rferl--2020-06-16--Russian Citizen Detained In Tbilisi, 'Planned To Kill' Georgian Journalist

TBILISI -- Georgia 's Service for State Security ( SUS ) says a Russian citizen who was arrested in Tbilisi last week allegedly planned to kill a Georgian journalist who used vulgar words to criticize Russian President Vladimir Putin in a broadcast last year .
Nika Gvamaria , director of the television station Mtavari Arkhi , said on June 15 that 38-year-old Vasambek Bokov , a native of Russia 's North Caucasus region of Ingushetia , was arrested in the Georgian capital three days earlier .
After Gvamaria 's statement , Georgia 's SUS confirmed that a Russian citizen , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and charged with obtaining and using counterfeit documents and that he is suspected of plotting an ordered assassination .
Gvamaria alleged that Bokov was sent to Georgia by the Moscow-backed leader of Russia 's North Caucasus region of Chechnya , Ramzan Kadyrov , to kill Giorgi Gabunia , a journalist with Mtavari Arkhi .
In July 2019 , Gabunia called Putin a `` stinking occupier '' and used a string of obscenities to curse the Russian president , as well as Putin 's mother and father -- and vowed to defecate on Putin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tirade , which came while he was working for another TV channel , was condemned by the authorities in Russia and Georgia at the time .
Kadyrov publicly vowed to `` punish '' Gabunia at the time , saying that `` Gabunia now has to hide behind seven fences because any of the millions of young men , who deeply respect Vladimir Putin , can do to Gabunia what he deserves . ''
In recent years , several Kadyrov critics were killed outside Russia , and many believe that either Kadyrov himself or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) were behind the apparent assassinations .
Rights groups say Kadyrov , who has ruled the volatile region since 2007 , uses repressive measures and has created a climate of impunity for security forces in the region .
They allege Kadyrov is ultimately responsible for the violence and intimidation of political opponents by Chechen authorities , including kidnappings , forced disappearances , torture , and extrajudicial killings .

TBILISI -- Georgia's Service for State Security (SUS) says a Russian citizen who was arrested in Tbilisi last week allegedly planned to kill a Georgian journalist who used vulgar words to criticize Russian President Vladimir Putin in a broadcast last year.
Nika Gvamaria, director of the television station Mtavari Arkhi, said on June 15 that 38-year-old Vasambek Bokov, a native of Russia's North Caucasus region of Ingushetia, was arrested in the Georgian capital three days earlier.
After Gvamaria's statement, Georgia's SUS confirmed that a Russian citizen, identified as V.B., had been arrested and charged with obtaining and using counterfeit documents and that he is suspected of plotting an ordered assassination.
Gvamaria alleged that Bokov was sent to Georgia by the Moscow-backed leader of Russia's North Caucasus region of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, to kill Giorgi Gabunia, a journalist with Mtavari Arkhi.
In July 2019, Gabunia called Putin a "stinking occupier" and used a string of obscenities to curse the Russian president, as well as Putin's mother and father -- and vowed to defecate on Putin's grave.
Gvamaria's controversial on-air tirade, which came while he was working for another TV channel, was condemned by the authorities in Russia and Georgia at the time.
Kadyrov publicly vowed to "punish" Gabunia at the time, saying that "Gabunia now has to hide behind seven fences because any of the millions of young men, who deeply respect Vladimir Putin, can do to Gabunia what he deserves."
In recent years, several Kadyrov critics were killed outside Russia, and many believe that either Kadyrov himself or Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) were behind the apparent assassinations.
Rights groups say Kadyrov, who has ruled the volatile region since 2007, uses repressive measures and has created a climate of impunity for security forces in the region.
They allege Kadyrov is ultimately responsible for the violence and intimidation of political opponents by Chechen authorities, including kidnappings, forced disappearances, torture, and extrajudicial killings.


rferl--2020-06-16--Russian Court Extends Pretrial Detention Of Prominent Gulag Historian

PETROZAVODSK , Russia -- A court in Russia has extended pretrial detention for Yury Dmitriyev , a Russian historian and prominent gulag researcher , who is being tried on charges of sexually assaulting his adopted daughter , which he and his supporters deny .
Officials of the Petrozavodsk City Court in the northwestern region of Karelia told RFE/RL on June 16 that Dmitriyev 's pretrial detention was prolonged until July 25 .
Dmitriyev 's supporters have said the charges were brought against him because of his research into a side of history that complicates the Kremlin 's glorification of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Karelia branch of the Moscow-based human rights group Memorial , whose decades-long efforts to expose the extent of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin 's crimes have met with opposition from the government of President Vladimir Putin .
Last month , dozens of Russian scholars , historians , writers , poets , opposition politicians , artists , and actors signed an open letter asking the Karelia Supreme Court to release Dmitriyev , expressing concerns over the researcher 's health as cases of coronavirus infection have been found in the detention center where he is being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the Russian authorities to release Dmitriyev and reconsider the charges against him .
Dmitriyev was arrested in 2016 on child-pornography charges based on photographs of his adopted daughter that authorities found on his computer .
He has proclaimed his innocence , contending that the images were not pornographic and were made at the request of social workers concerned about the child ’ s development .
He says the case is an attempt to thwart his research into extrajudicial executions in Karelia under Stalin .
A local court acquitted Dmitriyev in April 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upheld an appeal by prosecutors and ordered a new trial .
The historian was rearrested in June 2018 and is currently on trial on the more severe charge of `` violent acts of a sexual nature committed against a person under 14 years of age '' -- again referring to his adopted daughter .

PETROZAVODSK, Russia -- A court in Russia has extended pretrial detention for Yury Dmitriyev, a Russian historian and prominent gulag researcher, who is being tried on charges of sexually assaulting his adopted daughter, which he and his supporters deny.
Officials of the Petrozavodsk City Court in the northwestern region of Karelia told RFE/RL on June 16 that Dmitriyev's pretrial detention was prolonged until July 25.
Dmitriyev's supporters have said the charges were brought against him because of his research into a side of history that complicates the Kremlin's glorification of the Soviet past.
The 64-year-old heads the Karelia branch of the Moscow-based human rights group Memorial, whose decades-long efforts to expose the extent of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin's crimes have met with opposition from the government of President Vladimir Putin.
Last month, dozens of Russian scholars, historians, writers, poets, opposition politicians, artists, and actors signed an open letter asking the Karelia Supreme Court to release Dmitriyev, expressing concerns over the researcher's health as cases of coronavirus infection have been found in the detention center where he is being held.
The European Union has called on the Russian authorities to release Dmitriyev and reconsider the charges against him.
Dmitriyev was arrested in 2016 on child-pornography charges based on photographs of his adopted daughter that authorities found on his computer.
He has proclaimed his innocence, contending that the images were not pornographic and were made at the request of social workers concerned about the child’s development. He says the case is an attempt to thwart his research into extrajudicial executions in Karelia under Stalin.
A local court acquitted Dmitriyev in April 2018, but the Karelia Supreme Court subsequently upheld an appeal by prosecutors and ordered a new trial.
The historian was rearrested in June 2018 and is currently on trial on the more severe charge of "violent acts of a sexual nature committed against a person under 14 years of age" -- again referring to his adopted daughter.


rferl--2020-06-16--COVID-19: 'Virus-Free' Turkmenistan Reportedly Locks Down Two Major Hospitals

The global death toll from the coronavirus is more than 435,000 , with more than 8 million infections confirmed , causing mass disruptions as governments continue to try to slow the spread of the respiratory illness .
Turkmenistan , the only country in Central Asia that has not officially registered coronavirus cases , has reportedly locked down two major hospitals amid concerns of a possible COVID-19 outbreak .
Sources close to health authorities told RFE/RL on June 15 that medical personnel at the Infection Hospital in Ashgabat had not been allowed to leave the facility for days and were barred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the physicians managed to call his relatives and told them to leave their homes as little as possible and to not send their children to kindergartens , '' one source said .
A hospital employee told RFE/RL on condition of anonymity that the medical institution was overwhelmed with patients with pneumonia , including people in grave condition , some of whom had died .
Sources close to local health authorities in the capital of the eastern Lebap province , Turkmenabat , told RFE/RL on June 15 that a major hospital in the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a coronavirus test of one nurse came positive for the second time .
According to the sources , the hospital is currently cordoned off by police and its medical personnel for the first time since the pandemic had started received individual protection garments and equipment .
Another source close to the government told RFE/RL that Turkmen officials were getting ready to officially announce for the first time registered coronavirus cases in the country .
It has been impossible to get either confirmation or denial of that information from the officials of the tightly @ @ @ @ @

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--2020-06-16--Ukrainian Official 'Detained' Over Fatal Acid Attack

KYIV -- Ukrainian Security Service officers have reportedly detained the head of the regional council in Kherson and are bringing him to Kyiv , where his pretrial arrest will be decided in a case where he is suspected of ordering a deadly attack on anti-corruption activist Kateryna Handzyuk in 2018 .
A member of Kherson 's Dnipro district council , Oleksandr Vlasov , said on June 16 that Vladyslav Manher was detained while at a hospital early in the morning and is being transported to Kyiv .
Manher , who has denied any involvement in the attack , has failed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court in Kyiv twice since last week , citing his own health problems , as well as those of his daughter .
On June 15 , after Manher 's representatives told the court that he was at a Kherson hospital and therefore unable to attend the hearing , the court ruled that he must be brought by force .
Handzyuk , a 33-year-old civil activist and adviser to the mayor of the Black Sea port city of Kherson , died in November 2018 , three months after she was severely injured in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ February 2019 and charged him with ordering the attack .
Manher was later released on bail .
In June 2019 , five men were sentenced to prison terms of between three and 6 1/2 years for organizing and executing the attack , after they made plea deals with investigators .
Human rights activists have accused Ukrainian law enforcement agencies of failing to thoroughly investigate the growing number of attacks on activists , and even of collusion with the perpetrators in some cases .

