rferl--2020-09-29--Hungary's Orban Wants EU Vice President To Resign Over 'Derogatory' Comments

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has called for the resignation of European Commission Vice President Vera Jourova over what he described as her `` derogatory public statements '' about democracy in Hungary .
In a letter addressed to the commission 's president , Ursula von der Leyen , Orban wrote that Jourova 's statements were `` incompatible with her current mandate , therefore her resignation is indispensable . ''
Until she resigns , `` the Hungarian government suspends all bilateral political contacts with her , '' he added in the letter , which was made public on September 29 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ magazine last week , Jourova said that `` Orban likes to say he is building an illiberal democracy .
I would say he is building an ill democracy . ''
`` There is hardly any criticism of the government in Hungarian media anymore , so a wide majority of Hungarians are possibly no longer in a position to form a free opinion .
I fear that people in Hungary could one day discover that their last election was also their last free election , '' she told Der Spiegel .
The interview came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the state of the rule of law in all EU member states .
Orban 's government is expected to be criticized sharply in the report , which will be released on September 30 .
Orban said the remarks were `` in contradiction with the commission 's role as a neutral and objective institution '' and `` prevent any meaningful future dialogue '' between Hungary and Jourova .
A spokeswoman for the EU 's executive in Brussels said Von der Leyen had `` full trust '' in her deputy in charge of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and upholding the rule of law .
`` Our concerns when it comes to the rule of law in Hungary are well-known .
They will be addressed in our rule-of-law report , which we will present tomorrow .
In this report , we assesses the situation in all member states , '' Dana Spinant told a news briefing .
Right-wing nationalist Orban has repeatedly clashed with EU leaders over his moves to increase state control of the judiciary , media , and academia .
A so-called Article 7 procedure against Hungary to probe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and democratic values is ongoing .
With reporting by AFP and Reuters

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has called for the resignation of European Commission Vice President Vera Jourova over what he described as her "derogatory public statements" about democracy in Hungary.
In a letter addressed to the commission's president, Ursula von der Leyen, Orban wrote that Jourova's statements were "incompatible with her current mandate, therefore her resignation is indispensable."
Until she resigns, "the Hungarian government suspends all bilateral political contacts with her," he added in the letter, which was made public on September 29.
In an interview with a German news magazine last week, Jourova said that "Orban likes to say he is building an illiberal democracy. I would say he is building an ill democracy."
"There is hardly any criticism of the government in Hungarian media anymore, so a wide majority of Hungarians are possibly no longer in a position to form a free opinion. I fear that people in Hungary could one day discover that their last election was also their last free election," she told Der Spiegel.
The interview came just days before Jourova presents a report on the state of the rule of law in all EU member states. Orban's government is expected to be criticized sharply in the report, which will be released on September 30.
Orban said the remarks were "in contradiction with the commission's role as a neutral and objective institution" and "prevent any meaningful future dialogue" between Hungary and Jourova.
A spokeswoman for the EU's executive in Brussels said Von der Leyen had "full trust" in her deputy in charge of the commission's work on values and transparency and upholding the rule of law.
"Our concerns when it comes to the rule of law in Hungary are well-known. They will be addressed in our rule-of-law report, which we will present tomorrow. In this report, we assesses the situation in all member states," Dana Spinant told a news briefing.
Right-wing nationalist Orban has repeatedly clashed with EU leaders over his moves to increase state control of the judiciary, media, and academia.
A so-called Article 7 procedure against Hungary to probe whether it is undermining European legal standards and democratic values is ongoing.
With reporting by AFP and Reuters


rferl--2020-09-29--Two Belarusians Who Brawled With Police At Rally Jailed

MALADECHNA , Belarus -- A court in Belarus has sentenced two men to lengthy prison terms for brawling with police during a rally supporting the registration of candidates to face off against Alyaksandr Lukashenka in last month 's disputed presidential election .
A court in the city of Maladechna near Minsk on September 29 found Paval Pyaskou and Uladzislau Yeustsihneyeu guilty of violent disobedience against police .
Judge Viktoria Palyashchuk sentenced Pyaskou to three years and three months in prison and Yeustsihneyeu to three years in prison after finding them guilty .
The charges against the two men stemmed from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Maladechna during a mass rally by protesters who demanded the registration of independent and opposition candidates in the August 9 presidential election .
During the rally 's dispersal , the demonstrators -- including Pyaskou and Yeustsihneyeu -- managed to force police to release a detained protester .
A video of the brawl caused public outcry as it showed one riot police officer brandishing a pistol during the skirmish .
Protests against Lukashenka , who has ruled the country with an iron first for the past 26 years , have intensified after official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five-year term with about 80 percent of the vote .
The demonstrators say the vote was rigged in Lukashenka 's favor and are demanding that he step down and hold new elections .
Lukashenka had himself secretly sworn in on September 23 , sparking outrage at home and abroad .
Western governments have refused to recognize Lukashenka as the legitimate leader of Belarus and have called on him to peacefully transfer power .

MALADECHNA, Belarus -- A court in Belarus has sentenced two men to lengthy prison terms for brawling with police during a rally supporting the registration of candidates to face off against Alyaksandr Lukashenka in last month's disputed presidential election.
A court in the city of Maladechna near Minsk on September 29 found Paval Pyaskou and Uladzislau Yeustsihneyeu guilty of violent disobedience against police.
Judge Viktoria Palyashchuk sentenced Pyaskou to three years and three months in prison and Yeustsihneyeu to three years in prison after finding them guilty.
The charges against the two men stemmed from their brawl with police on June 19 in Maladechna during a mass rally by protesters who demanded the registration of independent and opposition candidates in the August 9 presidential election.
During the rally's dispersal, the demonstrators -- including Pyaskou and Yeustsihneyeu -- managed to force police to release a detained protester.
A video of the brawl caused public outcry as it showed one riot police officer brandishing a pistol during the skirmish.
Protests against Lukashenka, who has ruled the country with an iron fist for the past 26 years, have intensified after official results from the election gave him another five-year term with about 80 percent of the vote.
The demonstrators say the vote was rigged in Lukashenka's favor and are demanding that he step down and hold new elections.
Lukashenka had himself secretly sworn in on September 23, sparking outrage at home and abroad.
Western governments have refused to recognize Lukashenka as the legitimate leader of Belarus and have called on him to peacefully transfer power.


rferl--2020-09-29--Moscow Extends October School Holiday Amid Increased Number Of Coronavirus Cases

MOSCOW -- Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin says a planned school holiday in the Russian capital next month will be extended by a week as a measure to help stem the spread of the coronavirus .
Sobyanin said on September 29 that students would be off from school for two weeks from October 5-18 , and urged parents to ensure their children remained home during that period .
Usually , the holiday lasts only one week .
`` Today , a significant proportion of those with the virus , and who are often asymptomatic , are children .
When they come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to adults and elderly family members who get much more sick , '' the mayor said on his website .
With more than 1,167,800 coronavirus cases , Russia has the world 's fourth-highest number of infections .
The authorities said on September 29 that Moscow reported 2,300 new COVID-19 cases over the past day , the highest since May 31 .
Last week , Moscow authorities recommended that anyone with chronic health problems or those older than 65 stay home .
People in the city are required to wear a mask in shops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large companies are advised to work remotely .
With reporting by Reuters and TASS

MOSCOW -- Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin says a planned school holiday in the Russian capital next month will be extended by a week as a measure to help stem the spread of the coronavirus.
Sobyanin said on September 29 that students would be off from school for two weeks from October 5-18, and urged parents to ensure their children remained home during that period.
Usually, the holiday lasts only one week.
"Today, a significant proportion of those with the virus, and who are often asymptomatic, are children. When they come home, they easily transmit the virus to adults and elderly family members who get much more sick," the mayor said on his website.
RFE/RL's Coronavirus Crisis Archive Features and analysis, videos, and infographics explore how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the countries in our region.
With more than 1,167,800 coronavirus cases, Russia has the world's fourth-highest number of infections.
The authorities said on September 29 that Moscow reported 2,300 new COVID-19 cases over the past day, the highest since May 31.
Last week, Moscow authorities recommended that anyone with chronic health problems or those older than 65 stay home.
People in the city are required to wear a mask in shops and public transport, and employees of large companies are advised to work remotely.
With reporting by Reuters and TASS


rferl--2020-09-29--Poland Deports Five Tajiks Suspected Of Terrorism

The Polish authorities have deported five Tajik nationals suspected of having links to the Islamic State group and recruiting Poles @ @ @ @ @ acts in Poland .
Radio Poland reported on September 28 that four of the Tajik @ @ @ @ @ , while the fifth suspect , who fled Poland in December 2019 , was arrested @ @ @ @ @ international counterterrorism entities .
According to Poland 's Agency for Domestic Security , the fifth @ @ @ @ @ to Syria , where he planned to join Islamic extremists and develop close contact with @ @ @ @ @ organization linked to Al-Qaeda .
The five Tajik citizens have been banned from entering Poland @ @ @ @ @ .
In April , four Tajik men were arrested in neighboring Germany on suspicion of @ @ @ @ @ country .

