rferl--2020-11-30--Czech President's Call For List Of Russian Spies Triggers Security Concerns

Czech President Milos Zeman has reportedly demanded a list of all Russian spies active in the Czech Republic , which security experts say could endanger secret sources of the Czech counterintelligence service .
Czech public broadcaster Cesky Rozhlas reported on November 30 that Zeman had made the request to Michal Koudelka , director of the Security Intelligence Service ( BIS ) .
It said Zeman also called on the BIS to provide him with documentation about all known Russian intelligence operations in the Czech Republic .
Zeman , who has often expressed pro-Russian views and is seen as being friendly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the report .
In the past , Zeman has accused his own intelligence service of incompetence .
Czech lawmakers said on November 30 that committees from both chambers of parliament would discuss the matter .
The chairman of the Senate Security Committee , Pavel Fischer , said Zeman 's requests could threaten the security of the state .
`` Parliament has a role to play .
We will discuss this immediately in the Senate Security Committee , '' Fischer tweeted .
Former Interior Minister Frantisek Buhlan said on November 30 that releasing such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of people and running operations in danger . ''
Buhlan said there was no reason for the Czech president to receive the information .
The BIS has reported for years about increased activity by Russian spies in the Czech Republic , saying they targeted European Union countries and members of the NATO alliance .
However , the BIS has released few concrete details about Russian espionage activities in the country .
Based on reporting by dpa and Cesky Rozhlas

Czech President Milos Zeman has reportedly demanded a list of all Russian spies active in the Czech Republic, which security experts say could endanger secret sources of the Czech counterintelligence service.
Czech public broadcaster Cesky Rozhlas reported on November 30 that Zeman had made the request to Michal Koudelka, director of the Security Intelligence Service (BIS).
It said Zeman also called on the BIS to provide him with documentation about all known Russian intelligence operations in the Czech Republic.
Zeman, who has often expressed pro-Russian views and is seen as being friendly to Moscow, has not commented on the report.
In the past, Zeman has accused his own intelligence service of incompetence.
Czech lawmakers said on November 30 that committees from both chambers of parliament would discuss the matter.
The chairman of the Senate Security Committee, Pavel Fischer, said Zeman's requests could threaten the security of the state.
"Parliament has a role to play. We will discuss this immediately in the Senate Security Committee," Fischer tweeted.
Former Interior Minister Frantisek Buhlan said on November 30 that releasing such information to Zeman "would put a lot of people and running operations in danger."
Buhlan said there was no reason for the Czech president to receive the information.
The BIS has reported for years about increased activity by Russian spies in the Czech Republic, saying they targeted European Union countries and members of the NATO alliance. However, the BIS has released few concrete details about Russian espionage activities in the country.
Based on reporting by dpa and Cesky Rozhlas


rferl--2020-11-30--Fake News: Belarusian State TV Presents The Same People In Various Roles

She 's the face of Belarusian state TV propaganda .
Yulia Artsyukh appears not only as a news reporter but @ @ @ @ @ typical mother who is outraged by anti-government protests .
People on social media have pointed @ @ @ @ @ in multiple roles , with one critic saying that state media ca n't find real @ @ @ @ @ the regime .

She's the face of Belarusian state TV propaganda. Yulia Artsyukh appears not only as a news reporter but is also presented as a typical mother who is outraged by anti-government protests. People on social media have pointed to other faces that appear in multiple roles, with one critic saying that state media can't find real people to interview who support the regime.


rferl--2020-11-30--Prosecutor Seeks Prison Term For Azerbaijani Opposition Activist

BAKU -- A prosecutor has asked a court in Baku to imprison a member of the opposition Azerbaijan Popular Front Party ( AXCP ) for failing to comply with coronavirus precautions and `` spreading the disease . ''
The prosecutor on November 30 asked the Sabuncu district court to sentence Mahammad Imanli to 18 months in prison .
Imanli rejected the charge , saying a police statement noting he was detained on July 20 was false .
He insists he was detained on July 16 and kept in a police station for four days , during which he was interrogated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baku in support of the country 's armed forces amid an escalation of military tensions with neighboring Armenia .
Imanli 's relatives were informed that the verdict and sentence will be pronounced on December 1 .
Imanli is one of almost 50 AXCP members arrested in July after the rallies in support of the military .
Investigators have said that during the unsanctioned rallies in mid-July , AXCP activists clashed with police , injuring some of them , and also upended private vehicles and damaged the parliament building .
Many of the activists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ private property , attacking law enforcement officers , and disrupting public order .
Dozens of AXCP members have been arrested , and some imprisoned , in recent years on what their supporters have called trumped-up charges .
Opponents of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev , Western countries , and international human rights groups say his government has persistently persecuted critics , political foes , independent media outlets , and civic activists .
Aliyev denies any rights abuses .
He took power in 2003 shortly before the death of his father , Heydar Aliyev , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who had ruled Azerbaijan since 1993 .

BAKU -- A prosecutor has asked a court in Baku to imprison a member of the opposition Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (AXCP) for failing to comply with coronavirus precautions and "spreading the disease."
The prosecutor on November 30 asked the Sabuncu district court to sentence Mahammad Imanli to 18 months in prison.
Imanli rejected the charge, saying a police statement noting he was detained on July 20 was false.
He insists he was detained on July 16 and kept in a police station for four days, during which he was interrogated regarding his participation in unsanctioned rallies in Baku in support of the country's armed forces amid an escalation of military tensions with neighboring Armenia.
Imanli's relatives were informed that the verdict and sentence will be pronounced on December 1.
Imanli is one of almost 50 AXCP members arrested in July after the rallies in support of the military.
Investigators have said that during the unsanctioned rallies in mid-July, AXCP activists clashed with police, injuring some of them, and also upended private vehicles and damaged the parliament building.
Many of the activists who were detained were charged with damaging private property, attacking law enforcement officers, and disrupting public order.
Dozens of AXCP members have been arrested, and some imprisoned, in recent years on what their supporters have called trumped-up charges.
Opponents of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Western countries, and international human rights groups say his government has persistently persecuted critics, political foes, independent media outlets, and civic activists.
Aliyev denies any rights abuses. He took power in 2003 shortly before the death of his father, Heydar Aliyev, a former KGB officer and communist-era leader who had ruled Azerbaijan since 1993.


rferl--2020-11-30--EU Mulls Sanctions On State Actors For Spreading Disinformation

The European Commission ( EC ) will propose for the first time that the European Union impose sanctions on `` foreign actors '' from states such as Russia or China spreading disinformation as it pushes for a tougher oversight mechanism for online platforms , according to a draft document seen by RFE/RL .
The European Democracy Action Plan , which the EC is set to present on December 2 , says that the 27-member bloc `` needs to use more systematically the full range of tools in its toolbox for countering foreign interference and influence operations and further develop them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perpetrators . ''
`` Possible ways of doing so range from publicly identifying commonly used techniques ( so as to render them operationally unusable ) to imposing sanctions following repeated offenses , '' it says .
It is the first time that the EC -- the EU 's executive body -- has suggested in an official document the imposition of sanctions for the spread of disinformation .
Warning that information can be `` weaponized by foreign actors , '' the document goes on to say that `` certain third countries ( in particular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ targeted influence operations and disinformation campaigns around COVID‑19 in the EU , its neighborhood , and globally , seeking to undermine democratic debate , exacerbate social polarization , and improve their own image . ''
The action plan notes that the East StratCom Task Force , a division of the European External Action Service ( EEAS ) that monitors Russian disinformation , has so far identified more than 500 examples of pro-Kremlin disinformation on COVID-19 this year and over 10,000 examples of pro-Kremlin disinformation since it started monitoring in 2015 .
The EEAS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The document also suggests much tougher EU rules on online platforms that `` can be used by malicious operators for disseminating and amplifying false and misleading content and have been criticized for lack of transparency in the use of algorithms to distribute content online and for targeting users on the basis of the vast amount of personal data generated from online activity . ''
In 2018 , the EC put together a code of practice on disinformation that platforms such as Facebook , Google , and Twitter joined voluntarily to report on actions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and moves against fake accounts and bots .
However , amid what it said were disappointing results , the EC is now suggesting `` a more robust approach based on clear commitments and subject to appropriate oversight mechanisms is necessary to fight disinformation more effectively . ''
The document says the upcoming Digital Services Act ( DSA ) , due to be unveiled by the EC later this year , `` will propose rules to ensure greater accountability on how platforms moderate content , on advertising , and on algorithmic processes . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to assess the risks their systems pose -- not only as regards illegal content and products but also systemic risks to the protection of public interests and fundamental rights , public health and security , '' it says .
The DSA aims to update the European Union 's legal framework for online business .

