rferl--2020-10-31--Armenia, Azerbaijan Accuse Each Other Of New Shelling As Russia Vows Assistance To Yerevan

Armenia and Azerbaijan have accused each other of shelling residential areas , just a day after the sides agreed to avoid targeting civilian populations in and around the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The fresh fighting came as Russia said it would provide `` necessary '' assistance to Yerevan if fighting between Azerbaijan and ethnic Armenian forces over Nagorno-Karabakh reached Armenia 's territory .
Moscow was responding to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian ’ s letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin asking to begin `` urgent '' consultations on security assistance .
The shelling reported from both sides on October @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between the two countries ' foreign ministers and international mediators that were aimed at helping to bring a halt in fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh after three previous cease-fires failed .
The talks on October 30 fell short of another cease-fire , but Yerevan and Baku agreed to engage in an exchange of bodies on the battlefield , provide lists of detained prisoners of war within a week with the aim of eventual exchange , and communicate on issues `` related to possible cease-fire verification mechanisms , '' said a statement by the Minsk Group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the United States .
Nagorno-Karabakh is recognized as part of Azerbaijan , but the ethnic Armenians who make up most of the population , reject Azerbaijani rule .
They have been governing their own affairs , with support from Armenia , since Azerbaijan 's troops were pushed out of the breakaway region in a war in the early 1990s .
The latest fighting began on September 27 , escalating quickly to involve heavy artillery , rockets , and drones .
At least one thousand people have been killed in the fighting .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths on both sides .
Authorities in Nagorno-Karabakh said on October 31 that the central market in Stepanakert , the enclave 's largest city , had come under fire and that large parts of it had been burned .
Armenian Defense Ministry spokesperson Shushan Stepanian also said several civilians had been wounded in attacks on the strategic town of Shushi ( known as Susa in Azeri ) , around 15 kilometers from Stepanakert .
Azerbaijan 's Defense Ministry denied both accusations .
It said that the regions of Tartar , Agdam , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The ministry also said Gubadli , a town between the enclave and the Iranian border that was taken by Azeri troops this week , was attacked .
Russia ’ s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on October 31 that Moscow “ will render Yerevan all necessary assistance if clashes take place directly on the territory of Armenia.
” Earlier on October 31 , Pashinian wrote to Putin that violence was getting closer to Armenia 's borders and reiterated that Azerbaijan 's ally Turkey was backing Baku , according to the statement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Armenia 's borders and reiterated that Azerbaijan 's ally Turkey was backing Baku .
`` The prime minister of Armenia has asked the Russian president to begin urgent consultations with the aim of determining the kind and amount of aid which the Russian Federation can provide Armenia to ensure its security , '' Armenia ’ s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on October 31 .
The statements came a day after Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed to avoid targeting civilian populations and take other “ urgent ” steps during talks with international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring a halt in fighting over the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh after three previous cease-fires failed .
In requesting Moscow 's help , Pashinian invoked a 1997 treaty on friendship , cooperation , and mutual assistance .
Russia , which has a major military base in Armenia , also guarantees Yerevan ’ s security under the Collective Security Treaty Organization ( CSTO ) .
Putin said earlier this month that Russia 's commitments to Armenia as part of CSTO do not include Nagorno-Karabakh , which is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ The extension of the fighting into Armenian territory could invoke defense obligations from the CSTO , which Russia , Belarus , Kazakhstan , Kyrgyzstan , and Tajikistan are also members of .
Article 4 of the CSTO treaty states that `` in the event of an act of aggression against any of the participating States , all other participating States will provide it with the necessary assistance , including military [ assistance ] .
With reporting by AFP and TASS

Armenia and Azerbaijan have accused each other of shelling residential areas, just a day after the sides agreed to avoid targeting civilian populations in and around the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
The fresh fighting came as Russia said it would provide "necessary" assistance to Yerevan if fighting between Azerbaijan and ethnic Armenian forces over Nagorno-Karabakh reached Armenia's territory.
Moscow was responding to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian’s letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin asking to begin "urgent" consultations on security assistance.
The shelling reported from both sides on October 31 came hours after talks in Geneva between the two countries' foreign ministers and international mediators that were aimed at helping to bring a halt in fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh after three previous cease-fires failed.
The talks on October 30 fell short of another cease-fire, but Yerevan and Baku agreed to engage in an exchange of bodies on the battlefield, provide lists of detained prisoners of war within a week with the aim of eventual exchange, and communicate on issues "related to possible cease-fire verification mechanisms," said a statement by the Minsk Group mediation co-chairs -- Russia, France, and the United States.
Nagorno-Karabakh is recognized as part of Azerbaijan, but the ethnic Armenians who make up most of the population, reject Azerbaijani rule. They have been governing their own affairs, with support from Armenia, since Azerbaijan's troops were pushed out of the breakaway region in a war in the early 1990s.
The latest fighting began on September 27, escalating quickly to involve heavy artillery, rockets, and drones.
At least one thousand people have been killed in the fighting. Russia has estimated as many as 5,000 deaths on both sides.
Authorities in Nagorno-Karabakh said on October 31 that the central market in Stepanakert, the enclave's largest city, had come under fire and that large parts of it had been burned.
Armenian Defense Ministry spokesperson Shushan Stepanian also said several civilians had been wounded in attacks on the strategic town of Shushi (known as Susa in Azeri), around 15 kilometers from Stepanakert.
Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry denied both accusations. It said that the regions of Tartar, Agdam, and Aghjabedi had come under artillery fire.
The ministry also said Gubadli, a town between the enclave and the Iranian border that was taken by Azeri troops this week, was attacked.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on October 31 that Moscow “will render Yerevan all necessary assistance if clashes take place directly on the territory of Armenia.”
Earlier on October 31, Pashinian wrote to Putin that violence was getting closer to Armenia's borders and reiterated that Azerbaijan's ally Turkey was backing Baku, according to the statement. Pashinian said that violence was getting closer to Armenia's borders and reiterated that Azerbaijan's ally Turkey was backing Baku.
"The prime minister of Armenia has asked the Russian president to begin urgent consultations with the aim of determining the kind and amount of aid which the Russian Federation can provide Armenia to ensure its security," Armenia’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on October 31.
'Urgent' Steps
The statements came a day after Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed to avoid targeting civilian populations and take other “urgent” steps during talks with international mediators in Geneva aimed at helping to bring a halt in fighting over the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh after three previous cease-fires failed.
In requesting Moscow's help, Pashinian invoked a 1997 treaty on friendship, cooperation, and mutual assistance.
Russia, which has a major military base in Armenia, also guarantees Yerevan’s security under the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).
Putin said earlier this month that Russia's commitments to Armenia as part of CSTO do not include Nagorno-Karabakh, which is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan. Baku is not a CSTO member.
The extension of the fighting into Armenian territory could invoke defense obligations from the CSTO, which Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan are also members of.
Article 4 of the CSTO treaty states that "in the event of an act of aggression against any of the participating States, all other participating States will provide it with the necessary assistance, including military [assistance].
With reporting by AFP and TASS


rferl--2020-10-31--Georgian Reforms Debut In Hotly Contested Parliamentary Elections