The Polish authorities have deported five Tajik nationals suspected of having links to the Islamic State group and recruiting Poles and Ukrainian citizens for terrorist acts in Poland.
Radio Poland reported on September 28 that four of the Tajik citizens were detained in May, while the fifth suspect, who fled Poland in December 2019, was arrested later with the assistance of international counterterrorism entities.
According to Poland's Agency for Domestic Security, the fifth suspect was going to travel to Syria, where he planned to join Islamic extremists and develop close contact with a member of a terrorist organization linked to Al-Qaeda.
The five Tajik citizens have been banned from entering Poland and other Schengen zone member-states.
In April, four Tajik men were arrested in neighboring Germany on suspicion of preparing terrorist attacks in the country.
With reporting by Radio Poland


rferl--2020-09-29--Fighting Continues Over Disputed Nagorno-Karabakh Amid International Calls For Restraint

BAKU/YEREVAN -- Armenia and Azerbaijan have accused each other of deploying heavy artillery as fighting over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh continues for a third day amid international calls for an end to the deadly hostilities .
Dozens of deaths were reported on September 29 in the latest escalation between forces of the two Caucasus nations with the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry saying that the Armenian military shelled the Dashkesan region of Azerbaijan -- an accusation rejected by Yerevan as `` absolutely false . ''
The clashes over Nagorno-Karabakh are the heaviest seen since 2016 and have reignited concern over stability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corridor for pipelines carrying oil and gas to world markets .
`` On the night of September 28-29 , intense battles continued along the entire front line , '' Azerbaijan 's Defense Ministry said in a statement , referring to the so-called Line of Contact that separates Armenian and Azerbaijani forces .
The Armenian Defense Ministry added that `` battles with varying intensity continue . ''
The UN Security Council is expected to hold emergency talks later on September 29 to discuss the fighting , which has threatened to draw in regional powers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Greece on September 29 , U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that both sides `` must stop the violence '' and work with the Minsk group of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe ( OSCE ) to `` return to substantive negotiations as quickly as possible . ''
German Chancellor Angela Merkel `` urgently called for an immediate cease-fire and a return to the negotiating table '' in phone calls with the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan , according to her spokesman .
Steffen Seibert said Merkel spoke with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian the day before .
That came on the heels of a joint statement by the foreign ministers of Britain and Canada , who expressed concern over the `` large-scale military action '' in Nagorno-Karabakh .
`` Reports of shelling of settlements and civilian casualties are deeply concerning .
We call for the immediate end of hostilities , respect for the cease-fire agreement , and the protection of civilians , '' British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and Canadian Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said .
Raab and Champagne also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the OSCE .
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called directly on the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to immediately halt hostilities .
Guterres is also pushing the two sides to resume talks and accept the redeployment of monitors from the OSCE to the region .
The European Court of Human Rights said on September 28 that the Armenian government had asked it to issue urgent instructions to Azerbaijan to stop attacks on civilians as well as military advances toward civilian settlements in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh .
The long-simmering conflict in the volatile South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deadliest bouts of fighting in four years in the ethnic Armenian separatist enclave inside Azerbaijan .
Late on September 28 , the separatists in Nagorno-Karabakh reported that another 26 Armenian servicemen had been killed in the latest fighting , bringing its total losses to 84 .
Azerbaijan said at least 10 civilians had been killed and some 30 wounded .
Armenian reports of losses among Azerbaijani forces have not been confirmed by Baku .
Nagorno-Karabakh has long experienced periodic border skirmishes along the so-called Line of Contact that separates Armenian and Azerbaijani forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ longest-running conflict .
However , the latest violence appeared to be more than a flare-up , with Armenian and Azerbaijani officials describing it as war amid mutual recriminations about which side started the offensive .
Armenia declared martial law and a total mobilization on September 27 in response to what it said was Azerbaijani attacks on the enclave , including in the regional capital of Stepanakert .
Both sides have fielded helicopters , drones , tanks , and artillery during the first two days of fighting .
Yerevan has accused Ankara of having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' and supplying its ally Baku with weapons , including drones -- a claim denied by Azerbaijan .
Reuters quoted two Syrian rebels from Turkish-backed groups in areas of northern Syria under Turkish control last week as saying that they were being sent as part of a contingent to help Azerbaijan , in coordination with Ankara .
The report could not be independently verified and Hikmat Haciyev , an aide to Aliyev , has said it was nonsense to say Syrian fighters were helping his country .
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end its `` occupation '' of the region and withdraw , saying this was the only way to secure peace .
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on September 29 called on `` all sides , especially partner countries such as Turkey , to do all they can for a cease-fire and get back to a peaceful settlement of this conflict using political and diplomatic means . ''
`` Any statements about some kind of support and military activity undoubtedly add fuel to the flames , '' Peskov told reporters .
Moscow sells weapons to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a military base in Armenia and favors that strategic partnership .
Meanwhile , Ukraine International Airlines canceled its next flight to Yerevan .
The Kyiv-based company said in a statement that it canceled the September 28 flight to Yerevan due to concern over the safety of its planes in the airspace over Azerbaijan and Armenia .
The airline is scheduled to fly from Kyiv to Yerevan on October 2 and 3 and from Kyiv to Baku on October 4 .
It said it will determine at a later date whether to carry out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the breakup of the Soviet Union , when the region and seven adjacent districts of Azerbaijan were seized by Armenian-backed separatists who declared independence amid a 1988-94 conflict that killed at least 30,000 people and displaced hundreds of thousands .
Since a fragile , Russian-brokered truce in 1994 , the region has been under the control of ethnic Armenian forces that Azerbaijan says include troops supplied by Armenia .
The region 's claim to independence has not been recognized by any country .
With reporting by AFP and Reuters

BAKU/YEREVAN -- Armenia said a Turkish F-16 fighter jet shot down one of its warplanes, as fighting intensified near the long-disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region and fears grew of an outbreak of a new, full-scale war between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Both Ankara and Baku called Yerevan’s claim about the warplane’s downing on September 29 "absolutely untrue,” which came on the third day of a major flare-up of the decades-old conflict.
The fighting is some of the worst the region has seen in years.
Amid international calls for an end to the hostilities, the UN Security Council scheduled an emergency meeting to discuss the fighting, which has threatened to draw in Russia and regional power Turkey, a close ally of Azerbaijan.
An Armenian Defense Ministry spokeswoman said in a statement that a Sukhoi Su-25 flown by Armenia’s air force had been on a military assignment in Armenian airspace when it was downed by an F-16 jet owned by the Turkish air force. Much of NATO member Turkey's air power is U.S.-made.
In Azerbaijan, a Defense Ministry spokesman denied the claim, as did Fahrettin Altun, a spokesman for Turkey's presidency, calling it “absolutely untrue."
"Armenia should withdraw from the territories under its occupation instead of resorting to cheap propaganda tricks," Altun said.
Turkey is Azerbaijan’s closest ally, and stalwart adversary of Armenia, and there are growing fears that Ankara could seek to intervene on behalf on Baku.
Both Armenia and Azerbaijan have fielded helicopters, drones, tanks, and artillery already -- a considerable escalation of past skirmishes and low-level shooting.
Turkey "will be fully committed to helping Azerbaijan take back its occupied lands and to defending their rights and interests under international law,”Atlun said.
Uneasy Cease-Fire
Azerbaijan and Armenia have been locked in conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh since the waning years of the Soviet Union.
The two sides fought a war from 1988-94 that claimed the lives of more than 30,000 people and ended in an uneasy cease-fire.
Since then, the region has been under the control of ethnic Armenian forces. The region's 1991 declaration of independence has not been recognized, though Armenia, which is its sole outlet to the outside world, has hosted official representative offices of the region's administration.
While the conflict is generally considered to be "frozen," sporadic violence has broken out over the years, and internationally mediated negotiations have failed to achieve a resolution.
It wasn’t immediately clear what caused the long-simmering conflict to erupt anew on September 27.
The clashes are the heaviest since at least 2016 and have reignited concern over stability in the South Caucasus, a corridor for pipelines carrying oil and gas to world markets.
Earlier on September 29, dozens of deaths were reported. Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry said the Armenian military shelled the Dashkesan region -- an accusation rejected by Yerevan as “absolutely false.”
"On the night of September 28-29, intense battles continued along the entire front line," Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry said in a statement, referring to the so-called Line of Contact that separates Armenian and Azerbaijani forces.
The Armenian Defense Ministry added that "battles with varying intensity continue."
Calls For Calm
The violence has drawn calls by Russia and Western governments seeking to keep it from spiraling into outright war.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the situation was “a cause for concern for Moscow and other countries.”
“We believe that the hostilities should be immediately ended," Peskov said.
Russia is among the largest supplier of weaponry to both Azerbaijan and Armenia. It also has a military base in Armenia.
During a visit to Greece, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called on both sides to stop the violence and work with the Minsk Group of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to "return to substantive negotiations as quickly as possible."
That call was echoed later by the U.S. envoy to the Vienna-based security organization, whose so-called Minsk Group is headed by Russia, the United States, and France.
WATCH: Turkish-Russian Rivalry Influences Azerbaijan-Armenia Fighting
"We call on the sides to stop fighting immediately and return to the negotiating table as soon as possible and without preconditions," Ambassador James Gilmore said in a statement.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel held phone calls with the leaders of both Armenia and Azerbaijan, according to her spokesman. That came on the heels of a joint statement by the foreign ministers of Britain and Canada, who expressed concern over the “large-scale military action.”UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called directly on Armenia and Azerbaijan to immediately halt hostilities. Guterres who spoke to both Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian, also called on the sides to accept the deployment of monitors from the OSCE.
Aliyev flatly ruled out any possibility of talks in a statement on Russia's state TV channel Rossia 1. Pashinian said talks could not take place while fighting continued.
Late on September 28, separatists fighters in Nagorno-Karabakh reported that 26 Armenian servicemen had been killed in the latest fighting, bringing its total losses to 84.
Azerbaijan said 10 civilians have been killed and some 30 wounded.
Armenian reports that they have killed Azerbaijani forces have not been confirmed by Baku.
On September 27, Armenia declared martial law and a total mobilization of men in response to attacks on the enclave, including in the regional capital of Stepanakert. Azerbaijan responded by declaring a partial military mobilization a day later.
Yerevan has accused Ankara of having a “direct presence on the ground” and supplying its ally Baku with weapons, including drones -- a claim denied by Azerbaijan.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on September 28 called on Armenia to immediately end its "occupation" of the region and withdraw, saying this was the only way to secure peace.
With reporting by AFP and Reuters


rferl--2020-09-29--Macron Meets Exiled Belarusian Opposition Leader, Vows To Help Mediate Political Crisis

