 2017, and subsequently transferred to Azerbaijan, where he was convicted of smuggling, illegally crossing the border, and using force against a government official.
He has maintained his innocence and called the charges false.
Human Rights Watch has dismissed the charges as "politically motivated."
The journalist contributed to independent new outlets Meydan TV and the Institute for War and Peace Reporting.
He had lived in exile since 2014 before his kidnapping three years later.
In Tbilisi, he had held protests in front of Azerbaijan’s embassy and wrote about the persecution of Azerbaijani activists in Georgia.


rferl--2020-03-18--Ukraine To Test Lawmakers For Coronavirus After Colleague Infected

The speaker of the Ukrainian parliament and other lawmakers will be tested for the novel coronavirus after one of their colleagues tested positive on March 18 , local media has reported .
Authorities are trying to trace everyone who has been in contact with lawmaker Serhiy Shakhov of the Dovira ( Faith ) parliamentary group since he entered the legislature earlier in the week following a trip to an unspecified European Union member state .
Shakhov appeared on Ukrainian television on March 12-13 , according to deputy Yaroslav Yurchyshyn , and participated in a meeting of the parliament ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the infected lawmaker ’ s voter card was registered in parliament on March 17 and was used to vote , although Shakhov was absent .
“ Unfortunately , his colleagues are guilty of multiple voting , ” Zelenskiy said about the widespread phenomenon of multiple voting in parliament that is punishable by law .
Ukraine , which has confirmed 16 cases of the respiratory illness and two deaths in four regions and the capital city , Kyiv , and closed its borders to foreigners for two weeks starting on March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , rail , and bus connections between cities and regions , and shut down the subway in all three cities where they operate , including Kyiv .
Amid worldwide travel restrictions , Ukraine ’ s Foreign Ministry said about 21,000 Ukrainian citizens had asked for assistance in returning home from abroad and that 57 flights were planned for their repatriation .
`` Overall , the number of citizens planning to return to Ukraine is about 38,000 , '' the ministry said , adding that more than 27,600 people have returned to Ukraine in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Hromadske and Ukrayinska Pravda

The speaker of the Ukrainian parliament and other lawmakers will be tested for the novel coronavirus after one of their colleagues tested positive on March 18, local media has reported.
Authorities are trying to trace everyone who has been in contact with lawmaker Serhiy Shakhov of the Dovira (Faith) parliamentary group since he entered the legislature earlier in the week following a trip to an unspecified EU member state.
Shakhov appeared on Ukrainian television on March 12-13, according to deputy Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, and participated in a meeting of the parliament’s Environment Committee on March 13.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the infected lawmaker’s voter card was registered in parliament on March 17 and was used to vote, although Shakhov was absent.
“Unfortunately, his colleagues are guilty of multiple voting,” Zelenskiy said about the widespread phenomenon of multiple voting in parliament that is punishable by law.
Ukraine, which has confirmed 16 cases of the respiratory illness and two deaths in four regions and the capital city, Kyiv, closed its borders to foreigners for two weeks starting on March 16.
Authorities have also cancelled air, rail, and bus connections between cities and regions, and shut down the subway in all three cities where they operate, including Kyiv.
Amid worldwide travel restrictions, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said about 21,000 Ukrainian citizens had asked for assistance in returning home from abroad and that 57 flights were planned for their repatriation.
"Overall, the number of citizens planning to return to Ukraine is about 38,000," the ministry said, adding that more than 27,600 people had returned to Ukraine in the previous 24 hours.
With reporting by Hromadske and Ukrayinska Pravda


rferl--2020-03-18--EU Monitors Say Pro-Kremlin Media Spread Coronavirus Disinformation

BRUSSELS -- Pro-Kremlin media outlets are actively spreading disinformation about coronavirus in an attempt to `` undermine public trust '' in Western countries , according to an internal European Union document .
The document , dated March 16 , was written by the strategic communication division of the European diplomatic corps , the European External Action Service ( EEAS ) .
It states that pro-Kremlin media outlets `` have been prominent in spreading disinformation about the coronavirus , with the aim to aggravate the public health crisis in Western countries , specifically by undermining public trust in national health-care systems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic `` is a constant and daily topic in pro-Kremlin media . ''
Commenting on parts of the report that were leaked in some Western media outlets earlier on March 18 , Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the criticism was based on `` groundless accusations . ''
`` From the point of view of common sense , I can not comment on it , '' Peskov said .
Peskov said the reports did n't contain examples nor did it cite specific news outlets , but the document says that East StratCom Task @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian disinformation , has collected 80 coronavirus-related disinformation cases in its public database since January 22 .
It also notes that on social media , RT Spanish has been a prominent source of content about the virus , with more than 6.8 million shares across Facebook , Twitter , and Reddit between January 1 and March 12 .
The EU 's disinformation monitors say the tactics of pro-Kremlin sources have evolved .
They `` do not appear to be authoring the disinformation themselves ; instead , they are simply amplifying theories that originate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far-right groups in the United States .
The monitors say the new tactics allow pro-Kremlin media to deny they are creating disinformation and claim they are `` merely reporting what others are saying . ''
The report also says that `` some of the broader disinformation narratives researchers have highlighted included claims that the coronavirus was brought to us by migrants , or that it is a bio-weapon developed by either the United States , the United Kingdom , or China . ''
The group says pro-Kremlin disinformation about the pandemic targets international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it says , the messages `` aim to exacerbate fears over the ability of national and international authorities to manage the outbreak . ''
It says examples include stories suggesting the EU 's `` ability to effectively deal with the virus is doubtful , '' or that `` Italian doctors will select who lives or dies , as hospitals are not able to save all patients . ''
Similarly , it says pro-Kremlin media messages in Spanish have promoted `` apocalyptic stories , blame capitalists for trying to benefit from the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Putin are dealing with the outbreak . ''
The report concludes that big social-media platforms `` have undertaken considerable actions to hamper the spread '' of misinformation and disinformation `` surrounding the coronavirus . ''
But it says it is difficult to assess the impact of social-media disinformation campaigns by pro-Kremlin media because of privacy restrictions on data that firms like Facebook share with authorities .