Georgians are voting in parliamentary elections in the first test of electoral reforms intended to provide a broader range of political representation in the legislature .
Voters in the South Caucasus nation are deciding whether a ruling party will run the government on its own for an unprecedented third-consecutive time .
They are also weighing in on the current legislature 's handling of a struggling economy , the coronavirus outbreak , and foreign relations .
A majority of polls suggest that the ruling Georgian Dream coalition , formed by the country 's richest man , billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is unclear if the coalition will be able to get more than the 40 percent of votes needed to rule the government on its own .
The ruling party leaders said they were confident of victory and promised to hold a free and fair election .
`` We have information that turnout is high ; our supporters are very active and we expect to receive over one million votes , '' Irakli Kobakhidze , the ruling party 's executive secretary , told reporters on October 31 .
There were long lines outside polling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Tbilisi , with voters wearing protective masks due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Many Georgians accuse the government of mishandling the economy , selective justice , weak foreign policy , and falling short of democratic standards , including the brutal dispersal of protests .
`` The opposition will win and it will be a decisive victory , oligarchic governance should be over , '' said Tina Bokuchava , a lawmaker from the opposition United National Movement ( ENM ) , referring to Ivanishvili .
Transparency International Georgia said voting was taking place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” although it had recorded some 100 minor violations by 12 p.m. local time .
Another watchdog , the International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy , said violations of ballot secrecy were a major issue .
The Central Elections Committee said 19.41 percent of eligible voters , or 681,583 people , had cast their ballots by noon , slightly lower than in the 2016 vote .
Under electoral reforms passed in June , the format for electing Georgia 's 150-member unicameral parliament was restructured to give more weight to proportional representation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- as opposed to the previous 77 -- will be determined based on party lists .
Thirty individual candidates -- as opposed to the previous 73 -- will be elected to represent single-mandate districts .
Overall , 66 parties are registered to run for parliamentary seats in the October 31 vote , with 490 candidates running for individual mandates .
The reforms were aimed at ending the consolidation of power by a single political grouping , which to this point has been the Georgian Dream coalition .
“ One gets the feeling that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the post-Soviet one-party system and the thirst for a leader/chief , who will settle all issues for the people , ” according to George Mchedlishvili , an associate professor at the European University in Tbilisi .
Georgian Dream defeated the ENM in the 2012 parliamentary elections and has been the ruling party ever since .
However , the party lost its constitutional majority in 2019 after some lawmakers defected amid protests alleging it had failed to follow through on election promises , including electoral reforms .
Georgian Dream also faces a challenge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new rule adopted under the reforms requiring political parties to win 40 percent of the vote to rule on its own .
Anything less than 40 percent will require a coalition to form the government , which would be a first for post-Soviet Georgia .
Parliamentary speaker Archil Talakvadze of Georgian Dream has described the passage of the reforms as testimony to Georgia 's commitment to democratic principles , but opposition members have said the ruling party only accepted the changes due to pressure from the public and international partners .
Wedged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Georgia 's strategic location makes it the main transit country for energy , transport and trade between Azerbaijan and Turkey , as well as a key player in Europe 's energy security .
Georgian Dream faces competition from ENM , which nominated former President Mikheil Saakashvili to be its candidate for the post of prime minister .
Saakashvili rode the wave of the pro-Western Rose Revolution to the presidency in 2004 , and served two terms in office marked by anti-government demonstrations as well as a failed war against Russia over the breakaway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2008 .
Following Georgian Dream 's parliamentary victory in 2012 and the subsequent arrest of some former high-ranking members of his cabinet on charges of abuse of power , Saakashvili left the country in 2013 .
A Georgian court in January 2018 convicted the former president of hiding evidence in the killing of a banker and was sentenced to three years in prison .
In June of that year he was also convicted of abuse of power and sentenced in absentia to six years in prison .
The 52-year-old has been campaigning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine , where he served during his time there as governor of Odesa Oblast from 2015 to 2016 .
Three other opposition parties led by former ENM members -- European Georgia , Strategy Agmashenebeli , and the libertarian Girchi -- are also expected to win parliamentary seats , as is the centrist Lelo For Georgia .
A number of other parties are expected to have a chance to gain parliament seats owing to reforms lowering the threshold for entering parliament to 1 percent of the vote , including Russia-friendly parties -- United Georgia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ onetime Rose Revolution leader Nino Burjanadze , and the Alliance of Patriots .
The ongoing conflict between fellow South Caucasus countries Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh is also expected to have an impact on the vote , amid concerns that Georgia 's archrival Russia might increase its influence in the region .
Opinion polls have placed Georgian Dream at the head of the pack going into the election , with from 26 to 52 percent of the vote , but the ruling party 's popularity levels have been a roller-coaster in recent months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerns about the country 's flailing economy before rebounding on the back of support for its handling of the coronavirus outbreak .
The U.S. rights watchdog Freedom House noted in a report earlier this month that `` Georgia has had one of the lowest death rates globally , resulting in a significant popularity boost . ''
Polls place the ENM in second , with 16 to 19 percent of the vote , and European Georgia in third with 5 to 8 percent .
The vote is being held under the cloud of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Election Commission has approved special procedures allowing more than 10,000 hospitalized citizens to cast votes using mobile ballot boxes .
The vote will be monitored by short- and long-term observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe 's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights ( OSCE/ODIHR ) , the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe ( PACE ) , and the NATO Parliamentary Assembly .

The ruling Georgian Dream party has celebrated the results of four exit polls, all showing it finishing first in parliamentary elections on October 31 that were a test of electoral reforms intended to broaden the range of representation in the legislature.
Though the four exit polls showed significantly different results, they indicated that Georgian Dream got enough votes to cross the 40.5 percent threshold set by law for forming a government on its own.
Official results are expected to be reported as of the early hours of November 1.
All four polls were commissioned by television stations. The Imedi TV exit poll estimated Georgian Dream most favorably, with 55 percent of the vote. It showed the United National Movement (ENM), the main opposition party, with 23 percent.
On the lower end of the estimates, an exit poll commissioned by the opposition Mtavari Arkhi TV showed Georgian Dream getting 41 percent. It showed ENM will receive about 33 percent when the official results are released.
The other two polls, conducted by pollsters hired by Formula 1 and Rustavi 2, showed Georgian Dream with 46 percent and 51 percent, respectively. The pollster for Formula 1 said about 60 percent of people asked refused to participate in the exit poll.
Billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, who formed the Georgian Dream coalition in 2012, personally congratulated the leaders of the party and supporters.
Voters in the South Caucasus nation voted to decide whether the ruling party will run the government on its own for an unprecedented third consecutive term. They also weighed in on the current legislature's handling of a struggling economy, the coronavirus outbreak, and foreign relations.
Many Georgians accuse the government of mishandling the economy, selective justice, weak foreign policy, and falling short of democratic standards, including the brutal dispersal of protests.
Under electoral reforms passed in June, the format for electing Georgia's 150-member unicameral parliament was restructured to give more weight to proportional representation.
Under the new system, 120 seats -- as opposed to the previous 77 -- will be determined based on party lists. Thirty individual candidates -- as opposed to the previous 73 -- will be elected to represent single-mandate districts.
Overall, 66 parties are registered to run for parliamentary seats in the October 31 vote, with 490 candidates running for individual mandates.
The reforms were aimed at ending the consolidation of power by a single political grouping, which to this point has been the Georgian Dream coalition.
“One gets the feeling that Georgian society has finally matured and emerged from the post-Soviet one-party system and the thirst for a leader/chief, who will settle all issues for the people,” according to George Mchedlishvili, an associate professor at the European University in Tbilisi.
Georgian Dream defeated the United National Movement (ENM) in the 2012 parliamentary elections and has been the ruling party ever since.
However, the party lost its constitutional majority in 2019 after some lawmakers defected amid protests alleging it had failed to follow through on election promises, including electoral reforms.
Georgian Dream also faces a challenge in maintaining its ruling status due to the 40 percent rule.. Anything less than 40 percent will require a coalition to form the government, which would be a first for post-Soviet Georgia.
Parliamentary speaker Archil Talakvadze of Georgian Dream has described the passage of the reforms as testimony to Georgia's commitment to democratic principles, but opposition members have said the ruling party only accepted the changes due to pressure from the public and international partners.
Wedged between the Caspian and Black Seas, Georgia's strategic location makes it the main transit country for energy, transport and trade between Azerbaijan and Turkey, as well as a key player in Europe's energy security.
Georgian Dream faces competition from ENM, which nominated former President Mikheil Saakashvili to be its candidate for the post of prime minister.
Saakashvili rode the wave of the pro-Western Rose Revolution to the presidency in 2004, and served two terms in office marked by anti-government demonstrations as well as a failed war against Russia over the breakaway Georgian territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in 2008.
Following Georgian Dream's parliamentary victory in 2012 and the subsequent arrest of some former high-ranking members of his cabinet on charges of abuse of power, Saakashvili left the country in 2013.
A Georgian court in January 2018 convicted the former president of hiding evidence in the killing of a banker and was sentenced to three years in prison. In June of that year he was also convicted of abuse of power and sentenced in absentia to six years in prison.
The 52-year-old has been campaigning by video link from his self-exile in Ukraine, where he served during his time there as governor of Odesa Oblast from 2015 to 2016.
Three other opposition parties led by former ENM members -- European Georgia, Strategy Agmashenebeli, and the libertarian Girchi -- are also expected to win parliamentary seats, as is the centrist Lelo For Georgia.
A number of other parties are expected to have a chance to gain parliament seats owing to reforms lowering the threshold for entering parliament to 1 percent of the vote, including Russia-friendly parties -- United Georgia, led by former parliamentary speaker and onetime Rose Revolution leader Nino Burjanadze, and the Alliance of Patriots.
The ongoing conflict between fellow South Caucasus countries Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh is also expected to have an impact on the vote, amid concerns that Georgia's archrival Russia might increase its influence in the region.
With reporting by RFE/RL’s Georgian Service


rferl--2020-11-01--Moldovans Vote In Presidential Election Charged By Accusations Of Foreign Interference

CHISINAU – Voters in Moldova go to the polls on November 1 in an election that has turned into a rematch of the hard-fought 2016 presidential race .
Incumbent President Igor Dodon , the staunchly pro-Russian founder of Moldova ’ s Socialist Party , is facing off against seven other candidates .
But his main rival by far , polling shows , is Maia Sandu , a 48-year-old pro-Western technocrat and former prime minister who heads the Party of Action and Solidarity .
Polls show Dodon , 45 , with about 23 percent support , followed by Sandu with about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters say they remain undecided .
In 2016 , Dodon defeated Sandu in a second-round runoff by less than 5 percent in an election that was marred by allegations of fraud .
From June until November 2019 , Sandu served as prime minister until Dodon pushed her out after she unsuccessfully resisted his efforts to bring the Prosecutor-General ’ s Office under presidential control .
Both campaigns have accused the other of accepting foreign help and of working in the interests of foreign governments .
With a population of about 3.5 million , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and is sharply divided between those who support closer ties with Russia and those who advocate links with the European Union and , especially , neighboring Romania .
The country 's Moscow-backed breakaway Transdniester region has been de facto independent since a separatist war in the 1990s .
A poll this summer by the International Republican Institute found that more than 70 percent of Moldovans believe the country is heading in the wrong direction .
Voters said the most pressing issues for them were unemployment , low wages , poor governance , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign has accused nongovernmental organizations and some media of supporting Sandu at the behest of foreign governments .
Those accusations have been repeated by Russian officials , including Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov who accused the United States of seeking “ to establish absolute control in Moldova.
” Earlier this month , the NGO Dossier -- which is financed by former Russian tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky , a staunch critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin -- and the Moldovan NGO RISE Moldova published an investigative report charging that Moscow was manipulating Dodon and aiding his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several Russian political consultants in Chisinau in the company of Socialist Party leaders .
Dodon has run largely on a platform calling for “ stability ” and has promoted his record of securing loans and other economic favors from Moscow .
He has been criticized for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic , during which more than 55,000 Moldovans have been infected and more than 1,300 have died .
Sandu has campaigned against corruption and called for ending Moldova ’ s “ isolation.
” She notes that during his first term , Dodon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s leading trade partner and western neighbor , Romania .
She has pledged to implement Moldova ’ s Association Agreement with the European Union , which she says would improve the quality of governance and reduce corruption .
Moldova ’ s election is being held in the shadow of events in nearby Belarus , which has been racked by protests since its August 9 presidential election that the opposition says was falsified to give Alyaksandr Lukashenka a sixth term .
Sandu told Euronews in September that “ events in Belarus are extremely relevant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Belarus is that today there is ‘ zero tolerance ’ for defrauding the popular will , ” she said .
She repeated the message in an interview with RFE/RL earlier this month .
“ We will report on all violations , ” she told RFE/RL .
“ We will appeal to the courts , to prosecutors , and to the Central Election Commission .
But that might not turn out to be enough if the courts act as they did [ during the disputed Chisinau mayoral election ] in 2018 .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strength , and we will defend the votes of the people.
” The election will be monitored by the Moldovan Promo-LEX nongovernmental organization and by missions from the European Network of Election Monitoring Organizations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe ( OSCE ) that have been reduced because of the pandemic .
If necessary , a second round of voting would be held on November 15 .

