rferl--2020-10-06--Friends, Colleagues Bid Farewell To Russian Journalist Who Set Herself On Fire

NIZHNY NOVGOROD , Russia -- Hundreds of friends , relatives , and colleagues have bid farewell to Russian journalist Irina Slavina , who died after setting herself on fire in an apparent reaction to investigators trying to tie her to an opposition group .
Gleb Nikitin , the governor of the Nizhny Novgorod region , attended a ceremony honoring the chief editor of the Koza Press news website after vowing to do everything to find the cause of the tragedy .
Before setting herself on fire in front of the city police headquarters on October 2 , Slavina wrote on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my death . ''
A day earlier , she wrote on Facebook that a group of law enforcement officers searched her apartment , trying to find evidence linking her with the opposition Open Russia group and confiscated her computers and mobile phones .
`` They left me without tools for my activities , '' Slavina wrote at the time , adding that she had never had anything to do with Open Russia .
Andrei Pivovarov , the executive director of Open Russia , told the radio station Ekho Moskvy on October 2 that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
One of Slavina 's colleagues , Natalia Rezontova , told Ekho Moskvy on October 6 that Slavina 's act of self-immolation was `` the highest act of self-sacrifice . ''
`` It was not a suicide ... .
She understood that she would not be allowed to work , to carry out her journalistic duties the way she wanted at her independent media outlet .
It was her ultimate response to the system .
What she chose was an excruciating death , but it was also a torch that must wake up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who had mistreated her for ... years , '' Rezontova said .
The Commission on Freedom of Speech and the Protection of Journalists and the Commission on Civil Rights at the presidential Council on Human Rights have called on the Investigative Committee to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding Slavina 's self-immolation .

NIZHNY NOVGOROD, Russia -- Hundreds of friends, relatives, and colleagues have bid farewell to Russian journalist Irina Slavina, who died after setting herself on fire in an apparent reaction to investigators trying to tie her to an opposition group.
Gleb Nikitin, the governor of the Nizhny Novgorod region, attended a ceremony honoring the chief editor of the Koza Press news website after vowing to do everything to find the cause of the tragedy.
Before setting herself on fire in front of the city police headquarters on October 2, Slavina wrote on Facebook, "Blame Russian Federation for my death."
A day earlier, she wrote on Facebook that a group of law enforcement officers searched her apartment, trying to find evidence linking her with the opposition Open Russia group and confiscated her computers and mobile phones.
"They left me without tools for my activities," Slavina wrote at the time, adding that she had never had anything to do with Open Russia.
Andrei Pivovarov, the executive director of Open Russia, told the radio station Ekho Moskvy on October 2 that Slavina was not associated with his group.
One of Slavina's colleagues, Natalia Rezontova, told Ekho Moskvy on October 6 that Slavina's act of self-immolation was "the highest act of self-sacrifice."
"It was not a suicide.... She understood that she would not be allowed to work, to carry out her journalistic duties the way she wanted at her independent media outlet. It was her ultimate response to the system. What she chose was an excruciating death, but it was also a torch that must wake up, send a tough message to those who had mistreated her for...years," Rezontova said.
The Commission on Freedom of Speech and the Protection of Journalists and the Commission on Civil Rights at the presidential Council on Human Rights have called on the Investigative Committee to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding Slavina's self-immolation.


rferl--2020-10-06--EU Says To Raise 20 Billion Euros For Western Balkans, But Warns Graft Still A Problem

BRUSSELS -- The European Commission aims to raise 20 billion euros ( $ 23.5 billion ) in the coming decades in loans and grants for six EU hopefuls in the Western Balkans , according to a document seen by RFE/RL .
The sum , earmarked for Albania , Bosnia-Herzegovina , Kosovo , Montenegro , North Macedonia , and Serbia , is part of a project called “ An Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans ” that Brussels is due to launch on October 6 .
The money would come on top of at least 9 billion euros ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the expected EU budget for the 2021-2027 period .
According to the document , the new amount should be spent on strengthening “ core infrastructure links , in particular main transport and energy connections , which are instrumental for economic development , market integration , and cross-border trade within the region and with the European Union.
” It would also “ support the green and digital twin transitions ” and “ connect economies through strengthened regional economic integration and integration with the EU.
” The economic plan comes on the same day as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ annual progress report for the six countries , with Brussels assessing how they have done in areas such as media freedom , judicial reform , and fight against corruption over the past year .
The report , seen by RFE/RL , criticizes Montenegro , which started EU accession negotiations with the EU in 2012 , over its lack of progress on freedom of expression .
It states that “ although there has been progress on the media legislation , this has been overshadowed by arrests and proceedings against editors of online portals and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online in the course of 2020.
” It also notes that “ the growing volume of region-wide disinformation further polarized the society in the aftermath of the adoption of the law on freedom of religion and during the electoral campaign . ''
The report criticizes Serbia for the parliamentary elections that it held in June .
“ While contestants were able to campaign and fundamental freedoms were respected , voter choice was limited by the governing party ’ s overwhelming advantage and the promotion of government policies by most major media outlets , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ newly constituted Serbian parliament is marked by the overwhelming majority of the ruling coalition and the absence of a viable opposition , a situation which is not conducive to political pluralism in the country , ” it adds .
North Macedonia , which hopes to start EU accession talks later this year , has the most positive assessment out of the six countries covered by the report which warns , however , that “ corruption is prevalent in many areas and a more proactive approach from all actors engaged in preventing and fighting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the case of Albania , which is also hoping to start accession talks later in 2020 , the report highlights progress in judicial reform and the fight against corruption .
However , it cautions that “ the political dialogue in the country needs to be improved ” and that “ the political environment in Albania continued to be marked by intense polarization.
” Bosnia-Herzegovina , which is still not an official EU candidate country , is criticized in the report for the political deadlock that paralyzed the country most of the year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the electoral framework in line with European standards and ensuring transparency of political party financing , '' the document says , adding that corruption remained “ widespread ” and is a “ serious concern , ” with “ all levels of government showing signs of political capture directly affecting the daily life of citizens . ''
There is also heavy criticism in the report for Kosovo , where “ corruption is widespread and remains an issue of serious concern . ''
The document highlights the need for `` strong political will to effectively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a robust criminal justice response to high-level corruption.
” '' Measures are needed to strictly ensure there is no political interference with operational activities of law enforcement bodies and the prosecution '' in the fight against organized crime in Kosovo , the report says .

BRUSSELS -- The European Commission aims to raise 20 billion euros ($23.5 billion) in the coming decades in loans and grants for six EU hopefuls in the Western Balkans, according to a document seen by RFE/RL.
The sum, earmarked for Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia, is part of a project called “An Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans” that Brussels is due to launch on October 6.
The money would come on top of at least 9 billion euros ($10.5 billion) in grants from the expected EU budget for the 2021-2027 period.
According to the document, the new amount should be spent on strengthening “core infrastructure links, in particular main transport and energy connections, which are instrumental for economic development, market integration, and cross-border trade within the region and with the European Union.”
It would also “support the green and digital twin transitions” and “connect economies through strengthened regional economic integration and integration with the EU.”
The economic plan comes on the same day as the European Commission is to present its annual progress report for the six countries, with Brussels assessing how they have done in areas such as media freedom, judicial reform, and fight against corruption over the past year.
The report, seen by RFE/RL, criticizes Montenegro, which started EU accession negotiations with the EU in 2012, over its lack of progress on freedom of expression. It states that “although there has been progress on the media legislation, this has been overshadowed by arrests and proceedings against editors of online portals and citizens for content they posted or shared online in the course of 2020.”
It also notes that “the growing volume of region-wide disinformation further polarized the society in the aftermath of the adoption of the law on freedom of religion and during the electoral campaign."
The report criticizes Serbia for the parliamentary elections that it held in June.
“While contestants were able to campaign and fundamental freedoms were respected, voter choice was limited by the governing party’s overwhelming advantage and the promotion of government policies by most major media outlets,” the report says.
“The newly constituted Serbian parliament is marked by the overwhelming majority of the ruling coalition and the absence of a viable opposition, a situation which is not conducive to political pluralism in the country,” it adds.
North Macedonia, which hopes to start EU accession talks later this year, has the most positive assessment out of the six countries covered by the report which warns, however, that “corruption is prevalent in many areas and a more proactive approach from all actors engaged in preventing and fighting corruption needs to be ensured.”
In the case of Albania, which is also hoping to start accession talks later in 2020, the report highlights progress in judicial reform and the fight against corruption. However, it cautions that “the political dialogue in the country needs to be improved” and that “the political environment in Albania continued to be marked by intense polarization.”
Bosnia-Herzegovina, which is still not an official EU candidate country, is criticized in the report for the political deadlock that paralyzed the country most of the year.
"No progress was made in improving the electoral framework in line with European standards and ensuring transparency of political party financing," the document says, adding that corruption remained “widespread” and is a “serious concern,” with “all levels of government showing signs of political capture directly affecting the daily life of citizens."
There is also heavy criticism in the report for Kosovo, where “corruption is widespread and remains an issue of serious concern."
The document highlights the need for "strong political will to effectively address corruption issues, as well as a robust criminal justice response to high-level corruption.”
"Measures are needed to strictly ensure there is no political interference with operational activities of law enforcement bodies and the prosecution" in the fight against organized crime in Kosovo, the report says.


rferl--2020-10-06--Navalny Says Putin Was Behind Poisoning Because Of Election Fears

Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny has again blamed President Vladimir Putin for the poisoning incident in August that nearly took his life and confirmed his plans to return to Russia after he fully recovers in Germany .
It was the first video interview given by Navalny since he fell ill after ingesting what international experts say was a chemical agent from the Novichok group while he was in Siberia , Navalny told Russian journalist Yury Dud on Dud 's popular YouTube channel on October 5 that he believes he was poisoned on Putin 's order and that most likely Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Intelligence Service were involved .
`` They understood that there were big , big problems threatening them ahead of elections for the State Duma , '' Navalny , who was accompanied by his wife Yulia , said during the interview .
Navalny collapsed aboard a flight from Siberia , where he had been working on his latest corruption investigation , to Moscow on August 20 and spent nearly three weeks in an induced coma .
After 48 hours in a hospital in Omsk , where Russian doctors said they found no trace of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Charite hospital in Berlin .
Doctors there found traces of a Novichok-like nerve agent in his body .
Their findings were independently confirmed by labs in France and Sweden , sparking international condemnation .
The Kremlin has firmly denied allegations of involvement and accused Western leaders of launching a disinformation campaign over Navalny 's illness .
Navalny , 44 , told Dud that his health continues to improve since being released from a Berlin hospital on September 22 .
Navalny said that it is unclear at the moment how exactly he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s clear that he was poisoned in a hotel in the Siberian city of Tomsk , adding that it is most likely that he touched an item on which the poison was placed , but it is still not clear which item it was .
According to Navalny , many factors , including the act that Novichok can be available only to secret services , indicate that Putin was involved in his poisoning .
Navalny also emphasized that no probe has been launched in Russia into his poisoning .
Navalny 's initial claim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outlet Der Speigel that Putin had ordered his poisoning has been vehemently rejected by Russian authorities .
The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons ( OPCW ) confirmed on October 5 that Russia had requested the global watchdog dispatch experts to the country amid the accusations that the Kremlin was behind Navalny 's poisoning .
Yulia Navalnaya said in the October 6 interview that she decided to take her husband out of Russia for treatment because of what she called `` administrative pressure '' imposed by the Russian authorities on her and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her , it would be impossible to find the real cause of Navalny 's illness if he remained in Russia .
Navalny said that if he stayed in a Russian clinic he would not have survived the poisoning or would have never fully recovered .
Navalny added that he is confident that Russian authorities were reluctant to allow his transfer to a German clinic because they expected him to die or waited hoping that the poison would fully disappear from his body .
He rejected one of the Kremlin 's statements saying that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vodka , known as samogon .

Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny has again blamed President Vladimir Putin for the poisoning incident in August that nearly took his life and confirmed his plans to return to Russia after he fully recovers in Germany.
It was the first video interview given by Navalny since he fell ill after ingesting what international experts say was a chemical agent from the Novichok group while he was in Siberia, Navalny told Russian journalist Yury Dud on Dud's popular YouTube channel on October 5 that he believes he was poisoned on Putin's order and that most likely Russia's Federal Security Service or the Foreign Intelligence Service were involved.
"They understood that there were big, big problems threatening them ahead of elections for the State Duma," Navalny, who was accompanied by his wife Yulia, said during the interview.
Russia will hold national parliamentary elections next year.
Navalny collapsed aboard a flight from Siberia, where he had been working on his latest corruption investigation, to Moscow on August 20 and spent nearly three weeks in an induced coma.
After 48 hours in a hospital in Omsk, where Russian doctors said they found no trace of any poisoning, Navalny was transferred to the Charite hospital in Berlin.
Doctors there found traces of a Novichok-like nerve agent in his body. Their findings were independently confirmed by labs in France and Sweden, sparking international condemnation.
The Kremlin has firmly denied allegations of involvement and accused Western leaders of launching a disinformation campaign over Navalny's illness.
Navalny, 44, told Dud that his health continues to improve since being released from a Berlin hospital on September 22.
Navalny said that it is unclear at the moment how exactly he was poisoned, but stressed that it’s clear that he was poisoned in a hotel in the Siberian city of Tomsk, adding that it is most likely that he touched an item on which the poison was placed, but it is still not clear which item it was.
According to Navalny, many factors, including the act that Novichok can be available only to secret services, indicate that Putin was involved in his poisoning.
Navalny also emphasized that no probe has been launched in Russia into his poisoning.
Navalny's initial claim in an interview with the German media outlet Der Speigel that Putin had ordered his poisoning has been vehemently rejected by Russian authorities.
The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) confirmed on October 5 that Russia had requested the global watchdog dispatch experts to the country amid the accusations that the Kremlin was behind Navalny's poisoning.
Yulia Navalnaya said in the October 6 interview that she decided to take her husband out of Russia for treatment because of what she called "administrative pressure" imposed by the Russian authorities on her and her family and because, according to her, it would be impossible to find the real cause of Navalny's illness if he remained in Russia.
Navalny said that if he stayed in a Russian clinic he would not have survived the poisoning or would have never fully recovered.
Navalny added that he is confident that Russian authorities were reluctant to allow his transfer to a German clinic because they expected him to die or waited hoping that the poison would fully disappear from his body.
He rejected one of the Kremlin's statements saying that he might have been poisoned by homemade vodka, known as samogon.


rferl--2020-10-06--Fighting Continues Over Nagorno-Karabakh As Turkey Ups Support For Azerbaijan Against Armenia

BAKU/YEREVAN -- Heavy fighting between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces continues despite renewed international calls for a cease-fire in and around the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
A brief lull in overnight fighting was interrupted by a barrage of rocket fire on Nagorno-Karabakh 's capital , Stepanakert ( Xankandi ) , and a `` large-scale attack '' by Azerbaijani forces along the southern front , Armenian Defense Ministry spokeswoman Shushan Stepanian said .
Azerbaijan said Armenian forces targeted several of its regions .
Since fighting erupted on September 27 , the two sides have reported at least 240 deaths , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is expected to be much higher , as both sides claim to have inflicted heavy military casualties .
Each side has accused the other of targeting civilians .
The hostilities have increased concern that a wider conflict could drag in regional power Turkey , which is Azerbaijan 's closest ally , and Russia , which has a defense pact with Armenia .
On October 5 , Russia , France , and the United States -- the co-chairs of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe 's ( OSCE ) so-called Minsk Group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nagorno-Karabakh since the early 1990s -- reiterated their call for an immediate cease-fire in and around Nagorno-Karabakh .
The three powers described the escalating conflict as an `` unacceptable threat '' to the region 's stability .
Turkey has openly supported Azerbaijan , saying it will be at Baku 's side `` at the negotiating table and on the field '' as the two Turkic countries seek to create facts on the ground to strengthen any negotiating position .
Brushing off calls for a cease-fire , Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu met with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ October 6 , vowing to deepen the country 's involvement as it criticized the Minsk Group .
`` There should be no doubt that when needed , we will act like one state .
Turkey is Azerbaijan , Azerbaijan is Turkey , '' Cavusoglu tweeted on October 6 .
Cavusoglu said in Baku that any cease-fire proposal was `` no different '' from previous ones and would not address what he described as violations of Azerbaijan 's territorial integrity .
`` OK , let the cease-fire take place but what will be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] tell Armenia to immediately withdraw from Azerbaijani territories or can you produce solutions for its withdrawal ?
No , '' he said after a meeting with his Azerbaijani counterpart , Ceyhun Bayramov .
Azerbaijan has demanded Armenian forces withdraw from Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding Azerbaijani territories , saying that it would not end military action until its demands are met .
Those conditions would be nearly impossible for Armenia to accept .
Some analysts have suggested Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is gambling that his support for Azerbaijan will change the dynamics of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ greater say in the region , just as its military interventions in Libya and Syria have put it in a key position to deal with Russia .
`` Much like in Syria and in Libya , Erdogan may be hoping for a deal with Putin .
The Turkish president is biding his time until the Azeris make , and consolidate , territorial gains , '' Dimitar Bechev , a nonresident fellow at the Middle East Institute 's Frontier Europe Initiative Center , wrote in an analysis .
`` If and when that happens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initiative to Russia .
This would be a symbolic coup for Turkey , elevating the country to a major player in the South Caucasus , on par with co-chairs of the OSCE 's Minsk Group , Russia , the U.S. , and France , '' he added .
Meanwhile , Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian discussed the fighting in a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin .
The Kremlin said in a statement that Putin `` once again stressed the need for ceasing hostilities . ''
`` So far the situation is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which is absolutely unacceptable , '' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists .
Armenia announced that Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin is expected in Yerevan on October 8 , although the government said the planned visit was `` completely unrelated '' to the current fighting .
Meanwhile , Britain and Canada said there was an `` urgent need to end the continuing military action in and around the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone '' and called for all parties to return to the negotiating table .
`` We are particularly concerned by reports of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to express our condolences to the families of those who have tragically lost their lives , '' Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and Canadian Foreign Minister François-Phillippe Champagne said .
Azerbaijan and Armenia have accused each other of starting the fighting .
Analysts say Azerbaijan had been engaged in a military build-up since a flare-up in fighting in July and had an incentive to disrupt the status quo amid long-stalled Minsk Group negotiations over the territory .
The fighting is the most intense since a 1994 cease-fire , with ground troops , artillery , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the entire line of contact separating Armenian and Azerbaijani forces .
Baku says Azerbaijani cities outside Nagorno-Karabakh have been hit , and Armenia has accused Azerbaijan of targeting densely populated areas .
Both have denied targeting civilians , but rights groups have warned against the use of banned munitions such as cluster bombs .
Amnesty International said on October 5 that its experts were able to identify cluster munitions that appear to have been fired by Azerbaijani forces into residential areas of Stepanakert , the largest city in Nagorno-Karabakh .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is banned under international humanitarian law , so their use to attack civilian areas is particularly dangerous and will only lead to further deaths and injuries , '' the London-based human rights watchdog said in a statement .
Azerbaijan and Armenia have been locked in a conflict over the mountainous region since the waning years of the Soviet Union .
They fought a war that ended in 1994 with an uneasy cease-fire and an estimated 30,000 killed .
Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally recognized as Azerbaijani territory , but it is controlled by ethnic Armenian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Armenian forces hold control over seven regions adjacent to Nagorno-Karabakh .
With reporting by Milliyet , AFP , dpa , Interfax , and Reuters

