rferl--2020-03-20--Leaders Highlight Iranians' 'Sacrifices' As Country Celebrates Subdued New Year

In messages marking the Persian New Year that falls amid a deadly coronavirus outbreak , Iran 's supreme leader and president both acknowledged that the past year had been difficult .
In his televised address on March 2 , Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the country ’ s citizens have made `` exemplary '' sacrifices in the battle against the deadly coronavirus pandemic that has infected 19,644 people and killed 1,433 in Iran as of March 20 -- making it one of the worst-affected countries in the world .
Khamenei said that `` regarding the recent disease -- the spread of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so exemplary that even foreigners felt obliged to admire them . ''
`` Primarily , these acts of sacrifice were made by medical groups , physicians , nurses , assistants , managers , and the staff working in hospitals . ''
He said Iranians had suffered through a `` tumultuous year '' that included floods , earthquakes , sanctions , and ended with the coronavirus crisis .
Khamenei urged Iranians to put a difficult year behind them and called on them to display unity for the upcoming year .
The number of infections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the country continues to rise , making for a subdued Norouz celebration of the new year in Iran , the Middle East country hit the hardest by the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic that has killed more than 10,000 people worldwide .
Authorities recommended that Iranians stay home during the holiday , a time when hundreds of thousands usually travel to be with friends and relatives .
The government has closed schools at all levels , banned sports and cultural events , and curtailed religious activities to try and slow the spread of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said on state television on March 19 that 149 new deaths had been recorded in the past 24 hours , putting the death toll from the virus at 1,284 .
At 18,407 , Iran has the third-highest number of registered cases after China and Italy .
Khamenei said the country had made great gains in production in the past year -- helped by U.S. sanctions which , he said , forced Iran to become self-sufficient .
U.S. President Donald Trump in May 2018 pulled out of the landmark 2015 nuclear deal that Tehran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reimposing crippling sanctions on Iran .
In addition , the United States and Iran came close to direct armed conflict in a series of events beginning late last year .
After Washington blamed an Iran-backed militia for a strike in Iraq that killed a U.S. contractor , Trump ordered the killing of a top Iranian general , Qasem Soleimani , in an air strike near Baghdad the following month .
In retaliation , an Iranian ballistic missile strike on an Iraqi air base hosting Western troops left some 110 U.S. troops suffering from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speech called the U.S. action a `` terrorist crime '' and hailed the `` martyrdom '' of Soleimani .
The year in Iran was also marked by growing numbers of people taking to the streets to rally against the government .
Protests erupted on November 15 following a government decision to raise fuel prices , but the demonstrations turned into more widespread protests against the government .
According to Amnesty International , at least 304 people were killed and thousands injured over the next days as authorities crushed the protests .
Authorities “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subjected some to enforced disappearance , torture , and other ill-treatment , the rights group said .
In his Norouz speech , Iranian President Hassan Rohani hailed the gains he said the country has made in its defense efforts .
He also thanked Iranian doctors and nurses for the efforts they have made to help curtain the coronavirus pandemic and vowed that the country will overcome the crisis .
`` Our nation has managed to reach its goals , despite difficulties ... .
Iran will overcome the coronavirus with unity , '' Rohani @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the outbreak , many Iranians were angered by the temporary closure of Shi'ite sites , prompting some earlier this week to storm into the courtyards of two major shrines -- Mashhad 's Imam Reza shrine and Qom 's Fatima Masumeh shrine .
Crowds typically pray there 24 hours a day , seven days a week , touching and kissing the shrine .
That worried health officials , who for weeks ordered Iran 's Shi'ite clergy to close them .
With reporting by Reuters and RFE/RL ’ s Radio Farda


rferl--2020-03-20--At Least 24 Afghan Security Forces Killed In Insider Attack

At least 24 Afghan security forces were killed early on March 20 in an insider attack on their base in southern Zabul Province , officials say .
Several `` infiltrators '' opened fire on their comrades as they slept , Zabul Governor Rahmatullah Yarmal said , in one of the deadliest attacks since the United States signed an agreement with the Taliban last month .
The raid targeted a joint police and army facility near the provincial capital , Qalat , long considered a Taliban stronghold .
`` In the attack , 14 Afghan Army forces and 10 policemen were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ata Jan Haq Bayan said .
Four other Afghan security forces were missing , Bayan added .
`` The attackers had connections with the Taliban insurgents , '' he said .
The attackers fled the scene in two military Humvee vehicles , along with a pickup truck , weapons , and ammunition .
The Taliban did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
The incident comes a day after Afghan Defense Minister Asadullah Khalid said the Taliban should commit to a truce as a means of helping both sides battle the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called a “ plague ” on the war-ravaged country .
Khalid also said in a televised statement on March 19 that government forces were remaining in an “ active defense ” posture as a recently agreed U.S.-Taliban peace deal remains under pressure amid disagreements over prisoner releases and other issues .
`` Our proposal is that to prevent this plague , a cease-fire should come , so that we would be able to prevent it and treat people in every corner of the country , '' Khalid said .
Afghan health authorities have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no deaths , but only a few hundred people have been tested in the country of 35 million people .
Neighboring Iran has reported more than 18,000 cases and 1,284 deaths , according to Johns Hopkins University research .
Khalid 's remarks come a day after the United States said the government of Afghanistan and the Taliban should begin prisoner releases “ as soon as possible , ” adding that the global coronavirus pandemic was adding to the urgency .
U.S. special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad wrote in a Twitter thread on March 18 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urgent ; time is of the essence . ''
Khalilzad on February 29 signed a deal with Taliban negotiators aimed at ending the nearly 19-year Afghan war .
The accord called for the release by the Afghan government of up to 5,000 Taliban prisoners as well as the freeing of 1,000 Afghan government captives ahead of intra-Afghan talks .
The Taliban , which so far has refused to meet directly with the Afghan government , said it was committed to the deal but would not start negotiations with Kabul until its fighters were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was not a party to the deal and initially resisted freeing any prisoners .
President Ashraf Ghani then agreed to free 1,500 prisoners last week and the rest after peace talks were finalized and Taliban violence had ceased .
But the peace process was again thrown into crisis on March 15 when Kabul said the release of the first Taliban prisoners had been delayed .
Jawed Faisal , a spokesman for the Afghan National Security Adviser 's office , said the government needed more time to review the list of the prisoners .
@ @ @ @ @ @

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--2020-03-20--Iran, France Release Detained Researcher, Engineer In Apparent Prisoner Swap

Iran has released a French researcher held since last year in an apparent prisoner swap for an Iranian engineer held in France for more than a year , Iranian state media report .
Iranian state broadcaster IRIB reported on March 20 that Jalal Rohollahnejad , who was detained by France in February 2019 under a U.S. extradition warrant , has been released .
The French academic , Roland Marchal , was turned over to the French Embassy in Tehran hours after French authorities released Rohollahnejad , according to IRIB .
Mizan Online , the news site of the Iranian judiciary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mutual cooperation.
” Authorities in the United States suspect Rohollahnejad of involvement in an attempt to export sensitive industrial equipment to Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions .
Marchal , a senior researcher at Sciences Po university , was detained in June 2019 along fellow researcher Fariba Adelkhah , a dual French-Iranian citizen .
France for months has demanded the release of both researchers .
The detentions complicated ties between the two countries during a period when French President Emmanuel Macron sought to defuse tensions between Washington and Tehran .
With reporting by @ @ @ @ @ @

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--2020-03-20--Breakaway Abkhazia Set To Hold Election Under Cloud Of Controversy, Coronavirus