CHISINAU -- Voters in Moldova cast ballots on November 1 in a presidential election that turned into a rematch of the hard-fought 2016 race.
Incumbent President Igor Dodon, the staunchly pro-Russian founder of Moldova’s Socialist Party, is facing off against seven other candidates. But his main rival by far, polling shows, is Maia Sandu, a 48-year-old pro-Western technocrat and former prime minister who heads the Party of Action and Solidarity.
Polls showed Dodon, 45, with about 23 percent support, is followed by Sandu with about 20 percent. Around 35 percent of voters say they remain undecided.
Early turnout figures showed that 36 percent of eligible voters had cast ballots by 5:30 p.m. That is past the 30 percent threshold required for the vote to be valid but is less than voter turnout at the same time in 2016.
The first election results were expected overnight.
In 2016, Dodon defeated Sandu in a second-round runoff by less than 5 percent in an election that was marred by allegations of fraud. From June until November 2019, Sandu served as prime minister until Dodon pushed her out after she unsuccessfully resisted his efforts to bring the Prosecutor-General’s Office under presidential control.
Both campaigns have accused the other of accepting foreign help and of working in the interests of foreign governments.
With a population of about 3.5 million, Moldova is Europe’s poorest country and is sharply divided between those who support closer ties with Russia and those who advocate links with the European Union and, especially, neighboring Romania. The country's Moscow-backed breakaway Transdniester region has been de facto independent since a separatist war in the 1990s.
A poll this summer by the International Republican Institute found that more than 70 percent of Moldovans believe the country is heading in the wrong direction. Voters said the most pressing issues for them were unemployment, low wages, poor governance, and the coronavirus pandemic.
Dodon’s campaign has accused nongovernmental organizations and some media of supporting Sandu at the behest of foreign governments. Those accusations have been repeated by Russian officials, including Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov who accused the United States of seeking “to establish absolute control in Moldova.”
Earlier this month, the NGO Dossier -- which is financed by former Russian tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky, a staunch critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin -- and the Moldovan NGO RISE Moldova published an investigative report charging that Moscow was manipulating Dodon and aiding his campaign. The investigation included photographs of several Russian political consultants in Chisinau in the company of Socialist Party leaders.
Dodon has run largely on a platform calling for “stability” and has promoted his record of securing loans and other economic favors from Moscow. He has been criticized for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, during which more than 55,000 Moldovans have been infected and more than 1,300 have died.
Sandu has campaigned against corruption and called for ending Moldova’s “isolation.” She notes that during his first term, Dodon never visited neighboring Ukraine or Moldova’s leading trade partner and western neighbor, Romania.
She has pledged to implement Moldova’s Association Agreement with the European Union, which she says would improve the quality of governance and reduce corruption.
Moldova’s election is being held in the shadow of events in nearby Belarus, which has been racked by protests since its August 9 presidential election that the opposition says was falsified to give Alyaksandr Lukashenka a sixth term.
Sandu told Euronews in September that “events in Belarus are extremely relevant for Moldova.”
“The message coming from Belarus is that today there is ‘zero tolerance’ for defrauding the popular will,” she said.
She repeated the message in an interview with RFE/RL earlier this month.
“We will report on all violations,” she told RFE/RL. “We will appeal to the courts, to prosecutors, and to the Central Election Commission. But that might not turn out to be enough if the courts act as they did [during the disputed Chisinau mayoral election] in 2018. We will have to rely on our own strength, and we will defend the votes of the people.”
The election will be monitored by the Moldovan Promo-LEX nongovernmental organization and by missions from the European Network of Election Monitoring Organizations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) that have been reduced because of the pandemic.
If necessary, a second round of voting would be held on November 15.


rferl--2020-10-31--Thousands Mourn Head Of Serbian Orthodox Church In Montenegro

Thousands of people turned out on October 31 to pay their respects to the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church @ @ @ @ @ at the age of 82 after being hospitalized following a positive test for the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ as the remains of Metropolitan Amfilohije were transferred from the Cetinje Monastery to the Cathedral @ @ @ @ @ Podgorica .
Amfilohije is to be buried in the crypt of the cathedral in Podgorica @ @ @ @ @ Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro urged those paying their respects to comply with measures to @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus .
However , few in the large crowd were wearing masks while standing in @ @ @ @ @ .
The funeral is scheduled to take place on November 1 .

Thousands of people turned out on October 31 to pay their respects to the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro, who died at the age of 82 after being hospitalized following a positive test for the coronavirus. People gathered in Podgorica as the remains of Metropolitan Amfilohije were transferred from the Cetinje Monastery to the Cathedral of Christ's Resurrection in Podgorica. Amfilohije is to be buried in the crypt of the cathedral in Podgorica at his request. The Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro urged those paying their respects to comply with measures to control the spread of the coronavirus. However, few in the large crowd were wearing masks while standing in close proximity to one another. The funeral is scheduled to take place on November 1.


rferl--2020-10-31--Hundreds Attend Rare Protest In Kazakhstan

Around 300 people took part in a sanctioned rally on October 31 in Almaty , Kazakhstan ’ s second-largest city @ @ @ @ @ to demand political reforms and an end to politically motivated persecutions .
Demonstrators read out @ @ @ @ @ , who they say are political prisoners , and also called for freedom of speech @ @ @ @ @ Bakhytzhan Toreghozhina and Ghalym Ageleuov said that permission to hold the protest was obtained after @ @ @ @ @ so were unsuccessful .
No reason was given for why authorities eventually decided to allow @ @ @ @ @ hold similar events in other cities to coincide with the Almaty demonstration were declined .

Around 300 people took part in a sanctioned rally on October 31 in Almaty, Kazakhstan’s second-largest city. The protest was held to demand political reforms and an end to politically motivated persecutions. Demonstrators read out the names of 200 people, who they say are political prisoners, and also called for freedom of speech. Prominent human right activists Bakhytzhan Toreghozhina and Ghalym Ageleuov said that permission to hold the protest was obtained after two previous attempts to do so were unsuccessful. No reason was given for why authorities eventually decided to allow the rally. Requests to hold similar events in other cities to coincide with the Almaty demonstration were declined.


rferl--2020-10-31--Georgian Dream Leads Exit Polls After Parliamentary Elections

The ruling Georgian Dream party has celebrated the results of four exit polls , all showing it finishing first in parliamentary elections on October 31 that were a test of electoral reforms intended to broaden the range of representation in the legislature .
Though the four exit polls showed significantly different results , they indicated that Georgian Dream got enough votes to cross the 40.5 percent threshold set by law for forming a government on its own .
Official results are expected to be reported as of the early hours of November 1 .
All four polls were commissioned by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poll estimated Georgian Dream most favorably , with 55 percent of the vote .
It showed the United National Movement ( ENM ) , the main opposition party , with 23 percent .
On the lower end of the estimates , an exit poll commissioned by the opposition Mtavari Arkhi TV showed Georgian Dream getting 41 percent .
It showed ENM will receive about 33 percent when the official results are released .
The other two polls , conducted by pollsters hired by Formula 1 and Rustavi 2 , showed Georgian Dream with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The pollster for Formula 1 said about 60 percent of people asked refused to participate in the exit poll .
Billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili , who formed the Georgian Dream coalition in 2012 , personally congratulated the leaders of the party and supporters .
Voters in the South Caucasus nation voted to decide whether the ruling party will run the government on its own for an unprecedented third consecutive term .
They also weighed in on the current legislature 's handling of a struggling economy , the coronavirus outbreak , and foreign relations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mishandling the economy , selective justice , weak foreign policy , and falling short of democratic standards , including the brutal dispersal of protests .
Under electoral reforms passed in June , the format for electing Georgia 's 150-member unicameral parliament was restructured to give more weight to proportional representation .
Under the new system , 120 seats -- as opposed to the previous 77 -- will be determined based on party lists .
Thirty individual candidates -- as opposed to the previous 73 -- will be elected to represent single-mandate districts .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ run for parliamentary seats in the October 31 vote , with 490 candidates running for individual mandates .
The reforms were aimed at ending the consolidation of power by a single political grouping , which to this point has been the Georgian Dream coalition .
“ One gets the feeling that Georgian society has finally matured and emerged from the post-Soviet one-party system and the thirst for a leader/chief , who will settle all issues for the people , ” according to George Mchedlishvili , an associate professor at the European University in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Movement ( ENM ) in the 2012 parliamentary elections and has been the ruling party ever since .
However , the party lost its constitutional majority in 2019 after some lawmakers defected amid protests alleging it had failed to follow through on election promises , including electoral reforms .
Georgian Dream also faces a challenge in maintaining its ruling status due to the 40 percent rule..
Anything less than 40 percent will require a coalition to form the government , which would be a first for post-Soviet Georgia .
Parliamentary speaker Archil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passage of the reforms as testimony to Georgia 's commitment to democratic principles , but opposition members have said the ruling party only accepted the changes due to pressure from the public and international partners .
Wedged between the Caspian and Black Seas , Georgia 's strategic location makes it the main transit country for energy , transport and trade between Azerbaijan and Turkey , as well as a key player in Europe 's energy security .
Georgian Dream faces competition from ENM , which nominated former President Mikheil Saakashvili to be its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Saakashvili rode the wave of the pro-Western Rose Revolution to the presidency in 2004 , and served two terms in office marked by anti-government demonstrations as well as a failed war against Russia over the breakaway Georgian territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in 2008 .
Following Georgian Dream 's parliamentary victory in 2012 and the subsequent arrest of some former high-ranking members of his cabinet on charges of abuse of power , Saakashvili left the country in 2013 .
A Georgian court in January 2018 convicted the former president of hiding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and was sentenced to three years in prison .
In June of that year he was also convicted of abuse of power and sentenced in absentia to six years in prison .
The 52-year-old has been campaigning by video link from his self-exile in Ukraine , where he served during his time there as governor of Odesa Oblast from 2015 to 2016 .
Three other opposition parties led by former ENM members -- European Georgia , Strategy Agmashenebeli , and the libertarian Girchi -- are also expected to win parliamentary seats , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A number of other parties are expected to have a chance to gain parliament seats owing to reforms lowering the threshold for entering parliament to 1 percent of the vote , including Russia-friendly parties -- United Georgia , led by former parliamentary speaker and onetime Rose Revolution leader Nino Burjanadze , and the Alliance of Patriots .
The ongoing conflict between fellow South Caucasus countries Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh is also expected to have an impact on the vote , amid concerns that Georgia 's archrival Russia might increase its influence in @ @ @