BAKU/YEREVAN -- Heavy fighting between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces continues despite renewed international calls for a cease-fire in and around the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
A brief lull in overnight fighting was interrupted by a barrage of rocket fire on Nagorno-Karabakh's capital, Stepanakert (Xankandi), and a "large-scale attack" by Azerbaijani forces along the southern front, Armenian Defense Ministry spokeswoman Shushan Stepanian said.
Azerbaijan said Armenian forces targeted several of its regions.
Since fighting erupted on September 27, the two sides have reported at least 240 deaths, including dozens of civilians. The actual toll is expected to be much higher, as both sides claim to have inflicted heavy military casualties. Each side has accused the other of targeting civilians.
The hostilities have increased concern that a wider conflict could drag in regional power Turkey, which is Azerbaijan's closest ally, and Russia, which has a defense pact with Armenia.
WATCH: Explosions Rock Cities As Armenia-Azerbaijan Fighting Escalates
On October 5, Russia, France, and the United States -- the co-chairs of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's (OSCE) so-called Minsk Group, which has spearheaded peace efforts over Nagorno-Karabakh since the early 1990s -- reiterated their call for an immediate cease-fire in and around Nagorno-Karabakh.
The three powers described the escalating conflict as an "unacceptable threat" to the region's stability.
Turkey has openly supported Azerbaijan, saying it will be at Baku's side "at the negotiating table and on the field" as the two Turkic countries seek to create facts on the ground to strengthen any negotiating position.
Brushing off calls for a cease-fire, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Baku on October 6, vowing to deepen the country's involvement as it criticized the Minsk Group.
"There should be no doubt that when needed, we will act like one state. Turkey is Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan is Turkey," Cavusoglu tweeted on October 6.
Cavusoglu said in Baku that any cease-fire proposal was "no different" from previous ones and would not address what he described as violations of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity.
"OK, let the cease-fire take place but what will be the result? Can you [the world] tell Armenia to immediately withdraw from Azerbaijani territories or can you produce solutions for its withdrawal? No," he said after a meeting with his Azerbaijani counterpart, Ceyhun Bayramov.
Azerbaijan has demanded Armenian forces withdraw from Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding Azerbaijani territories, saying that it would not end military action until its demands are met. Those conditions would be nearly impossible for Armenia to accept.
Some analysts have suggested Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is gambling that his support for Azerbaijan will change the dynamics of the dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh and give Ankara greater say in the region, just as its military interventions in Libya and Syria have put it in a key position to deal with Russia.
"Much like in Syria and in Libya, Erdogan may be hoping for a deal with Putin. The Turkish president is biding his time until the Azeris make, and consolidate, territorial gains," Dimitar Bechev, a nonresident fellow at the Middle East Institute's Frontier Europe Initiative Center, wrote in an analysis.
"If and when that happens, he could propose a bilateral peace initiative to Russia. This would be a symbolic coup for Turkey, elevating the country to a major player in the South Caucasus, on par with co-chairs of the OSCE's Minsk Group, Russia, the U.S., and France," he added.
Meanwhile, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian discussed the fighting in a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Kremlin said in a statement that Putin "once again stressed the need for ceasing hostilities."
"So far the situation is deteriorating. People are still getting killed, which is absolutely unacceptable," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists.
Armenia announced that Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin is expected in Yerevan on October 8, although the government said the planned visit was "completely unrelated" to the current fighting.
Meanwhile, Britain and Canada said there was an "urgent need to end the continuing military action in and around the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone" and called for all parties to return to the negotiating table.
"We are particularly concerned by reports of the shelling of civilian areas and wish to express our condolences to the families of those who have tragically lost their lives," Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and Canadian Foreign Minister François-Phillippe Champagne said.
Azerbaijan and Armenia have accused each other of starting the fighting.
Analysts say Azerbaijan had been engaged in a military build-up since a flare-up in fighting in July and had an incentive to disrupt the status quo amid long-stalled Minsk Group negotiations over the territory.
The fighting is the most intense since a 1994 cease-fire, with ground troops, artillery, drones, rockets and tanks in action across the entire line of contact separating Armenian and Azerbaijani forces.
Baku says Azerbaijani cities outside Nagorno-Karabakh have been hit, and Armenia has accused Azerbaijan of targeting densely populated areas.
Both have denied targeting civilians, but rights groups have warned against the use of banned munitions such as cluster bombs.
Amnesty International said on October 5 that its experts were able to identify cluster munitions that appear to have been fired by Azerbaijani forces into residential areas of Stepanakert, the largest city in Nagorno-Karabakh.
"The use of cluster bombs in any circumstances is banned under international humanitarian law, so their use to attack civilian areas is particularly dangerous and will only lead to further deaths and injuries," the London-based human rights watchdog said in a statement.
Azerbaijan and Armenia have been locked in a conflict over the mountainous region since the waning years of the Soviet Union. They fought a war that ended in 1994 with an uneasy cease-fire and an estimated 30,000 killed.
Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally recognized as Azerbaijani territory, but it is controlled by ethnic Armenian separatists with close ties to Yerevan. Armenian forces hold control over seven regions adjacent to Nagorno-Karabakh.
With reporting by Milliyet, AFP, dpa, Interfax, and Reuters


rferl--2020-10-06--Top EU Court Strikes Down Hungarian Reforms That Hit Soros University

The European Union 's top court has ruled that a law on foreign-funded universities that Hungary used as grounds to shut down a renowned university founded by U.S. billionaire philanthropist George Soros was illegal .
Under the legislation passed in 2017 , foreign-registered universities can no longer operate in Hungary unless they also provide courses in their home countries , a provision that the European Court of Justice said was incompatible with EU legislation .
`` The conditions introduced by Hungary to enable foreign higher-education institutions to carry out their activities in its territory are incompatible with EU law , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in its ruling on October 6 .
The Central European University ( CEU ) transferred the bulk of its courses to Vienna in 2018 after a long battle between Soros , a Hungarian-born Holocaust survivor who provides support to numerous civic organizations through his humanitarian foundation , and the government of right-wing Prime Minister Viktor Orban .
Soros called the ruling `` a victory for the fundamental values of the European Union , '' but said the decision `` comes too late for CEU . ''
`` We can not return to Hungary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meet the requirements of academic freedom , '' he said .
Hungarian Justice Minister Judit Varga said that any EU court ruling would only be applied `` in accordance with the interests of the Hungarian people . ''
The European Commission , the bloc 's executive arm , had referred Hungary to the court after Budapest in 2017 passed a law requiring NGOs that receive more than 7.2 million Hungarian forints ( $ 27,000 ) of foreign funding annually to register as such and make the distinction public .
The law , nominally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finances and combat money laundering , said NGOs must publish the names of donors or be subjected to sanctions .
Critics say the measure targeted Soros , a harsh critic of Orban .
Orban has accused NGOs funded by Soros of political meddling .
Soros has rejected the campaign against him as `` distortions and lies '' meant to create a false external enemy to distract Hungarians .
In 1989 , Orban himself funded his studies at Oxford through a scholarship offered by Soros .
The EU court said in its ruling that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ non-EU universities could operate in Hungary only if their home country had a bilateral treaty with Hungary was in breach of the bloc 's Charter of Fundamental Rights .
The law also contravened commitments made by Hungary as a member of the World Trade Organization , it added .
With reporting by Rikard Jozwiak , AP , dpa , and theatlantic.com

The European Union's top court has ruled that a law on foreign-funded universities that Hungary used as grounds to shut down a renowned university founded by U.S. billionaire philanthropist George Soros was illegal.
Under the legislation passed in 2017, foreign-registered universities can no longer operate in Hungary unless they also provide courses in their home countries, a provision that the European Court of Justice said was incompatible with EU legislation.
"The conditions introduced by Hungary to enable foreign higher-education institutions to carry out their activities in its territory are incompatible with EU law," the European Court of Justice said in its ruling on October 6.
The Central European University (CEU) transferred the bulk of its courses to Vienna in 2018 after a long battle between Soros, a Hungarian-born Holocaust survivor who provides support to numerous civic organizations through his humanitarian foundation, and the government of right-wing Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
Soros called the ruling "a victory for the fundamental values of the European Union," but said the decision "comes too late for CEU."
"We cannot return to Hungary, because its prevailing laws don't meet the requirements of academic freedom," he said.
Hungarian Justice Minister Judit Varga said that any EU court ruling would only be applied "in accordance with the interests of the Hungarian people."
The European Commission, the bloc's executive arm, had referred Hungary to the court after Budapest in 2017 passed a law requiring NGOs that receive more than 7.2 million Hungarian forints ($27,000) of foreign funding annually to register as such and make the distinction public.
The law, nominally meant to increase the transparency of NGO finances and combat money laundering, said NGOs must publish the names of donors or be subjected to sanctions.
Critics say the measure targeted Soros, a harsh critic of Orban.
Orban has accused NGOs funded by Soros of political meddling. Soros has rejected the campaign against him as "distortions and lies" meant to create a false external enemy to distract Hungarians.
In 1989, Orban himself funded his studies at Oxford through a scholarship offered by Soros.
The EU court said in its ruling that the requirement introduced by the reform that non-EU universities could operate in Hungary only if their home country had a bilateral treaty with Hungary was in breach of the bloc's Charter of Fundamental Rights. The law also contravened commitments made by Hungary as a member of the World Trade Organization, it added.
With reporting by Rikard Jozwiak, AP, dpa, and theatlantic.com


rferl--2020-10-06--Anti-Government Protesters Invade Kyrgyz Presidential Building

The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard .
Anti-government protesters stormed @ @ @ @ @ , known as the White House , early on October 6 .
Protests and clashes @ @ @ @ @ day after parliamentary elections that shut out most opposition parties , which they claimed were @ @