KYIV -- Ukrainian Security Service officers have reportedly detained the head of the regional council in Kherson and are bringing him to Kyiv, where his pretrial arrest will be decided in a case where he is suspected of ordering a deadly attack on anti-corruption activist Kateryna Handzyuk in 2018.
A member of Kherson's Dnipro district council, Oleksandr Vlasov, said on June 16 that Vladyslav Manher was detained while at a hospital early in the morning and is being transported to Kyiv.
Manher, who has denied any involvement in the attack, has failed to show up at the Pechera district court in Kyiv twice since last week, citing his own health problems, as well as those of his daughter.
On June 15, after Manher's representatives told the court that he was at a Kherson hospital and therefore unable to attend the hearing, the court ruled that he must be brought by force.
Handzyuk, a 33-year-old civil activist and adviser to the mayor of the Black Sea port city of Kherson, died in November 2018, three months after she was severely injured in an acid attack.
Prosecutors arrested Manher in February 2019 and charged him with ordering the attack. Manher was later released on bail.
In June 2019, five men were sentenced to prison terms of between three and 6 1/2 years for organizing and executing the attack, after they made plea deals with investigators.
Human rights activists have accused Ukrainian law enforcement agencies of failing to thoroughly investigate the growing number of attacks on activists, and even of collusion with the perpetrators in some cases.


rferl--2020-06-17--Unhappy Meals For Some After McDonald's In Ukraine Says 'Nyet' To Russian Language On Kiosks

A move by McDonald 's in Ukraine to say `` nyet '' to the Russian language on its electronic kiosks has left a bad taste in the mouths of some of its customers .
McDonald 's new language policy quietly took effect over the weekend until it was noticed by noted Ukrainian blogger Anatoliy Shariy , who is well-known for his strong pro-Russia stance .
The language issue has divided many in the country , which is currently mired in a war with Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine that has killed more than 13,200 people .
Some defended the decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticized the fast-food chain , claiming that the policy discriminates against Ukraine 's Russian-speaking population .
For its part , McDonald 's said in a statement that the move was made in accordance with the law , which establishes Ukrainian as the main language of communication in the former Soviet republic .
`` All official documentation , advertising communication , communication on social networks , information on the website , and in the consumer 's corners are conducted in the state ( Ukrainian ) language , '' McDonald 's said , adding that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with customers but that `` employees are always ready to switch to Russian if asked . ''
Ukraine 's embassy in the United States found the move to its liking , thanking McDonald 's for giving priority to Ukrainian .
`` We fully understand McDonalds , the names of food in Ukrainian sound much tastier .
Many thanks to the company for its firm position on the Ukrainian language in the menu of McDonald 's stores in Ukraine .
Now we can say : Learn Ukrainian from McDonald 's , '' the embassy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ With reporting by Hromadske and the BBC

A move by McDonald's in Ukraine to say "nyet" to the Russian language on its electronic kiosks has left a bad taste in the mouths of some of its customers.
McDonald's new language policy quietly took effect over the weekend until it was noticed by noted Ukrainian blogger Anatoliy Shariy, who is well-known for his strong pro-Russia stance.
The language issue has divided many in the country, which is currently mired in a war with Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine that has killed more than 13,200 people.
Some defended the decision by McDonald's, while Shariy and others criticized the fast-food chain, claiming that the policy discriminates against Ukraine's Russian-speaking population.
For its part, McDonald's said in a statement that the move was made in accordance with the law, which establishes Ukrainian as the main language of communication in the former Soviet republic.
"All official documentation, advertising communication, communication on social networks, information on the website, and in the consumer's corners are conducted in the state (Ukrainian) language," McDonald's said, adding that Ukrainian is also a priority in communicating with customers but that "employees are always ready to switch to Russian if asked."
Ukraine's embassy in the United States found the move to its liking, thanking McDonald's for giving priority to Ukrainian.
With reporting by Hromadske and the BBC


rferl--2020-06-17--Moscow Says U.S. Planes Intercepted Russian Nuclear-Capable Bombers Near Alaska

Moscow says U.S. Air Force planes have escorted four Russian nuclear-capable bombers as they patrolled an area close to the @ @ @ @ @ 's Chukotka Peninsula and the state of Alaska .
Russia 's Defense Ministry said on @ @ @ @ @ States had scrambled F-22 fighters to escort the four Russian strategic TU-95MS bombers , which @ @ @ @ @ Chukotka , the Bering Strait , and the Sea of Okhotsk .
`` At certain @ @ @ @ @ Russian planes were escorted by the U.S. Air Force F-22 fighters , `` the ministry @ @ @ @ @ patrol flight lasted for about 11 hours .
On June 10 , the U.S. air-defense @ @ @ @ @ intercepted Russian jets and bombers twice off the coast of Alaska .
A month earlier @ @ @ @ @ two Russian Su-35 fighter jets flew in an unsafe and unprofessional manner while intercepting a @ @ @ @ @ aircraft over international waters in the eastern Mediterranean .
Based on reporting by TASS and @

Moscow says U.S. Air Force planes have escorted four Russian nuclear-capable bombers as they patrolled an area close to the Bering Strait that divides Russia's Chukotka Peninsula and the state of Alaska.
Russia's Defense Ministry said on June 17 that the United States had scrambled F-22 fighters to escort the four Russian strategic TU-95MS bombers, which were over international waters around Chukotka, the Bering Strait, and the Sea of Okhotsk.
"At certain stages of the route, Russian planes were escorted by the U.S. Air Force F-22 fighters, " the ministry said, adding that the patrol flight lasted for about 11 hours.
On June 10, the U.S. air-defense command said its fighter jets intercepted Russian jets and bombers twice off the coast of Alaska.
A month earlier, the U.S. Navy said two Russian Su-35 fighter jets flew in an unsafe and unprofessional manner while intercepting a U.S. Navy P-8A maritime patrol aircraft over international waters in the eastern Mediterranean.
Based on reporting by TASS and Interfax


rferl--2020-06-17--Afghans Say Taliban Attacks Kill At Least 17 Military Personnel In Northern Provinces

KABUL -- Afghan officials say Taliban fighters have attacked a checkpoint in the northern province of Jawzjan , killing 12 security force members .
A spokesman for the provincial governor , Azar Jawzjani , said on June 17 that five others were wounded in the attack that occurred at dawn in the Aqcha district .
The militants took four soldiers hostage following the attack , Jawzjani added .
Another spokesman for the governor , Marouf Azar , said the militants also suffered casualties .
`` Five Taliban were also killed and 10 others were wounded in the clashes , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the attack and said six of its soldiers were among the dead .
A Taliban spokesman said the group was responsible for the attack , but he said the death toll was higher , though he did not elaborate .
In another northern province , Kunduz , militants attacked an Afghan National Army checkpoint on the outskirts of the provincial capital , Kunduz city , killing five soldiers , according to the provincial police chief , Faqir Muhammad Jawzjani .
At least seven others were wounded in the incident , he added .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ shell in the southeastern province of Ghazni left four children dead , while wounding three others , the provincial governor 's spokesman , Arif Noori , said .
The children found the shell in the Deh Yak district and started playing with it when it went off , Noori said .
The government has said that in recent weeks some 422 Afghan personnel have been killed or wounded across the country in at least 220 Taliban attacks .
The Taliban says it remains committed to an agreement they signed with the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the withdrawal of U.S. troops and is intended to pave the way for peace talks between the Taliban and the U.S.-backed government in Kabul .
With reporting by dpa and AFP

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


rferl--2020-06-17--U.S Deports Russian Hacker Convicted Of Stealing Almost $1 Million

