rferl--2020-12-03--More Than 50 People Go On Trial In Kazakhstan After Ethnic Clashes

TARAZ , Kazakhstan -- More than 50 people have gone on trial in Kazakhstan 's southern Zhambyl region after deadly ethnic clashes in February that shocked the Central Asian country .
Judge Aidar Zambaev began the trial inside a detention center located in the regional capital , Taraz , on December 3 .
The defendants were charged with taking part in public disorder , the possession of illegal weapons , robbery , and issuing threats during the clashes between Kazakhs and Kazakh citizens from the ethnic Dungan minority , a Muslim group of Chinese origin .
Journalists were allowed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the villages of Sortobe , Masanchi , Auqatty , and Bulan-Batyr that erupted in early February following a road-rage brawl left 11 people dead and dozens injured , including 19 police officers .
In September , seven ethnic Kazakhs were tried separately in the case and sentenced to prison terms ranging between three and four years .
Four of them were released from prison last month after a military court in Almaty replaced prison terms for them with parole-like restrictions known as freedom limitation .
Earlier in April , an ethnic Dungan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
More than 30 houses , 17 commercial buildings , and 47 vehicles were destroyed or damaged in the ethnic clashes , and more than 20,000 people , mostly Dungans , fled the villages where the violence erupted .
Many of the Dungans who fled the violence ended up in the neighboring Kyrgyz region of Chui , where the majority of Central Asia 's Dungans reside .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the majority of the displaced Dungans returned to Kazakhstan several days later .
Many senior regional officials , including Zhambyl region Governor Asqar Myrzakhmetov and the local police chief , were dismissed by the central government in the aftermath of the clashes .
Russia 's Memorial Anti-Discrimination Center wrote in May that the investigations of the clashes were `` not transparent and appeared to be one-sided '' in favor of ethnic Kazakhs .
Dungans , also known as Hui , are Sunni Muslims who speak a dialect of Mandarin that also uses words @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Turkic .
Their ancestors fled China in the late 19th century after the Chinese government 's violent crackdown of the Dungan Revolt of 1862-77 , 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 .

TARAZ, Kazakhstan -- More than 50 people have gone on trial in Kazakhstan's southern Zhambyl region after deadly ethnic clashes in February that shocked the Central Asian country.
Judge Aidar Zambaev began the trial inside a detention center located in the regional capital, Taraz, on December 3.
The defendants were charged with taking part in public disorder, the possession of illegal weapons, robbery, and issuing threats during the clashes between Kazakhs and Kazakh citizens from the ethnic Dungan minority, a Muslim group of Chinese origin.
Journalists were allowed to follow the hearing online.
The violence in the villages of Sortobe, Masanchi, Auqatty, and Bulan-Batyr that erupted in early February following a road-rage brawl left 11 people dead and dozens injured, including 19 police officers.
In September, seven ethnic Kazakhs were tried separately in the case and sentenced to prison terms ranging between three and four years.
Four of them were released from prison last month after a military court in Almaty replaced prison terms for them with parole-like restrictions known as freedom limitation.
Earlier in April, an ethnic Dungan involved in the case 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.
More than 30 houses, 17 commercial buildings, and 47 vehicles were destroyed or damaged in the ethnic clashes, and more than 20,000 people, mostly Dungans, fled the villages where the violence erupted.
Many of the Dungans who fled the violence ended up in the neighboring Kyrgyz region of Chui, where the majority of Central Asia's Dungans reside.
Kazakh officials said at the time that the majority of the displaced Dungans returned to Kazakhstan several days later.
Many senior regional officials, including Zhambyl region Governor Asqar Myrzakhmetov and the local police chief, were dismissed by the central government in the aftermath of the clashes.
Russia's Memorial Anti-Discrimination Center wrote in May that the investigations of the clashes were "not transparent and appeared to be one-sided" in favor of ethnic Kazakhs.
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 1862-77, 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--2020-12-03--Member Of Pussy Riot Protest Group Detained In Moscow

MOSCOW -- A member of the Pussy Riot protest group has been detained for taking part in a protest performance in Moscow last week .
Maria Alyokhina , a member of the protest group , said on December 3 that police detained Rita Flores , also known as Margarita Konovalova , after she was taken to a Moscow hospital overnight to be treated for an unspecified illness .
According to Alyokhina , police charged Flores with repeatedly violating the law on public gatherings and remanded her in custody .
Flores is expected to face trial later in the day .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and artist Farkhad Israfilli-Gelman staged a protest performance called Fragile !
Handle With Care !
not far from the State History Museum near Red Square .
In the performance , two women in Russian national costumes tied Israfilli-Gelman , who was wearing riot-police uniform , to a light pole with packing tape .
The event highlighted several cases against protesters who received prison terms last year for throwing plastic cups and plastic bottles at police during dispersal of rallies in the Russian capital .
Police briefly detained Israfilli-Gelman on November 28 and Alyokhina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charged with violating the law on public gatherings .
Their trials are pending as well .

MOSCOW -- A member of the Pussy Riot protest group has been detained for taking part in a protest performance in Moscow last week.
Police detained Rita Flores, also known as Margarita Konovalova, after she was taken to a Moscow hospital overnight to be treated for an unspecified illness, Maria Alyokhina, a member of the protest group, said on December 3.
According to Alyokhina, police charged Flores with repeatedly violating the law on public gatherings and remanded her in custody. Flores is expected to face trial later in the day.
On November 28, Flores, Alyokhina and artist Farkhad Israfilli-Gelman staged a protest performance called Fragile! Handle With Care! not far from the State History Museum near Red Square.
In the performance, two women in Russian national costumes tied Israfilli-Gelman, who was wearing riot-police uniform, to a light pole with packing tape.
The event highlighted several cases against protesters who received prison terms last year for throwing plastic cups and plastic bottles at police during dispersal of rallies in the Russian capital.
Police briefly detained Israfilli-Gelman on November 28 and Alyokhina on December 2. The two were charged with violating the law on public gatherings. Their trials are pending as well.


rferl--2020-12-03--HRW: Azerbaijan Mistreats Armenian Prisoners of War

Ethnic Armenian troops captured in the recent Nagorno-Karabakh fighting have been treated inhumanely on many occasions by Azerbaijani forces , being subjected to physical abuse and humiliation , Human Rights Watch ( HRW ) says in a new report .
Videos widely circulated on social media depict Azerbaijani captors variously slapping , kicking , and prodding Armenian prisoners of war ( POWs ) , HRW says .
In the videos , Armenian POWs are forced , under obvious duress and with the apparent intent to humiliate , to kiss the Azerbaijani flag , praise Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev , swear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and declare that the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh belongs to Azerbaijan .
HRW closely examined 14 out of dozens of video recordings that show alleged abuse of Armenian POWs and were posted to social media .
It also spoke with the families of five POWs whose abuse was depicted .
The videos were posted to Telegram channels , including Kolorit 18+ and Karabah_News , and to several Instagram accounts .
Although international humanitarian law and legislation regulating armed conflict require involved parties to treat POWs humanely in all circumstances , in most of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are visible , implying that they did not fear being held accountable , the New York-based watchdog said in its December 2 report .
The third Geneva Convention protects POWs `` particularly against acts of violence or intimidation and against insults and public curiosity . ''
`` There can be no justification for the violent and humiliating treatment of prisoners of war , '' said Hugh Williamson , HRW 's Europe and Central Asia director .
`` Humanitarian law is absolutely clear on the obligation to protect POWs .
Azerbaijan 's authorities should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' While the precise numbers are not known , Armenian officials told HRW that Azerbaijan holds `` dozens '' of Armenian POWs .
HRW said in its report that Armenia also holds a number of Azerbaijani POWs and `` at least three foreign mercenaries . ''
HRW is investigating videos alleging abuse of Azerbaijani POWs that have circulated on social media and will report on any findings .
Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan , but the ethnic Armenians who make up most of the population reject Azerbaijani rule .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with support from Armenia , since Azerbaijan 's troops and ethnic Azeri civilians were pushed out of the region in a war that ended in a cease-fire in 1994 .
Fighting broke out again in and around Nagorno-Karabakh on September 27 , leaving thousands of soldiers and civilians dead on both sides over the ensuing weeks .
Azerbaijan has not provided a figure for its military casualties .

