rferl--2020-10-07--Belarusian Opposition Leader Tsikhanouskaya Calls For German, Russian Mediation As Moscow Snubs Her

Belarusian Opposition Leader Tsikhanouskaya Calls For German, Russian Mediation As Moscow Snubs Her With Arrest Warrant

Russia has issued an arrest warrant for Belarusian opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya , even as she says Moscow can play a role to mediate the political crisis in her country .
The Russian Interior Ministry database shows that Tsikhanouskaya is on its list of wanted persons .
An Interior Ministry source told Interfax on August 7 that the arrest warrant is a technicality , because one issued by Belarus also extends to Russia due to bilateral agreements between the two nations .
Tsikhanouskaya fled to neighboring Lithuania soon after protests erupted across Belarus against the results of the August 9 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s 26-year rule .
Protests against Lukashenka have continued unabated for eight weeks despite a brutal crackdown , with several killed , hundreds injured , and more than 10,000 detained .
Tsikhanouskaya , who the Belarus opposition says won the presidential election , has called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to end his support for Lukashenka and warned against Moscow interfering in Belarus 's affairs .
But she has also suggested that world leaders , including Putin , could help mediate talks with Lukashenka , a close yet often difficult ally of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeated calls for dialogue with the opposition .
The Kremlin said on October 7 that Putin had no plans to meet with the opposition leader and dismissed her importance .
`` No contacts are being planned , '' spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters , casting doubt on Tsikhanouskaya 's role in her country 's political life .
`` Madame Tsikhanouskaya is not in Belarus .
One can hardly say that she is somehow involved in Belarus 's life , '' Peskov said .
`` She is meeting with various heads of state and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illegitimate . ''
Speaking in Berlin as part of a two-day trip to the German capital to drum up international pressure on the Minsk regime , Tsikhanouskaya reiterated on October 7 that she viewed Russia as a potential partner to moderate dialogue with Lukashenka .
A day after meeting behind closed doors with Angela Merkel , Tsikhanouskaya said the chancellor would be an ideal person to mediate the political crisis in her country .
Tsikhanouskaya said that Merkel is `` aware of what ’ s going on there ” and “ would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She laid out her aspiration following talks with Norbert Roettgen , a top lawmaker in Merkel ’ s Christian Democratic Union and chairman of the parliament ’ s foreign affairs committee .
“ So , our main ask for [ Merkel ] was to be a leader in this mediation , to call for other countries to participate in mediation for starting these negotiations , ” Tsikhanouskaya said .
Merkel has not indicated whether she would be willing to take on such a role , but Roettgen expressed Germany ’ s readiness to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Merkel and Putin have a working relationship cultivated during countless discussions and negotiations on a wide range of global issues .
During Merkel ’ s 15 years as chancellor , Putin is known to have spoken by phone with her more than any other world leader .
In earlier comments to German media , Tsikhanouskaya requested that Germany , the current holder of the European Union 's rotating presidency , support expanded EU sanctions on Belarus , including putting Lukashenka on its blacklist .
Last week , the 27-nation bloc overcame a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visa bans and asset freezes on 40 Belarusian officials deemed responsible for electoral fraud and a brutal crackdown on protesters and opposition members .
Lukashenka is not on the sanctions list , but EU diplomats have said he may be added at a later date .
The European Union does not recognize the election results .

Russia has issued an arrest warrant for Belarusian opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, even as she says Moscow can play a role to mediate the political crisis in her country.
The Russian Interior Ministry database shows that Tsikhanouskaya is on its list of wanted persons.
An Interior Ministry source told Interfax on August 7 that the arrest warrant is a technicality, because one issued by Belarus also extends to Russia due to bilateral agreements between the two nations.
Tsikhanouskaya fled to neighboring Lithuania soon after protests erupted across Belarus against the results of the August 9 election, which extended strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka’s 26-year rule. She left Belarus for Lithuania after the election amid reports that she and her family were threatened by authorities.
Protests against Lukashenka have continued unabated for eight weeks despite a brutal crackdown, with several killed, hundreds injured, and more than 10,000 detained.
Tsikhanouskaya, who the Belarus opposition says won the presidential election, has called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to end his support for Lukashenka and warned against Moscow interfering in Belarus's affairs.
But she has also suggested that world leaders, including Putin, could help mediate talks with Lukashenka, a close yet often difficult ally of the Russian president.
Lukashenka has rejected repeated calls for dialogue with the opposition.
The Kremlin said on October 7 that Putin had no plans to meet with the opposition leader and dismissed her importance.
"No contacts are being planned," spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, casting doubt on Tsikhanouskaya's role in her country's political life.
"Madame Tsikhanouskaya is not in Belarus. One can hardly say that she is somehow involved in Belarus's life," Peskov said. "She is meeting with various heads of state and government who consider Belarus's sitting president illegitimate."
Speaking in Berlin as part of a two-day trip to the German capital to drum up international pressure on the Minsk regime, Tsikhanouskaya reiterated on October 7 that she viewed Russia as a potential partner to moderate dialogue with Lukashenka.
A day after meeting behind closed doors with Angela Merkel, Tsikhanouskaya said the chancellor would be an ideal person to mediate the political crisis in her country.
Tsikhanouskaya said that Merkel is "aware of what’s going on there” and “would be really helpful in solving this problem.”
She laid out her aspiration following talks with Norbert Roettgen, a top lawmaker in Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union and chairman of the parliament’s foreign affairs committee.
“So, our main ask for [Merkel] was to be a leader in this mediation, to call for other countries to participate in mediation for starting these negotiations,” Tsikhanouskaya said.
Merkel has not indicated whether she would be willing to take on such a role, but Roettgen expressed Germany’s readiness to join international dialogue to resolve the crisis.
Merkel and Putin have a working relationship cultivated during countless discussions and negotiations on a wide range of global issues. During Merkel’s 15 years as chancellor, Putin is known to have spoken by phone with her more than any other world leader.
In earlier comments to German media, Tsikhanouskaya requested that Germany, the current holder of the European Union's rotating presidency, support expanded EU sanctions on Belarus, including putting Lukashenka on its blacklist.
Last week, the 27-nation bloc overcame a weeks-long political stalemate and agreed to impose visa bans and asset freezes on 40 Belarusian officials deemed responsible for electoral fraud and a brutal crackdown on protesters and opposition members.
Lukashenka is not on the sanctions list, but EU diplomats have said he may be added at a later date.
The European Union does not recognize the election results.
With reporting by AFP


rferl--2020-10-07--Villages Evacuated After Munitions Depot Explodes In Western Russia

Russia has evacuated more than 1,600 people from villages near a munitions depot that exploded in the western Ryazan region @ @ @ @ @ said on October 7 that the explosion was sparked by a grass wildfire .
No @ @ @ @ @ According to the Ministry of Emergency Situations , helicopters and special fire crews have been @ @ @ @ @ .
Social-media users posted videos of black smoke rising from the fire and continuous explosions @ @ @ @ @ radius were evacuated and traffic on the R-22 highway was blocked .
“ The walls @ @ @ @ @ villages , ” an eyewitness told RZN.info .

