rferl--2020-07-14--Protests Erupt Across Belarus After Top Lukashenka Challenger Barred From Presidential Election

MINSK -- Thousands of people across Belarus protested and scuffles broke out with police after a top challenger to President Alyaksandr Lukashenka was barred from running in the country 's election next month amid growing public discontent over the Belarusian authoritarian leader 's handling of the coronavirus pandemic .
The Belarusian Central Election Commission ( CEC ) announced on July 14 that five candidates were officially registered for the August 9 ballot , including Lukashenka , 65 , who has ruled the country since 1994 .
However , the CEC also said that Viktar Babaryka , a former bank manager @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his campaign say are politically motivated , was left off the list of candidates .
CEC chairwoman Lidziya Yarmoshyna said that Babaryka was not registered because inconsistencies were allegedly found in his income and property declaration , and because a foreign organization had taken part in his election campaign .
She did not elaborate .
Valer Tsapkala , a prominent businessman and former Belarusian ambassador to the United States , was also disqualified from running by the CEC .
Yarmoshyna said Tsapkala had been disqualified due to the rejection of many of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him on the ballot .
The European Union 's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said that `` the seemingly arbitrary exclusion of candidates limits the possibility for the Belarusian people to express their will and already undermines the overall integrity and democratic nature of the elections . ''
`` By denying the registration of Viktar Babaryka and [ Valer ] Tsapkala the Belarusian authorities have failed to ensure a meaningful and competitive political contest , '' Borrell said in a statement .
In the capital , Minsk , thousands of protesters held demonstrations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clapping as passing drivers honked their horns in support .
Similar protests were held in regional cities , including Brest and Gomel .
More than 140 people were detained across the country , according to the human rights center Viasna .
Among those detained were two RFE/RL journalists during a live broadcast in Minsk .
Videos circulating on social media showed protesters being detained by police officers and plainclothes police , who threw some protesters into vans .
In scenes rarely seen during a recent wave of protests , protesters also scuffled with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The protests over the disqualification of candidates on July 14 were only the latest in weeks of political unrest that has witnessed dozens of demonstrations and scores of arrests .
The upcoming election comes as Lukashenka faces mounting public opposition to his rule .
The country has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic with more than 65,000 confirmed cases as of July 14 , according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University .
Lukashenka ignored calls to institute any lockdown measures , dismissing the virus as nothing more than a 'psychosis .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and bloggers have been arrested as the government has cracked down hard on rallies and demonstrations despite calls for restraint from Western governments and institutions , including the United Nations .
Babaryka and his son were arrested on June 18 after police questioned them on allegations of tax evasion and money-laundering in connection with an investigation at the Russian-owned Belgazprombank , where the elder Babaryka worked for 20 years .
Belarusian authorities on June 15 took control of the bank and arrested more than a dozen top executives on charges of tax evasion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have posed a threat at the ballot box to Lukashenka .
His election team said they had collected nearly 435,000 signatures to support his candidacy , a number they said was unprecedented for an independent candidate in Belarus and more than four times the required 100,000 needed to get on the ballot .
Besides Lukashenka , the CEC cleared four other candidates for the August 9 poll : Andrey Dzmitryyeu , Hanna Kanapatskaya , Syarhey Cherachan , and Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya .
Tsikhanouskaya is the wife of a jailed vlogger , Syarhey Tsikhanouski , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the presidential election .
Tsikhanouski was detained in May and sentenced to 10 days in jail for taking part in an unsanctioned rally in the western city of Hrodna in late-May held to collect signatures for potential presidential candidates , including himself .
He was set to be released on June 8 after completing the sentence but authorities kept him incarcerated and said a day later that he and seven others had been charged with `` the organization and preparation of actions that severely violated public order , '' a reference to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the seven others in the case may face up to three years in prison .
On July 1 , Tsikhanouski received an additional 15 days in jail for refusing to follow a police officer 's orders during the rallies .
He and his supporters have rejected all the charges , calling them politically motivated .
Amnesty International has recognized Babaryka , his son Eduard and Syarhey Tsikhanouski as prisoners of conscience .
Kanapatskaya was one of two opposition candidates elected to the Belarusian parliament in 2016 .
However , her 2019 bid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the country 's largely rubber-stamp National Assembly was struck down by the CEC , which has been led by Yarmoshyna for 20 years .


rferl--2020-07-14--Eleven Soldiers Killed In Third Day Of Armenia-Azerbaijan Clashes

Seven Azerbaijani servicemen , including an army general , and four Armenian soldiers were reported killed on July 14 in the third day of border clashes involving heavy artillery amid international calls for an immediate de-escalation .
The two neighbors in the South Caucasus region that fought a war in 1988-1994 over the Nagorno-Karabakh region have blamed each other for starting the latest flare-up along their volatile border .
Azerbaijan ’ s Defense Ministry said on July 14 that Major General Polad Hasimov and Colonel Ilqar Mirzayev were among those killed on the Azerbaijani side in the fresh fighting .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of its servicemen , including a major and a captain , had been killed in the July 14 skirmishes .
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Anna Naghdalian said the city of Berd had been shelled near the border but Armenian forces had `` destroyed the Azeri bases '' that fired on it .
Overall , at least 16 people have been reported killed from both sides since Armenian and Azerbaijani troops exchanged fire in the northern section of their border on July 12 .
In the evening of July 14 , hundreds of people gathered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Azerbaijani military and President Ilham Aliyev .
However , some of the participants called for the resignation of Najmaddin Sadikhov , the chief of general staff of the armed forces .
Separately , hundreds of residents of Baku ’ s Khatai district went to the streets to meet dead body of Colonel Mirzayev .
`` Armenia 's political and military leadership will bear the entire responsibility for the provocation , '' Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev said on July 13 .
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian accused Azerbaijan of `` provocations '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The two neighbors have been locked in a conflict over Azerbaijan 's breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh for years .
But the latest clashes have been far from Nagorno-Karabakh and directly between the two nations , which occurs rarely .
The European Union , United States , and Russia urged restraint in a series of statements on July 13 .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held phone conversations with his Armenian and Azerbaijani counterparts , urging de-escalation between the two countries with which it has close relations .
Russia ’ s Foreign Ministry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clashes , which it said `` endanger the region 's stability , '' urging the countries to `` show restraint . ''
The U.S. State Department urged both sides to adhere to a cease-fire and resume negotiations in a bid to achieve a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict .
In a statement , the EU urged both sides to “ stop the armed confrontation , refrain from action and rhetoric that provoke tension , and undertake immediate measures to prevent further escalation.
” United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is `` deeply concerned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the fighting and calls on all involved to take immediate steps to deescalate the situation and refrain from provocative rhetoric , '' according to his spokesman , Stephane Dujarric .
The clashes came days after Azerbaijani President Aliyev raised the possibility of a new war with Armenia and denounced stalled peace talks .
On July 7 , Aliyev threatened to withdraw from negotiations `` if they yield no results . ''
He did not provide further details .
Mainly ethnic Armenian-populated Nagorno-Karabakh declared independence from Azerbaijan amid a 1988-94 war that claimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of thousands of people .
Since 1994 , it has been under the control of ethnic Armenian forces that Azerbaijan says include troops supplied by Armenia .
The region 's claim to independence has not been recognized by any country .
Negotiations involving the Minsk Group of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe ( OSCE ) , co-chaired by Russia , the United States , and France , helped forge a cease-fire in the region , which is not always honored , but have failed to produce a lasting settlement of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Azerbaijani and Armenian Services , AFP , AP , Reuters , TASS , and dpa