The United States has deported a Russian hacker who was sentenced to 48 months in prison for stealing hundreds of @ @ @ @ @ banking accounts using malicious software known as NeverQuest .
Officials from the Russian Embassy in @ @ @ @ @ June 17 that Stanislav Lisov was transferred to the JFK International Airport in New York @ @ @ @ @ the country aboard an Aeroflot plane for Moscow .
Lisov was supposed to be released @ @ @ @ @ .
He was arrested in Barcelona in early 2017 and extradited to the United States @ @ @ @ @ court in New York sentenced Lisov , also known as “ Black ” or “ @ @ @ @ @ November last year and ordered him to pay a $ 50,000 fine and $ 480,000 @ @ @ @ @ .
Lisov pleaded guilty to stealing $ 855,000 from accounts in U.S. banks .
Based @ @ @ @ @ RIA Novosti , and TASS

The United States has deported a Russian hacker who was sentenced to 48 months in prison for stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from online banking accounts using malicious software known as NeverQuest.
Officials from the Russian Embassy in the United States said on June 17 that Stanislav Lisov was transferred to the JFK International Airport in New York, from where he left the country aboard an Aeroflot plane for Moscow.
Lisov was supposed to be released from prison in several months. He was arrested in Barcelona in early 2017 and extradited to the United States the same year.
A court in New York sentenced Lisov, also known as “Black” or “Blackf,” in late November last year and ordered him to pay a $50,000 fine and $480,000 in compensation to his victims.
Lisov pleaded guilty to stealing $855,000 from accounts in U.S. banks.
Based on reporting by Interfax, RIA Novosti, and TASS


rferl--2020-06-16--U.S. Imposes Sweeping Sanctions On Syria And Its Backers

New U.S. sanctions on Syria ’ s crumbling economy come into effect on June 17 in an attempt to deprive Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his backers any benefits from a military victory .
The United States and the European Union already have sanctions on Syria , but the latest from Washington extend to punish any individuals , institutions , or companies conducting business with Damascus .
The bill , known as the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act , can be used to target Assad ’ s main backers -- Russia , Iran , and Lebanon 's Hizballah militant group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as regional players Jordan , Lebanon , Iraq , and Gulf states seeking to reconcile with Syria as it attempts to rebuild following nine years of devastating civil war .
The U.S. ambassador to the UN , Kelly Craft , told the UN Security Council on June 16 that the sanctions are designed to `` deprive the Assad regime of the revenue and the support it has used to commit the large-scale atrocities and human rights violations that prevent a political resolution and severely diminish the prospects for peace . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Council resolution calling for a cease-fire , elections , and political transition along with long-stalled UN-led talks .
`` The Assad regime has a clear choice to make : pursue the political path established in Resolution 2254 , or leave the United States with no other choice but to continue withholding reconstruction funding and impose sanctions against the regime and its financial backers , '' Craft said .
The Caesar Act , which was passed by Congress in December , is named after a former Syrian military photographer who escaped the country in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Assad 's jails since he launched a crackdown on protests three years earlier .
The Syrian government has regained most territory from various rebel factions , except for an enclave in northwest Idlib Province and some Kurdish-controlled areas .
After a decade of war that has killed some 700,000 people , the regime is now facing a Pyrrhic victory .
Towns and cities lay devastated , millions are displaced and in poverty , and the economy is crumbling under rising prices and currency collapse .
Critics of the sanctions say that they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rebuild Syria and only hurt Syrian civilians .
They also say it aims for the unrealistic goal of ousting Assad and his cronies from power after his forces secured military victory against a divided opposition .
`` Nine years of war and the death of hundreds of thousands have not changed Assad 's course or caused him to question the rectitude of his position .
Can sanctions accomplish what war could not ?
It seems unlikely , '' Joshua Landis , the director of the Center for Middle East Studies at the University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Institute think tank , told RFE/RL .
`` However , sanctions are sure to hurt many innocent people .
Syrians are already on their knees .
This will simply bring them a bit lower , '' he said .
Russia 's UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said on June 16 that the United States had confirmed `` that the purpose of these measures is to overthrow the legitimate authorities of Syria . ''
China 's UN Ambassador Zhang Jun said that `` as vulnerable countries like Syria are struggling with the [ coronavirus ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inhumane and may cause additional catastrophes . ''
Hassan Nasrallah , the leader of Hizballah , described the sanctions as `` America 's last weapon '' meant to “ starve ” the Syrian people .
`` Syria 's allies who stood by its side politically and militarily will not abandon it in the face of an economic war and will not allow it to fall , '' Nasrallah pledged .
The sanctions are set to hit Lebanon particularly hard at a time when it faces unprecedented economic and financial crises that have triggered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's only land bridge to the rest of the Arab world .
With reporting by AFP , AP , and Reuters

The United States has imposed a new round of sanctions targeting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad as Washington tries to push the war-torn nation back to the UN-led negotiating table to try and end its almost decade-long civil conflict.
The June 17 announcement of new penalties on Syria, which target Assad and his wife Asma personally, come as the Syrian leader faces a deepening economic crisis and rare protests in government-held areas.
In a statement announcing the move, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said "many more" sanctions against Assad government should be expected in the coming weeks and months.
"We will not stop until Assad and his regime stop their needless, brutal war against the Syrian people and the Syrian government agrees to a political solution to the conflict," Pompeo said.
"I will make special note of the designation for the first time of Asma al-Assad, the wife of Bashar al-Assad, who with the support of her husband and members of her Akhras family has become one of Syria’s most notorious war profiteers," he added.
The United States and the European Union already have sanctions on Syria, but the latest from Washington extend to punish any individuals, institutions, or companies conducting business with Damascus.
The bill, known as the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, can be used to target Assad’s main backers -- Russia, Iran, and Lebanon's Hizballah militant group.
But it will also impact China as well as regional players Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, and Gulf states seeking to reconcile with Syria as it attempts to rebuild following nine years of devastating civil war.
The U.S. ambassador to the UN, Kelly Craft, told the UN Security Council on June 16 that the sanctions are designed to "deprive the Assad regime of the revenue and the support it has used to commit the large-scale atrocities and human rights violations that prevent a political resolution and severely diminish the prospects for peace."
Craft said Assad must implement a Security Council resolution calling for a cease-fire, elections, and political transition along with long-stalled UN-led talks.
"The Assad regime has a clear choice to make: pursue the political path established in Resolution 2254, or leave the United States with no other choice but to continue withholding reconstruction funding and impose sanctions against the regime and its financial backers," Craft said.
The Caesar Act, which was passed by Congress in December, is named after a former Syrian military photographer who escaped the country in 2014 with 55,000 images of brutality in Assad's jails since he launched a crackdown on protests three years earlier.
The Syrian government has regained most territory from various rebel factions, except for an enclave in northwest Idlib Province and some Kurdish-controlled areas.
After a decade of war that has killed some 700,000 people, the regime is now facing a Pyrrhic victory.
Towns and cities lay devastated, millions are displaced and in poverty, and the economy is crumbling under rising prices and currency collapse.
Critics of the sanctions say that they are an ill-intentioned bid to hamper efforts to rebuild Syria and only hurt Syrian civilians. They also say it aims for the unrealistic goal of ousting Assad and his cronies from power after his forces secured military victory against a divided opposition.
"Nine years of war and the death of hundreds of thousands have not changed Assad's course or caused him to question the rectitude of his position. Can sanctions accomplish what war could not? It seems unlikely," Joshua Landis, the director of the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Oklahoma and fellow at the Quincy Institute think tank, told RFE/RL.
"However, sanctions are sure to hurt many innocent people. Syrians are already on their knees. This will simply bring them a bit lower," he said.
Russia's UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said on June 16 that the United States had confirmed "that the purpose of these measures is to overthrow the legitimate authorities of Syria."
China's UN Ambassador Zhang Jun said that "as vulnerable countries like Syria are struggling with the [coronavirus] pandemic, imposing more sanctions is simply inhumane and may cause additional catastrophes."
Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hizballah, described the sanctions as "America's last weapon" meant to “starve” the Syrian people.
"Syria's allies who stood by its side politically and militarily will not abandon it in the face of an economic war and will not allow it to fall," Nasrallah pledged.
The sanctions are set to hit Lebanon particularly hard at a time when it faces unprecedented economic and financial crises that have triggered months of protests.
Syria is Lebanon's only land bridge to the rest of the Arab world.
With reporting by AFP, AP, and Reuters


rferl--2020-06-17--Chechen Leader Kadyrov Denies Plot To Kill Georgian Journalist