The URL has been copied to your clipboard
The code has been copied to your clipboard.
Anti-government protesters stormed the Kyrgyz presidential office building, known as the White House, early on October 6. Protests and clashes broke out in Bishkek a day after parliamentary elections that shut out most opposition parties, which they claimed were rigged.


rferl--2020-10-06--Kyrgyzstan Annuls Results Of Parliamentary Elections After Night Of Deadly Protests

BISHKEK -- Kyrgyzstan plunged into deep uncertainty on October 6 as officials annulled the results of weekend parliamentary elections following chaotic protests and various political forces claimed to seize power in what President Sooronbai Jeenbekov described as a coup .
Jeenbekov , whose location is unknown , on October 6 called for calm as he described in a brief video the actions of angry demonstrators who took over government , television , and security buildings as an attempt by some political forces to illegally seize power .
Another statement from the president 's office said Jeenbekov `` controls the situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restore law and order '' in the Central Asian state .
It is unclear who is in charge , with both the president and opposition parties claiming authority and protesters still on the streets .
The election results in Kyrgyzstan , a close ally of Russia that has long been a platform for geopolitical competition between Moscow , Washington , and Beijing , sparked a tumultuous night of protests and clashes in the capital , Bishkek , on October 5 that spilled into the next day .
In chaotic scenes , demonstrators broke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential offices , and set free Almazbek Atambaev , a former president jailed earlier this year on corruption charges .
Police used water cannons , rubber bullets , tear gas , and stun grenades to disperse the crowd .
The mayhem left one person dead and 590 injured .
The Central Election Commission said on October 6 that the election results had been cancelled and would be rerun .
It provided no further details .
Opposition parties claim the October 4 election was manipulated and unfair .
Kyrgyzstan has a history of political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been toppled by revolts in the past 15 years .
Opposition parties Ata-Meken ( Fatherland ) , Butun ( United ) Kyrgyzstan , Zamandash ( Contemporary ) , Social Democrats , Bir Bol ( Stay United ) Ordo ( The Horde ) , Respublika ( Republic ) , and Reforma ( Reform ) established a Coordination Council on October 6 and elected Butun Kyrgyzstan leader Adakhan Madumarov its chairman .
The Coordination Council has also named Omurbek Suvanaliev to oversee the Security Council until the new government is named .
Suvanaliev told RFE/RL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have information about Jeenbekov 's whereabouts .
The Coordination Council also named Kursan Asanov , who was fired from the post of deputy interior minister in 2019 for `` the betrayal of the Kyrgyz police 's interests '' and is the target of three investigations , to be acting interior minister until the new government is formed .
Meanwhile , opposition figures claimed to take charge of the key posts of prime minister and parliament speaker .
Across the country , the head of departments are being removed by force or resigning , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were also replaced .
At the same time , opposition parties are struggling to agree who will govern at the national and local level .
In many cases , it 's unclear under what legal authority self-proclaimed mayors and government officials are taking up power .
In Bishkek , RFE/RL correspondents reported that lawmakers split into two groups and held sessions in two separate sites in the Kyrgyz capital .
Parliament speaker Dastan Jumabekov reportedly resigned from his post and opposition politician Myktybek Abdyldaev was elected to replace him .
Also , Prime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ post and Sadyr Japarov nominated to replace him .
Japarov was released from prison by protesters the night before and acquitted by the top court .
It was unclear if any of these moves were legal and binding , or if a parliamentary quorum was met .
Japarov must now come to the parliament 's meeting with his program and a new cabinet members list , and deputies must vote on his candidacy .
Parliament is expected to hold an extraordinary session on October 7 .
Some in Kyrgyzstan say that by electing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may force Jeenbekov to resign or leave and then , in accordance with the constitution , the parliament speaker will be acting president .
The European Union on October 6 called on all political forces in Kyrgyzstan to `` act within the framework of the constitution and to settle their disagreements peacefully . ''
`` We look forward to new credible , transparent and inclusive elections , in line with Kyrgyzstan 's international commitments and the democratic rights of its citizens , being organized , '' European Council spokesman Peter Stano said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on October 5 , the newly formed , pro-government Birimdik ( Unity ) party won 24.5 percent of the vote , followed by Mekenim ( My Homeland ) Kyrgyzstan at 23.88 percent , and the Kyrgyzstan party at 8.76 percent .
The three parties are broadly considered pro-government or having an interest in maintaining the status quo .
Butun Kyrgyzstan , a nationalist party , was the only opposition party that reached the threshold , with 7.13 percent of the vote .
The remaining 12 parties failed to clear the 7 percent threshold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12 parties received around one-third of the ballots .
Smaller parties have accused Birimdik , widely considered loyal to Jeenbekov , of using administrative resources to promote its candidates , an allegation the party denies .
Mekenim Kyrgyzstan is closely associated to the wealthy and influential Matraimov family .
The clan 's figurehead , Raiymbek Matraimov , a former top customs official , was the target of large protests in November and December 2019 , with demonstrators demanding a probe into allegations of corruption and massive outflows of cash from the country .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country 's close ties with Russia , with the Birimdik party touting ties with the Kremlin as part of its campaign pitch .
With reporting by Kloop and Reuters

BISHKEK -- Kyrgyzstan plunged into deep uncertainty on October 6 as officials annulled the results of weekend parliamentary elections following chaotic protests and various political forces claimed to seize power in what President Sooronbai Jeenbekov described as a coup.
Jeenbekov, whose location is unknown, on October 6 called for calm as he described in a brief video the actions of angry demonstrators who took over government, television, and security buildings as an attempt by some political forces to illegally seize power.
Another statement from the president's office said Jeenbekov "controls the situation" and "is doing everything to restore law and order" in the Central Asian state.
It is unclear who is in charge, with both the president and opposition parties claiming authority and protesters still on the streets.
The election results in Kyrgyzstan, a close ally of Russia that has long been a platform for geopolitical competition between Moscow, Washington, and Beijing, sparked a tumultuous night of protests and clashes in the capital, Bishkek, on October 5 that spilled into the next day.
In chaotic scenes, demonstrators broke into the building housing the parliament and presidential offices, and set free Almazbek Atambaev, a former president jailed earlier this year on corruption charges.
Police used water cannons, rubber bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades to disperse the crowd. The mayhem left one person dead and 590 injured.
The Central Election Commission said on October 6 that the election results had been cancelled and would be rerun. It provided no further details.
Opposition parties claim the October 4 election was manipulated and unfair.
Kyrgyzstan has a history of political volatility -- two of its presidents have been toppled by revolts in the past 15 years.
Opposition parties Ata-Meken (Fatherland), Butun (United) Kyrgyzstan, Zamandash (Contemporary), Social Democrats, Bir Bol (Stay United) Ordo (The Horde) , Respublika (Republic), and Reforma (Reform) established a Coordination Council on October 6 and elected Butun Kyrgyzstan leader Adakhan Madumarov its chairman.
The Coordination Council has also named Omurbek Suvanaliev to oversee the Security Council until the new government is named.
Suvanaliev told RFE/RL on October 6 that he did not have information about Jeenbekov's whereabouts.
The Coordination Council also named Kursan Asanov, who was fired from the post of deputy interior minister in 2019 for "the betrayal of the Kyrgyz police's interests" and is the target of three investigations, to be acting interior minister until the new government is formed.
Meanwhile, opposition figures claimed to take charge of the key posts of prime minister and parliament speaker.
Across the country, the head of departments are being removed by force or resigning, while the mayors of Bishkek and Osh were also replaced. At the same time, opposition parties are struggling to agree who will govern at the national and local level.
In many cases, it's unclear under what legal authority self-proclaimed mayors and government officials are taking up power.
In Bishkek, RFE/RL correspondents reported that lawmakers split into two groups and held sessions in two separate sites in the Kyrgyz capital.
Parliament speaker Dastan Jumabekov reportedly resigned from his post and opposition politician Myktybek Abdyldaev was elected to replace him.
Also, Prime Minister Kubatbek Boronov has resigned from his post and Sadyr Japarov nominated to replace him. Japarov was released from prison by protesters the night before and acquitted by the top court.
It was unclear if any of these moves were legal and binding, or if a parliamentary quorum was met.
Japarov must now come to the parliament's meeting with his program and a new cabinet members list, and deputies must vote on his candidacy.
Parliament is expected to hold an extraordinary session on October 7.
Some in Kyrgyzstan say that by electing a new parliament speaker, the opposition may force Jeenbekov to resign or leave and then, in accordance with the constitution, the parliament speaker will be acting president.
The European Union on October 6 called on all political forces in Kyrgyzstan to "act within the framework of the constitution and to settle their disagreements peacefully."
"We look forward to new credible, transparent and inclusive elections, in line with Kyrgyzstan's international commitments and the democratic rights of its citizens, being organized," European Council spokesman Peter Stano said.
In the now annulled election results announced on October 5, the newly formed, pro-government Birimdik (Unity) party won 24.5 percent of the vote, followed by Mekenim (My Homeland) Kyrgyzstan at 23.88 percent, and the Kyrgyzstan party at 8.76 percent.
The three parties are broadly considered pro-government or having an interest in maintaining the status quo. Butun Kyrgyzstan, a nationalist party, was the only opposition party that reached the threshold, with 7.13 percent of the vote.
The remaining 12 parties failed to clear the 7 percent threshold to enter parliament. Combined, the 12 parties received around one-third of the ballots.
Smaller parties have accused Birimdik, widely considered loyal to Jeenbekov, of using administrative resources to promote its candidates, an allegation the party denies.
Mekenim Kyrgyzstan is closely associated to the wealthy and influential Matraimov family.
The clan's figurehead, Raiymbek Matraimov, a former top customs official, was the target of large protests in November and December 2019, with demonstrators demanding a probe into allegations of corruption and massive outflows of cash from the country.
The election was seen a test of the country's close ties with Russia, with the Birimdik party touting ties with the Kremlin as part of its campaign pitch.
With reporting by Kloop and Reuters


rferl--2020-10-07--Fresh Rally In Bishkek Demands 'Clean' Politicians For New Government