Pro-Kremlin media outlets are actively spreading disinformation about coronavirus in an attempt to "undermine public trust" in Western countries, according to an internal European Union document.
The document, dated March 16, was written by the strategic communication division of the European diplomatic corps, the European External Action Service (EEAS).
It states that pro-Kremlin media outlets "have been prominent in spreading disinformation about the coronavirus, with the aim to aggravate the public health crisis in Western countries, specifically by undermining public trust in national health-care systems."
It also notes that the coronavirus pandemic "is a constant and daily topic in pro-Kremlin media."
Commenting on parts of the report that were leaked in some Western media outlets earlier on March 18, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the criticism was based on "groundless accusations."
"From the point of view of common sense, I cannot comment on it," Peskov said.
Peskov said the reports didn't contain examples nor did it cite specific news outlets, but the document says that East StratCom Task Force, an EEAS group that monitors Russian disinformation, has collected 80 coronavirus-related disinformation cases in its public database since January 22.
It also notes that on social media, RT Spanish has been a prominent source of content about the virus, with more than 6.8 million shares across Facebook, Twitter, and Reddit between January 1 and March 12.
The EU's disinformation monitors say the tactics of pro-Kremlin sources have evolved. They "do not appear to be authoring the disinformation themselves; instead, they are simply amplifying theories that originate" in China and Iran or among far-right groups in the United States.
The monitors say the new tactics allow pro-Kremlin media to deny they are creating disinformation and claim they are "merely reporting what others are saying."
The report also says that "some of the broader disinformation narratives researchers have highlighted included claims that the coronavirus was brought to us by migrants, or that it is a bio-weapon developed by either the United States, the United Kingdom, or China."
The group says pro-Kremlin disinformation about the pandemic targets international audiences in multiple languages.
In Italy, it says, the messages "aim to exacerbate fears over the ability of national and international authorities to manage the outbreak."
It says examples include stories suggesting the EU's "ability to effectively deal with the virus is doubtful," or that "Italian doctors will select who lives or dies, as hospitals are not able to save all patients."
Similarly, it says pro-Kremlin media messages in Spanish have promoted "apocalyptic stories, blame capitalists for trying to benefit from the virus, and emphasize how well Russia and Putin are dealing with the outbreak."
The report concludes that big social-media platforms "have undertaken considerable actions to hamper the spread" of misinformation and disinformation "surrounding the coronavirus."
But it says it is difficult to assess the impact of social-media disinformation campaigns by pro-Kremlin media because of privacy restrictions on data that firms like Facebook share with authorities.


rferl--2020-03-18--Four Pakistani Troops, Seven Militants Killed In North Waziristan Clash

Four members of Pakistan 's security forces and seven militants have been killed during a shoot-out in the northwestern tribal @ @ @ @ @ Pakistan 's military says .
A statement from Pakistani security forces said the clash took @ @ @ @ @ the area of Datta Khel when government troops raided a `` terrorist '' hideout .
@ @ @ @ @ the slain soldiers was an officer .
It said one soldier also was wounded .
@ @ @ @ @ , ammunition , and improvised explosive devices were recovered from the hideout , the statement @ @ @ @ @ as saying at the suspects belonged to a Pakistani militant group that was planning to @ @ @ @ @ launched a massive military operation in North Waziristan in 2014 to clear the region of @ @ @ @ @ on the border of Afghanistan has continued to be the scene of violent attacks , @ @ @ @ @ bombs .

Four members of Pakistan's security forces and seven militants have been killed during a shoot-out in the northwestern tribal district of North Waziristan, Pakistan's military says.
A statement from Pakistani security forces said the clash took place on March 18 in the area of Datta Khel when government troops raided a "terrorist" hideout.
The statement said one of the slain soldiers was an officer. It said one soldier also was wounded.
A large cache of arms, ammunition, and improvised explosive devices were recovered from the hideout, the statement said.
Officials were quoted as saying at the suspects belonged to a Pakistani militant group that was planning to carry out attacks.
Pakistan launched a massive military operation in North Waziristan in 2014 to clear the region of militants.
But the region on the border of Afghanistan has continued to be the scene of violent attacks, targeted killings, and roadside bombs.
With reporting by AP


rferl--2020-03-18--U.S. Senator Criticizes Russia For Rights Abuses in 'Occcupied Crimea'

U.S .
Senator Bob Menendez ( Democrat-New Jersey ) has criticized Russia for what he called `` serious human rights '' abuses in Crimea during the six years since Russia 's `` illegal occupation and annexation '' of the peninsula from Ukraine .
`` Today , as it was six years ago , Crimea remains Ukrainian territory .
Period , '' Menendez , the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee , said on March 18 .
`` On this somber day , I stand in solidarity with the Crimean people , who continue to face serious human rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including torture , arbitrary arrests , and the erosion of basic freedoms of expression and association , '' Menendez said .
Menendez 's criticism came as Russian President Vladimir Putin began a two-day visit to Crimea , which Moscow seized in 2014 .
Moscow deployed military forces across Crimea and secured control of key government buildings in February 2014 .
The following month , it carried out a hastily organized referendum on Crimea 's status that is considered illegitimate by more than 100 countries .
In a statement , Ukraine 's Foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia ; s `` cynical '' disrespect for international law .
The visit coincided with Russian military exercises at a training range in Crimea .
Russia 's Defense Ministry said the drills involved 600 airborne troops In his statement , Menendez noted that Congress `` has made clear '' in several pieces of legislation that `` the United States should never recognize Russia 's illegal occupation of Crimea . ''
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on February 26 said Washington `` does not and will not ever recognize '' Moscow 's annexation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. Treasury Department joined the European Union and Canada in imposing fresh sanctions against Russia in response to Moscow 's `` continued aggression toward Ukraine and attempted occupation of Crimea . ''
Menendez urged other countries around the world to `` adopt a policy of nonrecognition of Crimea as Russian territory . ''
`` When world leaders do not speak out against Putin 's use of violence to alter national borders , it only emboldens future illegal aggression , '' he said .
On March 16 , the European Union said all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to `` fully implementing '' a nonrecognition policy , including through the use of sanctions , until Ukraine 's sovereignty and territorial integrity are restored .