Ethnic Armenian troops captured in the recent Nagorno-Karabakh fighting have been treated inhumanely on many occasions by Azerbaijani forces, being subjected to physical abuse and humiliation, Human Rights Watch (HRW) says in a new report.
Videos widely circulated on social media depict Azerbaijani captors variously slapping, kicking, and prodding Armenian prisoners of war (POWs), HRW says.
In the videos, Armenian POWs are forced, under obvious duress and with the apparent intent to humiliate, to kiss the Azerbaijani flag, praise Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, swear at Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian, and declare that the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh belongs to Azerbaijan.
HRW closely examined 14 out of dozens of video recordings that show alleged abuse of Armenian POWs and were posted to social media. It also spoke with the families of five POWs whose abuse was depicted. The videos were posted to Telegram channels, including Kolorit 18+ and Karabah_News, and to several Instagram accounts.
Although international humanitarian law and legislation regulating armed conflict require involved parties to treat POWs humanely in all circumstances, in most of the videos, the captors' faces are visible, implying that they did not fear being held accountable, the New York-based watchdog said in its December 2 report.
The third Geneva Convention protects POWs "particularly against acts of violence or intimidation and against insults and public curiosity."
"There can be no justification for the violent and humiliating treatment of prisoners of war," said Hugh Williamson, HRW's Europe and Central Asia director.
"Humanitarian law is absolutely clear on the obligation to protect POWs. Azerbaijan's authorities should ensure that this treatment ends immediately."
While the precise numbers are not known, Armenian officials told HRW that Azerbaijan holds "dozens" of Armenian POWs.
HRW said in its report that Armenia also holds a number of Azerbaijani POWs and "at least three foreign mercenaries."
HRW is investigating videos alleging abuse of Azerbaijani POWs that have circulated on social media and will report on any findings.
Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, but the ethnic Armenians who make up most of the population reject Azerbaijani rule.
They have been governing their own affairs, with support from Armenia, since Azerbaijan's troops and ethnic Azeri civilians were pushed out of the region in a war that ended in a cease-fire in 1994.
Fighting broke out again in and around Nagorno-Karabakh on September 27, leaving thousands of soldiers and civilians dead on both sides over the ensuing weeks. Azerbaijan has not provided a figure for its military casualties.
Fighting ended on November 10 with a Russia-negotiated truce.


rferl--2020-12-03--OSCE Expected To Overcome Leadership Vacuum At Ministerial

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe ( OSCE ) is expected to resolve a months-long impasse over the conflict-resolution body 's leadership team during a two-day ministerial meeting on December 3-4 .
Originally established during the Cold War to foster dialogue between the Soviet Union and the West , the 57-nation OSCE is known for its election-monitoring work , reports on human rights and press freedom , and engaging in diplomacy to resolve conflicts , including in Ukraine , Belarus , and Nagorno-Karabakh .
Since July , the OSCE 's top four positions have been empty because member @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of diplomats in those posts , in what is normally a formality .
The Vienna-based organization strives to reach decisions by consensus , leaving is susceptible to gridlock between its European , Central Asian , and North American member states .
Russia and several former Soviet states have complained that top leadership positions have traditionally been held by Westerners , who they say have focused too much on human rights issues .
Under a compromise , OSCE members are expected to approve Helga Schmid as the new secretary-general .
A German , Schmid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's diplomatic service .
She is best known for playing a key role in negotiating the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers .
The other three top posts will be filled by an Italian , Portuguese , and Kazakh .
Matteo Mecacci , a former Italian parliament member , has been nominated to head the OSCE 's democracy , human rights , and election-monitoring office .
Former Kazakh Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov has been tapped as OSCE high commissioner for minorities .
Maria Teresa Ribeiro , a secretary of state in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nominee for the OSCE media-freedom representative .
U.S .
Ambassador to the OSCE James Gilmore said on December 1 that he expects member states to agree on filling the top four positions with these candidates .
However , an unrelated dispute between Hungary and Ukraine over national minority issues has emerged in recent days that as a potential to create problems , he said .
With reporting by AFP , dpa , Die Presse , and Reuters .

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun has used a meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to slam Russia for violating the sovereignty and territorial integrity of member states, of seeking to undermine the democratic processes in the region, and of committing human rights abuses against its own people.
Addressing the first day of an OSCE ministerial meeting on December 3, Biegun also singled out Belarus for “brutally” violating human rights by cracking down on street protests calling on authoritarian ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka to resign following a contested presidential election in August.
“The most egregious violation of sovereignty and territorial integrity within the OSCE area remains Russia’s continued aggression in eastern Ukraine and occupation of Crimea,” Biegun told the meeting in Albania’s capital, Tirana, which is being held via video link due to the restrictions imposed by the coronavirus pandemic.
Moscow occupied and seized the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in March 2014, a move that led the European Union, the United States, and other countries to impose sanctions on Russia. Russia is also backing separatists in eastern Ukraine in a conflict that has killed more than 13,200 people since April 2014.
Biegun said it is “unacceptable” that the OSCE mission monitoring the conflict faces “daily harassment and restrictions, largely in Russia-controlled areas,” according to a transcript by the U.S. mission to the pan-European organization.
The deputy secretary of state reiterated Washington’s call on Moscow to implement its commitments to the Minsk peace agreements aimed at putting an end to the conflict and insisted that Washington “will never recognize Russia’s purported annexation” of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula, where he said “Crimean Tatars, ethnic Ukrainians, and others opposed to the occupation face cruel repression.”
“Russia’s actions in Ukraine and elsewhere -- its flagrant disregard for international law and for the OSCE’s foundational principles -- have caused a broad deterioration of the European security environment,” said Biegun, who noted that the Kremlin is keeping Russian forces in Moldova’s Moscow-backed separatist region of Transdniester and in Georgia’s breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia “without host-nation consent.”
Moscow recognized South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent nations after Russia and Georgia fought a brief war in August 2008. Only a handful of other countries have followed the Kremlin's lead.
In his address to the Tirana meeting, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said “the unwillingness of Western countries to abandon confrontational...approaches and an arrogant attitude toward the legitimate interests of other states” have been preventing the OSCE from functioning as a unified body.
The OSCE's member states "must show the political will for compromise and equal and mutually respectful cooperation," Lavrov said, without blaming any specific country.
Biegun also accused Russia of using “disinformation and other hybrid methods” to “undermine the democratic processes of other states,” while violating the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the Russian people.
He cited “recent efforts to clamp down on freedom of expression and freedom of the press by significantly expanding the scope of so-called ‘foreign agent’ rules, rendering individual journalists vulnerable to designation and increasing government censorship tools.”
Belarus Protests
On Belarus, Biegun urged the authorities to “cease their crackdown” on the largely peaceful protests that erupted across Belarus following the August 9 presidential election, noting that “more than 100 political prisoners are detained in the country for exercising their human rights and fundamental freedoms.”
“The authorities must release political prisoners, journalists, and all those unjustly detained. They must engage in meaningful dialogue with the [opposition] Coordination Council and Belarusian civil society,” he added.
The opposition says the vote that extended Lukashenka’s rule was rigged and the West refuses to accept the outcome, slapping sanctions on the strongman and other top officials.
Elsewhere in the region, he urged Armenia and Azerbaijan to resume work with the United States, Russia, and France -- the cochairs of the Minsk Group mediating in the conflict over the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh -- to reach a “lasting, peaceful end” to the conflict.
Last month, a Russia-mediated cease-fire ended six weeks of fighting between Azerbaijani forces and ethnic Armenians in and around Nagorno-Karabakh -- the worst clashes over the region since the early 1990s.
“This dispute will not be resolved on the battlefield. We welcome the cessation of hostilities, but this is only the first step,” Biegun said.
Originally established during the Cold War to foster dialogue between the Soviet Union and the West, the 57-nation OSCE is known for its election-monitoring work, reports on human rights and press freedom, and engaging in diplomacy to resolve conflicts, including in Ukraine, Belarus, and Nagorno-Karabakh.
Leadership Impasse
During its two-day meeting in Tirana, the Vienna-based organization is expected to resolve a months-long impasse over the conflict-resolution body’s leadership team.
Since July, the OSCE's top four positions have been empty because member states failed to renew the three-year terms of diplomats in those posts, in what is normally a formality.
The OSCE strives to reach decisions by consensus, leaving it susceptible to gridlock between its European, Central Asian, and North American member states.
Russia and several former Soviet states have complained that top leadership positions have traditionally been held by Westerners, who they say have focused too much on human rights issues.
Under a compromise, OSCE members are expected to approve Helga Schmid as the new secretary-general.
A German, Schmid currently serves as secretary-general of the EU's diplomatic service. She is best known for playing a key role in negotiating the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers.
The other three top posts will be filled by an Italian, Portuguese, and Kazakh.
Matteo Mecacci, a former Italian parliament member, has been nominated to head the OSCE's democracy, human rights, and election-monitoring office.
Former Kazakh Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov has been tapped as OSCE high commissioner for minorities.
Maria Teresa Ribeiro, a secretary of state in the Portuguese Foreign Ministry, is the nominee for the OSCE media-freedom representative.
U.S. Ambassador to the OSCE James Gilmore said on December 1 that he expects member states to agree on filling the top four positions with these candidates.
However, an unrelated dispute between Hungary and Ukraine over national minority issues has emerged in recent days that as a potential to create problems, he said.
With reporting by AFP, dpa, Die Presse, and Reuters.