Russia has evacuated more than 1,600 people from villages near a munitions depot that exploded in the western Ryazan region.
The Ministry of Defense said on October 7 that the explosion was sparked by a grass wildfire.
No casualties have been reported.
According to the Ministry of Emergency Situations, helicopters and special fire crews have been deployed to battle the fire.
Social-media users posted videos of black smoke rising from the fire and continuous explosions.
Villages within a 5-kilometer radius were evacuated and traffic on the R-22 highway was blocked.
“The walls are trembling even in neighboring villages,” an eyewitness told RZN.info.


rferl--2020-10-07--Moscow Court Upholds Extension Of Pretrial Detention For Officer Suspected In Journalist's Arrest

The Moscow City Court has upheld a lower court decision to extend the pretrial arrest of the former chief of the Moscow police 's illegal drugs department , Igor Lyakhovets , one of several former police officers suspected in the illegal apprehension of investigative journalist Ivan Golunov last year .
The court ruling on October 7 upholds the Basmanny district court 's September ruling to prolong Lyakhovets ' pretrial detention until December 7 .
Lyakhovets said at the hearing that his case was politically motivated and `` there are no grounds to keep me in custody . ''
Lyakhovets and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Roman Feofanov , Maksim Umetbayev , and Denis Konovalov -- were arrested in late January .
They were charged with abuse of service duties , falsification of evidence , and the illegal handling of drugs .
Konovalov , who is charged with forging documents related to the probe , was transferred to house arrest from a detention center in February after he made a deal with investigators and testified in court that his former boss , Lyakhovets , had ordered him to plant drugs on the reporter .
Investigators said on September @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charged with `` committing a crime in an organized group , '' which may lead to even stricter sentences .
The 37-year-old Golunov , who works for the Latvia-based information outlet Meduza , was arrested in June 2019 in Moscow for allegedly attempting to sell illegal drugs .
He was released several days later after the charges were dropped following a public outcry .
The case sparked an investigation into his detainment and also into why Golunov suffered bruises , cuts , a concussion , and a broken rib during the ordeal .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Golunov were fired , along with their supervisor , for violating the journalist 's rights .
After Golunov ’ s release , Russian President Vladimir Putin fired Major General Yury Devyatkin , the head of the Moscow police department 's drug control directorate , and Major General Andrei Puchkov , the police chief in Moscow 's West administrative region , over the case .
Authorities announced in November that the case had been classified , a decision harshly criticized by Golunov 's lawyers , who called the move an attempt to cover up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ client .
In a rare move , the Prosecutor-General 's Office of Moscow 's Western District apologized to Golunov in February for his illegal prosecution .
With reporting by TASS and Kommersant

The Moscow City Court has upheld a lower court decision to extend the pretrial arrest of the former chief of the Moscow police's illegal drugs department, Igor Lyakhovets, one of several former police officers suspected in the illegal apprehension of investigative journalist Ivan Golunov last year.
The court ruling on October 7 upholds the Basmanny district court's September ruling to prolong Lyakhovets' pretrial detention until December 7.
Lyakhovets said at the hearing that his case was politically motivated and "there are no grounds to keep me in custody."
Lyakhovets and his four former subordinates -- Akbar Sergaliyev, Roman Feofanov, Maksim Umetbayev, and Denis Konovalov -- were arrested in late January.
They were charged with abuse of service duties, falsification of evidence, and the illegal handling of drugs.
Konovalov, who is charged with forging documents related to the probe, was transferred to house arrest from a detention center in February after he made a deal with investigators and testified in court that his former boss, Lyakhovets, had ordered him to plant drugs on the reporter.
Investigators said on September 2 that the suspects had been additionally charged with "committing a crime in an organized group," which may lead to even stricter sentences.
The 37-year-old Golunov, who works for the Latvia-based information outlet Meduza, was arrested in June 2019 in Moscow for allegedly attempting to sell illegal drugs.
He was released several days later after the charges were dropped following a public outcry. The case sparked an investigation into his detainment and also into why Golunov suffered bruises, cuts, a concussion, and a broken rib during the ordeal.
In mid-July, police officers who detained Golunov were fired, along with their supervisor, for violating the journalist's rights.
After Golunov’s release, Russian President Vladimir Putin fired Major General Yury Devyatkin, the head of the Moscow police department's drug control directorate, and Major General Andrei Puchkov, the police chief in Moscow's West administrative region, over the case.
Authorities announced in November that the case had been classified, a decision harshly criticized by Golunov's lawyers, who called the move an attempt to cover up the "wrongful arrest" of their client.
In a rare move, the Prosecutor-General's Office of Moscow's Western District apologized to Golunov in February for his illegal prosecution.
With reporting by TASS and Kommersant


rferl--2020-10-07--Russia Says It Successfully Test-Launched Hypersonic Missile On Putin's Birthday

The Russian military says it has successfully test-launched a Tsirkon hypersonic cruise missile off Russia ’ s northern coast , in what President Vladimir Putin hailed as a “ big event ” for the country .
Speaking to Putin by video conference on October 7 , General Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov said the test launch took place from the Admiral Groshkov frigate located in the White Sea .
Gerasimov said that the hypersonic anti-ship missile flew at a speed more than eight times the speed of sound and hit its target 450 kilometers away in the Barents Sea .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ army and the navy -- with the latest , truly unparalleled weapon systems will certainly ensure the defense capability of our country in the long term , '' said Putin , who was celebrating his 68th birthday .
Putin has repeatedly spoken about new weapons such as the Tsirkon , claiming that they have no foreign analogues and are impossible to intercept .
Last year , the Russian leader said the Tsirkon would be capable of flying at Mach 9 and have a range of 1,000 kilometers .
He has pledged to beef @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arctic .
Based on reporting by Reuters , AP , and TASS