BISHKEK -- Fresh rallies have broken out in Kyrgyzstan as rival opposition factions look to gain power after violent mass protests forced the annulment of weekend election results over alleged vote buying and prompted the prime minister and other senior officials to step down .
Thousands of demonstrators began their protest in front of the government building in the capital , Bishkek , on October 7 , as well as at the central Ala-Too Square , demanding a `` clean '' generation of politicians to form the Central Asian nation 's next government .
Among their demands is that businessman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prime minister , rejecting a move by parliament late on October 6 to nominate opposition politician Sadyr Japarov -- freed from prison by protesters just hours earlier -- as prime minister .
That decision spurred an angry mob to break into the hotel where the meeting had been convened , forcing Japarov to flee through a back door , according to Kyrgyz media .
The self-proclaimed People 's Coordination Council , set up by several opposition parties , said on October 7 that it would not recognize Japarov 's interim cabinet and was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parliament .
While the speed of events has surprised many , Kyrgyzstan is no stranger to political turmoil .
Two presidents have been overthrown in the past 15 years , and longtime ally Russia expressed concern as protests spread across the country , which also borders China .
The former Soviet republic hosts a Russian military air base .
The upheaval began soon after officials announced on October 4 results from parliamentary elections that handed victories to several pro-government parties .
Thousands streamed onto the streets of Bishkek and other towns and cities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with votes being bought -- which international observers also said they had concerns about -- and must be canceled .
A 19-year-old protester died during the clashes between police and protesters and many were injured during the demonstrations .
The protesters on October 7 said they represent youth organizations and demanded that `` old corrupt politicians '' stay away from the government .
`` The old ones must go , '' they chanted as they tried to breach the government building .
Tensions ratcheted up further as supporters of Japarov moved in front @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the building in a standoff that RFE/RL correspondents described as intense .
The group of some 20 lawmakers that put forward Japarov also proposed opposition Bir Bol ( Stay United ) party member Myktybek Abdyldaev to lead the parliament .
A leader of the opposition Ata-Meken party , Janar Akaev , told RFE/RL on October 7 that lawmakers in late-night session in the hotel were close to President Sooronbai Jeenbekov , whose whereabouts are unknown , and that their real goal was to help keep Jeenbekov stay in power .
The Coordination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Japarov , who was serving a lengthy prison term on hostage-taking charges before being released during the turmoil .
`` We , the majority of lawmakers are planning to propose other candidates [ to the posts of the parliament speaker and prime minister . ]
We will propose the government consisting of young honest men and women supported by the ordinary people , '' Akaev said .
Across the country , the heads of departments are being removed by force or voluntary resignation , while the mayors of Bishkek and the second-largest city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , were also replaced .
At the same time , opposition parties are struggling to agree who will govern at the national and local level .
In many cases , it was unclear under what legal authority self-proclaimed mayors and government officials are taking power .
Melis Myrzakmatov , the former mayor of Osh , returned to the city on October 7 and immediately addressed supporters , telling them Kyrgyzstan is “ in a very dangerous situation ” and that `` thieves and crooks ” are preparing to sow confusion , “ but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fight for the country 's integrity and its development . ''
Myrzakmatov urged them `` to preserve national unity and resist forces interested in organizing a civil war and dividing the country . ''
He also said that the parliamentary elections were `` very dirty '' and that only worthy people should be elected to the Kyrgyz assembly .
Deputy Interior Minister Almaz Orozaliev said on October 7 that Bishkek police were in control of the situation in the city and acting Interior Minister Kursan Asanov is also serving as the city 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the capital .
Meanwhile , media reports say that dozens of unidentified people tried to break into the office of the Canadian-owned Kumtor Gold Company in Bishkek on October 7 .
A day earlier , several miners reported attacks on their offices and facilities amid the rallies and unrest .
Kumtor , Kyrgyzstan ’ s major gold producing entity , is owned by the Canadian firm Centerra Gold .
With reporting by 24.kg , Interfax , and Reuters

BISHKEK -- Thousands have headed back onto the streets in Kyrgyzstan as rival opposition factions look to gain power after violent mass protests forced the annulment of weekend election results over alleged vote buying and prompted the prime minister and other senior officials to step down.
Demonstrators began their protest in front of the government building in the capital, Bishkek, on October 7, as well as at the central Ala-Too Square, demanding a "clean" generation of politicians to form the Central Asian nation's next government.
Among their demands is that businessman Tilek Toktogaziev be named as the new prime minister, rejecting a move by parliament late on October 6 to nominate opposition politician Sadyr Japarov -- freed from prison by protesters just hours earlier -- as prime minister.
That decision spurred an angry mob to break into the hotel where the meeting had been convened, forcing Japarov to flee through a back door, according to Kyrgyz media.
The self-proclaimed People's Coordination Council, set up by several opposition parties, said on October 7 that it would not recognize Japarov's interim cabinet and was assuming all state powers itself and dissolving parliament.
Left isolated by the resignation of Prime Minister Kubatbek Boronov's government late on October 6, President Sooronbai Jeenbekov, in his second statement since the unrest erupted, called for all-party talks, reiterating his willingness to mediate.
While the speed of events has surprised many, Kyrgyzstan is no stranger to political turmoil.
Two presidents have been overthrown in the past 15 years, and longtime ally Russia expressed concern as protests spread across the country, which also borders China. The former Soviet republic hosts a Russian military air base.
The upheaval began soon after officials announced on October 4 results from parliamentary elections that handed victories to several pro-government parties.
Thousands streamed onto the streets of Bishkek and other towns and cities insisting that the results were rigged, with votes being bought -- which international observers also said they had concerns about -- and must be canceled.
A 19-year-old protester died during the clashes between police and protesters and many were injured during the demonstrations.
The protesters on October 7 said they represent youth organizations and demanded that "old corrupt politicians" stay away from the government.
"The old ones must go," they chanted as they tried to breach the government building.
Tensions ratcheted up further as supporters of Japarov moved in front of the building to block the entrance in a standoff that RFE/RL correspondents described as intense.
Toktogaziev told RFE/RL at the site that he was "nominated by young members of several political parties to the post of leader of the interim government."
"Our main goal is to ensure that all politicians undergo lustration." he said, referring to a vetting process to ensure the removal of all elements of the previous regime. "The old authorities led by [President] Sooronbai Jeenbekov are fully responsible for this political and economic crisis we are facing now. We will establish a new government of young professionals. We will call on all the Kyrgyz youth residing abroad to return home.
"The main problem we are having is the situation in which revolutions in Kyrgyzstan are carried out by young people, who sacrifice their lives for change, while old corrupted politicians remain in power," Toktogaziev said.
The protesters then managed to force their way inside the building and Toktogaziev joined other politicians representing opposition parties to discuss the composition of the new government and possible new nominations for the post of prime minister.
A leading member of the Reforma party, Klara Sooronkulova, proposed two other individuals as prime minister: Jumadyl Egemberdiev and Ali Toktakunov, an RFE/RL correspondent.
After Sooronkulova's proposal was not supported by others, she left the gathering.
"The idea of nominating me for prime minister today was not discussed with me in advance," Toktakunov said. "I declined the offer. I'm not interested in any official post or career."
The group of some 20 lawmakers that put forward Japarov also proposed opposition Bir Bol (Stay United) party member Myktybek Abdyldaev to lead parliament.
A leader of the opposition Ata-Meken party, Janar Akaev, told RFE/RL on October 7 that lawmakers in the late-night session in the hotel were close to Jeenbekov, whose whereabouts are unknown, and that their real goal was to help keep the president in power.
The Coordination Council rejected the nominations of Abdyldaev and Japarov, who was serving a lengthy prison term on hostage-taking charges before being released during the turmoil.
"We, the majority of lawmakers, are planning to propose other candidates [to the posts of the parliament speaker and prime minister.] We will propose the government consisting of young, honest men and women supported by the ordinary people," Akaev said.
Across the country, the heads of departments are being removed by force or voluntary resignation, while the mayors of Bishkek and the second-largest city in the country's south, Osh, were also replaced. At the same time, opposition parties are struggling to agree who will govern at the national and local level.
In many cases, it was unclear under what legal authority self-proclaimed mayors and government officials are taking power.
Melis Myrzakmatov, the former mayor of Osh, returned to the city on October 7 and immediately addressed supporters, telling them Kyrgyzstan is “in a very dangerous situation” and that "thieves and crooks” are preparing to sow confusion, “but we will not allow this and will fight for the country's integrity and its development."
Myrzakmatov urged them "to preserve national unity and resist forces interested in organizing a civil war and dividing the country."
He also said that the parliamentary elections were "very dirty" and that only worthy people should be elected to the Kyrgyz assembly.
However, Osh Mayor Taalaibek Sarybashov said on October 7 that he will continue to carry out his duties despite the ongoing rallies by both his supporters and opponents in the city.
On the same day, Jeenbekov called on all politicians to have their supporters stop the rallies across the country as officials look for a way forward.
"Dear compatriots, those who wanted to get posts, got them. Now I again call all political leaders, who are organizing rallies of their supporters in the streets, to return to legal boundaries," Jeenbekov said in a statement, adding that he believed "we will find a solution to this crisis together."
On October 7, the deputy secretary of the Security Council, Omurbek Suvanaliev, confirmed to RFE/RL that a brother of wealthy and influential tycoon and former top customs official Raiymbek Matraimov, whom protesters accused of buying votes for the pro-government Mekenim Kyrgyzstan party, had been arrested recently by Uzbek border guards.
Suvanaliev said Tilek Matraimov, his son, nephews, and a bodyguard had been apprehended while trying to illegally cross the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border at the start of the protest rallies. He did not specify the exact date of the detainments, adding that the detained Kyrgyz nationals' extradition to Kyrgyzstan is under discussion with the Uzbek side.
SPECIAL REPORT: The Matraimov Kingdom
Raiymbek Matraimov along with his powerful clan was the target of large protests in November and December 2019, with demonstrators demanding a probe into allegations of corruption and massive outflows of cash from the country.
The powerful tycoon, whom many in Kyrgyzstan consider as Jeenbekov’s associate, has been at the center of a high-profile corruption scandal exposed by a joint investigation by RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service, known locally as Radio Azattyk, the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP,) and the Kyrgyz news site Kloop.
Deputy Interior Minister Almaz Orozaliev said on October 7 that Bishkek police were in control of the situation in the city and acting Interior Minister Kursan Asanov is also serving as the city's commandant responsible for preserving law and order in the capital.
Meanwhile, media reports say that dozens of unidentified people tried to break into the office of the Canadian-owned Kumtor Gold Company in Bishkek on October 7.
A day earlier, several miners reported attacks on their offices and facilities amid the rallies and unrest.
Kumtor, Kyrgyzstan’s major gold-producing entity, is owned by the Canadian firm Centerra Gold.
With reporting by 24.kg, Interfax, and Reuters