French President Emmanuel Macron has promised Europe 's help in mediating the political crisis in Belarus after meeting with opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya in Lithuania .
`` We will do our best as Europeans to help mediate , '' Macron told reporters in Vilnius on September 29 after the meeting , pledging `` pragmatic '' European support for the Belarusian people .
He has called for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe ( OSCE ) to handle mediation on Belarus , which has seen weeks of mass demonstrations triggered by a disputed August 9 presidential election .
Tsikhanouskaya @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do everything to help with negotiations [ during ] this political crisis in our country ... and he will do everything to help to release all the political prisoners . ''
Sources in Macron 's office said the meeting at a hotel lasted 35 minutes , according to dpa .
Speaking to AFP , Tsikhanouskaya said , `` We have received an invitation to speak before the French parliament and we have accepted it . ''
Macron is the highest-profile Western leader to visit Tsikhanouskaya , who fled to Lithuania amid a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lukashenka following the presidential election .
Lukashenka claims he won the vote , but the opposition has held mass rallies to protest the results , saying Tsikhanouskaya is the winner .
The Interior Ministry said more than 350 people were detained during nationwide protests on September 27 , bringing the total number of detentions over the weekend to about 500 .
Western governments have refused to recognize Lukashenka as the legitimate leader of Belarus and have called on him to negotiate a transfer of power , which Lukashenka refuses to do .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , sparking outrage at home and abroad .
Under increasing pressure from the street and the West , Lukashenka has leaned on neighboring Russia for political and economic support .
In a video message for the participants of the Forum of Regions of Russia and Belarus on September 29 , Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Belarus was in a `` difficult situation '' and facing `` unprecedented external pressure . ''
Ahead of his three-day trip to Lithuania and neighboring Latvia , Macron said it was clear that Lukashenka `` has to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He also said he was impressed with the courage of the protesters '' The protests are not going to stop , '' the 38-year-old Tsikhanouskaya said in an interview with AFP , adding that Belarus `` badly needs '' a dialogue between government and opposition in order to ensure there is `` no more blood . ''
Macron , speaking in Vilnius on September 28 , insisted that Europe should cooperate with Russia to build peace in Europe .
`` The way we see things is that if we want to build @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to work with Russia , '' Macron said in a news conference .
`` I say this on a soil which has lived through the worst , which has endured oppression , which has endured deaths .
But we ca n't do as if Europe was an island far away from Russia , '' Macron added .
Over the past year , Macron has tried to reduce distrust between Russia and the West .
But the efforts have upset other EU governments , particularly those that escaped Moscow 's orbit after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changed to merit a thaw in relations .
Other European Union leaders have called on Macron to review his stance toward Moscow since the poisoning of Aleksei Navalny , a longtime critic of Putin .
German doctors found traces of a nerve agent in Navalny 's body and his allies accuse the Kremlin of being behind the poisoning .
Moscow denies the accusation but has resisted pressure to launch a criminal investigation .
With reporting by AFP , Reuters , dpa , and TASS

Canada and the United Kingdom have announced sanctions on several senior officials in Belarus, including its authoritarian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka, as international pressure continues to build over a disputed presidential election last month and subsequent police crackdown on opposition members, media, and protesters.
The two Commonwealth nations announced on September 29 joint sanctions including a travel ban and asset freeze “to send a clear message” to Lukashenka’s “violent and fraudulent regime."
"We will hold those responsible for the thuggery deployed against the Belarusian people to account and we will stand up for our values of democracy and human rights," U.K. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said.
Canada’s Foreign Ministry added in a statement: "Since the fraudulent presidential elections in August 2020, the government of Belarus has conducted a systematic campaign of repression and state-sponsored violence against public protests and the activities of opposition groups."
Those sanctioned are Lukashenka, his son Viktar, Presidential Chief of Staff Ihar Syarheyenka, Interior Minister Yury Karayeu, Deputy Interior Ministers Alyaksandr Barsukou and Yury Nazaranka, Deputy Internal Troop Commander Khazalbek Atabekau, and Minsk Riot Police Chief Dzmitry Balaba.
The sanctions announcement comes hours after French President Emmanuel Macron promised Europe's help in mediating the political crisis in Belarus after meeting with opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya in Lithuania.
Macron called for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to handle mediation on Belarus, which has seen weeks of mass demonstrations triggered by a disputed August 9 presidential election.
The opposition leader said the French president "promised us to do everything to help with negotiations [during] this political crisis in our country...and he will do everything to help to release all the political prisoners."
Tsikhanouskaya told AFP that she had accepted an invitation to speak at the French parliament, where officials said she would address the lower house's Foreign Affairs Committee. No further details were provided.
Meanwhile, her press secretary, Anna Krasulina, told Reuters the opposition leader planned to visit Berlin on October 5-6 and that a meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel was being considered during the trip.
Macron is the highest-profile Western leader to visit Tsikhanouskaya, who fled to Lithuania amid a crackdown on protesters by long-ruling strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka following the presidential election.
Lukashenka claims he won the vote, but the opposition has held mass rallies to protest the results, saying Tsikhanouskaya is the winner.
The Interior Ministry said more than 350 people were detained during nationwide protests on September 27, bringing the total number of detentions over the weekend to about 500.
Western governments have refused to recognize Lukashenka as the legitimate leader of Belarus and have called on him to negotiate a transfer of power, which Lukashenka refuses to do.
He was secretly sworn in on September 23, sparking outrage at home and abroad.
Under increasing pressure from the street and the West, Lukashenka has leaned on neighboring Russia for political and economic support.
In a video message for the participants of the Forum of Regions of Russia and Belarus on September 29, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Belarus was in a "difficult situation" and facing "unprecedented external pressure."
Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, later downplayed Macron's meeting with Tsikhanouskaya, describing it as a meeting between the "French president and a Belarusian citizen."
Ahead of his three-day trip to Lithuania and neighboring Latvia, Macron said it was clear that Lukashenka "has to go" after 26 years in power.
Over the past year, Macron has tried to reduce distrust between Russia and the West. But the efforts have upset other EU governments, particularly those that escaped Moscow's orbit after the Cold War. They say little has changed to merit a thaw in relations.
Other European Union leaders have called on Macron to review his stance toward Moscow since the poisoning of Aleksei Navalny, a longtime critic of Putin.
German doctors found traces of a nerve agent in Navalny's body and his allies accuse the Kremlin of being behind the poisoning.
Moscow denies the accusation but has resisted pressure to launch a criminal investigation.
With reporting by AFP, Reuters, dpa, and TASS


rferl--2020-09-28--Deadly Violence Flares Over Disputed Nagorno-Karabakh Region

Fresh fighting broke out between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh on September 27 and spilled over @ @ @ @ @ Dozens of fatalities were reported as both sides blamed the other for starting the hostilities @ @ @ @ @ a 1988-94 war over the territory , and have seen periodic outbreaks of violence in @ @ @ @

Fresh fighting broke out between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh on September 27 and spilled over into a second day. Dozens of fatalities were reported as both sides blamed the other for starting the hostilities. The two countries fought a war in the 1990s over the territory, and have seen periodic outbreaks of violence in the decades since.


rferl--2020-09-28--Deadly Clashes Continue In Nagorno-Karabakh

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Heavy fighting between @ @ @ @ @ the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone entered a second day on September 28 amid international calls for @ @ @ @ @ experienced periodic border skirmishes along the so-called Line of Contact that separates Armenian and Azerbaijani @ @ @ @ @ of Europe 's longest-running conflict .

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Heavy fighting between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone entered a second day on September 28 amid international calls for restraint. Nagorno-Karabakh has long experienced periodic border skirmishes along the so-called Line of Contact that separates Armenian and Azerbaijani forces on the front line of Europe's longest-running conflict.


rferl--2020-09-29--Seven Handed Prison Terms In Ethnic Clashes Case In Kazakhstan's South

ALMATY , Kazakhstan -- A military court in Kazakhstan ’ s largest city , Almaty , has sentenced seven men to prison terms between three and eight years after finding them guilty of taking part in deadly clashes .
A road-rage brawl in early February sparked wider violence between ethnic Kazakhs and Kazakh citizens from the ethnic Dungan minority -- a Muslim group of Chinese origin , in the southern Zhambyl region .
The violence in the villages of Sortobe , Masanchi , Auqatty , and Bulan-Batyr left 11 people dead and dozens injured , including 19 police officers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ buildings , and 47 vehicles were destroyed or damaged in the ethnic clashes .
More than 20,000 people , mostly Dungans , fled villages where the violence erupted .
The seven ethnic Kazakhs were sentenced on September 29 by the Military Court of the Almaty Garrison that also found some of the defendants guilty of theft .
In April , an ethnic Dungan was found guilty of hooliganism and inflicting bodily harm and sentenced to 30 months in prison .
Another Dungan was handed a suspended prison term on the same charges .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ were arrested following the deadly clashes and more trials in the case are expected .
Many of the Dungans who fled violence ended up in the neighboring Kyrgyz region of Chui where the majority of Central Asia 's Dungans reside .
Kazakh officials say the majority of the displaced Dungans returned to Kazakhstan several days later .
Many senior regional officials , including the Zhambyl region 's governor Asqar Myrzakhmetov and local police chief , were sacked by Kazakhstan 's central government in the aftermath of the clashes .
Dungans , also known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speak a dialect of Mandarin that also uses words and phrases borrowed from Arabic , Persian , and Turkic .
Their ancestors fled China in the late-19th century after the Chinese government ’ s violent crackdown of the Dungan Revolt of 1862-1877 , and settled in Central Asia , then part of the Russian empire .
The total number of Dungans now living in former Soviet republics is about 120,000 .
Most reside in Kyrgyzstan 's northern region of Chui and Kazakhstan 's neighboring region of Zhambyl .

