rferl--2020-11-14--Russian Peacekeepers Find Armenians Leaving Occupied Districts, Burning Homes Behind Them

A column of armored vehicles from Russia 's peacekeeping mission entered Kelbajar ( Kalbacar in Azeri ) on November 13 @ @ @ @ @ district of Azerbaijan northwest of Nagorno-Karabakh that is now being handed back to Baku under @ @ @ @ @ forces first set up positions in an area adjacent to Dadivank , a ninth-century monastery @ @ @ @ @ a somber farewell to the monastery as they leave the region , with some even @ @ @ @ @ .
One local priest , Father Hovhannes , says he will not leave .
Instead @ @ @ @ @ khachkars -- or stone crosses -- believed to be 800 years old to be relocated @ @ @ @ @ they will return to the monastery at some point in the future .

A column of armored vehicles from Russia's peacekeeping mission entered the Kalbacar district in Azerbaijan (known as Karvachar in Armenian) on November 13. Kalbacar is an occupied district of Azerbaijan northwest of Nagorno-Karabakh that is now being handed back to Baku under a Russia-brokered truce. Russian forces first set up positions in an area adjacent to Dadivank, a ninth-century monastery. Armenians have been bidding a somber farewell to the monastery as they leave the region, with some even burning their houses behind them. One local priest, Father Hovhannes, says he will not leave. Instead, he arranged for two khachkars -- or stone crosses -- believed to be 800 years old to be relocated to Armenia. Hovhannes hopes they will return to the monastery at some point in the future.


rferl--2020-11-15--Belarusian Police Detain Dozens As Thousands Of Anti-Government Protesters Rally

MINSK -- Belarusian police have detained dozens of protesters demanding the resignation of Alyaksandr Lukashenka and a new presidential election following a disputed vote in August .
Police used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse a crowd near the Pushkinskaya subway station in the capital , Minsk , where several thousand marchers gathered on November 15 .
Demonstrators carried the banned white-red-white flags that have become a symbol of the political opposition in Belarus and chanted slogans like , “ Lukashenka !
Tribunal !
” and “ Love live Belarus !
” Mobile internet has been down and several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Protests were also held in other Belarusian cities on November 15 , including in Homel and Hrodna , where police were also reported to have detained an unspecified number of demonstrators .
Lukashenka , who has ruled Belarus for 26 years , has faced almost daily protests calling for his resignation since a presidential election on August 9 that the opposition says was rigged and which the West has refused to accept .
Russia , meanwhile , has supported Lukashenka in the ongoing standoff .
Lukashenka on November 13 vowed not to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opponents and demonstrators .
Lukashenka said his country should integrate with Russia and Moscow-led organizations to avoid what he called `` color revolutions '' -- a term often used to describe pro-Western political upheavals .
His remarks came as the European Union again condemned violent crackdowns against Belarusian protesters and threatened to impose more sanctions on Minsk following the death of a 31-year-old Belarusian man on November 12 who is believed to have been badly beaten by masked security forces .
Several protesters have been killed and thousands of people arrested since authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote .
There have also been credible reports of torture during a widening security crackdown .
Most of the country 's opposition have been arrested or forced to leave the country , including opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya .

MINSK -- Belarusian police detained more than 1,200 people on November 15 during protests across the country demanding the resignation of strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka and a new presidential election following a disputed election in August.
The Vyasna human rights group said most detentions were made in Minsk, where black-clad security forces used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse thousands of demonstrators. Two people were beaten by masked security officers inside a grocery store. Videos showed police detaining people and taking them away in police vehicles.
It was the largest number of detentions reported in a single day since the protests began. The total number of people detained since August is believed to be over 25,000, according to Vyasna.
At least 23 journalists were among those detained in Minsk and other cities, according to the Belarusian Association of Journalists.
They included four contributors to RFE/RL's Belarus Service -- photo reporter Andrey Shauluha, cameraman Andrey Rabchyk, veteran reporter Ihar Karney, and chief video editor Yulia Kotskaya.
The protesters carried the banned white-red-white flags that have become a symbol of the political opposition in Belarus and carried placards in commemoration of Raman Bandarenka, a 31-year old anti-government supporter who died in a hospital on November 12 after reportedly being badly beaten by masked security forces.
Demonstrators chanted, "I'm going out," the last known written words of Bandarenka, and other slogans such as, “Lukashenka! Tribunal!”
Mobile Internet was down and several subway stations in the center of the capital were closed, while several streets and squares were cordoned off by police.
Detentions were also reported during smaller demonstrations in Homel, Hrodna, Mahilyou, and elsewhere.
The demonstrations continued a wave of near-daily protests that have gripped Belarus since the August 9 election.
Opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who has said the vote was rigged in Lukashenka's favor and considers herself the rightful winner, described the crackdown on protesters with "gas, grenades, and firearms" as "devastating" and called for international support for the demonstrators.
"We ask our allies to stand up for the Belarusian people and human rights. We need a humanitarian corridor for the injured, support for the media, international investigation of crimes," she wrote on Twitter.
Tsikhanouskaya left Belarus for Lithuania after the vote amid threats to her and her family.
Lukashenka, who has ruled Belarus for 26 years, on November 13 vowed not to hand over power and slammed his political opponents and demonstrators.
Lukashenka said his country should integrate with Russia, which has supported him in the ongoing standoff, and Moscow-led organizations to avoid what he called "color revolutions" -- a term often used to describe pro-Western political upheavals.
His remarks came as the European Union again condemned violent crackdowns against Belarusian protesters and threatened to impose more sanctions on Minsk.
Several protesters have been killed and thousands of people arrested since authorities declared Lukashenka the landslide winner of the vote.
There have also been credible reports of torture during a widening security crackdown.
Most of the country's opposition have been arrested or forced to leave the country.


rferl--2020-11-15--Bosnians Voting For Mayors, Local Councils In Delayed Elections

SARAJEVO -- Bosnians are voting in local elections on November 15 that were delayed due to the country ’ s budget crisis .
Nearly 3.4 million voters are eligible to help choose town and municipal councils and mayors in the country 's two autonomous regions : the Bosniak-Croat Federation and Republica Srpska , and in the neutral Brcko District .
Polls opened at 7 a.m. and will close at 7 p.m .
Preliminary results are expected by midnight .
Voters at polling stations had to observe strict physical distancing due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic .
The elections were originally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government ’ s delay in adopting a national budget , including funding for the elections , led to the postponement .
The ethnically divided southern city of Mostar will hold elections separately on December 20 .
Those long-delayed elections will be the first in Mostar in 12 years and come after Bosnia-Herzegovina ’ s main Bosniak and Croat parties in June reached a last-minute agreement on a new statute for the city .
Mostar has not held municipal polls since 2008 because of the authorities ' failure to enforce a 2010 ruling by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city 's power-sharing structure was unconstitutional and needed reform .

SARAJEVO -- Bosnians voted in local elections on November 15 that were delayed due to the country’s budget crisis, amid concerns that a surge in coronavirus infections could keep many voters away.
About 3.3 million voters are eligible to help choose town and municipal councils and mayors in the country's two autonomous regions -- the Bosniak-Croat Federation and Republica Srpska -- as well as the neutral Brcko district.
Some 38.8 percent of voters had cast their ballots by 4 p.m., three hours before polls closed. Preliminary results are expected by midnight.
The number of coronavirus cases and related deaths in Bosnia-Herzegovina have been rising sharply in recent weeks, with health authorities now reporting nearly 72,000 infections, including more than 1,800 fatalities.
In order to mitigate the risk of infection, voters at polling stations are required to observe strict physical distancing, wear face masks, and wash their hands. Voter temperatures are also being taken and polling stations are regularly disinfected.
Dozens of mobile polling teams have been dispatched to take ballots to citizens under quarantine.
In Srebrenica, the head of the Bosniak political coalition Moja Adresa (My Address) complained that Serbia residents were traveling to the eastern Bosnian town, located not far from the Serbian border, to participate in the election.
"It has been taking place for several years…and no one has [been able] to help prevent it. People from Serbia who in most cases have nothing to do with Srebrenica come in an organized manner. They are greeted by teams at the border crossing and taken to the polls,” Sadik Ahmetovic told RFE/RL.
On election day, many cars with Serbian license plates could be seen in Srebrenica.
The elections were originally slated for October 4. But the government’s delay in adopting a national budget, including funding for the elections, led to the postponement.
The ethnically divided southern city of Mostar will hold elections separately on December 20.
Those long-delayed elections will be the first in Mostar in 12 years and come after Bosnia’s main Bosniak and Croat parties in June reached a last-minute agreement on a new statute for the city.
Mostar has not held municipal polls since 2008 because of the authorities' failure to enforce a 2010 ruling by Bosnia's Constitutional Court that said the city's power-sharing structure was unconstitutional and needed reform.


rferl--2020-11-15--Azerbaijan Extends Deadline For Armenia To Withdraw From Key District Under Karabakh Truce