A former top FBI counterintelligence agent pleaded guilty to charges related to his work for notorious Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, changing his plea after federal prosecutors filed new, reduced charges of conspiring to violate U.S. sanctions on Russia by working for the billionaire industrialist.
The move by Charles McGonigal, made on August 15 before a federal judge in New York City, ends a prosecution that had stunned the FBI, where McGonigal had investigated Russian influence operations for years while climbing the bureau’s ranks.
The 55-year-old also still faces a separate set of foreign agent charges in Washington, D.C., related to work he did for Albanian officials.
McGonigal, who retired as head counterintelligence in the FBI's New York bureau in 2018, was originally indicted in January by a grand jury on more serious charges of money laundering and violating U.S. sanctions.
Prosecutors alleged that McGonigal and a former Russian diplomat with whom he was associated, were paid more than $200,000 to do work for Deripaska, a wealthy Russian metals tycoon who has long been seen as a Kremlin insider. Deripaska was hit with sanctions by the U.S. Treasury Department in 2018.
U.S. authorities said McGonigal was hired to dig up negative information on Vladimir Potanin, a rival oligarch to Deripaska. McGonigal and the former diplomat, Sergei Shestakov, also worked to try and get Deripaska removed from U.S. sanctions lists.
Shestakov has pleaded not guilty to the more serious charges than had been originally filed against McGonigal.
They "attempted to conceal Deripaska's involvement by, among other means, not directly naming Deripaska in electronic communications, using shell companies as counterparties in the contract that outlined the services to be performed, using a forged signature on that contract, and using the same shell companies to send and receive payment from Deripaska," the Justice Department said in a press release after McGonigal entered his plea.
McGonigal could receive up to five years in prison when he is sentenced in December.
The separate case filed in Washington, D.C., by federal prosecutors centers on work McGonigal allegedly did on behalf of a former Albanian intelligence officer, for which he was paid $225,000.
McGonigal also allegedly lied to the FBI about his contacts with foreign nationals and foreign travel while he was still employed by the bureau.
Deripaska also faces charges of violating U.S. sanctions through real estate deals and a complicated scheme under which he allegedly arranged for his girlfriend to travel to the United States to give birth to two of their children.


rferl--2020-11-30--Jailed Belarusian Vlogger Tsikhanouski Reportedly Faces New Charge

MINSK -- Syarhey Tsikhanouski , a jailed Belarusian vlogger who was arrested in May after he expressed willingness to take part in an August presidential election , has reportedly been charged with inciting social hatred , which would allow the authorities to extend his pretrial detention .
The Tut.by website quoted Tsikhanouski 's lawyer , Viktar Matsekvich , on November 30 as saying that his client was `` outraged at the new charge , '' which was made against him several days ago .
Tsikhanouski was arrested in late May and later charged with the organization and preparation of actions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the work of the Central Election Commission .
According to his lawyer , Tsikhanouski was supposed to be released from pretrial detention in November , since there were no developments in the cases against him .
By adding a new charge , the authorities found a way to keep Tsikhanouski in pretrial detention for another 18 months .
Tsikhanouski is the owner of a popular YouTube channel called The Country For Life , which frequently challenges the Belarusian authorities .
When Tsikhanouski 's candidacy was rejected by election officials , his wife , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the presidential election and became the main challenger to Alyaksandr Lukashenka , the authoritarian leader who has run the country since 1994 .
The official results of the election handing victory to Lukashenka have sparked ongoing mass protests , with Tsikhanouskaya 's supporters and opposition figures claiming she won the vote .
Lukashenka has overseen a violent crackdown on protesters by law enforcement that has seen thousands of people -- including media members -- detained and scores injured .
The European Union and the United States have refused to recognize Lukashenka as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the election as fraudulent .

MINSK -- Syarhey Tsikhanouski, a jailed Belarusian vlogger who was arrested in May after he expressed willingness to take part in an August presidential election, has reportedly been charged with inciting social hatred, which would allow the authorities to extend his pretrial detention.
The Tut.by website quoted Tsikhanouski's lawyer, Viktar Matsekvich, on November 30 as saying that his client was "outraged at the new charge," which was made against him several days ago.
Tsikhanouski was arrested in late May and later charged with the organization and preparation of actions that severely violated public order and disrupting the work of the Central Election Commission.
According to his lawyer, Tsikhanouski was supposed to be released from pretrial detention in November, since there were no developments in the cases against him. By adding a new charge, the authorities found a way to keep Tsikhanouski in pretrial detention for another 18 months.
Tsikhanouski is the owner of a popular YouTube channel called The Country For Life, which frequently challenges the Belarusian authorities.
When Tsikhanouski's candidacy was rejected by election officials, his wife, Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, took over and ran in the presidential election and became the main challenger to Alyaksandr Lukashenka, the authoritarian leader who has run the country since 1994.
The official results of the election handing victory to Lukashenka have sparked ongoing mass protests, with Tsikhanouskaya's supporters and opposition figures claiming she won the vote.
Lukashenka has overseen a violent crackdown on protesters by law enforcement that has seen thousands of people -- including media members -- detained and scores injured.
The European Union and the United States have refused to recognize Lukashenka as the legitimate ruler of Belarus, characterizing the election as fraudulent.


rferl--2020-11-30--Belarusian Pensioners Detained During Protest As Crackdowns Continue

MINSK -- Belarusian activists say security forces have detained at least a dozen people as police broke up a protest march by pensioners demanding the resignation of authoritarian ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka .
The crackdown came a day after police said they 'd fired warning shots to force the dispersal of a mass demonstration in Minsk on November 29 and detained hundreds of protesters .
More than 1,000 pensioners gathered in Minsk on November 30 to stage what they called a `` March of Wisdom . ''
But the demonstrators were divided into smaller groups that marched in different directions after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ route .
At least 12 people were detained in the November 30 crackdown , according to the Minsk-based Vyasna human rights center .
Belarus has seen nearly daily protests since election officials declared Lukashenka won a sixth presidential term in a disputed August 9 election .
Neither the European Union nor the United States have recognized Lukashenka 's reelection .
Both have noted widespread allegations of election fraud .
Belarusian opposition figures are calling for Lukashenka 's resignation , the release of all political prisoners , and a new election .
Belarusian authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peaceful demonstrations .
There have been mass arrests and widespread complaints about demonstrators being tortured in custody .
On November 29 , security forces used tear gas and stun grenades against protesters in Minsk .
`` Security officers had to use special means -- a number of warning shots of stun rounds fired into the air and tear gas , '' Interior Ministry spokeswoman Volha Chamadanava wrote on Telegram on November 30 .
Chamadanava said a total of 313 people were detained on November 29 on charges of violating laws that forbid the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it calculated that more than 420 protesters were detained across the country on November 29 .
The rights group said most were taken into custody in Minsk , though there also were detentions in Brest , Hrodna , Baraulyany , and other towns and cities .
Demonstrations were reported in almost all districts of Minsk , making it difficult to estimate how many people participated in the protests overall .
Presidential candidate Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya , whom the opposition says was the real winner of the August election , expressed support for the ongoing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claims that the protests are subsiding , '' she tweeted on November 29 .
`` Every week the regime sends its forces with tear gas , stun grenades to beat & scare the Belarusian people .
Yet they gather every week to protest peacefully against Lukashenka 's regime . ''
Tsikhanouskaya left Belarus after the election under pressure from the authorities in Minsk and is currently in Lithuania .
During a visit to a Minsk hospital on November 27 , Lukashenka implied that he would resign if a new constitution is adopted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with you under the new constitution , '' state media quoted him as saying .
Lukashenka has called several times for a new constitution , but the opposition has dismissed the statements as a bid to buy time and stay in power .

MINSK -- Belarusian activists say security forces have detained at least a dozen people as police broke up a protest march by pensioners demanding the resignation of authoritarian ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka.
The crackdown came a day after police said they'd fired warning shots to force the dispersal of a mass demonstration in Minsk on November 29 and detained hundreds of protesters.
More than 1,000 pensioners gathered in Minsk on November 30 to stage what they called a "March of Wisdom." But the demonstrators were divided into smaller groups that marched in different directions after being blocked by police along their planned route.
At least 12 people were detained in the November 30 crackdown, according to the Minsk-based Vyasna human rights center.
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.
Belarus has seen nearly daily protests since election officials declared Lukashenka won a sixth presidential term in a disputed August 9 election.
Neither the European Union nor the United States have recognized Lukashenka's reelection. Both have noted widespread allegations of election fraud.
Belarusian opposition figures are calling for Lukashenka's resignation, the release of all political prisoners, and a new election.
Belarusian authorities have cracked down hard on the largely peaceful demonstrations.
There have been mass arrests and widespread complaints about demonstrators being tortured in custody.
On November 29, security forces used tear gas and stun grenades against protesters in Minsk.
"Security officers had to use special means -- a number of warning shots of stun rounds fired into the air and tear gas," Interior Ministry spokeswoman Volha Chamadanava wrote on Telegram on November 30.
Chamadanava said a total of 313 people were detained on November 29 on charges of violating laws that forbid the holding of public gatherings.
Vyasna said it calculated that more than 420 protesters were detained across the country on November 29.
The rights group said most were taken into custody in Minsk, though there also were detentions in Brest, Hrodna, Baraulyany, and other towns and cities.
Demonstrations were reported in almost all districts of Minsk, making it difficult to estimate how many people participated in the protests overall.
Unrecognized Reelection
Presidential candidate Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, whom the opposition says was the real winner of the August election, expressed support for the ongoing protests.
"Every week the regime claims that the protests are subsiding," she tweeted on November 29. "Every week the regime sends its forces with tear gas, stun grenades to beat & scare the Belarusian people. Yet they gather every week to protest peacefully against Lukashenka's regime."
Tsikhanouskaya left Belarus after the election under pressure from the authorities in Minsk and is currently in Lithuania.
During a visit to a Minsk hospital on November 27, Lukashenka implied that he would resign if a new constitution is adopted.
"I will not work as president with you under the new constitution," state media quoted him as saying.
Lukashenka has called several times for a new constitution, but the opposition has dismissed the statements as a bid to buy time and stay in power.


rferl--2020-11-30--Iran Holds Funeral For Slain Nuclear Scientist Amid Calls For Revenge