Seven Azerbaijani servicemen, including an army general, and four Armenian soldiers were reported killed on July 14 in the third day of border clashes involving heavy artillery amid international calls for an immediate de-escalation.
The two neighbors in the South Caucasus region that fought a war in 1988-1994 over the Nagorno-Karabakh region have blamed each other for starting the latest flare-up along their volatile border.
Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry said on July 14 that Major General Polad Hasimov and Colonel Ilqar Mirzayev were among those killed on the Azerbaijani side in the fresh fighting.
Armenia's Defense Ministry also said four of its servicemen, including a major and a captain, had been killed in the July 14 skirmishes.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Anna Naghdalian said the city of Berd had been shelled near the border but Armenian forces had "destroyed the Azeri bases" that fired on it.
Overall, at least 16 people have been reported killed from both sides since Armenian and Azerbaijani troops exchanged fire in the northern section of their border on July 12.
In the evening of July 14, hundreds of people gathered in Baku for a march in support of the Azerbaijani military and President Ilham Aliyev.
However, some of the participants called for the resignation of Najmaddin Sadikhov, the chief of general staff of the armed forces.
At one point late in the protest, a group entered the parliament building but were quickly removed by police, who then used water cannons, tear gas, and batons to disperse those gathered in front.
Separately, hundreds of residents of Baku’s Khatai district went to the streets to meet dead body of Colonel Mirzayev.
Armenia and Azerbaijan have exchanged mutual accusations over which side is responsible for the flare-up.
"Armenia's political and military leadership will bear the entire responsibility for the provocation," Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev said on July 13.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian accused Azerbaijan of "provocations" that would "not go unanswered."
The two neighbors have been locked in a conflict over Azerbaijan's breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh for years.
But the latest clashes have been far from Nagorno-Karabakh and directly between the two nations, which occurs rarely.
The European Union, United States, and Russia urged restraint in a series of statements on July 13.
Calls For Calm
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held phone conversations with his Armenian and Azerbaijani counterparts, urging de-escalation between the two countries with which it has close relations.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry expressed "serious concerns" over the clashes, which it said "endanger the region's stability," urging the countries to "show restraint."
The U.S. State Department urged both sides to adhere to a cease-fire and resume negotiations in a bid to achieve a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
In a statement, the EU urged both sides to “stop the armed confrontation, refrain from action and rhetoric that provoke tension, and undertake immediate measures to prevent further escalation.”
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is "deeply concerned" and "urges an immediate end to the fighting and calls on all involved to take immediate steps to deescalate the situation and refrain from provocative rhetoric," according to his spokesman, Stephane Dujarric.
The clashes came days after Azerbaijani President Aliyev raised the possibility of a new war with Armenia and denounced stalled peace talks.
On July 7, Aliyev threatened to withdraw from negotiations "if they yield no results." He did not provide further details.
Mainly ethnic Armenian-populated Nagorno-Karabakh declared independence from Azerbaijan amid a 1988-94 war that claimed an estimated 30,000 lives and displaced hundreds of thousands of people.
Since 1994, it has been under the control of ethnic Armenian forces that Azerbaijan says include troops supplied by Armenia. The region's claim to independence has not been recognized by any country.
Negotiations involving the Minsk Group of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), co-chaired by Russia, the United States, and France, helped forge a cease-fire in the region, which is not always honored, but have failed to produce a lasting settlement of the conflict.
With reporting by RFE/RL's Azerbaijani and Armenian Services, AFP, AP, Reuters, TASS, and dpa


rferl--2020-07-15--Lukashenka Vows Not To 'Give Our Country To Anyone' After Violent Dispersal Of Demonstrators In Bela

Lukashenka Vows Not To 'Give Our Country To Anyone' After Violent Dispersal Of Demonstrators In Belarus

VITSEBSK , Belarus -- Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has said that he `` will not give our country to anyone , '' a day after police across the country violently dispersed thousands of demonstrators following the exclusion of a top challenger to him from the country 's election next month .
While meeting with local leadership in the eastern city of Vitsebsk on July 15 , Lukashenka said `` we will defend our country with all legal means , '' indirectly referring to the July 14 protests that were similar to previous demonstrations last month , which prompted him to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of meddling in the election process in Belarus .
`` We must keep in mind that discipline , both executive and technological , as well as stability in the country are the basis for any development .
Neither Maidans [ referring to the mass antigovernment protests in neighboring Ukraine known as Euromaidan that toppled Russia-friendly President Viktor Yanukovych in 2014 ] , nor revolutions will help us , '' Lukashenka said .
Lukashenka 's statement came a day after police detained at least 301 people , including two RFE/RL reporters and at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some other towns and cities .
amid protests against the Central Election Commission 's ( CEC ) decision not to register Lukashenka 's possible major rival in the August 9 election , Viktar Babaryka , a former bank manager now in jail on embezzlement charges that he and his campaign say are politically motivated .
Some of the detained individuals were later released .
Belarus ' Investigative Committee said on July 15 that it had launched a criminal case into what it called `` organizing and participating in public disturbances in Minsk .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that five candidates were officially registered for the ballot , including Lukashenka , 65 , who has ruled the country since 1994 , adding that Babaryka was left off the list of candidates .
According to the CEC , Babaryka was not registered because inconsistencies were allegedly found in his income and property declaration , and because a foreign organization had taken part in his election campaign .
Valer Tsapkala , a prominent businessman and former Belarusian ambassador to the United States , was also disqualified from running by the CEC .

MINSK – Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has dismissed Western criticism after police violently dispersed thousands of demonstrators following the exclusion of two top challengers in the country's election next month.
"We don't want anyone to tell us how to live,” Lukashenka said while meeting with local leadership in the eastern city of Vitsebsk on July 15.
The 65-year-old leader, who is seeking a sixth consecutive term in a presidential election on August 9, vowed to “defend our country with all legal means."
“Neither Maidans nor revolutions will help us," Lukashenka said, referring to the mass anti-government protests in neighboring Ukraine known as Euromaidan that toppled Russia-friendly President Viktor Yanukovych in 2014.
As he spoke, at least 2,000 people formed a line stretching 1 kilometer to file complaints with the Central Election Commission (CEC) in Minsk following its decision not to register two prominent opposition figures for the presidential election.
The act of protest -- the latest in a string of expressions of popular discontent against the strongman – ended when police dispersed those in line and detained at least 16 people. RFE/RL correspondent Anton Trofimovich and BelaPAN freelance correspondent Violeta Savchyts were among those detained.
Lukashenka's comments came a day after police detained 301 people, including two RFE/RL reporters and at least 12 other journalists, in Minsk and other towns amid protests against the election commission eliminating key candidates. Some of the detained individuals were later released.
The Investigative Committee said on July 15 that it had launched a criminal case into what it called "organizing and participating in public disturbances in Minsk."
The CEC on July 14 allowed five candidates to officially register for the ballot, including Lukashenka.
But it struck down the candidacy of a possible major rival, Viktar Babaryka, a former bank manager recently put in jail on embezzlement charges that he and his campaign say are politically motivated.
According to the CEC, Babaryka was not registered because inconsistencies were allegedly found in his income and property declaration and because a foreign organization had allegedly taken part in his election campaign.
Valer Tsapkala, a prominent businessman and former Belarusian ambassador to the United States, was also disqualified from running.
Events in Belarus have drawn criticism from the United States and the European Union, which in recent years have eased sanctions slapped on the country over its human rights record as part of a nascent rapprochement with Lukashenka.
“We are deeply concerned about the reports of mass protests and detentions of peaceful activists and journalists. So we are going to continue to do what we can to urge the government of Belarus to improve its record on human rights and democracy and to meet its Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) requirements,” U.S. Secretary of State spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus told RFE/RL in an interview on July 15.
“We know that free and fair elections are about more than just what happens on the election day. We think it is incredibly important for the government to provide a level playing field for everyone who wants to take part in the elections. That includes access to media," Ortagus added.
On July 14, the European Union's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said that "the seemingly arbitrary exclusion of candidates limits the possibility for the Belarusian people to express their will and already undermines the overall integrity and democratic nature of the elections."
The OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), Europe’s election watchdog, said on July 15 it would not send monitors for the election after failing to receive a "timely invitation."
Expressing concern that Belarus had not addressed problems previously identified in the electoral process, the ODIHR urged Minsk to take "concrete and immediate steps to protect the exercise of fundamental freedoms."
It also expressed concern that prospective candidates had been intimidated and opposition activists arrested, undermining the prospects for a democratic election.
With reporting by BelTA


rferl--2020-07-15--Warlord Accused Of Rights Abuses Awarded Afghanistan's Highest Military Rank

A powerful Afghan warlord accused of kidnapping and raping a political opponent and of committing rights abuses for decades has been given the country 's highest military rank .
Former Vice President Abdul Rashid Dostum , 66 , was awarded the rank of marshal in a special ceremony on July 15 , making him only the third such recipient in the Afghan armed forces .
The rank was given to Dostum at a ceremony in his home province of Jawzjan as part of a power-sharing deal between President Ashraf Ghani and his main opponent Abdullah Abdullah after months of tension @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backed Abdullah in the election .
Speaking at the ceremony , Dostum warned the country 's political leadership that they must put their rivalries aside , or otherwise the Taliban would win the war .
Under a February agreement between the United States and the Taliban , the government must release up to 5,000 Taliban prisoners ahead of intra-Afghan talks , while the militant group should release up to 1,000 government prisoners .
Speaking at the ceremony , Abdullah said that all Taliban prisoners would be released and asked the group to refrain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ path of the peace process .
Dostum is an ethnic Uzbek warlord who fought against the Taliban alongside U.S. forces in 2001 .
In 2016 , Dostum , then vice president , was accused of kidnapping , torturing and raping ex-Jawzjan governor Ahmad Ishchi , a political rival , with a rifle barrel .
At the time , Ghani forced Dostum into exile in Turkey .
Dostum returned to Afghanistan in July 2018 and settled in Jawzjan after huge numbers of people demonstrated in his favor in several provinces .
Based on reporting @ @ @ @