The Moscow-backed leader of Russia 's North Caucasus region of Chechnya , Ramzan Kadyrov , has denied accusations that he was behind an alleged plot to kill a Georgian journalist .
`` Believe me , if someone is acting on my orders , he will carry them out , and if a mission is to be accomplished quietly , nobody ... would learn about it , '' Kadyrov wrote on his Telegram channel late on June 16 .
The previous day , Georgia 's Service for State Security ( SUS ) said it had detained a Russian citizen , identified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forged documents .
It said the arrest came as part of an investigation into `` preparation of murder by contract . ''
Nika Gvamaria , director of the television station Mtavari Arkhi , identified the suspect as 38-year-old Vasambek Bokov , a native of Russia 's North Caucasus region of Ingushetia .
He alleged that Bokov was sent to murder Giorgi Gabunia , a journalist with Mtavari Arkhi , on Kaydirov 's orders .
The story dates back to July last year , when Gabunia crudely insulted Russian President Vladimir Putin live on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia .
Kadyrov publicly vowed to `` punish '' Gabunia at the time .
In his Telegram post on June 16 , the Chechen leader said that the journalist should “ go down on his knees and ask for forgiveness…Otherwise , he will , I repeat , remain my enemy . ''
Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov called the allegations against Kadyrov `` absurd . ''
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili and Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia have reacted to the alleged murder plot , without pointing the finger at Kadyrov .
Zurabishvili said on June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a criminal and provocative action targeted against the country ’ s stability.
” Gakharia said that the investigation is still underway , adding : “ We should have sufficient patience , wait , and make all types of assessment afterward.
” Rights groups say Kadyrov , who has ruled Chechnya since 2007 , uses repressive measures and has created a climate of impunity for security forces in the volatile region .
In recent years , several Kadyrov critics were killed outside Russia , and many believe that either Kadyrov himself or Russia 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind the apparent assassinations .
With reporting by the BBC , AFP , and civil.ge

The Moscow-backed leader of Russia's North Caucasus region of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, has denied accusations that he was behind an alleged plot to kill a Georgian journalist.
"Believe me, if someone is acting on my orders, he will carry them out, and if a mission is to be accomplished quietly, nobody...would learn about it," Kadyrov wrote on his Telegram channel late on June 16.
The previous day, Georgia's Service for State Security said it had detained a Russian citizen, identified as V.B., on charges of using forged documents.
It said the arrest came as part of an investigation into "preparation of murder by contract."
Nika Gvamaria, director of the television station Mtavari Arkhi, identified the suspect as 38-year-old Vasambek Bokov, a native of Russia's North Caucasus region of Ingushetia.
He alleged that Bokov was sent to kill Giorgi Gabunia, a journalist with Mtavari Arkhi, on Kadyrov's orders.
The story dates back to July last year, when Gabunia crudely insulted Russian President Vladimir Putin live on air amid worsening ties between Georgia and Russia.
Kadyrov publicly vowed to "punish" Gabunia at the time.
In his Telegram post on June 16, the Chechen leader said that the journalist should "go down on his knees and ask for forgiveness.... Otherwise, he will, I repeat, remain my enemy."
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the allegations against Kadyrov "absurd."
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili and Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia have reacted to the alleged plot, without pointing the finger at Kadyrov.
Zurabishvili said on June 16 that Georgia was "dealing with a criminal and provocative action targeted against the country’s stability."
Gakharia said that the investigation was still under way, adding, "We should have sufficient patience, wait, and make all types of assessment afterward."
Rights groups say Kadyrov, who has ruled Chechnya since 2007, uses repressive measures and has created a climate of impunity for security forces in the volatile region.
In recent years, several Kadyrov critics were killed outside Russia, and many believe that either Kadyrov himself or Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) were behind the apparent assassinations.
With reporting by the BBC, AFP, and Civil.ge


rferl--2020-06-17--NATO Chief Tries To Reassure Allies After U.S. Announces Plan To Decrease Forces In Germany

NATO ’ s chief says that the United States intends to consult with allies on plans to draw down U.S. forces in Germany , plans that have rattled some members of the 30-member alliance .
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg also said that the alliance had no intentions to deploy land-based nuclear missiles in Europe , even as Russia deploys missiles that Washington says violated a key Cold War-era arms treaty .
Speaking to reporters following a June 17 meeting of alliance defense ministers , the NATO chief said the subject of the U.S. plans for decreasing its troop numbers in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper spoke with NATO allies via video conference , and indicated that Washington would consult them on the next steps of the intended drawdown .
Earlier this month , U.S. President Donald Trump surprised many allies when he announced a plan to cut troops based in Germany by a third , to 25,000 .
Trump said he was cutting troops to punish Germany , accusing Berlin of not contributing enough to the alliance .
Germany has denied Trump 's assertions , and has pledged to increase defense spending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for several years .
`` I welcome the fact that Secretary Esper in the meeting with NATO defense minsters was clear both on the U.S. commitment [ to Europe ] but also that the U.S. will consult allies on the way forward , '' Stoltenberg said .
`` No final decision has been made on how and when to implement the U.S. plan , '' he said .
Stoltenberg also said some allies were spending more on nuclear deterrence capabilities , in response to what many members see as increasingly aggressive moves by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ building , then deploying , missiles in violation of the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces treaty .
Last year , the Trump administration announced it was withdrawing from the pact , leading to the agreeement 's collapse .
`` We will maintain our deterrence and defenses , but we will not mirror Russia , '' he said .
`` We have no intention to deploy new land-based nuclear missiles in Europe . ''

NATO’s chief says that the United States intends to consult with allies on plans to draw down U.S. forces in Germany, plans that have rattled some members of the 30-member alliance.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg also said that the alliance had no intentions to deploy land-based nuclear missiles in Europe, even as Russia deploys missiles that Washington says violated a key Cold War-era arms treaty.
Speaking to reporters following a June 17 meeting of alliance defense ministers, the NATO chief said the subject of the U.S. plans for decreasing its troop numbers in Germany came up for discussion.
He said U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper spoke with NATO allies via video conference, and indicated that Washington would consult them on the next steps of the intended drawdown.
Earlier this month, U.S. President Donald Trump surprised many allies when he announced a plan to cut troops based in Germany by a third, to 25,000.
Trump said he was cutting troops to punish Germany, accusing Berlin of not contributing enough to the alliance. Germany has denied Trump's assertions, and has pledged to increase defense spending but won’t meet agreed-upon targets for several years.
"I welcome the fact that Secretary Esper in the meeting with NATO defense minsters was clear both on the U.S. commitment [to Europe] but also that the U.S. will consult allies on the way forward," Stoltenberg said.
"No final decision has been made on how and when to implement the U.S. plan," he said.
Stoltenberg also said some allies were spending more on nuclear deterrence capabilities, in response to what many members see as increasingly aggressive moves by Russia.
The U.S. accused Russia of building, then deploying, missiles in violation of the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces treaty.
Last year, the Trump administration announced it was withdrawing from the pact, leading to the agreeement's collapse.
"We will maintain our deterrence and defenses, but we will not mirror Russia," he said. "We have no intention to deploy new land-based nuclear missiles in Europe."
With reporting by dpa


rferl--2020-06-17--Kremlin 'Installs Disinfectant Tunnels' To Protect Putin Against Coronavirus

News reports say the Kremlin has installed special disinfecting tunnels in an effort to protect President Vladimir Putin from being infected with the coronavirus .
The state news agency RIA-Novosti reported on June 16 that the devices , manufactured by a company based in the city of Penza , had been placed at Putin ’ s residence in Novo-Ogaryovo outside Moscow .
The Associated Press , meanwhile , cited Putin ’ s spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying on July 17 that one such device was installed at the president ’ s home and two at the Kremlin .
`` When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state , additional precautionary measures are justified , '' Peskov was quoted by AP as saying .
The tunnels were put in when Russia 's coronavirus `` was in full swing , '' he said .
Video of the disinfecting device first appeared on the official website of the Penza region , and was later obtained by RFE/RL and other news media .
The device resembles an airport security screener , appearing to spray individuals walking through it with a misty antiseptic .
Russian authorities on June 17 reported 7,843 new confirmed cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April .
The country has a total of 553,301 confirmed cases , the third most in the world after the United States and Brazil .
As Russian coronavirus cases climbed in March and April , Putin sequestered himself at Novo-Ogaryovo , holding video conferences with governors and cabinet officials , giving televised speeches , and occasionally meeting with top security advisers .
Last week , however , he attended his first public event in Moscow in a month , a ceremony marking the national Russia Day holiday .
The pandemic scrambled the Kremlin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which included a national vote on constitutional amendments that will open the door for Putin staying in power until 2036 .
The vote is now scheduled for July 1 .
The traditional May 9 Victory Day parade in Red Square , marking the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II , was also postponed until June 24 .
As part of measures to protect Putin from possible exposure to the coronavirus , nearly 80 veterans selected to sit with the Russian leader at the parade are being kept in isolation at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It quoted two unidentified officials as saying that the veterans were brought to the resort for 14 days before the parade , when they ’ ll be transferred to join Putin on the tribune .
With reporting by RIA-Novosti , AP , and Bloomberg

