rferl--2020-08-08--Belarus Deports Three Current Time Reporters Ahead Of Crucial Election

Belarusian authorities have deported three correspondents from Current Time ahead of a crucial presidential election in the country .
The three reporters -- Iryna Romaliyskaya , Yury Baranyuk , and Ivan Hrebenyuk -- have also been banned from entering Belarus for 10 years .
The journalists were detained August 7 at a hotel in the capital , Minsk , and taken to a nearby police station .
It was not immediately clear why they were detained .
The journalists , who are now in Ukraine , said that they were interrogated at the Minsk police station about their activities in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understood , the reason [ for the detention and subsequent deportation ] was yesterday ’ s broadcast of Current Time , ” Romaliyskaya wrote on Facebook , referring to Current Time ’ s live coverage of a Minsk gathering by supporters of opposition candidate Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya .
Current Time , a Russian-language TV network led by RFE/RL with cooperation from VOA , had applied for accreditation for the reporters weeks prior to traveling to the country .
But the Belarusian Foreign Ministry had not responded to their applications .
Romaliyskaya and Hrebenyuk are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Russian citizen .
`` Our Current Time journalists were detained in the course of professionally carrying out their work covering the Belarusian presidential election , '' Daisy Sindelar , RFE/RL 's acting president , said in a statement .
`` The failure by Belarusian authorities to grant credentials is yet another example of their contempt for the rights of a free press and the right of Belarusians to uncensored information , '' she said .
`` We are outraged by their detention and demand respect for the internationally recognized rights of journalists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Current Time , RFE/RL ’ s Belarus Service has accredited reporters in the country as part of RFE/RL ’ s coverage of the election .
The August 9 election is shaping up to be among the biggest challenges to President Alyaksandr Lukashenka ’ s 26-year rule .
Opposition candidates , including Tsikhanouskaya , have mustered sizable rallies in cities and towns across the country .
Thousands gathered in a Minsk park on August 6 in support of Tsikhanouskaya , with demonstrators later marching through the city ’ s streets clapping and chanting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Go away !
” The latter chant was an apparent reference to Lukashenka .
Authorities have detained several members of Tsikhanouskaya 's campaign team as well as supporters , accusing them of holding unsanctioned rallies .
Two sound engineers , who played a Soviet-era rock song that was popular around the time of the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 at a rally , were detained August 7 by police and charged with minor hooliganism and disobeying police .
They were sentenced to 10 days in jail .

Belarusian authorities have deported three correspondents from Current Time ahead of a crucial presidential election in the country.
The three reporters -- Iryna Romaliyskaya, Yury Baranyuk, and Ivan Hrebenyuk -- have also been banned from entering Belarus for 10 years.
The journalists were detained August 7 at a hotel in the capital, Minsk, and taken to a nearby police station. It was not immediately clear why they were detained.
The journalists, who are now in Ukraine, said that they were interrogated at the Minsk police station about their activities in Belarus.
“As far as I understood, the reason [for the detention and subsequent deportation] was yesterday’s broadcast of Current Time,” Romaliyskaya wrote on Facebook, referring to Current Time’s live coverage of a Minsk gathering by supporters of opposition candidate Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya.
Belarus Votes For President Read our coverage as Belarusian strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka continues his brutal crackdown on NGOs, activists, and independent media following the August 2020 presidential election.
Current Time, a Russian-language TV network led by RFE/RL with cooperation from VOA, had applied for accreditation for the reporters weeks prior to traveling to the country.
But the Belarusian Foreign Ministry had not responded to their applications.
Romaliyskaya and Hrebenyuk are citizens of Ukraine, while Baranyuk is a Russian citizen.
"Our Current Time journalists were detained in the course of professionally carrying out their work covering the Belarusian presidential election," Daisy Sindelar, RFE/RL's acting president, said in a statement.
"The failure by Belarusian authorities to grant credentials is yet another example of their contempt for the rights of a free press and the right of Belarusians to uncensored information," she said. "We are outraged by their detention and demand respect for the internationally recognized rights of journalists to do their work."
Aside from Current Time, RFE/RL’s Belarus Service has accredited reporters in the country as part of RFE/RL’s coverage of the election.
The August 9 election is shaping up to be among the biggest challenges to President Alyaksandr Lukashenka’s 26-year rule.
Opposition candidates, including Tsikhanouskaya, have mustered sizable rallies in cities and towns across the country.
Thousands gathered in a Minsk park on August 6 in support of Tsikhanouskaya, with demonstrators later marching through the city’s streets clapping and chanting "Long live Belarus!" and "Go away!”
The latter chant was an apparent reference to Lukashenka.
Authorities have detained several members of Tsikhanouskaya's campaign team as well as supporters, accusing them of holding unsanctioned rallies.
Two sound engineers, who played a Soviet-era rock song that was popular around the time of the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 at a rally, were detained August 7 by police and charged with minor hooliganism and disobeying police.
They were sentenced to 10 days in jail.


rferl--2020-08-08--Afghan Loya Jirga Meeting To Decide On Release Of Taliban Prisoners

A traditional Afghan council is expected to back a proposal for the government to release a final group of 400 Taliban prisoners , a move that potentially paves the way for intra-Afghan peace talks .
Abdullah Abdullah , the head of the Loya Jirga gathering Afghan politicians and community leaders , said August 8 that all 50 committees of the assembly supported the release of the remaining 400 Taliban prisoners convicted of involvement in high-profile attacks in the country .
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani is expected to make a final decision on the Taliban prisoner release on August 9 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on its third day of meeting .
The release of the prisoners is the last hurdle to opening peace talks between the internationally backed government in Kabul and the Taliban under a peace deal between the militants and the United States .
Abdullah , who is also head of the High Council for National Reconciliation , said that intra-Afghan peace talks can begin three days after a potential prisoner release .
The Loya Jirga committees also asked both sides of the conflict to observe an unconditional cease-fire ahead of intra-Afghan peace talks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the 5,000 pledged in the landmark agreement signed in February by the United States and the Taliban , but authorities have balked at freeing the remaining prisoners demanded by the Taliban .
Ghani has said that he could not release the last batch of Taliban prisoners without the approval of the 3,200 delegates in the Loya Jirga , a traditional gathering of ethnic , religious , and political leaders who decide on matters of national importance .
A survey circulated at the Loya Jirga said the choice was between freeing the Taliban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or refusing and the war would continue .
Among other things , the U.S.-Taliban deal calls on the Taliban to guarantee that Afghanistan will not be used as a staging ground for terrorist attacks on the United States or its allies .
Ahead of the Loya Jirga , U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged attendees to take advantage of a “ historic opportunity ” to reach peace .
`` We acknowledge that the release of these prisoners is unpopular , '' Pompeo said in a statement on August 6 .
`` But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important result long sought by Afghans and Afghanistan 's friends : reduction of violence and direct talks resulting in a peace agreement and an end to the war . ''
Afghan officials have described the remaining prisoners as dangerous .
Of the 400 Taliban prisoners left , around 200 are accused by the Afghan government of masterminding attacks on embassies , public squares , and government offices , killing thousands of civilians in recent years .
The Taliban says it has freed all 1,000 government prisoners it had pledged in the agreement with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demand for the release of the remaining 400 prisoners on its list .
The United States has reportedly proposed the Taliban prisoners be transferred from Afghan jails to a location where they would be under both Taliban and Afghan government surveillance .
Despite the U.S.-Taliban deal , the Taliban attacks since February have killed 3,560 Afghan security personnel , according to the government .
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan ( UNAMA ) has documented more than 1,280 Afghan civilians deaths during the first half of 2020 -- mainly as a result of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ militants .
With reporting by AP and dpa