Azerbaijan has agreed to extend a deadline for Armenia to withdrawal from a district as part of a peace agreement that ended a six-week war over the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region .
`` Azerbaijan agreed to prolong the deadline for the withdrawal from Kalbacar of Armenian armed forces and of illegal Armenian settlers until November 25 , '' Hikmat Hajiyev , an aide to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev , told a news conference in Baku on November 15 .
He said Aliyev had agreed on “ humanitarian grounds ” to grant an Armenian request for the delay following mediation by Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to complete its withdrawal from Kalbacar ( known as Karvachar in Armenian ) on November 15 .
Hajiyev said the timetable for the Armenian withdrawal from the Aghdam region on November 20 and the Lachin district by December 1 remains unchanged .
Residents of Kalbacar , a district in Azerbaijan that was controlled for decades by ethnic Armenians , have been leaving their homes since the peace deal was signed on November 10 .
Some residents set their homes on fire before leaving , RFE/RL ’ s Armenian Service reported .
Kalbacar was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were expelled by Armenians in the 1990s war following the breakup of the Soviet Union , and a majority of the homes being abandoned previously belonged to Azeris .
Before it was ceded to Azerbaijan , Armenians flocked to the Dadivank monastery for a final visit .
Russian peacekeepers were positioned near the monastery on November 14 .
The Kremlin said that Putin told Aliyev on November 14 to protect Christian shrines in the parts of Nagorno-Karabakh that will be under the control of Azerbaijan , a majority Muslim nation .
Aliyev vowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement released by his press service said .
A key part of the Russia-brokered peace deal includes Armenia 's return of Kalbacar and two other districts over the next 2 1/2 weeks .
Like Kalbacar , those districts have been held by Armenian separatists since a war that ended in 1994 .
While ending fighting that killed up to 5,000 soldiers and civilians on both sides , the deal announced on November 10 was rejected by many Armenians because it allows Azerbaijan to keep a sizable chunk of Nagorno-Karabakh , along with surrounding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal includes the deployment of 2,000 Russian peacekeepers in the region .
The first 200 arrived in Armenia following the announcement of the truce .
The two sides exchanged the bodies of an unspecified number of dead soldiers on November 14 following the arrival of the Russian troops .
Nagorno-Karabakh is recognized as part of Azerbaijan , but its majority Armenian population has governed its own affairs since Azerbaijani troops and Azeri civilians were pushed out of the region in the war in the 1990s .
The most recent fighting broke out in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peace deal triggered celebrations in Azerbaijan and a political crisis in Armenia , where angry protesters stormed government buildings and parliament .
On November 11 , 10 prominent opposition figures were arrested and accused of `` organizing illegal violent mass disorder.
” The detentions were denounced by the opposition as illegal , and the opposition figures were released two days later .
The leader of Armenia 's opposition Homeland party , Arthur Vanetsian , was arrested on November 14 and accused of plotting to overthrow the government and of an assassination plot against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who formerly headed Armenia 's National Security Service ( NSS ) , was arrested after his arrival at the service 's Investigative Department on November 14 , according to his lawyer .
`` Vanetsian was arrested on suspicion of usurping power and preparing the assassination of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian , '' attorney Lusine Sahakian wrote on Facebook .
In addition , Sahakian wrote , “ illegal searches '' were carried out in Vanetsian 's parents ' apartment and an office affiliated with the Homeland party .
Both Sahakian and Vanetsian ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ motivated .
The NSS has not confirmed Vanetsian 's arrest , but in a November 14 statement it said that it had thwarted an assassination attempt against Pashinian .
Homeland is one of 17 Armenian opposition groups that launched the protests and demanded Pashinian ’ s resignation .
They accuse Pashinian of capitulating to Azerbaijan and committing high treason .
With reporting by AFP , dpa , Reuters , and TASS

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Azerbaijan has agreed to extend a deadline for Armenia to withdraw from a district as part of a peace agreement that ended a six-week war over the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region.
"Azerbaijan agreed to prolong the deadline for the withdrawal from Kalbacar of Armenian armed forces and of illegal Armenian settlers until November 25," Hikmat Hajiyev, an aide to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, told a news conference in Baku on November 15.
He said Aliyev had agreed on “humanitarian grounds” to grant an Armenian request for the delay following mediation by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Armenia was due to complete its withdrawal from Kalbacar (known as Karvachar in Armenian) on November 15.
Hajiyev said the timetable for the Armenian withdrawal from the Aghdam region on November 20 and the Lachin district by December 1 remains unchanged.
Residents of Kalbacar, a district in Azerbaijan that was controlled for decades by ethnic Armenians, have been leaving their homes since the peace deal was signed on November 10.
Some residents set their homes on fire before leaving, RFE/RL’s Armenian Service reported.
Kalbacar was populated mostly by ethnic Azeris before they were expelled by Armenians in the 1990s war following the breakup of the Soviet Union, and a majority of the homes being abandoned previously belonged to Azeris.
Before it was ceded to Azerbaijan, Armenians flocked to the Dadivank monastery for a final visit. Russian peacekeepers were positioned near the monastery on November 14.
The Kremlin said that Putin told Aliyev on November 14 to protect Christian shrines in the parts of Nagorno-Karabakh that will be under the control of Azerbaijan, a majority Muslim nation.
Aliyev vowed to safeguard the Christian shrines, a statement released by his press service said.
A key part of the Russia-brokered peace deal includes Armenia's return of Kalbacar and two other districts over the next 2 1/2 weeks. Like Kalbacar, those districts have been held by Armenian separatists since a war that ended in 1994.
While ending fighting that killed more than 2,000 soldiers and civilians on both sides, the deal announced on November 10 was rejected by many Armenians because it allows Azerbaijan to keep a sizable chunk of Nagorno-Karabakh, along with surrounding areas captured during the fighting.
The deal includes the deployment of 2,000 Russian peacekeepers in the region. Several hundreds have already arrived since the announcement of the truce, and Russia’s Defense Ministry said on November 15 that they had set up 25 "observation posts" in the Lachin Corridor -- a mountain road pass that links Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia -- and two other areas to monitor the cease-fire.
The two sides exchanged the bodies of an unspecified number of dead soldiers on November 14 following the arrival of the Russian troops.
Nagorno-Karabakh is recognized as part of Azerbaijan, but its majority Armenian population has governed its own affairs since Azerbaijani troops and Azeri civilians were pushed out of the region in the war in the 1990s.
Armenia’s Health Ministry said on November 14 that at least 2,300 Armenian and Nagorno-Karabakh Armenian combatants have died during the most recent fighting, which broke out in late September. A ministry spokeswoman, Alina Nikoghosian, said the figure does not include dead soldiers whose bodies remain in Azerbaijani-controlled territory. Their total number is not yet known, she said.
Azerbaijani authorities have not released their military casualty figures.
The announcement of the peace deal triggered celebrations in Azerbaijan and anti-government rallies in Armenia, where angry protesters stormed government buildings and parliament early on November 10.
The leader of the opposition Homeland party, Arthur Vanetsian, was arrested on November 14 and charged the next day with plotting to overthrow the government and kill a public figure.
The indictment came after the National Security Service (NSS) on November 14 said it had thwarted an assassination attempt against Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian.
Vanetsian, who was released from detention on November 15, formerly headed the NSS. Two other opposition figures are facing similar charges.
Lawyers for the three accused rejected the accusations, saying they were politically motivated.
Homeland is one of 17 Armenian opposition groups that launched the protests against Pashinian’s government and demanded his resignation. They accuse the prime minister of capitulating to Azerbaijan and committing high treason.
On November 11, 10 prominent opposition figures were arrested and accused of "organizing illegal violent mass disorder.” The detentions were denounced by the opposition as illegal, and the opposition figures were released two days later.
With reporting by AFP, dpa, Reuters, Interfax, and TASS


rferl--2020-11-15--Ukrainian Football Players Infected With Coronavirus To Fly Home After 3-1 Loss To Germany

Four Ukrainian footballers infected with the coronavirus are to fly home from Germany , coach Andriy Shevchenko said on November 14 , after Germany defeated Ukraine 3-1 in a UEFA Nations League match .
The players -- Andriy Yarmolenko , Serhiy Sydorchuk , Viktor Kovalenko , and Viktor Tsyhankov -- and a staff member , Vadym Komardin , tested positive for COVID-19 on November 13 .
`` A plane will come from Kyiv to take the infected players back to Ukraine , '' Shevchenko said after Ukraine lost the match .
`` The day was very nerve-racking , '' Shevchenko @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will play its final Nations League game in Switzerland on November 17 .
There were doubts that the game against Germany could go ahead because of the positive coronavirus tests .
But a round of tests for the rest of the squad on November 14 were negative , and health authorities in the host city , Leipzig , Germany , said the game could proceed .
Ukraine ’ s Roman Yaremchuk scored early in the match , giving the visitors a surprise lead .
But Germany ’ s Leroy Sane scored for Germany @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lead before striker Timo Werner scored goals , one in each half , for the winning side .
Ukraine missed a chance to tie by hitting the post in the 53rd minute with Oleksandr Zinchenko 's deflected shot .
In a strong finish , Ukraine hit the post two more times after Werner ’ s second goal .
Germany is now at the top of Group A4 with nine points , one ahead of Spain .
They lost to the Spaniards on November 10 , but the two teams play again on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs only a draw to reach the finals .
The top teams in each group qualify for the finals , which are scheduled for autumn 2021 .
Ukraine is third with six points , and Switzerland is at the bottom with three after a 1-1 draw with visitors Spain .
`` We won a match against a good Ukrainian team and overall we can be satisfied , '' German coach Joachim Loew said .
`` We had the game under control in the first half , and we had a lot of pace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were maybe not as focused . ''
With reporting by Reuters , dpa and AP