Iran has held a funeral for top nuclear physicist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh , who founded its military nuclear program two decades ago , with the Islamic republic 's defense minister vowing to continue the scientist 's work .
Fakhrizadeh 's targeted killing on November 27 on the outskirts of Tehran , in what appeared to be a military-style operation , has raised concerns about a new confrontation between Iran and Israel or the United States .
State TV broadcast the ceremony on November 30 , showing Fakhrizadeh 's casket , wrapped in an Iranian flag , being carried by an honor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Koran and other religious verses in an outdoor area of the Defense Ministry in Tehran .
Fakhrizadeh 's body was later transferred to the Emamzade Saleh cemetery in northern Tehran for burial .
Officials , including Defense Minister Amir Hatami , attended the ceremony , sitting apart from each other and wearing masks due to the coronavirus pandemic .
`` The enemies know and I , as a soldier , tell them that no crime , no terror , and no stupid act will go unanswered by the Iranian people , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Fakhrizadeh 's work will be continued `` with more speed and more power . ''
Another top Iranian security official who attended the funeral accused Israel of using `` electronic devices '' to remotely kill the scientist in the November 27 attack .
`` Unfortunately , the operation was a very complicated operation and was carried out by using electronic devices , '' Ali Shamkani , the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council , told state TV .
`` No individual was present at the site . ''
Shamkhani also blamed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Organization ( MKO or MEK ) as well for `` having a role in this , '' without elaborating .
In a statement , the MKO dismissed `` Shamkhani 's rage , rancor , and lies '' against the group , while claiming credit for past revelations on Iran 's nuclear program and previously secret sites .
Israel has not commented on the killing , seen by many as a move to disrupt Tehran 's efforts to develop nuclear weapons .
Iran insists its nuclear program is for civilian purposes .
Israel has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ series of targeted killings of Iranian nuclear scientists and other sabotage operations against Iran using MKO operatives .
Shamkani 's remarks signaled a change in the official narrative that initially said a truck was blown up in front of Fakhrizadeh 's car , and then gunmen opened fire on the scientist , killing him .
Earlier on November 30 , Iran 's English-language Press TV said that the weapon used in the killing was made in Israel .
`` The weapon collected from the site of the terrorist act bears the logo and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' an unnamed source told Press TV .
State TV 's Arabic-language channel , Al-Alam , claimed the weapons used were `` controlled by satellite . ''
None of the outlets immediately offered evidence supporting their claims .
Russia 's Foreign Ministry condemned Fakhrizadeh 's killing , saying its intent was `` destabilizing the situation and building up conflict potential in the region , '' and called on `` all parties to refrain from taking steps that could lead to an escalation of tensions . ''
Despite calls for revenge , Iranian officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States once U.S. President-elect Joe Biden takes office in January .
`` We do n't want to start a friendship , but we want to reduce unnecessary tension and enmity , '' Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said in a video interview released on November 30 on the news portal Entekhab .
Government spokesman Ali Rabiei on November 29 said that `` we should definitely not fall into this trap [ of early military action or giving up on diplomacy ] . ''
Earlier , Iranian President Hassan Rohani stressed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` due time '' and not be rushed into a `` trap . ''
Rohani has accused Israel of acting as a `` mercenary '' for the United States in connection with the assassination .
Rohani is seen as being among the more moderate figures in the country and likely to be looking toward the possibly returning to the landmark 2015 nuclear agreement that Iran signed with six world powers , including the United States .
U.S. President Donald Trump , who has taken a hard line against Tehran , in 2018 pulled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sanctions on Iran , accusing it of continuing to seek nuclear weapons and of funding extremist activity in the region -- allegations Iran has denied .
With reporting by AFP , AP , dpa , and Reuters

A polytechnic school in Russia’s Tatarstan, a region some 900 kilometers east of Moscow, is using manufacturing facilities that are part of a nearby special economic zone to assemble Iranian attack drones and are increasingly turning to underage students as laborers, many of whom often work in exploitative conditions.
The revelations at Alabuga Polytechnic University raise troubling implications about the lengths that Russian authorities are going to in order to boost the war effort and how the advanced Iranian weaponry -- which is increasingly used to bombard Ukrainian cities and has only recently begun to be manufactured inside Russia -- could contribute to escalating tensions and rising civilian casualties.
The use of underage students as drone factory workers and the details of the manufacturing facilities were first reported by Russian independent media outlets Protokol and Razvorot, which published a series of investigations in July.
Since then, RFE/RL’s Idel.Realities has spoken with students who describe grueling working conditions and interviewed dozens of parents whose children have been enrolled at Alabuga Polytechnic University -- some as young at 15 -- who say that their children were forced to work exceedingly long hours, often without proper breaks or meals, and under hostile conditions that have deeply affected their mental health.
“My son enrolled and 2 1/2 months later he called for me to take him away,” Zhanna, who asked to be identified only by her first name to protect against reprisals for speaking about the operation, told RFE/RL. “He said to me on the phone, ‘Come and get me or I’ll die,’ so I picked him up immediately.”
Zhanna, who asked that her underage son’s name also not be used, says that she sent him from Nizhny Novgorod to study at Alabuga Polytechnic University in 2022 because of its reputation as a leading technical institution inside Russia.
The school offered students -- often between the ages of 15-18 -- an opportunity to get vocational training as part of a dual program that combines a classroom education with practical work experience. Students were also promised an opportunity to work and earn a locally competitive salary of up to 70,000 rubles ($700) a month as part of the work experience program that could further their career growth.
Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's full-scale invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war in Ukraine, click here.
But, instead, those enrolled were encouraged and in some cases pressured into working at the drone facility, where the salaries of the mostly underage laborers are contingent on meeting tough production quotas.
“This is a textbook definition of what constitutes exploitation,” Sergei Podsytnik, an investigative journalist at Protokol who worked on the series of reports, told RFE/RL. “[Students] assemble drones, with the work taking priority over their studies.”
The pressure to fulfill these quotas has allegedly led to strenuous back-to-back days -- with some shifts lasting up to 15 hours -- with little time for sleep or adequate sustenance. Overtime work is often unpaid, further highlighting potential labor violations. Exhausted students also reported not always meeting their quotas, which led to them not earning the salary initially promised by the school. Many students came from disadvantaged backgrounds and relied on their earnings to cover costs for tuition, room, and board and would send the remainder home.
Other parents, such as Marina, said she decided to take her daughter out of the program when she discovered that she was working in apparent unsafe conditions and that staff from the school had instructed students not to tell their parents about the drone assembly work.
“This was the last straw for me,” Marina, who also asked for her identity to be concealed, told RFE/RL. “This is a dangerous production process that involves dangerous chemicals. They also forbid the kids from telling everything to their parents.”
RFE/RL sent multiple requests for comment to various staff and administrators at Alabuga Polytechnic University but received no replies.
Making Iranian Drones In Russia
The complicated and concerning dynamic at Alabuga Polytechnic University stems from growing military cooperation between Iran and Russia that has accelerated since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Iran has said it provided drones to Russia before the start of the war, but not since. However, U.S. intelligence officials have warned for months of continued deliveries and deepening cooperation between Moscow and Tehran, saying the two sides were exploring how to set up a manufacturing plant for Iranian drones inside Russia.
According to The Wall Street Journal, an Iranian delegation visited Yelabuga in Tatarstan on January 5, touring a potential site for such a factory at the Alabuga special economic zone close to Alabuga Polytechnic University. U.S. officials released satellite images in April of the plant being built.
Russia already possesses an array of unarmed aerial vehicles, or UAVs, which are used mainly for surveillance and artillery spotting, but has turned increasingly to Tehran for attack drones.
After being forced to abandon Ukrainian territory that its troops captured in the early stretches of the war, Moscow shifted to a strategy of relentless air assaults on Ukrainian cities. These attacks often rely on a combination of cruise missiles and self-detonating drones packed with explosives to knock out electricity and running water for the civilian population in Ukraine.
So far, Iran has provided Russia mostly with so-called "suicide" drones, known as the Shahed-136, that contain a modest amount of explosives that can detonate when the drones crash into targets, military experts say.
In acquiring its own domestic assembly line, Russia could dramatically increase its stockpile of the relatively inexpensive but highly destructive weapons systems.
WATCH: Russia has resorted to using Shahed-136 drones from Iran in its war on Ukraine. Ukraine says it's already downed many of the drones, which work by slamming into their intended target, laden with explosives. Ordinary Ukrainians say they can already recognize the sound of the drones, which use two-stroke engines like lawnmowers or motorbikes. Iran has denied supplying the drones to Russia.
The arrangement also offers substantial economic and political benefits for Iran, which has sought to portray itself as neutral in the Ukraine war. The appearance of Iranian-made drones over Ukrainian cities, however, has triggered threats of new economic sanctions from the West. The United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom have also all issued rules in recent months designed to cut off the flow of drone components to Russia and Iran.
The Washington Post reported in November 2022, citing unnamed U.S. intelligence officials, that the agreement to deliver Iranian drone schematics and materials for manufacture in Russia resulted from Iranian leaders believing that the arrangement would allow Tehran to avert new sanctions.
Foreign Recruitment And Patriotic Education
Alabuga Polytechnic University is formally not a college. All of its students are officially enrolled at nearby Yelabuga Polytechnic College, with the Alabuga institution existing on paper as a specialized program for students looking to break into high-tech industries.
Currently, about 1,000 students are studying at Alabuga Polytechnic University, with several hundred of them -- most of whom are between the ages of 15 and 17 -- involved in assembling the Iranian drones.
In addition to the work on the drones, there are other signs that point to blurred lines in Russia between the education system and the country’s military amid the war in Ukraine.
According to current and former Alabuga Polytechnic University students, team-building and organized extracurricular activities through the school often take on a “patriotic” character that may be designed to expose students to official government narratives of international events or echo talking points from state television.
Organized paintball games have become a mainstay for students, especially first-year arrivals, in which they are encouraged to compete against one another and then play together against more experienced outside players. Teachers and administration officials regularly refer to paintball as being part of a “patriotic” education needed to complement the technical aspect of their studies.
In one instance, a group of new students competed in paintball as Soviet soldiers against outside players who were dressed as troops from Nazi Germany in a capture-the-flag competition meant to simulate the World War II battle of Stalingrad. According to one student, the Nazi flag contained the compass symbol used by the NATO military alliance instead of the swastika used by Nazi Germany.
Other instances of political teachings from staff are more direct. In a recording obtained by RFE/RL from June 16, a senior administrator can be heard telling the teenagers that NATO launched a hybrid war against Russia back in 2011 and that it has slowly become more overt. The man then goes on to tell students that their hard work and exceeding long days at the drone factory are part of a nationwide struggle against the West and that their patriotism will be rewarded.
Several students and parents identified the man in the recording as Timur Shagivaleev, the director-general of the special economic zone where Alabuga Polytechnic University and the drone factory operate.
Shagivaleev did not respond to RFE/RL’s request for comment.
The man in the recording then goes on to tell students not to take holidays and to continue working “even if it's mom's birthday,” before ending his speech with, “Long live our great country.”
WATCH: Amid a new wave of Russian drone attacks on Ukraine, analysts in Kyiv are gaining useful intelligence from a collection of downed Russian aerial weapons. They have been studying the remains of Iranian Shahed drones and Russian Kinzhal missiles, among others.
Multiple current and former students told RFE/RL that students who work in the drone factory are often praised by staff, while those who have refused or asked to be reassigned due to the high workload are often publicly shamed. In some instances -- according to recordings heard by RFE/RL -- staff even encourage students to bully others who are not deemed “patriotic” enough.
According to Protokol and Razvorot’s investigations, Alabuga Polytechnic University has also turned toward recruiting foreign students to enroll. The majority of them come from African countries, but also from Central Asia and Azerbaijan, where they are promised “world class” salaries as part of the dual-track world experience program.
However, these foreign students are then given low-skill and menial tasks around the campus and the special economic zone, such as janitorial work, and are also paid lower salaries than initially promised.
Written by Reid Standish based on reporting by RFE/RL’s Idel.Realities