Just weeks ago , the leading contender in this election was lying in a Russian hospital bed recovering from the second mysterious bout of the flu to derail his bid to lead Abkhazia , prompting all candidates to suspend their campaigns .
But as voting day in the self-declared but globally unrecognized separatist republic in Georgia approached , even a looming pandemic was not threatening efforts to conclude a messy electoral process that started nearly a year ago .
After being rocked by poisoning scandals , protests , and the resignation of the territory 's de facto president and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeared that the COVID-19 pandemic would not be enough to delay the March 22 election .
Here 's a look at the candidates , the issues , and the scene as the Moscow-dependent , breakaway Georgian territory takes another stab at electing a leader .
The `` presidency '' in the Black Sea region of Abkhazia is built on sand because the breakaway Georgian territory 's independence is recognized by only a handful of governments outside the Kremlin .
Moscow recognized Abkhazia as independent following the five-day Russia-Georgia war , which was fought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Georgia has condemned the election as a sham and `` yet another violation of our national sovereignty , '' and Western governments dismiss votes in Abkhazia as illegitimate .
But after a grueling process , three candidates to be de facto president are left standing .
-- This is the candidate who recovered from mysterious illnesses that twice blew his campaign off course and is once again considered the favorite to win .
The Opposition Forces Bloc leader has been a consistent rival of fellow former security service head Raul Khajimba , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last year that he had poisoned his rival to keep him out of the 2019 race .
When Khajimba stepped down in January amid protests and news that his 2019 runoff victory had been annulled , the 56-year-old Bzhania reentered the picture .
-- The 38-year-old is a former `` economy minister '' who has family ties to Abkhazia 's first de facto president , Vladislav Ardzinba , and was tapped to replace Khajimba in the race .
While entering as a virtual unknown , Ardzinba has tried to win voters over by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Russia , and education -- including the development of the Abkhaz language .
-- Dzapshba finished fourth in the 2014 election and garnered just over 6 percent of the vote in the first round of the annulled 2019 race .
The 59-year-old , who was dogged by embezzlement charges owing to his stint as head of the territory 's soccer federation , served twice as Abkhazia 's `` interior minister , '' and is the head of the fringe Akzaara ( Unity ) party .
The field may be set , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did in May 2019 , when the campaign first kicked off .
At that time , Bzhania 's supporters were taking to the streets to express their anger over his alleged poisoning , which was later determined by a Moscow hospital to have been a bout of pneumonia .
The protests led to the July election date being pushed back a month .
But when Bzhania announced that he was not healthy enough to reenter the race , he pledged his support to Alkhas Kvitsinia of the opposition Amtsakhara party .
Kvitsinia went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in September , but when the incumbent was named the winner with 47 percent of the vote , compared to Kvitsinia 's 46 percent , appeals were made to invalidate the results because nobody had reached the required majority .
More protests ensued in January as the breakaway territory 's top court prepared to rule on the appeal , leading to the annulment of the vote , the departure of Khajimba , and the return of Bzhania .
Even the opposition candidate 's reentry was not scandal-free , as on March 2 he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia , while Russian media reported that he , again , had been poisoned .
Abkhazia has long sought statehood , having declared independence from Georgia in 1992 , before a 1992-93 war with Tbilisi .
Following Moscow 's recognition of Abkhazia as independent in 2008 , the territory has tried to join the international community , but has been shunned by all but a few countries .
Its politics are heavily influenced by Moscow , which sent a delegation and the Kremlin 's top ideologue to calm protests in January that led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ depends on Russia for much of its electricity and economy , and cooperates militarily with Moscow .
Despite its reliance on the regional heavyweight to the north , Abkhazia 's ambitions to carve out its own national , economic , and political identity have all featured in the campaign .
While Russia has a major military presence in Abkhazia , it does not mean that the territory always goes Moscow 's way .
Thomas de Waal , a senior fellow with Carnegie Europe , said in e-mailed comments that `` relations with Moscow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Kremlin 's `` agenda for the place does not extend far into domestic politics , social policy and many other issues . ''
Russia has pledged reforms to the Abkhaz military and staged military exercises , offered to set up field clinics to stave off the spread of the new coronavirus , and pledged emergency electricity amid shortfalls ahead of the election .
But on March 18 the Russian State Duma decided against sending election observers , largely due to coronavirus fears .
Relations with Tbilisi are often a popular campaign topic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on domestic issues , it is customary to take an aggressive stance against Tbilisi , '' de Waal wrote .
But the South Caucasus expert said that currently `` there is a strong feeling in Abkhazia that the overall political and economic situation is deteriorating which may make the next leader more open to dialogue . ''
While Bzhania has been openly supportive of Moscow , he has also expressed a willingness to talk with Georgia .
His main competitor , Ardzinba , has been strongly against any nearing of ties with Tbilisi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not escaped the Abkhaz .
Officials met this week with a delegation from the World Health Organization , and pledges of aid were accepted .
Border restrictions were tightened , and large events such as concerts canceled .
But the last days of campaigning offered no indication that the territory of 250,000 , which as of March 20 had not reported any cases of COVID-19 , was in the mood to mess with election day .
`` The Abkhaz authorities and main candidates seem determined to press ahead with the elections , come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` There is footage of big election meetings in crowded rooms , despite the pandemic . ''

Just weeks ago, the leading contender in this election was lying in a Russian hospital bed recovering from the second mysterious bout of the flu to derail his bid to lead Abkhazia, prompting all candidates to suspend their campaigns.
But as voting day in the self-declared but globally unrecognized separatist republic in Georgia approached, even a looming pandemic was not threatening efforts to conclude a messy electoral process that started nearly a year ago.
After being rocked by poisoning scandals, protests, and the resignation of the territory's de facto president and the calling of a fresh vote, it appeared that the COVID-19 pandemic would not be enough to delay the March 22 election.
Here's a look at the candidates, the issues, and the scene as the Moscow-dependent, breakaway Georgian territory takes another stab at electing a leader.
The Field
The "presidency" in the Black Sea region of Abkhazia is built on sand because the breakaway Georgian territory's independence is recognized by only a handful of governments outside the Kremlin.
Moscow recognized Abkhazia as independent following the five-day Russia-Georgia war, which was fought partly on Abkhaz soil in 2008. Georgia has condemned the election as a sham and "yet another violation of our national sovereignty," and Western governments dismiss votes in Abkhazia as illegitimate.
But after a grueling process, three candidates to be de facto president are left standing.
Aslan Bzhania -- This is the candidate who recovered from mysterious illnesses that twice blew his campaign off course and is once again considered the favorite to win. The Opposition Forces Bloc leader has been a consistent rival of fellow former security service head Raul Khajimba, who defeated Bzhania in 2014 and denied allegations last year that he had poisoned his rival to keep him out of the 2019 race. When Khajimba stepped down in January amid protests and news that his 2019 runoff victory had been annulled, the 56-year-old Bzhania reentered the picture.
Adgur Ardzinba -- The 38-year-old is a former "economy minister" who has family ties to Abkhazia's first de facto president, Vladislav Ardzinba, and was tapped to replace Khajimba in the race. While entering as a virtual unknown, Ardzinba has tried to win voters over by promoting Abkhaz national unity, improving ties with Russia, and education -- including the development of the Abkhaz language.
Leonid Dzapshba -- Dzapshba finished fourth in the 2014 election and garnered just over 6 percent of the vote in the first round of the annulled 2019 race. The 59-year-old, who was dogged by embezzlement charges owing to his stint as head of the territory's soccer federation, served twice as Abkhazia's "interior minister," and is the head of the fringe Akzaara (Unity) party.
The Backdrop
The field may be set, but it doesn't look much like it did in May 2019, when the campaign first kicked off. At that time, Bzhania's supporters were taking to the streets to express their anger over his alleged poisoning, which was later determined by a Moscow hospital to have been a bout of pneumonia.
The protests led to the July election date being pushed back a month. But when Bzhania announced that he was not healthy enough to reenter the race, he pledged his support to Alkhas Kvitsinia of the opposition Amtsakhara party.
Kvitsinia went on to face Khajimba in a run-off in September, but when the incumbent was named the winner with 47 percent of the vote, compared to Kvitsinia's 46 percent, appeals were made to invalidate the results because nobody had reached the required majority.
More protests ensued in January as the breakaway territory's top court prepared to rule on the appeal, leading to the annulment of the vote, the departure of Khajimba, and the return of Bzhania.
Even the opposition candidate's reentry was not scandal-free, as on March 2 he was hospitalized for the flu again in Russia, while Russian media reported that he, again, had been poisoned.
The Issues
Abkhazia has long sought statehood, having declared independence from Georgia in 1992, before a 1992-93 war with Tbilisi. Following Moscow's recognition of Abkhazia as independent in 2008, the territory has tried to join the international community, but has been shunned by all but a few countries.
Its politics are heavily influenced by Moscow, which sent a delegation and the Kremlin's top ideologue to calm protests in January that led to Khajimba's resignation. The territory depends on Russia for much of its electricity and economy, and cooperates militarily with Moscow.
Despite its reliance on the regional heavyweight to the north, Abkhazia's ambitions to carve out its own national, economic, and political identity have all featured in the campaign.
Russia's Role
While Russia has a major military presence in Abkhazia, it does not mean that the territory always goes Moscow's way.
Thomas de Waal, a senior fellow with Carnegie Europe, said in e-mailed comments that "relations with Moscow are often quite strained" and that the Kremlin's "agenda for the place does not extend far into domestic politics, social policy and many other issues."