The Russian military says it has successfully test-launched a Tsirkon hypersonic cruise missile off Russia’s northern coast, in what President Vladimir Putin hailed as a “big event” for the country.
Speaking to Putin by video conference on October 7, General Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov said the test launch took place from the Admiral Groshkov frigate located in the White Sea.
Gerasimov said that the hypersonic anti-ship missile flew at a speed more than eight times the speed of sound and hit its target 450 kilometers away in the Barents Sea.
“Equipping our armed forces -- the army and the navy -- with the latest, truly unparalleled weapon systems will certainly ensure the defense capability of our country in the long term," said Putin, who was celebrating his 68th birthday.
Putin has repeatedly spoken about new weapons such as the Tsirkon, claiming that they have no foreign analogues and are impossible to intercept.
Last year, the Russian leader said the Tsirkon would be capable of flying at Mach 9 and have a range of 1,000 kilometers.
He has pledged to beef up Russia's military presence in the Arctic.
Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, and TASS


rferl--2020-10-07--Funeral Held For Independent Russian Journalist Who Set Herself On Fire

Hundreds of mourners have bid farewell to independent Russian journalist Irina Slavina , who died after setting herself on fire @ @ @ @ @ investigators trying to tie her to an opposition group and what 's been described as @ @ @ @ @ .
Before her suicide in front of the police headquarters in Nizhniy Novgorod on October @ @ @ @ @ Facebook , `` Blame the Russian Federation for my death . ''

Hundreds of mourners have bid farewell to independent Russian journalist Irina Slavina, who died after setting herself on fire in an apparent reaction to investigators trying to tie her to an opposition group and what's been described as years of harassment by authorities. Before her suicide in front of the police headquarters in Nizhniy Novgorod on October 2, Slavina wrote on Facebook, "Blame the Russian Federation for my death."


rferl--2020-10-07--Diplomacy Picks Up Pace As Heavy Fighting Rages Around Nagorno-Karabakh

BAKU/YEREVAN -- Heavy fighting continued around the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh on October 7 as international diplomacy to reach a cease-fire between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces intensified .
Military officials in Yerevan said Armenia-backed separatists repelled what they called a large-scale Azerbaijani attack on their positions at the southernmost section of the Nagorno-Karabakh `` line of contact . ''
The area , which borders Iran , has been the epicenter of hostilities in recent days .
Since fighting erupted on September 27 , the two sides have reported at least 300 deaths , including dozens of civilians .
Azerbaijan has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toll is believed to be much higher as both sides claim to have inflicted heavy military casualties .
Each side has accused the other of targeting civilians .
Shushan Stepanian , a spokeswoman for Armenia ’ s Defense Ministry , said on October 7 that separatist forces killed scores of Azerbaijani soldiers and destroyed two dozen tanks and other armored vehicles , while the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said on the same day that its military has destroyed 250 Armenian tanks since the beginning of hostilities .
Neither claim could be independently confirmed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ their opponent .
An RFE/RL Armenian Service crew working in Stepanakert , the breakaway region 's largest city , reported another day of shelling on the urban area by Azerbaijani forces on October 7 .
Stepanakert 's deputy mayor , Suren Tamrazian , said that around half of the town ’ s population of 50,000 had fled to safer rural areas or Armenia .
The hostilities have increased concern that a wider conflict could drag in regional power Turkey , which is Azerbaijan 's closest ally , and Russia , which has a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vladimir Putin , in an interview with state-run television on October 7 , called for an urgent cease-fire .
`` Of course , this is a huge tragedy .
People are dying .
There are heavy losses on both sides , '' Putin said .
A cease-fire must be agreed `` as quickly as possible , '' even if a resolution to the long-standing conflict takes much longer , Putin added .
Separately , Putin spoke with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev about the conflict over the phone , the Kremlin said on October @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the two leaders agreed to continue their dialogue on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict , without giving details .
It was the first time Putin and Aliyev have spoken since fighting erupted .
Aliyev told Russian state television that his country would return to talks with Armenia after the acute phase of military conflict in the Nagorno-Karabakh region ends .
Aliyev said that Turkey had the right to participate in mediation , Russian news agency TASS reported .
Turkey brushed off calls for a cease-fire and gave Azerbaijan its full backing .
Azerbaijan has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and surrounding Azerbaijani territories as a condition for a cease-fire .
Those conditions would be nearly impossible for Armenia to accept .
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Russian , French , and U.S. representatives would also meet in Moscow on October 12 to find a way to get the warring sides to negotiate a cease-fire .
`` We want everyone to understand that it 's in their interest to immediately stop hostilities without conditions and that we start a negotiation , '' he told the French parliament 's foreign affairs committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ representatives are not expected to meet .
Russia , France , and the United States co-chair the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe 's ( OSCE ) so-called Minsk Group , which has spearheaded on-and-off peace efforts over Nagorno-Karabakh since the early 1990s .
The three powers have repeatedly called for an immediate cease-fire .
Azerbaijan said its foreign minister , Ceyhun Bayramov , would visit Geneva on October 8 to meet the leaders of the OSCE 's Minsk Group .
The Armenian Foreign Ministry said Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanian would visit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ details .
The president of Iran , which borders both Armenia and Azerbaijan , said it had told both sides `` clearly and precisely '' that they must avoid turning their conflict into a regional war .
`` We should be terribly careful this conflict does not turn into a regional war , because definitely nobody would profit from that , '' Hassan Rohani told state television on October 7 .
Rohani , who spoke to Aliyev on October 6 , said he had offered that Tehran could act as a mediator .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ October 6 in an interview with AFP that Turkey 's `` full support '' had motivated Azerbaijan to reignite the fighting .
`` While it is true that the leadership of Azerbaijan has been actively promoting bellicose rhetoric for the last 15 years , now the decision to unleash a war was motivated by Turkey 's full support , '' Pashinian said .
In Brussels , EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell also highlighted the risk of regional conflict .
`` The only solution is to go back to the negotiation table , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ October 7 .
`` But this negotiation table has been open for the last 30 years without any kind of advance , '' Borrell cautioned , adding , `` War is not an alternative . ''
Azerbaijan and Armenia have been locked in a conflict over the mountainous region since the waning years of the Soviet Union .
They fought a war that ended in 1994 with an uneasy cease-fire and an estimated 30,000 killed .
Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally recognized as Azerbaijani territory , but it is controlled by ethnic Armenian separatists with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also hold control over seven regions adjacent to Nagorno-Karabakh .
With reporting by AFP , dpa , Interfax , TASS , and Reuters