Four Ukrainian footballers infected with the coronavirus are to fly home from Germany, coach Andriy Shevchenko said on November 14, after Germany defeated Ukraine 3-1 in a UEFA Nations League match.
The players -- Andriy Yarmolenko, Serhiy Sydorchuk, Viktor Kovalenko, and Viktor Tsyhankov -- and a staff member, Vadym Komardin, tested positive for COVID-19 on November 13.
"A plane will come from Kyiv to take the infected players back to Ukraine," Shevchenko said after Ukraine lost the match.
"The day was very nerve-racking," Shevchenko added.
The rest of the team will play its final Nations League game in Switzerland on November 17.
There were doubts that the game against Germany could go ahead because of the positive coronavirus tests.
But a round of tests for the rest of the squad on November 14 were negative, and health authorities in the host city, Leipzig, Germany, said the game could proceed.
Ukraine’s Roman Yaremchuk scored early in the match, giving the visitors a surprise lead. But Germany’s Leroy Sane scored for Germany in the 23rd minute to cancel out the lead before striker Timo Werner scored goals, one in each half, for the winning side.
Ukraine missed a chance to tie by hitting the post in the 53rd minute with Oleksandr Zinchenko's deflected shot. In a strong finish, Ukraine hit the post two more times after Werner’s second goal.
Germany is now at the top of Group A4 with nine points, one ahead of Spain. They lost to the Spaniards on November 10, but the two teams play again on November 17 in Seville, and Germany needs only a draw to reach the finals.
The top teams in each group qualify for the finals, which are scheduled for autumn 2021.
Ukraine is third with six points, and Switzerland is at the bottom with three after a 1-1 draw with visitors Spain.
"We won a match against a good Ukrainian team and overall we can be satisfied," German coach Joachim Loew said. "We had the game under control in the first half, and we had a lot of pace. In the second half, we were maybe not as focused."
With reporting by Reuters, dpa and AP


rferl--2020-11-15--Moldovans Voting In Presidential Runoff Featuring Pro-Western, Pro-Russian Candidates

CHISINAU -- Moldovans are voting in the second round of a crucial presidential election pitting a pro-Western , former World Bank economist against the pro-Russian incumbent .
The November 15 runoff is the latest chapter in a tug-of-war over the former Soviet republic ’ s political future : whether it moves closer to the European Union or is drawn more tightly into Moscow ’ s orbit .
It ’ s also the latest rematch between President Igor Dodon and Maia Sandu , the economist who won a surprise victory in the first round of the election on November 1 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ less than 5 percentage points in an election that was marred by allegations of fraud .
This time , Sandu came out on top , but failed to cross the 50-percent threshold to avoid a runoff .
Her initial victory raised eyebrows after preelection polls showed Dodon ahead by about 10 percentage points .
Still , Western election observers largely praised the first round of voting .
Polls published in the run-up to the election showed the two candidates in a tight race that could be decided by the diaspora .
Voters are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ polling stations in the country and abroad .
Polls opened at 7 a.m. and will close at 9 p.m .
Preliminary results are expected around one hour after voting ends .
By 1 p.m. , some 28 percent of eligible voters had cast their ballots , according to the Central Election Commission .
The commission said turnout was high abroad , like in the first round .
Long lines have been reported outside polling centers in London , Berlin , and across Italy .
`` Today , you have the power to punish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you to misery and forced you to leave your home , '' Sandu said after voting in the capital , Chisinau , in a reference to her rival , who has been accused of corruption while in office .
Sandu also called for `` maximum vigilance '' against possible fraud .
Dodon , meanwhile , said he `` voted for peace , '' `` social justice , '' and `` Christian values '' after casting his vote in the capital .
`` We must maintain good relations with the European Union and with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with a population of about 3.5 million , is one of Europe ’ s poorest countries and is sharply divided between those who support closer ties with Russia and those who advocate links with the European Union and , especially , neighboring Romania .
“ If Dodon wins the presidency , everyone will leave Moldova because , as you can see , Moldovans ’ life under his government is very difficult .
We need a change .
We need to elect another president , ” one woman in Singerei , a city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told RFE/RL on November 8 .
“ What I liked about Dodon these four years is that he traveled the world .
Dodon traveled throughout the regions of Moldova .
He visited the people , the whole country , ” a man in Singerei told RFE/RL .
“ Dodon has done a lot of things : just consider relations with Russia , which is the main market Moldovan products.
” Most of Moldova was part of Romania until World War II , when it was annexed by the Soviet Union , and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Hampered by a creaky economy and rampant corruption , the country is also hobbled by the unresolved status of Transdniester , a breakaway region that has been de facto independent since a separatist war in the 1990s .
Transdniester is backed economically and politically by Moscow , which wants to keep Moldova in its sphere of influence , especially with the ongoing wave of political unrest sweeping across other former Soviet republics .
“ What has been done ?
What changes were there ?
What has Dodon done as a president ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Vera Florea , a Moldovan teacher who has lived in Moscow for more than 30 years .
“ Only the process of receiving Russian citizenship for Moldovans has become easier , but this is on the political side .
On the economic side , I do not see any changes .
I do not notice any Moldovan products in the Russian shops .
Only at the market , I can barely see some Moldovan apples or plums .
Our wines are also rarely seen on the Russian shelves , ” she told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dodon has run largely on a platform calling for “ stability ” and has promoted his record of securing loans and other economic favors from Moscow .
He has been criticized for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic , during which more than 55,000 Moldovans have been infected and more than 1,300 have died .
Hundreds of supporters from Dodon ’ s Socialist Party rallied in Chisinau on November 13 , the last day of campaigning before the runoff , carrying signs that read : “ No School Closures , No District Liquidations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 48-year-old Sandu , meanwhile , has campaigned against corruption and called for closer ties with the European Union .
Moldova ’ s internal struggle between the West and Russia echoes that of other former Soviet republics -- for example Ukraine and , more recently , Belarus .
And Moscow has repeatedly asserted that the West was meddling -- and tried to argue Russia was not -- in the countries ’ domestic affairs .
President Vladimir Putin recently referenced this in comments to a grouping of ex-Soviet countries and China , known as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exert foreign pressure '' on Moldova , as well as Kyrgyzstan and Belarus , are `` unacceptable , ” Putin said on November 10 .

CHISINAU -- Maia Sandu, a former World Bank economist who favors closer ties with the European Union, is ahead of pro-Russian incumbent Igor Dodon in the second round of Moldova's presidential election, partial preliminary results show.
Data from the Central Election Commission shows Sandu has 52.03 percent of the votes in the November 15 runoff with Dodon at 47.97 percent, after 94 percent of the ballots had been counted.
Voters turned out in high numbers, with a turnout of more than 52 percent -- nearly 10 percentage points higher than the final turnout recorded during the first round (42.74 percent).
The runoff is the latest chapter in a tug-of-war over the former Soviet republic’s political future: whether it moves closer to the European Union or is drawn more tightly into Moscow’s orbit.
It’s also the latest rematch between Dodon and Sandu, who won a surprise victory in the first round of the election on November 1 but failed to cross the 50 percent threshold to avoid a runoff.
Participation was particularly high among the Moldovan diaspora, with more than 210,000 votes cast by 6 p.m. -- well above the 150,000 recorded during the November 1 vote.
Long lines have been reported outside polling centers in London, Berlin, and across Italy. In Frankfurt, voting was interrupted for an hour after German police received a false bomb alert.
Polls published in the run-up to the election showed Sandu and Dodon in a tight race that could be decided by the diaspora, which voted massively for Sandu in the first round.
In the first round of voting, which Western election observers largely praised, she came out on top, but failed to cross the 50 percent threshold to avoid a runoff.
In 2016, Dodon defeated Sandu by less than 5 percentage points in an election that was marred by allegations of fraud.
"Today, you have the power to punish those who robbed you, who reduced you to misery and forced you to leave your home," Sandu said after voting in the capital, Chisinau, in a reference to her rival, who has been accused of corruption while in office.
Sandu also called for "maximum vigilance" against possible fraud.
Dodon, meanwhile, said he "voted for peace," "social justice," and "Christian values" after casting his vote in the capital.
"We must maintain good relations with the European Union and with Russia," he said.
Moldova, with a population of about 3.5 million, is one of Europe’s poorest countries and is sharply divided between those who support closer ties with Russia and those who advocate links with the European Union and, especially, neighboring Romania.
“If Dodon wins the presidency, everyone will leave Moldova because, as you can see, Moldovans’ life under his government is very difficult. We need a change. We need to elect another president,” one woman in Singerei, a city north of the capital, Chisinau, told RFE/RL on November 8.
“What I liked about Dodon these four years is that he traveled the world. Dodon traveled throughout the regions of Moldova. He visited the people, the whole country,” a man in Singerei told RFE/RL. “Dodon has done a lot of things: just consider relations with Russia, which is the main market Moldovan products.”
Most of Moldova was part of Romania until World War II, when it was annexed by the Soviet Union, and a majority of its population is ethnic Romanian.
Hampered by a creaky economy and rampant corruption, the country is also hobbled by the unresolved status of Transdniester, a breakaway region that has been de facto independent since a separatist war in the 1990s.
Transdniester is backed economically and politically by Moscow , which wants to keep Moldova in its sphere of influence, especially with the ongoing wave of political unrest sweeping across other former Soviet republics.
“What has been done? What changes were there? What has Dodon done as a president? I do not see anything,” said Vera Florea, a Moldovan teacher who has lived in Moscow for more than 30 years.
“Only the process of receiving Russian citizenship for Moldovans has become easier, but this is on the political side. On the economic side, I do not see any changes. I do not notice any Moldovan products in the Russian shops. Only at the market, I can barely see some Moldovan apples or plums. Our wines are also rarely seen on the Russian shelves,” she told RFE/RL by phone on November 11.
Dodon has run largely on a platform calling for “stability” and has promoted his record of securing loans and other economic favors from Moscow.
He has been criticized for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, during which more than 89,000 Moldovans have been infected and more than 2,000 have died.
Hundreds of supporters from Dodon’s Socialist Party rallied in Chisinau on November 13, the last day of campaigning before the runoff, carrying signs that read: “No School Closures, No District Liquidations” and “President Dodon.”
The 48-year-old Sandu, a former prime minister who heads the Party of Action and Solidarity, has campaigned against corruption and called for closer ties with the European Union.
Moldova’s internal struggle between the West and Russia echoes that of other former Soviet republics -- for example Ukraine and, more recently, Belarus. And Moscow has repeatedly asserted that the West was meddling -- and tried to argue Russia was not -- in the countries’ domestic affairs.
President Vladimir Putin recently referenced this in comments to a grouping of ex-Soviet countries and China, known as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
“Efforts to exert foreign pressure" on Moldova, as well as Kyrgyzstan and Belarus, are "unacceptable,” Putin said on November 10.