rferl--2020-12-01--Russian Opposition Leader Navalny Under Investigation For Urging Overthrow Of Government

Investigators in Moscow have launched a probe into opposition politician Aleksei Navalny 's interview with the Ekho Moskvy radio station .
According to sources quoted by the official TASS news agency on December 1 , investigators allege that in the April 27 interview Navalny called for the forcible change of Russia 's constitutional order .
`` Due to the statements [ in the interview ] , a probe was launched on November 30 to check if there were elements of calls to conduct extremist activities , '' a source was quoted by TASS as saying .
The Russian Criminal Code @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five year in prison for such a crime .
Talking to Ekho Moskvy on April 27 , Navalny criticized the Kremlin for rejecting his team 's proposal to provide Russian families and small businesses with financial support during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic , and said that the authorities in Russia `` must be overthrown right now ... most likely by force '' for neglecting the needs of citizens .
The program 's anchor then directly pointed to the statements as being merely Navalny 's thoughts , not open calls to overthrow the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interview .
Navalny is currently in Germany , where he is recovering after being poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent in Siberia in late August .
Navalny has insisted that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the poisoning attack on him .
The Kremlin has denied any involvement .
On December 1 , Navalny wrote on Instagram that the probe was launched on Putin 's order to prevent his return to Russia after a full recovery .
In October , the European Union and Britain imposed asset freezes and travel bans against six senior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` attempted assassination '' of the outspoken , 44-year-old Kremlin critic .
Last week , Navalny called on the EU to develop a new strategy for its relations with Moscow and impose more sanctions on the Kremlin .

Russia's Investigative Committee has rejected reports saying a probe has been launched into opposition politician Aleksei Navalny's interview with the Ekho Moskvy radio station.
The committee said on December 1 that media reports about the alleged probe were false and called on news outlets not to distribute unconfirmed reports based on anonymous sources.
The comments came after the official TASS news agency quoted unnamed sources as saying that Moscow investigators alleged Navalny called for the forcible change of Russia's constitutional order during the April 27 interview with Ekho Moskvy.
"Due to the statements (in the interview), a probe was launched on November 30 to check if there were elements of calls to conduct extremist activities," the source was quoted by TASS as saying.
The Russian Criminal Code lays out a punishment of up to five year in prison for such a crime.
Talking to Ekho Moskvy on April 27, Navalny criticized the Kremlin for rejecting his team's proposal to provide Russian families and small businesses with financial support during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and said that the authorities in Russia "must be overthrown right now...most likely by force" for neglecting the needs of citizens.
The program's anchor then directly pointed to the statements as being merely Navalny's thoughts, not open calls to overthrow the government, which Navalny confirmed in the aired interview.
Navalny is currently in Germany, where he is recovering after being poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent in Siberia in late August.
Navalny has insisted that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the poisoning attack on him. The Kremlin has denied any involvement.
On December 1, Navalny wrote on Instagram that the probe was launched on Putin's order to prevent his return to Russia after a full recovery.
In October, the European Union and Britain imposed asset freezes and travel bans against six senior Russian officials and one entity for the "attempted assassination" of the outspoken, 44-year-old Kremlin critic.
Last week, Navalny called on the EU to develop a new strategy for its relations with Moscow and impose more sanctions on the Kremlin.


rferl--2020-12-01--Kyrgyz Supreme Court Cancels Atambaev's Conviction, Sends Case Back For Retrial

BISHKEK -- Kyrgyzstan 's Supreme Court has canceled the conviction and prison sentence of former President Almazbek Atambaev that was handed to him in June over his involvement in the illegal release of notorious crime boss Aziz Batukaev in 2013 .
Atambaev 's lawyer Zamir Jooshev told RFE/RL late on November 30 that the Supreme Court ruled to send the case back to the Birinchi Mai district court in Bishkek for retrial .
A reason for the decision was not immediately given .
In August , the Bishkek City Court upheld a ruling sentencing Atambaev to 11 years and two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Aziz Batukaev , who was unexpectedly released from prison in 2013 and immediately left the Central Asian country for Russia , was convicted of several crimes -- including the murders of a Kyrgyz lawmaker and an Interior Ministry official .
Atambaev was arrested in August 2019 after he surrendered to police following a deadly two-day standoff between security forces and his supporters .
The move to detain Atambaev was sparked by his refusal to obey three summons to appear at the Interior Ministry for questioning involving Batukaev 's release .
The standoff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the death of a top security officer and more than 170 injuries -- 79 of them sustained by law enforcement officers .
After the arrest , Atambaev and 13 associates and supporters were charged with murder , attempted murder , threatening or assaulting representatives of authorities , hostage taking , and the forcible seizure of power .
The trial on those charges is currently under way and has been postponed several times since March due to Atambaev 's health problems , the failure of some defense lawyers to appear , and because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slow the spread of the coronavirus .
On October 6 , during mass protests against the official results of parliamentary elections two days earlier , Atambaev was released from a detention center in Bishkek .
He was rearrested on October 10 and additionally charged with organizing an illegal demonstration in Bishkek on October 9 .

BISHKEK -- Kyrgyzstan's Supreme Court has canceled the conviction and prison sentence of former President Almazbek Atambaev that was handed to him in June over his involvement in the illegal release of notorious crime boss Aziz Batukaev in 2013.
Atambaev's lawyer Zamir Jooshev told RFE/RL late on November 30 that the Supreme Court ruled to send the case back to the Birinchi Mai district court in Bishkek for retrial. A reason for the decision was not immediately given.
In August, the Bishkek City Court upheld a ruling sentencing Atambaev to 11 years and two months in prison in the high-profile case.
Atambaev has denied any wrongdoing.
Aziz Batukaev, who was unexpectedly released from prison in 2013 and immediately left the Central Asian country for Russia, was convicted of several crimes -- including the murders of a Kyrgyz lawmaker and an Interior Ministry official.
Atambaev was arrested in August 2019 after he surrendered to police following a deadly two-day standoff between security forces and his supporters.
The move to detain Atambaev was sparked by his refusal to obey three summons to appear at the Interior Ministry for questioning involving Batukaev's release.
The standoff between security forces and his supporters resulted in the death of a top security officer and more than 170 injuries -- 79 of them sustained by law enforcement officers.
After the arrest, Atambaev and 13 associates and supporters were charged with murder, attempted murder, threatening or assaulting representatives of authorities, hostage taking, and the forcible seizure of power.
The trial on those charges is currently under way and has been postponed several times since March due to Atambaev's health problems, the failure of some defense lawyers to appear, and because of the state of emergency imposed to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
On October 6, during mass protests against the official results of parliamentary elections two days earlier, Atambaev was released from a detention center in Bishkek.
He was rearrested on October 10 and additionally charged with organizing an illegal demonstration in Bishkek on October 9.


rferl--2020-12-01--Hungary Summons Ukrainian Ambassador Over Raids On Ethnic Hungarian Charities

Hungary has summoned the Ukrainian ambassador after the Ukrainian Security Service ( SBU ) raided the offices of ethnic Hungarians .
The Hungarian Cultural Association in Transcarpathia said in a statement that SBU officers had raided the association 's headquarters and the home of its chairman , searching for evidence of `` activities aimed at violently changing the borders . ''
The association called on Ukrainian authorities to end what it called a `` witch-hunt . ''
The SBU confirmed the raid and others in a statement on its website .
It said it conducted searches at local charitable foundations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information about the involvement of the foreign fund in activities aimed at violating the state sovereignty of Ukraine . ''
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on November 30 that Hungary had protested the raids at Ukraine 's Foreign Ministry and added he would raise the issue at a meeting of NATO foreign ministers beginning on December 1 .
The two countries have repeatedly clashed over what Hungary says are curbs on the rights of around 150,000 ethnic Hungarians living in Ukraine to use their native tongue , especially in education .
Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use of minority languages in schools .
Last month Ukraine barred entry to two Hungarian government officials over what Kyiv called meddling in local elections , an accusation Hungary denied .
Szijjarto called it `` unacceptable '' that a country that wants to be part of the transatlantic community `` continuously intimidates and puts pressure on a minority belonging to a NATO member . ''
Szijjarto made the comment in a video statement posted on his Facebook .
Hungary has repeatedly hinted at blocking Ukraine 's membership of NATO .