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


rferl--2020-07-15--Kazakh Civil Rights Activist Gets One Year In Prison For 'Inflicting Bodily Damage'

ALMATY , Kazakhstan -- A well-known Kazakh civil rights activist , Sanavar Zakirova , has been sentenced to one year in prison for 'inflicting bodily damage ' on a 39-year-old woman , which the activist denies .
The Medeu district court in Almaty ruled on July 15 that Zakirova will serve her term at a minimum-security correctional facility .
The 52-year-old activist was accused of assaulting the daughter of a woman who had hurled vulgarities at a rally in March .
Zakirova , who took part in the trial via a video link from home , told RFE/RL that all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she will appeal the ruling .
About two hours after Judge Zalina Makharadze pronounced the sentence , police arrived at Zakirova 's home and arrested her .
Zakirova is well known for her political and civil-rights activities .
She was an initiator of and leading participant in rallies in Almaty and Nur-Sultan , the capital , last year by residents of Kazakhstan 's different regions , demanding action on what they called `` wrong court decisions '' in various cases .
In March 2019 , Almaty city authorities denied Zakirova permission to hold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party , Our Right .
In November , Zakirova and two other activists were found guilty by a court in Almaty of distributing false information about the ruling Nur-Otan party over the Internet .
They were ordered to pay the equivalent of $ 15,000 to the party .
Zakirova and her supporters said then that the case was politically motivated .
Days later Zakirova and three other female activists mocked Nur-Otan , staging a public action -- asking worshipers outside a mosque in Nur-Sultan for money to help pay a fine to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the time and fined them the equivalent of $ 32 each for causing a public nuisance .

ALMATY, Kazakhstan -- A well-known Kazakh civil rights activist, Sanavar Zakirova, has been sentenced to one year in prison for 'inflicting bodily damage' on a 39-year-old woman, which the activist denies.
The Medeu district court in Almaty ruled on July 15 that Zakirova will serve her term at a minimum-security correctional facility.
The 52-year-old activist was accused of assaulting the daughter of a woman who had hurled vulgarities at a rally in March.
Zakirova, who took part in the trial via a video link from home, told RFE/RL that all accusations against her are groundless and that she will appeal the ruling.
About two hours after Judge Zalina Makharadze pronounced the sentence, police arrived at Zakirova's home and arrested her.
Zakirova is well known for her political and civil-rights activities.
'Wrong Court Decisions'
She was an initiator of and leading participant in rallies in Almaty and Nur-Sultan, the capital, last year by residents of Kazakhstan's different regions, demanding action on what they called "wrong court decisions" in various cases.
In March 2019, Almaty city authorities denied Zakirova permission to hold a congress to establish a new political party, Our Right.
In November, Zakirova and two other activists were found guilty by a court in Almaty of distributing false information about the ruling Nur-Otan party over the Internet.
They were ordered to pay the equivalent of $15,000 to the party. Zakirova and her supporters said then that the case was politically motivated.
Days later Zakirova and three other female activists mocked Nur-Otan, staging a public action -- asking worshipers outside a mosque in Nur-Sultan for money to help pay a fine to the ruling party.
Police detained the women at the time and fined them the equivalent of $32 each for causing a public nuisance.


rferl--2020-07-15--Virus-Hit North Macedonia Votes In Poll Seen As Crucial To EU Hopes

Voting is under way in North Macedonia in parliamentary elections that may determine the pace of the Balkan state ’ s Euro-Atlantic trajectory .
The July 15 vote is the country 's first poll under its new name , with opinion polls showing the pro-EU Social Democratic Union of Macedonia ( SDSM ) and right-wing VMRO-DPMNE in a tight race .
The vote was originally scheduled for April but postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic .
With the outbreak resurging , the decision was made to hold the vote on July 15 and keep polling stations open for two additional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to reduce crowding and risks .
The country 's State Electoral Commission said that turnout by 11 a.m. in Skopje was 11 percent of the 1,814,613 registered voters .
A caretaker government has been running the country since Prime Minister Zoran Zaev resigned in January after the EU failed in the autumn to provide a start date for accession talks .
After months of delay due to opposition from France , the EU in March finally gave North Macedonia a green light to start formal talks to join the bloc .
Zaev @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more in a short time than any of the country ’ s leaders to mend fences with neighbors and advance integration with the West .
Since becoming prime minister in 2017 , he reached a landmark deal with neighboring Greece to change the country ’ s name , clearing the way for Athens to lift its veto over Skopje ’ s membership in NATO .
He also signed a friendship deal with neighboring Bulgaria , removing another impediment to prepare for EU membership .
Zaev ’ s is telling voters that his party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , more prosperous future for one of the poorest countries in Europe .
“ We built bridges , we built friendship , we ... opened the doors to NATO and the European Union , ” Zaev told supporters in his final preelection party rally in the southern town of Bitola .
Hristijan Mickoski , the VMRO leader , has run a negative campaign attacking Zaev and tapping into nationalist-populist resentment .
VMRO opposed changing the country ’ s name from Macedonia to North Macedonia , which removed Athens ' concerns about a perceived @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The party also opposed the deal with Bulgaria .
Mickoski also accuses SDSM of corruption , influencing the judiciary , nepotism , and destroying the economy – despite his own party ’ s own record of graft while in power .
Polls suggest the two main parties will each secure less than 25 percent of the vote , meaning neither will win the 61 seats needed in the 120-member parliament to be able to govern alone .
Fifteen political parties are vying for seats .
The largest ethnic Albanian party , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is the most likely coalition partner .
The DUI has been in coalition governments for the past 18 years .
It has suggested an ethnic Albanian , who make up about a quarter of the population , should be prime minister .
SDSM and the DUI formed a coalition after the last elections in 2016 , which ousted the increasingly authoritarian and corrupt VMRO after nearly a decade in power .
The election also marks the first time an Albanian party , BESA , has formed a preelection coalition with one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If Zaev secures enough votes to assemble a majority in parliament , '' it will confirm the country ’ s will to leave behind the destructive and divisive politics of populism and score-settling , '' Keith Brown , a politics professor at Arizona State University , wrote in an analysis .
Skopje analyst Petar Arsovski told Reuters that if VMRO wins it would not abandon the deal with Greece but might try to delay implementing some aspects , creating new obstacles for the country ’ s EU bid .
The vote carries broader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States seek to bring North Macedonia closer to slow moves by Russia and China to increase their influence in the Western Balkans .
U.S. and European observers see Russia actively involved in propaganda and disinformation to sow divisions in North Macedonia in a bid to undermine NATO and EU expansion .
The election is being held against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic , which was handled relatively well until a lockdown was ended and cases began to spike in recent weeks .
The country of around 2 million people has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , making it one of the worst-hit countries in Europe in terms of per capita cases .
The pandemic and its economic consequences have become a major election issue and could dampen voter turnout despite health protocols at polling stations .