ALMATY, Kazakhstan -- A military court in Kazakhstan’s largest city, Almaty, has sentenced seven men to prison terms between three and eight years after finding them guilty of taking part in deadly clashes.
A road-rage brawl in early February sparked wider violence between ethnic Kazakhs and Kazakh citizens from the ethnic Dungan minority -- a Muslim group of Chinese origin, in the southern Zhambyl region.
The violence in the villages of Sortobe, Masanchi, Auqatty, and Bulan-Batyr left 11 people dead and dozens injured, including 19 police officers.
More than 30 houses, 17 commercial buildings, and 47 vehicles were destroyed or damaged in the ethnic clashes.
More than 20,000 people, mostly Dungans, fled villages where the violence erupted.
The seven ethnic Kazakhs were sentenced on September 29 by the Military Court of the Almaty Garrison that also found some of the defendants guilty of theft.
In April, an ethnic Dungan was found guilty of hooliganism and inflicting bodily harm and sentenced to 30 months in prison. Another Dungan was handed a suspended prison term on the same charges.
In all, more than 50 people were arrested following the deadly clashes and more trials in the case are expected.
Many of the Dungans who fled violence ended up in the neighboring Kyrgyz region of Chui where the majority of Central Asia's Dungans reside.
Kazakh officials say the majority of the displaced Dungans returned to Kazakhstan several days later.
Many senior regional officials, including the Zhambyl region's governor Asqar Myrzakhmetov and local police chief, were sacked by Kazakhstan's central government in the aftermath of the clashes.
Dungans, also known as Hui, are Sunni Muslims who speak a dialect of Mandarin that also uses words and phrases borrowed from Arabic, Persian, and Turkic.
Their ancestors fled China in the late-19th century after the Chinese government’s violent crackdown of the Dungan Revolt of 1862-1877, and settled in Central Asia, then part of the Russian empire.
The total number of Dungans now living in former Soviet republics is about 120,000.
Most reside in Kyrgyzstan's northern region of Chui and Kazakhstan's neighboring region of Zhambyl.


rferl--2020-09-29--Russian Court Ups Gulag Historian's Sentence To 13 Years

PETROZAVODSK , Russia -- A court in the northern Russian city of Petrozavodsk has increased the 3 1/2 year prison term given to historian Yury Dmitriyev to 13 years in prison .
The Supreme Court of the Karelia region announced the ruling on September 29 .
In July , Dmitriyev was sentenced to 3 1/2 years after he was convicted of “ violent acts of a sexual nature committed against a person under 14 years of age , ” allegations he denies and that he believes are aimed at curbing his research into the crimes of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15 years in prison in the high-profile case , said the original sentence was `` too lenient '' and appealed the sentence .
Dmitriyev 's defense also appealed the sentence , insisting that their client was innocent .
Dmitriyev 's main lawyer , Viktor Anufriyev , was unable to attend the September 29 hearing as he is ill and self-quarantined .
Dmitriyev was represented by a lawyer appointed by the court .
Dmitriyev , 64 , is the head of the local branch of the Memorial human rights organization and has spent decades @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under Stalin .
Dozens of Russian and international scholars , historians , writers , poets , and others have issued statements of support .
The European Union has called for Dmitriyev to be released .
The high-profile case dates back to 2016 , when Dmitriyev was arrested on child-pornography charges based on photographs of his foster daughter that authorities found on his computer .
Dmitriyev said the images were not pornographic and were made at the request of social workers concerned about the child ’ s physical development .
He was acquitted in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court upheld an appeal by prosecutors and ordered a new trial .
He was rearrested in June 2018 and charged with the more serious crime of sexual assault against a minor .
Dmitriyev ’ s research has been viewed with hostility by the government of President Vladimir Putin .
Under Putin , Stalin has undergone a gradual rehabilitation , and the Russian government has emphasized his leadership of the Soviet Union while downplaying his crimes against the Soviet citizens .
Under Stalin , millions of people were executed , sent to labor camps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caused by forced collectivization .
During World War II , entire ethnic groups were deported to remote areas as collective punishment for alleged collaboration with the Nazis .

PETROZAVODSK, Russia -- A court in the northern Russian city of Petrozavodsk has increased the 3 1/2 year prison term given to historian Yury Dmitriyev to 13 years in prison.
The Supreme Court of the Karelia region announced the ruling on September 29.
In July, Dmitriyev was sentenced to 3 1/2 years after he was convicted of “violent acts of a sexual nature committed against a person under 14 years of age,” allegations he denies and that he believes are aimed at curbing his research into the crimes of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin.
Prosecutors, who had asked for 15 years in prison in the high-profile case, said the original sentence was "too lenient" and appealed the sentence.
Dmitriyev's defense also appealed the sentence, insisting that their client was innocent.
Dmitriyev's main lawyer, Viktor Anufriyev, was unable to attend the September 29 hearing as he is ill and self-quarantined.
Dmitriyev was represented by a lawyer appointed by the court.
Dmitriyev, 64, is the head of the local branch of the Memorial human rights organization and has spent decades researching extrajudicial executions carried out in Karelia under Stalin.
Dozens of Russian and international scholars, historians, writers, poets, and others have issued statements of support. The European Union has called for Dmitriyev to be released.
The high-profile case dates back to 2016, when Dmitriyev was arrested on child-pornography charges based on photographs of his foster daughter that authorities found on his computer. Dmitriyev said the images were not pornographic and were made at the request of social workers concerned about the child’s physical development.
He was acquitted in April 2018, but the Karelia Supreme Court upheld an appeal by prosecutors and ordered a new trial.
He was rearrested in June 2018 and charged with the more serious crime of sexual assault against a minor.
Dmitriyev’s research has been viewed with hostility by the government of President Vladimir Putin. Under Putin, Stalin has undergone a gradual rehabilitation, and the Russian government has emphasized his leadership of the Soviet Union while downplaying his crimes against the Soviet citizens.
Under Stalin, millions of people were executed, sent to labor camps, or starved to death in famines caused by forced collectivization. During World War II, entire ethnic groups were deported to remote areas as collective punishment for alleged collaboration with the Nazis.


rferl--2020-09-29--Turkish-Russian Rivalry Influences Azerbaijan-Armenia Fighting

The fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region comes against a backdrop of a struggle for influence @ @ @ @ @ and Turkey , according to political observers in Yerevan and Baku who spoke to Current @ @

The fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region comes against a backdrop of a struggle for influence in the region between Russia and Turkey, according to political observers in Yerevan and Baku who spoke to Current Time.


rferl--2020-09-29--Moldovan Prosecutors Say Fugitive Tycoon Plahotniuc In Turkey; Will Seek Extradition

Moldovan prosecutors moved to seek the extradition from Turkey of a politically influential tycoon who had been living in the United States for more than a year after fleeing Moldova amid a political shake-up .
The request , announced by the Prosecutor-General ’ s Office in a statement September 29 , was the first official confirmation of Vladimir Plahotniuc ’ s whereabouts .
The statement said the prosecutor-general was `` officially notified '' that Plahotniuc arrived in Turkey on September 10 .
There was no immediate response to the request from Turkish authorities , and there was no immediate reply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Turkish Justice Ministry seeking comment .
A longtime behind-the-scenes powerbroker , Plahotniuc fled Moldova in June 2019 after being pushed out of parliament as part of a government shake-up brokered by Russia , the United States , and other European partners .
He ’ s also been linked to what ’ s known as the `` theft of the century '' -- the disappearance of $ 1 billion from Moldovan banks in 2014 , a jaw-dropping theft that has continued to roil Moldova , one of Europe 's poorest countries -- to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dropped out of the public view , reportedly traveling under one or more assumed names and alternate passports .
In January , the U.S. State Department announced a visa ban on him and his family `` due to his involvement in significant corruption ... that undermined the rule of law and severely compromised the independence of democratic institutions in Moldova . ''
Two months later , however , Plahotniuc was confirmed by RFE/RL to be in the United States , living in Miami .
That fact was later confirmed by the U.S. Embassy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ administrative removal proceedings ” under way .
In June , meanwhile , leaked filings from a lawsuit in U.S. federal court showed that Plahotniuc had sought political asylum in the United States .
It wasn ’ t immediately clear how and why Plahotniuc left the United States , nor why he traveled to Turkey .
It is also not known if Plahotniuc is still in Turkey .
A database of foreign travelers to the United States , compiled and recorded by the U.S. Customs and Immigration Service , showed that a person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ departed the United States on August 28 from Miami International Airport .
The database does not indicate where the person departed to .