U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (Democrat-New Jersey) has criticized Russia for what he called "serious human rights" abuses in Crimea during the six years since Russia's "illegal occupation and annexation" of the peninsula from Ukraine.
"Today, as it was six years ago, Crimea remains Ukrainian territory. Period," Menendez, the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said on March 18.
"On this somber day, I stand in solidarity with the Crimean people, who continue to face serious human rights abuses at the hand of their occupiers, including torture, arbitrary arrests, and the erosion of basic freedoms of expression and association," Menendez said.
Menendez's criticism came as Russian President Vladimir Putin began a two-day visit to Crimea, which Moscow seized in 2014.
Moscow deployed military forces across Crimea and secured control of key government buildings in February 2014. The following month, it carried out a hastily organized referendum on Crimea's status that is considered illegitimate by more than 100 countries.
In a statement, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry criticized Putin's visit and denounced Russia's "cynical" disrespect for international law.
The visit coincided with Russian military exercises at a training range in Crimea. Russia's Defense Ministry said the drills involved 600 airborne troops
In his statement, Menendez noted that Congress "has made clear" in several pieces of legislation that "the United States should never recognize Russia's illegal occupation of Crimea."
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on February 26 said Washington "does not and will not ever recognize" Moscow's annexation of Crimea.
On January 29, the U.S. Treasury Department joined the European Union and Canada in imposing fresh sanctions against Russia in response to Moscow's "continued aggression toward Ukraine and attempted occupation of Crimea."
Menendez urged other countries around the world to "adopt a policy of nonrecognition of Crimea as Russian territory."
"When world leaders do not speak out against Putin's use of violence to alter national borders, it only emboldens future illegal aggression," he said.
On March 16, the European Union said all 27 members of the bloc remained committed to "fully implementing" a nonrecognition policy, including through the use of sanctions, until Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity are restored.
With reporting by Interfax


rferl--2020-03-18--U.S. Imposes Sanctions On Chinese, South African Firms Over Iran Deals

The United States has imposed sanctions on nine companies and three individuals for allegedly doing business with Iran 's petrochemical industry .
Three Chinese and three Hong-Kong-based companies , two interrelated South African firms , and the Iranian Armed Forces Social Security Investment Company are suspected of `` knowingly engaging in a significant transaction for the purchase , acquisition , sale , transport , or marketing of petrochemical products from Iran , '' according to a State Department statement issued on March 18 .
Three executives of one of the entities -- Mohammad Hassan Toulai , Hossein Tavakkoli , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The State Department says the entities and individuals `` engaged in activity that could enable regime 's violent behavior . ''
`` The actions of these individuals and entities provide revenue to the regime that it may use to fund terror and other destabilizing activities , such as the recent rocket attacks on Iraqi and Coalition forces located at Camp Taji in Iraq , '' Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement .
`` Our sanctions will deprive the regime of critical income from its petrochemical industry and further Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States will continue to fully enforce our sanctions , '' he added .
On March 14 , a number of rockets hit a military base housing U.S. and other coalition troops at Camp Taji north of Baghdad , wounding three U.S. troops , two of them seriously , and critically wounding two Iraqi air-defense personnel .
The attack came just days after a similar attack there killed three military personnel , including one British and two U.S. soldiers .


rferl--2020-03-18--Former Top Moscow Investigator Sentenced For Accepting Bribe From Crime Boss

MOSCOW -- The former head of the Moscow branch of Russia 's Investigative Committee , Aleksandr Drymanov , has been @ @ @ @ @ prison for accepting a bribe from a notorious crime boss .
The Moscow City Court @ @ @ @ @ guilty of taking $ 1 million from Zakhary Kalashov , known among organized criminal groups @ @ @ @ @ exchange for the release of one of Kalashov 's associates from custody .
The court @ @ @ @ @ rank of police general and his For Service to the Fatherland medal .
Drymanov 's @ @ @ @ @ , two former subordinates , were sentenced to 10 years and 14 years in prison @ @ @ @ @ arrested in July 2018 , weeks after he resigned from his post .
Kalashov is @ @ @ @ @ by law , '' a title traditionally given among criminal groups in former Soviet republics @ @ @ @ @ sentenced in March 2018 to 9 years and 10 months in prison on extortion charges @

MOSCOW -- The former head of the Moscow branch of Russia's Investigative Committee, Aleksandr Drymanov, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for accepting a bribe from a notorious crime boss.
The Moscow City Court on March 18 found Drymanov guilty of taking $1 million from Zakhary Kalashov, known among organized criminal groups as Shakro Molodoi, in exchange for the release of one of Kalashov's associates from custody.
The court also deprived Drymanov of the rank of police general and his For Service to the Fatherland medal.
Drymanov's two co-defendants in the case, two former subordinates, were sentenced to 10 years and 14 years in prison, respectively.
Drymanov was arrested in July 2018, weeks after he resigned from his post.
Kalashov is known as a "thief by law," a title traditionally given among criminal groups in former Soviet republics to kingpins. He was sentenced in March 2018 to 9 years and 10 months in prison on extortion charges.


rferl--2020-03-18--Other Iranian Political Prisoners Join Activist Sotoudeh's Hunger Strike