Voting took place in North Macedonia on July 15 in parliamentary elections that may determine the pace of the Balkan state’s Euro-Atlantic trajectory.
The vote was the country's first poll under its new name, with opinion polls showing the pro-EU Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM) and right-wing VMRO-DPMNE in a tight race.
The vote was originally scheduled for April but postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. With the outbreak resurging, the decision was made to hold the vote on July 15 and keep polling stations open for two additional hours, until 9 p.m. local time, to reduce crowding and risks.
The country's State Electoral Commission said that turnout by 8:45 p.m. in Skopje was nearly 51 percent of the 1.8 million registered voters.
A caretaker government has been running the country since Prime Minister Zoran Zaev resigned in January after the EU failed in the autumn to provide a start date for accession talks.
After months of delay due to opposition from France, the EU in March finally gave North Macedonia a green light to start formal talks to join the bloc.
Zaev, the SDSM leader, has done more in a short time than any of the country’s leaders to mend fences with neighbors and advance integration with the West.
Landmark Deal
Since becoming prime minister in 2017, he reached a landmark deal with neighboring Greece to change the country’s name, clearing the way for Athens to lift its veto over Skopje’s membership in NATO.
He also signed a friendship deal with neighboring Bulgaria, removing another impediment to prepare for EU membership.
Zaev’s is telling voters that his party has achieved results and promises a brighter, more prosperous future for one of the poorest countries in Europe.
“We built bridges, we built friendship, we...opened the doors to NATO and the European Union,” Zaev told supporters in his final preelection party rally in the southern town of Bitola.
Hristijan Mickoski, the VMRO leader, has run a negative campaign attacking Zaev and tapping into nationalist-populist resentment.
VMRO opposed changing the country’s name from Macedonia to North Macedonia, which removed Athens' concerns about a perceived claim to the Greek province of Macedonia. The party also opposed the deal with Bulgaria.
Mickoski also accuses SDSM of corruption, influencing the judiciary, nepotism, and destroying the economy – despite his own party’s own record of graft while in power.
Polls suggest the two main parties will each secure less than 25 percent of the vote, meaning neither will win the 61 seats needed in the 120-member parliament to be able to govern alone. Fifteen political parties are vying for seats.
The largest ethnic Albanian party, the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI), is the most likely coalition partner. The DUI has been in coalition governments for the past 18 years. It has suggested an ethnic Albanian, who make up about a quarter of the population, should be prime minister.
SDSM and the DUI formed a coalition after the last elections in 2016, which ousted the increasingly authoritarian and corrupt VMRO after nearly a decade in power.
Geopolitical Implications
The election also marks the first time an Albanian party, BESA, has formed a preelection coalition with one of the Macedonian parties, the SDSM.
If Zaev secures enough votes to assemble a majority in parliament,"it will confirm the country’s will to leave behind the destructive and divisive politics of populism and score-settling," Keith Brown, a politics professor at Arizona State University, wrote in an analysis.
Skopje analyst Petar Arsovski told Reuters that if VMRO wins it would not abandon the deal with Greece but might try to delay implementing some aspects, creating new obstacles for the country’s EU bid.
The vote carries broader geopolitical implications, as the EU and the United States seek to bring North Macedonia closer to slow moves by Russia and China to increase their influence in the Western Balkans. U.S. and European observers see Russia actively involved in propaganda and disinformation to sow divisions in North Macedonia in a bid to undermine NATO and EU expansion.
The election is being held against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic, which was handled relatively well until a lockdown was ended and cases began to spike in recent weeks.
The country of around 2 million people has registered 8,000 infections and about 380 deaths, making it one of the worst-hit countries in Europe in terms of per capita cases.
The pandemic and its economic consequences have become a major election issue and could dampen voter turnout despite health protocols at polling stations.
With reporting by Reuters


rferl--2020-07-15--Russian Duma Receives Bill Prohibiting Transgender Marriage

Following the recent approval of a constitutional amendment that bans same-sex marriages in Russia , a group of lawmakers has proposed legislation that would prevent people who have changed their gender from getting married or adopting children .
`` The bill ends the practice of registering marriage between individuals of the same sex , including transgender persons , and , therefore , the adoption of children by such couples , '' said an explanatory note attached to the package of changes to the Family Code presented to the State Duma on July 14 .
The draft text of the bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lower house of parliament 's website .
The proposal , intended `` to strengthen the institution of the family , '' comes after a controversial package of constitutional amendments signed into law earlier this month paved the way for President Vladimir Putin to extend his presidency and , among other things , codified marriage as the `` union of a man and woman . ''
The new proposal follows on that legislation and was initiated by Yelena Mizulina , who serves as chair of a temporary commission in the upper parliament house tasked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Code .
Shortly after the conclusion of nationwide voting on the constitutional amendments on July 1 , Putin told a constitutional working group that that gender-based discrimination and other forms of discrimination -- which are prohibited by unchanged articles of the constitution -- could not exist in Russia .
`` I want to emphasize once again -- there has n't been , and will not be anything in Russia related to restrictions on rights based on race , sexual orientation , nationality , or religion , '' Putin said on July 3 amid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Russia over some Western embassies ' decision to fly the lesbian , gay , bisexual , and transgender ( LGBT ) flag .
But critics of the constitutional amendments , which were adopted less than six months after Putin called for substantial changes to the 1993 document , say that they have opened the door to state-sanctioned discrimination against minority groups of many kinds , including members of the LGBT community .
The 65-year-old Mizulina , who represents the Omsk region in the Federation Council and has served as chairwoman of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children 's , and family affairs , has been tied to numerous controversies .
In 2013 , Mizulina authored a bill that imposed draconian restrictions against the positive depiction of or education of homosexuality , which is technically legal in Russia .
Known informally as the `` gay propaganda law , '' the legislation 's passage prompted harsh criticism from rights activists and Western governments .
In 2014 , she was included among the first Russian political figures to be placed under U.S. sanctions following the Kremlin 's seizure of Ukraine 's Crimean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any assets Mizulina had in the United States were frozen and she was barred from entering the country .
In 2017 , Mizulina proposed legislation that would decriminalize certain types of domestic violence , saying it was ridiculous that a family member could be imprisoned for a `` slap . ''
Under the law , first-time offenders no longer face criminal prosecution for domestic violence .
In 2019 , she was behind the temporary suspension of yoga classes in Russian prisons after she sent a complaint to the Prosecutor-General 's Office alleging that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arousal that can lead to homosexuality '' and questioning its legality in Russia .
Yoga was reinstated after prison officials determined that it did not pose the danger of recruiting homosexuals .
Mizulina , who is also active in Russian state efforts to police the Internet , most recently attracted attention for appearing to support prohibitions as a sign of freedom .
`` What are rights ?
They 're the biggest lack of freedom .
I can tell you that the more rights you have , the less free we are , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agency as saying in April during an Internet safety forum .
With reporting by the Moskva news agency , TASS , DW , and RIA-Novosti

Following the recent approval of a constitutional amendment that bans same-sex marriages in Russia, a group of lawmakers has proposed legislation that would prevent people who have changed their gender from getting married or adopting children.
"The bill ends the practice of registering marriage between individuals of the same sex, including transgender persons, and, therefore, the adoption of children by such couples," said an explanatory note attached to the package of changes to the Family Code presented to the State Duma on July 14.
The draft text of the bill has not yet been published on the lower house of parliament's website.
The proposal, intended "to strengthen the institution of the family," comes after a controversial package of constitutional amendments signed into law earlier this month paved the way for President Vladimir Putin to extend his presidency and, among other things, codified marriage as the "union of a man and woman."
The new proposal follows on that legislation and was initiated by Yelena Mizulina, who serves as chair of a temporary commission in the upper parliament house tasked with preparing proposed alterations to the Family Code.
Shortly after the conclusion of nationwide voting on the constitutional amendments on July 1, Putin told a constitutional working group that that gender-based discrimination and other forms of discrimination -- which are prohibited by unchanged articles of the constitution -- could not exist in Russia.
"I want to emphasize once again -- there hasn't been, and will not be anything in Russia related to restrictions on rights based on race, sexual orientation, nationality, or religion," Putin said on July 3 amid international criticism of the amendments and controversy in Russia over some Western embassies' decision to fly the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) flag.
But critics of the constitutional amendments, which were adopted less than six months after Putin called for substantial changes to the 1993 document, say that they have opened the door to state-sanctioned discrimination against minority groups of many kinds, including members of the LGBT community.
Numerous Controversies
The 65-year-old Mizulina, who represents the Omsk region in the Federation Council and has served as chairwoman of the body's committee on women's, children's, and family affairs, has been tied to numerous controversies.
In 2013, Mizulina authored a bill that imposed draconian restrictions against the positive depiction of or raising awareness of homosexuality, which is technically legal in Russia. Known informally as the "gay propaganda law," the legislation's passage prompted harsh criticism from rights activists and Western governments.
In 2014, she was included among the first Russian political figures to be placed under U.S. sanctions following the Kremlin's seizure of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula. Following the punitive action, any assets Mizulina had in the United States were frozen and she was barred from entering the country.
In 2017, Mizulina proposed legislation that would decriminalize certain types of domestic violence, saying it was ridiculous that a family member could be imprisoned for a "slap." Under the law, first-time offenders no longer face criminal prosecution for domestic violence.
In 2019, she was behind the temporary suspension of yoga classes in Russian prisons after she sent a complaint to the Prosecutor-General's Office alleging that the spiritual practice "provokes uncontrollable sexual arousal that can lead to homosexuality" and questioning its legality in Russia. Yoga was reinstated after prison officials determined that it did not pose the danger of recruiting homosexuals.
Mizulina, who is also active in Russian state efforts to police the Internet, most recently attracted attention for appearing to support prohibitions as a sign of freedom.
"What are rights? They're the biggest lack of freedom. I can tell you that the more rights you have, the less free we are," Mizulina was quoted by the Moskva news agency as saying in April during an Internet safety forum.
With reporting by the Moskva news agency, TASS, DW, and RIA-Novosti


rferl--2020-07-16--Pakistan Validates Licenses Of Most Pilots Working For Foreign Airlines