rferl--2020-03-20--In Norouz Message, Trump Says Iranians Deserve 'Brighter, Freer Future'

U.S. President Donald Trump has used an annual message to Iranians and others celebrating Norouz , the Persian New Year , to call for a “ brighter , freer future ” for Iran .
“ On behalf of the United States , I extend my warmest greetings for a joyous and peace-filled Norouz , ” which marks the first day of spring , Trump said in his message on March 20 .
“ Today , we are reminded once more that the forces of freedom and liberty will always triumph over evil and oppression , ” he added .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic that has infected 19,644 people and killed 1,433 in Iran as of March 20 -- making it one of the worst affected countries in the world .
Trump said that the past year has been “ historic ” for the people of Iran , citing “ brave and courageous Iranians ” who stood up “ in massive numbers across the entire country to protest their government ’ s corruption and demand accountability.
” The U.S. president added that Iranians “ have made it clear that they want leadership that represents them , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Angry Iranians have taken to the streets to protest in recent months , including antiestablishment demonstrations in November that were sparked by the government ’ s sudden announcement of gasoline rationing and price hikes .
The protests erupted in more than 100 Iranian cities and towns and turned violent before security forces violently put them down .
More recently , the shooting down of a Ukrainian passenger plane by Iran ’ s air defenses in January led to days of protests in Iranian cities , with demonstrators chanting slogans against Iran ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump said the Iranian people “ deserve leaders who listen to , respect , and invest in them , not leaders who target and persecute them while wasting money to advance their nuclear ambitions and test more missiles.
” “ They deserve a future of peace and prosperity at home and with all other nations .
As they begin this season of renewed hope , we join our partners and allies around the world in praying for a brighter , freer future for Iran , ” he added .
In 2018 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the landmark 2015 nuclear deal that Tehran signed with six world powers , and began reimposing crippling sanctions on Iran .
Iran has since breached its main limitations , exceeding the stockpiles of heavy water and uranium allowed , the number and types of centrifuges it can operate to enrich uranium , and the purity of uranium .
Trump wants Tehran to negotiate a new accord that would place indefinite curbs on its nuclear program and restrict Tehran 's ballistic-missile program .
Tehran refuses , insisting that its nuclear program is for civilian @ @ @


rferl--2020-03-20--Coal Mine Accident In Southwestern Pakistan Kills Three

Seven miners have been killed in an accident inside a coal mine in Pakistan ’ s southwestern province of Balochistan @ @ @ @ @ RFE/RL on March 20 that the men were trapped in the mine , but it @ @ @ @ @ they died when the mine caved in or if they suffocated from poisonous gas .
@ @ @ @ @ mining official as describing it as an explosion .
Shafqat Mahmood , a mine inspector @ @ @ @ @ that rescue workers pulled three injured miners from the mine .
All the bodies were @ @ @ @ @ .
Investigators are still working to determine the cause of the blast .
The mine @ @ @ @ @ town about 100 kilometers east of the provincial capital , Quetta .
Safety standards are @ @ @ @ @ mining industry in Pakistan , leading to accidents and explosions that have killed numerous mine @ @ @ @ @ With reporting by the AP

Seven miners have been killed in an accident inside a coal mine in Pakistan’s southwestern province of Balochistan.
A mining inspector told RFE/RL on March 20 that the men were trapped in the mine, but it wasn’t clear if they died when the mine caved in or if they suffocated from poisonous gas.
AP later quoted a provincial mining official as describing it as an explosion.
Shafqat Mahmood, a mine inspector in Baluchistan Province, said that rescue workers pulled three injured miners from the mine.
All the bodies were also recovered, he said.
Investigators are still working to determine the cause of the blast.
The mine is near Degari, a town about 100 kilometers east of the provincial capital, Quetta.
Safety standards are commonly ignored in the coal mining industry in Pakistan, leading to accidents and explosions that have killed numerous mine workers in recent years.
With reporting by the AP


rferl--2020-03-20--Confined Indoors, Pristina Protesters Bang Pots From Balconies

PRISTINA -- Unable to take to the streets amid a coronavirus lockdown , angry residents of Pristina on March 19 banged pots and pans from their balconies to protest the country 's latest political crisis that may bring down Kosovo 's government .
Prime Minister Albin Kurti 's shaky coalition government , which took four months to assemble after October 2019 elections , is on the verge of collapse because it can not agree on measures to deal with the coronavirus outbreak .
Isa Mustafa , the leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo ( LDK ) , on March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filed following the firing the same day of Interior Minister Agim Veliu , purportedly for spreading `` panic '' about coronavirus after he backed a presidential call for a state of emergency over the pandemic .
Mustafa said Veliu 's firing was also related to differences between the coalition partners over whether a 100-percent tariff on Serbian goods should be lifted .
A civic organization , the Replike , called for the unusual pot-banging protest in the capital , warning that the wrangling `` will have a negative impact on the country 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will greatly affect the trust ... in institutions . ''
President Hashim Thaci on March 17 signed a decree on declaring a state of emergency , while Kurti opposed such a move , saying it would cause “ unnecessary panic.
” Kurti fired Veliu on March 18 , just hours after Veliu said he supported the call , accusing him of spreading `` panic . ''
Veliu is from the LDK , which is in the fragile coalition with Kurti 's Self-Determination party .
LDK leader Mustafa gave Kurti until March 21 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and take a decision to abolish the tariffs ” on Serbian imports .
The LDK would need approval from a majority of deputies in the 120-member parliament , where Kurti has only 29 seats , to bring down the government .
Pristina is under huge pressure from the European Union and the United States to revoke the 100-percent import tariff it imposed against Serbia in November 2018 .
The tariff came in response to Belgrade 's diplomatic campaign to encourage some of the 110-plus countries that have recognized Kosovo since it declared independence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ position .
Since taking power , Kurti has resisted removing the tariff and instead has suggested a partial lifting -- something rejected by Thaci as well as the United States , Kosovo ’ s most important ally .
Richard Grenell , the U.S. special envoy to Kosovo and Serbia , said in a tweet on February 27 , that the partial lifting was not enough , calling it a “ half measure.
” The LDK had said it would quit the government if the tariff was not `` revoked unconditionally . ''
Kosovo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first infected person was discovered on March 13 .
No deaths have been reported .
Most of those infected came from Italy or are related to someone who returned from the EU member state .
Kosovo has closed all schools , borders , flights , bars , and restaurants to curb the spread of the virus .
Only supermarkets and pharmacies remain open .
With reporting by Reuters and dpa