News reports say the Kremlin has installed special disinfecting tunnels in an effort to protect President Vladimir Putin from being infected with the coronavirus.
The state news agency RIA-Novosti reported on June 16 that the devices, manufactured by a company based in the city of Penza, had been placed at Putin’s residence in Novo-Ogaryovo outside Moscow.
The Associated Press, meanwhile, cited Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying on July 17 that one such device was installed at the president’s home and two at the Kremlin.
"When it comes to the head of the state, additional precautionary measures are justified," Peskov was quoted by AP as saying.
The tunnels were put in when Russia's coronavirus "was in full swing," he said.
Video of the disinfecting device first appeared on the official website of the Penza region, and was later obtained by RFE/RL and other news media.
The device resembles an airport security screener, appearing to spray individuals walking through it with a misty antiseptic.
Russian authorities on June 17 reported 7,843 new confirmed cases, the lowest daily number since late April. The country has a total of 553,301 confirmed cases, the third most in the world after the United States and Brazil.
As Russian coronavirus cases climbed in March and April, Putin sequestered himself at Novo-Ogaryovo, holding video conferences with governors and cabinet officials, giving televised speeches, and occasionally meeting with top security advisers.
Last week, however, he attended his first public event in Moscow in a month, a ceremony marking the national Russia Day holiday.
The pandemic scrambled the Kremlin’s plans for this spring, which included a national vote on constitutional amendments that will open the door for Putin staying in power until 2036. The vote is now scheduled for July 1.
The traditional May 9 Victory Day parade in Red Square, marking the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II, was also postponed until June 24.
As part of measures to protect Putin from possible exposure to the coronavirus, nearly 80 veterans selected to sit with the Russian leader at the parade are being kept in isolation at a health resort outside Moscow, Bloomberg reported.
It quoted two unidentified officials as saying that the veterans were brought to the resort for 14 days before the parade, when they’ll be transferred to join Putin on the tribune.
With reporting by RIA-Novosti, AP, and Bloomberg


rferl--2020-06-17--Bosnia's Rival Ethnic Parties Strike Deal On New Mostar Statute

Bosnia-Herzegovina ’ s main Bosniak and Croat parties have reached agreement on a new statute for Mostar , paving the way for the first local elections to be held in the ethnically divided city in 12 years .
The deal was inked on June 17 by the leaders of the Party of Democratic Action ( SDA ) and the Croatian Democratic Union ( HDZ ) , Bakir Izetbegovic and Dragan Covic , following several weeks of renewed talks .
The meeting in Mostar was attended by U.S .
Ambassador Eric Nelson , British Ambassador Matthew Field , and the head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johann Sattler .
Izetbegovic said the deal on the new statute , which is to be adopted at the next session of the city council , foresees joint management of Mostar `` because there is obviously no trust . ''
Covic said Mostar will hold local elections on November 15 , the same day as the rest of Bosnia .
He added that the two sides will now initiate a legislative process to change Bosnia ’ s electoral law .
Mostar , in southwestern Bosnia , has not held municipal polls since 2008 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforce a 2010 ruling by the country 's Constitutional Court that said Mostar ’ s power-sharing structure was unconstitutional and needed reform .
In October last year , the European Court of Human Rights condemned Bosnia for its failure to change its election law and enable municipal elections in Mostar .
Ljubo Beslic , of the HDZ , has served as mayor of Mostar without a mandate since his term expired in 2013 .
Mostar , with a population of more than 100,000 people , is divided by mostly Catholic Bosnian Croats in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its east .
Bosnia 's Croats and Muslims were allied against ethnic Serbs during much of the1992-95 Bosnian war but the two communities also fought fierce battles over Mostar and over other areas .
The city reflects the tense situation throughout the country following the war that left Bosnia divided into two autonomous regions -- the Bosniak-Croat Federation and the mainly ethnic Serb Republika Srpska -- united under a weak central government .

Bosnia-Herzegovina’s main Bosniak and Croat parties have reached agreement on a new statute for Mostar, paving the way for the first local elections to be held in the ethnically divided city in 12 years.
The deal was inked on June 17 by the leaders of the Party of Democratic Action (SDA) and the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), Bakir Izetbegovic and Dragan Covic, following several weeks of renewed talks.
The meeting in Mostar was attended by U.S. Ambassador Eric Nelson, British Ambassador Matthew Field, and the head of the EU delegation to Bosnia, Johann Sattler.
Izetbegovic said the deal on the new statute, which is to be adopted at the next session of the city council, foresees joint management of Mostar "because there is obviously no trust."
Covic said Mostar will hold local elections on November 15, the same day as the rest of Bosnia.
He added that the two sides will now initiate a legislative process to change Bosnia’s electoral law.
Mostar, in southwestern Bosnia, has not held municipal polls since 2008 because of the authorities' failure to enforce a 2010 ruling by the country's Constitutional Court that said Mostar’s power-sharing structure was unconstitutional and needed reform.
In October last year, the European Court of Human Rights condemned Bosnia for its failure to change its election law and enable municipal elections in Mostar.
Ljubo Beslic, of the HDZ, has served as mayor of Mostar without a mandate since his term expired in 2013.
Mostar, with a population of more than 100,000 people, is divided by mostly Catholic Bosnian Croats in its west and mainly Muslim Bosniaks in its east.
Bosnia's Croats and Muslims were allied against ethnic Serbs during much of the1992-95 Bosnian war but the two communities also fought fierce battles over Mostar and over other areas.
The city reflects the tense situation throughout the country following the war that left Bosnia divided into two autonomous regions -- the Bosniak-Croat Federation and the mainly ethnic Serb Republika Srpska -- united under a weak central government.


rferl--2020-06-17--Report: Russia, U.S. Discussing Swapping American Whelan For Imprisoned Russians Bout, Yaroshenko

News reports say Russian and U.S. officials are negotiating a possible swap of Paul Whelan , an American who was sentenced by a Moscow court this week for espionage , for two Russians serving lengthy sentences in U.S. prisons .
The Interfax news agency on June 17 cited an unnamed official as saying that the talks included Viktor Bout and Konstantin Yaroshenko .
`` If an agreement is reached , it 's most likely that a so-called exchange will be made after the U.S. president pardons the Russians and the Russian president pardons Whelan , '' the official was quoted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrested in Moscow in December 2018 , was sentenced to 16 years in a Russian penal colony after being found guilty of espionage on June 15 .
He denounced the trial as a sham .
The Interfax report was the latest suggestion that Russian officials see Whelan 's imprisonment as a bargaining chip to gain the release of Russians serving prison time in the United States .
Russian officials have for years called for the release of Bout , who was arrested and extradited from Thailand in 2008 on a U.S. warrant , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years later of weapons smuggling and other related charges .
His notoriety as a gunrunner earned him the nickname Merchant of Death .
Yaroshenko , meanwhile , is serving a 20-year prison sentence for conspiracy to smuggle cocaine into the United States .
After Whelan 's sentence was announced on June 15 , defense lawyer Vladimir Zherebenkov said the verdict was expected because `` no one was hiding '' that Moscow was seeking the release of Russian prisoners held in the U.S. That same day , Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was quoted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying : `` We ’ re sticking with the previous position and these options have been repeatedly offered to the Americans . ''
Whelan 's brother , David , told RFE/RL that he also believed Moscow wants to exchange Paul for Bout , Yaroshenko , and others .
`` The Russian Federation has made it clear for many years that they want Mr .
Bout and Mr. Yaroshenko , among others , returned , '' he said in an e-mail .
`` It is the Russian Federation 's reflexive approach to make justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ else wants their bargain . ''
`` The U.S. government has made it clear publicly that they are not interested in discussing an exchange , '' Whelan said .
`` I would be astounded if , given their public statements , there was any consideration of a trade . ''
He also said it was possible Russia was looking to reclaim several diplomatic properties that were shuttered by Washington in 2016 in response to findings that Russia interfered in the U.S. presidential election .
Tatyana Moskalkova , who is the Kremlin-appointed human rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she could not confirm the negotiations for a prisoner swap , but she told Interfax that `` any exchange , any actions to bring Russian compatriots back to the homeland is a humane act . ''
The 50-year-old Paul Whelan , who also holds British , Canadian , and Irish citizenship , is a former U.S Marine who was working as the head of global security for a U.S. auto parts supplier at the time of his arrest in the Russian capital in 2018 .
He said he was in Moscow to attend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was framed when he met an acquaintance at a Moscow hotel and took the flash drive from him , saying he was told it contained holiday photos .
He says the allegations of spying against him are politically motivated .
He has also accused his Moscow prison guards of mistreatment .
With reporting by AFP and Interfax