Hungary has summoned the Ukrainian ambassador after the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) raided the offices of ethnic Hungarians.
The Hungarian Cultural Association in Transcarpathia said in a statement that SBU officers had raided the association's headquarters and the home of its chairman, searching for evidence of "activities aimed at violently changing the borders."
The association called on Ukrainian authorities to end what it called a "witch-hunt."
The SBU confirmed the raid and others in a statement on its website.
It said it conducted searches at local charitable foundations in the Transcarpathian region, checking "information about the involvement of the foreign fund in activities aimed at violating the state sovereignty of Ukraine."
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on November 30 that Hungary had protested the raids at Ukraine's Foreign Ministry and added he would raise the issue at a meeting of NATO foreign ministers beginning on December 1.
The two countries have repeatedly clashed over what Hungary says are curbs on the rights of around 150,000 ethnic Hungarians living in Ukraine to use their native tongue, especially in education. Ukraine passed a law in 2017 restricting the use of minority languages in schools.
Last month Ukraine barred entry to two Hungarian government officials over what Kyiv called meddling in local elections, an accusation Hungary denied.
Szijjarto called it "unacceptable" that a country that wants to be part of the transatlantic community "continuously intimidates and puts pressure on a minority belonging to a NATO member."
Szijjarto made the comment in a video statement posted on his Facebook.
Hungary has repeatedly hinted at blocking Ukraine's membership of NATO.
Based on reporting by Reuters


rferl--2020-11-30--NATO Chief Says Ministers To Discuss Russia's 'Military Buildup'

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has said that NATO foreign ministers plan to discuss Russia 's military buildup at a two-day videoconference about the future of the alliance that begins on December 1 .
Stoltenberg made the remarks during a virtual press conference from Brussels on November 30 .
Stoltenberg said Russia 's buildup around the alliance is a key issue and that minister will debate `` what more we should do to respond to Russia 's growing military activity , and to maintain the arms-control regime -- including limitations on nuclear warheads , as the New START treaty is due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia is modernizing its nuclear arsenal and fielding new missiles , '' Stoltenberg said .
`` It is deploying more forces in our neighborhood , from the High North to Syria and Libya .
We also see an increased Russian presence as a result of the crises in Belarus and Nagorno-Karabakh . ''
Stoltenberg said the NATO foreign ministers also will be joined by the foreign ministers of Georgia and Ukraine `` in a separate session '' in order `` to address the security situation in the Black Sea region and our support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Based on reporting by Reuters and AP

A report presented to NATO foreign ministers on December 1 says the alliance must adapt to deal with new threats, including “persistently aggressive Russia” and “the rise of China.”
The ministers received the report on the first day of a two-day conference being held via videolink as a precaution against the spread of the coronavirus.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters that the ministers also discussed the Russian “military buildup” around the alliance, as well as its mission in Afghanistan.
The Western military alliance “will have to take some hard decisions” about the mission when NATO defense ministers meet in February, he said.
The 67-page report makes about 140 suggestions on how to reboot the alliance, which it says “must adapt to meet the needs of a more demanding strategic environment.”
It notes that while NATO faced one big threat during the Cold War it now faces two “systemic rivals” – Russia and China – along with “the enduring threat of terrorism.”
It also suggests the Western military alliance find a way to stop individual countries vetoing policy decisions, as Hungary has done over plans for a deeper partnership with non-NATO member Ukraine.
Other recommendations include creating a consultative body to coordinate broader, Western policy toward China, holding summits with European Union leaders, and giving the secretary-general more power over personnel and budgets.
"NATO needs a strong political dimension to match its military adaptation," according to the report, whose suggestions are not binding.
The document is to be presented to NATO leaders at a summit planned for next year. They could be included in an update to NATO's Strategic Concept document, which dates from 2010 and sought to consider Russia as a partner.
Speaking to reporters, Stoltenberg said the ministers discussed “Russia's continued military buildup in our neighborhood, as well as arms control.”
He said NATO is adapting its deterrence posture “to address Russia's destabilizing actions,” but the ministers agree that they must continue to pursue dialogue with Russia.
They also expressed support for preserving limitations of nuclear weapons and for developing a more comprehensive arms control regime, and welcomed dialog between Russia and the United States ahead of the expiration of their bilateral New START treaty in February.
“We should not find ourselves in a situation where there is no agreement regulating the number of nuclear warheads,” he said.
On Afghanistan, Stoltenberg said NATO supports the peace process while remaining committed to the mission to help Afghanistan fight terrorism.
But he added: “As we continue to assess the situation in Afghanistan, it is clear that we will face a turning point early next year."
The security alliance risks and even longer-term engagement if the NATO mission stays in Afghanistan, and if it leaves there is a risk that it will become a safe haven for international terrorists again, Stoltenberg said.
“So, there is a price for staying longer, but there is also a price for leaving too soon,” he said.
NATO now has about 11,000 troops from dozens of countries stationed in the country. Their mandate is to help train and advise Afghanistan’s own national security forces.
But the presence of U.S. forces, which NATO relies on for air support, transport, and logistics, is scheduled to shrink by 2,000 troops to 2,500 by January 15.
Under a peace deal reached between the United States and the Taliban, all foreign troops should leave Afghanistan by May 1, 2021 if security conditions on the ground permit.
With reporting by Reuters, AP, and RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan


rferl--2020-12-01--NATO Ministers Discuss Reforms, Russia, Afghanistan At Virtual Meeting

A report presented to NATO foreign ministers on December 1 says the alliance must adapt to deal with new threats , including “ persistently aggressive Russia ” and “ the rise of China.
” The ministers received the report on the first day of a two-day conference being held via videolink as a precaution against the spread of the coronavirus .
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters that the ministers also discussed the Russian “ military buildup ” around the alliance , as well as its mission in Afghanistan .
The Western military alliance “ will have to take some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NATO defense ministers meet in February , he said .
The 67-page report makes about 140 suggestions on how to reboot the alliance , which it says “ must adapt to meet the needs of a more demanding strategic environment.
” It notes that while NATO faced one big threat during the Cold War it now faces two “ systemic rivals ” – Russia and China – along with “ the enduring threat of terrorism.
” It also suggests the Western military alliance find a way to stop individual countries vetoing policy decisions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a deeper partnership with non-NATO member Ukraine .
Other recommendations include creating a consultative body to coordinate broader , Western policy toward China , holding summits with European Union leaders , and giving the secretary-general more power over personnel and budgets .
`` NATO needs a strong political dimension to match its military adaptation , '' according to the report , whose suggestions are not binding .
The document is to be presented to NATO leaders at a summit planned for next year .
They could be included in an update to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dates from 2010 and sought to consider Russia as a partner .
Speaking to reporters , Stoltenberg said the ministers discussed “ Russia 's continued military buildup in our neighborhood , as well as arms control.
” He said NATO is adapting its deterrence posture “ to address Russia 's destabilizing actions , ” but the ministers agree that they must continue to pursue dialogue with Russia .
They also expressed support for preserving limitations of nuclear weapons and for developing a more comprehensive arms control regime , and welcomed dialog between Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expiration of their bilateral New START treaty in February .
“ We should not find ourselves in a situation where there is no agreement regulating the number of nuclear warheads , ” he said .
On Afghanistan , Stoltenberg said NATO supports the peace process while remaining committed to the mission to help Afghanistan fight terrorism .
But he added : “ As we continue to assess the situation in Afghanistan , it is clear that we will face a turning point early next year . ''
The security alliance risks and even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Afghanistan , and if it leaves there is a risk that it will become a safe haven for international terrorists again , Stoltenberg said .
“ So , there is a price for staying longer , but there is also a price for leaving too soon , ” he said .
NATO now has about 11,000 troops from dozens of countries stationed in the country .
Their mandate is to help train and advise Afghanistan ’ s own national security forces .
But the presence of U.S. forces , which NATO relies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and logistics , is scheduled to shrink by 2,000 troops to 2,500 by January 15 .
Under a peace deal reached between the United States and the Taliban , all foreign troops should leave Afghanistan by May 1 , 2021 if security conditions on the ground permit .
With reporting by Reuters , AP , and RFE/RL 's Radio Free Afghanistan