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


rferl--2020-08-08--U.S. Will Watch Closely For Election Interference, Trump Says After Warning Of Iran, Russia, China A

U.S. Will Watch Closely For Election Interference, Trump Says After Warning Of Iran, Russia, China Activity

U.S. President Donald Trump says his administration will watch closely for possible interference in the November presidential election by Russia , China , and Iran .
But he said he believes the last thing that any of the three countries would want is for him to win .
“ We are going to watch all of them .
We have to be very careful , ” Trump said at a news conference on August 7 in response to a question about the warning earlier in the day from Bill Evanina , director of the National Counterintelligence Security Center .
Evanina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Beijing is hoping that Trump loses his bid for reelection , Moscow is working to weaken Democrat Joe Biden , and Tehran is looking to undermine democratic institutions .
Referring to Russia , the Republican president said , “ I think that the last person Russia wants to see in office is Donald Trump because nobody has been tougher on Russia than I have -- ever.
” The reasons are his push for NATO members to fulfill their defense spending commitments , a buildup of U.S. military spending since he took office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Nord Stream 2 natural-gas pipeline that Russia is building to transport gas to Europe under the Baltic Sea .
Trump said Iran also would love to see him lose , but added , “ If and when we win , we will make deals with Iran very quickly.
” Iran , he said , is “ dying to make deals ” but would much rather make a deal with Biden than Trump .
Trump said China would prefer to see Biden win , and if the former vice president were elected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Trump , touting his attempts to get North Korea to end its nuclear weapons program , also predicted that Pyongyang would make deals “ very quickly ” with the United States if he were reelected .
Evanina ’ s statement was the most specific warning to date about the threat of foreign interference in the U.S. presidential election .
Following the 2016 election , U.S. intelligence and law enforcement officials determined that Russia interfered by mounting a computer hacking and social-media manipulation campaign with the goal of boosting Trump over Democrat Hillary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there were multiple foreign hacker efforts to penetrate voting systems in the 2018 congressional elections in what appeared to be a test run for 2020 .
“ Many foreign actors have a preference for who wins the election , which they express through a range of overt and private statements ; covert influence efforts are rarer , ” said Evanina , as he provided the most recent assessment of threats to the U.S. election .
“ We are primarily concerned about the ongoing and potential activity by China , Russia , and Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Evanina said China views Trump as “ unpredictable ” and does not want to see him win reelection .
“ Although China will continue to weigh the risks and benefits of aggressive action , its public rhetoric over the past few months has grown increasingly critical of the current administration ’ s COVID-19 response , closure of China ’ s Houston consulate , and actions on other issues , ” he said .
He added that Russia is working to “ denigrate ” Biden and what it sees as an anti-Russia “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also links Moscow 's disapproval of Biden to his role in shaping U.S. policy supporting Ukraine and opposing Russian President Vladimir Putin .
Evanina said Iran is seeking to undermine Trump and divide the country before the vote .
`` Iran ’ s efforts along these lines probably will focus on online influence , such as spreading disinformation on social media and recirculating anti-U.S. content , ” Evanina wrote .
“ Tehran ’ s motivation to conduct such activities is , in part , driven by a perception that President Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. pressure on Iran in an effort to foment regime change , ” he said .

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--2020-08-09--Bulgarian Officials Detain Man Accused Of Assaulting RFE/RL Journalist

A man who was filmed assaulting an RFE/RL correspondent at a rally for Bulgaria ’ s ruling GERB party in Sofia has been charged with hooliganism and detained after admitting to being a paid provocateur .
In a statement on August 7 , the Sofia District Prosecutor ’ s Office said the 20-year-old man was being prosecuted for snatching RFE/RL journalist Polina Paunova ’ s phone and throwing it over a fence .
Prosecutors said the unidentified man confessed to the crime and was fully cooperating with police .
Another 22-year-old man who was present during the assault was taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released .
Police have also questioned a 66-year-old who can be seen in the footage insulting Paunova .
The incident occurred at an August 5 GERB party rally attended by Prime Minister Boyko Borisov , who is under pressure from weeks of anti-government protests .
Protesters were also at the GERB party event demanding the resignation of Borisov ‘ s third cabinet and the government 's chief prosecutor , Ivan Geshev .
In a twist to the assault case , prosecutors said the 20-year-old man claimed that “ people involved in organizing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provoked and carried out provocative actions against participants ” at the event held at Sofia Tech Park on August 5 .
The claim that it was anti-government protesters who paid a provocateur , and not a GERB party member roughing up journalists and the opposition , has raised questions over how the government may be trying to spin the narrative .
RFE/RL footage from the event shows GERB party public-relations people escorting an anti-government heckler from the area .
The same public-relations men also tried to stop RFE/RL from filming and were on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man who assaulted RFE/RL correspondent Paunova was also seen on video with GERB party members and its public-relations team .
GERB claims that they do not know the individuals in question and that they were `` paid provocateurs , '' even though they were wearing GERB stickers .
After the rally , the GERB party filed a complaint with the police , alleging that their employee had also been attacked and beaten .

A man who was filmed assaulting an RFE/RL correspondent at a rally for Bulgaria’s ruling GERB party in Sofia has been charged with hooliganism and detained after admitting to being a paid provocateur.
In a statement on August 7, the Sofia District Prosecutor’s Office said the 20-year-old man was being prosecuted for snatching RFE/RL journalist Polina Paunova’s phone and throwing it over a fence.
Prosecutors said the unidentified man confessed to the crime and was fully cooperating with police.
Another 22-year-old man who was present during the assault was taken into custody the same day and later released. Police have also questioned a 66-year-old who can be seen in the footage insulting Paunova.
The incident occurred at an August 5 GERB party rally attended by Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, who is under pressure from weeks of anti-government protests.
Protesters were also at the GERB party event demanding the resignation of Borisov‘s third cabinet and the government's chief prosecutor, Ivan Geshev.
In a twist to the assault case, prosecutors said the 20-year-old man claimed that “people involved in organizing the protests had promised him payment if he provoked and carried out provocative actions against participants” at the event held at Sofia Tech Park on August 5.
The claim that it was anti-government protesters who paid a provocateur, and not a GERB party member roughing up journalists and the opposition, has raised questions over how the government may be trying to spin the narrative.
RFE/RL footage from the event shows GERB party public-relations people escorting an anti-government heckler from the area.
The same public-relations men also tried to stop RFE/RL from filming and were on video harassing other people.
The 20-year-old man who assaulted RFE/RL correspondent Paunova was also seen on video with GERB party members and its public-relations team.
GERB claims that they do not know the individuals in question and that they were "paid provocateurs," even though they were wearing GERB stickers.
After the rally, the GERB party filed a complaint with the police, alleging that their employee had also been attacked and beaten.