rferl--2020-12-03--Russia's Next Economic 'Shock' Likely To Come From Impoverished Regions, Experts Say

WASHINGTON -- The Russian economy 's next shock is more likely to come from its struggling regions than from external factors such as Western sanctions or low oil prices , according to a panel of experts .
Russia has maintained a lean budget and built up its foreign currency reserves over the years to insulate itself from commodity price swings and additional Western financial pressure .
However , in the process , it failed to invest enough in its regions , whose health-care systems are now overwhelmed by the coronavirus pandemic , adding to citizens ' frustration with the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time [ external factors ] might actually not cause it .
Where they might get the shock actually is the internal shock from the regions , from people who saw that they are being ignored , from the [ low ] health-care spending , from the lockdowns , '' Elina Ribakova , deputy chief economist at the Institute of International Finance , told a conference at the Atlantic Council think tank in Washington on December 2 .
Even during the pandemic , the Kremlin refrained from aggressively tapping its massive foreign-currency reserves to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amid concern over potential future `` external pressure , '' she said .
Russia 's foreign-currency and gold reserves now stand at more than $ 580 billion , the fourth-largest in the world .
Vladimir Milov , an opposition politician and former Russian deputy energy minister , said the safety net of individuals , as well as small and medium-sized businesses , had `` dried up '' due to the low level of government financial support during the pandemic .
Sergei Guriyev , an economist and Kremlin critic , told the panel the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to `` preserve the economy , preserve the sovereign wealth fund . ''
Russia 's sovereign wealth fund , often referred to as its rainy day fund , holds almost $ 170 billion , or about one-third of the nation 's total international reserves .
Russians ignored the pandemic lockdowns and continued to go to work because the government 's financial bailout measures were `` stingy , '' Guriyev said .
As a result , Russia 's economy will decline only about 4 percent this year , better than many developed nations , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come at the costs of lives , he added .
The government `` convinced Russians that they are not dying because official data shows that they 're not .
This is pretty scary , but this is how I would explain the fact that the Russian economy is not doing that badly , '' compared to developed countries .
Russia has registered more than 2.3 million cases of COVID-19 , the fourth-highest in the world , and more than 40,000 deaths .
Critics say the government has significantly underreported the death toll from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or other illnesses as the underlying cause .
The Russian economy will struggle to grow in the coming years because the vertical political structure makes the necessary reforms required to drive investment `` almost impossible , '' Ribakova said .
Also , a dependency on commodity exports , which account for the lion 's share of export revenues , has generated a `` sense of complacency , '' she said .
Milov also gave a pessimistic outlook , saying the consumer-credit boom that had driven the economy in recent years is drying up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wages , reducing the borrowing power of citizens , he said .
Sergei Aleksashenko , the former deputy chairman of Russia 's central bank and a Kremlin critic , dismissed concerns that U.S. President-elect Joe Biden would hit Moscow with new sanctions .
Biden served as vice president when the United States imposed punishing sanctions on Russia for its annexation of Crimea and support for separatists in eastern Ukraine .
Biden earlier this year called Russia `` an opponent '' and said he would take a tougher stand toward the Kremlin .
Aleksashenko @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was vice president , with China now becoming Washington 's main rival .
The Biden administration will not want to take on two powers at the same time , he said .
Additionally , the Biden administration will want to reach arms-control deals with Russia and new sanctions would only undermine talks , he told the panel .
Unless President Vladimir Putin undertakes foreign aggression , such as against Ukraine or Belarus , the United States is unlikely to impose fresh sanctions , he said .

WASHINGTON -- The Russian economy's next shock is more likely to come from its struggling regions than from external factors such as Western sanctions or low oil prices, according to a panel of experts.
Russia has maintained a lean budget and built up its foreign currency reserves over the years to insulate itself from commodity price swings and additional Western financial pressure.
However, in the process, it failed to invest enough in its regions, whose health-care systems are now overwhelmed by the coronavirus pandemic, adding to citizens' frustration with the government.
"It is ironic that over time [external factors] might actually not cause it. Where they might get the shock actually is the internal shock from the regions, from people who saw that they are being ignored, from the [low] health-care spending, from the lockdowns," Elina Ribakova, deputy chief economist at the Institute of International Finance, told a conference at the Atlantic Council think tank in Washington on December 2.
Even during the pandemic, the Kremlin refrained from aggressively tapping its massive foreign-currency reserves to support regions, companies, and individuals amid concern over potential future "external pressure," she said.
Russia's foreign-currency and gold reserves now stand at more than $580 billion, the fourth-largest in the world.
Vladimir Milov, an opposition politician and former Russian deputy energy minister, said the safety net of individuals, as well as small and medium-sized businesses, had "dried up" due to the low level of government financial support during the pandemic.
Sergei Guriyev, an economist and Kremlin critic, told the panel the Russian government did not enforce lockdown measures to "preserve the economy, preserve the sovereign wealth fund."
Russia's sovereign wealth fund, often referred to as its rainy day fund, holds almost $170 billion, or about one-third of the nation's total international reserves.
Russians ignored the pandemic lockdowns and continued to go to work because the government's financial bailout measures were "stingy," Guriyev said.
As a result, Russia's economy will decline only about 4 percent this year, better than many developed nations, he said. However, it has come at the costs of lives, he added.
The government "convinced Russians that they are not dying because official data shows that they're not. This is pretty scary, but this is how I would explain the fact that the Russian economy is not doing that badly," compared to developed countries.
Russia has registered more than 2.3 million cases of COVID-19, the fourth-highest in the world, and more than 40,000 deaths.
Critics say the government has significantly underreported the death toll from the novel disease, instead citing pneumonia or other illnesses as the underlying cause.
The Russian economy will struggle to grow in the coming years because the vertical political structure makes the necessary reforms required to drive investment "almost impossible," Ribakova said.
Also, a dependency on commodity exports, which account for the lion's share of export revenues, has generated a "sense of complacency," she said.
Milov also gave a pessimistic outlook, saying the consumer-credit boom that had driven the economy in recent years is drying up. Furthermore, the coronavirus has hurt wages, reducing the borrowing power of citizens, he said.
Sergei Aleksashenko, the former deputy chairman of Russia's central bank and a Kremlin critic, dismissed concerns that U.S. President-elect Joe Biden would hit Moscow with new sanctions.
Biden served as vice president when the United States imposed punishing sanctions on Russia for its annexation of Crimea and support for separatists in eastern Ukraine.
Biden earlier this year called Russia "an opponent" and said he would take a tougher stand toward the Kremlin.
Aleksashenko said the world has changed since Biden was vice president, with China now becoming Washington's main rival.
The Biden administration will not want to take on two powers at the same time, he said.
Additionally, the Biden administration will want to reach arms-control deals with Russia and new sanctions would only undermine talks, he told the panel.
Unless President Vladimir Putin undertakes foreign aggression, such as against Ukraine or Belarus, the United States is unlikely to impose fresh sanctions, he said.


rferl--2020-12-02--EU Envoys Agree To 'Magnitsky' Sanctions Regime To Target Rights Violators

European Union ambassadors on December 2 gave their green light to establish a sanctions regime that would target human rights violators worldwide .
The EU ’ s 27 foreign ministers are set to rubber-stamp the decision when they meet on December 7 , and the new mechanism is expected to officially enter into force on Human Rights Day on December 10 .
Several EU officials familiar with the matter said no individuals or entities will be sanctioned immediately , but names could be put on the blacklist as early as the beginning of 2021 .
The sanctions , which will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and can be applied to both governments and individuals , are similar to measures of the Magnitsky Act passed by the United States in 2012 .
The sanctions will consist of asset freezes and visa bans and can be applied to both state and non-state actors .
According to a working document seen by RFE/RL , the sanctions will target individuals and entities deemed responsible for acts of genocide , crimes against humanity , torture , inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment , slavery , extrajudicial , summary , or arbitrary executions and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and arbitrary arrests or detentions .
It can also be imposed on those involved in human trafficking , sexual and gender-based violence , violations or abuses of freedom of peaceful assembly , association , opinion , and religion -- if the abuses are considered “ widespread and systematic.
” The new system will not replace existing sanctions programs , some of which already address human rights violations and abuses in Syria , Belarus , and Venezuela .
Instead , they are aimed at giving the European Union a way to coordinate any punitive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initial Magnitsky Act targeted Russian officials deemed complicit in the death of Sergei Magnitsky , a Russian whistle-blower who helped uncover the theft of nearly $ 230 million from Russia 's government through fraudulent tax refunds .
He was later arrested and died in a Moscow prison in 2009 after suffering from what his supporters say amounted to torture .
After his death , he and his employer , British-American financier William Browder , were charged with the tax fraud Magnitsky helped uncover .
The U.S. law , which has infuriated the Kremlin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ named measure that included individuals from other nations .