Moldovan prosecutors moved to seek the extradition from Turkey of a politically influential tycoon who had been living in the United States for more than a year after fleeing Moldova amid a political shake-up.
The request, announced by the Prosecutor-General’s Office in a statement September 29, was the first official confirmation of Vladimir Plahotniuc’s whereabouts. The statement said the prosecutor-general was "officially notified" that Plahotniuc arrived in Turkey on September 10.
There was no immediate response to the request from Turkish authorities, and there was no immediate reply to an e-mail sent by RFE/RL to the Turkish Justice Ministry seeking comment.
A longtime behind-the-scenes powerbroker, Plahotniuc fled Moldova in June 2019 after being pushed out of parliament as part of a government shake-up brokered by Russia, the United States, and other European partners.
He’s also been linked to what’s known as the "theft of the century" -- the disappearance of $1 billion from Moldovan banks in 2014, a jaw-dropping theft that has continued to roil Moldova, one of Europe's poorest countries -- to this day.
Since fleeing, Plahotniuc dropped out of the public view, reportedly traveling under one or more assumed names and alternate passports.
In January, the U.S. State Department announced a visa ban on him and his family "due to his involvement in significant corruption...that undermined the rule of law and severely compromised the independence of democratic institutions in Moldova."
Two months later, however, Plahotniuc was confirmed by RFE/RL to be in the United States, living in Miami.
That fact was later confirmed by the U.S. Embassy in Chisinau, which said there were “administrative removal proceedings” under way.
In June, meanwhile, leaked filings from a lawsuit in U.S. federal court showed that Plahotniuc had sought political asylum in the United States.
It wasn’t immediately clear how and why Plahotniuc left the United States, nor why he traveled to Turkey. It is also not known if Plahotniuc is still in Turkey.
A database of foreign travelers to the United States, compiled and recorded by the U.S. Customs and Immigration Service, showed that a person believed to have Plahotniuc’s passport departed the United States on August 28 from Miami International Airport.
The database does not indicate where the person departed to.


rferl--2020-09-29--Belarusian Officials Ban Independent News Portal Tut.By

The independent Belarusian news site Tut.by said authorities have banned it for three months , the latest clampdown by officials on non-state media coverings the country 's ongoing political turmoil .
Tut.by said in an article posted September 29 on its website that as of October 1 , the site would be stripped of its status as a registered media outlet for at least three months .
There was no immediate confirmation of the ban from Belarusian authorities .
Tut.by , which said it had received four separate warnings , said it would continue to publish and report , despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a risk for Tut.by ’ s reporters and photographers , who potentially could face fines or detention .
Belarus has been gripped by political crisis since August 9 , when officials declared Alyaksandr Lukashenka the winner of the presidential election .
Opposition figures called the vote flawed and there have been near daily protests by masses of Belarusians calling for a new vote .
Neither Lukashenka ’ s declaration of victory , nor the secret inauguration he held last week , have been recognized by Western nations .
Russia has strongly endorsed Lukashenka @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turmoil , Belarusian authorities have moved to strip accreditations for reporters and photographers for major international news outlets , and detained some reporters , including those from RFE/RL , for working without accreditation .

The independent Belarusian news site Tut.by said authorities have banned it for three months, the latest clampdown by officials on non-state media coverings the country's ongoing political turmoil.
Tut.by said in an article posted September 29 on its website that as of October 1, the site would be stripped of its status as a registered media outlet for at least three months.
There was no immediate confirmation of the ban from Belarusian authorities.
Tut.by, which said it had received four separate warnings, said it would continue to publish and report, despite the order.
The move could pose a risk for Tut.by’s reporters and photographers, who potentially could face fines or detention.
Crisis In Belarus Read our coverage as Belarusian strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka continues his brutal crackdown on NGOs, activists, and independent media following the August 2020 presidential election.
Belarus has been gripped by political crisis since August 9, when officials declared Alyaksandr Lukashenka the winner of the presidential election.
Opposition figures called the vote flawed and there have been near daily protests by masses of Belarusians calling for a new vote.
Neither Lukashenka’s declaration of victory, nor the secret inauguration he held last week, have been recognized by Western nations. Russia has strongly endorsed Lukashenka.
Amid the street protests and political turmoil, Belarusian authorities have moved to strip accreditations for reporters and photographers for major international news outlets, and detained some reporters, including those from RFE/RL, for working without accreditation.


rferl--2020-09-29--North Macedonia's Ex-PM Gruevski Sentenced To Prison

A court in North Macedonia has sentenced former conservative Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski to 1 1/2 years in prison , and handed suspended sentences to six other party members and supporters for orchestrating violence in 2013 .
Gruevski was sentenced on September 29 in absentia .
North Macedonia authorities are still seeking his extradition from Hungary , where he was granted political asylum after fleeing there in 2018 to avoid a separate two-year prison sentence for corruption .
The trial , which started in 2016 , dealt with a protest in 2013 outside a municipal building in the capital , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ premises and prevented opposition board members of the municipality from blocking a plan by then-premier Gruevski to remodel the capital 's center .
Much of Gruevski 's architectural intervention , which cost an estimated 600 million euros ( $ 703 million ) , went ahead .
The court on September 29 found Gruevski guilty of having organized and encouraged the protest .
The six others who received suspended sentences include Gruevski 's former transport minister .
Both the defense and the prosecution said they will appeal the sentence .
Four other cases are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prime minister from 2006-2016 , on charges of corruption , election irregularities , and abuse of office .
All charges against Gruevski originate from a wiretapping scandal that broke in 2015 , when it was revealed that the phone conversations of more than 20,000 people , including politicians , judges , police , journalists , and foreign diplomats were illegally recorded .
The crisis led to an early election in 2016 in which Gruevski lost to Social Democrat leader Zoran Zaev .
Gruevski , who served as prime minister from 2006 to 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after being convicted on corruption charges in Macedonia and sentenced to two years in prison .
He was convicted in May 2018 of using a 600,000 euro ( $ 703,000 ) Mercedes bought with state funds for personal travel .
Budapest granted Gruevski asylum from what it called `` political persecution '' in Macedonia .
Gruevski , who has close ties with Prime Minister Viktor Orban , said he chose Hungary because it is a member of NATO and the European Union and a country with `` independent institutions . ''
North Macedonia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrest .

A court in North Macedonia has sentenced former conservative Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski to 1 1/2 years in prison, and handed suspended sentences to six other party members and supporters for orchestrating violence in 2013.
Gruevski was sentenced on September 29 in absentia. North Macedonia authorities are still seeking his extradition from Hungary, where he was granted political asylum after fleeing there in 2018 to avoid a separate two-year prison sentence for corruption.
The trial, which started in 2016, dealt with a protest in 2013 outside a municipal building in the capital, Skopje, when participants forcibly entered the premises and prevented opposition board members of the municipality from blocking a plan by then-premier Gruevski to remodel the capital's center.
Much of Gruevski's architectural intervention, which cost an estimated 600 million euros ($703 million), went ahead.
The court on September 29 found Gruevski guilty of having organized and encouraged the protest. The six others who received suspended sentences include Gruevski's former transport minister. Both the defense and the prosecution said they will appeal the sentence.
Four other cases are pending against Gruevski, who served as prime minister from 2006-2016, on charges of corruption, election irregularities, and abuse of office.
All charges against Gruevski originate from a wiretapping scandal that broke in 2015, when it was revealed that the phone conversations of more than 20,000 people, including politicians, judges, police, journalists, and foreign diplomats were illegally recorded.
The crisis led to an early election in 2016 in which Gruevski lost to Social Democrat leader Zoran Zaev.
Gruevski, who served as prime minister from 2006 to 2016, fled to Budapest in November 2018 after being convicted on corruption charges in Macedonia and sentenced to two years in prison.
He was convicted in May 2018 of using a 600,000 euro ($703,000) Mercedes bought with state funds for personal travel.
Budapest granted Gruevski asylum from what it called "political persecution" in Macedonia.
Gruevski, who has close ties with Prime Minister Viktor Orban, said he chose Hungary because it is a member of NATO and the European Union and a country with "independent institutions."
North Macedonia has issued an international warrant for his arrest.
With reporting by AP


rferl--2020-09-29--Prosecutor: Paris Attacker Wanted To Set Charlie Hebdo Offices On Fire

A Pakistani man accused of wounding two people with a meat cleaver in front of the former offices of Charlie Hebdo on September 25 did not know the satirical weekly had moved and wanted to set its offices on fire , a French prosecutor said on September 29 .
Prosecutor Jean-Francois Ricard told a news conference that the suspect in what the French government has called an act of `` Islamist terrorism '' carried three bottles of a flammable paint thinner with which he wanted to set fire to the premises .
Ricard said the man , who had identified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ born in the Pakistani town of Mandi Bahauddin , operated under a false identity and that a photo of his passport on his phone showed that he was 25 years old .
Twelve people were killed in 2015 by attackers who raided Charlie Hebdo 's office in revenge for the publication of cartoons that mocked the Prophet Muhammad .
After the attack , the weekly moved its headquarters to an undisclosed location .
It republished some of the cartoons this month to mark the beginning of the trial of 14 people with alleged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporting by Reuters , AFP , and dpa

A Pakistani man accused of wounding two people with a meat cleaver in front of the former offices of Charlie Hebdo on September 25 did not know the satirical weekly had moved and wanted to set its offices on fire, a French prosecutor said on September 29.
Prosecutor Jean-Francois Ricard told a news conference that the suspect in what the French government has called an act of "Islamist terrorism" carried three bottles of a flammable paint thinner with which he wanted to set fire to the premises.
Ricard said the man, who had identified himself as Hassan A., an 18-year-old born in the Pakistani town of Mandi Bahauddin, operated under a false identity and that a photo of his passport on his phone showed that he was 25 years old.
Twelve people were killed in 2015 by attackers who raided Charlie Hebdo's office in revenge for the publication of cartoons that mocked the Prophet Muhammad.
After the attack, the weekly moved its headquarters to an undisclosed location. It republished some of the cartoons this month to mark the beginning of the trial of 14 people with alleged links to the killers.
Based on reporting by Reuters, AFP, and dpa


rferl--2020-09-29--Convicted Russian Hacker Nikulin To Be Sentenced In U.S. Federal Court