rferl--2020-08-09--Iran's President Says Coronavirus Restrictions To Remain Through January 2021

Iranian President Hassan Rohani says a state of emergency imposed in the country because of the coronavirus pandemic will remain @ @ @ @ @ the end of January 2021 .
`` We have been in this situation for six @ @ @ @ @ ourselves for another six months at least , '' Rohani said in a statement published @ @ @ @ @ 9 .
Rohani said any complete easing of public health restrictions is not planned for @ @ @ @ @ find a middle way between normality and sticking to the virus restrictions , '' he @ @ @ @ @ easing its coronavirus restrictions during the past two months , leading many Iranians to pay @ @ @ @ @ and public health regulations .
It has also led to criticism of Rohani , as @ @ @ @ @ surge in case numbers -- with some 200 deaths a day .
All together , @ @ @ @ @ toll of more than 18,000 and more than 320,000 infections .
Based on reporting by @ @ @ @ @ , and dpa

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--2020-08-09--Province In Western Iran Struck By 5.1 Magnitude Earthquake

Reports from Iranian state television say a magnitude 5.1 earthquake struck the province of Kermanshah in western Iran on August @ @ @ @ @ the earthquake was centered in the county of Gilan-e Gharb in the Kermanshah Province .
@ @ @ @ @ about casualties or damage caused by the earthquake .
Based on reporting by Reuters and @ @ @


rferl--2020-08-09--Former Armenian Police Chief Threatens RFE/RL Reporters

Former Armenian Police Chief Vladimir Gasparian on August 8 threatened two RFE/RL Armenian Service ( Azatutyun.am ) journalists and obstructed their work on a report about government plans to dismantle private houses illegally constructed near Lake Sevan .
Gasparian , who served as Armenia ’ s police chief for seven years before being dismissed after the change of government in May 2018 , drove his vehicle in the direction of the two RFE/RL reporters , almost running over them , after seeing that they were filming in the lakeside area where his house is presumably located .
Gasparian threatened the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll shoot you ” and “ I ’ ll slaughter you , ” and , using offensive language , he also demanded that the reporters not show his house in their report .
RFE/RL 's Armenian Service has reported the incident to police .
`` We are horrified at this attack on our Armenian Service reporters , by no less than a former chief of police , '' RFE/RL 's acting President Daisy Sindelar said .
`` The reporters were covering a story of significant public interest when Mr. Gasparian nearly struck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kill them , and forced them to erase their footage , '' Sindelar said .
`` We demand that police investigate the incident , and that Mr. Gasparian be held accountable for endangering journalists who were simply doing their jobs , '' Sindelar said .
The RFE/RL reporters were working on a follow-up story after newly appointed Environment Minister Romanos Petrosian said this week that authorities will formally start the process of dismantling illegal constructions near Lake Sevan on August 10 .
According to media reports , a number of houses belonging to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , are affected by the decision .
Earlier this week , Petrosian ordered the dismantling of a lakeside resort where a party , with a current pro-government lawmaker in attendance , had been held in breach of coronavirus safety rules set by the authorities .
Initially , 130 business facilities will be affected , but a total of 3,800 buildings , including houses , are eventually to be dismantled .
Environmentalists argue that illegal constructions -- both business facilities and private houses -- greatly damage the lake ’ s ecosystem , resulting in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some places during the summer in recent years .
The minister said the demolitions will be a “ long process ” and said only first steps are being taken now , but formally the process will start on August 10 .
An environmental plan for Lake Sevan , which lies at 1,900 meters above sea level , aims to raise its level , and the buildings that are to be demolished lie below the level to which it is to be raised .
Raising the level of the lake , the largest body @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been the stated goal of consecutive Armenian governments .

Former Armenian Police Chief Vladimir Gasparian on August 8 threatened two RFE/RL Armenian Service (Azatutyun.am) journalists and obstructed their work on a report about government plans to dismantle private houses illegally constructed near Lake Sevan.
Gasparian, who served as Armenia’s police chief for seven years before being dismissed after the change of government in May 2018, drove his vehicle in the direction of the two RFE/RL reporters, almost running over them, after seeing that they were filming in the lakeside area where his house is presumably located.
Gasparian threatened the reporters, using phrases like “I’ll shoot you” and “I’ll slaughter you,” and, using offensive language, he also demanded that the reporters not show his house in their report.
RFE/RL's Armenian Service has reported the incident to police.
"We are horrified at this attack on our Armenian Service reporters, by no less than a former chief of police," RFE/RL's acting President Daisy Sindelar said.
"The reporters were covering a story of significant public interest when Mr. Gasparian nearly struck them with his vehicle, threatened to kill them, and forced them to erase their footage," Sindelar said.
"We demand that police investigate the incident, and that Mr. Gasparian be held accountable for endangering journalists who were simply doing their jobs," Sindelar said.
The RFE/RL reporters were working on a follow-up story after newly appointed Environment Minister Romanos Petrosian said this week that authorities will formally start the process of dismantling illegal constructions near Lake Sevan on August 10.
According to media reports, a number of houses belonging to several former high-ranking officials, including Gasparian, are affected by the decision.
Earlier this week, Petrosian ordered the dismantling of a lakeside resort where a party, with a current pro-government lawmaker in attendance, had been held in breach of coronavirus safety rules set by the authorities.
Initially, 130 business facilities will be affected, but a total of 3,800 buildings, including houses, are eventually to be dismantled.
Environmentalists argue that illegal constructions -- both business facilities and private houses -- greatly damage the lake’s ecosystem, resulting in its usually blue water turning green at some places during the summer in recent years.
The minister said the demolitions will be a “long process” and said only first steps are being taken now, but formally the process will start on August 10.
An environmental plan for Lake Sevan, which lies at 1,900 meters above sea level, aims to raise its level, and the buildings that are to be demolished lie below the level to which it is to be raised.
Raising the level of the lake, the largest body of fresh water in Armenia, has been the stated goal of consecutive Armenian governments.
With reporting by Robert Zargarian


rferl--2020-08-09--Defense Chief Says U.S. Will Cut Troops In Afghanistan Below 5,000

U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper says the United States is planning to cut back its troop levels in Afghanistan @ @ @ @ @ than 5,000 '' by the end of November .
Esper made the remark in an @ @ @ @ @ was broadcast on August 8 .
His remarks add detail to troop reduction plans that @ @ @ @ @ earlier in the week .
The United States currently has about 8,600 troops in Afghanistan @ @ @ @ @ interview released on August 3 by Axios that the United States planned to lower that @ @ @ @ @ Based on reporting by Reuters , Fox News , and Axios


rferl--2020-08-09--Afghan President Says He'll Release Taliban On Advice Of Loya Jirga