rferl--2020-11-01--Georgian Dream Claims Win In 'Competitive' Parliamentary Vote Rejected By Opposition

Georgia 's ruling Georgian Dream has claimed victory in parliamentary elections that pitted it against a more united opposition hoping to end the party 's eight-year run .
But the largest opposition party has rejected the results of the October 31 voting and called for a protest in central Tbilisi , while international observers warned that while the process was `` competitive '' it was `` far from perfect . ''
The international observer mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe ( OSCE ) concluded on November 1 that the elections in the Caucasus country of around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and said that `` overall , fundamental freedoms were respected . ''
But , in preliminary findings presented at a midday press conference , the OSCE cited factors that `` reduced public confidence in some aspects of the process . ''
Speaking in Tbilisi , the observers cited a `` visibly partisan '' media environment , `` pervasive allegations of pressure on voters , '' and a `` blurring of the line between the ruling party and the state '' as particularly troublesome .
With over 97 percent of the vote counted on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported Georgian Dream had 48.05 percent and the main opposition party United National Movement ( ENM ) 's bloc 27.07 percent .
The opposition European Georgia , led by a number of former ENM members , was third with 3.79 percent .
Five other parties appeared well-placed to top the newly reduced 1-percent threshold to reach parliament , according to preliminary results , including : the Lelo party at 3.17 percent , the pro-Russian Alliance of Patriots at 3.18 percent , the Strategy Aghmashenebeli at 3.15 percent , Girchi at 2.92 percent , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Turnout was said to have been 56 percent .
President Salome Zourabichvili praised what she said were elections with `` high voter turnout and without severe violations . ''
`` Georgia has managed and conducted peaceful , fair , secure , democratic elections , it can be said , European elections , '' Zourabichvili , whose candidacy in 2018 was supported by Georgian Dream , said in a November 1 statement on her official website .
The elections were the first under a reformed electoral system passed in June giving more weight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in parliament , 120 seats are determined based on party lists and 30 seats through single-mandate districts .
The Central Election Commission 's website showed Georgian Dream dominating the majoritarian races , leading in all but one of those 30 constituencies as the tallying continued .
Candidates in the single-mandate districts need more than 50 percent of the vote to avoid a runoff , however .
Opposition parties rejected the results and called on citizens to rally on Rustaveli Avenue in central Tbilisi in the afternoon of November 1 to protest what they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been in fractious rivalry with ENM , which nominated exiled former President Mikheil Saakashvili to be its candidate for prime minister .
Saakashvili was quoted as saying after polls closed that Georgian Dream officials were `` massively falsifying election results . ''
He called for a `` mass mobilization to defend the votes . ''
Nika Melia , one of the ENM leaders , told reporters after consulting with other opposition leaders : `` It was not an election , it was a war . ''
According to another opposition leader , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illegitimate and `` the government has been usurped .
The OSCE observers noted the presence of `` party coordinators '' outside polling stations on election day that could have intimidated some voters .
They encouraged the new parliament and other officials to continue to improve Georgia 's electoral processes .
Osman Askin Bak , the Turkish head of the NATO PA delegation that was part of the OSCE mission , said it was a `` competitive election '' within a `` sound electoral framework '' in which `` most procedures were followed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ far from perfect , '' he added .
Bak noted the absence of voting in the breakaway Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia due to `` Russia 's illegal occupation . ''
Tiny Kox , head of the PACE delegation to the elections , said that `` these have been free elections , and that is not nothing . ''
But he noted high party spending without limits that `` negatively affects the fairness of your elections . ''
So much spent in such a relatively poor country `` creates a danger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' to the public , Kox said .
Transparency International Georgia , an NGO that had deployed around 600 local observers , said the voting was `` a step back compared with the 2016 parliamentary elections . ''
It cited vote rigging including `` an individual who voted on at least 10 occasions '' in one precinct , bribery for votes , physical confrontations , obstruction of observers , and other irregularities .
The group recommended that police investigate possible crimes , election officials take specific measures to bolster public confidence including more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the executive and legislative branches work toward more digitized voting procedures .
Monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe ( OSCE ) were planning an early afternoon press conference to announce their conclusions about the fairness of the vote .
There were numerous reports of mostly minor violations throughout election day , many of them related to compliance with anti-pandemic measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus .
The ruling party declared victory after polls closed across the South Caucasus country and four exit polls put it in first place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Georgian Dream coalition in 2012 , personally congratulated the leaders of the party and supporters .
It is still not clear how the results will translate into seat distribution in parliament or whether Georgian Dream would secure enough votes to form a single-party government for a third consecutive time .
Tamar Zhvania , the chairperson of the Central Election Commission , said the election was conducted in a calm environment with some exceptions and voters exercised their constitutional right .

Georgia's ruling Georgian Dream has claimed victory in parliamentary elections that pitted it against a more united opposition hoping to end the party's eight-year run.
But the largest opposition party has rejected the results of the October 31 voting and called for a protest in central Tbilisi, while international observers warned that while the process was "competitive" it was "far from perfect."
Waving Georgian flags, thousands of demonstrators gathered outside the parliament building on Tbilisi's main thoroughfare on November 1 demanding fresh elections.
The international observer mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) concluded on November 1 that the elections in the Caucasus country of around 3.7 million people were "competitive" and said that "overall, fundamental freedoms were respected."
But, in preliminary findings presented at a midday press conference, the OSCE cited factors that "reduced public confidence in some aspects of the process."
Speaking in Tbilisi, the observers cited a "visibly partisan" media environment, "pervasive allegations of pressure on voters," and a "blurring of the line between the ruling party and the state" as particularly troublesome.
With all votes counted on November 1, the Central Election Commission reported Georgian Dream had 48.15 percent and the bloc of the main opposition party, the United National Movement (ENM), had 27.14 percent.
The opposition European Georgia, led by a number of former ENM members, was third with 3.78 percent.
Five other parties appeared well-placed to top the newly reduced 1 percent threshold to reach parliament, according to preliminary results, including the Lelo party at 3.15 percent; the pro-Russian Alliance of Patriots at 3.14 percent; the Strategy Aghmashenebeli at 3.15 percent; Girchi at 2.89 percent; and the Citizens grouping at 1.33 percent.
Turnout was said to have been 56 percent.
President Salome Zurabishvili praised what she said were elections with "high voter turnout and without severe violations."
"Georgia has managed and conducted peaceful, fair, secure, democratic elections -- it can be said, European elections," Zurabishvili, whose candidacy in 2018 was supported by Georgian Dream, said in a November 1 statement on her official website.
The elections were the first under a reformed electoral system passed in June giving more weight to proportional representation. Of 150 seats in parliament, 120 seats are determined based on party lists and 30 seats through single-mandate districts.
The Central Election Commission's website showed Georgian Dream dominating the majoritarian races, where candidates in the single-mandate districts need more than 50 percent of the vote to avoid a runoff.
The results translate into 75 seats for Georgian Dream in parliament, one seat short of a majority. However, runoff elections will be held in 15 districts, all but ensuring the ruling party will secure a majority in parliament.
Billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, who formed the Georgian Dream coalition in 2012, personally congratulated the leaders of the party and its supporters after exit polls showed the party leading.
Georgian Dream has been in a fractious rivalry with ENM, which nominated exiled former President Mikheil Saakashvili to be its candidate for prime minister.
Saakashvili was quoted as saying after polls closed that Georgian Dream officials were "massively falsifying election results." He called for a "mass mobilization to defend the votes."
Nika Melia, one of the ENM's leaders, told reporters after consulting with other opposition leaders: "It was not an election, it was a war."
According to another opposition leader, Shalva Natelashvili, the election results are illegitimate and "the government has been usurped."
The OSCE observers noted the presence of "party coordinators" outside polling stations on election day that could have intimidated some voters.
They encouraged the new parliament and other officials to continue to improve Georgia's electoral processes.
Osman Askin Bak, the Turkish head of the NATO PA delegation that was part of the OSCE mission, said it was a "competitive election" within a "sound electoral framework" in which "most procedures were followed."
"It was, however, far from perfect," he added.
Bak noted the absence of voting in the breakaway Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia due to "Russia's illegal occupation."
Tiny Kox, head of the PACE delegation to the elections, said that "these have been free elections, and that is not nothing." But he noted high party spending without limits that "negatively affects the fairness of your elections."
So much spent in such a relatively poor country "creates a danger" and sends "the wrong signals" to the public, Kox said.
Transparency International Georgia, an NGO that had deployed around 600 local observers, said the voting was "a step back compared with the 2016 parliamentary elections."
It cited vote-rigging including "an individual who voted on at least 10 occasions" in one precinct, bribery for votes, physical confrontations, obstruction of observers, and other irregularities.
The group recommended that police investigate possible crimes and suggested election officials take specific measures to bolster public confidence, including more adequately supplying polling stations and more digitized voting procedures.
There were numerous reports of mostly minor violations throughout election day, many of them related to compliance with anti-pandemic measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Tamar Zhvania, the chairperson of the Central Election Commission, said the election was conducted in a calm environment with some exceptions and that voters exercised their constitutional right.