rferl--2020-11-16--Latvia Blacklists Belarus Hockey Chief, Ramps Up Pressure On World Championship Co-Host

Latvia has blacklisted the head of Belarus 's ice hockey federation as the Baltic country seeks to prevent its neighbor from co-hosting the 2021 World Championships .
Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics issued an order on November 16 banning Dzmitry Baskau from entering Latvia .
`` Together with Lithuania and Estonia , we will soon expand our Baltic blacklists to include more persons who continue to violently suppress peaceful protests in Belarus , '' Rinkevics tweeted alongside a picture of the order .
Baskau , the president of the Belarusian hockey federation and head of the Dynamo Minsk hockey team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka .
Lukashenka has faced 100 days of protests since the presidential election on August 9 that the opposition says was rigged and the West has refused to accept .
Belarus is set to co-host with Latvia the 2021 world ice hockey championships , but Riga is trying to remove Minsk from any involvement over a brutal crackdown on protesters and the opposition .
`` Latvia does not have to co-host the ice hockey world championship with Belarus , period ! ''
Latvian member of parliament Sandis Riekstins , head of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Such a move would be a further blow to Lukashenka , who has cultivated an image as a sportsman , regularly taking to the ice to play hockey , his favorite sporting pastime .
Last week , Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins held a videoconference with International Ice Hockey Federation ( IIHF ) head Rene Fasel to discuss Latvia 's ability to hold the tournament on its own .
`` The IIHF president stressed that the organization operates outside politics and is trying to do everything possible to make the World Championships @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were voted on by the IIHF Congress .
However , Karins pointed out that the ability to provide safe conditions for players , participants , media , officials , and fans is a priority , to which Fasel agreed , '' the IIHF said in a statement .
In response to the crackdown on protesters , the European Union and Western countries have imposed sanctions on dozens of Belarusian officials , including Lukashenka .
The Baltic states and Poland have taken the lead in pressing for a tough stance against Belarus .

Latvia has blacklisted the head of Belarus's ice hockey federation as the Baltic country seeks to prevent its neighbor from co-hosting the 2021 World Championships.
Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics issued an order on November 16 banning Dzmitry Baskau from entering Latvia.
"Together with Lithuania and Estonia, we will soon expand our Baltic blacklists to include more persons who continue to violently suppress peaceful protests in Belarus," Rinkevics tweeted alongside a picture of the order.
Baskau, the president of the Belarusian hockey federation and head of the Dynamo Minsk hockey team, is a close ally of embattled strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka.
Lukashenka has faced 100 days of protests since the presidential election on August 9 that the opposition says was rigged and the West has refused to accept.
Belarus is set to co-host with Latvia the 2021 world ice hockey championships, but Riga is trying to remove Minsk from any involvement over a brutal crackdown on protesters and the opposition.
"Latvia does not have to co-host the ice hockey world championship with Belarus, period!" Latvian member of parliament Sandis Riekstins, head of the parliamentary subcommittee on sports, tweeted.
Crisis In Belarus Read our coverage as Belarusian strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka continues his brutal crackdown on NGOs, activists, and independent media following the August 2020 presidential election.
Such a move would be a further blow to Lukashenka, who has cultivated an image as a sportsman, regularly taking to the ice to play hockey, his favorite sporting pastime.
Last week, Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins held a videoconference with International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) head Rene Fasel to discuss Latvia's ability to hold the tournament on its own.
"The IIHF president stressed that the organization operates outside politics and is trying to do everything possible to make the World Championships take place in the two countries that were voted on by the IIHF Congress. However, Karins pointed out that the ability to provide safe conditions for players, participants, media, officials, and fans is a priority, to which Fasel agreed," the IIHF said in a statement.
In response to the crackdown on protesters, the European Union and Western countries have imposed sanctions on dozens of Belarusian officials, including Lukashenka.
The Baltic states and Poland have taken the lead in pressing for a tough stance against Belarus.
With reporting by AFP


rferl--2020-11-16--Hungary, Poland Block EU Budget Over Rule-Of-Law Provisions

Hungary and Poland have blocked approval of the European Union 's long-term budget and 1.8 trillion-euro ( $ 2.1 trillion ) coronavirus rescue package , pushing the bloc toward a crisis as it seeks to respond to the pandemic .
During a meeting of EU ambassadors on November 16 , Budapest and Warsaw opposed tying EU funding to a new mechanism on respect for the rule of law .
The new mechanism could see Hungary and Poland lose money over what Brussels views as a rollback of democracy under the two countries ' right-wing governments .
German Ambassador Michael Clauss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that if the budget and stimulus are not passed soon , `` the EU will face a serious crisis . ''
EU ambassadors voted by a qualified majority -- around two-thirds -- in favor of the rule-of-law mechanism despite objections from Hungary and Poland .
But after that , they `` could not reach the necessary unanimity '' to move ahead on the budget and recovery plan , Germany 's spokesman in Brussels , Sebastian Fischer , tweeted .
The matter will now be taken up by ministers from member states meeting by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ground for an EU leaders ' summit two days later .
Manfred Weber , leader of the center-right group in the European Parliament , called Hungary and Poland `` irresponsible '' for holding up funding to deal with the worst crisis in decades .
`` If you respect the rule of law , there is nothing to fear , '' Weber said .
EU officials want the new mechanism linking the rule of law to funding to apply pressure on Hungary and Poland , both of which have been criticized for eroding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is also under scrutiny for policies targeting nongovernmental organizations and undermining civil liberties .
Despite pressure to free funding for the EU 's coronavirus response , Warsaw and Budapest appeared to dig in their heels .
Polish Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro called the rule-of-law terms of the EU budget and stimulus deal `` institutional , political enslavement , a radical limitation of sovereignty . ''
In a weekly radio interview last week , Orban said that rule-of-law conditions resembled `` ideological blackmail '' practiced by the Soviet Union .
EU leaders thought they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EU budget and associated stimulus plan at a marathon four-day-and-night summit in July .
The EU leaders ' summit on November 19 was meant to focus on the coronavirus crisis , but may now be forced to address the budget standoff .
With reporting by AFP , AP , and dpa

Hungary and Poland have blocked approval of the European Union's long-term budget and 1.8 trillion-euro ($2.1 trillion) coronavirus rescue package, pushing the bloc toward a crisis as it seeks to respond to the pandemic.
During a meeting of EU ambassadors on November 16, Budapest and Warsaw opposed tying EU funding to a new mechanism on respect for the rule of law.
The new mechanism could see Hungary and Poland lose money over what Brussels views as a rollback of democracy under the two countries' right-wing governments.
German Ambassador Michael Clauss, who chaired the meeting, warned that if the budget and stimulus are not passed soon, "the EU will face a serious crisis."
EU ambassadors voted by a qualified majority -- around two-thirds -- in favor of the rule-of-law mechanism despite objections from Hungary and Poland.
But after that, they "could not reach the necessary unanimity" to move ahead on the budget and recovery plan, Germany's spokesman in Brussels, Sebastian Fischer, tweeted.
The matter will now be taken up by ministers from member states meeting by video conference on November 17 to prepare the ground for an EU leaders' summit two days later.
Manfred Weber, leader of the center-right group in the European Parliament, called Hungary and Poland "irresponsible" for holding up funding to deal with the worst crisis in decades.
"If you respect the rule of law, there is nothing to fear," Weber said.
EU officials want the new mechanism linking the rule of law to funding to apply pressure on Hungary and Poland, both of which have been criticized for eroding judicial independence and media freedoms.
Hungary is also under scrutiny for policies targeting nongovernmental organizations and undermining civil liberties.
Despite pressure to free funding for the EU's coronavirus response, Warsaw and Budapest appeared to dig in their heels.
Polish Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro called the rule-of-law terms of the EU budget and stimulus deal "institutional, political enslavement, a radical limitation of sovereignty."
In a weekly radio interview last week, Orban said that rule-of-law conditions resembled "ideological blackmail" practiced by the Soviet Union.
EU leaders thought they had resolved the dispute over the seven-year EU budget and associated stimulus plan at a marathon four-day-and-night summit in July.
The EU leaders' summit on November 19 was meant to focus on the coronavirus crisis, but may now be forced to address the budget standoff.
With reporting by AFP, AP, and dpa


rferl--2020-11-16--Protests Demanding Prime Minister's Resignation Continue In Armenia

Thousands of people gathered in Armenia 's capital on November 16 to protest a cease-fire agreement that ended more than @ @ @ @ @ Azerbaijan over its breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region .
Protesters filled Yerevan 's central Freedom Square , @ @ @ @ @ and demanded Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian 's resignation , accusing him of committing high treason @ @ @ @ @ with Baku .