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said on August 9 that he will approve the release of 400 jailed Taliban militants in the final part of a prisoner swap meant to clear the way for the start of intra-Afghan peace talks with the Taliban .
Ghani announced his intention to release the militants , many who have been convicted for deadly attacks on Afghans and foreigners , shortly after the move was recommended by 3,400 prominent Afghans at a three-day Loya Jirga in Kabul .
“ Today I will sign a decree that I wouldn ’ t be able to sign in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my authority , '' Ghani told the Loya Jirga after its August 9 vote on the resolution .
`` Now , based on your consensus and your moral decision , I will sign the decree on releasing the 400 prisoners and release them . ''
The head of the Loya Jirga , Abdullah Abdullah , said the Loya Jirga 's August 9 resolution removed the last remaining obstacle to the beginning of talks between the Afghan government and Taliban representatives under the format of intra-Afghan talks .
Afghanistan 's former president , Hamid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Loya Jirga , said on August 9 that he expects an Afghan team to start negotiating with the Taliban within two or three days of the prisoners ' release .
The Afghan delegation is to be led by the former head of Afghanistan 's National Directorate of Security , Masoom Stanakzai .
The delegation will include Afghan politicians , former officials , and representatives of civil society .
Kabul has previously said that five members of the delegation would be women .
Abdullah , who is also head of the High Council for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first round of the talks would begin in Qatar 's capital , Doha , where the Taliban maintains a political office .
There was no immediate comment from Taliban on the Loya Jirga 's August 9 recommendation to release the 400 Taliban prisoners .
The resolution recommending the release of the Taliban prisoners was passed at the end of the three-day Loya Jirga in Kabul -- a traditional meeting of Afghan tribal elders and other stakeholders convened to decide on controversial national issues .
President Ghani had called for the gathering , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authority under Afghanistan 's constitution to release the 400 prisoners from Afghan jails as part of a prisoner swap because they 'd committed violent crimes .
`` In order to remove the hurdles for the start of peace talks , stopping bloodshed , and for the good of the public , the Loya Jirga approves the release of 400 prisoners as demanded by the Taliban , '' Loya Jirga member Atefa Tayeb announced at the gathering in Kabul on August 9 .
Both the Afghan government and the Taliban have committed to completing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can begin .
Ghani was expected to make a final decision on the basis of the Loya Jirga 's recommendation .
Abdullah Abdullah , the head of the Loya Jirga , said on August 8 that all 50 committees of the assembly had supported the release of the prisoners , who have been convicted of involvement in high-profile attacks in the country .
The release of the prisoners is the last hurdle to opening peace talks between the internationally backed government in Kabul and the Taliban under a peace deal between the militants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who is also head of the High Council for National Reconciliation , said that intra-Afghan peace talks can begin three days after a potential prisoner release .
The Loya Jirga committees also asked both sides of the conflict to observe an unconditional cease-fire ahead of intra-Afghan peace talks .
Kabul has already released 4,600 Taliban inmates out of the 5,000 pledged in a landmark agreement signed in February by the United States and the Taliban , but authorities have balked at freeing the remaining prisoners demanded by the Taliban .
Afghan officials have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ About 200 of them are accused by the Afghan government of masterminding attacks on embassies , public squares , and government offices , killing thousands of civilians in recent years .
The Taliban says it has freed all 1,000 government prisoners it had pledged in the agreement with the United States and insists on its demand for the release of the remaining 400 prisoners on its list .
In addition to a gradual withdrawal of U.S. and coalition troops the U.S.-Taliban deal calls on the Taliban to guarantee that Afghanistan will not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacks on the United States or its allies .
U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said in an interview on August 8 that the United States plans to cut its troop levels in Afghanistan to `` a number less than 5,000 '' by the end of November .
Esper ’ s comments on Fox News came after President Donald Trump said earlier in the week that the United States first plans to reduce the existing 8,600 U.S. troops in Afghanistan to 8,000 “ in a very short period.
” He said the number would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S.-Taliban deal , Taliban attacks since February have killed 3,560 Afghan security personnel , according to the government .
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan ( UNAMA ) has documented more than 1,280 Afghan civilian deaths during the first half of 2020 -- mainly as a result of fighting between Afghan government forces and Taliban militants .
With reporting by AP , dpa , Fox News , and Axios