Pakistani authorities said on July 16 they had confirmed the credentials of almost all Pakistani pilots working for foreign airlines , amid a scandal over flying certificates that has caused a global alert .
Pakistan grounded 262 pilots for `` dubious '' qualifications last month , following an airliner crash in Karachi in May in which 98 people were killed .
The initial investigation concluded the pilots had failed to follow standard procedures and disregarded alarms .
Pakistan ’ s Civil Aviation Authority said in a statement on July 16 it had received requests from 10 countries for validation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It said 166 of them “ have been validated as genuine and certified…as having no anomaly , '' while the remaining 10 will have their process completed by next week .
The 10 countries in question included the United Arab Emirates , Turkey , Malaysia , Vietnam , Bahrain , Ethiopia , Hong Kong , Oman , Qatar , and Kuwait .
The statement also said that out of the 262 grounded pilots , the licenses for 28 pilots have been cancelled , and a process of verification for another 76 was under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ European Union Aviation Safety Agency ( EASA ) to suspend the authorization for Pakistan ’ s national flag carrier and a smaller private Pakistani airline to operate in Europe for six months Britain and the United States also revoked landing rights for Pakistan International Airlines ( PIA ) .
With reporting by Reuters and AFP

Pakistani authorities said on July 16 they had confirmed the credentials of almost all Pakistani pilots working for foreign airlines, amid a scandal over flying certificates that has caused a global alert.
Pakistan grounded 262 pilots for "dubious" qualifications last month, following an airliner crash in Karachi in May in which 98 people were killed.
The initial investigation concluded the pilots had failed to follow standard procedures and disregarded alarms.
Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority said in a statement on July 16 it had received requests from 10 countries for validation of 176 pilots working for foreign airlines.
It said 166 of them “have been validated as genuine and certified…as having no anomaly," while the remaining 10 will have their process completed by next week.
The 10 countries in question included the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Malaysia, Vietnam, Bahrain, Ethiopia, Hong Kong, Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait.
The statement also said that out of the 262 grounded pilots, the licenses for 28 pilots have been cancelled, and a process of verification for another 76 was under way.
The scandal has prompted the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to suspend the authorization for Pakistan’s national flag carrier and a smaller private Pakistani airline to operate in Europe for six months
Britain and the United States also revoked landing rights for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
With reporting by Reuters and AFP


rferl--2020-07-16--Serbian, Kosovar Leaders In Brussels For Normalization Talks

Leaders of Serbia and Kosovo are meeting in Brussels for their first face-to-face talks in 20 months under a European Union-mediated dialogue process aimed at normalizing relations between the two Balkan neighbors .
Following a virtual meeting organized by EU officials last weekend , Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo 's Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti came to talk face-to-face in Brussels on July 16 .
`` Today I expect a constructive discussion on their first element of our talks , which will contribute to the comprehensive normalization of the relations between Kosovo and Serbia , '' EU foreign policy chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Borrell , who is chairing the Brussels talks with EU special envoy Miroslav Lajcak , called on both sides to “ approach today 's talks in the spirit of compromise and pragmatism and with the European future for their people in Kosovo and Serbia in their minds . ''
Kosovo , a former province of Serbia , declared independence in 2008 in a move rejected by Belgrade .
EU-backed negotiations between Pristina and Belgrade broke down in November 2018 over reports of a proposed land swap and after Kosovo imposed a 100-percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Serbia , which aspire to join the EU , have been facing mounting pressure from the West to reboot negotiations .
On July 10 , both sides agreed to resume talks after a video summit hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel .
In those talks , Vucic and Hoti held firm to their positions .
The Serbian president said the EU-backed process will be “ meaningless ” if they focus on whether Belgrade should recognize Kosovo ’ s independence .
Kosovo ’ s prime minister said “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the only way to normalize relations.
” Hoti and Vucic attended another virtual meeting on July 12 , in which they agreed to hold talks in the Belgian capital on July 16 .
The new push comes after prosecutors in The Hague charged Kosovar President Hashim Thaci with war crimes , leading to the postponement of a planned June 27 White House summit between Thaci and his Serbian counterpart .

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


rferl--2020-07-16--Russian Journalist Prokopyeva Appeals Conviction In 'Justifying Terrorism' Case

Lawyers for Russian journalist Svetlana Prokopyeva have filed an appeal against her conviction on charges of “ justifying terrorism ” and the fine of nearly $ 7,000 levied against her .
Defense lawyer Tumas Misakyan told RFE/RL on July 16 that the defense believes the judge did not take into consideration portions of the linguistic analysis that were favorable to their client .
Prokopyeva , a prominent journalist in the western city of Pskov who is a freelance contributor to RFE/RL ’ s Russian Service , was convicted over an article she wrote in November 2018 in which she discussed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( FSB ) offices in the northern city of Arkhangelsk .
In her commentary , Prokopyeva mentioned statements on social media by the suspected bomber , who died in the incident , and suggested that political activism under Russian President Vladimir Putin had been severely restricted , leading some people to despair .
On July 6 , a court in Pskov convicted Prokopyeva and ordered her to pay a fine of 500,000 rubles ( about $ 6,950 ) .
Prosecutors had asked the court to sentence Prokopyeva , 30 , to six years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ journalistic activity for four years .
The defense appeal also rejected the judge ’ s finding that Prokopyeva “ partially admitted her guilt ” by acknowledging that she had written the article in question .
Prokopyeva denies the accusations against her .
The appeal argues that the conviction is a violation of Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights , which guarantees freedom of expression .
`` Svetlana ’ s commentary was an effort to explain a tragedy ; the portrayal of her words as 'justifying terrorism ' is a deliberate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her critical voice and recalls the worst show trials of one of Russia 's darkest periods , '' acting RFE/RL President Daisy Sindelar said on July 3 .
The case against Prokopyeva has been strongly criticized by international human rights and journalism organizations , as well as by the European Union .

Lawyers for Russian journalist Svetlana Prokopyeva have filed an appeal against her conviction on charges of “justifying terrorism” and the fine of nearly $7,000 levied against her.
Defense lawyer Tumas Misakyan told RFE/RL on July 16 that the defense believes the judge did not take into consideration portions of the linguistic analysis that were favorable to their client.
Prokopyeva, a prominent journalist in the western city of Pskov who is a freelance contributor to RFE/RL’s Russian Service, was convicted over an article she wrote in November 2018 in which she discussed a bombing outside the Federal Security Service (FSB) offices in the northern city of Arkhangelsk.
In her commentary, Prokopyeva mentioned statements on social media by the suspected bomber, who died in the incident, and suggested that political activism under Russian President Vladimir Putin had been severely restricted, leading some people to despair.
On July 6, a court in Pskov convicted Prokopyeva and ordered her to pay a fine of 500,000 rubles (about $6,950).
Prosecutors had asked the court to sentence Prokopyeva, 30, to six years in prison and to bar her from journalistic activity for four years.
The defense appeal also rejected the judge’s finding that Prokopyeva “partially admitted her guilt” by acknowledging that she had written the article in question. Prokopyeva denies the accusations against her.
The appeal argues that the conviction is a violation of Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which guarantees freedom of expression.
"Svetlana’s commentary was an effort to explain a tragedy; the portrayal of her words as 'justifying terrorism' is a deliberate and politically motivated distortion aimed at silencing her critical voice and recalls the worst show trials of one of Russia's darkest periods," acting RFE/RL President Daisy Sindelar said on July 3.
The case against Prokopyeva has been strongly criticized by international human rights and journalism organizations, as well as by the European Union.


rferl--2020-07-16--Britain, U.S., Canada Accuse Russia Of Trying To Steal COVID-19 Vaccine Research