Thousands of people gathered in Armenia's capital on November 16 to protest a cease-fire agreement that ended more than six weeks of fighting with Azerbaijan over its breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region. Protesters filled Yerevan's central Freedom Square, sang a patriotic anthem, and demanded Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian's resignation, accusing him of committing high treason after agreeing to a truce with Baku.


rferl--2020-11-16--Kazakh Tycoon Jailed For 11 Years On Embezzlement Charges

A former banker from Kazakhstan has been sentenced to 11 years in prison on embezzlement charges .
A court in Almaty on November 16 found Zhomart Ertaev guilty of stealing $ 334 million from RBK Bank and also ruled that all his property must be confiscated .
Ertaev was co-chairman of RBK , which Moody 's Investors Service last year ranked as the 11th-largest bank in the Central Asian country .
He had previously served in senior positions at Kazakh banks throughout the 2000s .
Police in the Russian capital , Moscow , arrested Ertaev in May 2018 at Kazakhstan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under house arrest .
Russian media reported earlier that Ertaev chaired Troyka-D Bank in Moscow and was an honorary president of Alma Group , an investment company based at the Moskva-Citi business complex .
He had reportedly been living in Russia for a few years .
Ertaev 's lawyers have said their client renounced his Kazakh citizenship and asked for political asylum in Russia , arguing he could be killed if returned to Kazakhstan .
In March 2019 , Russia extradited Ertaev to Kazakhstan , where he was placed in pretrial detention .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in pretrial detention on suspicion of embezzlement , but was released after a court dropped those charges .
Ertaev was found guilty , however , on lesser charges of misusing bank funds and violating accounting regulations .
He was employed at Kazakstan 's Eurasian Bank at the time .
The court ordered his release on grounds that his nine months in pretrial detention was sufficient punishment .
Profits at Kazakh banks surged during the 2000s amid fast economic growth driven by high oil prices , enabling bankers to easily hide large-scale fraud .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the end of the 2008 and a string of Kazakh banks filed for bankruptcy , the fraud became evident and some bankers were arrested while others fled the country .
With reporting by KazTAG and Tengrinews

A former banker from Kazakhstan has been sentenced to 11 years in prison on embezzlement charges.
A court in Almaty on November 16 found Zhomart Ertaev guilty of stealing $334 million from RBK Bank and also ruled that all his property must be confiscated.
Ertaev was co-chairman of RBK, which Moody's Investors Service last year ranked as the 11th-largest bank in the Central Asian country. He had previously served in senior positions at Kazakh banks throughout the 2000s.
Police in the Russian capital, Moscow, arrested Ertaev in May 2018 at Kazakhstan's request and placed the fugitive oligarch under house arrest.
Russian media reported earlier that Ertaev chaired Troyka-D Bank in Moscow and was an honorary president of Alma Group, an investment company based at the Moskva-Citi business complex.
He had reportedly been living in Russia for a few years.
Ertaev's lawyers have said their client renounced his Kazakh citizenship and asked for political asylum in Russia, arguing he could be killed if returned to Kazakhstan.
In March 2019, Russia extradited Ertaev to Kazakhstan, where he was placed in pretrial detention.
In 2009, Ertaev spent nine months in pretrial detention on suspicion of embezzlement, but was released after a court dropped those charges.
Ertaev was found guilty, however, on lesser charges of misusing bank funds and violating accounting regulations. He was employed at Kazakstan's Eurasian Bank at the time.
The court ordered his release on grounds that his nine months in pretrial detention was sufficient punishment.
Profits at Kazakh banks surged during the 2000s amid fast economic growth driven by high oil prices, enabling bankers to easily hide large-scale fraud.
When the global economy began to collapse at the end of the 2008 and a string of Kazakh banks filed for bankruptcy, the fraud became evident and some bankers were arrested while others fled the country.
With reporting by KazTAG and Tengrinews


rferl--2020-11-16--Nagorno-Karabakh: Azerbaijanis Plan Return As Armenians Destroy Homes

Azerbaijanis who fled the Nagorno-Karabakh region during the 1990s conflict with Armenians are now looking forward to returning to their @ @ @ @ @ Armenians left , they were burning their houses and ripping down electricity poles.

Azerbaijanis who fled the Nagorno-Karabakh region during the 1990s conflict with Armenians are now looking forward to returning to their home villages. But as Armenians left, they were burning their houses and ripping down electricity poles.


rferl--2020-11-16--Elderly in Belarus Demand Justice For Slain Anti-Government Protester

MINSK -- Demonstrators have marched in the Belarusian capital to demand the resignation of Alyaksandr Lukashenka , a day after hundreds of people were detained by security forces in the latest crackdown on protest against a disputed presidential election .
More than 1,000 people , including many pensioners and medics , marched through the streets of Minsk , shouting slogans such as `` Murderers ! ''
and `` Tribunal ! ''
The rally was dubbed the March of Sorrow in commemoration of Raman Bandarenka , a 31-year-old who died in the hospital last week after reportedly being badly beaten by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Independence Square and nearby streets while several subway stations were closed .
No detentions were reported during the retirees ' seventh regular Monday protest in Minsk .
Lukashenka has been under the pressure of almost daily demonstrations following the presidential election on August 9 that the opposition says was rigged and the West has refused to accept .
Several protesters have been killed and thousands of people arrested since authorities declared Lukashenka , who has ruled Belarus for 26 years , the landslide winner of the vote .
There have also been credible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crackdown .
Most of the country 's opposition leaders have been arrested or forced to leave the country .
On November 15 , police detained more than 1,200 people during protests across the country demanding Lukashenka 's resignation and a new vote , according to the Vyasna human rights group .
The Interior Ministry said that more than 700 people were taken into pretrial detention for `` breaching the laws on mass gatherings . ''
Most detentions were made in Minsk , where black-clad security forces used tear gas and stun grenades to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were beaten by masked security officers inside a grocery store .
Videos showed police detaining people and taking them away in police vehicles .
Demonstrators chanted `` I 'm going out , '' the last known written words of Bandarenka , and other slogans such as `` Lukashenka !
Tribunal !
” Mobile Internet was down and several subway stations in the center of the capital were closed , while several streets and squares were cordoned off by police .
Detentions were also reported during smaller demonstrations in Homel , Hrodna , Mahilyou @ @ @ @ @ @ @ journalists were among those detained in Minsk and other cities , according to the Belarusian Association of Journalists .
They included four contributors to RFE/RL 's Belarus Service -- photo reporter Andrey Shauluha , cameraman Andrey Rabchyk , veteran reporter Ihar Karney , and chief video editor Yulia Kotskaya .
Vyasna said the total number of people detained since August is believed to be over 25,000 .
In response to the crackdown and `` falsification '' of the presidential vote , the European Union and Western countries have imposed sanctions on dozens of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ German Foreign Ministry spokesman said on November 16 that the German government was discussing with EU partners `` about which additional restrictive measures might be suitable to further raise the pressure '' on the Belarusian leadership .
The spokesman said that these measures `` could be directed against companies which are involved in human rights violations , '' according to Reuters .
Opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya , who has said the vote was rigged in Lukashenka 's favor and considers herself the rightful winner , called for international support for the demonstrators .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ up for the Belarusian people and human rights .
We need a humanitarian corridor for the injured , support for the media , international investigation of crimes , '' she wrote on Twitter .
Tsikhanouskaya left Belarus for Lithuania after the vote amid threats to her and her family .

MINSK -- Demonstrators have marched in the Belarusian capital to demand the resignation of Alyaksandr Lukashenka, a day after hundreds of people were detained by security forces in the latest crackdown on protest against a disputed presidential election.
More than 1,000 people, including many pensioners and medics, marched through the streets of Minsk, shouting slogans such as "Murderers!" and "Tribunal!"
The rally was dubbed the March of Sorrow in commemoration of Raman Bandarenka, a 31-year-old who died in the hospital last week after reportedly being badly beaten by masked security forces.
Authorities blocked central Independence Square and nearby streets while several subway stations were closed. No detentions were reported during the retirees' seventh regular Monday protest in Minsk.
Lukashenka has been under the pressure of almost daily demonstrations following the presidential election on August 9 that the opposition says was rigged and the West has refused to accept.
Several protesters have been killed and thousands of people arrested since authorities declared Lukashenka, who has ruled Belarus for 26 years, the landslide winner of the vote.
There have also been credible reports of torture during a widening security crackdown.
Most of the country's opposition leaders have been arrested or forced to leave the country.
On November 15, police detained more than 1,200 people during protests across the country demanding Lukashenka's resignation and a new vote, according to the Vyasna human rights group.
The Interior Ministry said that more than 700 people were taken into pretrial detention for "breaching the laws on mass gatherings."
Most detentions were made in Minsk, where black-clad security forces used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse thousands of demonstrators. Two people were beaten by masked security officers inside a grocery store. Videos showed police detaining people and taking them away in police vehicles.
Demonstrators chanted "I'm going out," the last known written words of Bandarenka, and other slogans such as "Lukashenka! Tribunal!”
Mobile Internet was down and several subway stations in the center of the capital were closed, while several streets and squares were cordoned off by police.
Detentions were also reported during smaller demonstrations in Homel, Hrodna, Mahilyou, and elsewhere.
At least 23 journalists were among those detained in Minsk and other cities, according to the Belarusian Association of Journalists.
They included four contributors to RFE/RL's Belarus Service -- photo reporter Andrey Shauluha, cameraman Andrey Rabchyk, veteran reporter Ihar Karney, and chief video editor Yulia Kotskaya.
Vyasna said the total number of people detained since August is believed to be over 25,000.
In response to the crackdown and "falsification" of the presidential vote, the European Union and Western countries have imposed sanctions on dozens of Belarusian officials, including Lukashenka.
A German Foreign Ministry spokesman said on November 16 that the German government was discussing with EU partners "about which additional restrictive measures might be suitable to further raise the pressure" on the Belarusian leadership.
The spokesman said that these measures "could be directed against companies which are involved in human rights violations," according to Reuters.
Opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who has said the vote was rigged in Lukashenka's favor and considers herself the rightful winner, called for international support for the demonstrators.
"We ask our allies to stand up for the Belarusian people and human rights. We need a humanitarian corridor for the injured, support for the media, international investigation of crimes," she wrote on Twitter.
Tsikhanouskaya left Belarus for Lithuania after the vote amid threats to her and her family.
With reporting by Reuters