rferl--2020-11-01--Belarus Partially Shuts Borders Over COVID-19 As Protest Crackdown Continues

Belarus has partially closed all its land borders to foreigners in a move that prompted speculation the restrictions are politically motivated .
The Eastern European country ’ s State Border Committee said the border restrictions went into effect on November 1 to “ prevent the spread of infection caused by COVID-19 . ''
The decision comes as embattled ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka seeks to quell ongoing protests and strikes triggered by a disputed August 9 election that gave him a sixth consecutive term as president .
Lukashenka has repeatedly blamed the opposition and hundreds of thousands of people flooding the streets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accuses neighboring Poland and the Baltic states of trying to destabilize the country .
The move to restrict cross-border movement comes as Europe is experiencing a second wave of virus infections and countries across the continent are implementing fresh lockdowns .
Belarusian officials previously downplayed the coronavirus pandemic for months .
The Border Control Committee said the border measure “ suspends entry to foreign nationals and stateless persons ” through crossings with Latvia , Lithuania , Poland , Ukraine , and Russia .
The restrictions do not apply to Russian citizens transiting Belarus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ally of Belarus .
They also don ’ t impact cross-border trade and diplomats and other official delegations .
Passengers arriving to Belarus at Minsk ’ s airport are also not subject to the ban .
Although Belarusian citizens are supposed to be allowed in the country , there have been reports of some citizens being denied entry .
Belarusian opposition figure Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya , who left the country under pressure following the election she claims she won , said earlier this week the border closure was a sign that Lukashenka is `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to demonstrations with a crackdown that has seen more than 10,000 arrests and accusations of torture and beatings by security forces against peaceful demonstrators .
He also ordered military drills , including on the country 's western border with Poland and Lithuania .

Belarus has partially closed all its land borders to foreigners in a move that prompted speculation the restrictions are politically motivated.
The Eastern European country’s State Border Committee said the border restrictions went into effect on November 1 to “prevent the spread of infection caused by COVID-19."
The decision comes as embattled ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka seeks to quell ongoing protests and strikes triggered by a disputed August 9 election that gave him a sixth consecutive term as president.
Lukashenka has repeatedly blamed the opposition and hundreds of thousands of people flooding the streets of being foreign-backed puppets.
He also accuses neighboring Poland and the Baltic states of trying to destabilize the country.
The move to restrict cross-border movement comes as Europe is experiencing a second wave of virus infections and countries across the continent are implementing fresh lockdowns.
Belarusian officials previously downplayed the coronavirus pandemic for months.
Crisis In Belarus Read our coverage as Belarusian strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka continues his brutal crackdown on NGOs, activists, and independent media following the August 2020 presidential election.
The Border Control Committee said the border measure “suspends entry to foreign nationals and stateless persons” through crossings with Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Ukraine, and Russia.
The restrictions do not apply to Russian citizens transiting Belarus en route to Russia, a close ally of Belarus. They also don’t impact cross-border trade and diplomats and other official delegations.
Passengers arriving to Belarus at Minsk’s airport are also not subject to the ban.
Although Belarusian citizens are supposed to be allowed in the country, there have been reports of some citizens being denied entry.
Belarusian opposition figure Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who left the country under pressure following the election she claims she won, said earlier this week the border closure was a sign that Lukashenka is "in a panic.”
Lukashenka has responded to demonstrations with a crackdown that has seen more than 10,000 arrests and accusations of torture and beatings by security forces against peaceful demonstrators. He also ordered military drills, including on the country's western border with Poland and Lithuania.
With reporting by Tut.by


rferl--2020-11-01--Moldovans Begin Voting In Presidential Election Charged By Accusations Of Foreign Interference

CHISINAU -- Voters in Moldova have begun voting at polling stations across the tiny ex-Soviet republic in an election that has turned into a rematch of the hard-fought 2016 presidential race .
Incumbent President Igor Dodon , the staunchly pro-Russian founder of Moldova ’ s Socialist Party , is facing off against seven other candidates .
But his main rival by far , polling shows , is Maia Sandu , a 48-year-old pro-Western technocrat and former prime minister who heads the Party of Action and Solidarity .
Polls showed Dodon , 45 , with about 23 percent support , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Around 35 percent of voters say they remain undecided .
Early turnout figures showed that nearly 379,000 of the 3.2 million eligible voters had cast ballots by late morning on election day , or around 13.5 percent of the electorate .
In 2016 , Dodon defeated Sandu in a second-round runoff by less than 5 percent in an election that was marred by allegations of fraud .
From June until November 2019 , Sandu served as prime minister until Dodon pushed her out after she unsuccessfully resisted his efforts to bring the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Both campaigns have accused the other of accepting foreign help and of working in the interests of foreign governments .
With a population of about 3.5 million , Moldova is Europe ’ s poorest country and is sharply divided between those who support closer ties with Russia and those who advocate links with the European Union and , especially , neighboring Romania .
The country 's Moscow-backed breakaway Transdniester region has been de facto independent since a separatist war in the 1990s .
A poll this summer by the International Republican Institute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moldovans believe the country is heading in the wrong direction .
Voters said the most pressing issues for them were unemployment , low wages , poor governance , and the coronavirus pandemic .
Dodon ’ s campaign has accused nongovernmental organizations and some media of supporting Sandu at the behest of foreign governments .
Those accusations have been repeated by Russian officials , including Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov who accused the United States of seeking “ to establish absolute control in Moldova.
” Earlier this month , the NGO Dossier -- which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a staunch critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin -- and the Moldovan NGO RISE Moldova published an investigative report charging that Moscow was manipulating Dodon and aiding his campaign .
The investigation included photographs of several Russian political consultants in Chisinau in the company of Socialist Party leaders .
Dodon has run largely on a platform calling for “ stability ” and has promoted his record of securing loans and other economic favors from Moscow .
He has been criticized for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic , during which more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 1,300 have died .
Sandu has campaigned against corruption and called for ending Moldova ’ s “ isolation.
” She notes that during his first term , Dodon never visited neighboring Ukraine or Moldova ’ s leading trade partner and western neighbor , Romania .
She has pledged to implement Moldova ’ s Association Agreement with the European Union , which she says would improve the quality of governance and reduce corruption .
Moldova ’ s election is being held in the shadow of events in nearby Belarus , which has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential election that the opposition says was falsified to give Alyaksandr Lukashenka a sixth term .
Sandu told Euronews in September that “ events in Belarus are extremely relevant for Moldova.
” “ The message coming from Belarus is that today there is ‘ zero tolerance ’ for defrauding the popular will , ” she said .
She repeated the message in an interview with RFE/RL earlier this month .
“ We will report on all violations , ” she told RFE/RL .
“ We will appeal to the courts , to prosecutors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But that might not turn out to be enough if the courts act as they did [ during the disputed Chisinau mayoral election ] in 2018 .
We will have to rely on our own strength , and we will defend the votes of the people.
” The election will be monitored by the Moldovan Promo-LEX nongovernmental organization and by missions from the European Network of Election Monitoring Organizations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe ( OSCE ) that have been reduced because of the pandemic .
Polling stations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local time .
If necessary , a second round of voting would be held on November 15 .


rferl--2020-11-02--Moldova Heads To Runoff Presidential Election As Pro-Russian Incumbent Leads

Moldova will hold a runoff presidential election after pro-Russian incumbent , Igor Dodon , and his pro-Western opponent , Maia Sandu , failed to win in the first round on November 1 .
With more than 90 percent of ballots counted , Central Election Commission data showed Dodon winning 36 percent against Sandu ’ s 32 percent .
A candidate needs more than 50 percent of the vote to avoid the November 15 runoff .
In 2016 , Dodon defeated Sandu in a second-round runoff by less than 5 percent in an election that was marred by allegations of fraud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Moldovan Service that the outcome of the first round was “ predictable.
” He suggested Dodon is likely to strengthen his position and win the runoff .
With a population of about 3.5 million , Moldova is Europe ’ s poorest country and is sharply divided between those who support closer ties with Russia and those who advocate links with the European Union and , especially , neighboring Romania .
The country 's Moscow-backed breakaway Transdniester region has been de facto independent since a separatist war in the 1990s .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Sandu has campaigned against corruption and called for closer ties with the European Union .
If elected , she has promised to secure more financial support from Brussels .
Dodon says he wants to reach a settlement next year for the Transdniester region Dodon has run largely on a platform calling for “ stability ” and has promoted his record of securing loans and other economic favors from Moscow .
He has been criticized for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic , during which more than 55,000 Moldovans have been infected and @ @ @ @ @ @