rferl--2020-10-07--'Russian Hitman' Trial Opens In Berlin

'Russian Hitman' Trial Opens In Berlin

The trial of a Russian man began on October 7 over the assassination of a former Chechen commander in a Berlin park , allegedly on Moscow 's orders .
Vadim K. , also known as Vadim S. , whose full name was withheld in line with German privacy laws but has been widely reported as Vadim Krasikov , stands accused of shooting dead a Georgian national identified by German authorities as 40-year-old Tornike K. in Kleiner Tiergarten park on August 23 last year .
German media have named the victim as Zelimkhan `` Tornike '' Khangoshvili .
According to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accused of being contracted by `` state agencies of the central government of the Russian Federation '' to carry out the killing .
Khangoshvili was a Georgian citizen of Chechen ethnicity who fought Russian troops in Chechnya .
He had previously survived several assassination attempts and continued to receive threats after fleeing in 2016 to Germany where he had been granted asylum .
In their indictment , German prosecutors allege that there is ample evidence indicating official Russian involvement in the crime .
However , Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has called the allegations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` absolutely groundless . ''
Germany expelled two Russian diplomats in December over the case , prompting Russia to oust two German diplomats in retaliation .
Allegations of Russian involvement in the 2015 hacking of the German parliament and the theft of documents from Chancellor Angela Merkel 's own office , as well as the poisoning in August of Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny have raised the tensions between Berlin and Moscow .
The growing tensions between the two countries comes at a sensitive time , as Germany and Russia continue to push @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 , a joint pipeline project to bring Russian gas directly to Germany under the Baltic .
With reporting by AP and AFP

The trial of a Russian man began on October 7 over the assassination of a former Chechen commander in a Berlin park, allegedly on Moscow's orders.
Vadim K., also known as Vadim S., whose full name was withheld in line with German privacy laws but has been widely reported as Vadim Krasikov, stands accused of shooting dead a Georgian national identified by German authorities as 40-year-old Tornike K. in Kleiner Tiergarten park on August 23 last year.
German media have named the victim as Zelimkhan "Tornike" Khangoshvili.
As the trial began under tight security and coronavirus precautions, the defendant made a short statement through his lawyer, Robert Unger, saying that he was a 50-year-old born in Russia, not a 55-year-old born in Kazakhstan as alleged.
“I am Vadim Adreyevich Sokolov, not Vadim Nikolayevich Krasikov," he said. “Such a person is not known to me."
The defendant had traveled to Germany on a Russian passport issued in the name of Vadim Sokolov.
According to the German indictment, he is accused of being contracted by “state agencies of the central government of the Russian Federation” to carry out the killing.
The alleged killer "took the contract, either for an unknown sum of money or because he shared the motive of those who gave the contract to liquidate the [victim] as a political enemy in revenge for his role in the second Chechen war and participation in other armed conflict against the Russian Federation,” the indictment reads.
Khangoshvili was a Georgian citizen of Chechen ethnicity who fought Russian troops in Chechnya. He had previously survived several assassination attempts and continued to receive threats after fleeing in 2016 to Germany where he had been granted asylum.
In their indictment, German prosecutors allege that there is ample evidence indicating official Russian involvement in the crime.
However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has called the allegations of Russian involvement in the Berlin killing "absolutely groundless."
Germany expelled two Russian diplomats in December over the case, prompting Russia to oust two German diplomats in retaliation.
Allegations of Russian involvement in the 2015 hacking of the German parliament and the theft of documents from Chancellor Angela Merkel's own office, as well as the poisoning in August of Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny have raised the tensions between Berlin and Moscow.
The growing tensions between the two countries comes at a sensitive time, as Germany and Russia continue to push together for the completion of Nord Stream 2, a joint pipeline project to bring Russian gas directly to Germany under the Baltic.
With reporting by AP and AFP


rferl--2020-10-07--Azerbaijan Says Pipeline Targeted In Fighting; Armenia Rejects Accusation

BAKU/YEREVAN -- The Prosecutor-General 's Office of Azerbaijan said on October 6 that a pipeline has been targeted in fighting between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces in and around the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh , an accusation immediately rejected by Armenia .
Rockets were fired at the part of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline passing through the Yevlakh region , the prosecutor-general 's office said , according to RFE/RL 's Azerbaijani Service .
The attempt to damage the pipeline , an important component of Europe 's energy security , occurred at about 9 p.m. local time on October 6 , the office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result of measures taken by the Azerbaijani Army , it said , adding that a civilian was killed .
Armenia 's Defense Ministry rejected the accusations .
`` Azerbaijan 's reports of Armenian troops ' attempt to strike the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline are outright lies , '' Armenian Defense Ministry press secretary Shushan Stepanian wrote on her Facebook page .
`` We have repeatedly said that we do not view oil and gas infrastructure as our target . ''
Earlier on October 6 there was a barrage of rocket fire on Nagorno-Karabakh ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large-scale attack '' by Azerbaijani forces along the southern front , Stepanian said .
Azerbaijan said Armenian forces targeted several of its regions .
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev spoke by phone October 6 with Iranian President Hassan Rohani , the president 's press service said in a statement .
Aliyev told Rohani that 27 Azerbaijani civilians had been killed , more than 170 injured , and more than 900 houses damaged or destroyed in recent fighting .
Rohani expressed his country 's concern over the conflict across the entire line of contact separating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the conflict would be resolved peacefully as soon as possible .
Aliyev also noted during the call that part of the territory along the Iranian-Azerbaijani border has come under the control of Azerbaijan , and there are plans to deploy Azerbaijani border troops and border infrastructure in the area .
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian said on October 6 in an interview with the French AFP news agency that Turkey 's `` full support '' had motivated its ally Azerbaijan to reignite the fighting .
`` While it is true that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bellicose rhetoric for the last 15 years , now the decision to unleash a war was motivated by Turkey 's full support , '' Pashinian said .
`` Without Turkey 's active engagement this war would not have begun , '' he added , speaking to AFP in the Government House in the heart of Yerevan .
Pashinian , who became prime minister in 2018 after leading protests against the ruling party , condemned Azerbaijan for waging a `` terrorist war against a people struggling for their freedom . ''
He said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ engagement of terrorist groups from the Middle East in the conflict zone , '' describing the role of Armenian forces as a `` counterterrorism operation . ''
Since fighting erupted on September 27 , the two sides have reported at least 240 deaths including dozens of civilians .
The actual toll is believed to be much higher as both sides claim to have inflicted heavy military casualties .
Each side has accused the other of targeting civilians .
The hostilities have increased concern that a wider conflict could drag in regional power Turkey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Russia , which has a defense pact with Armenia .
On October 5 , Russia , France , and the United States -- the co-chairs of the so-called Minsk Group from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe ( OSCE ) , which has spearheaded peace efforts over Nagorno-Karabakh since the early 1990s -- reiterated their call for an immediate cease-fire in and around Nagorno-Karabakh .
Brushing off calls for a cease-fire , Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu met with Aliyev in Baku on October 6 , vowing to deepen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Minsk Group .
`` There should be no doubt that , when needed , we will act like one state .
Turkey is Azerbaijan , Azerbaijan is Turkey , ” Cavusoglu tweeted on October 6 .
Cavusoglu said in Baku that any cease-fire proposal was `` no different '' from previous ones and would not address what he described as violations of Azerbaijan 's territorial integrity .
Azerbaijan has demanded that Armenian forces withdraw from Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding Azerbaijani territories , saying that it would not end military action until its demands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly impossible for Armenia to accept .
With reporting by Milliyet , AFP , dpa , Interfax , and Reuters