rferl--2020-08-09--Belarusian Election Officials Declare Presidential Vote Valid

MINSK -- The Central Election Commission in Belarus has declared the country 's August 9 presidential election as valid , announcing at 2 p.m. local time that more than 65 percent of eligible voters had cast ballots in a race where incumbent Alyaksandr Lukashenka is seeking a sixth term .
The election commission had announced just before polling stations opened on August 9 that about 40 percent of the 6.8 million eligible voters had cast ballots during early voting that started on August 4 .
Independent observers , however , expressed doubts about that turnout figure for early voting .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ been long lines of voters outside of polling stations , with people wearing white bracelets to show solidarity with opposition candidate Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya -- who had told her supporters to wear the bracelets as a symbol of `` honesty and purity . ''
Several voters told RFE/RL that they had never taken part in an election in the country before but had turned out to cast a ballot on August 9 because they want and expect changes .
As she cast her ballot on August 9 , Tsikhanouskaya demanded that the official election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of fraud that boosts the support for Lukashenka .
`` I really want the election to be honest , because if the authorities have nothing to fear , if all the people are for [ Lukashenka ] , then we will agree with [ the results ] , '' Tsikhanouskaya said .
RFE/RL correspondents also have reported long lines of voters waiting outside the Belarusian embassies in Moscow and Kyiv , where polling stations have been set up for Belarusian voters in Russia and Ukraine .
Lukashenka said after casting his vote in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nor the government will allow Belarus to slip into `` chaos '' or `` civil war '' after the results of the election are announced .
`` No , [ the situation ] will not get out of control , '' Lukashenka told reporters .
`` No one will let anything out [ of control ] , I guarantee that .
This is the main task of the current government , not only the president . ''
Lukashenka also said that security officials in the country are considering `` various options '' over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The election follows a campaign marked by the arrest of more than 1,000 opposition supporters , the barring of several potential challengers , claims of a Russian plot to sow instability , and the rise of an unheralded candidate who analysts say poses the greatest challenge to the 65-year-old authoritarian leader since his rise to power in 1994 .
Four challengers are on the ballot , but attention has focused on Tsikhanouskaya , who was a last-minute replacement after husband , Syarhey Tsikhanouski , a popular vlogger who urged Belarusians to squash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slippers , was barred from running following his controversial arrest in late May .
Polls opened at 8 a.m. local time , and close 12 hours later at 8 p.m. local time .
First preliminary results are due early August 10 .
Just hours after polling stations opened , correspondents reported that authorities in Minsk had apparently blocked access to the Internet and social-media platforms in central Minsk -- with Facebook , Messenger , YouTube , Instagram , WhatsApp , and Viber all experiencing outages via mobile Internet connections .
Two grassroots election-monitoring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported election day blockages .
Roman Vasyukovich , a correspondent providing reports for Current Time TV ’ s live election day program from Minsk , says Internet blockages also were making it difficult for independent media to report about voting irregularities they have documented .
“ The connection is getting worse every minute , I mean the Internet ” Vasyukovich said several hours after polling stations had opened on August 9 .
“ It ’ s very difficult to go live or to send videos .
News websites and telegram channels are being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lukashenka ’ s popularity apparently waning .
The country has suffered one of the highest per capita infection rates from the coronavirus .
Many Belarusians have blamed Lukashenka , who ignored calls to impose social-distancing measures , dismissing COVID-19 as “ mass psychosis ” that could be treated with a shot of vodka , a ride on a tractor , or a trip to a sauna .
The World Bank predicts Belarus ’ s economy will contract 4 percent this year , the biggest drop in 25 years .
The vote also comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia have worsened since December 2019 when Lukashenka pulled out at the last moment from plans for deeper integration with Russia under their 1999 Union Treaty .
Since then , Moscow has limited energy supplies to Minsk , which is dependent on discounted Russian gas and oil to run its inefficient , largely state-dominated economy .
As in the past when relations with Russia soured , Lukashenka has turned to the West .
In a sign of a thaw , U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in February became the most senior U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two decades .
In March , a first-ever shipment of U.S. oil was delivered to Belarus .
In April , the United States nominated its first ambassador to Belarus in more than a decade .
Tsikhanouskaya , who has teamed up with two prominent women from the campaigns of rejected candidates , has attracted huge crowds at rallies across the Eastern European country of 9.5 million .
The 37-year-old Tsikhanouskaya , an English translator who moved her children abroad after receiving threats , has vowed to rerun the election with all the barred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I see how many people come to our rallies and how many have wanted to come but just could n't , or those who come whether I take part in it or not , ” Tsikhanouskaya said in a recent interview with Current Time , a Russian-language network led by RFE/RL in cooperation with VOA .
“ It 's a clear sign that people want change .
People have woken up .
They no longer want to live in fear and humiliation .
They want to feel that they are citizens of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ realize there are people behind me , around me , and ahead of me , ” Lukashenka has dismissed Tsikhanouskaya and her two high-profile female campaigners as “ poor things ” and said Belarus was not ready to elect a woman as president .
Tsikhanouskaya 's campaign chief was detained on August 8 just 24 hours before the election .
Tsikhanouskaya ’ s spokeswoman told RFE/RL that campaign chief Maryya Maroz was detained and would go before a court on August 10 .
Separately , the Minsk-based Vyasna ( Spring ) human rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harassment and intimidation at polling stations , as well as the detention of independent election observers during early voting .
Lukashenka has suggested those opposed to him are “ puppets ” controlled by foreign masters bent on bringing instability to the country .
In an address to parliament on August 4 , he played up fears of a “ color revolution ” backed by Moscow and hostile powers in the West .
Without directly naming Russia , he repeated accusations that Moscow had sent mercenaries to destabilize the country .
“ They ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of color revolution against us , ” he said , a term that normally refers to earlier uprisings in Georgia , Ukraine , and Kyrgyzstan .
“ It won ’ t work.
” Belarus announced on July 29 that 33 members of the Russian private military contractor Vagner had been detained near Minsk and accused them of a vague plot to incite “ instability ” around the vote .
On July 30 , all the presidential candidates were called in for a meeting with Belarusian security officials , who warned them of potential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures at campaign rallies .
Belarusian officials also linked some opposition leaders , including Tsikhanouskaya ’ s husband , of unspecified links with the mercenaries .
Later that day , Tsikhanouskaya held a rally in Minsk , drawing an estimated crowd of 63,000 , the largest of the campaign .
“ I am not a politician , and I do not need power , ” she said .
“ But my husband is behind bars .
I had to hide my children for their safety .
I sacrificed a peaceful life for all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tired of being patient .
I ’ m tired of being silent .
I ’ m tired of being afraid.
” Lukashenka has hinted he would be ready to use the armed forces to stay in power .
On June 23 , he called on the military to suppress civil unrest and “ protect sovereignty ” from “ hybrid threats.
” With more than 1,000 people -- including bloggers , journalists , and activists -- arrested since the presidential campaign in May , Amnesty International has accused the Lukashenka government of a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the vote .
“ There is no safe environment for political debate in Belarus , and there is a growing crackdown on human rights in the context of the forthcoming election , ” said Marie Struthers , Amnesty International ’ s Eastern Europe and Central Asia Director .
“ The wave of activism currently taking place in Belarus is unlike anything the authorities have faced for years , and they have responded by brutally crushing peaceful protests and dissent and punishing opposition leaders.
” The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it would not send observers because they had not received a formal invitation .
It is the first time the OSCE is not monitoring a nationwide vote in Belarus since 2001 .
“ We deeply regret that the OSCE will not have the opportunity to send observers to see this election , ” George Kent , who serves as U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state overseeing policy toward Belarus , told RFE/RL in an interview on July 30 .
The Commonwealth of Independent States ( CIS ) , a Russian-led grouping of former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the polls .
In the past , CIS observers have largely approved votes in Belarus , unlike Western and international observers who have deemed no election under Lukashenka free or fair .
Belarus will have its own monitors as well -- more than 48,000 of them , according to Vyasna .
Most are from state-run or state-controlled bodies .
But a few dozen independent observers , including 47 from the Belarusian Helsinki Committee , have been allowed to monitor polling stations .
Voting in the election actually began on August 4 .
Early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and other state employees is encouraged -- sometimes enforced .
Critics says it allows more time to tamper with ballots cast and manipulate the outcome .
According to Vyasna , some independent monitors have been blocked and at least 11 reportedly detained since early voting began .
With reporting by Current Time , RFE/RL 's Belarus Service , Tony Wesolowsky , Reuters , and AFP