The Center for Human Rights in Iran ( CHRI ) says that at least three political activists in Tehran 's Evin prison have joined imprisoned human rights activist Nasrin Sotoudeh ’ s hunger strike demanding freedom for all political prisoners .
Sotoudeh 's hunger strike was launched after Iranian judicial officials announced the temporary release of 85,000 inmates to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus , which has killed 1,135 people in Iran .
Iranian officials have not provided official lists of who has been released or indicated why some remain behind bars while others have been granted temporary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reza Khandan , told CHRI on March 17 that other prisoners of conscience , including Rezvaneh Khanbeigi , Hossein Sarlak , and Morteza Nazari , were also refusing food in solidarity with Sotoudeh .
Iran has been the hardest-hit country by the virus in the Middle East , with a total of 17,361 confirmed cases , roughly 90 percent of the region 's total .
Sotoudeh , the co-winner of the European Parliament 's 2012 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought , was arrested at her home in Tehran in June 2018 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 38 1/2 years in prison and 148 lashes over her defense of political prisoners , including women protesting the compulsory hijab law .
Khandan told CHRI that his wife was aware of the dangers of going on a hunger strike amid the deadly outbreak , given chronic shortages of medicines and sanitary supplies in Iranian prisons .
She started the hunger strike only as a `` last resort , '' he added .
`` Nasrin says , 'If we 're going to die , let us be by our families ' sides , @ @ @ @ @ @


rferl--2020-03-18--Gulnara Karimova Sentenced Again For Corruption, Financial Crimes

Gulnara Karimova , the imprisoned elder daughter of the late Uzbek President Islam Karimov , has received an additional 13 years and four months in prison in the latest court ruling against her and her former associates .
Uzbekistan 's Supreme Court said on March 18 that Karimova was found guilty of extortion , money laundering , misappropriating the property of others , and financial and other crimes , and sentenced the same day along with five other defendants .
Karimova , who has been jailed in Tashkent since March 2019 , went on trial for the charges on January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letter to President Shavkat Mirziyoev offering to return $ 686 million to the country 's treasury in exchange for the dismissal of the court case .
The Uzbek Prosecutor-General 's Office said in August that the new case against Karimova was linked to allegations that she illegally bought state-owned shares of two cement plants that she later sold to foreign businessmen .
The 47-year-old Karimova , once seen as a possible successor to her father , has been also tied to money-laundering investigations in Sweden and Switzerland .
She was placed under house @ @ @ @ @ @ @ father was still alive and ran the country .
Karimov died in 2016 and Mirziyoev became his successor soon afterward .
In December 2017 , Karimova was sentenced to a 10-year prison term but several months later the sentence was reclassified to house arrest and shortened to five years .
In March 2019 , she was placed in jail for allegedly violating the terms of her house arrest .
Also in March 2019 , the U.S. Justice Department named Karimova as part of a major international bribery scheme , charging her with conspiracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Gulnara Karimova, the imprisoned elder daughter of the late Uzbek President Islam Karimov, has received an additional 13 years and four months in prison in the latest court ruling against her and her former associates.
Uzbekistan's Supreme Court said on March 18 that Karimova was found guilty of extortion, money laundering, misappropriating the property of others, and financial and other crimes, and sentenced the same day along with five other defendants.
Karimova, who has been jailed in Tashkent since March 2019, went on trial for the charges on January 8.
Last month she sent a letter to President Shavkat Mirziyoev offering to return $686 million to the country's treasury in exchange for the dismissal of the court case.
The Uzbek Prosecutor-General's Office said in August that the new case against Karimova was linked to allegations that she illegally bought state-owned shares of two cement plants that she later sold to foreign businessmen.
The 47-year-old Karimova, once seen as a possible successor to her father, has been also tied to money-laundering investigations in Sweden and Switzerland.
She was placed under house arrest in Tashkent in 2014 when her father was still alive and ran the country. Karimov died in 2016 and Mirziyoev became his successor soon afterward.
In December 2017, Karimova was sentenced to a 10-year prison term but several months later the sentence was reclassified to house arrest and shortened to five years.
In March 2019, she was placed in jail for allegedly violating the terms of her house arrest.
Also in March 2019, the U.S. Justice Department named Karimova as part of a major international bribery scheme, charging her with conspiracy to violate U.S. foreign corruption laws.


rferl--2020-03-18--Bulgarian Journalist Hospitalized After Being Beaten With Metal Pipes

Bulgaria 's Interior Ministry says veteran investigative journalist Slavi Angelov has been attacked by unidentified assailants near his home in Sofia .
Angelov , the editor in chief of the weekly newspaper 168 Hours , was beaten with metal pipes late on March 17 and is now in the hospital , the ministry said on March 18 .
Angelov told journalists from his hospital bed that he was attacked by two men wearing masks .
He said a third masked man filmed the assault on a mobile phone .
The assailants did not take anything from Angelov , although he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , police said .
`` Most likely it is an attempted assassination , '' said Ivaylo Ivanov , the Interior Ministry 's chief secretary .
The attack was condemned by the representative on freedom of the media for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe ( OSCE ) and journalist organizations in Bulgaria , which ranks 111th out of 180 countries in Reporters Without Borders ' 2019 World Press Freedom Index .
Calling the violent attack `` an unacceptable act of intimidation '' against Angelov , OSCE representative Harlem Desir said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bulgaria sliding down in media-freedom indices . ''
`` Such brutal and bold attacks , if left unpunished , may create an atmosphere of fear within the media community , '' Desir said in a statement .
Earlier , the Bulgarian branch of the Association of European Journalists said that `` the known facts lead to the conclusion that the beating was a contract one . ''
The group urged the Bulgarian authorities to `` track down , put before justice , and punish not only the physical perpetrators but also the contractors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Todorova , head of the Union of Bulgarian Journalists , called the assault `` the next attempt to shut the mouth , in the most brutal way possible , of a journalist who preaches the truth , looks for the truth in order to defend the freedom of speech in Bulgaria . ''
In recent months , Angelov has reported on cases such as the acquittal of a businessman brought to court over environmental damage to a campsite , and a prostitution ring said to operate in Bulgaria and Greece .
Angelov also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tycoon Vasil Bozhkov .
That investigation is focusing on allegations of serious financial violations in the gambling industry and Bozhkov 's alleged links to the owner of the online casino Efbet .
Bozhkov was arrested recently on charges of tax fraud , attempted bribery , and racketeering .