Britain , Canada , and the United States have accused Russia of trying to steal COVID-19 vaccine and treatment research from academic and pharmaceutical institutions around the world .
The British National Cybersecurity Center ( NCSC ) said on July 16 that hacking group APT29 , also known as the Dukes or Cozy Bear , has targeted organizations involved in the development of a COVID-19 vaccine in the three countries .
It said the group 's attacks were ongoing , “ highly likely with the intention of stealing information and intellectual property relating to the development and testing of COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as part of [ the ] Russian Intelligence Services , ” the NCSC said , adding that the United States and Canada shared its assessment .
Paul Chichester , the NCSC ’ s director of operations , condemned “ these despicable attacks against those doing vital work to combat the coronavirus pandemic . ''
British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said it was `` completely unacceptable '' for Russian intelligence services to target work on the coronavirus , adding that Britain will work with its allies to hold perpetrators to account .
`` While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behavior , the UK and its allies are getting on with the hard work of finding a vaccine and protecting global health , '' Raab said in a statement .
The announcement comes as the British government said that “ Russian groups almost certainly sought to interfere ” in Britain ’ s general elections last year “ through illicitly acquired documents.
” In a statement , Raab said there was `` no evidence of a broad spectrum Russian campaign against the general election '' but that `` any attempt to interfere in our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The accusation comes as a much-delayed report into allegations of wider Russian interference into British democracy , such as during the referendum on remaining in the European Union , is expected next week .
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia has “ nothing to do ” with any alleged hacker attacks on pharmaceutical companies and research institutes in Britain or allegations of Russian meddling in the country ’ s elections .
In its advisory , the NCSC said Cozy Bear exploited software flaws to get access to vulnerable computer systems , and used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infected machines .
They also tricked individuals into handing over log-in credentials with phishing and spear-phishing attacks .
Britain did not say which organizations were targeted , or whether any information had been stolen .
The United States has identified Cozy Bear as one of the Russian government-linked hacking groups that hacked the Democratic National Committee computer network ahead of the 2016 U.S. presidential election .
With reporting by AP , Reuters , the BBC , and TASS

Britain, Canada, and the United States have accused Russia of trying to steal COVID-19 vaccine and treatment research from academic and pharmaceutical institutions around the world.
The British National Cybersecurity Center (NCSC) said on July 16 that hacking group APT29, also known as the Dukes or Cozy Bear, has targeted organizations involved in the development of a COVID-19 vaccine in the three countries.
It said the group's attacks were ongoing, “highly likely with the intention of stealing information and intellectual property relating to the development and testing of COVID-19 vaccines.”
APT29 “almost certainly operate as part of [the] Russian Intelligence Services,” the NCSC said, adding that the United States and Canada shared its assessment.
Paul Chichester, the NCSC’s director of operations, condemned “these despicable attacks against those doing vital work to combat the coronavirus pandemic."
British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said it was "completely unacceptable" for Russian intelligence services to target work on the coronavirus, adding that Britain will work with its allies to hold perpetrators to account.
"While others pursue their selfish interests with reckless behavior, the UK and its allies are getting on with the hard work of finding a vaccine and protecting global health," Raab said in a statement.
The announcement comes as the British government said that “Russian groups almost certainly sought to interfere” in Britain’s general elections last year “through illicitly acquired documents.”
The documents, regarding British-U.S. trade talks, emerged online.
In a statement, Raab said there was "no evidence of a broad spectrum Russian campaign against the general election" but that "any attempt to interfere in our democratic processes is completely unacceptable."
The accusation comes as a much-delayed report into allegations of wider Russian interference into British democracy, such as during the referendum on remaining in the European Union, is expected next week.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia has “nothing to do” with any alleged hacker attacks on pharmaceutical companies and research institutes in Britain or allegations of Russian meddling in the country’s elections.
In its advisory, the NCSC said Cozy Bear exploited software flaws to get access to vulnerable computer systems, and used malware to upload and download files from infected machines.
They also tricked individuals into handing over log-in credentials with phishing and spear-phishing attacks.
Britain did not say which organizations were targeted, or whether any information had been stolen.
The United States has identified Cozy Bear as one of the Russian government-linked hacking groups that hacked the Democratic National Committee computer network ahead of the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
With reporting by AP, Reuters, the BBC, and TASS


rferl--2020-07-16--Khabarovsk Krai Governor Furgal's Pretrial Arrest Upheld Amid Rallies In His Support

MOSCOW -- The Moscow City Court has upheld the two-month pretrial arrest of Sergei Furgal , the governor of the Far Eastern Khabarovsk Krai region , who is charged with attempted murder and ordering two murders in 2004-2005 , as his supporters rallied in the city of Khabarovsk for a sixth day .
The July 16 court session was held behind closed doors as investigator Yury Burtovoi insisted that some people implicated in the case had been threatened .
Furgal took part in the hearing via a video link from the Lefortovo detention center in Moscow .
Meanwhile , hundreds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Khabarovsk Krai region , continued to demand Furgal 's release .
The protesters gathered on the central Lenin Square and marched across the city , chanting `` Freedom ! ''
and holding posters saying `` Khabarovsk Never Gives Up On Its Own People ! ''
and `` We Trust Our Governor ! ''
Last weekend tens of thousands gathered in support of Furgal in Khabarovsk , a surprisingly strong showing given how far the city is from the Russian capital and how the Kremlin has marginalized all political opposition in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ largest in the country since a national vote that has set the stage for President Vladimir Putin to remain in power until 2036 .
Smaller rallies were also held in the military-industrial city of Komsomolsk-on-Amur and other towns in the region .

MOSCOW -- The Moscow City Court has upheld the two-month pretrial arrest of Sergei Furgal, the governor of the Far Eastern Khabarovsk Krai region, who is charged with attempted murder and ordering two murders in 2004-2005, as his supporters rallied in the city of Khabarovsk for a sixth day.
The July 16 court session was held behind closed doors as investigator Yury Burtovoi insisted that some people implicated in the case had been threatened.
Furgal took part in the hearing via a video link from the Lefortovo detention center in Moscow.
Meanwhile, hundreds of people in Khabarovsk, the capital of the Khabarovsk Krai region, continued to demand Furgal's release.
The protesters gathered on the central Lenin Square and marched across the city, chanting "Freedom!" and holding posters saying "Khabarovsk Never Gives Up On Its Own People!" and "We Trust Our Governor!"
Last weekend tens of thousands gathered in support of Furgal in Khabarovsk, a surprisingly strong showing given how far the city is from the Russian capital and how the Kremlin has marginalized all political opposition in the country.
The protests were also the largest in the country since a national vote that has set the stage for President Vladimir Putin to remain in power until 2036.
Smaller rallies were also held in the military-industrial city of Komsomolsk-on-Amur and other towns in the region.


rferl--2020-07-16--Moscow Court Upholds Space Agency Aide's Pretrial Detention In High Treason Case

MOSCOW -- The Moscow City Court has upheld the two-month pretrial detention of former journalist Ivan Safronov , currently an aide to the chief of Russia 's Roskosmos space agency , who is charged with high treason .
One of Safronov 's lawyers , Danila Nikiforov , was ordered at the July 16 hearing to leave the courtroom after he refused to sign documents obliging him not to reveal details of the case 's materials .
Safronov 's other lawyer , Ivan Pavlov , told MBKh Media news that the Federal Security Service for the first time provided him with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ classified information .
Safronov , who has worked since May as an adviser to Roskosmos head Dmitry Rogozin , is a prominent journalist who covered the military-industrial complex for the newspapers Kommersant and Vedomosti .
He was arrested on July 7 amid allegations that he had passed secret information to the Czech Republic in 2017 about Russian arms sales in the Middle East .
Safronov has rejected the accusations and many of his supporters have held pickets in Moscow and other cities demanding his release .
Human rights organizations have issued statements demanding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over an intensifying crackdown on dissent in Russia .
The chairman of the Union of Journalists of Russia , Vladimir Solovyov , said on July 13 that his organization will `` continue to closely monitor Safronov 's case . ''

MOSCOW -- The Moscow City Court has upheld the two-month pretrial detention of former journalist Ivan Safronov, currently an aide to the chief of Russia's Roskosmos space agency, who is charged with high treason.
One of Safronov's lawyers, Danila Nikiforov, was ordered at the July 16 hearing to leave the courtroom after he refused to sign documents obliging him not to reveal details of the case's materials.
Safronov's other lawyer, Ivan Pavlov, told MBKh Media news that the Federal Security Service for the first time provided him with case materials that contain what investigators called classified information.
Safronov, who has worked since May as an adviser to Roskosmos head Dmitry Rogozin, is a prominent journalist who covered the military-industrial complex for the newspapers Kommersant and Vedomosti.
He was arrested on July 7 amid allegations that he had passed secret information to the Czech Republic in 2017 about Russian arms sales in the Middle East.
Safronov has rejected the accusations and many of his supporters have held pickets in Moscow and other cities demanding his release.
Human rights organizations have issued statements demanding Safronov’s release and expressing concerns over an intensifying crackdown on dissent in Russia.
The chairman of the Union of Journalists of Russia, Vladimir Solovyov, said on July 13 that his organization will "continue to closely monitor Safronov's case."
With reporting by MBKh Media


rferl--2020-07-16--Azerbaijani President Replaces Long-Time Foreign Minister Amid Conflict Escalation With Armenia

BAKU -- Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has replaced the long-time Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov with Ceyhun Bayramov amid an escalation @ @ @ @ @ Armenia .
Aliyev 's July 16 decision to sack Mammadyarov and appoint Bayramov to the @ @ @ @ @ he harshly criticized Mammadyarov at a government session for his `` passive '' approach in @ @ @ @ @ that erupted along the Azerbaijani-Armenian border on July 12 .
`` I think that our @ @ @ @ @ effective .
I have repeatedly said that our diplomacy should be offensive , not passive @ @ @ @ @ must not be afraid to speak out , '' Aliyev said during the session .
@ @ @ @ @ oil-rich South Caucasus nation 's top diplomat since April 2004 .
Bayramov served as Azerbaijan @ @ @ @ @ July 16 appointment .