News reports say Russian and U.S. officials are negotiating a possible swap of Paul Whelan, an American who was sentenced by a Moscow court this week for espionage, for two Russians serving lengthy sentences in U.S. prisons.
The Interfax news agency on June 17 cited an unnamed official as saying that the talks included Viktor Bout and Konstantin Yaroshenko.
"If an agreement is reached, it's most likely that a so-called exchange will be made after the U.S. president pardons the Russians and the Russian president pardons Whelan," the official was quoted as saying.
Whelan, who was arrested in Moscow in December 2018, was sentenced to 16 years in a Russian penal colony after being found guilty of espionage on June 15. He denounced the trial as a sham.
The Interfax report was the latest suggestion that Russian officials see Whelan's imprisonment as a bargaining chip to gain the release of Russians serving prison time in the United States.
Russian officials have for years called for the release of Bout, who was arrested and extradited from Thailand in 2008 on a U.S. warrant, and convicted by a U.S. jury three years later of weapons smuggling and other related charges. His notoriety as a gunrunner earned him the nickname Merchant of Death.
Yaroshenko, meanwhile, is serving a 20-year prison sentence for conspiracy to smuggle cocaine into the United States.
After Whelan's sentence was announced on June 15, defense lawyer Vladimir Zherebenkov said the verdict was expected because "no one was hiding" that Moscow was seeking the release of Russian prisoners held in the U.S.
That same day, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was quoted by the state-run RIA-Novosti news agency as saying: "We’re sticking with the previous position and these options have been repeatedly offered to the Americans."
'A Humane Act'
Whelan's brother, David, told RFE/RL that he also believed Moscow wants to exchange Paul for Bout, Yaroshenko, and others.
"The Russian Federation has made it clear for many years that they want Mr. Bout and Mr. Yaroshenko, among others, returned," he said in an e-mail. "It is the Russian Federation's reflexive approach to make justice transactional. That doesn't mean anyone else wants their bargain."
"The U.S. government has made it clear publicly that they are not interested in discussing an exchange," Whelan said. "I would be astounded if, given their public statements, there was any consideration of a trade."
He also said it was possible Russia was looking to reclaim several diplomatic properties that were shuttered by Washington in 2016 in response to findings that Russia interfered in the U.S. presidential election.
Tatyana Moskalkova, who is the Kremlin-appointed human rights commissioner, said on June 17 that she could not confirm the negotiations for a prisoner swap, but she told Interfax that "any exchange, any actions to bring Russian compatriots back to the homeland is a humane act."
The 50-year-old Paul Whelan, who also holds British, Canadian, and Irish citizenship, is a former U.S Marine who was working as the head of global security for a U.S. auto parts supplier at the time of his arrest in the Russian capital in 2018. He said he was in Moscow to attend a friend's wedding.
Russian prosecutors claimed that a flash drive found in Whelan's possession contained classified information.
Whelan insists he was framed when he met an acquaintance at a Moscow hotel and took the flash drive from him, saying he was told it contained holiday photos. He says the allegations of spying against him are politically motivated.
He has also accused his Moscow prison guards of mistreatment.
With reporting by AFP and Interfax


rferl--2020-06-17--Prosecutors Seek 15-Year Prison Term For Former Kyrgyz President Over Release Of Crime Boss

BISHKEK -- Prosecutors in Kyrgyzstan have asked a court to sentence former President Almazbek Atambaev to 15 years in prison at his trial over the illegal release of notorious crime boss Aziz Batukaev in 2013 .
Prosecutors also asked the Birinchi Mai District Court on June 16 to deprive Atambaev of all state awards and to confiscate his property .
Atambaev 's lawyer , Zamir Jooshev , told RFE/RL that the verdict and sentence in the case are expected to be announced by the court on June 18 .
Batukaev , who suddenly was released from prison and immediately left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2013 , was convicted of several infamous crimes -- including the murders of a Kyrgyz lawmaker and an Interior Ministry official .
In all , 19 former officials and medical personnel are co-defendants in the high-profile case .
The 63-year-old Atambaev , who has denied any wrongdoing , was arrested in early August last year after he surrendered to police following a deadly two-day standoff between security forces and his supporters .
The move to detain Atambaev was sparked by his refusal to obey three subpoenas calling him to the Interior Ministry for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The standoff between security forces and his supporters resulted in the death of a top security officer and more than 170 injuries -- 79 of them sustained by law enforcement officers .
The violence underscored a power struggle between Atambaev and his handpicked successor , Sooronbai Jeenbekov , which has raised fears of instability in the Central Asian nation .
The former president is currently also on trial in another case linked to last year 's violence , in which he and 13 others were charged with murder , attempted murder , threatening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking , and the forcible seizure of power .
Kyrgyzstan saw a smooth and peaceful transfer of power in 2017 from Atambaev , a northerner , to southerner Jeenbekov , which was welcomed by the international community after presidential changes -- in 2005 and 2010 -- came after violent rioting .
However , the deadly clashes last year at Atambaev 's compound underscored a subsequent power struggle between him and Jeenbekov .

BISHKEK -- Prosecutors in Kyrgyzstan have asked a court to sentence former President Almazbek Atambaev to 15 years in prison at his trial over the illegal release of notorious crime boss Aziz Batukaev in 2013.
Prosecutors also asked the Birinchi Mai District Court on June 16 to deprive Atambaev of all state awards and to confiscate his property.
Atambaev's lawyer, Zamir Jooshev, told RFE/RL that the verdict and sentence in the case are expected to be announced by the court on June 18.
Batukaev, who suddenly was released from prison and immediately left the Central Asian nation for Russia in 2013, was convicted of several infamous crimes -- including the murders of a Kyrgyz lawmaker and an Interior Ministry official.
In all, 19 former officials and medical personnel are co-defendants in the high-profile case.
The 63-year-old Atambaev, who has denied any wrongdoing, was arrested in early August last year after he surrendered to police following a deadly two-day standoff between security forces and his supporters.
The move to detain Atambaev was sparked by his refusal to obey three subpoenas calling him to the Interior Ministry for questioning in Batukaev's illegal-release case.
The standoff between security forces and his supporters resulted in the death of a top security officer and more than 170 injuries -- 79 of them sustained by law enforcement officers.
The violence underscored a power struggle between Atambaev and his handpicked successor, Sooronbai Jeenbekov, which has raised fears of instability in the Central Asian nation.
The former president is currently also on trial in another case linked to last year's violence, in which he and 13 others were charged with murder, attempted murder, threatening or assaulting representatives of authorities, hostage taking, and the forcible seizure of power.
Kyrgyzstan saw a smooth and peaceful transfer of power in 2017 from Atambaev, a northerner, to southerner Jeenbekov, which was welcomed by the international community after presidential changes -- in 2005 and 2010 -- came after violent rioting.
However, the deadly clashes last year at Atambaev's compound underscored a subsequent power struggle between him and Jeenbekov.


rferl--2020-06-17--Prosecutor Seeks Lengthy Prison Terms For Two Defendants In Russian 'Network' Case

ST. PETERSBURG , Russia -- The prosecutor at the high-profile trial of two activists from a group known as `` Set '' ( Network ) has recommended to a court in St. Petersburg that they be sentenced to lengthy prison terms .
The prosecutor on June 17 urged the court in Russia ’ s second-largest city to find the two defendants guilty of being members of a terrorist organization and to sentence Viktor Filinkov to nine years , and Yury Boyarshinov to six years in prison .
Boyarshinov has pleaded guilty saying that he did not know Network was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Filinkov has rejected the charge , saying that his initial guilty plea was given under duress .
The two men went on trial in late February .
Opposition figures and rights defenders have called the case against the group `` fabricated . ''
Russian investigators said the group planned to organize a series of explosions in Russia during the presidential election and the World Cup soccer tournament in 2018 `` to destabilize the situation '' in the country and to organize an armed mutiny .
Rights activists have said the charges are false @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claimed they were tortured while in custody .
The Investigative Committee has rejected the claims .
In February , a court in another Russian city , Penza , sentenced seven other activists of the group to prison terms of between six years and 18 years after convicting them of terrorism .
The group members were arrested in October 2017 for allegedly creating a terrorist group with cells in Moscow , St. Petersburg , Penza , and Omsk , as well as in neighboring Belarus .
Belarusian authorities told RFE/RL in February that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cell existing in Belarus .
Amnesty International called the terror charges `` a figment of the Russian security services ' imagination ... fabricated in an attempt to silence these activists . ''
The London-based human rights watchdog has called the case “ the latest politically-motivated abuse of the justice system to target young people.
” Two other activists initially arrested in the case , Igor Shishkin and Yegor Zorin , made deals with the investigators and testified against the others .
Shishkin received 3 1/2 years in prison in January 2019 , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ September 2018 .