CHISINAU -- Moldova's pro-Western presidential candidate Maia Sandu has won a surprise victory in the first round of a presidential election that now heads to a runoff against pro-Russian incumbent, Igor Dodon.
With 99.81 of the ballots counted on November 2, Central Election Commission data showed Sandu winning 36.1 percent compared with Dodon’s 32.66 percent.
A candidate needed to win more than 50 percent of the vote to win outright to avoid a November 15 runoff.
Sandu’s lead raised eyebrows after exit polls from the November 1 election had shown Dodon ahead by about 10 percentage points.
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) voiced overall approval of the election process, saying on November 2 that the campaigning was competitive, "fundamental freedoms were respected," and the electoral authorities "organized technical aspects of the election professionally."
In 2016, Dodon defeated Sandu in a second-round runoff by less than 5 percent in an election that was marred by allegations of fraud.
With a population of about 3.5 million, Moldova is one of Europe’s poorest countries and is sharply divided between those who support closer ties with Russia and those who advocate links with the European Union and, especially, neighboring Romania.
Most of Moldova was part of Romania until World War II, when it was annexed by the Soviet Union, and a majority of its population is ethnic Romanian.
The country's Moscow-backed breakaway Transdniester region has been de facto independent since a separatist war in the 1990s.
The Kremlin, meanwhile, would like to keep Moldova in its sphere of influence, especially with the current wave of political unrest sweeping across several other former Soviet-aligned countries.
A former World Bank economist and prime minister, the 48-year-old Sandu has campaigned against corruption and called for closer ties with the European Union.
If elected, she has promised to secure more financial support from Brussels.
Dodon says he wants to reach a settlement next year for the Transdniester region
Dodon has run largely on a platform calling for “stability” and has promoted his record of securing loans and other economic favors from Moscow.
He has been criticized for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, during which more than 55,000 Moldovans have been infected and more than 1,300 have died.
Our Party leader Renato Usatii, the mayor of Balti, Moldova's second-largest city, came third with almost 17 percent of the vote.
Turnout in the first round of voting was 42.7 percent.
With reporting by RFE/RL's Moldovan Service.


rferl--2020-11-01--Romania Rejects Partnering With China's Huawei On 5G, Prime Minister Says

BUCHAREST -- Romanian Prime Minister Ludovic Orban says Chinese tech giant Huawei “ does not meet [ security ] conditions ” to be part of building 5G networks in the country .
“ With respect to 5G , [ China ] can not be our partner , ” Orban told RFE/RL ’ s Romanian Service in an interview published on November 1 .
U.S .
Ambassador to Romania Adrian Zuckerman has repeatedly warned about the security risks posed by Huawei as the United States presses its allies to block Huawei from wireless , high-speed networks , saying the company ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for spying purposes .
The allegation has been denied by Huawei and Beijing .
“ Huawei is the wrong choice , ” Zuckerman wrote in an opinion piece sent to Romanian media on September 11 .
“ Chinese communists despise freedom , rule of law , human rights , and the basic truth.
” U.S. President Donald Trump and Romanian President Klaus Iohannis in August 2019 signed a memorandum in Washington stating that vetting a company to build 5G networks must include “ whether it is under the control of another state.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the center-right National Liberal Party ( PNL ) , told RFE/RL that legislation will respect the memorandum with the United States .
`` We ’ ll choose a company that poses no threat to national security or other areas , ” he said .
The Romanian parliament is expected to pass legislation after general elections on December 6 .
A public tender for the construction of 5G networks is to be held in 2021 .

BUCHAREST -- Romanian Prime Minister Ludovic Orban says Chinese tech giant Huawei “does not meet [security] conditions” to be part of building 5G networks in the country.
“With respect to 5G, [China] cannot be our partner,” Orban told RFE/RL’s Romanian Service in an interview published on November 1.
U.S. Ambassador to Romania Adrian Zuckerman has repeatedly warned about the security risks posed by Huawei as the United States presses its allies to block Huawei from wireless, high-speed networks, saying the company’s equipment could be used by China for spying purposes. The allegation has been denied by Huawei and Beijing.
“Huawei is the wrong choice,” Zuckerman wrote in an opinion piece sent to Romanian media on September 11. “Chinese communists despise freedom, rule of law, human rights, and the basic truth.”
U.S. President Donald Trump and Romanian President Klaus Iohannis in August 2019 signed a memorandum in Washington stating that vetting a company to build 5G networks must include “whether it is under the control of another state.”
Orban, who is the leader of the center-right National Liberal Party (PNL), told RFE/RL that legislation will respect the memorandum with the United States.
"We’ll choose a company that poses no threat to national security or other areas,” he said.
The Romanian parliament is expected to pass legislation after general elections on December 6. A public tender for the construction of 5G networks is to be held in 2021.


rferl--2020-11-01--Baku Warns Of Fighting 'To The End' Amid Claims More Civilians Shelled In Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev issued more dire warnings over the ongoing fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh on November 1 as he and other senior officials met with a senior visiting delegation from staunch ally Turkey .
The tough talk out of Baku also came as Azerbaijan and Armenia each accused the other of launching new attacks as the worst flare-up between the sides entered its sixth week .
The ethnic Armenian side has reported more than 1,200 troop and civilian deaths since the escalation began on September 27 in and around the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh , which is a breakaway region of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supported by Yerevan .
The Azerbaijani side does not report military casualties , but has said 91 civilians have been killed and around 400 more injured .
But international groups have warned of the suspected use of banned cluster munitions -- whose toll on civilian populations is especially heavy -- in the fighting .
The ethnic Armenian leadership of Nagorno-Karabakh on November 1 accused Azerbaijani forces of targeting the town of Martuni and other areas with missile strikes overnight .
The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said Armenian forces were shelling its positions on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as civilian settlements in Tartar and Aghjabedi .
Many of the claims and counterclaims around the fighting are difficult to confirm .
Aliyev on November 1 repeated Baku 's demand that Armenia withdraw from Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas and warned Azerbaijani troops would `` go to the end '' if negotiations can not achieve that goal .
He was speaking during a meeting with the delegation led by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in Baku .
Aliyev , whose country also has extensive ties to Russia but has appeared to lean heavily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said Yerevan had `` no basis '' for a request for assistance from Moscow .
Armenia has a security guarantee from Russia via the Collective Security Treaty Organization ( CSTO ) , and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian has repeatedly requested support from Moscow since the current flare-up started .
Russia 's Foreign Ministry said on October 31 that it would provide `` all assistance required '' if the conflict spilled onto `` the territory of Armenia '' -- land that is outside the current conflict zone .
The United States , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Minsk Group of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe ( OSCE ) -- have failed to find a route to a cease-fire or a longer-term resolution of the dispute .
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on October 27 spoke separately by phone with Pashinian and Aliyev , urging both sides to pursue a diplomatic solution but a U.S.-mediated cease-fire has given way just like several Russian-mediated efforts before it .
Ethnic tensions in the region between Christian Armenians and their mainly Muslim neighbors have flared in Nagorno-Karabakh for decades @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worst since the post-Soviet sides reached a cease-fire in 1994 .
Based on reporting by RFE/RL 's Azerbaijani and Armenian Services and Reuters

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev issued more dire warnings over the ongoing fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh on November 1 as he and other senior officials met with a senior visiting delegation from staunch ally Turkey.
The tough talk out of Baku also came as Azerbaijan and Armenia each accused the other of launching new attacks as the worst flare-up between the sides entered its sixth week.
The ethnic Armenian side has reported more than 1,200 troop and civilian deaths since the escalation began on September 27 in and around the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, which is a breakaway region of Azerbaijan inhabited mostly by ethnic Armenians and supported by Yerevan.
The Azerbaijani side does not report military casualties, but has said 91 civilians have been killed and around 400 more injured.
But international groups have warned of the suspected use of banned cluster munitions -- whose toll on civilian populations is especially heavy -- in the fighting.
The ethnic Armenian leadership of Nagorno-Karabakh on November 1 accused Azerbaijani forces of targeting the town of Martuni and other areas with missile strikes overnight.
The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said Armenian forces were shelling its positions on the two countries' internationally recognized border as well as civilian settlements in Tartar and Aghjabedi.
Many of the claims and counterclaims around the fighting are difficult to confirm.
Aliyev on November 1 repeated Baku's demand that Armenia withdraw from Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas and warned Azerbaijani troops would "go to the end" if negotiations cannot achieve that goal.
He was speaking during a meeting with the delegation led by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in Baku.
Aliyev, whose country also has extensive ties to Russia but has appeared to lean heavily on Turkish and Israeli military equipment recently, said Yerevan had "no basis" for a request for assistance from Moscow.
Armenia has a security guarantee from Russia via the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian has repeatedly requested support from Moscow since the current flare-up started.
Russia's Foreign Ministry said on October 31 that it would provide "all assistance required" if the conflict spilled onto "the territory of Armenia" -- land that is outside the current conflict zone.
The United States, France, and Russia -- cochairs of the Minsk Group of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) -- have failed to find a route to a cease-fire or a longer-term resolution of the dispute.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on October 27 spoke separately by phone with Pashinian and Aliyev, urging both sides to pursue a diplomatic solution but a U.S.-mediated cease-fire has given way just like several Russian-mediated efforts before it.
Ethnic tensions in the region between Christian Armenians and their mainly Muslim neighbors have flared in Nagorno-Karabakh for decades, although the current fighting is the worst since the post-Soviet sides reached a cease-fire in 1994.
Based on reporting by RFE/RL's Azerbaijani and Armenian Services and Reuters


rferl--2020-11-01--Belarus Forces Fire Tear Gas, Beat Demonstrators In Minsk As Tens Of Thousands Take To Streets