Bulgaria's Interior Ministry says veteran investigative journalist Slavi Angelov has been attacked by unidentified assailants near his home in Sofia.
Angelov, the editor in chief of the weekly newspaper 168 Hours, was beaten with metal pipes late on March 17 and is now in the hospital, the ministry said on March 18.
Angelov told journalists from his hospital bed that he was attacked by two men wearing masks. He said a third masked man filmed the assault on a mobile phone.
The assailants did not take anything from Angelov, although he was carrying his laptop at the time, police said.
"Most likely it is an attempted assassination," said Ivaylo Ivanov, the Interior Ministry's chief secretary.
The attack was condemned by the representative on freedom of the media for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and journalist organizations in Bulgaria, which ranks 111th out of 180 countries in Reporters Without Borders' 2019 World Press Freedom Index.
Calling the violent attack "an unacceptable act of intimidation" against Angelov, OSCE representative Harlem Desir said it took place "amid the backdrop of Bulgaria sliding down in media-freedom indices."
"Such brutal and bold attacks, if left unpunished, may create an atmosphere of fear within the media community," Desir said in a statement.
Earlier, the Bulgarian branch of the Association of European Journalists said that "the known facts lead to the conclusion that the beating was a contract one."
The group urged the Bulgarian authorities to "track down, put before justice, and punish not only the physical perpetrators but also the contractors of this monstrous crime."
Snezhana Todorova, head of the Union of Bulgarian Journalists, called the assault "the next attempt to shut the mouth, in the most brutal way possible, of a journalist who preaches the truth, looks for the truth in order to defend the freedom of speech in Bulgaria."
In recent months, Angelov has reported on cases such as the acquittal of a businessman brought to court over environmental damage to a campsite, and a prostitution ring said to operate in Bulgaria and Greece.
Angelov also wrote extensively about an investigation into gambling tycoon Vasil Bozhkov.
That investigation is focusing on allegations of serious financial violations in the gambling industry and Bozhkov's alleged links to the owner of the online casino Efbet.
Bozhkov was arrested recently on charges of tax fraud, attempted bribery, and racketeering.
With reporting by AFP


rferl--2020-03-18--COVID-19: Iran Surpasses 1,000 Deaths With Highest 24-Hour Rise Yet; Hungary Eases Border Closure