NATO foreign ministers concluded a two-day meeting on December 2 that paves a path for reforms within the transatlantic alliance as it faces twin challenges from Russia and China, as well as key decisions about the situation in Afghanistan.
The meeting, held via video link as a precaution against the spread of the coronavirus, discussed how the alliance must adapt to new threats, including “persistently aggressive Russia” and “the rise of China.”
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on December 1 told reporters that the ministers discussed the Russian “military buildup” around the alliance and the mission in Afghanistan.
The Western military alliance “will have to take some hard decisions” about the mission when NATO defense ministers meet in February, he said.
A 67-page expert group report outlining suggestions about how to reboot the alliance noted that while NATO faced one big threat during the Cold War, it now faces two “systemic rivals” -- Russia and China -- along with “the enduring threat of terrorism.”
Speaking to reporters, Stoltenberg said the ministers discussed “Russia's continued military buildup in our neighborhood, as well as arms control.”
He said NATO is adapting its deterrence posture “to address Russia's destabilizing actions,” but the ministers agreed that they must continue to pursue dialogue with Russia.
They also expressed support for preserving limitations on nuclear weapons and for developing a more comprehensive arms control regime, and welcomed talks between Russia and the United States ahead of the expiration of their bilateral New START treaty in February.
“We should not find ourselves in a situation where there is no agreement regulating the number of nuclear warheads,” he said.
The ministerial also included a meeting with the foreign ministers of Georgia and Ukraine on security in the Black Sea region and NATO’s continued support to both partners.
Foreign ministers also discussed developments in Belarus following nearly four months of pro-democracy protests and the situation in the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh in the wake of a Russian-brokered peace deal that ended 44 days of fierce fighting between Azerbaijan and ethnic Armenian forces.
On Afghanistan, Stoltenberg said NATO supports the peace process while remaining committed to the mission to help fight terrorism.
But he added: “As we continue to assess the situation in Afghanistan, it is clear that we will face a turning point early next year."
The security alliance risks an even longer-term engagement if the NATO mission stays in Afghanistan, and if it leaves there is a risk that it will become a safe haven for international terrorists again, Stoltenberg said.
“So, there is a price for staying longer, but there is also a price for leaving too soon,” he said.
NATO now has about 11,000 troops from dozens of countries stationed in Afghanistan. Their mandate is to help train and advise Afghanistan’s security forces.
But the presence of U.S. forces, which NATO relies on for air support, transport, and logistics, is scheduled to shrink by 2,000 troops to 2,500 by January 15.
Under a peace deal reached between the United States and the Taliban, all foreign troops should leave Afghanistan by May 1, 2021, if security conditions on the ground permit.
The policy report also suggested the Western military alliance find a way to stop individual countries from vetoing policy decisions, as Hungary has done over plans for a deeper partnership with non-NATO member Ukraine.
Other recommendations included creating a consultative body to coordinate a broader, Western policy toward China, holding summits with European Union leaders, and giving the secretary-general more power over personnel and budgets.
"NATO needs a strong political dimension to match its military adaptation," according to the report, whose suggestions are not binding.
The document is to be presented to NATO leaders at a summit planned for next year. They could be included in an update to NATO's Strategic Concept document, which dates from 2010 and sought to consider Russia as a partner.
With reporting by Reuters, AP, and RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan


rferl--2020-12-01--Azerbaijan Reclaims Third District Under Nagorno-Karabakh Truce

BAKU -- Azerbaijan has completed reclaiming three districts held by ethnic Armenian forces for more than a quarter-century after a peace deal ended six weeks of fierce fighting over the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region .
In an address to the nation on December 1 , Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev hailed the restoration of control over Lachin , a strategic link between Armenia 's internationally recognized border and ethnic Armenian-held areas in Nagorno-Karabakh , as a “ historic victory.
” Armenia agreed to hand over Lachin and the two other districts , Agdam and Kalbacar , after nearly three decades under Armenian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signed on November 9 .
The deal , which also allowed Azerbaijan to keep control of territory in and around Nagorno-Karabakh captured in the fighting , halted the worst clashes in the region since the 1990s .
Agdam was transferred to Azerbaijan on November 20 , followed by Kalbacar five days later .
Russia deployed nearly 2,000 peacekeepers to monitor the cease-fire accord , help the return of refugees , and ensure safe transit through a 5-kilometer wide area connecting Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia across the so-called Lachin Corridor .
Russian and Turkish military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joint monitoring center to ensure the fulfillment of the cease-fire deal , the Turkish Defense Ministry said on December 1 .
Ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh have been governing their own affairs , with support from Armenia , since Azerbaijan 's troops and Azeri civilians were pushed out of the region in a war that ended in a cease-fire in 1994 .
Crucially , the peace agreement leaves the final status of Nagorno-Karabakh unresolved .
Moscow has extensive relations with both Armenia and Azerbaijan but provides security guarantees to the former .
Ankara is @ @ @ @ @ @

BAKU -- Azerbaijan has completed reclaiming three districts held by ethnic Armenian forces for more than a quarter-century after a peace deal ended six weeks of fierce fighting over the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region.
In an address to the nation on December 1, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev hailed the restoration of control over Lachin, a strategic link between Armenia's internationally recognized border and ethnic Armenian-held areas in Nagorno-Karabakh, as a “historic victory.”
Armenia agreed to hand over Lachin and the two other districts, Agdam and Kalbacar, after nearly three decades under Armenian control as part of the Russian-brokered agreement signed on November 9.
The deal, which also allowed Azerbaijan to keep control of territory in and around Nagorno-Karabakh captured in the fighting, halted the worst clashes in the region since the 1990s.
Agdam was transferred to Azerbaijan on November 20, followed by Kalbacar five days later.
Russia has deployed nearly 2,000 peacekeepers to monitor the cease-fire accord, help the return of refugees, and ensure safe transit through a 5-kilometer wide area connecting Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia across the so-called Lachin Corridor.
Russian and Turkish military officials signed documents to set up a joint monitoring center to ensure the fulfillment of the cease-fire deal, the Turkish Defense Ministry said on December 1.
Ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh have been governing their own affairs, with support from Armenia, since Azerbaijan's troops and Azeri civilians were pushed out of the region in a war that ended in a cease-fire in 1994.
Crucially, the peace agreement leaves the final status of Nagorno-Karabakh unresolved.
Moscow has extensive relations with both Armenia and Azerbaijan but provides security guarantees to the former.
Ankara is a strong backer of Azerbaijan.


rferl--2020-12-01--Hungarian MEP Resigns After Police Raid On Brussels 'Sex Party' During COVID Curfew

A Hungarian ruling party politician who resigned two days ago as a member of the European Parliament says he was present at a house party broken up by Brussels police for breaching lockdown rules .
Jozsef Szajer , a senior member of Prime Minister Viktor Orban 's ruling conservative Fidesz party , said in a statement on December 1 that he cooperated with police .
The statement refers to a private party in Brussels on November 27 .
Police stormed the party in a building housing a gay bar .
It has been widely described in Belgian news reports as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men only and included diplomats and a member of the European Parliament .
“ I was present , '' Szajer said in his statement , making no reference to a `` sex party . ''
A police statement on December 1 said a passerby saw a man `` fleeing along a gutter '' whose hands were bloody .
The statement , which later identified the man as Szajer , said the injury possibly occurred while he was fleeing .
It also said `` narcotics were found in his backpack '' and he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identified himself by presenting his diplomatic passport .
In his statement , published in Hungarian media , the 59-year-old Szajer said police issued an official verbal warning after bringing him home .
He said he did not use drugs and referred to an ecstasy pill that he said police said they found in his backpack , saying he had `` no knowledge '' of it .
Szajer also said he deeply regretted violating restrictions on gatherings put in place to help control the spread of the coronavirus .
“ It was irresponsible on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indicating he will accept any fine incurred .
The “ misstep ” was “ strictly personal , ” the Hungarian politician added , asking that it not reflect on his years of service or his homeland .
Szajer has been a member of the European Parliament since Hungary joined the European Union in 2014 .
He was a deputy leader of the European People ’ s Party until 2019 .
In a statement published on his website on November 29 after his abrupt resignation from the European Parliament , Szajer said that for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of daily politics has been an increasing emotional burden for me . ''
That statement also said he continued to fully support Orban ’ s policies and his resignation was “ in no way related to the content of the current [ political ] struggles.
” The scandal is seen as particularly embarrassing for the Fidesz party , which campaigns for conservative Christian values and rails against LGBT issues .
Szajer himself was one of the authors of an amendment to the Hungarian Constitution that says marriage is only between a man and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government drafted a change to the constitution that would in effect ban adoption by same-sex couples .
With reporting by Euronews and dpa

A Hungarian ruling party politician who resigned two days ago as a member of the European Parliament (MEP) says he was present at a house party broken up by Brussels police for breaching lockdown rules.
Jozsef Szajer, a senior member of Prime Minister Viktor Orban's ruling conservative Fidesz party, said in a statement on December 1 that he cooperated with police.
The statement refers to a private party in Brussels on November 27. Police stormed the party in a building housing a gay bar. It has been widely described in Belgian news reports as a lockdown sex party that allegedly involved men only and included diplomats and a member of the European Parliament.
"I was present," Szajer said in his statement, making no reference to a "sex party."
A police statement on December 1 said a passerby saw a man "fleeing along a gutter" whose hands were bloody. The statement, which later identified the man as Szajer, said the injury possibly occurred while he was fleeing. It also said "narcotics were found in his backpack" and he was escorted to his home, where he identified himself by presenting his diplomatic passport.
In his statement, published in Hungarian media, the 59-year-old Szajer said police issued an official verbal warning after bringing him home. He said he did not use drugs and referred to an ecstasy pill that he said police said they found in his backpack, saying he had "no knowledge" of it.
Szajer also said he deeply regretted violating restrictions on gatherings put in place to help control the spread of the coronavirus.
“It was irresponsible on my part,” he said, indicating he will accept any fine incurred.
The “misstep” was “strictly personal,” the Hungarian politician added, asking that it not reflect on his years of service or his homeland.
Szajer has been a member of the European Parliament since Hungary joined the European Union in 2014. He was a deputy leader of the European People’s Party until 2019.
In a statement published on his website on November 29 after his abrupt resignation from the European Parliament, Szajer said that for some time “participating in the struggles of daily politics has been an increasing emotional burden for me."
That statement also said he continued to fully support Orban’s policies and his resignation was “in no way related to the content of the current [political] struggles.”
The scandal is seen as particularly embarrassing for the Fidesz party, which campaigns for conservative Christian values and rails against LGBT issues.
Szajer himself was one of the authors of an amendment to the Hungarian Constitution that says marriage is only between a man and a woman.
Last month, the government drafted a change to the constitution that would in effect ban adoption by same-sex couples.
With reporting by Euronews and dpa


rferl--2020-12-01--Alleged Serial Killer Apprehended In Russia's Tatarstan In Deaths Of Elderly Women

KAZAN , Russia -- Police in Kazan have apprehended a man suspected in dozens of killings of elderly women that @ @ @ @ @ ago in and around Russia 's Republic of Tatarstan .
The Investigative Committee said on @ @ @ @ @ suspect identified as Radik Tagirov , who worked as a locksmith in Tatarstan 's capital @ @ @ @ @ 26 elderly women and stealing their belongings between 2011 and 2012 .
According to the @ @ @ @ @ who was convicted for theft in 2009 , was identified by investigators through an analysis @ @ @ @ @ tracks left by the suspect at crime scenes .
The statement also says that the @ @ @ @ @ Tatarstan and 11 neighboring Russian regions .