BAKU -- Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has replaced longtime Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov with Ceyhun Bayramov amid an escalation of the conflict with neighboring Armenia.
Aliyev's July 16 decision to dismiss Mammadyarov and appoint Bayramov to the post came a day after he harshly criticized Mammadyarov at a government session for his "passive" approach in dealing with deadly military clashes that erupted along the Azerbaijani-Armenian border on July 12.
"I think that our diplomatic activities could be more effective. I have repeatedly said that our diplomacy should be offensive, not passive, not defensive. Diplomacy must not be afraid to speak out," Aliyev said during the session.
Mammadyarov had served as the oil-rich South Caucasus country's top diplomat since April 2004.
Bayramov served as Azerbaijan's education minister before his July 16 appointment.


rferl--2020-07-16--Russian Couple On Treason Trial Over Wedding Photos Faces New Charge

KALININGRAD , Russia -- A Russian couple that is on trial for high treason for photographs taken at their wedding five years ago that revealed the identity of a security operative when published online are facing a new charge : passing secret information to Latvian intelligence .
Konstantin Antonets and Antonina Zimina were detained in July 2018 in Russia 's Baltic Sea exclave of Kaliningrad and went on trial behind closed doors in May this year .
The couple maintains they are innocent .
Zimina 's father , Konstantin Zimin , told RFE/RL on July 16 that the couple had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where they allegedly passed classified information to a Latvian intelligence operative .
`` The former economy minister of the Kaliningrad region , Ninel Salagaeva , who is currently a deputy governor of the [ western ] Pskov region , testified that Konstantin [ Antonets ] had worked with some classified documents when he was employed at [ the Kaliningrad region 's ] government and three or four years later , he and Antonina [ Zimina ] took them out of the country , '' Zimin said .
The Znak.com news website says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might be linked to information about the allocation of finances to the Kaliningrad region to support local residents and businesses .
Zimina 's parents told RFE/RL in February that the Federal Security Service ( FSB ) suspected their daughter and her husband of providing the intelligence agency in the Baltic state of Latvia with information about a Kaliningrad FSB officer .
According to them , among the guests who attended the couple ’ s wedding in April 2015 was an FSB counterintelligence officer , Maksim Denisenko , who was their daughter 's friend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wedding , Denisenko spoke openly about his employer , offered `` assistance if need be , '' and handed out business cards and posed for photographs with guests , Zimina 's parents said .
The parents also told RFE/RL that their daughter 's friends from Latvia and Lithuania also attended the wedding .
The daily Kommersant reported in February that some videos and photographs from the wedding were later published on social media , and eventually included in an unspecified Baltic television program , prompting the FSB to open a criminal investigation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases of alleged high treason has increased dramatically in Russia .
The latest high-profile high treason case involves Ivan Safronov , a journalist and an aide to the Russian Roskosmos space agency chief , Dmitry Rogozin .
Safronov was arrested on July 7 and later charged with passing classified materials to the Czech Republic .

KALININGRAD, Russia -- A Russian couple that are on trial for high treason for photographs taken at their wedding five years ago that revealed the identity of a security operative when published online are facing a new charge: passing secret information to Latvian intelligence.
Konstantin Antonets and Antonina Zimina were detained in July 2018 in Russia's Baltic Sea exclave of Kaliningrad and went on trial behind closed doors in May this year. The couple maintains they are innocent.
Zimina's father, Konstantin Zimin, told RFE/RL on July 16 that the couple had been additionally charged with travelling to Latvia, where they allegedly passed classified information to a Latvian intelligence operative.
"The former economy minister of the Kaliningrad region, Ninel Salagaeva, who is currently a deputy governor of the [western] Pskov region, testified that Konstantin [Antonets] had worked with some classified documents when he was employed at [the Kaliningrad region's] government and three or four years later, he and Antonina [Zimina] took them out of the country," Zimin said.
The Znak.com news website says the documents related to the new charge might be linked to information about the allocation of finances to the Kaliningrad region to support local residents and businesses.
Zimina's parents told RFE/RL in February that the Federal Security Service (FSB) suspected their daughter and her husband of providing the intelligence agency in the Baltic state of Latvia with information about a Kaliningrad FSB officer.
According to them, among the guests who attended the couple’s wedding in April 2015 was an FSB counterintelligence officer, Maksim Denisenko, who was their daughter's friend and former university classmate.
At the wedding, Denisenko spoke openly about his employer, offered "assistance if need be," and handed out business cards and posed for photographs with guests, Zimina's parents said.
The parents also told RFE/RL that their daughter's friends from Latvia and Lithuania also attended the wedding.
The daily Kommersant reported in February that some videos and photographs from the wedding were later published on social media, and eventually included in an unspecified Baltic television program, prompting the FSB to open a criminal investigation.
In recent years, the number of cases of alleged high treason has increased dramatically in Russia.
The latest high-profile high treason case involves Ivan Safronov, a journalist and an aide to the Russian Roskosmos space agency chief, Dmitry Rogozin.
Safronov was arrested on July 7 and later charged with passing classified materials to the Czech Republic.


rferl--2020-07-16--Baku Ordered To Pay Compensation To Prominent Rights Defenders

The European Court of Human Rights ( ECHR ) has ordered Azerbaijan to pay 40,000 euros ( $ 45,660 ) as compensation to prominent human rights activists Leyla Yunus and her husband , Arif Yunus , for violating their basic rights .
In a ruling made public on July 16 , the Strasbourg-based court ordered Baku to pay 20,000 euros ( $ 22,830 ) to each applicant .
The ECHR ruled that Azerbaijani authorities violated the couple 's right to liberty and security , their right to a fair trial , their right to privacy and family life , their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right to the protection of property , and their right to freedom of movement .
Leyla Yunus , 61 , and Arif Yunus , 62 , were arrested separately in 2014 and convicted of economic crimes in August 2015 after a trial that the couple and international human rights groups denounced as a travesty of justice .
They were released on health grounds in late 2015 and their prison sentences reduced to suspended sentences .
In April 2016. they were allowed to leave the country and have been residing in the Netherlands since @ @

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ordered Azerbaijan to pay 40,000 euros ($45,660) as compensation to prominent human rights activists Leyla Yunus and her husband, Arif Yunus, for violating their basic rights.
In a ruling made public on July 16 , the Strasbourg-based court ordered Baku to pay 20,000 euros ($22,830) to each applicant.
The ECHR ruled that Azerbaijani authorities violated the couple's right to liberty and security, their right to a fair trial, their right to privacy and family life, their right to an effective remedy, their right to the protection of property, and their right to freedom of movement.
Leyla Yunus, 61, and Arif Yunus, 62, were arrested separately in 2014 and convicted of economic crimes in August 2015 after a trial that the couple and international human rights groups denounced as a travesty of justice.
They were released on health grounds in late 2015 and their prison sentences reduced to suspended sentences.
In April 2016. they were allowed to leave the country and have been residing in the Netherlands since then.


rferl--2020-07-16--Romania Fined By EU's Top Court For Failing To Observe Anti-Money Laundering Rules

The European Union 's top court has imposed a fine on Romania for delays and the incomplete application of the @ @ @ @ @ laundering and terrorism financing .
Romania was ordered on July 16 to pay to the @ @ @ @ @ of 3 million euros ( $ 3.4 million ) .
Ireland was also fine 2 @ @ @ @ @ million ) .
The decision by the Court of Justice of the European Union came @ @ @ @ @ against Romania and Ireland brought before the court by the European Commission -- the EU @ @ @ @ @ August 2018 for failure to fulfill their obligations .
`` Both member states failed to @ @ @ @ @ the period prescribed , the directive on the prevention of the use of the financial @ @ @ @ @ money laundering or terrorist financing , '' the court said , referring to the EU @ @ @ @ @ into force in 2015 .
The regulations adopted in 2015 reinforced surveillance requirements for banks @ @ @ @ @ and mandated more transparency on company owners .