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia -- The prosecutor at the high-profile trial of two activists from a group known as "Set" (Network) has recommended to a court in St. Petersburg that they be sentenced to lengthy prison terms.
The prosecutor on June 17 urged the court in Russia’s second-largest city to find the two defendants guilty of being members of a terrorist organization and to sentence Viktor Filinkov to nine years, and Yury Boyarshinov to six years in prison.
Boyarshinov has pleaded guilty saying that he did not know Network was a terrorist group when he joined it.
Filinkov has rejected the charge, saying that his initial guilty plea was given under duress.
The two men went on trial in late February. Opposition figures and rights defenders have called the case against the group "fabricated."
Russian investigators said the group planned to organize a series of explosions in Russia during the presidential election and the World Cup soccer tournament in 2018 "to destabilize the situation" in the country and to organize an armed mutiny.
Rights activists have said the charges are false, while some of those arrested have claimed they were tortured while in custody. The Investigative Committee has rejected the claims.
In February, a court in another Russian city, Penza, sentenced seven other activists of the group to prison terms of between six years and 18 years after convicting them of terrorism.
The group members were arrested in October 2017 for allegedly creating a terrorist group with cells in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Penza, and Omsk, as well as in neighboring Belarus.
Belarusian authorities told RFE/RL in February that they weren’t aware of a Network cell existing in Belarus.
Amnesty International called the terror charges "a figment of the Russian security services' imagination...fabricated in an attempt to silence these activists."
The London-based human rights watchdog has called the case “the latest politically-motivated abuse of the justice system to target young people.”
Two other activists initially arrested in the case, Igor Shishkin and Yegor Zorin, made deals with the investigators and testified against the others.
Shishkin received 3 1/2 years in prison in January 2019, while the case against Zorin was closed in September 2018.


rferl--2020-06-17--Pro-Russia Activists, Nationalists Clash In Kyiv

KYIV -- Hundreds of activists supporting the pro-Russian Party of Shariy have clashed with Ukrainian nationalist groups in Kyiv near the office of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy .
Some 500 activists from the Party of Shariy , which was founded by a controversial pro-Russian Ukrainian blogger , Anatoliy Shariy , rallied in front of Zelenskiy 's office on June 17 , urging him to stop police brutality toward protesters .
Some 200 activists of the radical nationalist group Democratic Ax had also gathered at the site for what they called for `` a moralizing talk on the theme Kyiv -- the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the nationalist group started throwing firecrackers and smoke grenades at the activists from the Party of Shariy after they began marching toward the Interior Ministry , which led to clashes between the two groups .
Police intervened to restore order .
The pro-Russian group was upset about what happened on June 15 outside a court in Kyiv , when a former leader of a far-right Ukrainian paramilitary group in Odesa , Serhiy Sternenko , was placed under house arrest .
After the June 15 demonstration , photos and videos appeared online showing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials say they have launched an internal investigation into the incident .

KYIV -- Hundreds of activists supporting the pro-Russian Party of Shariy have clashed with Ukrainian nationalist groups in Kyiv near the office of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
Some 500 activists from the Party of Shariy, which was founded by a controversial pro-Russian Ukrainian blogger, Anatoliy Shariy, rallied in front of Zelenskiy's office on June 17, urging him to stop police brutality toward protesters.
Some 200 activists of the radical nationalist group Democratic Ax had also gathered at the site for what they called for "a moralizing talk on the theme Kyiv -- the Ukrainian city."
Reports say activists from the nationalist group started throwing firecrackers and smoke grenades at the activists from the Party of Shariy after they began marching toward the Interior Ministry, which led to clashes between the two groups.
Police intervened to restore order.
The pro-Russian group was upset about what happened on June 15 outside a court in Kyiv, when a former leader of a far-right Ukrainian paramilitary group in Odesa, Serhiy Sternenko, was placed under house arrest.
After the June 15 demonstration, photos and videos appeared online showing police beating the demonstrators.
Kyiv police officials say they have launched an internal investigation into the incident.


rferl--2020-06-16--U.S. Imposes Sweeping Sanctions On Assad, Syrian Government, And Its Backers

The United States has imposed a new round of sanctions targeting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad as Washington tries to push the war-torn nation back to the UN-led negotiating table to try and end its almost decade-long civil conflict .
The June 17 announcement of new penalties on Syria , which target Assad and his wife Asma personally , come as the Syrian leader faces a deepening economic crisis and rare protests in government-held areas .
In a statement announcing the move , U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said `` many more '' sanctions against Assad government should be expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We will not stop until Assad and his regime stop their needless , brutal war against the Syrian people and the Syrian government agrees to a political solution to the conflict , '' Pompeo said .
`` I will make special note of the designation for the first time of Asma al-Assad , the wife of Bashar al-Assad , who with the support of her husband and members of her Akhras family has become one of Syria ’ s most notorious war profiteers , '' he added .
The United States and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Syria , but the latest from Washington extend to punish any individuals , institutions , or companies conducting business with Damascus .
The bill , known as the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act , can be used to target Assad ’ s main backers -- Russia , Iran , and Lebanon 's Hizballah militant group .
But it will also impact China as well as regional players Jordan , Lebanon , Iraq , and Gulf states seeking to reconcile with Syria as it attempts to rebuild following nine years of devastating civil war @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Kelly Craft , told the UN Security Council on June 16 that the sanctions are designed to `` deprive the Assad regime of the revenue and the support it has used to commit the large-scale atrocities and human rights violations that prevent a political resolution and severely diminish the prospects for peace . ''
Craft said Assad must implement a Security Council resolution calling for a cease-fire , elections , and political transition along with long-stalled UN-led talks .
`` The Assad regime has a clear choice to make : pursue the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or leave the United States with no other choice but to continue withholding reconstruction funding and impose sanctions against the regime and its financial backers , '' Craft said .
The Caesar Act , which was passed by Congress in December , is named after a former Syrian military photographer who escaped the country in 2014 with 55,000 images of brutality in Assad 's jails since he launched a crackdown on protests three years earlier .
The Syrian government has regained most territory from various rebel factions , except for an enclave in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
After a decade of war that has killed some 700,000 people , the regime is now facing a Pyrrhic victory .
Towns and cities lay devastated , millions are displaced and in poverty , and the economy is crumbling under rising prices and currency collapse .
Critics of the sanctions say that they are an ill-intentioned bid to hamper efforts to rebuild Syria and only hurt Syrian civilians .
They also say it aims for the unrealistic goal of ousting Assad and his cronies from power after his forces secured military victory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years of war and the death of hundreds of thousands have not changed Assad 's course or caused him to question the rectitude of his position .
Can sanctions accomplish what war could not ?
It seems unlikely , '' Joshua Landis , the director of the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Oklahoma and fellow at the Quincy Institute think tank , told RFE/RL .
`` However , sanctions are sure to hurt many innocent people .
Syrians are already on their knees .
This will simply bring them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Russia 's UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said on June 16 that the United States had confirmed `` that the purpose of these measures is to overthrow the legitimate authorities of Syria . ''
China 's UN Ambassador Zhang Jun said that `` as vulnerable countries like Syria are struggling with the [ coronavirus ] pandemic , imposing more sanctions is simply inhumane and may cause additional catastrophes . ''
Hassan Nasrallah , the leader of Hizballah , described the sanctions as `` America 's last weapon '' meant to “ starve ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allies who stood by its side politically and militarily will not abandon it in the face of an economic war and will not allow it to fall , '' Nasrallah pledged .
The sanctions are set to hit Lebanon particularly hard at a time when it faces unprecedented economic and financial crises that have triggered months of protests .
Syria is Lebanon 's only land bridge to the rest of the Arab world .
With reporting by AFP , AP , and Reuters


rferl--2020-06-18--Mortar Blast At Afghan Religious School Kills At Least Nine Students

Afghan security officials say a mortar shell has exploded inside a religious school in northern Afghanistan , killing at least nine students .
`` The initial investigation shows that the blast was caused by a mortar that had somehow been carried inside the madrasah , '' police spokesman Khalil Asir said on June 18 , adding that many of those killed were under 18 .
Another six students were wounded in the blast in the Ishkamish district of Takhar Province , Asir added .
Jawad Hejri , a spokesman for the provincial governor , confirmed the explosion and the death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deadly blasts earlier this month targeted mosques in Kabul .
On June 12 , four people were killed in a bomb blast at a mosque in the capital during Friday Prayers .
A week earlier , an explosion at a mosque in the heavily fortified Green Zone killed a prominent imam and one other person .
The latest bloodshed comes even as the Taliban says it remains committed to an agreement signed with the United States in February .
The landmark deal provides for the withdrawal of U.S. troops and is intended to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Taliban and the U.S.-backed government in Kabul .
Based on reporting by AFP and dpa


rferl--2020-06-18--Azerbaijanis Arrested In Russia's Daghestan After Clashes With Police At Border