BAKU/YEREVAN -- Heavy fighting continued around the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh on October 7 as international diplomacy to reach a cease-fire between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces intensified.
Military officials in Yerevan said Armenia-backed separatists repelled what they called a large-scale Azerbaijani attack on their positions at the southernmost section of the Nagorno-Karabakh "line of contact."
The area, which borders Iran, has been the epicenter of hostilities in recent days.
Since fighting erupted on September 27, the two sides have reported at least 300 deaths, including dozens of civilians. Azerbaijan has not released military casualties.
The actual toll is believed to be much higher as both sides claim to have inflicted heavy military casualties. Each side has accused the other of targeting civilians.
Shushan Stepanian, a spokeswoman for Armenia’s Defense Ministry, said on October 7 that separatist forces killed scores of Azerbaijani soldiers and destroyed two dozen tanks and other armored vehicles, while the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said on the same day that its military has destroyed 250 Armenian tanks since the beginning of hostilities.
Neither claim could be independently confirmed. Both sides regularly exaggerate military successes against their opponent.
An RFE/RL Armenian Service crew working in Stepanakert, the breakaway region's largest city, reported another day of shelling on the urban area by Azerbaijani forces on October 7.
Stepanakert's deputy mayor, Suren Tamrazian, said that around half of the town’s population of 50,000 had fled to safer rural areas or Armenia.
The hostilities have increased concern that a wider conflict could drag in regional power Turkey, which is Azerbaijan's closest ally, and Russia, which has a defense pact with Armenia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, in an interview with state-run television on October 7, called for an urgent cease-fire.
"Of course, this is a huge tragedy. People are dying. There are heavy losses on both sides," Putin said.
A cease-fire must be agreed "as quickly as possible," even if a resolution to the long-standing conflict takes much longer, Putin added.
Separately, Putin spoke with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev about the conflict over the phone, the Kremlin said on October 7.
Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the two leaders agreed to continue their dialogue on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, without giving details.
It was the first time Putin and Aliyev have spoken since fighting erupted.
Aliyev told Russian state television that his country would return to talks with Armenia after the acute phase of military conflict in the Nagorno-Karabakh region ends.
Aliyev said that Turkey had the right to participate in mediation, Russian news agency TASS reported. Turkey brushed off calls for a cease-fire and gave Azerbaijan its full backing.
Azerbaijan has demanded that Armenian forces withdraw from Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding Azerbaijani territories as a condition for a cease-fire. Those conditions would be nearly impossible for Armenia to accept.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Russian, French, and U.S. representatives would also meet in Moscow on October 12 to find a way to get the warring sides to negotiate a cease-fire.
"We want everyone to understand that it's in their interest to immediately stop hostilities without conditions and that we start a negotiation," he told the French parliament's foreign affairs committee on October 7.
Armenian and Azeri representatives are not expected to meet.
Russia, France, and the United States co-chair the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's (OSCE) so-called Minsk Group, which has spearheaded on-and-off peace efforts over Nagorno-Karabakh since the early 1990s. The three powers have repeatedly called for an immediate cease-fire.
Azerbaijan said its foreign minister, Ceyhun Bayramov, would visit Geneva on October 8 to meet the leaders of the OSCE's Minsk Group.
The Armenian Foreign Ministry said Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanian would visit Moscow on October 12 but gave no details.
The president of Iran, which borders both Armenia and Azerbaijan, said it had told both sides "clearly and precisely" that they must avoid turning their conflict into a regional war.
"We should be terribly careful this conflict does not turn into a regional war, because definitely nobody would profit from that," Hassan Rohani told state television on October 7.
Rohani, who spoke to Aliyev on October 6, said he had offered that Tehran could act as a mediator.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian said on October 6 in an interview with AFP that Turkey's "full support" had motivated Azerbaijan to reignite the fighting.
"While it is true that the leadership of Azerbaijan has been actively promoting bellicose rhetoric for the last 15 years, now the decision to unleash a war was motivated by Turkey's full support," Pashinian said.
In Brussels, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell also highlighted the risk of regional conflict. "The only solution is to go back to the negotiation table," he told the European Parliament on October 7. "But this negotiation table has been open for the last 30 years without any kind of advance," Borrell cautioned, adding, "War is not an alternative."
Azerbaijan and Armenia have been locked in a conflict over the mountainous region since the waning years of the Soviet Union. They fought a war that ended in 1994 with an uneasy cease-fire and an estimated 30,000 killed.
Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally recognized as Azerbaijani territory, but it is controlled by ethnic Armenian separatists with close ties to Yerevan. Armenian forces also hold control over seven regions adjacent to Nagorno-Karabakh.
With reporting by AFP, dpa, Interfax, TASS, and Reuters


rferl--2020-10-07--Thousands Back In Bishkek Streets Demanding 'Clean' Politicians For New Government

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

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


rferl--2020-10-07--Germany, France To Propose Sanctions Targeting Specific Russians Over Navalny Poisoning

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

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


rferl--2020-10-08--In Retrial, Montenegrin Investigative Journalist Sentenced To Year In Prison