The global coronavirus pandemic has infected more than 201,000 people worldwide , causing mass disruptions as governments continue to try to slow the spread of the new respiratory illness .
Iran 's death toll from the coronavirus has reached 1,135 , with 147 deaths over the past 24 hours -- the highest 24-hour rise yet -- state TV reported on March 18 , as President Hassan Rohani defended his government 's response to the outbreak .
Iran has been the hardest-hit country in the Middle East , with a total of 16,169 confirmed cases , roughly 90 percent of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accused of acting too slowly and of even covering up initial cases .
But Rohani on March 18 rejected criticism of his government 's response to the coronavirus outbreak , telling a government meeting that authorities have been “ straightforward '' with the nation , and that it had announced the outbreak as soon as it learned about it on February 19 .
`` We spoke to people in a honest way .
We had no delay , '' Rohani said .
Government officials pleaded for weeks with clerics to completely close crowded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus .
The government finally shut down the shrines this week .
`` It was difficult of course to shut down mosques and holy sites , but we did it .
It was a religious duty to do it , '' Rohani said .
The outbreak has cast a shadow over the Persian New Year , Norouz , that begins on March 20 .
It was later announced that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will pardon 10,000 prisoners , including political ones , to mark Norouz .
`` Those who will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili told state TV on March 18 , adding that `` almost half of those security-related prisoners will be pardoned as well . ''
Judicial officials had previously announced the temporary release of 85,000 inmates to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus in Iran 's prisons .
They confirmed that those freed included political prisoners , which Iranian authorities describe as `` security-related prisoners . ''
The Pakistani government has confirmed the country 's first fatality from coronavirus in the northwest province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa .
The South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed cases of the infection as of late March 18 , including 19 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa .
`` With deep regret I confirm the death of first Pakistani due to coronavirus .
A 50-year-old male from Mardan city recently returned from Saudi Arabia .
He developed fever , cough , and breathing difficulty and tested positive for the COVID-19 , '' Health Minister Zafar Mirza tweeted .
A 36-year-old man from Hangu district also died of the respiratory disease after returning from Turkey to Islamabad via Dubai , according to a spokesperson for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Pakistanis , mostly pilgrims , have been put in quarantine in recent weeks at the Taftan border crossing in Pakistan 's southwestern province of Balochistan after returning from Iran , one of the world 's worst-affected countries .
Amid the steep rise in known cases , Pakistani authorities have moved to discourage crowds and gatherings .
Islamabad on March 17 announced that all gyms , swimming pools , religious shrines , and children 's parks would remain closed for three weeks .
Health officials in Punjab , Pakistan 's largest province , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contacts or traveling and to stay indoors .
Governments around the world continue to take sweeping measures to try to slow the spread of coronavirus , which has now infected more than 201,000 people and killed over 8,000 .
The speaker of the Ukrainian parliament and other lawmakers will be tested for the novel coronavirus after one of their colleagues tested positive on March 18 , local media has reported .
Authorities are trying to trace everyone who has been in contact with lawmaker Serhiy Shakhov of the Dovira ( Faith ) parliamentary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the week following a trip to an unspecified European Union member state .
Shakhov appeared on Ukrainian television on March 12-13 , according to deputy Yaroslav Yurchyshyn , and participated in a meeting of the parliament ’ s Environment Committee on March 13 .
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the infected lawmaker 's voter card was registered in parliament on March 17 and was used to vote , although Shakhov was absent .
`` Unfortunately , his colleagues are guilty of multiple voting , '' Zelenskiy said about the widespread phenomenon in parliament @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine , which has confirmed 16 cases of the respiratory illness and two deaths in four regions and the capital , Kyiv , closed its borders to foreigners for two weeks starting on March 16 .
Authorities have also canceled air , rail , and bus connections between cities and regions , and shut down the subway in all three cities where they operate , including Kyiv .
Moldova on March 18 reported its first death from coronavirus .
`` A first Moldovan citizen died of the coronavirus infection last night .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Labor , and Social Protection Minister Viorica Dumbraveanu said .
The woman had recently returned from Italy and was suffering from several illnesses , Dumbraveanu said .
The manager of the Chisinau hospital where the woman died told the media that the woman 's village has been placed under quarantine .
Moldova , a nation of 3.5 million sandwiched between EU member Romania and Ukraine , reported 30 confirmed coronavirus cases as of March 18 .
Moldova 's parliament on March 17 imposed a 60-day state of emergency in a bid to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The country , one of the poorest in Europe , has already temporarily shut its borders and suspended all international flights from March 17 .
Hundreds of thousands of Moldovans have been working abroad , many of them in Italy and Spain , two of the countries most affected by the coronavirus pandemic .
Separately , Moldova 's breakaway region of Transdniester declared a state of emergency until April 5 in the wake of the outbreak .
Transdniester declared independence in 1990 and fought a bloody war with Moldova two years later .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ but is unofficially backed by Russia , which stations hundreds of troops in the region. Hungary on March 18 moved to relax a sweeping border closure after thousands more travelers – many angry and lacking supplies -- clogged its crossings with Austria to the west and Romania to the east .
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban 's right-wing government on March 17 closed its land crossings to foreigners as well as border crossings at airports to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
Thousands of travelers were massed on March 18 at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , after missing a window of several hours allowed by Budapest overnight for those who wanted to transit the country on their way to Romania and Bulgaria .
Meanwhile , some 7,000 people who had reached the Romanian border to the east overnight were facing another hours-long bottleneck due to health checks imposed by Bucharest .
The two-pronged crisis prompted Budapest to reopen the border with Austria at noon on March 18 until the easing of the blockage to the west , and to allow daily passage for Romanians and Bulgarians from 9 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to a statement by Romania 's Foreign Ministry .
Austrian authorities on March 18 advised drivers to keep away from the Hungarian border as the traffic jam there grew to 45 kilometers and protests broke out among stranded travelers .
`` There is no use in coming to the border , '' said Astrid Eisenkopf , the deputy governor of Austria 's Burgenland Province , which neighbors Hungary .
Most of the delayed Romanians are workers returning from Italy and Spain , the world 's second- and fourth-most affected countries by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Western countries .
Romania is the European Union ’ s second-poorest country , and at least 4 million Romanians work abroad , according to estimates .
On March 18 , Romania reported 29 more confirmed cases , bringing the total to 246 , as well as 19 recovered cases .
There have been no coronavirus deaths inside the country .
But specialists warn that Romania has so far tested only some 3.000 people for the coronavirus , while in other countries the number of those tested was in the tens of thousands .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on March 17 , with one death .
Bulgaria announced it has entered into a fiscal deficit and Ukraine said it is seeking a bigger lending program from the International Monetary Fund beyond the $ 5.5 billion for which it was asking .
Confirmed cases in Bulgaria , the EU ’ s poorest but least indebted country , spiked by 30 percent on March 17 to 81 .
The government in Sofia banned all foreign and domestic holiday trips until April 13 .
Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti has fired Interior Minister Agim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about coronavirus after he backed a presidential call for a state of emergency over the pandemic .
Kurti announced Veliu ’ s dismissal on March 18 , just hours after Veliu said he supported a proposed state of emergency that has divided officials in the Balkan country .
President Hashim Thaci late on March 17 signed a decree declaring a state of emergency .
It has been sent to Kosovo 's parliament , which has 48 hours to either accept or reject the move .
But Kurti has rejected calls for a state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cause `` unnecessary panic . ''
`` At this time , when the entire public administration is making the utmost efforts to minimize the damage caused by the coronavirus , the heads of central institutions , including those in the government cabinet , need to prove maturity both in decision-making and in making statements , '' Kurti said in his announcement about firing Veliu .
The move may resonate far beyond the debate about how to react to the coronavirus pandemic .
It could cause a rift in the governing coalition that took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago .
Veliu is from the Democratic League of Kosovo ( LDK ) , which is in a fragile coalition with Kurti 's Self-Determination party .
LDK leader Isa Mustafa gave Kurti until the end of the week to `` annul the decision to dismiss Veliu and make a decision to abolish the tariffs '' on Serbian imports .
Pristina is under huge pressure from the European Union and the United States to revoke the 100 percent import tariff it imposed on goods from Serbia in November 2018 .
The tariff came in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encourage some of the 110-plus countries that have recognized Kosovo since it declared independence from Serbia in 2008 to reverse their position .
Kosovo says it has confirmed 19 cases of the coronavirus since the first infected person was discovered on March 13 .
Most cases are people who had traveled to nearby Italy or had been in contact with others who 'd been to Italy .
Neighboring Bosnia-Herzegovina declared a state of emergency to enable coordination of activities between its two autonomous regions .
`` We are focusing in all ways on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus , '' Prime Minister Zoran Tegeltija told reporters .
Kyrgyzstan has confirmed its first three cases of the coronavirus in a group of travelers returning from Saudi Arabia .
Kyrgyz Health Minister Kosmosbek Cholponbaev said on March 18 that the three Kyrgyz citizens are from the southern Suzak district in the Jalal-Abad region .
The infected had returned to Kyrgyzstan on March 12 , he said .
They are 70 , 62 , and 43 years of age .
Authorities in the district have sealed off the villages of Blagoveshchenka , Boston @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set up 19 checkpoints nearby , regional officials said .
Deputy Foreign Minister Nurlan Abdrakhmanov said in a statement that as of March 18 , all foreigners are banned from entering Kyrgyzstan .
In neighboring Kazakhstan , the Health Ministry said on March 18 that the number of coronavirus cases had reached 36 , after three more infections were confirmed in Almaty .
Kazakhstan has declared a state of emergency until April 15 .
As of March 19 , the cities of Nur-Sultan and Almaty will be in lockdown .
Uzbekistan announced on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed cases had reached 15 .
So far , no coronavirus cases have been officially announced in the Central Asian former Soviet republics of Tajikistan and Turkmenistan .
The new coronavirus has spread to more than 100 countries worldwide .
It has infected more than 201,000 people and killed more than 8,000 , with the number of people now recovered at more than 82,000 , according to a tally kept by Johns Hopkins University .
With reporting by RFE/RL 's Balkan , Romanian , Moldovan , Kazakh , Kyrgyz , Ukrainian , Uzbek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reuters , Interfax , TASS , AFP , Hromadske , Ukrayinska pravda , Hotnews.ro , Digi24.ro , and G4media.ro