European Union ambassadors on December 2 gave their green light to establish a sanctions regime that would target human rights violators worldwide.
The EU’s 27 foreign ministers are set to rubber-stamp the decision when they meet on December 7, and the new mechanism is expected to officially enter into force on Human Rights Day on December 10.
Several EU officials familiar with the matter said no individuals or entities will be sanctioned immediately, but names could be put on the blacklist as early as the beginning of 2021.
The sanctions, which will consist of asset freezes and visa bans and can be applied to both governments and individuals, are similar to measures of the Magnitsky Act passed by the United States in 2012.
The sanctions will consist of asset freezes and visa bans and can be applied to both state and non-state actors.
According to a working document seen by RFE/RL, the sanctions will target individuals and entities deemed responsible for acts of genocide, crimes against humanity, torture, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, slavery, extrajudicial, summary, or arbitrary executions and killings, enforced disappearance of persons, and arbitrary arrests or detentions.
It can also be imposed on those involved in human trafficking, sexual and gender-based violence, violations or abuses of freedom of peaceful assembly, association, opinion, and religion -- if the abuses are considered “widespread and systematic.”
The new system will not replace existing sanctions programs, some of which already address human rights violations and abuses in Syria, Belarus, and Venezuela. Instead, they are aimed at giving the European Union a way to coordinate any punitive measures on rights with Washington.
The initial Magnitsky Act targeted Russian officials deemed complicit in the death of Sergei Magnitsky, a Russian whistle-blower who helped uncover the theft of nearly $230 million from Russia's government through fraudulent tax refunds. He was later arrested and died in a Moscow prison in 2009 after suffering from what his supporters say amounted to torture.
After his death, he and his employer, British-American financier William Browder, were charged with the tax fraud Magnitsky helped uncover.
The U.S. law, which has infuriated the Kremlin, was later expanded into a similarly named measure that included individuals from other nations.


rferl--2020-12-04--U.S. Withdraws Some Staff From U.S. Embassy In Iraq Amid Tensions With Iran

The United States is partially withdrawing some staff from its embassy in Baghdad as tensions with Iran and Iraqi militia groups spike .
U.S .
Ambassador Mathew Tueller confirmed on December 3 a “ temporary reduction ” in staff at the mission following recent media reports of the change .
In a video posted on the U.S. Embassy 's Facebook page , Tueller said he and a core team of diplomats and military advisors would continue to carry out duties for the “ foreseeable future.
” It was unclear how many of the several hundred diplomats at the largest U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drawdown comes as President Donald Trump ramps up pressure on Iran ahead of a transition to President-elect Joe Biden , who has said he will try to revive diplomacy with Iran upon entering the White House in January .
Biden is expected to try to rejoin the Iran nuclear accord that Trump quit in 2018 and work with allies to strengthen its terms , if Tehran first resumes compliance .
Tension have spiked across the region following last week ’ s assassination of nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh near Tehran .
Iran has blamed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States , raising the possibility that Iran or one of its regional proxies will retaliate .
U.S. officials have also voice concern that Iran or allied Iraqi militia may carry out retaliatory action on the first anniversary of a U.S. drone strike that killed Iran 's top general , Qasem Soleimani , and senior Iraqi militia leaders near Baghdad 's airport on January 3 .
The partial withdrawal from the embassy is taking place against the backdrop of the Trump administration last month ordering a reduction of U.S. troops in Iraq from 3,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Trump administration warned Iraq that it will close its embassy in Baghdad in response to repeated rocket and other attacks by Iranian-backed militias on American and allied interests in the country .
With reporting by AP and AFP .

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


rferl--2020-12-04--Russia Arrests Hypersonic Aircraft Scientist For High Treason

A Russian court has ordered the arrest of a physicist specializing in hypersonic aircraft on suspicion of high treason .
@ @ @ @ @ international conferences and projects involving hydrogen-powered hypersonic aircraft , Interfax news agency reported on December @ @ @ @ @ .
`` According to the investigation , Gubanov handed over secret aviation development data abroad @ @ @ @ @ reported , citing another source .
The closed-door court ordered Gubanov to be held in @ @ @ @ @ scientist is said to be a lecturer at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology @ @ @ @ @ and missiles as providing a strategically important military advantage .
In October , the Russian @ @ @ @ @ test-launched a Tsirkon hypersonic cruise missile that flew more than eight times the speed of @ @ @ @ @ Vladimir Putin hailed as a “ big event ” for the country .
With reporting @ @ @ @ @ , dpa , TASS , and Interfax .

A Russian court has ordered the arrest of a physicist specializing in hypersonic aircraft on suspicion of high treason.
Anatoly Gubanov took part in international conferences and projects involving hydrogen-powered hypersonic aircraft, the Interfax news agency reported on December 3, citing unnamed sources.
"According to the investigation, Gubanov handed over secret aviation development data abroad," the TASS news agency reported, citing another source.
The closed-door court ordered Gubanov to be held in detention until February.
The scientist is said to be a lecturer at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology.
Russia views hypersonic aircraft and missiles as providing a strategically important military advantage.
In October, the Russian military said it had successfully test-launched a Tsirkon hypersonic cruise missile that flew more than eight times the speed of sound, in what President Vladimir Putin hailed as a “big event” for the country.
With reporting by RFE/RL's Russian Service, dpa, TASS, and Interfax


rferl--2020-12-03--Israel Urges Citizens To Avoid Georgia, Azerbaijan, Citing Iran Threat

Israel 's government is warning that Israeli targets abroad could come under attack by Iran , citing threats issued by Tehran following the killing of a prominent Iranian nuclear scientist last week .
`` In light of threats recently coming from Iranian officials and in light of the involvement in the past of Iranian agents in terror attacks in various countries , there is a concern that Iran will try to act in such a way against Israeli targets , ” according to a December 3 statement issued by the prime minister ’ s National Security Council .
It advised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Georgia , Azerbaijan , Turkey , the United Arab Emirates ( U.A.E . )
, and Bahrain , as well as the Kurdish area of Iraq and Africa .
Mohsen Fakhrizadeh , who was at the heart of the country 's past covert nuclear program , was killed on the outskirts of Tehran on November 27 .
No one has claimed responsibility , but Iranian officials have blamed the killing on Israel , an exile opposition group , and Saudi Arabia .
A top adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and decisive ” response .
Israeli officials have declined to comment on the killing , while the Iranian opposition group and Saudi Arabia have denied any involvement .
Elliott Abrams , the top U.S. envoy on Iran , said on December 3 that Iran is unlikely to retaliate over the assassination before the inauguration of Joe Biden as U.S. president on January 20 , 2021 , in case it jeopardizes any future sanctions relief from the United States .
`` If they want sanctions relief , they know that they 're going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after January 20 , and it 's got to be in their minds that they do n't want to ... undertake any activities between now and January 20 that make sanctions relief harder to get , '' Abrams told Reuters .
Iran and its proxies have targeted Israeli tourists and Jewish communities in the past .
Israel in recent months has signed U.S.-brokered agreements establishing diplomatic relations with the U.A.E .
and Bahrain .
With reporting by AP and Reuters

Israel's government is warning that Israeli targets abroad could come under attack by Iran, citing threats issued by Tehran following the killing of a prominent Iranian nuclear scientist last week.
"In light of threats recently coming from Iranian officials and in light of the involvement in the past of Iranian agents in terror attacks in various countries, there is a concern that Iran will try to act in such a way against Israeli targets,” according to a December 3 statement issued by the prime minister’s National Security Council.
It advised against travel to nearby countries such as Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.), and Bahrain, as well as the Kurdish area of Iraq and Africa.
Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, who was at the heart of the country's past covert nuclear program, was killed on the outskirts of Tehran on November 27.
No one has claimed responsibility, but Iranian officials have blamed the killing on Israel, an exile opposition group, and Saudi Arabia.
A top adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said that Iran will give a “calculated and decisive” response.
Israeli officials have declined to comment on the killing, while the Iranian opposition group and Saudi Arabia have denied any involvement.
Elliott Abrams, the top U.S. envoy on Iran, said on December 3 that Iran is unlikely to retaliate over the assassination before the inauguration of Joe Biden as U.S. president on January 20, 2021, in case it jeopardizes any future sanctions relief from the United States.
"If they want sanctions relief, they know that they're going to need to enter some kind of negotiation after January 20, and it's got to be in their minds that they don't want to...undertake any activities between now and January 20 that make sanctions relief harder to get," Abrams told Reuters.
Iran and its proxies have targeted Israeli tourists and Jewish communities in the past.
Israel in recent months has signed U.S.-brokered agreements establishing diplomatic relations with the U.A.E. and Bahrain.
With reporting by AP and Reuters


rferl--2020-12-03--Report: Son-In-Law Of Ex-Kazakh President Profited From Secret Pipeline