A Podgorica court has sentenced award-winning investigative journalist Jovo Martinovic to one year in prison following a retrial on drug-trafficking charges he denies .
Martinovic , who has reported widely on organized crime and war crimes for both local and foreign media outlets , was sentenced in 2019 by the same tribunal to 18 months in prison over alleged links to a smuggling ring .
Martinovic has rejected the accusations , arguing that his contacts with criminal circles were strictly professional in the context of reporting , and appealed the verdict , prompting an appeals tribunal to order the retrial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On October 8 , Martinovic , 48 , labelled his new verdict `` political and shameful '' and said he would appeal it .
He has said he believes the trials were in retaliation for his reporting .
`` Witnesses ' testimonies were in my favor .
All the evidence was in my favor .
The court did not want to accept the evidence I proposed , which shows that I was on a reporting mission , '' he told reporters .
`` The judgement was written a long time ago , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imprisoned since he had already been detained for nearly 15 months -- longer than his new sentence -- while awaiting his first trial .
Martinovic has worked for major international media including the BBC and Financial Times .
He won the 2018 Peter Mackler Award for his investigative reporting , which included work exposing war crimes during and after Serbia 's conflict with Kosovo in the 1990s .
On October 7 , Reporters Without Borders ( RSF ) and seven other media-freedom groups had urged Martinovic 's acquittal .
`` The responsibility resting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the groups said in a statement .
A renewed conviction would `` undermine media freedom '' in Montenegro and be incompatible with its EU accession , for which an `` independent and pluralist media is a key condition , '' they said .
`` In the last decade , hardly any other journalist in an EU member state , candidate country , or potential candidate country -- with the exception of Turkey -- has spent so much time in prison merely for doing his job , '' according to the eight NGOs .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Center for Press and Media Freedom , the European Federation of Journalists , the International Press Institute , ARTICLE 19 , the Center for Investigative Journalism of Montenegro , the Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa , and the International Federation of Journalists .
Montenegro , home to 650,000 people , hopes to join the EU by 2025 and is under growing pressure to tackle organized crime and safeguard media freedom .
Before Martinovic 's arrest he had reported on the notorious `` Pink Panther '' international jewel thieves gang made up of members mainly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dusko Martinovic was sentenced to six years and three months in the trial .
Six others were also convicted .

A court in Montenegro has sentenced award-winning investigative journalist Jovo Martinovic to one year in prison following a retrial on drug-trafficking charges -- a ruling condemned by media watchdogs as an attack on press freedom in the Balkan country.
The High Court of Montenegro on October 8 found Martinovic, who has reported widely on organized crime and war crimes for both local and foreign media outlets, guilty of mediation in drug trafficking, and sentenced him to one year in prison.
Martinovic, 48, labelled his new verdict "political and shameful" and said he would appeal it. He has said he believes the trials were in retaliation for his reporting.
Martinovic was acquitted on charges of membership in a criminal organization and will not be imprisoned since he had already been detained for nearly 15 months -- longer than his new sentence -- while awaiting his first trial.
The reporter was sentenced in 2019 by the same tribunal to 18 months in prison in the same case.
He has rejected the accusations, arguing that his contacts with criminal circles were strictly professional in the context of reporting, and appealed the verdict, prompting an appeals tribunal to order the retrial, citing a lack of evidence.
"Witnesses' testimonies were in my favor. All the evidence was in my favor. The court did not want to accept the evidence I proposed, which shows that I was on a reporting mission," Martinovic told reporters after the new verdict.
"The judgement was written a long time ago," he added.
'Wrong Message'
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said it was a "black day" for media freedom in Europe.
Separately, the Paris-based watchdog and eight other nongovernmental organizations condemned the ruling in a joint statement, calling it "an attack on investigative journalism and a damning indictment on media freedom in Montenegro.”
"Martinovic’s conviction is a gross injustice, following almost five years of judicial persecution merely for doing his job," the statement reads, adding that his prosecution and conviction "raise serious concerns about the effectiveness of the rule of law in the country, a key condition for accession to the European Union."
The New York-based Committee to Protest Journalists (CPJ) condemned the ruling as "a missed opportunity to bring justice" to Martinovic, saying the journalist has been "persecuted for his investigative reporting."
“The ruling sends a wrong message to journalists in Montenegro and will have a chilling effect on the country’s media,” said CPJ Europe and Central Asia Program Coordinator Gulnoza Said.
Before his arrest Martinovic had reported on the notorious "Pink Panther" gang, an international group of jewel thieves made up of members mainly from the former Yugoslavia.
Gang member Dusko Martinovic was sentenced to six years and three months in the trial. Six others were also convicted.
Martinovic has worked for major international media including the BBC and Financial Times.
He won the 2018 Peter Mackler Award for his investigative reporting, which included work exposing war crimes during and after Serbia's conflict with Kosovo in the 1990s.
Montenegro, home to 650,000 people, hopes to join the EU by 2025 and is under growing pressure to tackle organized crime and safeguard media freedom.
The country is ranked 105th out of 180 countries in RSF's 2020 World Press Freedom Index.
With reporting by AFP


rferl--2020-10-08--Chief Of Armenian National Security Service Replaced

YEREVAN -- Armenian President Armen Sarkisian has relieved the chief of the National Security Service ( AATs ) , Argishti @ @ @ @ @ amid the ongoing military conflict with Azerbaijan in the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh , controlled @ @ @ @ @ facto government .
Sarkisian 's decree , signed on October 8 , says that the @ @ @ @ @ with a proposal of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian .
AATs Deputy Director Mikael Hambartsumian will @ @ @ @ @ 's chief .
No reason was given for the reshuffle .
Kyaramian was appointed director @ @ @ @ @ .

YEREVAN -- Armenian President Armen Sarkisian has relieved the chief of the National Security Service (AATs), Argishti Kyaramian, of his duties amid the ongoing military conflict with Azerbaijan in the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh, controlled by an ethnic Armenian de facto government.
Sarkisian's decree, signed on October 8, says that the decision was made in accordance with a proposal of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian.
AATs Deputy Director Mikael Hambartsumian will take over as the agency's chief.
No reason was given for the reshuffle.
Kyaramian was appointed director of the AATs in June.


rferl--2020-10-08--World Bank Warns Of Deep Recession For European, Central Asian Developing Economies

The World Bank says the emerging and developing economies in Europe and Central Asia are on course for their worst recession since the global financial crisis of 2008 .
In an update of its outlook for the region released on October 7 , the Washington-based lending arm of the International Monetary Fund said it expected the region 's economies to contract by 4.4 percent this year before recovering in 2021 to growth between a range of 1.1 percent to 3.3 percent .
`` In such challenging times , countries in Europe and Central Asia must look beyond the immediate crises @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said Anna Bjerde , World Bank vice president for the Europe and Central Asia region .
`` This means strengthening governance , improving the investment climate , and fostering innovation and digital development .
Significant and sustained investment in quality education and health care will be especially critical , '' she added .
The pandemic-induced contraction in 2020 is also expected to increase poverty in all countries in the region , the update said , noting that with a per day poverty line of $ 3.20 per , an additional 2.2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If that line is set at $ 5.50 per day , a level customarily used in upper-middle-income countries , the jump in the number of impoverished could be as high as 6 million people .
It also warned the pandemic had adversely affected education and health in the region .
`` Good-quality higher education is critical for people to remain competitive in fast-changing labor markets , '' it said .
`` Improving higher education in countries of Western Balkans , Eastern Europe , South Caucasus , and Central Asia would also help them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face of sustained out-migration , '' it added .