MINSK – Belarusian security forces violently dispersed protests in Minsk and other cities after early results from the country’s presidential election gave incumbent President Alyaksandr Lukashenka a commanding lead.
Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the main opposition candidate who drew tens of thousands of people to her rallies during the campaign, refused to recognize the unofficial result after polls closed in the August 9 vote.
The Belarusian Central Election Commission announced preliminary results on August 10, saying Lukashenka got 80.23 percent of the vote, while Tsikhanouskaya received 9.9 percent.
Thousands of her supporters took to the streets to express their dissatisfaction and were eventually dispersed by police dressed in riot gear who used rubber bullets, water cannons, and tear gas.
The total number of protesters in Minsk was difficult to estimate because they were scattered throughout the city, RFE/RL’s Belarus Service said.
In violent scenes posted on Twitter by the independent news outlet Tut.by, police officers were seen beating protesters with truncheons. People can be heard shouting, “This is our country!” as drivers flashed their car lights and honked their horns.
After breaking up the big crowds, police chased smaller groups of protesters through downtown Minsk for several hours, the Associated Press reported.
In Brest, where law enforcement officers used tear gas and stun grenades, protesters gradually dispersed to a crowd of 200-300 from an estimated total of 5,000, according to Novaya gazeta.
The Minsk-based Vyasna (Spring) human rights group said 126 people were detained across the country, including 55 in Minsk. Vyasna also said two of the detainees were injured. Among the people detained were 16 journalists and 40 observers, it said.
State news agency Belta said early on August 10 that police had taken control of the situation "at unsanctioned mass events," citing the Interior Ministry.
In an appeal read live over the phone on Current Time by her associate, Maryya Kalesnikava, Tsikhanouskaya called on both the security forces and Belarusian citizens to refrain from violence.
"I ask everyone who is now making decisions, and above all the commanders of special forces: Do not use force against civilians," she said.
"I ask the police and the troops to remember that they are part of the people. Once again, I ask the voters: no provocation, no need to give a reason to use violence against you.
"Please stop the violence.... Officers, I know you can do this."
Early on August 10, an Interior Ministry spokeswoman told RFE/RL that the unauthorized rallies were "not over yet," so she could not count the detainees.
“What has happened is awful,” Tsikhanouskaya told a news conference, saying she did not recognize the results of the exit poll.
"I believe my eyes, and I see that the majority is with us," Tsikhanouskaya said from her headquarters.
Throughout election day, police and soldiers were transported into Minsk, where they cordoned off the city and took positions at strategic sites in anticipation of unrest. Public transportation was also limited in Minsk in an apparent attempt by authorities to prevent protests, and there was almost no access to social-media networks from early in the day.
Internet freedom monitor NetBlocks reported Internet connectivity had been disrupted across the country since early morning. The disruption affected access to the Internet and social-media platforms -- with Facebook, Messenger, YouTube, Instagram, WhatsApp, Telegram, and Viber all experiencing disruptions. Two grassroots election-monitoring websites also were inaccessible.
Earlier in the day, voters formed long lines at polling booths across the Eastern European country and at embassies abroad.
RFE/RL's Belarus Service reported that many people lining up at the polls wore white bracelets signaling support for the opposition. Social-media users also posted pictures of voters wearing white bracelets lining up at Belarusian embassies, including in Moscow, Berlin, and London.
According to an exit poll conducted at 21 Belarusian diplomatic posts, Tsikhanouskaya garnered 81.5 percent of the vote compared to about 6 percent for Lukashenka.
WATCH: Troops Deployed In Belarus As Exit Poll Says President Wins Election By Landslide
Several voters told RFE/RL that they had never taken part in an election in the country before but had turned out to cast a ballot on August 9 because they want and expect change.
Tsikhanouskaya -- who had told her supporters to wear the bracelets as a symbol of "honesty and purity" -- had earlier cast her ballot and demanded election results free of fraud.
"I really want the election to be honest, because if the authorities have nothing to fear, if all the people are for [Lukashenka], then we will agree with [the results]," Tsikhanouskaya said.
Tsikhanouskaya, who has teamed up with two prominent women from the campaigns of rejected presidential candidates, has drawn huge rallies with a simple electoral promise to free all political prisoners and rerun a free and fair election.
"It's a clear sign that people want change. People have woken up. They no longer want to live in fear and humiliation. They want to feel that they are citizens of their country. It's inspiring. I realize there are people behind me, around me, and ahead of me," Tsikhanouskaya said in a recent interview with Current Time, the Russian-language network led by RFE/RL in cooperation with VOA.
Now that the election is over, there is mounting concern that an embattled Lukashenka will follow through on threats to use force on any postelection dissent.
The election follows a campaign marked by the arrest of more than 1,000 opposition supporters, the barring of several potential challengers, claims of a Russian plot to sow instability, and the rise of an unheralded candidate in the form of the 37-year-old Tsikhanouskaya.
Lukashenka said after casting his vote in Minsk that neither he nor the government will allow Belarus to slip into "chaos" or "civil war" after the results of the election are announced.
Lukashenka also said that security officials in the country are considering "various options" over the possibility of unrest over the results.
Four challengers were on the ballot, but attention focused on Tsikhanouskaya, who was a last-minute replacement after husband, Syarhey Tsikhanouski, a popular vlogger who urged Belarusians to squash the "cockroach" Lukashenka with their slippers, was barred from running following his controversial arrest in late May.
The election comes with Lukashenka's popularity apparently waning under a slumping economy and the country’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The vote also comes as relations between Belarus and traditional ally Russia have worsened since December 2019 when Lukashenka pulled out at the last moment from plans for deeper integration with Russia under their 1999 Union Treaty. Since then, Moscow has limited energy supplies to Minsk, which is dependent on discounted Russian gas and oil to run its inefficient, largely state-dominated economy.
As in the past when relations with Russia soured, Lukashenka has fostered closer ties with both the United States and Europe in recent years. But that rapprochement could be undermined by a crackdown on the opposition and potential massive electoral fraud.
Lukashenka has suggested those opposed to him are "puppets" controlled by foreign masters bent on bringing instability to the country. In an address to parliament on August 4, he played up fears of a "color revolution" backed by Moscow and hostile powers in the West.
"They've decided to try out new forms of color revolution against us," he said, a term that normally refers to earlier uprisings in Georgia, Ukraine, and Kyrgyzstan. "It won't work."
Belarus announced on July 29 that 33 members of the Russian private military contractor Vagner had been detained near Minsk and accused them of a vague plot to incite "instability" around the vote. Belarusian officials also linked some opposition leaders, including Tsikhanouskaya's husband, of unspecified links with the mercenaries.
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) announced in July that it would not send observers because they had not received a formal invitation. It is the first time the OSCE is not monitoring a nationwide vote in Belarus since 2001.
The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), a Russian-led grouping of former Soviet republics, had observers at the polls. In the past, CIS observers have largely approved votes in Belarus, unlike Western and international observers who have never deemed any election under Lukashenka as free or fair.
Belarus has more than 48,000 of its own monitors but most are from state-run or state-controlled bodies.
But a few dozen independent observers, including 47 from the Belarusian Helsinki Committee, were allowed to monitor polling stations. An opposition initiative called Honest People also fielded vote monitors.
Meanwhile, the Voice platform, which called on voters to send photos of completed ballots for the presidential election, had counted over 1 million registered users who promised to help keep track of the vote. However, with the Internet disrupted it is unclear how the platform functioned.
With reporting by Current Time, RFE/RL's Belarus Service, Tony Wesolowsky, Reuters, and AFP


rferl--2020-08-09--Belarus Police Fire Tear Gas, Water Cannons To Disperse Election Protests