Dozens of Azerbaijani citizens have been arrested in Russia 's North Caucasus region of Daghestan after hundreds of Azerbaijani men @ @ @ @ @ clashed with local police .
The governor of Daghestan 's southern district of Magaramkent , @ @ @ @ @ June 18 that hundreds of Azerbaijanis stranded along the border because of the coronavirus lockdown @ @ @ @ @ after they demanded their expedited repatriation .
`` NInety-three Azerbaijani citizens were detained , of @ @ @ @ @ and placed under 10-day arrest , '' Akhmedov said .
Daghestani officials said that nine @ @ @ @ @ five police vehicles were destroyed during the violence , which was quelled after officials called @ @ @ @ @ security forces to the area .
Local investigators have launched a probe into the assaulting @ @ @ @ @ on state property .
Daghestani prosecutor Aleksei Yezhov said he had taken the investigation under @ @ @ @ @ state delegation from Azerbaijan that arrived after the clashes has been assisting local government to @ @ @ @ @ With reporting by Caucasian Knot and Interfax

Dozens of Azerbaijani citizens have been arrested in Russia's North Caucasus region of Daghestan after hundreds of Azerbaijani men stuck near the Russian-Azerbaijani border clashed with local police.
The governor of Daghestan's southern district of Magaramkent, Farid Akhmedov, said on June 18 that hundreds of Azerbaijanis stranded along the border because of the coronavirus lockdown clashed with local law enforcement after they demanded their expedited repatriation.
"NInety-three Azerbaijani citizens were detained, of whom 80 were taken in and placed under 10-day arrest," Akhmedov said.
Daghestani officials said that nine police officers were injured and five police vehicles were destroyed during the violence, which was quelled after officials called in additional police troops and security forces to the area.
Local investigators have launched a probe into the assaulting of police and inflicting damage on state property.
Daghestani prosecutor Aleksei Yezhov said he had taken the investigation under his personal control.
A state delegation from Azerbaijan that arrived after the clashes has been assisting local government to repatriate its stranded citizens.
With reporting by Caucasian Knot and Interfax


rferl--2020-06-18--Kazakh Ex-President Nazarbaev Tests Positive For COVID-19

Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev , who continues to control the Central Asian country after his sudden resignation last year , has tested positive for the coronavirus .
Nazarbaev 's press service said on June 18 that the former president was currently self-isolated and continued to work remotely .
The 79-year-old Nazarbaev announced his resignation in March 2019 after ruling the oil-rich former Soviet republic for almost 30 years .
But he continues to lead the ruling Nur-Otan party and the country 's powerful Security Council .
He also enjoys the broad benefits of the title of `` elbasy '' -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's opponents say he de facto continues to run the country of 18 million by supervising the actions of incumbent President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev .
Recently , Health Minister Elzhan Birtanov , the chairman of the parliament 's lower chamber , Nurlan Nyghmatulin , presidential spokesman Berik Uali , and several other officials have also tested positive for the coronavirus .
After that , Prime Minister Asqar Mamin and four members of his government announced they were self-isolating as a precautionary measure .
Kazakhstan imposed a state of emergency over the pandemic on March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Since then , the government has been slowly removing restrictions to help stop the spread of the virus , but health authorities said on June 17 that the situation was getting `` out of control . ''
On June 18 , the government issued an order , according to which additional restrictions will be imposed this weekend for residents of the capital , Nur-Sultan , the country 's largest city , Almaty , and four other cities -- Qaraghandy , Shymkent , Pavlodar , and Ekibastuz .
The additional restrictions include the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shopping malls , market places , and the limiting of public transportation .
Also , all parks , beaches , ski resorts , fitness clubs , swimming pools , and entertainment sites in those cities will be closed .
Only outdoor restaurants will be allowed to operate but they must follow social-distancing guidelines that require customers are kept at least 2 meters from each other .
Citizens older than 65 will be barred from leaving their homes .
The government also ordered local governors to expedite efforts to set up additional sites for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of medical institutions to deal with an increasing number of COVID-19 patients .
As of June 18 , the total number of registered coronavirus cases in Kazakhstan was reported as 22,708 , including 100 deaths .
That is the highest number among the five Central Asian countries .

Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev, who continues to control the Central Asian country after his sudden resignation last year, has tested positive for the coronavirus.
Nazarbaev's press service said on June 18 that the former president was currently self-isolated and continued to work remotely.
The 79-year-old Nazarbaev announced his resignation in March 2019 after ruling the oil-rich former Soviet republic for almost 30 years. But he continues to lead the ruling Nur-Otan party and the country's powerful Security Council.
He also enjoys the broad benefits of the title of "elbasy" -- the leader of the nation.
Nazarbaev's opponents say he de facto continues to run the country of 18 million by supervising the actions of incumbent President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev.
Recently, Health Minister Elzhan Birtanov, the chairman of the parliament's lower chamber, Nurlan Nyghmatulin, presidential spokesman Berik Uali, and several other officials have also tested positive for the coronavirus.
After that, Prime Minister Asqar Mamin and four members of his government announced they were self-isolating as a precautionary measure.
Kazakhstan imposed a state of emergency over the pandemic on March 16 and lifted it on May 11. Since then, the government has been slowly removing restrictions to help stop the spread of the virus, but health authorities said on June 17 that the situation was getting "out of control."
On June 18, the government issued an order, according to which additional restrictions will be imposed this weekend for residents of the capital, Nur-Sultan, the country's largest city, Almaty, and four other cities -- Qaraghandy, Shymkent, Pavlodar, and Ekibastuz.
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.
The additional restrictions include the suspension of operations at large supermarkets, shopping malls, market places, and the limiting of public transportation.
Also, all parks, beaches, ski resorts, fitness clubs, swimming pools, and entertainment sites in those cities will be closed.
Only outdoor restaurants will be allowed to operate but they must follow social-distancing guidelines that require customers are kept at least 2 meters from each other.
Citizens older than 65 will be barred from leaving their homes.
The government also ordered local governors to expedite efforts to set up additional sites for coronavirus testing and shore up the capacity of medical institutions to deal with an increasing number of COVID-19 patients.
As of June 18, the total number of registered coronavirus cases in Kazakhstan was reported as 22,708, including 100 deaths. That is the highest number among the five Central Asian countries.


rferl--2020-06-17--U.S. Deports Russian Hacker Convicted Of Stealing Almost $1 Million


rferl--2020-06-18--Top General Says U.S. Troop Cut In Afghanistan Hits 8,600 Target In Line With Taliban Deal

The United States has reduced its troop presence in Afghanistan to levels agreed to as part of a February deal with the Taliban , the general who oversees the region said on June 18 .
`` We agreed to go to the mid-8,000 range within 135 days , '' General Kenneth McKenzie , the head of U.S. Central Command , said at an event hosted by the Aspen Institute think tank .
`` We 're at that number now . ''
The February deal provides for the withdrawal of U.S. troops and is intended to pave the way for peace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government in Kabul .
Under the deal , the United States agreed to reduce its forces in Afghanistan from 12,000 troops to 8,600 by mid-July .
If the rest of the deal goes through , all U.S. and other foreign troops will exit Afghanistan by mid-2021 .
McKenzie said a full U.S. troop withdrawal is `` conditions-based ” on the Taliban meeting their commitments .
A key plank of the agreement requires the Taliban to sever all ties with extremist groups such as Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State ( IS ) that could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its allies .
McKenzie said the Taliban is already at odds with the IS group .
`` What we need to see is what they 're going to do against Al-Qaeda , '' he said , referring to the group responsible for the September 11 , 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States .
`` And we need to see that in deeds and not words . ''
The Taliban “ have not yet completely made that case , ” he said .
“ There remains an opportunity for them to do it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grow short.
” A UN report released on June 1 said the Taliban still maintains close ties with the Al-Qaeda terrorist network .
`` Relations between the Taliban , especially the Haqqani network , and [ Al-Qaeda ] remain close , based on friendship , a history of shared struggle , ideological sympathy , and intermarriage , '' said the report sent by independent UN sanctions monitors to the UN Security Council .
The report added that the Taliban `` regularly consulted '' with Al-Qaeda during negotiations with the United States and `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ historical ties . ''
U.S. special envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad downplayed the UN report , saying it largely covered a period before the February agreement .
Taliban militants control about half of Afghanistan 's territory and have continued to carry out attacks since the U.S.-Taliban deal was signed .
The government has said that in recent weeks some 422 Afghan personnel have been killed or wounded across the country in at least 220 Taliban attacks .
IS militants have also carried a number of high-profile attacks , killing dozens of people .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ maternity hospital in Kabul on May 24 killed was described as “ horrific ” by Doctors Without Borders , which last week announced it would cease activities at the hospital .
Afghan authorities have put the blame on the Taliban , which has denied involvement , while representatives of foreign governments pointed the finger at Afghanistan ’ s Islamic State affiliate .
With reporting by AFP and AP