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated that there can be no advancement in the relationship between the United States and Afghanistan's Taliban rulers unless there is an improvement in the treatment of women in the country.
Speaking to reporters on August 15, the two-year anniversary of the Taliban’s seizure of power in Kabul, Blinken said the United States continues to work to hold the Taliban accountable for the commitments that it's made, particularly when it comes to the rights of women and girls.
"We've been very clear with the Taliban -- and dozens of countries around the world have been very clear -- that the path to any more normal relationship between the Taliban and other countries will be blocked unless and until the rights of women and girls among other things are actually supported," Blinken said.
No country has recognized the Taliban-led government, and the United States has avoided direct economic engagement in part over the treatment of women and girls, who have seen their rights drastically curbed by the hard-line Islamists. This includes a ban on women working in local and international nongovernmental organizations and a ban on education beyond the sixth grade.
The Taliban stormed back to power in August 2021 after President Joe Biden withdrew U.S. troops under the terms of an agreement reached in February 2020 between the Taliban and the administration of then-U.S. President Donald Trump.
Blinken defended the pullout and said the United States was not focused on other priorities.
"The decision to withdraw from Afghanistan was an incredibly difficult one, but also the right one," Blinken said. "We ended America's longest war. For the first time in 20 years, we don't have another generation of young Americans going to fight and die."
A number of international human rights organizations earlier on August 15 called the Taliban's two years of rule shameful and worrying.
Amnesty International and several other international human rights organizations demanded in a statement an effective response to the situation, noting the Taliban's strict decrees against human rights in Afghanistan, especially against women and girls.
The organizations said in a statement that in the past two years, the Taliban has increasingly imposed harmful policies against women and girls and religious and ethnic minorities that clearly violate Afghanistan's obligations under international human rights law.
The Taliban has previously rejected reports on the treatment of women as propaganda of international organizations. The militant group's leaders have said they have strengthened all the rights of women in Afghanistan in light of Islamic principles.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the chief spokesman for the Taliban, said in an interview with the AP marking the second anniversary of the Taliban takeover of the country that the Taliban views its rule of Afghanistan as open-ended and as drawing legitimacy from Islamic law. He also suggested a ban on female education will remain in place.
Female activist Soheila Yousefi calls the situation alarming and wants the world to pay attention.
"The international community should take serious action in this regard because the world chose to be silent in these two years and did not take any practical steps. Our request is that they should look at the current situation in Afghanistan, then take a serious and comprehensive review."
The Taliban did not respond to Radio Azadi's questions before the release of the report, but the rulers have spoken of strengthening human rights in Afghanistan, especially the rights of women and girls, according to Islamic principles.
With reporting by AP and AFP


rferl--2020-10-08--Russian Orthodox Church Leader Quarantined After Contact With Person Infected With Coronavirus

The leader of the Russian Orthodox Church , Patriarch Kirill , is in quarantine after being in contact with a @ @ @ @ @ .
The Russian Orthodox Church 's website on October 8 placed a letter from Patriarch @ @ @ @ @ the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius in the city of Sergiyev Posad near Moscow , @ @ @ @ @ he is unable to take part in prayers marking the Day of St. Sergius of @ @ @ @ @ deepest regret I would like to inform you that this time I can not share @ @ @ @ @ you .
The reason for it is my recent contact with a person who was @ @ @ @ @ .
The time necessary due to medical requirements for my personal quarantine has not expired @ @ @ @ @ impossible for me to impose the threat of infection on all of you , '' @ @ @ @ @ .
As of October 8 , the number of coronavirus cases registered in Russia was @ @ @ @ @ 22,056 were lethal and just over 1 million have recovered .

The leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, is in quarantine after being in contact with a person infected with the coronavirus.
The Russian Orthodox Church's website on October 8 placed a letter from Patriarch Kirill to the leadership of the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius in the city of Sergiyev Posad near Moscow, in which he explains why he is unable to take part in prayers marking the Day of St. Sergius of Radonezh.
"With my deepest regret I would like to inform you that this time I cannot share the joy of prayer with you. The reason for it is my recent contact with a person who was diagnosed with having the coronavirus. The time necessary due to medical requirements for my personal quarantine has not expired yet. I considered it impossible for me to impose the threat of infection on all of you," the patriarch's letter says.
As of October 8, the number of coronavirus cases registered in Russia was 1.26 million, of which 22,056 were lethal and just over 1 million have recovered.


rferl--2020-10-08--Situation Tense In Nagorno-Karabakh After Day Of Heavy Fighting Amid Diplomatic Flurry

BAKU/YEREVAN -- The situation remains tense around the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh following a day of heavy fighting on October 7 as international efforts to reach a cease-fire between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces intensified .
During the night , the situation in the conflict zone was stable and tense , the Armenian Defense Ministry spokesman said .
The ministry said that Armenian-backed separatist forces repelled an attack early on October 8 , causing human and material losses to the enemy forces .
`` Early in the morning at 08:30 the enemy attempted to attack from the central direction in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ units of military equipment , leaving more than 20 dead and wounded , fled from the outskirts of Jebrail with a battalion , '' spokeswoman Shushan Stepanian wrote on Facebook .
There was no immediate reaction to the statement from the Azerbaijani side , but the Defense Ministry in Baku said Armenian-backed forces had shelled several Azerbaijani villages overnight , causing casualties .
The ministry said in a statement on its website that Azerbaijani forces were `` taking adequate measures , '' without elaborating .
The hostilities have increased concern that a wider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which is Azerbaijan 's closest ally , and Russia , which has a defense pact with Armenia .
Russian President Vladimir Putin , in an interview with state-run television on October 7 , called for an urgent cease-fire .
`` Of course , this is a huge tragedy .
People are dying , there are heavy losses on both sides , '' Putin said .
A cease-fire must be agreed `` as quickly as possible , '' even if a resolution to the long-standing conflict takes much longer , Putin added .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding Azerbaijani territories as a condition for a cease-fire .
Those conditions would be nearly impossible for Armenia to accept .
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Russian , French , and U.S. representatives would also meet in Moscow on October 12 to find a way to get the warring sides to negotiate a cease-fire .
`` We want everyone to understand that it 's in their interest to immediately stop hostilities without conditions and that we start a negotiation , '' he told the French parliament 's Foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Azerbaijani representatives are not expected to meet .
Russia , France , and the United States co-chair the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe 's ( OSCE ) so-called Minsk Group , which has spearheaded on-and-off peace efforts over Nagorno-Karabakh since the early 1990s .
The three powers have repeatedly called for an immediate cease-fire .
Azerbaijan said its foreign minister , Ceyhun Bayramov , would visit Geneva on October 8 to meet with the Minsk Group 's co-chairs .
The Armenian Foreign Ministry said Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanian would visit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ details .
In Brussels , EU foreign-policy chief Josep Borrell also highlighted the risk of regional conflict .
`` The only solution is to go back to the negotiation table , '' Borell told the European Parliament on October 7 .
`` But this negotiation table has been open for the last 30 years without any kind of advance , '' he cautioned , adding , `` War is not an alternative . ''
Azerbaijan and Armenia have been locked in a conflict over the mountainous region since the waning years of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ended in 1994 with an uneasy cease-fire and an estimated 30,000 killed .
Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally recognized as Azerbaijani territory , but it is controlled by ethnic Armenian separatists with close ties to Yerevan .
Armenian forces also hold control over seven regions adjacent to Nagorno-Karabakh .
With reporting by AFP , dpa , Interfax , TASS , and Reuters