rferl--2020-11-16--Charges Against Kazakh Journalist Dropped Without Explanation

ALMATY , Kazakhstan -- The Kazakh authorities have dropped charges against a well-known journalist accused of breaking the law on public gatherings .
Ermurat Bapi quoted a police official at the Almaty City Administrative Court as telling him on November 16 that the administrative case brought against him had been dropped .
The official did not provide explanation , he said .
The journalist had been summoned to the court for a hearing in the case .
Bapi told RFE/RL that he was detained in the morning on November 14 because the authorities wanted to prevent him from participating in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he was held in detention for several hours before being charged and released .
Almaty city police officials refused to comment on Bapi 's status to RFE/RL .
Bapi , a veteran journalist and the founder of the DAT newspaper , one of the few remaining opposition media outlets in the Central Asian state , has faced administrative arrests and fines many times over the years .
On November 14 , hundred of peoples rallied in Almaty , demanding registration of the opposition Democratic Party ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a boycott of the vote , the release of political prisoners , and a ban on the leasing of agricultural land by foreign companies .
The demonstration was allowed by the city authorities .

ALMATY, Kazakhstan -- The Kazakh authorities have dropped charges against a well-known journalist accused of breaking the law on public gatherings.
Ermurat Bapi quoted a police official at the Almaty City Administrative Court as telling him on November 16 that the administrative case brought against him had been dropped.
The official did not provide explanation, he said.
The journalist had been summoned to the court for a hearing in the case.
Bapi told RFE/RL that he was detained in the morning on November 14 because the authorities wanted to prevent him from participating in a rally in Almaty.
The journalist said he was held in detention for several hours before being charged and released.
Almaty city police officials refused to comment on Bapi's status to RFE/RL.
Bapi, a veteran journalist and the founder of the DAT newspaper, one of the few remaining opposition media outlets in the Central Asian state, has faced administrative arrests and fines many times over the years.
On November 14, hundred of peoples rallied in Almaty, demanding registration of the opposition Democratic Party ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for January 10.
The demonstrators also called for a boycott of the vote, the release of political prisoners, and a ban on the leasing of agricultural land by foreign companies.
The demonstration was allowed by the city authorities.


rferl--2020-11-16--Kazakhstan Extends House Arrest For Blogger Facing Extremism Charges

NUR-SULTAN -- A Kazakh court has extended the house arrest of a journalist and blogger accused of involvement in the activities of a banned organization .
The Nur-Sultan city court on November 16 ordered Aigul Otepova stay under house arrest until December 17 .
The 50-year-old journalist was placed under house arrest on September 17 after she placed a post on Facebook criticizing authorities ' efforts to curb the coronavirus .
Authorities accused her of supporting the Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan ( DVK ) opposition movement that had been labeled as extremist and banned in the country .
Otepova denies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she is an independent journalist and blogger who expresses her own views .
Last week , a court ruled to place Otepova in a psychiatric clinic for one month to check her mental sanity .
Otepova 's lawyer Ghalym Nurpeisov has told RFE/RL he would appeal the ruling , which has not come into force yet .
Otepova 's daughter , Toqzhan Tugel , told RFE/RL that by placing her mother into a psychiatric clinic , the authorities are trying to silence her ahead of Kazakhstan ’ s parliamentary elections scheduled for January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have criticized the Kazakh government for persecuting independent and opposition journalists for years .
In 2018 , a court in the southern city of Shymkent , placed journalist and blogger Ardaq Ashim in a psychiatric clinic after she criticized the government in her articles .
After her release , Ashim left for Ukraine , where she currently resides .

NUR-SULTAN -- A Kazakh court has extended the house arrest of a journalist and blogger accused of involvement in the activities of a banned organization.
The Nur-Sultan city court on November 16 ordered Aigul Otepova stay under house arrest until December 17.
The 50-year-old journalist was placed under house arrest on September 17 after she placed a post on Facebook criticizing authorities' efforts to curb the coronavirus.
Authorities accused her of supporting the Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan (DVK) opposition movement that had been labeled as extremist and banned in the country.
Otepova denies any connection with DVK, saying that she is an independent journalist and blogger who expresses her own views.
Last week, a court ruled to place Otepova in a psychiatric clinic for one month to check her mental sanity.
Otepova's lawyer Ghalym Nurpeisov has told RFE/RL he would appeal the ruling, which has not come into force yet.
Otepova's daughter, Toqzhan Tugel, told RFE/RL that by placing her mother into a psychiatric clinic, the authorities are trying to silence her ahead of Kazakhstan’s parliamentary elections scheduled for January 10, 2021.
Human rights groups have criticized the Kazakh government for persecuting independent and opposition journalists for years.
In 2018, a court in the southern city of Shymkent, placed journalist and blogger Ardaq Ashim in a psychiatric clinic after she criticized the government in her articles.
After her release, Ashim left for Ukraine, where she currently resides.


rferl--2020-11-16--Tajikistan Lifts Ban On Prison Visits By Inmates' Relatives

DUSHANBE -- Tajik authorities say families of inmates are now allowed to visit their relatives in the Central Asian country ’ s penitentiaries , seven months after a ban on such visits was imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The deputy chief of the Justice Ministry ’ s Main Penitentiary Directorate , Ilhom Mahmudov , told RFE/RL over the weekend that relatives are now allowed to visit prisoners if they can show negative coronavirus test results obtained 24 hours prior to the visit .
Media reports said in June that 11 inmates and three guards had died of COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , saying that they had died of acute pneumonia .
The Civil Committee to Protect Political Hostages and Prisoners in Tajikistan , which was established by exiled opposition activists , has demanded Tajik authorities set up a commission consisting of civil rights activists and representatives of international organizations such as the World Health Organization , the International Committee of the Red Cross , and Doctors Without Borders to inspect Tajik penitentiaries and check the inmates ' health .
The committee also called on Tajik authorities to allow the inmates infected with coronavirus to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As of November 16 , Tajik health authorities have reported 11,610 coronavirus cases and 85 deaths .

DUSHANBE -- Tajik authorities say families of inmates are now allowed to visit their relatives in the Central Asian country’s penitentiaries, seven months after a ban on such visits was imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The deputy chief of the Justice Ministry’s Main Penitentiary Directorate, Ilhom Mahmudov, told RFE/RL over the weekend that relatives are now allowed to visit prisoners if they can show negative coronavirus test results obtained 24 hours prior to the visit.
Media reports said in June that 11 inmates and three guards had died of COVID-19 in Tajikistan. Officials rejected the reports, saying that they had died of acute pneumonia.
The Civil Committee to Protect Political Hostages and Prisoners in Tajikistan, which was established by exiled opposition activists, has demanded Tajik authorities set up a commission consisting of civil rights activists and representatives of international organizations such as the World Health Organization, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and Doctors Without Borders to inspect Tajik penitentiaries and check the inmates' health.
The committee also called on Tajik authorities to allow the inmates infected with coronavirus to be treated in medical institutions outside prisons.
As of November 16, Tajik health authorities have reported 11,610 coronavirus cases and 85 deaths.


rferl--2020-11-16--EU Urged To Pressure Central Asian Governments On Human Rights

Human Rights Watch ( HRW ) is urging the European Union to make clear that greater support for Central Asia is tied to “ genuine ” human rights reforms .
The New York-based human rights watchdog made the call on November 16 , as EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell prepares to meet remotely with foreign ministers from Kazakhstan , Kyrgyzstan , Tajikistan , Turkmenistan , and Uzbekistan for the 16th EU-Central Asia Ministerial meeting .
Central Asian countries ’ responses to political turmoil , such as in Kyrgyzstan , or to challenges created by the coronavirus pandemic “ would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lived up to their pledges to respect rights , ” Hugh Williamson , Europe and Central Asia director at HRW , said in a statement .
It said that Central Asian governments justified their moves to limit access to information and restrict freedom of expression by their efforts to slow down the spread of the virus , while economic hardship and inequalities increased in the region as a consequence of the pandemic .
According to HRW , recent political upheavals in Kyrgyzstan that led to the resignation of President Sooronbai Jeenbekov also put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The group said the EU should press the Kyrgyz authorities to hold a “ genuinely independent inquiry ” into the death of prominent human rights activist Azimjan Askarov in custody in July .
Askarov “ had wrongfully been behind bars since 2010 , and his untimely death is a serious stain on the country ’ s human rights record , ” it said .
In Kazakhstan , President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev ’ s promises for reforms “ have not brought meaningful improvements , '' according to HRW .
Peaceful protesters continue to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oil-rich nation , obstacles to independent labor organizing persist , and many journalists continue to be “ harassed or attacked ” while doing their jobs .
The statement noted that the `` wrongfully jailed '' Kazakh activist Maks Boqaev , who was sentenced to five years in prison in 2016 for organizing massive unsanctioned protests against land reform , remains in prison .
In Uzbekistan , HRW said , there have been some concrete steps to improve the human rights situation , but “ people released from arbitrary detention are often denied legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problematic provisions , and pledges to bring the nongovernmental organization ( NGO ) code in line with international standards remain unfulfilled.
” '' The EU should make sure that Uzbekistan addresses important failings before granting new trade incentives conditioned by EU law on genuine implementation of core human rights treaties , '' the watchdog said .
In Tajikistan , more than 150 political opponents , critics , or their lawyers remain imprisoned on politically motivated charges , while prison conditions remain “ abysmal , ” with activists reporting “ widespread torture and ill-treatment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It said Tajik citizens residing abroad face attacks and extradition requests , while their relatives in Tajikistan are harassed and detained .
Calling Turkmenistan the “ most repressive country ” in the region , HRW said it was not possible to determine the exact number of people imprisoned on politically motivated grounds there .
`` Scores of people remain forcibly disappeared , some for as long as 18 years , '' it said .
The Turkmen government `` tightly controls information in the face of major social and economic fallout , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s well-being at risk , '' the statement added .
HRW concludes that the EU should use its leverage to show that there will be political consequences if governments fail to translate their rhetoric for reforms into concrete actions .
In 2019 , the EU adopted a new strategy for Central Asia , prioritizing the rule of law as a necessity to make public institutions more responsive and accountable to their citizens .