The son-in-law of former Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev raked in tens of millions of dollars as part of a secret project linked to the construction of a natural-gas pipeline from Central Asia to China , the Financial Times reported .
The December 3 report , based on leaked e-mails and other documents , said Timur Kulibaev arranged the contracts via a Moscow-based company called ETK .
Under the scheme , ETK bought cheaply produced steel from China , and then imported it to industrial facilities in Ukraine and Russia , where pipes were made for the pipeline going from Central @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Financial Times said that the major part of the sum made by the scheme , some $ 53 million , went to a company controlled by Kulibaev .
Kulibaev 's lawyers told the Financial Times that he “ has never had any interest or stake in any ETK entity , directly , indirectly or via any kind of nominee arrangement or similar scheme . ''
Married to Nazarbaev 's middle daughter Dinara , Kulibaev has accumulated a vast fortune in Kazakhstan , Russia , and elsewhere .
He 's long been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from his family connections , something he has repeatedly denied .
The paper reported that the scheme echoed corruption allegations that were publicized last year by Kulibaev 's nephew Aisultan , who is the son of Nazarbaev 's eldest daughter , Darigha .
Aisultan Nazarbaev was found dead in London in August .
An autopsy by British authorities said he died of cardiac arrest .
Over his career , Kulibaev has held top executive positions in several major Kazakh oil and gas companies since the late-1990s .
Since 2011 , he has also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's state-controlled natural-gas giant , Gazprom .
With reporting by the Financial Times

The son-in-law of former Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev raked in tens of millions of dollars as part of a secret project linked to the construction of a natural-gas pipeline from Central Asia to China, the Financial Times reported.
The December 3 report, based on leaked e-mails and other documents, said Timur Kulibaev arranged the contracts via a Moscow-based company called ETK.
Under the scheme, ETK bought cheaply produced steel from China, and then imported it to industrial facilities in Ukraine and Russia, where pipes were made for the pipeline going from Central Asia to China.
The documents obtained by the Financial Times said that the major part of the sum made by the scheme, some $53 million, went to a company controlled by Kulibaev.
Kulibaev's lawyers told the Financial Times that he “has never had any interest or stake in any ETK entity, directly, indirectly or via any kind of nominee arrangement or similar scheme."
Married to Nazarbaev's middle daughter Dinara, Kulibaev has accumulated a vast fortune in Kazakhstan, Russia, and elsewhere. He's long been dogged by accusations that his wealth derives from his family connections, something he has repeatedly denied.
The paper reported that the scheme echoed corruption allegations that were publicized last year by Kulibaev's nephew Aisultan, who is the son of Nazarbaev's eldest daughter, Darigha.
Aisultan Nazarbaev was found dead in London in August. An autopsy by British authorities said he died of cardiac arrest.
Over his career, Kulibaev has held top executive positions in several major Kazakh oil and gas companies since the late-1990s. Since 2011, he has also served as a board member for Russia's state-controlled natural-gas giant, Gazprom.
With reporting by the Financial Times


rferl--2020-12-03--Armenian Opposition Names Joint Candidate In Bid To Pressure PM

YEREVAN -- Armenian opposition groups angry over Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian 's handling of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict have united by naming a single candidate they want to head a transitional government until new elections can be held .
The move , announced by 17 opposition parties on December 3 , was a sharp increase in pressure on Pashinian , who has been criticized by many Armenians for agreeing to a cease-fire that ended six weeks of fighting with Azerbaijani forces over the breakaway mountainous territory .
He 's been criticized by many Armenians for agreeing to a cease-fire that ended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disputed mountainous territory .
The fighting ended about a month ago with the Russian-brokered deal that resulted in Azerbaijan retaking control over much of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding territories .
Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets of Yerevan in recent weeks demanding Pashinian step down , but the prime minister has not given any indication of resigning .
The opposition groups nominated Vazgen Manukian , a former prime minister and ex-defense minister , to head a “ transitional , anti-crisis government ” until early parliamentary elections could be held .
In their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they had set up a “ pan-Armenian , nonpartisan ” movement that would include “ representatives of political parties , the intelligentsia , and the general public.
” The aim , they said , includes “ getting rid of the catastrophic regime of Armenia in a constitutional way , creating a transitional , anti-crisis government , which will prevent the loss of Armenian statehood , [ and ] carry out postwar recovery . ''
Later in the day , hundreds of people blocked streets in the capital , Yerevan , shouting slogans such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Several demonstrators were detained by police .

YEREVAN -- Armenian opposition groups angry over Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian's handling of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict have united by naming a single candidate they want to head a transitional government until new elections can be held.
The move, announced by 17 opposition parties on December 3, was a sharp increase in pressure on Pashinian, who has been criticized by many Armenians for agreeing to a cease-fire that ended six weeks of fighting with Azerbaijani forces over the breakaway mountainous territory.
He's been criticized by many Armenians for agreeing to a cease-fire that ended the fighting with Azerbaijani forces over the disputed mountainous territory.
The fighting ended about a month ago with the Russian-brokered deal that resulted in Azerbaijan retaking control over much of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding territories.
Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets of Yerevan in recent weeks demanding Pashinian step down, but the prime minister has not given any indication of resigning.
The opposition groups nominated Vazgen Manukian, a former prime minister and ex-defense minister, to head a “transitional, anti-crisis government” until early parliamentary elections could be held.
In their statement, the 17 opposition parties announced they had set up a “pan-Armenian, nonpartisan” movement that would include “representatives of political parties, the intelligentsia, and the general public.”
The aim, they said, includes “getting rid of the catastrophic regime of Armenia in a constitutional way, creating a transitional, anti-crisis government, which will prevent the loss of Armenian statehood, [and] carry out postwar recovery."
Later in the day, hundreds of people blocked streets in the capital, Yerevan, shouting slogans such as "Nikol, leave!"
Several demonstrators were detained by police.


rferl--2020-12-03--Final Election Results Announced In Georgia As Opposition Cries Foul

TBILISI -- The ruling Georgian Dream party will hold a large majority in the incoming parliament -- 90 seats out of 150 -- according to the final results of a general vote that the opposition claims was rigged .
The runoff vote on November 21 was boycotted by the opposition , which demanded a repeat of the first round on October 31 and has staged regular protests against results they describe as illegitimate and unfair .
Central Election Commission Chairwoman Tamar Zhvania announced the final results on December 3 , saying Georgian Dream , founded by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The United National Movement bloc had 27.18 percent ( 36 deputies ) and European Georgia was third with 3.79 percent ( 5 deputies ) .
Six other smaller parties crossed the 1 percent threshold to enter parliament .
Three members of the opposition left the election commission session ahead of the announcement in protest against the results .
The first session of the parliament is to be convened within 10 days of the announcement .
The election was the first under a reformed system backed by the United States and EU that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Of 150 seats in parliament , 120 seats are determined based on party lists and 30 seats through single-mandate districts .
Thirteen single-mandate constituencies were determined in the first round .
The runoff vote was for 17 seats in single-mandate districts where no candidate garnered more than 50 percent of ballots in the first round .