PRISTINA -- Unable to take to the streets amid a coronavirus lockdown, angry residents of Pristina on March 19 banged pots and pans from their balconies to protest the country's latest political crisis that may bring down Kosovo's government.
Prime Minister Albin Kurti's shaky coalition government, which took four months to assemble after October 2019 elections, is on the verge of collapse because it cannot agree on measures to deal with the coronavirus outbreak.
Isa Mustafa, the leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), on March 18 said a no-confidence motion will be filed following the firing the same day of Interior Minister Agim Veliu, purportedly for spreading "panic" about coronavirus after he backed a presidential call for a state of emergency over the pandemic.
Mustafa said Veliu's firing was also related to differences between the coalition partners over whether a 100-percent tariff on Serbian goods should be lifted.
A civic organization, the Replike, called for the unusual pot-banging protest in the capital, warning that the wrangling "will have a negative impact on the country's ability to deal with the virus and will greatly affect the trust...in institutions."
President Hashim Thaci on March 17 signed a decree on declaring a state of emergency, while Kurti opposed such a move, saying it would cause “unnecessary panic.”
Kurti fired Veliu on March 18, just hours after Veliu said he supported the call, accusing him of spreading "panic."
Veliu is from the LDK, which is in the fragile coalition with Kurti's Self-Determination party.
LDK leader Mustafa gave Kurti until March 21 to “annul the decision to dismiss Veliu and take a decision to abolish the tariffs” on Serbian imports.
The LDK would need approval from a majority of deputies in the 120-member parliament, where Kurti has only 29 seats, to bring down the government.
Pristina is under huge pressure from the European Union and the United States to revoke the 100-percent import tariff it imposed against Serbia in November 2018.
The tariff came in response to Belgrade's diplomatic campaign to encourage some of the 110-plus countries that have recognized Kosovo since it declared independence from Serbia in 2008 to reverse their position.
Since taking power, Kurti has resisted removing the tariff and instead has suggested a partial lifting -- something rejected by Thaci as well as the United States, Kosovo’s most important ally.
Richard Grenell, the U.S. special envoy to Kosovo and Serbia, said in a tweet on February 27, that the partial lifting was not enough, calling it a “half measure.”
The LDK had said it would quit the government if the tariff was not "revoked unconditionally."
Kosovo has confirmed 20 coronavirus cases since the first infected person was discovered on March 13. No deaths have been reported.
Most of those infected came from Italy or are related to someone who returned from the EU member state.
Kosovo has closed all schools, borders, flights, bars, and restaurants to curb the spread of the virus. Only supermarkets and pharmacies remain open.
With reporting by Reuters and dpa


rferl--2020-03-20--Reports: At Least 15 Turkmen Citizens Die After Drinking Bootleg Alcohol In Istanbul

Turkish media reports say at least 15 Turkmen labor migrants have died in Turkey after drinking what is believed to @ @ @ @ @ Turk reported late on March 19 that 15 Turkmen workers died in five different Istanbul @ @ @ @ @ were hospitalized and are in grave condition after consuming the alcohol .
The reports also @ @ @ @ @ 11 people suspected of selling the contraband .
Police reportedly confiscated counterfeit vodka and several @ @ @ @ @ the suspects .
A Turkmen national in Istanbul , who asked not to be named @ @ @ @ @ 19 that the deceased Turkmen 's friends and relatives are facing bureaucratic hurdles while trying @ @ @ @ @ Also , according to the man , the situation is getting more complicated as many @ @ @ @ @ to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic .
With reporting by DHA , CNN Turk , and @

Turkish media reports say at least 15 Turkmen labor migrants have died in Turkey after drinking what is believed to be counterfeit alcohol.
CNN Turk reported late on March 19 that 15 Turkmen workers died in five different Istanbul districts, while 60 others were hospitalized and are in grave condition after consuming the alcohol.
The Hurriyet newspaper reported 20 Turkmen citizens died after drinking bootleg alcohol.
The reports also say that Istanbul police arrested 11 people suspected of selling the contraband. Police reportedly confiscated counterfeit vodka and several unregistered guns and ammunition from the suspects.
A Turkmen national in Istanbul, who asked not to be named, told RFE/RL on March 19 that the deceased Turkmen's friends and relatives are facing bureaucratic hurdles while trying to repatriate the bodies. Also, according to the man, the situation is getting more complicated as many flights had been canceled due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
With reporting by DHA, CNN Turk, and Hurriyet


rferl--2020-03-20--Virus? What Virus? Turkmenistan Seals Off Capital, Restricts Travel, But Doesn’t Mention COVID-19

Turkmenistan has sealed off its capital , Ashgabat , ostensibly due to the coronavirus without any public announcement by authorities or state media in the tightly controlled Central Asian nation .
RFE/RL correspondents in the country said late on March 19 that exceptions were being made for vehicles carrying food supplies and other cargo to the capital .
Traffic between the country ’ s provinces has been restricted as well , with checkpoints set up on highways , they added .
Many travelers to Ashgabat early on March 20 found out about the new restrictions only after arriving at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of an official document obtained by RFE/RL also orders medical teams to check the body temperatures of passengers boarding intercity flights , trains , and buses .
The document orders police and doctors not to allow passengers who have “ fever and symptoms ” to board planes , trains , and buses and transfer them to nearby hospitals .
Drivers and passengers of private vehicles face similar procedures at the checkpoints .
Turkmenistan hasn ’ t officially recorded any coronavirus infections and authorities have vehemently denied reports in early March that at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The measures appeared to be linked to efforts to combat the spread of the virus as the outbreak hits Turkmenistan ’ s neighbors – Iran , Kazakhstan , Uzbekistan , and Afghanistan .
People who are released after being under quarantine for the “ illness ” must register with their local police office upon their return home , the government says .
Traveling between provinces is allowed only for emergency medical reasons , family weddings , funerals , and visiting sick relatives , the document said .
However , Turkmen must carry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reasons for traveling , the official document stipulates .

Turkmenistan has sealed off its capital, Ashgabat, ostensibly due to the coronavirus without any public announcement by authorities or state media in the tightly controlled Central Asian nation.
RFE/RL correspondents in the country said late on March 19 that exceptions were being made for vehicles carrying food supplies and other cargo to the capital.
Traffic between the country’s provinces has been restricted as well, with checkpoints set up on highways, they added.
Many travelers to Ashgabat early on March 20 found out about the new restrictions only after arriving at the entrance to the city.
A copy of an official document obtained by RFE/RL also orders medical teams to check the body temperatures of passengers boarding intercity flights, trains, and buses.
The document orders police and doctors not to allow passengers who have “fever and symptoms” to board planes, trains, and buses and transfer them to nearby hospitals. Drivers and passengers of private vehicles face similar procedures at the checkpoints.
Turkmenistan hasn’t officially recorded any coronavirus infections and authorities have vehemently denied reports in early March that at least two people were quarantined with the infection.
The measures appeared to be linked to efforts to combat the spread of the virus as the outbreak hits Turkmenistan’s neighbors – Iran, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan.
People who are released after being under quarantine for the “illness” must register with their local police office upon their return home, the government says.
Traveling between provinces is allowed only for emergency medical reasons, family weddings, funerals, and visiting sick relatives, the document said. However, Turkmen must carry a letter from local authorities confirming their reasons for traveling, the official document stipulates.


rferl--2020-03-21--COVID-19: Georgia Declares State Of Emergency; Iran Passes 20,000 Cases

Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia has announced a state of emergency in the former Soviet republic in an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
Gakharia told journalists in the capital , Tbilisi , on March 21 that the state of emergency was scheduled to last for one month .
It could be extended further depending on how the situation unfolds in the weeks ahead .
`` Our main task today is preventing a fast spread of coronavirus among the population , '' Gakharia said , adding that punishments will be imposed against those who violate `` quarantine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency . ''
Gahkharia said restrictions on traffic , except for the transport of cargo , will be imposed .
He also said property rights for individuals and legal entities may be restricted during the state of emergency .
Georgian health officials early on March 21 reported four new cases during the previous 24 hours , raising the total number of confirmed infections in the country to 47 .
So far , there have not been any deaths in Georgia from the virus .
Kyrgyzstan 's Security Council has recommended that Prime Minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency beginning on March 22 due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The recommendation , made during a Security Council meeting in Bishkek on March 21 , was announced by President Sooronbai Jeenbekov 's office .
Local officials in Kyrgyzstan have already declared a state of emergency in the southern district of Nookat , where three coronavirus cases were reported on March 20 .
A state of emergency has also been announced by local officials in the Suzak district , where three men have tested positive for coronavirus .
All six confirmed cases in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kyrgyzstan from Saudi Arabia .
Uzbekistan 's Health Ministry announced four more confirmed coronavirus infections on March 21 , raising the total number in the country to 37 .
The ministry said a total of 3,200 people who had contact with the infected patients have been placed in quarantine .
All kindergartens , schools , and universities in Uzbekistan have been temporarily closed and public gatherings have been prohibited .
The Transport Ministry said on March 20 that it had suspended international travel into the country for 40 days .
The regulation does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In Kazakhstan , five more coronavirus cases were reported on March 20 , including the first two cases outside Nur-Sultan , the capital , and the country 's largest city , Almaty .
With three more cases in Almaty and two in the central city of Qaraghandy , the total number of coronavirus infections in Kazakhstan on March 21 was 49 .
Nur-Sultan and Almaty have been sealed off since March 19 , with police , security forces , and military personnel blocking roads and highways within and around the two cities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all international flights starting on March 20 .
No coronavirus cases have been reported by authorities in Tajikistan so far .
In Turkmenistan , RFE/RL correspondents report that the capital , Ashgabat , has been surrounded with security checkpoints since March 19 in an attempt by authorities to regulate entries into the city .
Only residents of Ashgabat are allowed to enter the city now , and travel between cities has been restricted , RFE/RL correspondents report .
Turkmenistan also had not officially confirmed any cases of coronavirus as of March 21 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the capital and two regions as a measure to counteract the spread of the novel coronavirus .
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on March 20 that a state of emergency had been declared in the city of Kyiv , the east-central Dnipropetrovsk region , and the western Ivano-Fankivsk region .
`` No new restrictions are yet to be expected .
The emergency mode is designed to mobilize efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19 , '' he wrote on Telegram .
Earlier , states of emergency were declared in Kyiv and Zhytomyr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country and the southwestern region of Chernivtsi .
Under the state of emergency , the heads of the affected regions are expected to implement coordinated measures to curtail the spread of the virus and to submit daily reports to the Health Ministry .
As of the end of March 20 , Ukraine had reported 41 coronavirus infections and three fatalities .
The total represents a rise of 15 cases over the past 24 hours .
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy reported that the first Ukrainian had recovered from COVID-19 , the illness caused by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chernivtsi has again been tested for the coronavirus , and his test was negative for the second time , '' Zelenskiy said in a national address .
`` This means we can officially say that Ukraine now has its first person to have recovered from the coronavirus .
He will be discharged from the hospital today . ''
Meanwhile , Ukraine 's parliament reported that it would continue working normally even though lawmaker Serhiy Shakhov of the Dovira ( Faith ) parliamentary group tested positive for the coronavirus on March 18 .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Verkhovna Rada speaker Dmytro Razumkov told Interfax .
`` This does not mean quarantine , closure , or stocktaking ... .
We are working in a regular mode , just like we did before . ''
Russia 's official tally on the coronavirus early on March 21 showed the total number of infections at 253 , a day after Moscow 's coronavirus crisis center announced 54 confirmed new cases across the country .
One coronavirus patient , a 79-year-old woman , has died .
Russian authorities said the cause of her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because an autopsy revealed she had died of a blood clot .
But a global resource center at Johns Hopkins University early on March 21 was listing the woman as Russia 's only confirmed coronavirus death .
Russia 's Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare said on March 21 that more than 36,000 people were under medical observation in the country due to the situation with coronavirus .
Since the pandemic hit Russia , 12 patients have recovered from the virus and have been released from medical institutions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic `` an external threat . ''
Putin assured Russian citizens that the situation was `` generally under control . ''
But many Russians have expressed distrust about official accounts of the outbreak and fear the true situation is much worse than they are being told .
Russia has temporarily barred entry into the country of foreigners because of the pandemic .
Russian officials also have imposed restrictions on passenger flights and public gatherings .
Russia 's national health watchdog has decreed that `` all individuals arriving in Russia '' must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death toll from coronavirus outbreak is nearly 11,500 people around the world , with Europe at the center of the pandemic as the number of confirmed cases globally topped 275,000 .
Iran 's official death toll was the third-highest in the world on March 21 with 123 newly reported deaths raising the total across the country to 1,556 .
Health Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour said on March 21 that an additional 966 infections had been confirmed during the previous 24 hours .
That raised the total number of confirmed infections in Iran to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Tehran .
Many Iranians believe the government in Tehran is underreporting the extent of the outbreak there .
According to a tally by Johns Hopkins University early on March 21 , the confirmed number of cases worldwide had reached 275,434 -- including 11,399 deaths .
With reporting by RFE/RL 's Georgian , Kazakh , Kyrgyz , Russian , Tajik , Turkmen , Ukrainian , Uzbek services , Reuters , TASS , UNIAN , and Interfax