Yevgeny Nikulin , the Russian man dubbed the “ Putin ” of the Russian hacking world by another colleague , is set to be sentenced in a U.S. federal court after being convicted of hacking LinkedIn , DropBox , and other Internet companies .
Nikulin ’ s sentencing , set for U.S. District Court in San Francisco on September 29 , will bring to a close a nearly four-year process that began with his surprise arrest in the Czech Republic in October 2016 .
Prosecutors have asked for a nearly 12-year prison sentence for Nikulin after a federal jury in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ related to the hacking of several major U.S. social-media companies .
Lawyers for Nikulin , who pleaded innocent to the charges , have asked the judge for leniency , citing among other things , childhood abuse at the hands of his father and the suicide of his older brother .
They asked the judge to sentence him to time served : essentially , to the time in U.S. custody since his arrest in Prague in October 2016 .
Nikulin , who was extradited to the United States 17 months after his arrest , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of a multiyear campaign to arrest some of the most notorious Russian hackers and suspected cybercriminals .
More than a dozen have been arrested in various countries , a development that has enraged Moscow , which has accused Washington of “ hunting ” Russian citizens .
The campaign undermined years of cooperation between U.S. law enforcement and Russian intelligence on various cyberinitiatives .
But it has also yielded insights into how Russian intelligence agencies , including the FSB , allegedly used hackers as part of their operations -- including efforts , documented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to interfere in the U.S. presidential election in 2016 .
In one filing submitted by prosecutors in Nikulin ’ s trial , U.S. officials revealed they had interviewed a hacking colleague of Nikulin ’ s in Moscow .
The man , identified in court documents as Nikita Kislitsin , met with FBI agents at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow in April 2014 , where he offered details on Nikulin and other hackers .
According to the filing , Kislitsin described Nikulin as being very wealthy with a reputation for owning expensive sport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hacking skills were well known , and he called him the “ Putin of the hacking world ” -- a reference to Russian President Vladimir Putin .
Kislitsin was indicted himself in U.S. District Court in San Francisco on separate hacking charges .
He later went on to work for a prominent Moscow cyberresearch company Group-IB .
Court papers also revealed an alleged business relationship between Nikulin and Aleksei Belan , who was later sanctioned by the United States and then indicted for his alleged role in the theft of more than a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some of Belan ’ s efforts were directed by an officer at Russia ’ s main intelligence agency , the Federal Security Service , according to court papers filed in Nikulin ’ s trial and in the Yahoo indictments that named Belan , and two Federal Security Service officers .

Yevgeny Nikulin, the Russian man dubbed the “Putin” of the Russian hacking world by another colleague, is set to be sentenced in a U.S. federal court after being convicted of hacking LinkedIn, DropBox, and other Internet companies.
Nikulin’s sentencing, set for U.S. District Court in San Francisco on September 29, will bring to a close a nearly four-year process that began with his surprise arrest in the Czech Republic in October 2016.
Prosecutors have asked for a nearly 12-year prison sentence for Nikulin after a federal jury in July found him guilty on nine counts related to the hacking of several major U.S. social-media companies.
Lawyers for Nikulin, who pleaded innocent to the charges, have asked the judge for leniency, citing among other things, childhood abuse at the hands of his father and the suicide of his older brother. They asked the judge to sentence him to time served: essentially, to the time in U.S. custody since his arrest in Prague in October 2016.
Nikulin, who was extradited to the United States 17 months after his arrest, was targeted by U.S. law enforcement as part of a multiyear campaign to arrest some of the most notorious Russian hackers and suspected cybercriminals.
More than a dozen have been arrested in various countries, a development that has enraged Moscow, which has accused Washington of “hunting” Russian citizens.
The campaign undermined years of cooperation between U.S. law enforcement and Russian intelligence on various cyberinitiatives.
But it has also yielded insights into how Russian intelligence agencies, including the FSB, allegedly used hackers as part of their operations -- including efforts, documented by U.S. intelligence and U.S. congressional committees, to interfere in the U.S. presidential election in 2016.
In one filing submitted by prosecutors in Nikulin’s trial, U.S. officials revealed they had interviewed a hacking colleague of Nikulin’s in Moscow. The man, identified in court documents as Nikita Kislitsin, met with FBI agents at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow in April 2014, where he offered details on Nikulin and other hackers.
According to the filing, Kislitsin described Nikulin as being very wealthy with a reputation for owning expensive sport cars. Kislitsin said Nikulin’s hacking skills were well known, and he called him the “Putin of the hacking world” -- a reference to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Kislitsin was indicted himself in U.S. District Court in San Francisco on separate hacking charges. He later went on to work for a prominent Moscow cyberresearch company Group-IB.
Court papers also revealed an alleged business relationship between Nikulin and Aleksei Belan, who was later sanctioned by the United States and then indicted for his alleged role in the theft of more than a billion e-mail addresses belonging to Yahoo.
Some of Belan’s efforts were directed by an officer at Russia’s main intelligence agency, the Federal Security Service, according to court papers filed in Nikulin’s trial and in the Yahoo indictments that named Belan, and two Federal Security Service officers.


rferl--2020-09-29--Georgian PM Gakharia, NATO's Stoltenberg Discuss Cooperation In Brussels

Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg have discussed ties , Georgia ’ s progress on its NATO integration path , and future cooperation plans .
During the talks , on September 29 , the first day of Gakharia 's two-day visit to Brussels , Stoltenberg stressed that “ NATO supports Georgia ’ s territorial integrity and sovereignty within its internationally recognized borders . ''
`` We call on Russia to end its recognition of [ Georgia 's breakaway ] regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and to withdraw its forces , ” Stoltenberg said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full use of all the opportunities for coming closer to NATO .
And to prepare for membership .
We count on Georgia to ensure next month ’ s elections meet the highest international standards .
This is important for Georgia , and for NATO , ” Stoltenberg added .
Stoltenberg also underscored the importance of Georgia ’ s continued reforms in the judiciary system and commended Georgia ’ s progress in implementing reforms aimed at “ strengthening democratic oversight on intelligence , security services , and armed forces.
” He said that Georgia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forces and in strengthening democracy .
Gakharia said his country is committed to further reforms in “ multiple directions.
” `` The most important part for us was to figure out the function of Georgia -- the new role of Georgia on Black Sea security .
We see Black Sea security as the window of opportunity for Georgia , for deepening the cooperation with NATO , '' Gakharia said .
Gakharia was accompanied by Foreign Minister Davit Zalkaliani and Head of Government Administration Natia Mezvrishvili .
Based by reporting by civil.ge and agenda.ge

Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg have discussed ties, Georgia’s progress on its NATO integration path, and future cooperation plans.
During the talks, on September 29, the first day of Gakharia's two-day visit to Brussels, Stoltenberg stressed that “NATO supports Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty within its internationally recognized borders."
"We call on Russia to end its recognition of [Georgia's breakaway] regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and to withdraw its forces,” Stoltenberg said.
“And I encourage you to continue making full use of all the opportunities for coming closer to NATO. And to prepare for membership. We count on Georgia to ensure next month’s elections meet the highest international standards. This is important for Georgia, and for NATO,” Stoltenberg added.
Stoltenberg also underscored the importance of Georgia’s continued reforms in the judiciary system and commended Georgia’s progress in implementing reforms aimed at “strengthening democratic oversight on intelligence, security services, and armed forces.” He said that Georgia made good progress in modernizing its armed forces and in strengthening democracy.
Gakharia said his country is committed to further reforms in “multiple directions.”
"The most important part for us was to figure out the function of Georgia -- the new role of Georgia on Black Sea security. We see Black Sea security as the window of opportunity for Georgia, for deepening the cooperation with NATO," Gakharia said.
Gakharia was accompanied by Foreign Minister Davit Zalkaliani and Head of Government Administration Natia Mezvrishvili.
Based by reporting by civil.ge and agenda.ge


rferl--2020-09-29--Another Village Locked Down In Kazakhstan Over Bird Flu

ZHAMBYL , Kazakhstan -- Kazakhstan has locked down one more village over an outbreak of bird flu .
The chief @ @ @ @ @ the southern Zhambyl region , Erbol Zhienqulov , said on September 29 that the village @ @ @ @ @ down after cases of bird flu were confirmed at a local poultry farm on September @ @ @ @ @ , the quarantine in the village will last for three weeks .
He said that @ @ @ @ @ was registered .
Zhienqulov added that 60,000 domestic birds were vaccinated for bird flu after @ @ @ @ @ , and turkeys died en masse earlier this month .
Kazakhstan ’ s Agriculture Ministry @ @ @ @ @ was detected in the North Kazakhstan region that borders with Russia earlier this month .
@ @ @ @ @ cases were confirmed in the regions of Aqmola , Qostanai , Pavlodar , Qaraghandy , @ @ @ @ @ villages and towns were locked down due to the outbreak .

ZHAMBYL, Kazakhstan -- Kazakhstan has locked down one more village over an outbreak of bird flu.
The chief of the Veterinary Directorate in the southern Zhambyl region, Erbol Zhienqulov, said on September 29 that the village of Qaratas had been locked down after cases of bird flu were confirmed at a local poultry farm on September 21.
According to Zhienqulov, the quarantine in the village will last for three weeks. He said that no bird flu among humans was registered.
Zhienqulov added that 60,000 domestic birds were vaccinated for bird flu after hundreds of chickens, geese, and turkeys died en masse earlier this month.
Kazakhstan’s Agriculture Ministry said a bird flu outbreak was detected in the North Kazakhstan region that borders with Russia earlier this month.
Days later, bird flu cases were confirmed in the regions of Aqmola, Qostanai, Pavlodar, Qaraghandy, and Turkistan, where many villages and towns were locked down due to the outbreak.


rferl--2020-09-29--Former Armenian President Robert Kocharian Leaves For Karabakh

YEREVAN -- Former Armenian President Robert Kocharian , who has been charged with bribery and overthrowing the constitutional order , has left Armenia for the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region , where Armenian and Azerbaijani forces have been fighting since September 27 .
Kocharian 's lawyer Hovhaness Khudoyan told RFE/RL about his client 's departure for Nagorno-Karabakh on September 29 .
Kocharian was arrested in July 2018 and is now standing trial along with three other former officials on charges stemming from his alleged role in a 2008 postelection crackdown on the opposition , as well as for taking bribes .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15 years in prison if convicted of the charges , which he rejects as politically motivated .
He was released on bail on June 18 .
Kocharian , a native of Nagorno-Karabakh , was one of the leaders of the region 's separatist forces and was Nagorno-Karabakh ’ s first de facto president between December 1994 and March 1997 .
Earlier , a lawyer of Kocharian 's codefendant , former Defense Minister Seyran Ohanian , said his client had also left for the Nagorno-Karabakh `` to assist '' the unrecognized region 's armed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Azerbaijan .
Ohanian is also a native of the Nagorno-Karabakh region and used to serve as de facto defense minister of the region between 1999-2007 .