TBILISI -- The ruling Georgian Dream party will hold a large majority in the incoming parliament -- 90 seats out of 150 -- according to the final results of a general vote that the opposition claims was rigged.
The runoff vote on November 21 was boycotted by the opposition, which demanded a repeat of the first round on October 31 and has staged regular protests against results they describe as illegitimate and unfair.
Central Election Commission Chairwoman Tamar Zhvania announced the final results on December 3, saying Georgian Dream, founded by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, had captured 48.22 percent of the vote.
The United National Movement bloc had 27.18 percent (36 deputies) and European Georgia was third with 3.79 percent (5 deputies).
Six other smaller parties crossed the 1 percent threshold to enter parliament.
Three members of the opposition left the election commission session ahead of the announcement in protest against the results.
The first session of the parliament is to be convened within 10 days of the announcement.
The election was the first under a reformed system backed by the United States and EU that gives more weight to proportional representation. Of 150 seats in parliament, 120 seats are determined based on party lists and 30 seats through single-mandate districts.
Thirteen single-mandate constituencies were determined in the first round.
The runoff vote was for 17 seats in single-mandate districts where no candidate garnered more than 50 percent of ballots in the first round.


rferl--2020-12-03--Moldova's Parliament Strips President-Elect Of Control Over Intelligence Service Amid Protests

Moldova 's Socialist-controlled parliament has approved legislation stripping President-elect Maia Sandu of control over the country ’ s intelligence service and moving it back under lawmakers ' jurisdiction just weeks before she takes office .
The bill was approved on December 3 despite thousands of Sandu supporters protesting in central Chisinau .
Sandu , a former World Bank economist who favors closer ties with the European Union , defeated the Russia-backed incumbent Igor Dodon in last month 's presidential election , but parliament is still dominated by the pro-Moscow Socialists aligned with Dodon .
The Socialists have argued that since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the intelligence service should be handed to parliament .
In June last year , the Socialists voted to transfer the control of the Information and Security Service ( SIS ) from parliament to Dodon -- their former party leader .
Moldova , which declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 , has been rocked by corruption scandals , including the disappearance of $ 1 billion from the banking system several years ago .
A frozen conflict with its Moscow-backed separatist Transdniester region has also added to the continued instability in Europe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shouted `` down with the mafia '' and `` down with Dodon , '' while inside parliament , proceedings were suspended after lawmakers from Sandu 's Action and Solidarity Party , supported by others , blocked the central rostrum .
However , the lawmakers approved the bill in two readings at once , the press service of Moldova ’ s parliament reported .
`` The draft bill has been approved by 51 votes [ out of 101 ] in the first and second , final reading , '' announced Vlad Batrincea , deputy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the move to strip her office of control of the SIS as `` an attempt to usurp power '' and undermine her presidency .
`` People gave us their vote to punish the thieves , to return the stolen money to people , '' she told the protest rally .
`` But the robbers now got scared , they want to protect the old corruption rackets , they want to throw the voice of the people into a landfill . ''
The Socialists have also drafted legislation that would give special status to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spoken alongside Romanian in the country sandwiched between Ukraine and EU member state Romania .
Sandu 's call for the withdrawal of Russian troops from the Moscow-backed separatist region of Transdniester prompted the Kremlin to warn it could lead to `` serious destabilization '' this week .
With reporting by Reuters and unimedia.md

Moldova's Socialist-controlled parliament has approved legislation stripping President-elect Maia Sandu of control over the country’s intelligence service and moving it back under lawmakers' jurisdiction just weeks before she takes office.
The bill was approved on December 3 despite thousands of Sandu supporters protesting in central Chisinau.
Sandu, a former World Bank economist who favors closer ties with the European Union, defeated the Russia-backed incumbent Igor Dodon in last month's presidential election, but parliament is still dominated by the pro-Moscow Socialists aligned with Dodon.
The Socialists have argued that since Moldova was a parliamentary republic, control over the intelligence service should be handed to parliament.
In June last year, the Socialists voted to transfer the control of the Information and Security Service (SIS) from parliament to Dodon -- their former party leader.
Moldova, which declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, has been rocked by corruption scandals, including the disappearance of $1 billion from the banking system several years ago. A frozen conflict with its Moscow-backed separatist Transdniester region has also added to the continued instability in Europe's poorest country.
Sandu's supporters shouted "down with the mafia" and "down with Dodon," while inside parliament, proceedings were suspended after lawmakers from Sandu's Action and Solidarity Party, supported by others, blocked the central rostrum.
However, the lawmakers approved the bill in two readings at once, the press service of Moldova’s parliament reported.
"The draft bill has been approved by 51 votes [out of 101] in the first and second, final reading," announced Vlad Batrincea, deputy speaker of parliament.
Sandu has described the move to strip her office of control of the SIS as "an attempt to usurp power" and undermine her presidency.
"People gave us their vote to punish the thieves, to return the stolen money to people," she told the protest rally.
"But the robbers now got scared, they want to protect the old corruption rackets, they want to throw the voice of the people into a landfill."
The Socialists have also drafted legislation that would give special status to the Russian language, which is widely spoken alongside Romanian in the country sandwiched between Ukraine and EU member state Romania.
Sandu's call for the withdrawal of Russian troops from the Moscow-backed separatist region of Transdniester prompted the Kremlin to warn it could lead to "serious destabilization" this week.
With reporting by Reuters and unimedia.md


rferl--2020-12-03--Tajik Authorities Say They Aren't Looking For Opposition Leader, Dispute Search Request Claims

DUSHANBE -- Tajik authorities say they have yet to launch an official search for opposition leader Mahmurod Odinaev , disputing a claim by relatives that a request to do so has been filed .
Interior Ministry spokesman Nusratullo Mahmudzoda said on December 2 that Odinaev , deputy chairman of the opposition Social Democratic Party , has not been officially placed on the missing persons list because police did not receive a request from his relatives .
Relatives of Odinaev , who has n't been seen since November 20 , told RFE/RL that he went missing days after he placed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Emomali to allow him and his party 's activists to stage a protest over food price hikes .
According to the relatives , they officially turned to police several times , asking law enforcement officers to find the missing politician .
Odinaev 's relatives also said police questioned them regarding the opposition figure 's mysterious disappearance .
Last week , the Interior Ministry said Odinaev ’ s son , Shaihmuslihiddin Rizoev , was charged with hooliganism over his alleged involvement in a brawl .
Earlier in October , Odinaev said that unknown attackers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the assault was a part of a pressure campaign being imposed on him for his political activities .
The Social Democratic Party is the only opposition party functioning in Tajikistan currently .
Tajik President Emomali Rahmon , who has tightly ruled the former Soviet republic since 1992 , has been criticized for what international human rights groups say is an increasing disregard for political pluralism , civil society , and religious freedoms .

DUSHANBE -- Tajik authorities say they have yet to launch an official search for opposition leader Mahmurod Odinaev, disputing a claim by relatives that a request to do so has been filed.
Interior Ministry spokesman Nusratullo Mahmudzoda said on December 2 that Odinaev, deputy chairman of the opposition Social Democratic Party, has not been officially placed on the missing persons list because police did not receive a request from his relatives.
Relatives of Odinaev, who hasn't been seen since November 20, told RFE/RL that he went missing days after he placed a post on Facebook asking Dushanbe Mayor Rustam Emomali to allow him and his party's activists to stage a protest over food price hikes.
According to the relatives, they officially turned to police several times, asking law enforcement officers to find the missing politician. Odinaev's relatives also said police questioned them regarding the opposition figure's mysterious disappearance.
Last week, the Interior Ministry said Odinaev’s son, Shaihmuslihiddin Rizoev, was charged with hooliganism over his alleged involvement in a brawl.
Earlier in October, Odinaev said that unknown attackers had severely beaten his son, adding that the assault was a part of a pressure campaign being imposed on him for his political activities.
The Social Democratic Party is the only opposition party functioning in Tajikistan currently.
Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, who has tightly ruled the former Soviet republic since 1992, has been criticized for what international human rights groups say is an increasing disregard for political pluralism, civil society, and religious freedoms.


rferl--2020-12-03--Iran Says Could Reverse Nuclear Law If Sanctions Scrapped

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says a law passed by parliament to expand and accelerate the country 's nuclear program will not be implemented if international sanctions on Tehran are dropped .
`` We will implement it because it [ will be ] the law of the land ... [ but ] it is not irreversible , '' he told an Italian diplomatic conference via video link on December 3 .
Zarif reiterated arguments that Iran is within its rights to reduce compliance with a landmark 2015 agreement with world powers after U.S. President Donald Trump unilaterally pulled out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
However , President-elect Joe Biden has said he will rejoin it if Tehran first resumes strict compliance .
He has also said he would work with allies `` to strengthen and extend it . ''
Under the deal , known officially as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ( JCPOA ) , Iran pledged to curb its nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief .
But Iranian lawmakers on December 1 approved a bill to suspend UN inspections of the country 's nuclear facilities and boost its uranium enrichment if the remaining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from sanctions .
The hard-line-led parliament 's passing of the legislation was also seen as a show of defiance days after the assassination on November 27 of prominent Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh , who was at the heart of the country 's past covert nuclear program , on the outskirts of Tehran .
Zarif said that if the United States honored its original commitments , Tehran would show full compliance with the pact .
`` [ If the United States and Europe ] come back into full compliance with the JCPOA , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ implemented , but in fact our actions , the actions we have taken ... will be rescinded , that is , we will go back into full compliance , '' Zarif said .
In a related development , Iranian President Hassan Rohani on December 3 warned hard-line lawmakers who passed the legislation against interfering with the country 's nuclear policy .
`` Our brothers [ in parliament ] should not make hasty decisions ... .Let those who know about diplomacy deal with these issues with the needed maturity , calm , and attention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Zarif also added that Tehran is prepared for more prisoner exchanges after swapping a jailed British-Australian academic with three Iranians detained abroad last week .
`` We can always engage in that , it is in the interests of everybody , '' Zarif told the diplomatic conference .
`` Iran is ready to reciprocate .
We can do it tomorrow .
We can also do it today , '' he added .
Iran on November 25 released detained British-Australian academic Kylie Moore-Gilbert , who was serving a 10-year prison sentence for spying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abroad .
Moore-Gilbert , a lecturer in Islamic studies at Melbourne University , was sent to Tehran 's Evin prison in September 2018 on widely criticized espionage charges .
International pressure on Iran to secure her release had grown in recent months following reports that her health was deteriorating in solitary confinement and that she had been transferred to Qarchak prison , east of Tehran .
Based on reporting by Reuters , AFP , and AP


rferl--2020-12-03--EU Executive Plan Proposes Sanctions On Spreaders Of Fake News, Such As Russia