YEREVAN/BAKU -- Armenia has accused Azerbaijan of shelling a historic cathedral in territory controlled by ethnic Armenian forces in Nagorno-Karabakh as fighting over the breakaway Azerbaijani region continues to rage.
Residents of the town of Shushi (known as Susa in Azeri) said that the Holy Savior Cathedral sustained exterior and interior damage after being hit twice within several hours.
An RFE/RL correspondent reported that women and children were inside the cathedral at the time of the first shelling, but nobody was wounded.
Three Russian journalists were reportedly wounded in the second attack. One of them was said to be hospitalized in critical condition and undergoing surgery.
Also known as the Ghazanchetsots Cathedral, the 19th-century building is part of the Armenian Apostolic Church. It is perched on a strategic cliff top in Shushi just a few kilometers south of Stepanakert -- Nagorno-Karabakh’s largest city.
Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry denied attacking the cathedral, saying its army "doesn't target historical, cultural, especially religious buildings and monuments."
Earlier on October 8, Baku said Armenian forces had attacked several Azerbaijani towns and villages overnight, causing casualties.
The Defense Ministry in Baku said on its website that Azerbaijani forces were "taking adequate measures," without elaborating.
Armenia's Defense Ministry reported earlier in the day that the Armenian-backed separatist forces had repelled an attack to the southeast of Stepanakert and Shushi, killing Azerbaijani soldiers and destroying military equipment.
The latest clashes between Azerbaijani and Armenian forces over Nagorno-Karabakh erupted on September 27. The fighting, which has involved the use of heavy artillery, warplanes, and drones, has continued despite numerous international calls for a cease-fire.
The fighting marks the biggest escalation of the decades-old conflict since a shaky cease-fire was reached in 1994.
Yerevan and Baku accuse each other of expanding the hostilities beyond Nagorno-Karabakh and of targeting civilians. Scores of civilians on both sides have been killed.
Nagorno-Karabakh's military says 350 of its soldiers have been killed since September 27. Azerbaijan, which is backed by Turkey, hasn't provided details about its military losses.
Nagorno-Karabakh is recognized internationally as part of Azerbaijan. But it has been under the control of Yerevan-backed ethnic Armenian forces since the 1994 cease-fire brought an end to the separatist war that broke out during the late 1980s.
Earlier on October 8, before reports emerged about the shelling of the cathedral in Shushi, Nagorno-Karabakh's de facto leadership said its forces were "suppressing the activity" of Azerbaijani forces along the front lines to the southeast of Stepanakert.
Stepanakert has been under intense shelling for days, forcing residents to stay in shelters and in the basements of apartment buildings.
Armenian officials allege that Turkey's involvement in the conflict includes sending Syrian mercenaries to fight on Azerbaijan's side. Although Turkey has publicly backed Azerbaijan, Ankara denies sending fighters to the region.
Russia, the United States, and France co-chair the so-called Minsk Group, which was set up in the 1990s under the auspices of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to mediate the conflict. They have called repeatedly for stopping hostilities and starting peace talks.
The Minsk Group was scheduled to meet on October 8 in Geneva with Azerbaijan’s foreign minister expected to attend and present Baku’s position on the conflict.
Azerbaijan has said previously that the withdrawal of Armenian forces from the region is Baku's main condition for a cease-fire.
Armenian and Azerbaijani representatives were not expected to meet at the Minsk Group gathering in Geneva.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said on October 7 that Russian, French, and U.S. representatives would meet in Moscow on October 12 to find a way to get the warring sides to negotiate a cease-fire.
"We want everyone to understand that it's in their interest to immediately stop hostilities without conditions and that we start a negotiation," he told the French parliament's foreign affairs committee.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has criticized the Minsk Group for failing to resolve the issue. On October 8, he reiterated his country's full support for Azerbaijan, saying Baku is determined to reclaim its territory.
"The Minsk Group until now has not shown any will to solve this problem," Erdogan told economic forum in Istanbul via video link an October 8. "The solution to the issue -- which has turned into gangrene, so to speak, because of Armenia’s uncompromising and spoiled attitude for years -- is for the occupation to end."
With reporting by AP, AFP, Reuters, dpa, Interfax, and TASS


rferl--2020-10-08--Trump Says He Wants All U.S. Troops Out Of Afghanistan By Christmas