rferl--2020-03-19--U.S. Officials Confirm Moldova's Plahotniuc In U.S. Amid Visa Ban, Will Seek His Deportation

CHISINAU -- U.S. officials said that Vlad Plahotniuc , a powerful Moldovan oligarch and political figure linked to a massive bank theft , is in the United States despite being subject to a visa ban earlier this year .
Officials confirmed earlier reporting by RFE/RL that said Plahotniuc was in the country , and said they were preparing to deport him .
The confirmation adds further questions to the circumstances surrounding his travels to the country , and the visa ban in particular , which was imposed in January on him and his family .
`` We understand that Vladimir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but is currently in administrative removal proceedings , '' the U.S. Embassy in Chisinau said in a statement on March 19 .
`` Such proceedings , including permissible avenues of judicial review , often can take significant time , '' it added .
The embassy and the U.S. State Department in Washington , D.C. declined to provide any further details , including when Plahotniuc arrived in the country , when he might be deported , and whether he was in U.S. law enforcement custody .
The U.S. Customs and Immigration Service , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal status of foreign citizens within the United States , did not immediately respond to an e-mail seeking comment .
Plahotnuic could not be immediately located for comment .
The office of Moldovan President Igor Dodon did not immediately comment on the situation .
One individual with knowledge of the situation said Plahotniuc had entered the United States prior to the visa restrictions being imposed , and it was unclear what kind of visa he had used to enter the country initially .
In announcing the measures on Plahotniuc and his family on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pompeo specifically cited the oligarch ’ s `` corrupt actions . ''
`` Vladimir Plahotniuc 's corrupt actions undermined the rule of law and severely compromised the independence of democratic institutions in Moldova , '' Pompeo tweeted .
`` The U.S. stands with Moldova in its fight against corruption . ''
Earlier , U.S. and Moldovan officials told RFE/RL that Plahotniuc had been in the country despite the restrictions .
One individual told RFE/RL that Plahotniuc had been attending a lavish dinner at a Chinese restaurant in Miami , Florida , in late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RFE/RL on condition of anonymity said the law under which Plahotniuc was targeted concerned prospective -- or future -- visas , and that it could not be used to cancel an existing visa .
A longtime behind-the-scenes power broker , Plahotniuc fled Moldova in June 2019 after being pushed out of parliament as part of a government shakeup brokered by Russia , the United States , and other European partners .
He dropped out of public view afterward , reportedly traveling under one or more assumed names and alternate passports .
He 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than $ 1 billion -- totaling nearly one-eighth of Moldova 's GDP -- from the country 's biggest banks between 2012 and 2014 .
A confidential report commissioned by the Moldovan Central Bank and conducted by international investigative firm Kroll documented how companies and individuals tied to a 28-year-old businessman took control of three major banks during that period .
The businessman , Ilan Shor , then allegedly issued massive loans to his companies during a three-day period in November 2014 , according to the report , which was later leaked and published @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who is currently believed to be in Israel , was charged in 2016 and later convicted with money laundering and embezzlement in connection with theft .
Former Prime Minister Vlad Filat was found guilty of corruption in 2016 , accused of taking bribes related to the theft .
He was released early in December , after serving three years in prison .
But the brazenness of the crime , and the perception that those behind it have not been held to account , has outraged , and disillusioned , many Moldovans .
Plahotniuc @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Democratic Party of Moldova , and served as the first deputy speaker of parliament in the early 2010s .
In June 2019 , amid a political realignment that resulted in a coalition between pro-European and pro-Russian parties , including Dodon ’ s Socialist Party , Plahotniuc fled Moldova .
Days later , Russia filed criminal charges against him , alleging he was part of a drug trafficking network .
In December , Dodon publicly stated that Plahotniuc was traveling on a different passport , under the name Vladimir Novak .
Moldova ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent two formal requests to the U.S. Embassy , requesting assistance in locating Plahotniuc .
The first , dated December 4 , requests the assistance of “ competent U.S. authorities ( Department of Justice , FBI , Police ) ” in locating an individual whose name is blacked out .
It also states that the person “ might have been ” at two locations in the Miami area , including The Setai Miami Beach Hotel , and the Portofino Tower between July 5-7 , 2019 .
The second , dated December 10 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a second name , apparently an assumed name that Plahotniuc is known to travel under .
Angela Starinschi , a spokeswoman for the anticorruption bureau , known as the CNA , said the blacked-out names in the letters were Plahotniuc .
“ The CNA is waiting for an official response from the U.S. authorities .
On unofficial channels , however , we already have the information that the [ individual ] is on the territory of the United States , ” Starinschi told RFE/RL on March 3 .
While Plahotniuc ’ s name @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on former Soviet republics , it is not widely known in broader circles .
Last month , however , his name gained wider currency , when U.S. news media revealed that Richard Grenell , the current acting director of national intelligence , had written a series of article published in U.S. newspapers defending Plahotniuc in 2016 .
ProPublica , a U.S. investigative news organization , reported that Grenell did not disclose that he was paid by Plahotniuc for the work , and did not register with the Justice Department under the Foreign Agent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ representative for Grenell , who later became ambassador to Germany and special envoy for negotiations between Kosovo and Serbia , did not disclose to ProPublica what Grenell ’ s paid consulting work involved at the time , but he argued that Grenell did not need to register under FARA .