Human Rights Watch (HRW) is urging the European Union to make clear that greater support for Central Asia is tied to “genuine” human rights reforms.
The New York-based human rights watchdog made the call on November 16, as EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell prepares to meet remotely with foreign ministers from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan for the 16th EU-Central Asia Ministerial meeting.
Central Asian countries’ responses to political turmoil, such as in Kyrgyzstan, or to challenges created by the coronavirus pandemic “would have been more effective if they had lived up to their pledges to respect rights,” Hugh Williamson, Europe and Central Asia director at HRW, said in a statement.
It said that Central Asian governments justified their moves to limit access to information and restrict freedom of expression by their efforts to slow down the spread of the virus, while economic hardship and inequalities increased in the region as a consequence of the pandemic.
According to HRW, recent political upheavals in Kyrgyzstan that led to the resignation of President Sooronbai Jeenbekov also put human rights at risk in the country.
The group said the EU should press the Kyrgyz authorities to hold a “genuinely independent inquiry” into the death of prominent human rights activist Azimjan Askarov in custody in July.
Askarov “had wrongfully been behind bars since 2010, and his untimely death is a serious stain on the country’s human rights record,” it said.
In Kazakhstan, President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev’s promises for reforms “have not brought meaningful improvements," according to HRW.
Peaceful protesters continue to be “harassed or detained” in the oil-rich nation, obstacles to independent labor organizing persist, and many journalists continue to be “harassed or attacked” while doing their jobs.
The statement noted that the "wrongfully jailed" Kazakh activist Maks Boqaev, who was sentenced to five years in prison in 2016 for organizing massive unsanctioned protests against land reform, remains in prison.
In Uzbekistan, HRW said, there have been some concrete steps to improve the human rights situation, but “people released from arbitrary detention are often denied legal rehabilitation, the criminal code retains deeply problematic provisions, and pledges to bring the nongovernmental organization (NGO) code in line with international standards remain unfulfilled.”
"The EU should make sure that Uzbekistan addresses important failings before granting new trade incentives conditioned by EU law on genuine implementation of core human rights treaties," the watchdog said.
In Tajikistan, more than 150 political opponents, critics, or their lawyers remain imprisoned on politically motivated charges, while prison conditions remain “abysmal,” with activists reporting “widespread torture and ill-treatment” in detention, according to HRW.
It said Tajik citizens residing abroad face attacks and extradition requests, while their relatives in Tajikistan are harassed and detained.
Calling Turkmenistan the “most repressive country” in the region, HRW said it was not possible to determine the exact number of people imprisoned on politically motivated grounds there.
"Scores of people remain forcibly disappeared, some for as long as 18 years," it said.
The Turkmen government "tightly controls information in the face of major social and economic fallout, with shortages of subsidized food putting people’s well-being at risk," the statement added.
HRW concludes that the EU should use its leverage to show that there will be political consequences if governments fail to translate their rhetoric for reforms into concrete actions.
In 2019, the EU adopted a new strategy for Central Asia, prioritizing the rule of law as a necessity to make public institutions more responsive and accountable to their citizens.


rferl--2020-11-16--Siberian Road Covered With Sand 'Mixed With Human Bones'

An icy road in Russia 's Siberian region of Irkutsk has been covered with sand mixed with human bones , @ @ @ @ @ a road near the town of Kirensk with fragments of bones that appeared human and @ @ @ @ @ on social media on November 15 , sparking harsh online criticism of the authorities .
@ @ @ @ @ to Interfax that the bones were human , adding that an investigation was launched into @ @ @ @ @ agency quoted a source as saying that the bones were taken by accident when a @ @ @ @ @ work extracted sand at a site close to a cemetery .
Most of the bones @ @ @ @ @ old , according to the source .

An icy road in Russia's Siberian region of Irkutsk has been covered with sand mixed with human bones, Interfax reported.
Photos of a road near the town of Kirensk with fragments of bones that appeared human and a human skull were posted on social media on November 15, sparking harsh online criticism of the authorities.
The Irkutsk regional police confirmed to Interfax that the bones were human, adding that an investigation was launched into the matter.
The news agency quoted a source as saying that the bones were taken by accident when a company involved in the road work extracted sand at a site close to a cemetery.
Most of the bones are more than a century old, according to the source.
With reporting by Interfax


rferl--2020-11-16--Russia Refuses To Open Criminal Case Into Journalist's Self-Immolation

Russian investigators have decided not to open a criminal case into the self-immolation of a journalist who died early last month after setting herself on fire in an apparent reaction to being investigated by authorities , the family 's lawyer says .
The lawyer of Irina Slavina 's family told the Kommersant daily on November 16 that the Investigative Committee refused to launch a probe into possible incitement to suicide , which her colleagues , relatives , and rights activists have demanded .
The lawyer , Aleksandr Karavayev , quoted the investigators as saying there was no evidence that Slavina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that she `` most likely had a mental condition . ''
Before setting herself on fire in front of the police headquarters in the city of Nizhny Novgorod on October 2 , Slavina wrote on Facebook : `` Blame the Russian Federation for my death . ''
A day earlier , she wrote on Facebook that a group of law enforcement officers had searched her apartment , trying to find evidence linking her with the opposition Open Russia group and confiscated her computers and mobile phones .
Karavayev told Kommersant that the decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's self-immolation must be overturned .
Slavina 's family insists the case be under the direct control of the Investigative Committee chief Aleksandr Bastrykin , the lawyer said .
The Trade Union of Russian Journalists issued a statement demanding `` all individuals responsible for Slavina 's death , namely those who launched investigations , signed orders , made decisions , conducted the humiliating search , all those who routinely had turned her life into hell , must be held accountable . ''
The Commission on Freedom of Speech and the Protection of Journalists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the presidential Council on Human Rights have called on the Investigative Committee to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding Slavina 's self-immolation .

Russian investigators have decided not to open a criminal case into the self-immolation of a journalist who died early last month after setting herself on fire in an apparent reaction to being investigated by authorities, the family's lawyer says.
The lawyer of Irina Slavina's family told the Kommersant daily on November 16 that the Investigative Committee refused to launch a probe into possible incitement to suicide, which her colleagues, relatives, and rights activists have demanded.
The lawyer, Aleksandr Karavayev, quoted the investigators as saying there was no evidence that Slavina had been forced to commit suicide and that she "most likely had a mental condition."
Before setting herself on fire in front of the police headquarters in the city of Nizhny Novgorod on October 2, Slavina wrote on Facebook: "Blame the Russian Federation for my death."
A day earlier, she wrote on Facebook that a group of law enforcement officers had searched her apartment, trying to find evidence linking her with the opposition Open Russia group and confiscated her computers and mobile phones.
Karavayev told Kommersant that the decision not to launch a probe into Slavina's self-immolation must be overturned.
Slavina's family insists the case be under the direct control of the Investigative Committee chief Aleksandr Bastrykin, the lawyer said.
The Trade Union of Russian Journalists issued a statement demanding "all individuals responsible for Slavina's death, namely those who launched investigations, signed orders, made decisions, conducted the humiliating search, all those who routinely had turned her life into hell, must be held accountable."
The Commission on Freedom of Speech and the Protection of Journalists and the Commission on Civil Rights at the presidential Council on Human Rights have called on the Investigative Committee to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding Slavina's self-immolation.


rferl--2020-11-16--Armenian Foreign Minister Fired As Government Faces Mounting Pressure Over Peace Deal