MINSK -- Security forces in the Belarusian capital have detained more than 200 people in the latest anti-government protest fueled by a disputed presidential election 12 weeks ago .
Thousands of demonstrators took part November 1 in marches in Minsk as part of almost daily protests demanding Alyaksandr Lukashenka 's resignation and a new vote .
According to a list published by the human rights group Vyasna , nearly all the people detained were taken into custody in Minsk .
Four journalists were among those detained , and two of them were “ severely beaten , ” said Boris Goretsky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to RFE/RL ’ s Belarus Service .
Columns of security trucks and buses to hold detainees could be seen around the city as people marched toward a well-known monument to Soviet-era repression victims outside the capital .
Protesters were targeted with flash-bang grenades , and law enforcement used tear gas and batons to try to disperse the crowds .
Authorities acknowledged that police officers also fired warning shots into the air during the demonstration in Minsk .
These were `` necessary measures to maintain order in the capital and ensure public safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement of the Minsk City Executive Committee quoted by Interfax-Zapad said .
It cited people who had ignored traffic rules and warnings of police officers about those who had obstructed traffic .
Some motorists appeared to be trying to block the movement of vehicles intended to carry off detainees .
Armored vehicles equipped with machine guns were seen in Minsk along with water cannons and other anti-riot equipment , according to AP .
It was the 12th consecutive Sunday of marches in Minsk held to keep the pressure on Lukashenka , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousands since authorities declared him the winner of an August 9 election to give him a sixth consecutive term .
Most of the country ’ s opposition leaders have been arrested or forced to leave the country , including presidential candidate Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya , who has said the vote was rigged in Lukashenka 's favor and considers herself the rightful winner .
She left Belarus for Lithuania after the vote amid threats to her and her family .
Tsikhanouskaya has urged a `` national strike '' since October 26 that has been met @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against dissenters .
The opposition had set a deadline of midnight on October 25 for Lukashenka -- who has been president for 26 years -- to leave .
Lukashenka responded with another show of power , and later met with his new security chiefs on October 30 and threatened `` harsh measures ” against protesters .
Vyashna said about 40 people were detained in Minsk , Hrodna , and other Belarusian cities on October 31 .
The November 1 rallies coincide with an annual march that commemorates victims of Soviet-era killings with victims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Minsk .
Cell phone coverage was said to be cut off in many areas as estimates suggested dual marches had attracted tens of thousands of people .
Belarus partially closed all its land borders to foreigners overnight on October 31-November 1 in a move that prompted speculation the restrictions are politically motivated .
The country 's State Border Committee said the border restrictions were to “ prevent the spread of infection caused by COVID-19 . ''
Lukashenka has repeatedly accused the opposition and critics of being foreign-backed puppets .
He has bolstered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and accused Poland and the Baltic states of trying to destabilize Belarus .
With reporting by Reuters and AP

MINSK -- Security forces in the Belarusian capital have detained more than 200 people in the latest anti-government protest fueled by a disputed presidential election 12 weeks ago.
Thousands of demonstrators took part November 1 in marches in Minsk as part of almost daily protests demanding Alyaksandr Lukashenka's resignation and a new vote.
According to a list published by the human rights group Vyasna, nearly all the people detained were taken into custody in Minsk.
Four journalists were among those detained, and two of them were "severely beaten," said Barys Haretski of the Belarusian Association of Journalists, according to RFE/RL's Belarus Service.
Columns of security trucks and buses to hold detainees could be seen around the city as people marched toward a well-known monument to Soviet-era repression victims outside the capital.
Protesters were targeted with flash-bang grenades, and law enforcement used tear gas and batons to try to disperse the crowds.
Authorities acknowledged that police officers also fired warning shots into the air during the demonstration in Minsk.
These were "necessary measures to maintain order in the capital and ensure public safety during an unauthorized mass event," a statement of the Minsk City Executive Committee quoted by Interfax-Zapad said. It cited people who had ignored traffic rules and warnings of police officers about those who had obstructed traffic.
Some motorists appeared to be trying to block the movement of vehicles intended to carry off detainees.
Armored vehicles equipped with machine guns were seen in Minsk along with water cannons and other anti-riot equipment, according to AP.
It was the 12th consecutive Sunday of marches in Minsk held to keep the pressure on Lukashenka, who has orchestrated a massive crackdown and arrested thousands since authorities declared him the winner of an August 9 election to give him a sixth consecutive term.
Most of the country’s opposition leaders have been arrested or forced to leave the country, including presidential candidate Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who has said the vote was rigged in Lukashenka's favor and considers herself the rightful winner. She left Belarus for Lithuania after the vote amid threats to her and her family.
Tsikhanouskaya has urged a "national strike" since October 26 that has been met with security sweeps and more brutal moves against dissenters.
Crisis In Belarus Read our coverage as Belarusian strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka continues his brutal crackdown on NGOs, activists, and independent media following the August 2020 presidential election.
The opposition had set a deadline of midnight on October 25 for Lukashenka -- who has been president for 26 years -- to leave.
Lukashenka responded with another show of power, and later met with his new security chiefs on October 30 and threatened "harsh measures” against protesters.
Vyashna said about 40 people were detained in Minsk, Hrodna, and other Belarusian cities on October 31.
The November 1 rallies coincide with an annual march that commemorates victims of Soviet-era killings with victims buried at Kurapaty, on the outskirts of Minsk.
Cell phone coverage was said to be cut off in many areas as estimates suggested dual marches had attracted tens of thousands of people.
Belarus partially closed all its land borders to foreigners overnight on October 31-November 1 in a move that prompted speculation the restrictions are politically motivated.
The country's State Border Committee said the border restrictions were to “prevent the spread of infection caused by COVID-19."
Lukashenka has repeatedly accused the opposition and critics of being foreign-backed puppets.
He has bolstered forces at Belarus's western borders, and accused Poland and the Baltic states of trying to destabilize Belarus.
With reporting by Reuters and AP


rferl--2020-11-01--'Bodies Are Everywhere': Russia Struggles With COVID-19 Spike

COVID-19 cases are growing fast in Russia and the situation is becoming dire in some regions .
The country reported @ @ @ @ @ on October 30 .
There are shortages of medical supplies and personnel in a number @ @ @ @ @ morgues are full of bodies , with not enough pathologists to handle the dead .

COVID-19 cases are growing fast in Russia and the situation is becoming dire in some regions. The country reported a record 18,283 new cases on October 30. There are shortages of medical supplies and personnel in a number of cities. And some morgues are full of bodies, with not enough pathologists to handle the dead.


rferl--2020-11-02--Six Detentions Made Over 'Attempted Terrorist Act' In Tatarstan

KAZAN , Russia -- Russian authorities say they have detained six people over what officials described as an attempted terrorist attack against a police station in the Republic of Tatarstan last week .
The Kukmorsky district court has ordered Marat Zamaliyev , the stepfather of a teenager who was shot dead by police during the incident , remanded in custody for two months , official said on November 2 .
A spokesperson for the court said custody for five other suspects was extended by three days .
Reports said the 50-year-old Zamaliyev , a native of the North Caucasus region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terrorism charges in the past and spent many years in prison .
According to the Investigative Committee , a 16-year-old “ tried to set fire ” to a building of the police department in the town of Kukmor in the early hours of October 30 , “ using an incendiary mixture.
” When police tried to detain the teenager , he stabbed one officer “ at least three times with a knife ” before being shot by a fellow policeman , the committee said in a statement .
The stabbed police officer was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said its Main Investigative Directorate had opened an investigation into the `` attempted terrorist act . ''
Police in Tatarstan said the teenager chanted `` Allahu Akbar ! ''
( God is Great ! )
during the attack .
Kukmor is a town of some 18,000 residents in Muslim-majority Tatarstan .
With reporting by Interfax and RIA Novosti

KAZAN, Russia -- Russian authorities say they have detained six people over what officials described as an attempted terrorist attack against a police station in the Republic of Tatarstan last week.
The Kukmorsky district court has ordered Marat Zamaliyev, the stepfather of a teenager who was shot dead by police during the incident, remanded in custody for two months, official said on November 2.
A spokesperson for the court said custody for five other suspects was extended by three days.
Reports said the 50-year-old Zamaliyev, a native of the North Caucasus region of Chechnya, has been convicted on terrorism charges in the past and spent many years in prison.
According to the Investigative Committee, a 16-year-old “tried to set fire” to a building of the police department in the town of Kukmor in the early hours of October 30, “using an incendiary mixture.”
When police tried to detain the teenager, he stabbed one officer “at least three times with a knife” before being shot by a fellow policeman, the committee said in a statement.
The stabbed police officer was hospitalized with wounds.
The Investigative Committee said its Main Investigative Directorate had opened an investigation into the "attempted terrorist act." Police in Tatarstan said the teenager chanted "Allahu Akbar!" (God is Great!) during the attack.
Kukmor is a town of some 18,000 residents in Muslim-majority Tatarstan.
With reporting by Interfax and RIA Novosti


rferl--2020-11-02--Kazakhstan Convicts Opposition Activist On Extremism Charges

PETROPAVL , Kazakhstan -- A court in Kazakhstan 's northern city of Petropavl has found an opposition activist guilty of participating in the activities of `` an extremist group '' and sentenced him to one year of freedom limitation -- a sentence with parole-like restrictions .
The Petropavl City Court on November 2 also barred Nurbol Onerkhan from taking part in any social or political activity , publishing articles in the media or on the Internet , and attending public gatherings .
Onerkhan , a 26-year-old schoolteacher , was charged last year after posting videos on social media showing unsanctioned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Kazakhstan ( DVK ) movement and the associated Koshe ( Street ) Party .
DVK is led by Mukhtar Ablyazov , the fugitive former head of Kazakhstan ’ s BTA Bank and outspoken critic of the Kazakh government .
Ablyazov , who currently resides in France , is wanted by authorities in Kazakhstan , Russia , and Ukraine on suspicion of embezzling some $ 5 billion .
Ablyazov and his supporters reject the charges as politically motivated .
Onerkhan told RFE/RL last year that he was aware that DVK had been banned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 but said that he supported the movement 's program on political reforms in the country .
Several activists have been sentenced to various prison terms and limitations in Kazakhstan in recent months for involvement in the DVK 's activities , including taking part in the DVK-organized unsanctioned rallies .
Human rights groups have said Kazakhstan ’ s law on public gatherings contradicts international standards as it requires preliminary permission from authorities to hold rallies and envisions prosecution for organizing and participating in unsanctioned rallies even though the nation ’ s constitution guarantees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