CHISINAU -- U.S. officials said that Vlad Plahotniuc, a powerful Moldovan oligarch and political figure linked to a massive bank theft, is in the United States despite being subject to a visa ban earlier this year.
Officials confirmed earlier reporting by RFE/RL that said Plahotniuc was in the country, and said they were preparing to deport him.
The confirmation adds further questions to the circumstances surrounding his travels to the country, and the visa ban in particular, which was imposed in January on him and his family.
"We understand that Vladimir Plahotniuc is present in the United States, but is currently in administrative removal proceedings," the U.S. Embassy in Chisinau said in a statement on March 19.
"Such proceedings, including permissible avenues of judicial review, often can take significant time," it added.
The embassy and the U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C. declined to provide any further details, including when Plahotniuc arrived in the country, when he might be deported, and whether he was in U.S. law enforcement custody.
The U.S. Customs and Immigration Service, which typically oversees questions of immigration and legal status of foreign citizens within the United States, did not immediately respond to an e-mail seeking comment.
Plahotniuc could not be immediately located for comment.
The office of Moldovan President Igor Dodon did not immediately comment on the situation.
One individual with knowledge of the situation said Plahotniuc had entered the United States prior to the visa restrictions being imposed, and it was unclear what kind of visa he had used to enter the country initially.
In announcing the measures on Plahotniuc and his family on January 13, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo specifically cited the oligarch’s "corrupt actions."
"Vladimir Plahotniuc's corrupt actions undermined the rule of law and severely compromised the independence of democratic institutions in Moldova," Pompeo tweeted. "The U.S. stands with Moldova in its fight against corruption."
Earlier, U.S. and Moldovan officials told RFE/RL that Plahotniuc had been in the country despite the restrictions. One individual told RFE/RL that Plahotniuc had been attending a lavish dinner at a Chinese restaurant in Miami, Florida, in late January.
Another individual who spoke to RFE/RL on condition of anonymity said the law under which Plahotniuc was targeted concerned prospective -- or future -- visas, and that it could not be used to cancel an existing visa.
A longtime behind-the-scenes power broker, Plahotniuc fled Moldova in June 2019 after being pushed out of parliament as part of a government shakeup brokered by Russia, the United States, and other European partners.
He dropped out of public view afterward, reportedly traveling under one or more assumed names and alternate passports.
He's been linked to the disappearance of more than $1 billion -- totaling nearly one-eighth of Moldova's GDP -- from the country's biggest banks between 2012 and 2014.
A confidential report commissioned by the Moldovan Central Bank and conducted by international investigative firm Kroll documented how companies and individuals tied to a 28-year-old businessman took control of three major banks during that period.
The businessman, Ilan Shor, then allegedly issued massive loans to his companies during a three-day period in November 2014, according to the report, which was later leaked and published by an opposition lawmaker.
Shor, who is currently believed to be in Israel, was charged in 2016 and later convicted of money laundering and embezzlement in connection with the theft. Former Prime Minister Vlad Filat was found guilty of corruption in 2016, accused of taking bribes related to the theft. He was released early in December, after serving three years in prison.
But the brazenness of the crime, and the perception that those behind it have not been held to account, has outraged, and disillusioned, many Moldovans.
Plahotniuc, meanwhile, was the head of the Democratic Party of Moldova and served as the first deputy speaker of parliament in the early 2010s.
In June 2019, amid a political realignment that resulted in a coalition between pro-European and pro-Russian parties, including Dodon’s Socialist Party, Plahotniuc fled Moldova.
Days later, Russia filed criminal charges against him, alleging he was part of a drug trafficking network.
In December, Dodon publicly stated that Plahotniuc was traveling on a different passport, under the name Vladimir Novak.
Moldova’s national anti-corruption authority, meanwhile, sent two formal requests to the U.S. Embassy, requesting assistance in locating Plahotniuc.
The first, dated December 4, requests the assistance of “competent U.S. authorities (Department of Justice, FBI, Police)” in locating an individual whose name is blacked out. It also states that the person “might have been” at two locations in the Miami area, including the Setai Miami Beach Hotel and the Portofino Tower between July 5-7, 2019.
The second, dated December 10, makes a similar request and adds a second name, apparently an assumed name that Plahotniuc is known to travel under.
Angela Starinschi, a spokeswoman for the anti-corruption bureau, known as the CNA, said the blacked-out names in the letters were Plahotniuc's.
“The CNA is waiting for an official response from the U.S. authorities. On unofficial channels, however, we already have the information that the [individual] is on the territory of the United States,” Starinschi told RFE/RL on March 3.
While Plahotniuc’s name is familiar among corruption researchers and experts on former Soviet republics, it is not widely known in broader circles.
Last month, however, his name gained wider currency when U.S. news media revealed that Richard Grenell, the current acting director of national intelligence, had written a series of articles defending Plahotniuc that were published in U.S. newspapers in 2016.
ProPublica, a U.S. investigative news organization, reported that Grenell did not disclose that he was paid by Plahotniuc for the work and did not register with the Justice Department under the Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA).
A representative for Grenell, who later became ambassador to Germany and special envoy for negotiations between Kosovo and Serbia, did not disclose to ProPublica what Grenell’s paid consulting work involved at the time, but he argued that Grenell did not need to register under FARA.
Liliana Barbarosie reported from Chisinau; Mike Eckel reported from Prague