The top infectious-disease specialist in a Russian region may have coronavirus and could have spread it to students and doctors after she failed to quarantine herself following a vacation in Spain, the daily Kommersant has reported.
Stavropol Governor Vladimir Vladimirov said on March 19 in an Instagram post that the region had its first suspected case of coronavirus and that a final determination will be made following a laboratory test in Novosibirsk.
He immediately announced that all kindergartens and universities would be closed as of March 23 and that additional measures to contain its spread would be taken.
Vladimirov did not name the person that tested positive, but Kommersant said people on social media immediately identified the individual as Irina Sannikova, the region’s leading infectious-disease specialist.
Sannikova reportedly returned earlier this month from Spain, one of the hardest-hit countries by the virus, and did not quarantine herself, the paper said. She held a few lectures at the medical university for students and resident physicians, people on social media said.
The medical university was immediately put under quarantine on March 19 while students and professors who came into contact with a person "suspected of having the novel coronavirus infection" have been asked to take tests and isolate themselves in the meantime at home, Kommersant reported.
Stavropol's infectious-disease hospital, Sannikova's main workplace, has also been put under quarantine, Kommersant reported, citing social media. Kommersant said it could not confirm that because it could not get through on any of the hospital's telephone numbers.
During a press conference on March 20, Stavropol Deputy Health Minister Olga Drozdetskaya confirmed that the person that tested positive for coronavirus was a female doctor that had returned from vacation in Spain. Drozdetskaya said the doctor had taken part in a few events at the Health Ministry and that some participants had now been quarantined.
The infected doctor was in stable condition and no longer on oxygen, Drozdetskaya said.
Russia's official tally early on March 21 showed the total number of infections at 253, a day after Moscow's coronavirus crisis center announced 54 confirmed new cases across the country.
One coronavirus patient, a 79-year-old woman, has died. Russian authorities said the cause of her death was not officially registered as COVID-19 because an autopsy revealed she had died of a blood clot.
But a global resource center at Johns Hopkins University early on March 21 was listing the woman as Russia's only confirmed coronavirus death.
Russia's Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare said on March 21 that more than 36,000 people were under medical observation in the country due to the situation with coronavirus.
Russia has temporarily barred entry into the country of foreigners because of the pandemic. Russian officials also have imposed restrictions on passenger flights and public gatherings.
Russia's national health watchdog has decreed that "all individuals arriving in Russia" must be isolated for medical observation.
Georgia
Georgia's parliament has approved a presidential decree that imposes a one-month nationwide state of emergency in an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
President Salome Zurabishvili on March 21 sent the decree to parliament as the number of cases in the former Soviet republic rose to 49. The parliament passed it later that evening.
Zurabishvili told the parliament deputies that the monthlong measure might seem excessive with still relatively few cases, but that it's "better this way than an epidemic starting and entering an acute phase."
She warned that the measures were not meant to infringe upon freedom of expression, media freedom, or political rights and expressed hope it would not delay elections planned for October.
Under Georgia's constitution, a national election can only be held six months after the end of a state of emergency.
The president called on citizens to follow the recommendations of the World Health Organization and the Georgian Health Ministry in order to slow the spread of the virus and avoid a "new level" of restrictions.
So far, there have not been any deaths in Georgia from the virus.
Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia had earlier initiated the call for the state of emergency to battle the disease.
"Our main task today is preventing a fast spread of coronavirus among the population," Gakharia said, adding that punishments should be imposed against those who violate "quarantine and self-isolation regulations during the state of emergency."
Gahkharia said restrictions on traffic, except for the transport of cargo, also should be imposed.
He also said property rights for individuals and legal entities could be restricted during the state of emergency.
A few lawmakers expressed disappointment that the state of emergency -- as it now stands -- would extend into the Easter holiday, which will be celebrated this year in Georgia on April 19.
North Macedonia
The government of North Macedonia on March 21 said it has decided to impose a curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. beginning on March 22 in the battle against the coronavirus pandemic, the first time such a step has been taken since the country’s independence in 1991.
In an emergency address, Prime Minister Oliver Spasovski said that "we have decided to introduce the most radical measures in order to protect the health of citizens.”
“Starting [March 22], we will restrict the movement of all citizens. It is forbidden for the population to move outside between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. every day. There is no compromise when it comes to the health of citizens,” Spasovski warned.
The prohibitions exclude persons who need medical assistance or whose lives are endangered. Those who need dialysis are allowed to arrive for treatment with up to two other people.
Employees in health-care facilities are also excluded from the curfew, as are members of the Ministry of Interior, the army, fire crews, and workers in municipal hygiene.
North Macedonia has registered 85 cases and no deaths.
Romania
The Romanian government on March 21 announced a curfew that will restrict the movement of people from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. and go into effect on March 23. It is expected to last through the 30-day state of emergency declared on March 16.
Those exempted include people going to work and those requiring medical assistance.
Interior Minister Marcel Vela and other officials said the measures will also prohibit gatherings of more than three persons outside the home and will mandate the closing of shopping malls and dental clinics. Restaurants and other gathering places were ordered closed earlier in the week.
During the night curfew hours, the only people allowed to move about are medical professionals, those engaging in work activities, shopping for necessary items, and caring for children or the elderly or people walking their pets.
“Everything we have decided to implement is meant to limit the risks to the population,” Vela said.
He also warned those who are price-gouging or taking other actions to profit from the crisis.
“We have taken strong actions against those who have tried to speculate on the situation in order to get rich. It's not just illegal -- it's also cynical,” he said.
Romania has registered 367 coronavirus cases with no deaths.
Serbia
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said the government will extend a curfew that is already in effect by three hours as the country attempts to curtail the spread of the COVID-19 virus, making it a 12-hour ban from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m.
He said the steps are necessary “for our survival,” and he threatened a 24-hour curfew if residents continue to ignore orders to remain indoors.
Serbia has registered 171 cases and one death related to the coronavirus.
Ukraine
Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov has called for a nationwide quarantine to slow the spread of coronavirus as its largest city, Kyiv, said it would shut down all public transportation for noncritical personnel.
Avakov, one of the most powerful officials in Ukraine, said the measures already put in place to fight the spread will be "significantly toughened" in the coming days. He said only "critical" industries should remain open and everyone else sent home.
"A total, full quarantine is my position, which I want to ask each of you. And I will insist on it, according to the power of my position," Avakov said in a Facebook post on March 21.
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on March 20 that a state of emergency had been declared in the city of Kyiv, the east-central Dnipropetrovsk region, and the western Ivano-Fankivsk region.
"No new restrictions are yet to be expected. The emergency mode is designed to mobilize efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19," he wrote on Telegram.
Earlier, states of emergency were declared in the Kyiv and Zhytomyr regions in the north-central part of the country and the southwestern region of Chernivtsi.
Under the state of emergency, the heads of the affected regions are expected to implement coordinated measures to curtail the spread of the virus and to submit daily reports to the Health Ministry.
Ukraine had reported 41 coronavirus infections and three fatalities as of the end of March 20, prompting the country to declare a state of emergency to better mobilize efforts to fight the virus.
The total represents a rise of 15 cases over the past 24 hours. However, the country has done limited testing, suggesting the number of people infected could be much greater.
The country has already ordered restaurants, bars, gyms, theaters, shopping malls, and schools to close. It has also essentially sealed its border to foreign travel and domestic long-distance travel by means of bus, rail and plane.
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said in a March 21 video post that only people whose work was vital to the city will be allowed to use public transport. The new measure goes into effect as of March 23, he said
Kyiv shut down its subway on March 17, causing chaos as tens of thousands of people struggled to get to work via other means. Transportation by private cars will still be permitted.
Supermarkets, pharmacies, banks, gas stations, post offices, and parcel companies will remain open in Ukraine, officials said.
Armenia
The number of coronavirus cases in Armenia has risen to 160, an increase of 24 infections during the previous 24 hours, according to the country's heath authorities.
Armenian Health Minister Arsen Torosyan said in a live broadcast on Facebook on March 21 that there were 11 patients among those infected with the coronavirus who have been diagnosed with pneumonia.
Torosyan said three patients required intensive care. But he said none of the patients were in critical danger.
Details about new cases had not been released by the afternoon of March 21.
Armenia has not reported any fatalities from the disease.
Yerevan declared a national emergency on March 16 in an attempt to slow the spread of the pandemic disease.
Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan's Security Council has recommended that Prime Minister Mukhammedkalyi Abylgaziev declare a national state of emergency beginning on March 22 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The recommendation, made during a Security Council meeting in Bishkek on March 21, was announced by President Sooronbai Jeenbekov's office.
Local officials in Kyrgyzstan have already declared a state of emergency in the southern district of Nookat, where three coronavirus cases were reported on March 20.
A state of emergency has also been announced by local officials in the Suzak district, where three men have tested positive for coronavirus.
All six confirmed cases in Kyrgyzstan are people who recently returned to Kyrgyzstan from Saudi Arabia.
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan's Health Ministry announced four more confirmed coronavirus infections on March 21, raising the total number in the country to 37.
The ministry said a total of 3,200 people who had contact with the infected patients have been placed in quarantine.
All kindergartens, schools, and universities in Uzbekistan have been temporarily closed and public gatherings have been prohibited.
The Transport Ministry said on March 20 that it had suspended international travel into the country for 40 days. The regulation does not affect cargo shipments, it said.
Kazakhstan
In Kazakhstan, five more coronavirus cases were reported on March 20, including the first two cases outside Nur-Sultan, the capital, and the country's largest city, Almaty.
With three more cases in Almaty and two in the central city of Qaraghandy, the total number of coronavirus infections in Kazakhstan on March 21 was 49.
Nur-Sultan and Almaty have been sealed off since March 19, with police, security forces, and military personnel blocking roads and highways within and around the two cities.
In Tajikistan, the government suspended all international flights starting on March 20. No coronavirus cases have been reported by authorities in Tajikistan so far.
In Turkmenistan, RFE/RL correspondents report that the capital, Ashgabat, has been surrounded with security checkpoints since March 19 in an attempt by authorities to regulate entries into the city.
Only residents of Ashgabat are allowed to enter the city now, and travel between cities has been restricted, RFE/RL correspondents report.
Turkmenistan also had not officially confirmed any cases of coronavirus as of March 21.
Pakistan
Pakistan says it has suspended all international flights for two weeks in an attempt to limit the spread of the coronavirus, joining dozens of other countries that have taken similar measures.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Pakistan said in a statement on March 21 that the ban would go into effect that evening and last until April 4.
The ban includes charter flights as well, officials said. Diplomats and cargo will be allowed to land in the country.
Individuals who have had their flight canceled can either get a refund or rebook for other dates without any charge, officials at Pakistan International Airlines said.
The announcement comes after Pakistan said the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the country jumped to 531 as of March 21 with three deaths.
Iran
The death toll from coronavirus outbreak is nearly 11,500 people around the world, with Europe at the center of the pandemic as the number of confirmed cases globally topped 275,000.
Iran's official death toll was the third-highest in the world on March 21 with 123 newly reported deaths raising the total across the country to 1,556.
Health Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour said on March 21 that an additional 966 infections had been confirmed during the previous 24 hours.
That raised the total number of confirmed infections in Iran to more than 20,600, according to officials in Tehran.
Many Iranians believe the government in Tehran is underreporting the extent of the outbreak there.
According to a tally by Johns Hopkins University early on March 21, the confirmed number of cases worldwide had reached 275,434 -- including 11,399 deaths.
With reporting by RFE/RL's Georgian, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Russian, Tajik, Turkmen, Ukrainian, Uzbek services, AFP, Reuters, TASS, UNIAN, Interfax, Ukrayinska pravda, Financial Times, and Khaleej Times


rferl--2020-03-21--Russia's Rosneft Chief Downplays Rift With Saudis, Seeks Quick Oil-Price Rebound