BAKU/YEREVAN -- The Prosecutor-General's Office of Azerbaijan said on October 6 that a pipeline has been targeted in fighting between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces in and around the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh, an accusation immediately rejected by Armenia.
Rockets were fired at the part of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline passing through the Yevlakh region, the prosecutor-general's office said, according to RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service.
The attempt to damage the pipeline, an important component of Europe's energy security, occurred at about 9 p.m. local time on October 6, the office said. It was prevented as a result of measures taken by the Azerbaijani Army, it said, adding that a civilian was killed.
Armenia's Defense Ministry rejected the accusations.
"Azerbaijan's reports of Armenian troops' attempt to strike the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline are outright lies," Armenian Defense Ministry press secretary Shushan Stepanian wrote on her Facebook page. "We have repeatedly said that we do not view oil and gas infrastructure as our target."
Earlier on October 6 there was a barrage of rocket fire on Nagorno-Karabakh’s capital, Stepanakert, and a "large-scale attack" by Azerbaijani forces along the southern front, Stepanian said.
Azerbaijan said Armenian forces targeted several of its regions.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev spoke by phone October 6 with Iranian President Hassan Rohani, the president's press service said in a statement. Aliyev told Rohani that 27 Azerbaijani civilians had been killed, more than 170 injured, and more than 900 houses damaged or destroyed in recent fighting.
Rohani expressed his country's concern over the conflict across the entire line of contact separating Armenian and Azerbaijani forces and expressed hope that the conflict would be resolved peacefully as soon as possible.
Aliyev also noted during the call that part of the territory along the Iranian-Azerbaijani border has come under the control of Azerbaijan, and there are plans to deploy Azerbaijani border troops and border infrastructure in the area.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian said on October 6 in an interview with the French AFP news agency that Turkey's "full support" had motivated its ally Azerbaijan to reignite the fighting.
"While it is true that the leadership of Azerbaijan has been actively promoting bellicose rhetoric for the last 15 years, now the decision to unleash a war was motivated by Turkey's full support," Pashinian said.
"Without Turkey's active engagement this war would not have begun," he added, speaking to AFP in the Government House in the heart of Yerevan.
Pashinian, who became prime minister in 2018 after leading protests against the ruling party, condemned Azerbaijan for waging a "terrorist war against a people struggling for their freedom."
He said the current conflict has seen the "active engagement of terrorist groups from the Middle East in the conflict zone," describing the role of Armenian forces as a "counterterrorism operation."
Since fighting erupted on September 27, the two sides have reported at least 240 deaths including dozens of civilians. The actual toll is believed to be much higher as both sides claim to have inflicted heavy military casualties. Each side has accused the other of targeting civilians.
The hostilities have increased concern that a wider conflict could drag in regional power Turkey, which is Azerbaijan's closest ally, and Russia, which has a defense pact with Armenia.
On October 5, Russia, France, and the United States -- the co-chairs of the so-called Minsk Group from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which has spearheaded peace efforts over Nagorno-Karabakh since the early 1990s -- reiterated their call for an immediate cease-fire in and around Nagorno-Karabakh.
Brushing off calls for a cease-fire, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu met with Aliyev in Baku on October 6, vowing to deepen the country's involvement as it criticized the Minsk Group.
"There should be no doubt that, when needed, we will act like one state. Turkey is Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan is Turkey,” Cavusoglu tweeted on October 6.
Cavusoglu said in Baku that any cease-fire proposal was "no different" from previous ones and would not address what he described as violations of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity.
Azerbaijan has demanded that Armenian forces withdraw from Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding Azerbaijani territories, saying that it would not end military action until its demands are met. Those conditions would be nearly impossible for Armenia to accept.
With reporting by Milliyet, AFP, dpa, Interfax, and Reuters


rferl--2020-10-07--Head Of Serbian Orthodox Church In Montenegro Hospitalized With COVID-19

The head of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro has been hospitalized after testing positive for the coronavirus , a @ @ @ @ @ 6 by Serbian media said .
Metropolitan Amfilohije , 82 , is in the Clinical @ @ @ @ @ a church announcement quoted by the N1 TV channel .
He has spent the last @ @ @ @ @ under constant medical supervision , the statement said .
Metropolitan Amfilohije will remain in the @ @ @ @ @ infection lasts , the statement said , adding that the facility is better equipped to @ @ @ @ @ well and is not experiencing significant difficulties , according to the statement , which said @ @ @ @ @ stable .
`` We call on the brothers and sisters to pray fervently , full @ @ @ @ @ both for the Metropolitan ’ s speedy recovery , and for the health and progress @ @ @ @ @ ” the statement said .

The head of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro has been hospitalized after testing positive for the coronavirus, a church statement quoted on October 6 by Serbian media said.
Metropolitan Amfilohije, 82, is in the Clinical Center of Podgorica according to a church announcement quoted by the N1 TV channel. He has spent the last few days in home isolation under constant medical supervision, the statement said.
Metropolitan Amfilohije will remain in the hospital as long as the infection lasts, the statement said, adding that the facility is better equipped to provide treatment.
He feels well and is not experiencing significant difficulties, according to the statement, which said doctors assessed his condition as stable.
"We call on the brothers and sisters to pray fervently, full of faith and love -- both for the Metropolitan’s speedy recovery, and for the health and progress of all the sick,” the statement said.
Based on reporting by N1


rferl--2020-10-07--Former Mayor Of Osh Returns To Kyrgyzstan, Says Country Is In 'Dangerous Situation'

Melis Myrzakmatov , the former mayor of Osh , returned to the city on October 7 and immediately addressed supporters , telling them Kyrgyzstan is `` in a very dangerous situation '' after opposition parties claimed the October 4 parliamentary elections were manipulated and unfair , touching off protests that turned violent .
Myrzakmatov arrived from Turkey at the Osh international airport after midnight and went to the central square , where thousands of supporters were waiting for him , according to RFE/RL ’ s Kyrgyz Service .
Myrzakmatov urged them `` to preserve national unity and resist forces interested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country . ''
He also said that the parliamentary elections were `` very dirty '' and that only worthy people should be elected to the Kyrgyz parliament .
Myrzakmatov arrived in Kyrgyzstan 's second-largest city after Kyrgyz officials annulled the results of the elections following chaotic protests that broke out in Bishkek and other cities on October 5 and spilled into the next day .
Various political forces claimed to have seized power in what President Sooronbai Jeenbekov described as a coup .
Jeenbekov , whose whereabouts are unknown , called for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video the actions of angry demonstrators who took over government , television , and security buildings as an attempt by some political forces to illegally seize power .
It is unclear who is in charge , with both the president and opposition parties claiming authority .
The Central Election Commission said on October 6 that the election results had been canceled and would be rerun .
It provided no further details .
Myrzakmatov said `` thieves and crooks '' were preparing to sow confusion , `` but we will not allow this and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and its development . ''
The former mayor of Osh was sentenced to seven years in prison in absentia in 2015 by the Osh City Court after it found him guilty of abuse of power and corruption .
Myrzakmatov was the only prominent official with ties to former President Kurmanbek Bakiev who managed to hold onto his post after Bakiev 's ouster and deadly interethnic clashes in Osh and nearby areas in 2010 .
The Kyrgyz government managed to sack Myrzakmatov in December 2013 after several unsuccessful attempts .
He failed to regain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and later disappeared after Kyrgyz authorities began investigating allegations that he had ordered illegal infrastructure projects .
He considers the criminal case against him to be political persecution .
The political leadership in the city is currently in the hands of parliamentary deputy Duyshonkul Torokulov , but his grasp on power is tenuous .
Torokulov proclaimed himself mayor , saying former mayor Taalaibek Sarybashev transferred power to him .
People attending the rally in Osh demanded the formal resignation of Sarybashev , and the Osh City Council later held an extraordinary meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mayor .
The election results in Kyrgyzstan , a close ally of Russia which has long been a platform for geopolitical competition between Moscow , Washington , and Beijing , sparked a tumultuous night of protests and clashes in Bishkek on October 5 .
In chaotic scenes , demonstrators broke into the building housing the parliament and presidential offices , and set free Almazbek Atambaev , a former president jailed earlier this year on corruption charges .
Police used water cannon , rubber bullets , tear gas , and stun grenades to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Kyrgyz Service .
The mayhem left one person dead and 590 injured .

Melis Myrzakmatov, the former mayor of Osh, returned to the city on October 7 and immediately addressed supporters, telling them Kyrgyzstan is "in a very dangerous situation" after opposition parties claimed the October 4 parliamentary elections were manipulated and unfair, touching off protests that turned violent.
Myrzakmatov arrived from Turkey at the Osh international airport after midnight and went to the central square, where thousands of supporters were waiting for him, according to RFE/RL’s Kyrgyz Service.
Myrzakmatov urged them "to preserve national unity and resist forces interested in organizing a civil war and dividing the country."
He also said that the parliamentary elections were "very dirty" and that only worthy people should be elected to the Kyrgyz parliament.
Myrzakmatov arrived in Kyrgyzstan's second-largest city after Kyrgyz officials annulled the results of the elections following chaotic protests that broke out in Bishkek and other cities on October 5 and spilled into the next day. Various political forces claimed to have seized power in what President Sooronbai Jeenbekov described as a coup.
Jeenbekov, whose whereabouts are unknown, called for calm as he described in a brief video the actions of angry demonstrators who took over government, television, and security buildings as an attempt by some political forces to illegally seize power.
It is unclear who is in charge, with both the president and opposition parties claiming authority.
The Central Election Commission said on October 6 that the election results had been canceled and would be rerun. It provided no further details.
Myrzakmatov said "thieves and crooks" were preparing to sow confusion, "but we will not allow this and will fight for the country's integrity and its development."
The former mayor of Osh was sentenced to seven years in prison in absentia in 2015 by the Osh City Court after it found him guilty of abuse of power and corruption.
Myrzakmatov was the only prominent official with ties to former President Kurmanbek Bakiev who managed to hold onto his post after Bakiev's ouster and deadly interethnic clashes in Osh and nearby areas in 2010.
The Kyrgyz government managed to sack Myrzakmatov in December 2013 after several unsuccessful attempts.
He failed to regain his post in a January 2014 election, and later disappeared after Kyrgyz authorities began investigating allegations that he had ordered illegal infrastructure projects.
He considers the criminal case against him to be political persecution.
The political leadership in the city is currently in the hands of parliamentary deputy Duyshonkul Torokulov, but his grasp on power is tenuous. Torokulov proclaimed himself mayor, saying former mayor Taalaibek Sarybashev transferred power to him.
People attending the rally in Osh demanded the formal resignation of Sarybashev, and the Osh City Council later held an extraordinary meeting at which it showed no confidence in the mayor.
The election results in Kyrgyzstan, a close ally of Russia which has long been a platform for geopolitical competition between Moscow, Washington, and Beijing, sparked a tumultuous night of protests and clashes in Bishkek on October 5.
In chaotic scenes, demonstrators broke into the building housing the parliament and presidential offices, and set free Almazbek Atambaev, a former president jailed earlier this year on corruption charges.
Police used water cannon, rubber bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades to disperse the crowd, according to RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service. The mayhem left one person dead and 590 injured.