YEREVAN -- Former Armenian President Robert Kocharian, who has been charged with bribery and overthrowing the constitutional order, has left Armenia for the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, where Armenian and Azerbaijani forces have been fighting since September 27.
Kocharian's lawyer Hovhaness Khudoyan told RFE/RL about his client's departure for Nagorno-Karabakh on September 29.
Kocharian was arrested in July 2018 and is now standing trial along with three other former officials on charges stemming from his alleged role in a 2008 postelection crackdown on the opposition, as well as for taking bribes.
The former head of state faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of the charges, which he rejects as politically motivated.
He was released on bail on June 18.
Kocharian, a native of Nagorno-Karabakh, was one of the leaders of the region's separatist forces and was Nagorno-Karabakh’s first de facto president between December 1994 and March 1997.
Earlier, a lawyer of Kocharian's codefendant, former Defense Minister Seyran Ohanian, said his client had also left for the Nagorno-Karabakh "to assist" the unrecognized region's armed forces during the ongoing military conflict with Azerbaijan.
Ohanian is also a native of the Nagorno-Karabakh region and used to serve as de facto defense minister of the region between 1999-2007.


rferl--2020-09-29--Detention Of Belarusian-American  Shkliarov In Minsk Extended

A court in Minsk has extended the pretrial detention of Belarusian-American political strategist Vitali Shkliarov for a second two-month period despite signs he had the coronavirus while incarcerated .
Anton Hashynski , Shkliarov 's lawyer , said on September 29 that a COVID-19 test revealed that his client has antibodies for the virus .
`` Most likely he recovered himself from COVID-19 two weeks ago when he complained of a high fever .
Since he and his cellmates have not been isolated , they now are getting infected one by one , '' Hashynski said .
Shkliarov 's detention by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spurred increasingly urgent warnings from U.S. government officials who have called his jailing `` unjust . ''
Shkliarov , who has worked on political campaigns for Barack Obama and Senator Bernie Sanders in the United States , and for Russian socialite Ksenia Sobchak , was arrested in his native city of Homel in southeastern Belarus on July 29 , 10 days before the presidential election .
He has said he was visiting his parents in Homel .
But law enforcement officials have asserted he was trying to assist blogger Syarhey Tsikhanouski to register @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tsikhanouski was detained himself prior to the election ; his wife Svyatlana then ran for president in his place and has since become a leading opposition activist .
Shkliarov 's wife , U.S. diplomat Heather Shkliarov , said in mid-September that her husband 's health was in `` extreme danger . ''

A court in Minsk has extended the pretrial detention of Belarusian-American political strategist Vitali Shkliarov for a second two-month period despite signs he had the coronavirus while incarcerated.
Anton Hashynski, Shkliarov's lawyer, said on September 29 that a COVID-19 test revealed that his client has antibodies for the virus.
"Most likely he recovered himself from COVID-19 two weeks ago when he complained of a high fever. Since he and his cellmates have not been isolated, they now are getting infected one by one," Hashynski said.
Shkliarov's detention by Belarusian security agents in late July has spurred increasingly urgent warnings from U.S. government officials who have called his jailing "unjust."
Shkliarov, who has worked on political campaigns for Barack Obama and Senator Bernie Sanders in the United States, and for Russian socialite Ksenia Sobchak, was arrested in his native city of Homel in southeastern Belarus on July 29, 10 days before the presidential election.
He has said he was visiting his parents in Homel.
But law enforcement officials have asserted he was trying to assist blogger Syarhey Tsikhanouski to register as a candidate in the election.
Tsikhanouski was detained himself prior to the election; his wife Svyatlana then ran for president in his place and has since become a leading opposition activist.
Shkliarov's wife, U.S. diplomat Heather Shkliarov, said in mid-September that her husband's health was in "extreme danger."


rferl--2020-09-29--Yerevan Claims Turkish Jet Downed Armenia Plane As Fighting With Azerbaijani Forces Intensify

BAKU/YEREVAN -- Armenia said a Turkish F-16 fighter jet shot down one of its warplanes , as fighting intensified near the long-disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region and fears grew of an outbreak of a new , full-scale war between Armenia and Azerbaijan .
Both Ankara and Baku called Yerevan ’ s claim about the warplane ’ s downing on September 29 `` absolutely untrue , ” which came on the third day of a major flare-up of the decades-old conflict .
The fighting is some of the worst the region has seen in years .
Amid international calls for an end to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheduled an emergency meeting to discuss the fighting , which has threatened to draw in Russia and regional power Turkey , a close ally of Azerbaijan .
An Armenian Defense Ministry spokeswoman said in a statement that a Sukhoi Su-25 flown by Armenia ’ s air force had been on a military assignment in Armenian airspace when it was downed by an F-16 jet owned by the Turkish air force .
Much of NATO member Turkey 's air power is U.S.-made .
In Azerbaijan , a Defense Ministry spokesman denied the claim , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Turkey 's presidency , calling it “ absolutely untrue . ''
`` Armenia should withdraw from the territories under its occupation instead of resorting to cheap propaganda tricks , '' Altun said .
Turkey is Azerbaijan ’ s closest ally , and stalwart adversary of Armenia , and there are growing fears that Ankara could seek to intervene on behalf on Baku .
Both Armenia and Azerbaijan have fielded helicopters , drones , tanks , and artillery already -- a considerable escalation of past skirmishes and low-level shooting .
Turkey `` will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back its occupied lands and to defending their rights and interests under international law , ” Atlun said .
Azerbaijan and Armenia have been locked in conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh since the waning years of the Soviet Union .
The two sides fought a war from 1988-94 that claimed the lives of more than 30,000 people and ended in an uneasy cease-fire .
Since then , the region has been under the control of ethnic Armenian forces .
The region 's 1991 declaration of independence has not been recognized by any country , except @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outlet to the outside world .
While the conflict is generally considered to be `` frozen , '' sporadic violence has broken out over the years , and internationally mediated negotiations have failed to achieve a resolution .
It wasn ’ t immediately clear what caused the long-simmering conflict to erupt anew on September 27 .
The clashes are the heaviest since at least 2016 and have reignited concern over stability in the South Caucasus , a corridor for pipelines carrying oil and gas to world markets .
Earlier on September 29 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Defense Ministry said the Armenian military shelled the Dashkesan region -- an accusation rejected by Yerevan as “ absolutely false.
” `` On the night of September 28-29 , intense battles continued along the entire front line , '' Azerbaijan ’ s Defense Ministry said in a statement , referring to the so-called Line of Contact that separates Armenian and Azerbaijani forces .
The Armenian Defense Ministry added that `` battles with varying intensity continue . ''
The violence has drawn calls by Russia and Western governments seeking to keep it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the situation was “ a cause for concern for Moscow and other countries.
” “ We believe that the hostilities should be immediately ended , '' Peskov said .
Russia is among the largest supplier of weaponry to both Azerbaijan and Armenia .
It also has a military base in Armenia .
During a visit to Greece , U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called on both sides to stop the violence and work with the Minsk Group of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe ( OSCE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as quickly as possible . ''
That call was echoed later by the U.S. envoy to the Vienna-based security organization , whose so-called Minsk Group is headed by Russia , the United States , and France .
`` We call on the sides to stop fighting immediately and return to the negotiating table as soon as possible and without preconditions , '' Ambassador James Gilmore said in a statement .
German Chancellor Angela Merkel held phone calls with the leaders of both Armenia and Azerbaijan , according to her spokesman .
That came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the foreign ministers of Britain and Canada , who expressed concern over the “ large-scale military action.
” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called directly on Armenia and Azerbaijan to immediately halt hostilities .
Guterres who spoke to both Azerbaijan 's President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian , also called on the sides to accept the deployment of monitors from the OSCE .
Aliyev flatly ruled out any possibility of talks in a statement on Russia 's state TV channel Rossia 1 .
Pashinian said talks could not take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ September 28 , separatists fighters in Nagorno-Karabakh reported that 26 Armenian servicemen had been killed in the latest fighting , bringing its total losses to 84 .
Azerbaijan said 10 civilians have been killed and some 30 wounded .
Armenian reports that they have killed Azerbaijani forces have not been confirmed by Baku .
On September 27 , Armenia declared martial law and a total mobilization of men in response to attacks on the enclave , including in the regional capital of Stepanakert .
Azerbaijan responded by declaring a partial military mobilization a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of having a “ direct presence on the ground ” and supplying its ally Baku with weapons , including drones -- a claim denied by Azerbaijan .
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on September 28 called on Armenia to immediately end its `` occupation '' of the region and withdraw , saying this was the only way to secure peace .
With reporting by AFP and Reuters


rferl--2020-09-29--Canada, U.K. Announce Sanctions As Pressure On Belarus Leadership Builds