The powerful head of Russia 's largest oil company has downplayed the disagreement with Saudi Arabia that led to a dramatic fall in oil prices , and he predicted a quick rebound sometime this year as U.S. shale production is knocked out .
Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin told state media in a televised interview on March 20 that the so-called OPEC+ group had lost its significance in balancing the global oil market as countries including the United States , Brazil , Norway , and Mexico raised production at its expense .
`` Is there any point in cutting production in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to increase it ? ''
he asked .
At a meeting of OPEC+ members on March 6 in Vienna , Russia informed Saudi Arabia it would not agree to its request for another production cut to support oil prices amid a fall in global demand caused largely by the effects of the coronavirus pandemic .
Sechin , a close associate of President Vladimir Putin , was reportedly behind Russia 's decision .
Russia is a key member of OPEC+ , which includes the 13-country OPEC cartel and several independent oil-producing states , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ angered by Moscow 's stance , announced the following day it would ramp up production by about 20 percent , causing the biggest one-day fall in oil prices in nearly three decades .
Riyadh 's `` shock-and-awe '' move -- seen as an attempt to get Moscow back to the negotiating table -- has sent Russia 's currency tumbling roughly 20 percent to a near record-low of 80 rubles to the U.S. dollar .
Oil is Russia 's top export commodity and accounts for a large portion of its budget revenue .
Brent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 29 a barrel , down by more than half over the past month .
Neither Moscow nor Riyadh has showed a willingness yet to give in to the other 's demands .
Sechin , who has faced some criticism at home for the decision , said in the interview that Russia 's production costs were nearly as low as Saudi Arabia 's and that Rosneft could maintain its production for another 22 years at current levels , even if it stopped exploration .
He described Saudi Arabia 's increase as market dumping .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ return to a range of between $ 50 and $ 60 a barrel by the end of the year as U.S. shale producers are squeezed by the low-price environment .
Some U.S. shale producers have high break-even costs of around $ 50 a barrel .
`` Several companies in the shale sphere are already cutting back on their work and that , of course , will also bring the market into balance , '' Sechin said .
U.S. shale production has surged over the past decade and lifted the country 's total oil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , surpassing Russia and Saudi Arabia for the top spot globally .
That has opened the door to U.S. oil exports to Europe and Asia , traditional Russian markets .
The 59-year-old executive said other factors were also impacting the oil market , including coronavirus and sanctions .
Sechin called the virus a `` serious problem , '' but said China was making progress on stopping its spread and cautioned against `` dramatizing '' the situation .
He also claimed U.S. sanctions against Russia , which include financing and technology for the oil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than Russian companies .
U.S. banks have had to close their credit lines with Russia 's oil industry , depriving them of billions of dollars in interest , he said .

The powerful head of Russia's largest oil company has downplayed the disagreement with Saudi Arabia that led to a dramatic fall in oil prices, and he predicted a quick rebound sometime this year as U.S. shale production is knocked out.
Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin told state media in a televised interview on March 20 that the so-called OPEC+ group had lost its significance in balancing the global oil market as countries including the United States, Brazil, Norway, and Mexico raised production at its expense.
"Is there any point in cutting production in the future if other countries are going to increase it?" he asked.
At a meeting of OPEC+ members on March 6 in Vienna, Russia informed Saudi Arabia it would not agree to its request for another production cut to support oil prices amid a fall in global demand caused largely by the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
Sechin, a close associate of President Vladimir Putin, was reportedly behind Russia's decision. Russia is a key member of OPEC+, which includes the 13-country OPEC cartel and several independent oil-producing states, but not the United States.
Riyadh, angered by Moscow's stance, announced the following day it would ramp up production by about 20 percent, causing the biggest one-day fall in oil prices in nearly three decades.
Riyadh's "shock-and-awe" move -- seen as an attempt to get Moscow back to the negotiating table -- has sent Russia's currency tumbling roughly 20 percent to a near record-low of 80 rubles to the U.S. dollar.
Oil is Russia's top export commodity and accounts for a large portion of its budget revenue. Brent crude prices closed March 20 at $29 a barrel, down by more than half over the past month.
Neither Moscow nor Riyadh has showed a willingness yet to give in to the other's demands.
Sechin, who has faced some criticism at home for the decision, said in the interview that Russia's production costs were nearly as low as Saudi Arabia's and that Rosneft could maintain its production for another 22 years at current levels, even if it stopped exploration.
He described Saudi Arabia's increase as market dumping.
However, he predicted oil prices would return to a range of between $50 and $60 a barrel by the end of the year as U.S. shale producers are squeezed by the low-price environment.
Some U.S. shale producers have high break-even costs of around $50 a barrel.
"Several companies in the shale sphere are already cutting back on their work and that, of course, will also bring the market into balance," Sechin said.
U.S. shale production has surged over the past decade and lifted the country's total oil output to 13 million barrels a day, surpassing Russia and Saudi Arabia for the top spot globally.
That has opened the door to U.S. oil exports to Europe and Asia, traditional Russian markets.
The 59-year-old executive said other factors were also impacting the oil market, including coronavirus and sanctions.
Sechin called the virus a "serious problem," but said China was making progress on stopping its spread and cautioned against "dramatizing" the situation.
He also claimed U.S. sanctions against Russia, which include financing and technology for the oil industry, had hurt American companies more than Russian companies.
U.S. banks have had to close their credit lines with Russia's oil industry, depriving them of billions of dollars in interest, he said.


rferl--2020-03-21--North Macedonia's President Signs NATO Accession Document

President Stevo Pendarovski of North Macedonia has signed the final accession document for the small Balkan country 's entry into NATO .
Pendarovski signed the instrument of accession on March 20 that will shortly make the country the 30th member of the Western military alliance .
The president was able to sign the document after Spain on March 17 became the last alliance member to ratify the membership of the former Yugoslav republic .
The Spanish parliament was forced to vote remotely on the membership because of fears of holding a session amid the coronavirus crisis .
Following the Spanish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stoltenberg wrote on Twitter that `` with that , all allies have welcomed our soon-to-be 30th member .
Congratulations , North Macedonia ! ''
North Macedonia was granted a protocol on accession to NATO membership in February 2019 , after a 2018 agreement with Greece that changed the former Yugoslav republic 's name from Macedonia , resolving a decades-long dispute between Skopje and Athens .
The United States and European allies have backed Skopje 's efforts to join the alliance as part of efforts to slow attempts by Russia and China to increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on reporting by AP , RFE/RL ’ s Balkan Service , and Defense News