KAZAN, Russia -- Police in Kazan have apprehended a man suspected in dozens of killings of elderly women that took place nearly 10 years ago in and around Russia's Republic of Tatarstan.
The Investigative Committee said on December 1 that the 38-year-old suspect identified as Radik Tagirov, who worked as a locksmith in Tatarstan's capital, had confessed to killing 26 elderly women and stealing their belongings between 2011 and 2012.
According to the statement, the suspect, who was convicted for theft in 2009, was identified by investigators through an analysis of DNA extracted from biological tracks left by the suspect at crime scenes.
The statement also says that the elderly women were killed in Tatarstan and 11 neighboring Russian regions.


rferl--2020-12-01--Iran Parliament Wants Nuclear Stance Hardened After Scientist Killed

Iranian lawmakers have approved a bill to suspend United Nations inspections of the country 's nuclear facilities and boost its uranium enrichment if the remaining signatories to the 2015 nuclear deal do not provide relief from sanctions .
The parliament , which is led by hard-liners , passed the legislation on December 1 in what was seen a show of defiance days after the killing of a prominent Iranian nuclear scientist .
`` Death to America !
Death to Israel ! ''
lawmakers chanted after passing a draft of the bill , which requires approval by the Guardians Council , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Parliamentary Speaker Mohmmad Baqer Ghalibaf as saying lawmakers were `` hopeful for the removal of sanctions through this stern decision.
” However , government spokesman Ali Rabiei quickly warned that the move would not change Iran 's nuclear policy , describing it as a prerogative of the Supreme National Security Council .
“ Nobody can work on it independently , '' Rabiei said .
The United States unilaterally withdrew from the nuclear agreement between Tehran and world powers in 2018 , and started imposing crippling sanctions on Iran .
In response , Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which scrapped sanctions in return for curbs to the country ’ s nuclear program .
However , inspectors of the UN nuclear watchdog , the International Atomic Energy Agency ( IAEA ) , continue to monitor Iranian nuclear sites as part of the 2015 pact .
The bill requires the Iranian government to suspend IAEA inspections if Western powers that are still signatories to the 2015 nuclear accord -- Britain , France , Germany , China , and Russia -- do not reestablish Iran 's access to world banking and oil markets within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iran to resume enriching uranium to 20 percent purity `` for peaceful uses . ''
Iran currently enriches a growing uranium stockpile up to around 4.5 percent , above the deal ’ s 3.67 percent cap , but below the 20 percent Iran had achieved before and the 90 percent purity considered weapons-grade .
Tehran has always denied pursuing nuclear weapons , saying its nuclear program was strictly for civilian purposes .
The bill was first tabled in parliament in August but gained new momentum after the killing of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's past covert nuclear program , on the outskirts of Tehran on November 27 .
Iranian authorities have blamed the killing on Israel , and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif claimed on Instagram on December 1 that a covert meeting in Neom between Muhammad bin Salman , the crown prince of Israel 's regional foe Saudi Arabia , and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu contributed to the assassination , alleging it was a `` conspiracy . ''
Adel al-Jubeir , the Saudi minister of state for foreign affairs , replied by saying that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kingdom for anything negative that happens in Iran . ''
`` It is not the policy of Saudi Arabia to engage in assassinations , '' he wrote in a separate tweet .
Israeli officials have declined to comment on the killing , and no one has claimed responsibility .
With reporting by AP and Reuters


rferl--2020-12-01--Russian Investigative Committee Denies Probe Into Navalny Interview

Russia 's Investigative Committee has rejected reports saying a probe has been launched into opposition politician Aleksei Navalny 's interview with the Ekho Moskvy radio station .
The committee said on December 1 that media reports about the alleged probe were false and called on news outlets not to distribute unconfirmed reports based on anonymous sources .
The comments came after the official TASS news agency quoted unnamed sources as saying that Moscow investigators alleged Navalny called for the forcible change of Russia 's constitutional order during the April 27 interview with Ekho Moskvy .
`` Due to the statements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probe was launched on November 30 to check if there were elements of calls to conduct extremist activities , '' the source was quoted by TASS as saying .
The Russian Criminal Code lays out a punishment of up to five year in prison for such a crime .
Talking to Ekho Moskvy on April 27 , Navalny criticized the Kremlin for rejecting his team 's proposal to provide Russian families and small businesses with financial support during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic , and said that the authorities in Russia `` must be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force '' for neglecting the needs of citizens .
The program 's anchor then directly pointed to the statements as being merely Navalny 's thoughts , not open calls to overthrow the government , which Navalny confirmed in the aired interview .
Navalny is currently in Germany , where he is recovering after being poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent in Siberia in late August .
Navalny has insisted that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the poisoning attack on him .
The Kremlin has denied any involvement .
On December 1 , Navalny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ launched on Putin 's order to prevent his return to Russia after a full recovery .
In October , the European Union and Britain imposed asset freezes and travel bans against six senior Russian officials and one entity for the `` attempted assassination '' of the outspoken , 44-year-old Kremlin critic .
Last week , Navalny called on the EU to develop a new strategy for its relations with Moscow and impose more sanctions on the Kremlin .


rferl--2020-12-01--Azerbaijani Opposition Activist Gets One Year In Prison

BAKU -- A member of the opposition Azerbaijan Popular Front Party ( AXCP ) , Mahammad Imanli , has been sentenced to one year in prison for breaking coronavirus measures , a charge he rejects as false , calling it politically motivated .
On December 1 , Judge Mirheydar Zeynalov of the Sabuncu district court in Baku found Imanli guilty of failing to comply with coronavirus precautions and `` spreading the disease . ''
Imanli rejected the court 's findings saying he was sentenced `` only because I am a member of the AXCP . ''
A day earlier , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judge to sentence Imanli to 18 months in prison .
Imanli has insisted that a police statement noting he was detained on July 20 was false .
According to him and his lawyers , he was detained on July 16 and kept in a police station for four days , during which time he was interrogated regarding his participation in unsanctioned rallies in Baku in support of the country ’ s armed forces amid an escalation of military tensions with neighboring Armenia .
Imanli is one of almost 50 AXCP members arrested in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Azerbaijani Army .
Investigators have said that , during the unsanctioned rallies in mid-July , AXCP activists clashed with police injuring some of them , upended private vehicles , and damaged parliament .
Many of the activists who were detained were charged with damaging private property , attacking law enforcement officers , and disrupting public order .
Dozens of AXCP members have been arrested , and some imprisoned , in recent years on what their supporters have called trumped-up charges .
Opponents of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev , Western countries , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has persistently persecuted critics , political foes , independent media outlets , and civic activists .
Aliyev denies any rights abuses .
He took power in 2003 shortly before the death of his father , Heydar Aliyev , a former KGB officer and communist-era leader who had ruled Azerbaijan since 1993 .

BAKU -- A member of the opposition Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (AXCP), Mahammad Imanli, has been sentenced to one year in prison for breaking coronavirus measures, a charge he rejects as false, calling it politically motivated.
On December 1, Judge Mirheydar Zeynalov of the Sabuncu district court in Baku found Imanli guilty of failing to comply with coronavirus precautions and "spreading the disease."
Imanli rejected the court's findings saying he was sentenced "only because I am a member of the AXCP."
A day earlier, a prosecutor at the trial asked the judge to sentence Imanli to 18 months in prison.
Imanli has insisted that a police statement noting he was detained on July 20 was false.
According to him and his lawyers, he was detained on July 16 and kept in a police station for four days, during which time he was interrogated regarding his participation in unsanctioned rallies in Baku in support of the country’s armed forces amid an escalation of military tensions with neighboring Armenia.
Imanli is one of almost 50 AXCP members arrested in July after the rallies in support of the Azerbaijani Army.
Investigators have said that, during the unsanctioned rallies in mid-July, AXCP activists clashed with police injuring some of them, upended private vehicles, and damaged parliament.
Many of the activists who were detained were charged with damaging private property, attacking law enforcement officers, and disrupting public order.
Dozens of AXCP members have been arrested, and some imprisoned, in recent years on what their supporters have called trumped-up charges.
Opponents of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Western countries, and international human rights groups say his government has persistently persecuted critics, political foes, independent media outlets, and civic activists.
Aliyev denies any rights abuses. He took power in 2003 shortly before the death of his father, Heydar Aliyev, a former KGB officer and communist-era leader who had ruled Azerbaijan since 1993.


rferl--2020-12-01--Anti-Nazarbaev Banner Appears In Almaty On First President's Day