BRUSSELS -- European Commission Vice President Vera Jourova says the EU 's executive arm will propose sanctioning entities who spread disinformation -- especially `` foreign actors '' from such countries as Russia and China -- in an effort to `` impose a cost '' on those putting out fake news .
Jourova told RFE/RL in an interview to coincide with the release of the European Democracy Action Plan on December 3 the bloc must crack down on the spread of disinformation , especially for those who repeatedly do so .
`` The producers [ of disinformation ] do not pay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think that it should not go without any price , so that 's why we will be considering how to apply the sanctions and the costs , '' she said .
`` We will deal especially with the foreign influence and foreign actors , '' she added .
Jourova said sanctions will should follow the EU 's cybersanction regime , which was used for the first time this year to freeze assets and introduce visa bans on offenders -- primarily Russian , Chinese , and North Korean citizens and companies -- that have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Task Force , a division of the European External Action Service , which monitors Russian disinformation , has identified 10,000 examples of pro-Kremlin disinformation since it started monitoring in 2015 .
When asked whether Russian media companies such as RT and Sputnik can be targeted in the future , Jourova said she did n't want to specify at the moment , but added that `` it can be governmental or nongovernmental actors , whoever will be identified , using very good evidence , that they are systematic producers or promoters of disinformation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baltic states , have already banned Russian media belonging to the Rossia Segodnya ( Russia Today ) media group since it has been linked to Dmitry Kiselyov .
Kiselyov , a TV commentator known for his anti-Western diatribes , is on the European Union 's sanctions list for his role in promoting Kremlin propaganda in support of Russia 's 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine .
He heads the state Rossia Segodnya media group , which focuses mainly on Russian news and official propaganda abroad .
Jourova said that Europeans were being inundated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , especially during the current coronavirus pandemic , that aims to `` harm the people in Europe . ''
Next week the European Union will also propose new , tougher legislation for online platforms such Facebook , Google and Twitter to take more action on the transparency of ad placements and moves against fake accounts .
Jourova said she believes the companies will comply with stricter regulations that increase `` the responsibility and accountability '' of social-media platforms even though so far they have cooperated with Brussels solely on a voluntary basis .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ anyone , not only big tech , is to adopt the regulation .
This is what we are going to do next week , '' she said .
`` I think that they know what they can expect from us , that once we adopt the legislation through our very difficult legislative process , which is now ahead of us , we will insist on compliance , '' she added .
The European Democracy Action Plan says that the 27-member bloc `` needs to use more systematically the full range of tools in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ influence operations and further develop them , including by imposing costs on the perpetrators . ''
It is the first time that the European Commission has suggested in an official document the imposition of sanctions for the spread of disinformation .
The document adds that the plan comes at a time when `` pressure is mounting on democracy , the rule of law , and human rights globally . ''
Warning that information can be `` weaponized by foreign actors , '' the document goes on to say that `` certain third countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have engaged in targeted influence operations and disinformation campaigns around COVID‑19 in the EU , its neighborhood , and globally , seeking to undermine democratic debate , exacerbate social polarization , and improve their own image . ''

BRUSSELS -- European Commission Vice President Vera Jourova says the EU's executive arm will propose sanctioning entities who spread disinformation -- especially "foreign actors" from such countries as Russia and China -- in an effort to "impose a cost" on those putting out fake news.
Jourova told RFE/RL in an interview to coincide with the release of the European Democracy Action Plan on December 3 the bloc must crack down on the spread of disinformation, especially for those who repeatedly do so.
"The producers [of disinformation] do not pay any price for that. And I think that it should not go without any price, so that's why we will be considering how to apply the sanctions and the costs," she said.
"We will deal especially with the foreign influence and foreign actors," she added.
Jourova said sanctions will should follow the EU's cybersanction regime, which was used for the first time this year to freeze assets and introduce visa bans on offenders -- primarily Russian, Chinese, and North Korean citizens and companies -- that have attacked the bloc.
The East StratCom Task Force, a division of the European External Action Service, which monitors Russian disinformation, has identified 10,000 examples of pro-Kremlin disinformation since it started monitoring in 2015.
When asked whether Russian media companies such as RT and Sputnik can be targeted in the future, Jourova said she didn't want to specify at the moment, but added that "it can be governmental or nongovernmental actors, whoever will be identified, using very good evidence, that they are systematic producers or promoters of disinformation."
Some EU countries, notably the Baltic states, have already banned Russian media belonging to the Rossia Segodnya (Russia Today) media group since it has been linked to Dmitry Kiselyov.
Kiselyov, a TV commentator known for his anti-Western diatribes, is on the European Union's sanctions list for his role in promoting Kremlin propaganda in support of Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.
He heads the state Rossia Segodnya media group, which focuses mainly on Russian news and official propaganda abroad.
Jourova said that Europeans were being inundated with "an avalanche" of misinformation, especially during the current coronavirus pandemic, that aims to "harm the people in Europe."
Next week the European Union will also propose new, tougher legislation for online platforms such Facebook, Google and Twitter to take more action on the transparency of ad placements and moves against fake accounts.
Jourova said she believes the companies will comply with stricter regulations that increase "the responsibility and accountability" of social-media platforms even though so far they have cooperated with Brussels solely on a voluntary basis.
"The only efficient way to force anyone, not only big tech, is to adopt the regulation. This is what we are going to do next week," she said.
"I think that they know what they can expect from us, that once we adopt the legislation through our very difficult legislative process, which is now ahead of us, we will insist on compliance," she added.
The European Democracy Action Plan says that the 27-member bloc "needs to use more systematically the full range of tools in its toolbox for countering foreign interference and influence operations and further develop them, including by imposing costs on the perpetrators."
It is the first time that the European Commission has suggested in an official document the imposition of sanctions for the spread of disinformation.
The document adds that the plan comes at a time when "pressure is mounting on democracy, the rule of law, and human rights globally."
Warning that information can be "weaponized by foreign actors," the document goes on to say that "certain third countries (in particular Russia and China) have engaged in targeted influence operations and disinformation campaigns around COVID‑19 in the EU, its neighborhood, and globally, seeking to undermine democratic debate, exacerbate social polarization, and improve their own image."


rferl--2020-12-03--At OSCE Meeting, Russia Blasted For Undermining Europe's Security