Belarusian security forces clashed with protesters in Minsk and other cities after an early exit poll gave incumbent President Alyaksandr Lukashenka a commanding lead in the country ’ s presidential election that the main opposition candidate refused to recognize .
Belarusian state TV reported that an official exit poll showed Lukashenka with 79.7 percent of the vote in the August 9 contest .
It estimated top challenger Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya , who had drawn huge crowds to rallies across the country , received 6.8 percent .
Thousands of protesters took to the streets in Minsk , including near the obelisk , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police fired rubber bullets , water cannon and tear gas in several parts of Minsk .
In violence scenes posted on Twitter by the independent news outlet Tut.by , police officers were seen beating protesters with truncheons and a police van is seen knocking down a protester .
People can be heard shouting “ This is our country ” as drivers flashed their car lights and honked their horns .
In Brest , where law enforcement officers used tear gas and stun grenades , protesters gradually dispersed to a crowd of 200-300 from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Novaya Gazeta .
There were initial reports of multiple arrests .
The Minsk-based Vyasna ( Spring ) human rights group said 126 people were detained across the country , including 55 in Minsk .
Vyasna also said two of the detainees were injured .
Among the people detained were 16 journalists and 40 observers , it said .
State news agency Belta said early on August 10 that police had taken control of the situation `` at unsanctioned mass events , '' citing the Interior Ministry .
Tsikhanouskaya told a news conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she did not recognize the results .
`` I believe my eyes , and I see that the majority is with us , '' Tsikhanouskaya said from her headquarters .
Throughout election day , police and soldiers were transported into Minsk , where they cordoned off the city and took positions at strategic sites in anticipation of unrest .
Public transportation was also limited in Minsk in an apparent attempt by authorities to prevent protests .
Internet freedom monitor NetBlocks reported Internet connectivity had been disrupted across the country since early morning .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and social-media platforms -- with Facebook , Messenger , YouTube , Instagram , WhatsApp , Telegram , and Viber all experiencing disruptions .
Two grassroots election-monitoring websites also were inaccessible .
Earlier in the day , voters formed long lines at polling booths across the Eastern European country and at embassies abroad .
RFE/RL 's Belarus Service reported that many people lining up at the polls wore white bracelets signaling support for the opposition .
Social-media users also posted pictures of voters wearing white bracelets lining up at Belarusian embassies , including in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to an exit poll conducted at 21 Belarusian diplomatic posts , Tsikhanouskaya garnered 81.5 percent of the vote compared to about 6 percent for Lukashenka .
WATCH : Troops Deployed In Belarus As Exit Poll Says President Wins Election By Landslide Several voters told RFE/RL that they had never taken part in an election in the country before but had turned out to cast a ballot on August 9 because they want and expect changes .
Tsikhanouskaya -- who had told her supporters to wear the bracelets as a symbol of `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cast her ballot and demanded election results free of fraud .
`` I really want the election to be honest , because if the authorities have nothing to fear , if all the people are for [ Lukashenka ] , then we will agree with [ the results ] , '' Tsikhanouskaya said .
Tsikhanouskaya , who has teamed up with two prominent women from the campaigns of rejected presidential candidates , has drawn huge rallies with a simple electoral promise to free all political prisoners and rerun a free and fair election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that people want change .
People have woken up .
They no longer want to live in fear and humiliation .
They want to feel that they are citizens of their country .
It 's inspiring .
I realize there are people behind me , around me , and ahead of me , '' Tsikhanouskaya said in a recent interview with Current Time .
Now that the election is over , there is mounting concern that an embattled Lukashenka will follow through on threats to use force on any postelection dissent .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrest of more than 1,000 opposition supporters , the barring of several potential challengers , claims of a Russian plot to sow instability , and the rise of an unheralded candidate in the form of the 37-year-old Tsikhanouskaya .
Lukashenka said after casting his vote in Minsk that neither he nor the government will allow Belarus to slip into `` chaos '' or `` civil war '' after the results of the election are announced .
Lukashenka also said that security officials in the country are considering `` various options '' over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Four challengers were on the ballot , but attention has focused on Tsikhanouskaya , who was a last-minute replacement after husband , Syarhey Tsikhanouski , a popular vlogger who urged Belarusians to squash the `` cockroach '' Lukashenka with their slippers , was barred from running following his controversial arrest in late May .
The election comes with Lukashenka 's popularity apparently waning under a slumping economy and the country ’ s response to the coronavirus pandemic .
The vote also comes as relations between Belarus and traditional ally Russia have worsened since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the last moment from plans for deeper integration with Russia under their 1999 Union Treaty .
Since then , Moscow has limited energy supplies to Minsk , which is dependent on discounted Russian gas and oil to run its inefficient , largely state-dominated economy .
As in the past when relations with Russia soured , Lukashenka has fostered closer ties with both the United States and Europe in recent years .
But that rapprochement could be undermined by a crackdown on the opposition and potential massive electoral fraud .
Lukashenka has suggested those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ controlled by foreign masters bent on bringing instability to the country .
In an address to parliament on August 4 , he played up fears of a `` color revolution '' backed by Moscow and hostile powers in the West .
`` They 've decided to try out new forms of color revolution against us , '' he said , a term that normally refers to earlier uprisings in Georgia , Ukraine , and Kyrgyzstan .
`` It wo n't work . ''
Belarus announced on July 29 that 33 members of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ detained near Minsk and accused them of a vague plot to incite `` instability '' around the vote .
Belarusian officials also linked some opposition leaders , including Tsikhanouskaya 's husband , of unspecified links with the mercenaries .
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe ( OSCE ) announced in July that it would not send observers because they had not received a formal invitation .
It is the first time the OSCE is not monitoring a nationwide vote in Belarus since 2001 .
The Commonwealth of Independent States ( CIS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Soviet republics , had observers at the polls .
In the past , CIS observers have largely approved votes in Belarus , unlike Western and international observers who have never deemed any election under Lukashenka as free or fair .
Belarus has more than 48,000 of its own monitors but most are from state-run or state-controlled bodies .
But a few dozen independent observers , including 47 from the Belarusian Helsinki Committee , were allowed to monitor polling stations .
An opposition initiative called Honest People also fielded vote monitors .
Meanwhile , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters to send photos of completed ballots for the presidential election , had counted over 1 million registered users who promised to help keep track of the vote .
However , with the Internet disrupted it is unclear how the platform functioned .
The Minsk-based Vyasna ( Spring ) human rights group reported dozens of cases of police harassment and intimidation at polling stations , as well as the detention of independent election observers during early voting that began on August 4 .
With reporting by Current Time , RFE/RL 's Belarus Service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AFP


rferl--2020-08-10--Russia Holds 133 Ukrainians On Politically Motivated Charges, Ombudswoman Says

KYIV -- Ukrainian Ombudswoman Lyudmyla Denisova says Russia is currently holding 133 Ukrainian citizens on politically motivated charges , including 97 Crimean Tatars .
In an August 10 post on Telegram , Denisova said 112 Ukrainian citizens `` are being illegally held on the territory of the Russian Federation and temporarily occupied Crimea , while restriction of movement has been imposed on the rest , and they have to permanently stay in the places of their residence . ''
Denisova also said 62 wives of the jailed men remain in Ukraine 's Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula .
She said they need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receive an education in their native languages .
She also said 11 children urgently required medical assistance .
`` I call on President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to do everything possible to [ secure the ] release [ of ] Ukrainian political prisoners [ in Russian custody ] and ask the Ukrainian government to secure proper social protection for their families , '' Denisova wrote .
Rights groups and Western governments have denounced what they describe as a campaign of repression by the Moscow-imposed authorities in Crimea .
The Russian-installed officials have been targeting members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others who have spoken out against Russia 's military occupation and illegal annexation of the region .
In its annual report on religious freedom worldwide , released in April 2019 , the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom said Russian-installed authorities in the occupied region `` continued to kidnap , torture , and imprison Crimean Tatar Muslims at will . ''
Russia seized control of Crimea from Ukraine in March 2014 after sending in troops , capturing key facilities , and hastily staging a referendum that has been dismissed by more than 100 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also supports pro-Russian separatists in a war against Ukrainian government forces that has killed some 13,200 people in eastern Ukraine since April 2014 .