Canada and the United Kingdom have announced sanctions on several senior officials in Belarus , including its authoritarian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka , as international pressure continues to build over a disputed presidential election last month and subsequent police crackdown on opposition members , media , and protesters .
The two Commonwealth nations announced on September 29 joint sanctions including a travel ban and asset freeze “ to send a clear message ” to Lukashenka ’ s “ violent and fraudulent regime . ''
`` We will hold those responsible for the thuggery deployed against the Belarusian people to account and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of democracy and human rights , '' U.K. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said .
Canada ’ s Foreign Ministry added in a statement : `` Since the fraudulent presidential elections in August 2020 , the government of Belarus has conducted a systematic campaign of repression and state-sponsored violence against public protests and the activities of opposition groups . ''
Those sanctioned are Lukashenka , his son Viktar , Presidential Chief of Staff Ihar Syarheyenka , Interior Minister Yury Karayeu , Deputy Interior Ministers Alyaksandr Barsukou and Yury Nazaranka , Deputy Internal Troop Commander @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chief Dzmitry Balaba .
The sanctions announcement comes hours after French President Emmanuel Macron promised Europe 's help in mediating the political crisis in Belarus after meeting with opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya in Lithuania .
Macron called for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe ( OSCE ) to handle mediation on Belarus , which has seen weeks of mass demonstrations triggered by a disputed August 9 presidential election .
The opposition leader said the French president `` promised us to do everything to help with negotiations [ during ] this political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will do everything to help to release all the political prisoners . ''
Tsikhanouskaya told AFP that she had accepted an invitation to speak at the French parliament , where officials said she would address the lower house 's Foreign Affairs Committee .
No further details were provided .
Meanwhile , her press secretary , Anna Krasulina , told Reuters the opposition leader planned to visit Berlin on October 5-6 and that a meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel was being considered during the trip .
Macron is the highest-profile Western leader to visit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a crackdown on protesters by long-ruling strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka following the presidential election .
Lukashenka claims he won the vote , but the opposition has held mass rallies to protest the results , saying Tsikhanouskaya is the winner .
The Interior Ministry said more than 350 people were detained during nationwide protests on September 27 , bringing the total number of detentions over the weekend to about 500 .
Western governments have refused to recognize Lukashenka as the legitimate leader of Belarus and have called on him to negotiate a transfer of power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He was secretly sworn in on September 23 , sparking outrage at home and abroad .
Under increasing pressure from the street and the West , Lukashenka has leaned on neighboring Russia for political and economic support .
In a video message for the participants of the Forum of Regions of Russia and Belarus on September 29 , Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Belarus was in a `` difficult situation '' and facing `` unprecedented external pressure . ''
Putin 's spokesman , Dmitry Peskov , later downplayed Macron 's meeting with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between the `` French president and a Belarusian citizen . ''
Ahead of his three-day trip to Lithuania and neighboring Latvia , Macron said it was clear that Lukashenka `` has to go '' after 26 years in power .
Over the past year , Macron has tried to reduce distrust between Russia and the West .
But the efforts have upset other EU governments , particularly those that escaped Moscow 's orbit after the Cold War .
They say little has changed to merit a thaw in relations .
Other European Union @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his stance toward Moscow since the poisoning of Aleksei Navalny , a longtime critic of Putin .
German doctors found traces of a nerve agent in Navalny 's body and his allies accuse the Kremlin of being behind the poisoning .
Moscow denies the accusation but has resisted pressure to launch a criminal investigation .
With reporting by AFP , Reuters , dpa , and TASS


rferl--2020-09-30--Tsikhanouskaya Starts Naming Shadow Cabinet For Belarus While In Exile

Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya , the Belarusian opposition candidate whose supporters say won a presidential election that was instead stolen by long-ruling strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka , has begun creating a shadow cabinet as she takes refuge in neighboring Lithuania .
Tsikhanouskaya ’ s aides said on an opposition Telegram channel on September 30 that well-known human rights lawyer Hary Pahanyayla , who has defended many prominent right activists and journalists in Belarus , is Tsikhanouskaya ’ s representative on human rights issues , while economic expert Ales Alyakhnovich was appointed as Tsikhanouskaya 's representative on economic reforms .
The statement also cites @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's regime is not just illegitimate , but also is not capable of carrying out its duties . ''
`` We can not remain inactive anymore and watch how the country is further drowning in a crisis .
That is why , in order to secure a new election , I continue my activities to unite all democratic forces of Belarusian society , '' Tsikhanouskaya said a day after she held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Vilnius .
Tsikhanouskaya fled to Lithuania amid a crackdown on protesters and media by Lukashenka @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the August 9 presidential vote .
Lukashenka had himself secretly sworn in on September 23 , sparking further outrage at home and abroad .
Western nations have refused to recognize Lukashenka , who has refused to negotiate with the opposition , as the legitimate leader of Belarus and have called on him to peacefully transfer power .
Protesters have demanded Lukashenka 's resignation since electoral officials announced him the winner with just over 80 percent of the vote .
Opposition leaders , including Tsikhanouskaya , have formed a Coordination Council to facilitate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for president in place of her husband , who had been arrested prior to the election .
She said she would hold a new presidential election upon taking power .

Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the Belarusian opposition candidate who supporters say won a presidential election that was instead stolen by long-ruling strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka, has begun creating a shadow cabinet as she takes refuge in neighboring Lithuania.
Tsikhanouskaya's aides said on an opposition Telegram channel on September 30 that well-known human rights lawyer Hary Pahanyayla, who has defended many prominent right activists and journalists in Belarus, is Tsikhanouskaya's representative on human rights issues, while economic expert Ales Alyakhnovich was appointed as her representative on economic reforms.
The statement also cites Tsikhanouskaya as saying that "Alyaksandr Lukashenka's regime is not just illegitimate, but also is not capable of carrying out its duties."
Crisis In Belarus Read our coverage as Belarusian strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka continues his brutal crackdown on NGOs, activists, and independent media following the August 2020 presidential election.
"We cannot remain inactive anymore and watch how the country is further drowning in a crisis. That is why, in order to secure a new election, I continue my activities to unite all democratic forces of Belarusian society," Tsikhanouskaya said a day after she held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Vilnius.
Tsikhanouskaya fled to Lithuania amid a crackdown on protesters and media by Lukashenka, who has refused to admit defeat in the August 9 presidential vote.
Lukashenka had himself secretly sworn in on September 23, sparking further outrage at home and abroad.
Western governments have refused to recognize Lukashenka, who has refused to negotiate with the opposition, as the legitimate leader of Belarus and have called on him to peacefully transfer power.
Protesters have demanded Lukashenka's resignation since electoral officials announced him the winner with just over 80 percent of the vote.
Opposition leaders, including Tsikhanouskaya, have formed a Coordination Council to facilitate the transfer of power.
Tsikhanouskaya ran for president in place of her husband, who had been arrested prior to the election.
She said she would hold a new presidential election upon taking power.


rferl--2020-09-30--Belarusian Athlete Alena Leuchanka, Who Supported Anti-Lukashenka Protests, Detained

MINSK -- Basketball player Alena Leuchanka , one of Belarus 's best-known athletes , has been detained for taking part in ongoing protests against authoritarian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka .
Leuchanka , a member of the Free Association of Athletes ( SOS BY ) movement , was detained on September 30 at the Minsk airport as she attempted to leave the country for medical treatment .
Leuchanka 's lawyer , Mikhail Kirylyuk , said that investigators took her to the Lenin District Police Directorate of the Belarusian capital in connection with her participation in unsanctioned public events .
The TASS news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city administration confirming Leuchanka 's detainment .
Leuchanka is one of the most well-known athletes of Belarus , having played basketball for the national team , as well as in Russia 's Superleague and the WNBA in the United States .
In August , nearly 350 Belarusian athletes and other members of the sports community threw down the gauntlet to Lukashenka by signing an open letter calling for an August 9 presidential election to be annulled and for all `` political prisoners '' and those detained during mass demonstrations that followed to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was rigged in Lukashenka 's favor and are demanding that he step down and hold new elections .
Lukashenka , who has refused to negotiate with the opposition , had himself secretly sworn in on September 23 , sparking outrage at home and abroad .
Western governments have refused to recognize Lukashenka as the legitimate leader of Belarus and have called on him to peacefully transfer power .

MINSK -- Basketball player Alena Leuchanka, one of Belarus's best-known athletes, has been sentenced to 15 days in jail for taking part in ongoing protests against authoritarian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka.
Judge Maryna Zapasnik of the Lenin district court in Minsk sentenced Leuchanka on September 30 after finding her guilty of violating regulations on public gatherings.
Earlier in the day, Leuchanka, a member of the Free Association of Athletes (SOS BY) movement, was detained at the Minsk airport as she attempted to leave the country for medical treatment.
Leuchanka is one of the best-known Belarusian athletes, having played basketball for the national team, as well as in Russia's Superleague and the WNBA in the United States.
In August, nearly 350 Belarusian athletes and other members of the sports community threw down the gauntlet to Lukashenka by signing an open letter calling for an August 9 presidential election to be annulled and for all "political prisoners" and those detained during mass demonstrations that followed to be released.
The demonstrators say the vote was rigged in Lukashenka's favor and are demanding that he step down and hold new elections.
Lukashenka, who has refused to negotiate with the opposition, had himself secretly sworn in on September 23, sparking outrage at home and abroad.
Western governments have refused to recognize Lukashenka as the legitimate leader of Belarus and have called on him to peacefully transfer power.


rferl--2020-09-30--Ukraine Registers More Than 4,000 New Coronavirus Cases In One Day

KYIV -- Ukraine has registered more than 4,000 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours , the highest number @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic broke out in mid-March .
Health Minister Maksym Stepanov told reporters in Kyiv @ @ @ @ @ the 4,027 individuals who tested positive for the coronavirus , 276 are children and 171 @ @ @ @ @ to Stepanov , 733 individuals were hospitalized .
As of September 30 , the total @ @ @ @ @ in Ukraine is 202,959 , including 4,129 deaths .

KYIV -- Ukraine has registered more than 4,000 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, the highest number registered in a day since the pandemic broke out in mid-March.
Health Minister Maksym Stepanov told reporters in Kyiv on September 30 that of the 4,027 individuals who tested positive for the coronavirus, 276 are children and 171 are medical personnel.
According to Stepanov, 733 individuals were hospitalized.
As of September 30, the total number of coronavirus cases registered in Ukraine is 202,959, including 4,129 deaths.