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun has used a meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe ( OSCE ) to slam Russia for violating the sovereignty and territorial integrity of member states , of seeking to undermine the democratic processes in the region , and of committing human rights abuses against its own people .
Addressing the first day of an OSCE ministerial meeting on December 3 , Biegun also singled out Belarus for “ brutally ” violating human rights by cracking down on street protests calling on authoritarian ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka to resign following a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The most egregious violation of sovereignty and territorial integrity within the OSCE area remains Russia ’ s continued aggression in eastern Ukraine and occupation of Crimea , ” Biegun told the meeting in Albania ’ s capital , Tirana , which is being held via video link due to the restrictions imposed by the coronavirus pandemic .
Moscow occupied and seized the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in March 2014 , a move that led the European Union , the United States , and other countries to impose sanctions on Russia .
Russia is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a conflict that has killed more than 13,200 people since April 2014 .
Biegun said it is “ unacceptable ” that the OSCE mission monitoring the conflict faces “ daily harassment and restrictions , largely in Russia-controlled areas , ” according to a transcript by the U.S. mission to the pan-European organization .
The deputy secretary of state reiterated Washington ’ s call on Moscow to implement its commitments to the Minsk peace agreements aimed at putting an end to the conflict and insisted that Washington “ will never recognize Russia ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Crimean Peninsula , where he said “ Crimean Tatars , ethnic Ukrainians , and others opposed to the occupation face cruel repression.
” “ Russia ’ s actions in Ukraine and elsewhere -- its flagrant disregard for international law and for the OSCE ’ s foundational principles -- have caused a broad deterioration of the European security environment , ” said Biegun , who noted that the Kremlin is keeping Russian forces in Moldova ’ s Moscow-backed separatist region of Transdniester and in Georgia ’ s breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent nations after Russia and Georgia fought a brief war in August 2008 .
Only a handful of other countries have followed the Kremlin 's lead .
In his address to the Tirana meeting , Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said “ the unwillingness of Western countries to abandon confrontational ... approaches and an arrogant attitude toward the legitimate interests of other states ” have been preventing the OSCE from functioning as a unified body .
The OSCE 's member states `` must show the political will for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Lavrov said , without blaming any specific country .
Biegun also accused Russia of using “ disinformation and other hybrid methods ” to “ undermine the democratic processes of other states , ” while violating the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the Russian people .
He cited “ recent efforts to clamp down on freedom of expression and freedom of the press by significantly expanding the scope of so-called ‘ foreign agent ’ rules , rendering individual journalists vulnerable to designation and increasing government censorship tools.
” On Belarus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their crackdown ” on the largely peaceful protests that erupted across Belarus following the August 9 presidential election , noting that “ more than 100 political prisoners are detained in the country for exercising their human rights and fundamental freedoms.
” “ The authorities must release political prisoners , journalists , and all those unjustly detained .
They must engage in meaningful dialogue with the [ opposition ] Coordination Council and Belarusian civil society , ” he added .
The opposition says the vote that extended Lukashenka ’ s rule was rigged and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , slapping sanctions on the strongman and other top officials .
Elsewhere in the region , he urged Armenia and Azerbaijan to resume work with the United States , Russia , and France -- the cochairs of the Minsk Group mediating in the conflict over the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh -- to reach a “ lasting , peaceful end ” to the conflict .
Last month , a Russia-mediated cease-fire ended six weeks of fighting between Azerbaijani forces and ethnic Armenians in and around Nagorno-Karabakh -- the worst clashes over the region since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will not be resolved on the battlefield .
We welcome the cessation of hostilities , but this is only the first step , ” Biegun said .
Originally established during the Cold War to foster dialogue between the Soviet Union and the West , the 57-nation OSCE is known for its election-monitoring work , reports on human rights and press freedom , and engaging in diplomacy to resolve conflicts , including in Ukraine , Belarus , and Nagorno-Karabakh .
During its two-day meeting in Tirana , the Vienna-based organization is expected to resolve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s leadership team .
Since July , the OSCE 's top four positions have been empty because member states failed to renew the three-year terms of diplomats in those posts , in what is normally a formality .
The OSCE strives to reach decisions by consensus , leaving it susceptible to gridlock between its European , Central Asian , and North American member states .
Russia and several former Soviet states have complained that top leadership positions have traditionally been held by Westerners , who they say have focused too much on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , OSCE members are expected to approve Helga Schmid as the new secretary-general .
A German , Schmid currently serves as secretary-general of the EU 's diplomatic service .
She is best known for playing a key role in negotiating the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers .
The other three top posts will be filled by an Italian , Portuguese , and Kazakh .
Matteo Mecacci , a former Italian parliament member , has been nominated to head the OSCE 's democracy , human rights , and election-monitoring office .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ been tapped as OSCE high commissioner for minorities .
Maria Teresa Ribeiro , a secretary of state in the Portuguese Foreign Ministry , is the nominee for the OSCE media-freedom representative .
U.S .
Ambassador to the OSCE James Gilmore said on December 1 that he expects member states to agree on filling the top four positions with these candidates .
However , an unrelated dispute between Hungary and Ukraine over national minority issues has emerged in recent days that as a potential to create problems , he said .
With reporting by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Reuters .


rferl--2020-12-04--Rights Groups Urge Tajik Government To Stop Harassing Exiled Dissident's Family Members

Human Rights Watch ( HRW ) and the Norwegian Helsinki Committee have urged Tajik officials `` to stop harassing '' the family of exiled opposition activist Fakhruddin Saidmukhidinov .
In a joint statement issued in December 4 , the rights watchdogs said Tajik authorities summoned , interrogated , and threatened Saidmukhidinov 's relatives in late-November , `` apparently to force him to cease his online criticism of the government . ''
`` The Tajik government has severely curbed free speech in the country and left no space for any criticism by targeting opposition political figures and activists , lawyers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said Hugh Williamson , HRW 's Europe and Central Asia director .
`` The authorities should immediately stop harassing Saidmukhidinov ’ s relatives over his activism , '' he added .
Saidmukhidinov , who has resided in an unspecified European Union country since 2016 , is a supporter of the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan ( IRPT ) , an opposition party that was labeled a terrorist organization and banned by Tajik authorities in 2015 .
Saidmukhidinov 's online articles have been critical of the Tajik government 's ongoing crackdown on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups ' joint statement cites Saidmukhidinov as saying that Tajikistan ’ s State Committee for National Security summoned his brother and father on November 19 , where they were interrogated and threatened for five hours .
The interrogators told the two men that Saidmukhidinov should cease all his online activities , shut down his social media accounts , and publicly apologize to Saimuddin Yatimov , the head of the country ’ s feared security services .
In addition , the security officials told Saidmukhidinov 's father and brother that the activist had taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dimension Implementation Meeting ( HDIM ) of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe ( OSCE ) in 2016 and 2017 , calling them “ anti-state conferences '' where Saidmukhidinov sat right next to `` traitors.
” According to Saidmukhidinov , the officials told his father that “ they will bring him back , but they [ the family ] will never see him again.
” Saidmukhidinov ’ s family members were threatened by officials in a similar way in December 2019 .
“ By targeting critical voices abroad , the Tajik @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freedom of expression in Europe and elsewhere , ” said Gunnar Ekelove-Slydal , acting secretary general of the Norwegian Helsinki Committee .
`` The time is overdue for the European Union and others to implement meaningful measures to counter the Tajik human rights crisis.
” Many rights activists and opposition politicians have fled Tajikistan in recent years , fearing for their safety .
Tajik government has targeted critics abroad by murdering , abducting , and extraditing them , as well as by imposing pressure on exiled critics ’ relatives in Tajikistan .

Human Rights Watch (HRW) and the Norwegian Helsinki Committee have urged Tajik officials "to stop harassing" the family of exiled opposition activist Fakhruddin Saidmukhidinov.
In a joint statement issued in December 4, the rights watchdogs said Tajik authorities summoned, interrogated, and threatened Saidmukhidinov's relatives in late-November, "apparently to force him to cease his online criticism of the government."
"The Tajik government has severely curbed free speech in the country and left no space for any criticism by targeting opposition political figures and activists, lawyers, journalists, and relatives of peaceful dissidents," said Hugh Williamson, HRW's Europe and Central Asia director.
"The authorities should immediately stop harassing Saidmukhidinov’s relatives over his activism," he added.
Saidmukhidinov, who has resided in an unspecified European Union country since 2016, is a supporter of the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan (IRPT), an opposition party that was labeled a terrorist organization and banned by Tajik authorities in 2015.
Saidmukhidinov's online articles have been critical of the Tajik government's ongoing crackdown on dissent and political opposition.
The rights groups' joint statement cites Saidmukhidinov as saying that Tajikistan’s State Committee for National Security summoned his brother and father on November 19, where they were interrogated and threatened for five hours.
The interrogators told the two men that Saidmukhidinov should cease all his online activities, shut down his social media accounts, and publicly apologize to Saimuddin Yatimov, the head of the country’s feared security services.
In addition, the security officials told Saidmukhidinov's father and brother that the activist had taken part in two conferences with the Human Dimension Implementation Meeting (HDIM) of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in 2016 and 2017, calling them “anti-state conferences" where Saidmukhidinov sat right next to "traitors.”
According to Saidmukhidinov, the officials told his father that “they will bring him back, but they [the family] will never see him again.”
Saidmukhidinov’s family members were threatened by officials in a similar way in December 2019.
“By targeting critical voices abroad, the Tajik regime is posing a tangible threat to freedom of expression in Europe and elsewhere,” said Gunnar Ekelove-Slydal, acting secretary general of the Norwegian Helsinki Committee. "The time is overdue for the European Union and others to implement meaningful measures to counter the Tajik human rights crisis.”
Many rights activists and opposition politicians have fled Tajikistan in recent years, fearing for their safety. Tajik government has targeted critics abroad by murdering, abducting, and extraditing them, as well as by imposing pressure on exiled critics’ relatives in Tajikistan.