PETROPAVL, Kazakhstan -- A court in Kazakhstan's northern city of Petropavl has found an opposition activist guilty of participating in the activities of "an extremist group" and sentenced him to one year of freedom limitation -- a sentence with parole-like restrictions.
The Petropavl City Court on November 2 also barred Nurbol Onerkhan from taking part in any social or political activity, publishing articles in the media or on the Internet, and attending public gatherings.
Onerkhan, a 26-year-old schoolteacher, was charged last year after posting videos on social media showing unsanctioned rallies organized by the banned Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan (DVK) movement and the associated Koshe (Street) Party.
DVK is led by Mukhtar Ablyazov, the fugitive former head of Kazakhstan’s BTA Bank and outspoken critic of the Kazakh government.
Ablyazov, who currently resides in France, is wanted by authorities in Kazakhstan, Russia, and Ukraine on suspicion of embezzling some $5 billion. Ablyazov and his supporters reject the charges as politically motivated.
Onerkhan told RFE/RL last year that he was aware that DVK had been banned and labelled as extremist in Kazakhstan in 2018 but said that he supported the movement's program on political reforms in the country.
Several activists have been sentenced to various prison terms and limitations in Kazakhstan in recent months for involvement in the DVK's activities, including taking part in the DVK-organized unsanctioned rallies.
Human rights groups have said Kazakhstan’s law on public gatherings contradicts international standards as it requires preliminary permission from authorities to hold rallies and envisions prosecution for organizing and participating in unsanctioned rallies even though the nation’s constitution guarantees its citizens the right of free assembly.


rferl--2020-11-02--UN Rights Chief Warns Of Possible War Crimes In Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet has decried `` indiscriminate '' attacks on civilian areas during ongoing fighting over the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh , warning Armenia and Azerbaijan that such attacks could amount to `` war crimes '' under international law .
There have been repeated call for the parties to the conflict “ to take all feasible steps to avoid , or at the very least minimize , the loss of civilian life and damage to civilian infrastructure , including schools and hospitals -- as well as to distinguish civilians from combatants , and civilian objects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a statement on November 2 .
“ Instead , homes have been destroyed , streets reduced to rubble , and people forced to flee or seek safety in basements , ” she lamented .
WATCH : Rights Groups Document Use Of Cluster Bombs In Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict Bachelet expressed concerns about videos that appear to show war crimes being committed .
“ While many faked images have been circulating on social media , in-depth investigations by media organizations into videos that appeared to show Azerbaijani troops summarily executing two captured Armenians in military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” according to the statement .
She also cited “ deeply troubling reports ” that cluster munitions have been used by both parties .
“ I call once again on Armenia and Azerbaijan to stop using them , and to join the more than 100 states that have ratified the Convention on Cluster Munitions which comprehensively bans their use , ” the UN high commissioner said .
More than 1,100 people , including civilians , have been confirmed killed since clashes erupted on September 27 over Nagorno-Karabakh .
The real toll is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not released its military fatalities .
The region is recognized as part of Azerbaijan , but the ethnic Armenians who make up most of the population , reject Azerbaijani rule .
They have been governing their own affairs , with support from Armenia , since Azerbaijan 's troops were pushed out of Nagorno-Karabakh in a war that ended in a cease-fire in 1994 .

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet has decried "indiscriminate" attacks on civilian areas during ongoing fighting over the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh, warning Armenia and Azerbaijan that such attacks could amount to "war crimes" under international law.
There have been repeated call for the parties to the conflict “to take all feasible steps to avoid, or at the very least minimize, the loss of civilian life and damage to civilian infrastructure, including schools and hospitals -- as well as to distinguish civilians from combatants, and civilian objects from military objectives,” Bachelet said in a statement on November 2.
“Instead, homes have been destroyed, streets reduced to rubble, and people forced to flee or seek safety in basements,” she lamented.
WATCH: Rights Groups Document Use Of Cluster Bombs In Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict
Bachelet expressed concerns about videos that appear to show war crimes being committed.
“While many faked images have been circulating on social media, in-depth investigations by media organizations into videos that appeared to show Azerbaijani troops summarily executing two captured Armenians in military uniforms uncovered compelling and deeply disturbing information,” according to the statement.
She also cited “deeply troubling reports” that cluster munitions have been used by both parties.
“I call once again on Armenia and Azerbaijan to stop using them, and to join the more than 100 states that have ratified the Convention on Cluster Munitions which comprehensively bans their use,” the UN high commissioner said.
More than 1,100 people, including civilians, have been confirmed killed since clashes erupted on September 27 over Nagorno-Karabakh.
The real toll is believed to be higher since Azerbaijan has not released its military fatalities.
The region is recognized as part of Azerbaijan, but the ethnic Armenians who make up most of the population, reject Azerbaijani rule. They have been governing their own affairs, with support from Armenia, since Azerbaijan's troops were pushed out of Nagorno-Karabakh in a war that ended in a cease-fire in 1994.


rferl--2020-11-02--U.S. Warns Of 'Growing Concern' Over Ukraine Court Ruling On Anti-Corruption Laws

KYIV -- The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv says the European Union , the United States , and several other nations are following with “ growing concern ” the developments surrounding the Ukrainian Constitutional Court 's recent ruling to abolish some anti-corruption laws .
`` We urge all parties to come together in dialogue , rise to the challenge and find a solution to the crisis .
This is needed to restore people ’ s faith that the state is able both to fight corruption and continue Ukraine ’ s constitutionally enshrined European and Euro-Atlantic course , '' the U.S. Embassy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on November 2 .
In its October 27 ruling , the Constitutional Court struck down some anti-corruption legislation and curbed the powers of the National Anti-Corruption Agency ( NAZK ) , sparking tensions between President Volodymyr Zelenskiy , the opposition , and Constitutional Court members .
Zelenskiy has asked parliament to dissolve the Constitutional Court and restore the anti-corruption laws in question , saying the court ’ s move could jeopardize vital international economic aid .
But the outcome of the vote in parliament is uncertain .
It is not clear how many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ People party will support the bill , and opposition parties have said they will vote against the proposed legislation .
Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko has described Zelenskiy 's moves as a coup aimed at concentrating more power in his hands , while the head of the Constitutional Court , Oleksandr Tupytskiy , accused the president of willing to create an `` obedient '' court .
Zelenskiy on November 2 warned that the country could slide into chaos if parliament does not reinstate anti-corruption reforms .
Ukrainians would not tolerate backsliding on reforms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an audio address to members of the ruling Servant of the People parliamentary faction .
Kyiv 's slow progress on reforms and anti-corruption efforts has become an obstacle to implementing a $ 5 billion program agreed in June with the International Monetary Fund .
The European Union 's delegation to Kyiv has warned that its financial assistance was tied to Ukraine 's performance on corruption .
With reporting by Reuters and UNIAN

KYIV -- The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv says the European Union, the United States, and several other nations are following with “growing concern” the developments surrounding the Ukrainian Constitutional Court's recent ruling to abolish some anti-corruption laws.
"We urge all parties to come together in dialogue, rise to the challenge and find a solution to the crisis. This is needed to restore people’s faith that the state is able both to fight corruption and continue Ukraine’s constitutionally enshrined European and Euro-Atlantic course," the U.S. Embassy said in a statement posted on Facebook on November 2.
In its October 27 ruling, the Constitutional Court struck down some anti-corruption legislation and curbed the powers of the National Anti-Corruption Agency (NAZK), sparking tensions between President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the opposition, and Constitutional Court members.
Zelenskiy has asked parliament to dissolve the Constitutional Court and restore the anti-corruption laws in question, saying the court’s move could jeopardize vital international economic aid.
But the outcome of the vote in parliament is uncertain.
It is not clear how many lawmakers from Zelenskiy's Servant of the People party will support the bill, and opposition parties have said they will vote against the proposed legislation.
Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko has described Zelenskiy's moves as a coup aimed at concentrating more power in his hands, while the head of the Constitutional Court, Oleksandr Tupytskiy, accused the president of willing to create an "obedient" court.
Zelenskiy on November 2 warned that the country could slide into chaos if parliament does not reinstate anti-corruption reforms.
Ukrainians would not tolerate backsliding on reforms to fight corruption, the president said in an audio address to members of the ruling Servant of the People parliamentary faction.
Kyiv's slow progress on reforms and anti-corruption efforts has become an obstacle to implementing a $5 billion program agreed in June with the International Monetary Fund.
The European Union's delegation to Kyiv has warned that its financial assistance was tied to Ukraine's performance on corruption.
With reporting by Reuters and UNIAN


rferl--2020-11-02--Pensioners Protest Against Lukashenka In Minsk

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More than 1,000 @ @ @ @ @ march in Minsk on November 2 , demanding the resignation of authoritarian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka @ @ @ @ @ many pensioners , carried the banned white-red-white flags that have become a symbol of the @ @ @ @ @

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More than 1,000 people took part a protest march in Minsk on November 2, demanding the resignation of authoritarian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka. The demonstrators, including many pensioners, carried the banned white-red-white flags that have become a symbol of the political opposition in Belarus.