KYIV -- Ukrainian Ombudswoman Lyudmyla Denisova says Russia is currently holding 133 Ukrainian citizens on politically motivated charges, including 97 Crimean Tatars.
In an August 10 post on Telegram, Denisova said 112 Ukrainian citizens "are being illegally held on the territory of the Russian Federation and temporarily occupied Crimea, while restriction of movement has been imposed on the rest, and they have to permanently stay in the places of their residence."
Denisova also said 62 wives of the jailed men remain in Ukraine's Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula. She said they need Ukraine's support for their children to receive an education in their native languages. She also said 11 children urgently required medical assistance.
"I call on President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to do everything possible to [secure the] release [of] Ukrainian political prisoners [in Russian custody] and ask the Ukrainian government to secure proper social protection for their families," Denisova wrote.
Rights groups and Western governments have denounced what they describe as a campaign of repression by the Moscow-imposed authorities in Crimea.
The Russian-installed officials have been targeting members of the Turkic-speaking Crimean Tatar community and others who have spoken out against Russia's military occupation and illegal annexation of the region.
In its annual report on religious freedom worldwide, released in April 2019, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom said Russian-installed authorities in the occupied region "continued to kidnap, torture, and imprison Crimean Tatar Muslims at will."
Russia seized control of Crimea from Ukraine in March 2014 after sending in troops, capturing key facilities, and hastily staging a referendum that has been dismissed by more than 100 countries as bogus and illegal.
Moscow also supports pro-Russian separatists in a war against Ukrainian government forces that has killed some 13,200 people in eastern Ukraine since April 2014.


rferl--2020-08-10--Kyrgyzstan Detains Uzbek Journalist At Tashkent's Request

The Kyrgyz State Committee for National Security ( UKMK ) said on August 10 that Abdullaev is wanted in his native Uzbekistan for unspecified crimes , adding that his possible extradition is under discussion .
Abdullaev ’ s lawyer , Timur Karabaev , said earlier that his client , who is a temporary resident in an EU member-state , had been in Kyrgyzstan since February .
Abdullaev studied for four months at the American University of Central Asia in Bishkek and has been stuck in the country due to coronavirus restrictions , Karabaev said .
Abdullaev was under the focus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after he and three other men were arrested in 2017 in Tashkent and charged with calling for the change of Uzbekistan 's constitutional order by force .
The charges against Abdullaev and his co-defendants at the time stemmed from a series of articles under the byline Usman Haqnazarov , which was apparently being used by more than one person .
Abdullaev denied guilt , saying that he was doing his job as a journalist .
In May 2018 , Abdullaev was convicted of anti-government propaganda , but was cleared of the more serious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was released .

BISHKEK -- Kyrgyzstan has detained well-known Uzbek journalist Bobomurod Abdullaev at Tashkent's request.
The Kyrgyz State Committee for National Security (UKMK) said on August 10 that Abdullaev is wanted in his native Uzbekistan for unspecified crimes, adding that his possible extradition is under discussion.
A district court in Bishkek later ordered Abdullaev to remain in custody until September 8.
Abdullaev’s lawyer, Timur Karabaev, said earlier that his client, who is a temporary resident in an EU member-state, had been in Kyrgyzstan since February.
Abdullaev studied for four months at the American University of Central Asia in Bishkek and has been stuck in the country due to coronavirus restrictions, Karabaev said.
Abdullaev was under the focus of human rights groups several years ago after he and three other men were arrested in 2017 in Tashkent and charged with calling for the change of Uzbekistan's constitutional order by force.
The charges against Abdullaev and his co-defendants at the time stemmed from a series of articles under the byline Usman Haqnazarov, which was apparently being used by more than one person.
Abdullaev denied guilt, saying that he was doing his job as a journalist.
In May 2018, Abdullaev was convicted of anti-government propaganda, but was cleared of the more serious charge of conspiracy against the state and was released.


rferl--2020-08-10--Bomb Kills Five In Troubled Pakistani Border Town

A bomb targeting a vehicle from Pakistan 's Anti-Narcotics Force ( ANF ) exploded in a busy market in southwestern Pakistan near the Afghan border on August 10 , killing at least five people and wounding 10 others , police and hospital officials said .
Responsibility for the attack in the troubled border town of Chaman was claimed by Jamaat ul-Ahrar ( JuA ) , a splinter group of the Pakistani Taliban , in a message circulated to journalists in Pakistan .
Authorities say the bomb had been attached to a motorcycle and detonated by remote control .
Zakaullah Durrani @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city police , told RFE/RL that all those killed by the explosion were civilians .
Durrani said two members of the ANF also were wounded in the blast and that a total of seven wounded victims had been hospitalized in critical condition .
Security forces and police cordoned off the area .
Residents said several shops and vehicles were damaged .
The incident follows violence by Pakistani troops who opened fire at a rally in Chaman organized by minority Pashtun workers who were demanding the reopening of the nearby border crossing into Afghanistan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three people and wounded 13 in that confrontation .
Shortly after security forces fired on the rally , Pakistani and Afghan troops in the area also exchanged fire .
Both sides accused the other of firing first .
Afghan officials said nine people were killed in the cross-border fire .
The border crossing near Chaman has been closed since March due to the coronavirus pandemic , preventing Pashtun residents from crossing into Afghanistan to work as day laborers .
With reporting by AP and dpa

A bomb targeting a vehicle from Pakistan's Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) exploded in a busy market in southwestern Pakistan near the Afghan border on August 10, killing at least five people and wounding 10 others, police and hospital officials said.
Responsibility for the attack in the troubled border town of Chaman was claimed by Jamaat ul-Ahrar (JuA), a splinter group of the Pakistani Taliban, in a message circulated to journalists in Pakistan.
Authorities say the bomb had been attached to a motorcycle and detonated by remote control.
Zakaullah Durrani, the deputy chief of the Chaman city police, told RFE/RL that all those killed by the explosion were civilians.
Durrani said two members of the ANF also were wounded in the blast and that a total of seven wounded victims had been hospitalized in critical condition.
Security forces and police cordoned off the area. Residents said several shops and vehicles were damaged.
Prime Minister Imran Khan condemned the attack.
The incident follows violence by Pakistani troops who opened fire at a rally in Chaman organized by minority Pashtun workers who were demanding the reopening of the nearby border crossing into Afghanistan. The security forces killed at least three people and wounded 13 in that confrontation.
Shortly after security forces fired on the rally, Pakistani and Afghan troops in the area also exchanged fire. Both sides accused the other of firing first.
Afghan officials said nine people were killed in the cross-border fire.
The border crossing near Chaman has been closed since March due to the coronavirus pandemic, preventing Pashtun residents from crossing into Afghanistan to work as day laborers.
With reporting by AP and dpa