rferl--2020-10-07--Navalny Suggests EU Ban Russian Oligarchs As Consequence Of Poisoning

Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny has suggested that the European Union get tougher on Russian oligarchs who are close to the Kremlin by banning them from entering the EU .
Navalny , who is recovering in Germany after he was poisoned in August with a chemical agent from the banned Novichok group , told Germany ’ s Bild newspaper in an interview published on October 7 that sanctions against the whole country don ’ t work .
`` The most important thing is to impose entry bans against those who profit from the regime and freeze their assets , '' Navalny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oligarchs and high officials '' -- President Vladimir Putin ’ s inner circle .
`` They embezzle money , steal billions , and at the weekend they fly to Berlin or London , buy expensive apartments and sit in cafes , '' Navalny said in the interview .
He said the ban should extend to high-profile Russians such as Valery Gergiev , chief conductor of the Munich Philharmonic , who supported Putin in the last election .
“ If he loves the regime so much and wants Russia not to go the European @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him : you are a very talented musician , but we will no longer allow you to enter the EU , '' he said .
`` You can enjoy Putin 's regime in Russia . ''
'Putin 's Errand Boy' Navalny also singled out former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder , a lobbyist for Russian energy firms , saying it was `` very disappointing '' to hear that Schroeder said there were `` no facts '' on his poisoning and everything thus far had been `` speculation . ''
`` He is the former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Europe .
Now Schroeder is Putin 's errand boy who protects murderers , '' he said .
Navalny 's comments come as Germany discusses with its partners what action to take in response to the poisoning of the Kremlin critic .
Options include targeted asset freezes or travel bans on Russians deemed to be involved in the Navalny case , economic sanctions , and halting the Nord Stream 2 pipeline , which is nearing completion in the Baltic Sea and would carry gas directly from Russia to Germany .
Navalny 's interview was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons ( OPCW ) said that samples taken from Navalny confirmed the presence of a chemical agent from the banned Novichok group .
Renewed international calls for Russian authorities to investigate the matter came after OPCW issued its conclusions in a statement on October 6 .
The OPCW findings confirm results released by Germany , where Navalny was treated after falling seriously ill on a flight from Siberia to Moscow on August 20 .
German authorities asked The Hague-based OPCW to take samples from Navalny and test them after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a Novichok-like nerve agent .
Their findings were independently confirmed by laboratories in France and Sweden , sparking international condemnation and calls for sanctions against Moscow over the case .
Russia has denied any involvement and resisted international pressure to launch a criminal investigation .
With reporting by Bild and Reuters

Germany and France say they will seek European Union sanctions targeting individuals held responsible for the poisoning of Aleksei Navalny, after a global chemical watchdog confirmed that a banned nerve agent was used against the Russian opposition leader.
Navalny is recovering in Germany after he was poisoned in August with a chemical agent from the banned Novichok group. Russia has denied any involvement and resisted international pressure to launch a criminal investigation.
"No credible explanation has been provided by Russia so far. In this context, we consider that there is no other plausible explanation for Mr. Navalny's poisoning than Russian involvement and responsibility," the German and French foreign ministers said in a joint statement on October 7.
Heiko Maas and Jean-Yves Le Drian added that they would shortly share proposals for sanctions targets with their European partners.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova described the statement as "unacceptable in content and tone" and accused Germany and France of "threats and attempts to blackmail us."
The announcement by Berlin and Paris comes a day after The Hague-based Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) confirmed that “the biomarkers of the cholinesterase inhibitor found in Mr. Navalny’s blood and urine samples have similar structural characteristics” as the toxic chemicals belonging to the Novichok group.
The findings confirmed results released by Germany and corroborated by laboratories in France and Sweden that have sparked international condemnation and calls for sanctions against Moscow over the case.
Maas and Le Drian said the sanction proposals would "target individuals deemed responsible for this crime and breach of international norms, based on their official function, as well as an entity involved in the Novichok program."
Reuters quoted two diplomats as saying Russian GRU military intelligence officials would be among the individuals targeted.
British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said his country stands "side by side" with Germany and France and will work to secure sanctions against “Russian officials and others who are considered responsible for this crime as well those involved in the development of the Novichok chemical weapon program."
Earlier in the day, Maas told parliament that without an explanation from Russia regarding the poisoning, "targeted and proportionate sanctions against those responsible are unavoidable."
"It would be possible to sanction very quickly individuals who, for example, are known to be involved in the development of chemical warfare agents - and that is a discussion we will have in the European Union in the coming days," the German minister said.
Meanwhile, Navalny suggested the EU get tougher on individuals close to the Kremlin, saying that sanctions against Russia as a whole don’t work.
“The most important thing is to impose entry bans against those who profit from the regime and freeze their assets," Navalny said in an interview with Germany’s Bild newspaper, adding this includes “oligarchs and high officials” -- President Vladimir Putin’s inner circle.
"They embezzle money, steal billions, and at the weekend they fly to Berlin or London, buy expensive apartments, and sit in cafes," Navalny said in the interview.
He said the ban should extend to high-profile Russians such as Valery Gergiev, chief conductor of the Munich Philharmonic, who supported Putin in the last election.
“If he loves the regime so much and wants Russia not to go the European route, then you have to tell him: You are a very talented musician, but we will no longer allow you to enter the EU," he said. "You can enjoy Putin's regime in Russia."
Navalny also singled out former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, a lobbyist for Russian energy firms, saying it was "very disappointing" to hear that Schroeder said there were "no facts" on his poisoning and everything thus far had been "speculation."
"He is the former chancellor of the most powerful country in Europe. Now Schroeder is Putin's errand boy who protects murderers," the Kremlin foe and anti-corruption campaigner said.
With reporting by Bild, AP, AFP, and Reuters


rferl--2020-10-07--RSF, Others Urge Montenegrin Judges To Acquit Journalist In Retrial

A Montenegrin court is set to give a verdict on October 8 in the retrial of Jovo Martinovic , an investigative reporter who has been sentenced to prison on charges of drug trafficking and criminal association .
“ The responsibility resting on the judges is great , ” Reporters Without Borders ( RSF ) and seven other nongovernmental organizations said ahead of the ruling by a Podgorica court .
A renewed conviction of Martinovic would “ undermine media freedom in the country and as such would be incompatible with Montenegro ’ s EU accession , for which an independent and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” they said in an October 5 statement .
Martinovic , who has reported widely on organized crime with both local and foreign outlets , has denied the accusations against him and said he believes they were in retaliation for his reporting .
The reporter was arrested five years ago and spent 15 months in pretrial detention before the High Court of Montenegro sentenced him to an 18-month prison term for marijuana trafficking and criminal association in January 2019 .
The verdict was quashed by the Appeals Court of Montenegro in October 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had failed to name the evidence that would justify a conviction of the journalist .
The same court that convicted the reporter last year will issue its verdict on October 8 .
The eight NGOs calling for Martinovic ’ s acquittal urged the judges to “ stand for media freedom and human rights in Montenegro.
” “ We are convinced that [ Martinovic ] , who was in contact with criminal networks only for the purpose of his journalistic coverage , is innocent , ” they said .
Montenegro , which hopes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under pressure to tackle organized crime and safeguard media freedom .
“ In the last decade , hardly any other journalist in an EU member state , candidate country , or potential candidate country -- with the exception of Turkey -- has spent so much time in prison merely for doing his job , ” according to the eight NGOs .
Besides RSF , they include the European Center for Press and Media Freedom , the European Federation of Journalists , the International Press Institute , ARTICLE 19 , the Center for Investigative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Caucaso Transeuropa , and the International Federation of Journalists .

A Montenegrin court is set to give a verdict on October 8 in the retrial of Jovo Martinovic, an investigative reporter who has been sentenced to prison on charges of drug trafficking and criminal association.
“The responsibility resting on the judges is great,” Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and seven other nongovernmental organizations said ahead of the ruling by a Podgorica court.
A renewed conviction of Martinovic would “undermine media freedom in the country and as such would be incompatible with Montenegro’s EU accession, for which an independent and pluralist media is a key condition,” they said in an October 5 statement.
Subscribe To RFE/RL's Watchdog Report RFE/RL's Watchdog report is a curated digest of human rights, media freedom, and democracy developments from our vast broadcast region. It arrives in your in-box every Thursday. Subscribe here.
Martinovic, who has reported widely on organized crime with both local and foreign outlets, has denied the accusations against him and said he believes they were in retaliation for his reporting.
The reporter was arrested five years ago and spent 15 months in pretrial detention before the High Court of Montenegro sentenced him to an 18-month prison term for marijuana trafficking and criminal association in January 2019.
The verdict was quashed by the Appeals Court of Montenegro in October 2019, which concluded that the first-instance court had failed to name the evidence that would justify a conviction of the journalist.
The same court that convicted the reporter last year will issue its verdict on October 8.
The eight NGOs calling for Martinovic’s acquittal urged the judges to “stand for media freedom and human rights in Montenegro.”
“We are convinced that [Martinovic], who was in contact with criminal networks only for the purpose of his journalistic coverage, is innocent,” they said.
Montenegro, which hopes to join the EU by 2025, is under pressure to tackle organized crime and safeguard media freedom.
“In the last decade, hardly any other journalist in an EU member state, candidate country, or potential candidate country -- with the exception of Turkey -- has spent so much time in prison merely for doing his job,” according to the eight NGOs.
Besides RSF, they include the European Center for Press and Media Freedom, the European Federation of Journalists, the International Press Institute, ARTICLE 19, the Center for Investigative Journalism of Montenegro, the Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa, and the International Federation of Journalists.