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian has dismissed his foreign minister in a cabinet reshuffle as he comes under mounting pressure from the president and opposition to resign over a controversial peace deal with Azerbaijan .
The announcement of a Russian-brokered accord early on November 10 that ended six weeks of fighting between Azerbaijan and ethnic Armenian forces over the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region has triggered a political crisis amid accusations the government capitulated to Azerbaijan .
The peace deal , which came after Azerbaijani forces made major battlefield gains to regain territory lost to Armenian separatists nearly three decades ago , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the mountainous region , as well as much of the area ringing the enclave .
Thousands of angry protesters continued to rally in Yerevan on November 16 , backing calls from 17 opposition groups demanding Pashinian resign .
Armenian authorities say that the opposition protests are illegal , citing martial law declared following the outbreak of war on September 27 .
The biggest opposition bloc in parliament , Prosperous Armenia , the former ruling Republican Party , Hayrenik ( Fatherland ) party , and the Armenian Revolutionary Federation party are among the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after November 10 .
The leaders of these parties have been arrested and released several times since the start of the protests .
In an address to the nation , Armenian President Armen Sarkisian called on Pashinian 's government to resign and for an interim government of national unity to be formed pending snap parliamentary elections .
`` Taking into account the current situation , taking into account public demands , it is obvious that in order to avoid internal political upheavals , the holding of early parliamentary elections is inevitable , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ various political groups .
Pashinian 's My Step faction still holds a large majority in the 132-seat parliament , enough to avoid a no-confidence vote .
Pashinian has rebuffed calls to resign or hold snap elections , but on November 16 he fired Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanian .
Addressing a meeting of parliament boycotted by the opposition , he gave no clear reason why he fired his foreign minister of two years but said the government will see several reshuffles .
He also reiterated that the peace accord was Armenia 's only option @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , even if the territory 's second city , Shushi , known as Susa in Azeri , was lost .
Around 2,000 Russia peacekeepers will be deployed to maintain security in the territory for a period of five years .
They will also stand guard on the strategic Lachin corridor , the sole road linking the region and Armenia .
Pashinian said the road through the Lachin region would be reopened on November 16 and that many displaced residents of the enclave were returning to their homes .
Between 75,000 and 90,000 of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fighting .
Meanwhile , an exodus of ethnic Armenians from the territories that will be handed over to Azerbaijan is expected to create economic , social , and political pressure in Armenia .
Residents of Kalbacar , a district in Azerbaijan that was controlled for decades by ethnic Armenians , have been leaving their homes ahead of a November 25 transfer deadline .
Some residents set their homes on fire before leaving , RFE/RL ’ s Armenian Service reported .
The districts of Aghdam and Lachin must be handed over to Azerbaijan starting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respectively .
Baku captured four other districts during the six-week conflict .
Nagorno-Karabakh is recognized as part of Azerbaijan , but the ethnic Armenians who make up most of the population reject Azerbaijani rule .
They have been governing their own affairs , with support from Armenia , since Azerbaijan 's troops and ethnic Azeri civilians were pushed out of the region in a war that ended in a cease-fire in 1994 .
Fighting broke out again in and around Nagorno-Karabakh on September 27 , killing more than 2,000 soldiers and civilians on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Azerbaijan has not provided a figure for its military casualties .
With reporting by AFP , AP , dpa , Reuters , and RFE/RL 's Armenian Azerbaijani services

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian has dismissed his foreign minister in a cabinet reshuffle as he comes under mounting pressure from the president and opposition to resign over a controversial peace deal with Azerbaijan.
The announcement of a Russian-brokered accord early on November 10 that ended six weeks of fighting between Azerbaijan and ethnic Armenian forces over the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region has triggered a political crisis amid accusations the government capitulated to Azerbaijan.
The peace deal, which came after Azerbaijani forces made major battlefield gains to regain territory lost to Armenian separatists nearly three decades ago, allows Azerbaijan to keep a sizable chunk of the mountainous region, as well as much of the area ringing the enclave.
Thousands of angry protesters continued to rally in Yerevan on November 16, backing calls from 17 opposition groups demanding Pashinian resign.
Armenian authorities say that the opposition protests are illegal, citing martial law declared following the outbreak of war on September 27.
The biggest opposition bloc in parliament, Prosperous Armenia, the former ruling Republican Party, Hayrenik (Fatherland) party, and the Armenian Revolutionary Federation party are among the 17 opposition groups that launched the protests after November 10. The leaders of these parties have been arrested and released several times since the start of the protests.
In an address to the nation, Armenian President Armen Sarkisian called on Pashinian's government to resign and for an interim government of national unity to be formed pending snap parliamentary elections.
"Taking into account the current situation, taking into account public demands, it is obvious that in order to avoid internal political upheavals, the holding of early parliamentary elections is inevitable," Sarkisian said after meeting with members of various political groups.
Pashinian's My Step faction still holds a large majority in the 132-seat parliament, enough to avoid a no-confidence vote.
Pashinian has rebuffed calls to resign or hold snap elections, but on November 16 he fired Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanian.
Addressing a meeting of parliament boycotted by the opposition, he gave no clear reason why he fired his foreign minister of two years but said the government will see several reshuffles.
He also reiterated that the peace accord was Armenia's only option and that it ensured Nagorno-Karabakh's survival, even if the territory's second city, Shushi, known as Susa in Azeri, was lost.
Around 2,000 Russia peacekeepers will be deployed to maintain security in the territory for a period of five years. They will also stand guard on the strategic Lachin Corridor, the sole road linking the region and Armenia.
Pashinian said the road through the Lachin region would be reopened on November 16 and that many displaced residents of the enclave were returning to their homes. Between 75,000 and 90,000 of the region's 150,000 inhabitants fled the fighting.
Meanwhile, an exodus of ethnic Armenians from the territories that will be handed over to Azerbaijan is expected to create economic, social, and political pressure in Armenia.
Residents of Kalbacar, a district in Azerbaijan that was controlled for decades by ethnic Armenians, have been leaving their homes ahead of a November 25 transfer deadline.
Some residents set their homes on fire before leaving, RFE/RL’s Armenian Service reported.
The districts of Aghdam and Lachin must be handed over to Azerbaijan starting on November 20 and December 1, respectively. Baku captured four other districts during the six-week conflict.
Nagorno-Karabakh is recognized as part of Azerbaijan, but the ethnic Armenians who make up most of the population reject Azerbaijani rule.
They have been governing their own affairs, with support from Armenia, since Azerbaijan's troops and ethnic Azeri civilians were pushed out of the region in a war that ended in a cease-fire in 1994.
Fighting broke out again in and around Nagorno-Karabakh on September 27, killing more than 2,000 soldiers and civilians on both sides over the ensuing weeks. Azerbaijan has not provided a figure for its military casualties.
With reporting by AFP, AP, dpa, Reuters, and RFE/RL's Armenian Azerbaijani services


rferl--2020-11-16--Nationalists Lose Major Cities In Bosnia Vote

SARAJEVO -- Bosnian opposition parties have won local elections in the Balkan country ’ s two largest cities , dealing a blow to long-ruling nationalists amid a wave of dissatisfaction with the handling of the coronavirus pandemic .
Moderates took power in the Bosnian capital , Sarajevo , and the administrative center of Bosnia-Herzegovina ’ s predominantly Serbian entity , Republika Srpska , as well as in other bigger cities across the country , according to preliminary results released on November 16 .
In Sarajevo , the Bosniak Party of Democratic Action ( SDA ) of Bakir Izetbegovic lost mayors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were won by candidates of a coalition of moderate parties .
In Banja Luka , the opposition Party of Democratic Progress ( PDP ) won the job of mayor that was previously held by the Serb-led Alliance of Independent Social Democrats ( SNSD ) party of Milorad Dodik .
According to the Central Election Commission , half of about 3.3 million registered voters turned out on November 15 to cast ballots for town and municipal councils and mayors in Bosnia ’ s two autonomous regions -- the Bosniak-Croat Federation and Republika Srpska -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That ’ s four percentage points lower than the 2018 general elections .
The elections were originally slated for October 4 , but the government ’ s delay in adopting a national budget , including funding for the elections , led to the postponement .
Nationalist Bosniak , Serb , and Croat parties have held power for most of the period since the end of the 1992-1995 Bosnian War .
But criticism of the handling of the coronavirus pandemic and scandals surrounding the purchase of medical equipment have strengthened support for opposition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus cases and related deaths in Bosnia have been rising sharply in recent weeks , with health authorities now reporting nearly 72,000 infections , including more than 1,800 fatalities .
In order to mitigate the risk of infection , voters at polling stations were required to observe strict physical distancing , wear face masks , and wash their hands .
Voter temperatures were also taken and polling stations were regularly disinfected .
Dozens of mobile polling teams were dispatched to take ballots to citizens under quarantine .
The ethnically divided southern city of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 .
With reporting by Reuters and AP

SARAJEVO -- Bosnian opposition parties have won local elections in the Balkan country’s two largest cities, dealing a blow to long-ruling nationalists amid a wave of dissatisfaction with the handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
Moderates took power in the Bosnian capital, Sarajevo, and the administrative center of Bosnia-Herzegovina’s predominantly Serbian entity, Republika Srpska, as well as in other bigger cities across the country, according to preliminary results released on November 16.
In Sarajevo, the Bosniak Party of Democratic Action (SDA) of Bakir Izetbegovic lost mayors in three out of four municipalities that were won by candidates of a coalition of moderate parties.
In Banja Luka, the opposition Party of Democratic Progress (PDP) won the job of mayor that was previously held by the Serb-led Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD) party of Milorad Dodik.
According to the Central Election Commission, half of about 3.3 million registered voters turned out on November 15 to cast ballots for town and municipal councils and mayors in Bosnia’s two autonomous regions -- the Bosniak-Croat Federation and Republika Srpska -- as well as the neutral Brcko district.
That’s four percentage points lower than the 2018 general elections.
The elections were originally slated for October 4, but the government’s delay in adopting a national budget, including funding for the elections, led to the postponement.
Nationalist Bosniak, Serb, and Croat parties have held power for most of the period since the end of the 1992-1995 Bosnian War.
But criticism of the handling of the coronavirus pandemic and scandals surrounding the purchase of medical equipment have strengthened support for opposition, moderate parties.
The number of coronavirus cases and related deaths in Bosnia have been rising sharply in recent weeks, with health authorities now reporting nearly 72,000 infections, including more than 1,800 fatalities.
In order to mitigate the risk of infection, voters at polling stations were required to observe strict physical distancing, wear face masks, and wash their hands. Voter temperatures were also taken and polling stations were regularly disinfected.
Dozens of mobile polling teams were dispatched to take ballots to citizens under quarantine.
The ethnically divided southern city of Mostar will hold elections separately on December 20.
With reporting by Reuters and AP