U.S. President Donald Trump says he wants all U.S. troops to leave Afghanistan by December 25 , which would be sooner than he previously proposed and a speedier withdrawal than his national-security adviser outlined in a speech earlier on October 7 .
`` We should have the small remaining number of our BRAVE Men and Women serving in Afghanistan home by Christmas ! ''
Trump tweeted .
Trump 's message comes four weeks before the U.S. presidential election and as he seeks to keep his 2016 election promise to bring `` endless wars '' to a close .
The U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago after the September 11 , 2001 , terrorist attacks and has become America 's longest war .
Just hours before Trump 's tweet , U.S. national-security adviser Robert O'Brien said the United States will reduce the number of troops it has in Afghanistan to 2,500 by early next year .
The United States already has announced the number of troops would be down to about 4,000 by next month , but O'Brien 's comments offered greater detail about the overall pace and scope of the drawdown .
`` When President Trump took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ troops in Afghanistan .
As of today there are under 5,000 and that will go to 2,500 by early next year , '' O'Brien said , speaking in Nevada .
The Republican president is currently trailing challenger Joe Biden , a Democrat and the former vice president , in preelection polls .
Washington has been moving ahead incrementally with the drawdown , which is linked to intra-Afghan negotiations that are under way in Qatar .
Even though delays have plagued the start of negotiations , Washington began withdrawing some of its troops after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ February 29 .
Under the deal foreign forces will leave Afghanistan by May 2021 in exchange for counterterrorism guarantees from the Taliban .
A cease-fire is a top priority for the Afghan officials and Western diplomats who are facilitating the talks in Qatar .
`` Ultimately , the Afghans themselves are going to have to work out an accord , a peace agreement , '' O'Brien said .
`` It 's going to be slow progress , it 's going to be hard progress , but we think it 's a necessary step @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home . ''
Negotiations between the Afghan government and the Taliban are aimed at the warring sides agreeing to a reduction of violence and a possible power-sharing agreement .
So far there has been no progress , while violence continues .
Scores of Afghan soldiers and Taliban fighters have been killed in clashes and suicide attacks have left dozens of civilians dead in recent weeks .
With reporting by Reuters and AFP

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


rferl--2020-10-08--Kazakh Opposition Leader Charged In France With Embezzlement; Complaint Filed By Kazakh Government

Kazakh opposition leader Mukhtar Ablyazov has been charged in Paris with embezzling $ 7.5 billion in a case brought by Kazakhstan , according to one of his lawyers .
Gerard Cholakian said Ablyazov , who was recently granted political asylum in France , was charged with `` aggravated abuse of trust '' and `` money laundering '' before he was released under judicial oversight .
`` The Paris prosecutor 's office picked up a complaint from Kazakhstan that it could have refused to take into consideration and foolishly raised it with a French examining magistrate , '' the lawyer said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government filed the complaint in Paris in 2017 against the former oligarch and accused him of having embezzled more than $ 7.5 billion from Kazakh bank BTA , where he served as CEO before it was nationalized in 2009 .
He allegedly granted loans without guarantees to front companies that he benefitted from .
Ablyazov is wanted by Kazakhstan , Russia , and Ukraine on suspicion of embezzling some $ 5 billion .
In order to file suit , the Kazakh authorities acted on a French legal provision that allows a court to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rejected for political reasons , for a crime or offense committed outside France .
French authorities rejected a request for his extradition in 2016 on the grounds it was politically motivated .
In its ruling granting asylum to the former banker , dated September 29 and quoted by Le Monde , France 's National Court of Asylum Issues ( CDNA ) said the court deplored direct pressure from Kazakhstan and `` the obvious attempts by outside agents to exert influence on the asylum authorities . ''
Le Monde said the court had reviewed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an earlier decision by the French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons to reject his asylum request .
His lawyer , Bota Jardemalie , said on October 4 that the CDNA 's decision was made `` despite the most massive political pressure by Kazakhstan on the leadership of France , international lobbying organized by [ Kazakhstan 's ] regime , its dirty PR , fabricated accusations , manipulations and direct pressure on the French justice [ system ] . ''
Ablyazov has been a vocal critic of Kazakh President Qasym-Zhomart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In November 2018 , a court in Kazakhstan sentenced Ablyazov in absentia to life in prison after finding him guilty of organizing the 2004 murder of Erzhan Tatishev , the head TuranAlem bank , which was later renamed BTA .
In a separate trial in absentia in Kazakhstan that ended in 2017 , Ablyazov was convicted of embezzlement , abuse of office , and organizing a criminal group and sentenced to 20 years in prison .
Ablyazov denies all the charges , saying they are politically motivated .

Kazakh opposition leader Mukhtar Ablyazov has been charged in Paris with embezzling $7.5 billion in a case brought by Kazakhstan, according to one of his lawyers.
Gerard Cholakian said Ablyazov, who was recently granted political asylum in France, was charged with "aggravated abuse of trust" and "money laundering" before he was released under judicial oversight.
"The Paris prosecutor's office picked up a complaint from Kazakhstan that it could have refused to take into consideration and foolishly raised it with a French examining magistrate," the lawyer said, according to AFP.
The Kazakh government filed the complaint in Paris in 2017 against the former oligarch and accused him of having embezzled more than $7.5 billion from Kazakh bank BTA, where he served as CEO before it was nationalized in 2009.
He allegedly granted loans without guarantees to front companies that he benefitted from.
Ablyazov is wanted by Kazakhstan, Russia, and Ukraine on suspicion of embezzling some $5 billion.
In order to file suit, the Kazakh authorities acted on a French legal provision that allows a court to try a foreigner whose extradition has been rejected for political reasons, for a crime or offense committed outside France.
French authorities rejected a request for his extradition in 2016 on the grounds it was politically motivated.
In its ruling granting asylum to the former banker, dated September 29 and quoted by Le Monde, France's National Court of Asylum Issues (CDNA) said the court deplored direct pressure from Kazakhstan and "the obvious attempts by outside agents to exert influence on the asylum authorities."
Le Monde said the court had reviewed for several months Ablyazov's appeal against an earlier decision by the French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons to reject his asylum request.
His lawyer, Bota Jardemalie, said on October 4 that the CDNA's decision was made "despite the most massive political pressure by Kazakhstan on the leadership of France, international lobbying organized by [Kazakhstan's] regime, its dirty PR, fabricated accusations, manipulations and direct pressure on the French justice [system]."
Ablyazov has been a vocal critic of Kazakh President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev and his predecessor, Nursultan Nazarbaev.
In November 2018, a court in Kazakhstan sentenced Ablyazov in absentia to life in prison after finding him guilty of organizing the 2004 murder of Erzhan Tatishev, the head TuranAlem bank, which was later renamed BTA.
In a separate trial in absentia in Kazakhstan that ended in 2017, Ablyazov was convicted of embezzlement, abuse of office, and organizing a criminal group and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Ablyazov denies all the charges, saying they are politically motivated.
With reporting by AFP