President Stevo Pendarovski of North Macedonia has signed the final accession document for the small Balkan country's entry into NATO.
Pendarovski signed the instrument of accession on March 20 that will shortly make the country the 30th member of the Western military alliance.
The president was able to sign the document after Spain on March 17 became the last alliance member to ratify the membership of the former Yugoslav republic.
The Spanish parliament was forced to vote remotely on the membership because of fears of holding a session amid the coronavirus crisis.
Following the Spanish parliament's vote, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg wrote on Twitter that "with that, all allies have welcomed our soon-to-be 30th member. Congratulations, North Macedonia!"
North Macedonia was granted a protocol on accession to NATO membership in February 2019, after a 2018 agreement with Greece that changed the former Yugoslav republic's name from Macedonia, resolving a decades-long dispute between Skopje and Athens.
The United States and European allies have backed Skopje's efforts to join the alliance as part of efforts to slow attempts by Russia and China to increase their influence in the Balkans.
Based on reporting by AP, RFE/RL’s Balkan Service, and Defense News


rferl--2020-03-21--Russia’s Perm Opera-Ballet Stays Open -- For One Spectator At A Time

The famed Perm Opera and Ballet Theater in Russia 's Urals region plans to continue performances despite restrictions forced by the coronavirus crisis -- by allowing one lucky spectator at a time to attend .
The group said on March 20 that the current situation had led it to establish its One On One performance policy beginning at the end of this month .
`` A full-fledged performance can not take place without public participation .
But what happens if at least one person is present in the auditorium ?
” the company said on its website .
“ From @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spectator will be able to attend performances..for whom , as the only one in the hall , artists and musicians will play , '' it added .
The theater said it will soon begin accepting applications `` from those who would like to receive a unique opportunity to become the only spectator in the hall . ''
It added that one of the artists from the night 's show will choose the one spectator by way of a drawing .
`` In order to comply with security measures during the quarantine period , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doctor before entering the room , '' it said .
Chief Director Marat Gatsalov said the project was `` without precedent in the history of theater . ''
He stressed the importance of continuing to play to an audience , even if only one person .
`` In the grand scheme of things , one spectator is the same as a full house , '' he said .
The Perm Opera and Ballet Theater is known for its cutting-edge cultural performances .
The theater has its roots in the 1870s , when it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with construction completed in 1880 .
Perm is about 1,150 kilometers east of Moscow .
Governments around the world have ordered the closing of entertainment establishments , along with sports venues , stores , restaurants , and other businesses in an effort to curtail the spread of the COVID-19 virus that has killed 11,229 people worldwide .
Russia has recorded 253 cases of the coronavirus , including three in the Perm region , and one possible death , although most governments and experts acknowledge that the actual number of infections remains difficult @ @ @

The famed Perm Opera and Ballet Theater in Russia's Urals region plans to continue performances despite restrictions forced by the coronavirus crisis -- by allowing one lucky spectator at a time to attend.
The group said on March 20 that the current situation had led it to establish its One On One performance policy beginning at the end of this month.
"A full-fledged performance cannot take place without public participation. But what happens if at least one person is present in the auditorium?” the company said on its website.
“From the end of March, only one spectator will be able to attend performances..for whom, as the only one in the hall, artists and musicians will play," it added.
The theater said it will soon begin accepting applications "from those who would like to receive a unique opportunity to become the only spectator in the hall."
It added that one of the artists from the night's show will choose the one spectator by way of a drawing.
"In order to comply with security measures during the quarantine period, the viewer will be examined by a doctor before entering the room," it said.
Chief Director Marat Gatsalov said the project was "without precedent in the history of theater."
He stressed the importance of continuing to play to an audience, even if only one person. "In the grand scheme of things, one spectator is the same as a full house," he said.
The Perm Opera and Ballet Theater is known for its cutting-edge cultural performances. The theater has its roots in the 1870s, when it was built with donations from wealthy businessmen, with construction completed in 1880. Perm is about 1,150 kilometers east of Moscow.
Governments around the world have ordered the closing of entertainment establishments, along with sports venues, stores, restaurants, and other businesses in an effort to curtail the spread of the COVID-19 virus that has killed 11,229 people worldwide.
Russia has recorded 253 cases of the coronavirus, including three in the Perm region, and one possible death, although most governments and experts acknowledge that the actual number of infections remains difficult to determine.
With reporting by AFP


rferl--2020-03-21--Kosovo's Government Approves Partial Lifting Of 100 Percent Tariffs Against Serbia

PRISTINA -- The government of Kosovo has approved the decision to partially lift a politically divisive import tariff on goods from Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina , at least on a temporary basis .
Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti wrote on Facebook on March 20 that the 100 percent tariff on raw materials from the two countries will be lifted , although import duties on other products will remain in place for now .
`` In a vote of 10 in favor and two abstentions , it was decided to remove the 100 percent tariffs on imports of raw materials from Serbia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said the borders between Serbia and Kosovo will be open for import of raw materials as of the early morning of March 21 .
But he said if Belgrade did not respect Kosovo 's act of goodwill , then beginning on April 1 , Kosovo would reciprocate in kind -- first in trade and then in political terms .
The imposition of the tariffs had raised objections from the Kosovar opposition and even within Kurti 's ruling coalition government .
The United States and European Union had also demanded that the punitive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had originally set out a plan that would ease other tariffs , contingent on Serbia ending its campaign to have Kosovo 's independence revoked .
But he said that no agreement could be reached within the Kosovo government , leading him to scrap the wider plan .
The tariffs , imposed on Serbia in November 2018 , came in response to Belgrade 's diplomatic campaign to encourage some of the 110-plus countries that have recognized Kosovo since it declared independence from Serbia in 2008 to reverse their position .
Since taking power , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instead has suggested a partial lifting -- something rejected by President Hashim Thaci as well as the United States , Kosovo 's most important ally .
Richard Grenell , the U.S. special envoy to Kosovo and Serbia , on February 27 wrote on Twitter that the partial lifting was not enough , calling it a `` half-measure . ''
On March 10 , a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee called on Kosovo to annul the tariffs or face a withdrawal of U.S. troops who have helped guarantee the small Balkan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kosovo 's ruling coalition , the Democratic League of Kosovo ( LDK ) , has also pressed for a full lifting of the tariffs and has formally filed a no-confidence motion in parliament against the government , potentially engulfing the country in a political crisis even as it battles along with the rest of the world to curtail the coronavirus pandemic .
With reporting by AP and Reuters

PRISTINA -- The government of Kosovo has approved the decision to partially lift a politically divisive import tariff on goods from Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, at least on a temporary basis.
Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti wrote on Facebook on March 20 that the 100 percent tariff on raw materials from the two countries will be lifted, although import duties on other products will remain in place for now.
"In a vote of 10 in favor and two abstentions, it was decided to remove the 100 percent tariffs on imports of raw materials from Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina," Kurti wrote.
He said the borders between Serbia and Kosovo will be open for import of raw materials as of the early morning of March 21. But he said if Belgrade did not respect Kosovo's act of goodwill, then beginning on April 1, Kosovo would reciprocate in kind -- first in trade and then in political terms.
The imposition of the tariffs had raised objections from the Kosovar opposition and even within Kurti's ruling coalition government. The United States and European Union had also demanded that the punitive fees be lifted in full.
Kurti had originally set out a plan that would ease other tariffs, contingent on Serbia ending its campaign to have Kosovo's independence revoked. But he said that no agreement could be reached within the Kosovo government, leading him to scrap the wider plan.
The tariffs, imposed on Serbia in November 2018, came in response to Belgrade's diplomatic campaign to encourage some of the 110-plus countries that have recognized Kosovo since it declared independence from Serbia in 2008 to reverse their position.
Since taking power, Kurti has resisted removing the tariff and instead has suggested a partial lifting -- something rejected by President Hashim Thaci as well as the United States, Kosovo's most important ally.
Richard Grenell, the U.S. special envoy to Kosovo and Serbia, on February 27 wrote on Twitter that the partial lifting was not enough, calling it a "half-measure."
On March 10, a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee called on Kosovo to annul the tariffs or face a withdrawal of U.S. troops who have helped guarantee the small Balkan state's sovereignty.
A partner in Kosovo's ruling coalition, the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), has also pressed for a full lifting of the tariffs and has formally filed a no-confidence motion in parliament against the government, potentially engulfing the country in a political crisis even as it battles along with the rest of the world to curtail the coronavirus pandemic.
With reporting by AP and Reuters