The European Union's top court has imposed a fine on Romania for delays and the incomplete application of the bloc's rules against money laundering and terrorism financing.
Romania was ordered on July 16 to pay to the European Commission a lump sum of 3 million euros ($3.4 million). Ireland was also fine 2 million euros ($2.4 million).
The decision by the Court of Justice of the European Union came in response to two actions against Romania and Ireland brought before the court by the European Commission -- the EU's executive body -- in August 2018 for failure to fulfill their obligations.
"Both member states failed to transpose in full, within the period prescribed, the directive on the prevention of the use of the financial system for the purposes of money laundering or terrorist financing," the court said, referring to the EU anti-money laundering rules that came into force in 2015.
The regulations adopted in 2015 reinforced surveillance requirements for banks, lawyers, and accountants and mandated more transparency on company owners.
With reporting by Reuters


rferl--2020-07-16--COVID-19: Mirziyoev Reprimands Uzbek Health Minister, Regional Officials Over Efforts To Battle Viru

COVID-19: Mirziyoev Reprimands Uzbek Health Minister, Regional Officials Over Efforts To Battle Virus

The global death toll from the coronavirus is almost 585,000 , with nearly 13.6 million infections confirmed , causing mass disruptions as governments continue to try to slow the spread of the respiratory illness .
Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoev has reprimanded Health Minister Alisher Shodmonov , Tashkent Mayor Jahongir Ortiqhojaev , and other top regional officials for what he called `` failing '' to properly handle the situation around the coronavirus outbreak .
The July 16 announcement came a day after Mirziyoev said during a government session that ministry and regional officials , `` especially the government of the Tashkent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had lost control over the situation at medical facilities , adding that the ministry had `` significantly violated the strategy and tactics '' of the efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus in the last 30 days .
Mirziyoev stressed that in recent weeks important medicines used to treat acute respiratory diseases either disappeared from pharmacies or prices jumped by as much as 800 percent .
`` People have no information about where to refer to get tests on coronavirus or get treatment for coronavirus and other diseases .
It became a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Mirziyoev said .
Mirziyoev ordered a tripling of so-called mobile groups that deal with coronavirus patients at all hospitals in Tashkent and the region , as well as the addition of 1,000 beds at a newly built hospital in the capital , measures to regulate medicine prices , improvements to ambulance services and call-center operations , and an increase in financial compensation for medical personnel .
According to the latest official data , the number of coronavirus cases in Uzbekistan as of July 15 was 14,581 , including 71 deaths .
Officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late on July 15 that the regional governor 's first deputy , Qosman Aitmukhametov , had died of COVID-19 at the age of 57 .
Earlier in the day , President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev signed a decree to posthumously award medals to 40 medical personnel who lost their lives while treating COVID-19 patients .
As of July 16 , the number of coronavirus cases in Kazakhstan was reported at 65,188 , including 396 deaths -- the highest numbers in Central Asia .
Health Ministry official Ainura Akmatova said on July 16 that the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while treating COVID-19 patients was 2,076 .
President Sooronbai Jeenbekov on July 16 visited the family of a senior student from the Medical University in Bishkek , Adinai Myrzabekova , who died of pneumonia on July 13 , just 11 days after she started working as a volunteer at a medical facility treating COVID-19 patients in the Kyrgyz capital .
On July 15 , Jeenbekov posthumously awarded Myrzabekova with the Erdik ( For Heroism ) medal .
As of July 16 , the number of coronavirus cases in Kyrgyzstan was reported at 12,498 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the northern Bobojon Ghafurov district , Zarif Naziri , said on July 15 that the control along the border with Kyrgyzstan had been beefed up `` to prevent possible coronavirus spread '' from the neighboring country that `` is facing spike in coronavirus cases . ''
As of July 15 , the number of coronavirus cases in the country was officially reported as 6,695 , including 56 deaths .
However , an investigative report by RFE/RL ’ s Tajik Service last month revealed that the real number of lethal cases of COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Turkmenistan is the only country in the region that has not not officially registered any coronavirus cases , but RFE/RL correspondents have reported that local hospitals have been overwhelmed with patients with pneumonia symptoms , some of whom , including medical personnel , have died .
In some parts of the country , so-called quarantine zones have been established and some industrial facilities are being shut down , RFE/RL correspondents report .
The leader of the World Health Organization 's mission , Catherine Smallwood , told a press conference in Ashgabat on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about reports of pneumonia in the tightly controlled energy-rich nation .
Smallwood advised the Turkmen government to activate “ the critical public health measures in Turkmenistan , as if COVID-19 was circulating.
” With reporting by RFE/RL 's Uzbek , Kazakh , Kyrgyz , Tajik , and Turkmen services

The global death toll from the coronavirus is almost 585,000, with nearly 13.6 million infections confirmed, causing mass disruptions as governments continue to try to slow the spread of the respiratory illness.
Here's a roundup of COVID-19 developments in RFE/RL's broadcast regions.
Uzbekistan
Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoev has reprimanded Health Minister Alisher Shodmonov, Tashkent Mayor Jahongir Ortiqhojaev, and other top regional officials for what he called "failing" to properly handle the situation around the coronavirus outbreak.
The July 16 announcement came a day after Mirziyoev said during a government session that ministry and regional officials, "especially the government of the Tashkent region and Tashkent city officials," had lost control over the situation at medical facilities, adding that the ministry had "significantly violated the strategy and tactics" of the efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus in the last 30 days.
Mirziyoev stressed that in recent weeks important medicines used to treat acute respiratory diseases either disappeared from pharmacies or prices jumped by as much as 800 percent.
"People have no information about where to refer to get tests on coronavirus or get treatment for coronavirus and other diseases. It became a problem to get an ambulance assistance," Mirziyoev said.
Mirziyoev ordered a tripling of so-called mobile groups that deal with coronavirus patients at all hospitals in Tashkent and the region, as well as the addition of 1,000 beds at a newly built hospital in the capital, measures to regulate medicine prices, improvements to ambulance services and call-center operations, and an increase in financial compensation for medical personnel.
According to the latest official data, the number of coronavirus cases in Uzbekistan as of July 15 was 14,581, including 71 deaths.
Kazakhstan
Officials in the southern region of Turkistan said late on July 15 that the regional governor's first deputy, Qosman Aitmukhametov, had died of COVID-19 at the age of 57.
Earlier in the day, President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev signed a decree to posthumously award medals to 40 medical personnel who lost their lives while treating COVID-19 patients.
As of July 16, the number of coronavirus cases in Kazakhstan was reported at 65,188, including 396 deaths -- the highest numbers in Central Asia.
Kyrgyzstan
Health Ministry official Ainura Akmatova said on July 16 that the number of medical personnel infected with the coronavirus while treating COVID-19 patients was 2,076.
President Sooronbai Jeenbekov on July 16 visited the family of a senior student from the Medical University in Bishkek, Adinai Myrzabekova, who died of pneumonia on July 13, just 11 days after she started working as a volunteer at a medical facility treating COVID-19 patients in the Kyrgyz capital.
RFE/RL's Coronavirus Crisis Archive Features and analysis, videos, and infographics explore how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the countries in our region.
On July 15, Jeenbekov posthumously awarded Myrzabekova with the Erdik (For Heroism) medal.
As of July 16, the number of coronavirus cases in Kyrgyzstan was reported at 12,498, including 167 deaths.
Tajikistan
The head of the northern Bobojon Ghafurov district, Zarif Naziri, said on July 15 that the control along the border with Kyrgyzstan had been beefed up "to prevent possible coronavirus spread" from the neighboring country that "is facing spike in coronavirus cases."
As of July 15, the number of coronavirus cases in the country was officially reported as 6,695, including 56 deaths.
However, an investigative report by RFE/RL’s Tajik Service last month revealed that the real number of lethal cases of COVID-19 in the country might be several hundred.
Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan is the only country in the region that has not not officially registered any coronavirus cases, but RFE/RL correspondents have reported that local hospitals have been overwhelmed with patients with pneumonia symptoms, some of whom, including medical personnel, have died.
In some parts of the country, so-called quarantine zones have been established and some industrial facilities are being shut down, RFE/RL correspondents report.
The leader of the World Health Organization's mission, Catherine Smallwood, told a press conference in Ashgabat on July 15 that the mission had concerns about reports of pneumonia in the tightly controlled energy-rich nation.
Smallwood advised the Turkmen government to activate “the critical public health measures in Turkmenistan, as if COVID-19 was circulating.”
With reporting by RFE/RL's Uzbek, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Tajik, and Turkmen services