ALMATY , Kazakhstan -- A large banner denouncing Kazakhstan ’ s first president , Nursultan Nazarbaev , appeared in the Central Asian nation 's largest city , Almaty , on December 1 as the country marks the Day of the First President .
Nazarbaev , who ran the oil-rich former Soviet republic since before the collapse of the Soviet Union announced his decision to step down in March last year , but continues to control the nation 's internal and foreign policies as the lifetime chairman of the powerful Security Council and the leader of the ruling Nur-Otan party .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- leader of the nation .
December 1 has been commemorated as the Day of the First President since 2011 .
The banner that appeared in downtown Almaty said `` 47.3 Billion Tenges For A Man 's Name '' and carried hashtags # qazaqkoktemi ( Kazakh spring ) and # cancelelbasy .
A group called Rukh2k19 ( Rukh means spirit in Kazakh ) wrote on Instagram that its activists placed the 10-meter long banner in Almaty to protest the government ’ s move to rename the capital Nur-Sultan in honor of Nazarbaev after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also renamed all of the main thoroughfares in towns and cities across the nation after him .
The capital previously was known as Astana .
`` By various estimates , more than 47.3 billion tenges ( almost $ 111 million ) have been spent to try to immortalize Nazarbaev 's name .
Today , when he and his entourage mark this holiday , those citizens who do not recognize him as a leader are thinking about ways to stop this cult-of-personality situation , '' the group 's post says .
The group also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , `` the only source of power in the country is its people , '' and `` every citizen of Kazakhstan must have a chance to take part in the nation 's affairs '' as `` freedom of choice and freedom of speech must be respected . ''
`` We also state that in our common home everyone is equal before the law and therefore the Law on the Nation 's Leader must be annulled , '' the protest group said .
The decision to rename Astana to Nur-Sultan just one day after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests in the capital and other cities of the tightly controlled nation .
Nazarbaev 's opponents say he controls the country ’ s current president , his handpicked successor Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev .
Critics and rights groups have accused Nazarbaev of showing no tolerance to dissent , and say he denied many citizens basic rights and prolonged his power in the energy-rich country of 18.7 million by manipulating the democratic process .
Kazakhstan ranks 157th among 180 countries in the 2020 Press Freedom Index compiled by media watchdog Reporters Without Borders ( RSF ) @

ALMATY, Kazakhstan -- A large banner denouncing Kazakhstan’s first president, Nursultan Nazarbaev, appeared in the Central Asian nation's largest city, Almaty, on December 1 as the country marks the Day of the First President.
Nazarbaev, who ran the oil-rich former Soviet republic since before the collapse of the Soviet Union announced his decision to step down in March last year, but continues to control the nation's internal and foreign policies as the lifetime chairman of the powerful Security Council and the leader of the ruling Nur-Otan party. He enjoys almost limitless powers as elbasy -- leader of the nation.
December 1 has been commemorated as the Day of the First President since 2011.
The banner that appeared in downtown Almaty said "47.3 Billion Tenges For A Man's Name" and carried hashtags #qazaqkoktemi (Kazakh spring) and #cancelelbasy.
A group called Rukh2k19 (Rukh means spirit in Kazakh) wrote on Instagram that its activists placed the 10-meter long banner in Almaty to protest the government’s move to rename the capital Nur-Sultan in honor of Nazarbaev after his official resignation last year. They also renamed all of the main thoroughfares in towns and cities across the nation after him. The capital previously was known as Astana.
"By various estimates, more than 47.3 billion tenges (almost $111 million) have been spent to try to immortalize Nazarbaev's name. Today, when he and his entourage mark this holiday, those citizens who do not recognize him as a leader are thinking about ways to stop this cult-of-personality situation," the group's post says.
The group also noted that according to the Kazakh Constitution, "the only source of power in the country is its people," and "every citizen of Kazakhstan must have a chance to take part in the nation's affairs" as "freedom of choice and freedom of speech must be respected."
"We also state that in our common home everyone is equal before the law and therefore the Law on the Nation's Leader must be annulled," the protest group said.
The decision to rename Astana to Nur-Sultan just one day after Nazarbaev announced his resignation last year sparked protests in the capital and other cities of the tightly controlled nation.
Nazarbaev's opponents say he controls the country’s current president, his handpicked successor Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev.
Critics and rights groups have accused Nazarbaev of showing no tolerance to dissent, and say he denied many citizens basic rights and prolonged his power in the energy-rich country of 18.7 million by manipulating the democratic process.
Kazakhstan ranks 157th among 180 countries in the 2020 Press Freedom Index compiled by media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF).


rferl--2020-12-02--Putin Calls On Leaders Of CSTO Member States To Support Armenia's Prime Minister

Russian President Vladimir Putin has called on the leaders of member states of the Collective Security Treaty Organization ( CSTO ) to support Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian , who has been under pressure in Yerevan for signing a Russian-brokered agreement that stopped a war in the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region last month .
Speaking at an online summit of CSTO leaders on December 2 , Putin said Pashinian `` had to make painful but necessary decisions '' to stop the conflict .
`` Everybody at today 's session understands the level of responsibility when such decisions are made .
[ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ task now is to support the prime minister as well as his team in their efforts to establish peace , achieve the implementation of all of the decisions made , and assist people who found themselves in very difficult life situations , '' Putin said .
Pashinian , in turn , called Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh `` a guarantor of security in the region '' and emphasized Putin 's `` exclusive role '' in `` stopping the bloodshed . ''
A day earlier , Azerbaijan completed its reclamation of three districts held by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in accordance with the truce signed on November 9 .
The deal , which also allowed Azerbaijan to keep control of territory in and around Nagorno-Karabakh captured in the 44 days of fighting , halted the worst clashes in the region since the 1990s .
Opposition parties in Armenia have been holding demonstrations in Yerevan for days to condemn Pashinian ’ s handling of the war and demand his resignation .
Based on reporting by TASS and Interfax

Russian President Vladimir Putin has called on the leaders of member states of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) to support Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian, who has been under pressure in Yerevan for signing a Russian-brokered agreement that stopped a war in the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region last month.
Speaking at an online summit of CSTO leaders on December 2, Putin said Pashinian "had to make painful but necessary decisions" to stop the conflict.
"Everybody at today's session understands the level of responsibility when such decisions are made. [Pashinian] took that responsibility and our task now is to support the prime minister as well as his team in their efforts to establish peace, achieve the implementation of all of the decisions made, and assist people who found themselves in very difficult life situations," Putin said.
Pashinian, in turn, called Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh "a guarantor of security in the region" and emphasized Putin's "exclusive role" in "stopping the bloodshed."
A day earlier, Azerbaijan completed its reclamation of three districts held by ethnic Armenian forces for nearly three decades, in accordance with the truce signed on November 9.
The deal, which also allowed Azerbaijan to keep control of territory in and around Nagorno-Karabakh captured in the 44 days of fighting, halted the worst clashes in the region since the 1990s.
Opposition parties in Armenia have been holding demonstrations in Yerevan for days to condemn Pashinian’s handling of the war and demand his resignation.
CSTO members include Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan.
Based on reporting by TASS and Interfax


rferl--2020-12-02--Montenegrin Parliament Opens Debate On New Cabinet

PODGORICA -- Montenegro 's parliament has opened debate on the cabinet of newly appointed Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapic , the first government in three decades that will not be run by President Milo Djukanovic 's Democratic Party of Socialists ( DPS ) .
The session is expected to see a vote on the new government by December 4 .
Krivokapic is heading a coalition cobbled together with the sole goal of dislodging the DPS and Djukanovic from power .
He has said that his pro-Serb cabinet 's priorities are the economy , fighting the coronavirus , and the `` real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Serbia were part of the same country before an independence referendum in 2006 led to Montenegro splitting off to become an independent nation .
Addressing parliament on December 1 , Krivokapic pledged laws that would target corrupt officials and the repeal of those `` tailored to party interests and against the interest of the citizens . ''
Krivokapic also said he would give `` special priority '' to changing the controversial law on religious communities that triggered demonstrations in support of the Serbian Orthodox Church ( SPC ) late last year .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ordered .
Montenegro remains deeply divided among people seeking closer ties with traditional allies Serbia and Russia and those who view Montenegro as an independent state allied with the West .
The coalition ’ s most powerful party is the Democratic Front ( DF ) , which seeks closer ties with Serbia and Russia and is backed by the Serbian Orthodox Church .
Its partners , however , insist that Montenegro , which became a NATO member in 2017 , remain on its pro-Western course .
Krivokapic said the new government would work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Serbia .
“ We will promote a truly good neighborly policy with Belgrade , as well as with everyone in the region , on the principle of sovereignty , independence and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries , ” Krivokapic tweeted on November 29 .

PODGORICA -- Montenegro's parliament has opened debate on the cabinet of newly appointed Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapic, the first government in three decades that will not be run by President Milo Djukanovic's Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS).
The session is expected to see a vote on the new government by December 4.
Krivokapic is heading a coalition cobbled together with the sole goal of dislodging the DPS and Djukanovic from power.
He has said that his pro-Serb cabinet's priorities are the economy, fighting the coronavirus, and the "real rule of law."
Montenegro and Serbia were part of the same country before an independence referendum in 2006 led to Montenegro splitting off to become an independent nation.
Addressing parliament on December 1, Krivokapic pledged laws that would target corrupt officials and the repeal of those "tailored to party interests and against the interest of the citizens."
Krivokapic also said he would give "special priority" to changing the controversial law on religious communities that triggered demonstrations in support of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) late last year. The protests continued even after COVID-19 restrictions were ordered.
Montenegro remains deeply divided among people seeking closer ties with traditional allies Serbia and Russia and those who view Montenegro as an independent state allied with the West.
The coalition’s most powerful party is the Democratic Front (DF), which seeks closer ties with Serbia and Russia and is backed by the Serbian Orthodox Church. Its partners, however, insist that Montenegro, which became a NATO member in 2017, remain on its pro-Western course.
Krivokapic said the new government would work to improve Montenegro’s relations with Serbia.
“We will promote a truly good neighborly policy with Belgrade, as well as with everyone in the region, on the principle of sovereignty, independence and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries,” Krivokapic tweeted on November 29.
With reporting by dpa