rferl--2020-07-22--Shaman Who Sought To Drive Putin From Kremlin Released From Psychiatric Clinic

YAKUTSK , Russia -- A shaman in the Siberian region of Yakutia , who gained notoriety for claiming to have a plan to remove President Vladimir Putin from power , has been released from a psychiatric clinic where he was forcibly placed earlier this year amid protests by human rights defenders .
Aleksei Pryanishnikov , a legal coordinator for the opposition group Open Russia , wrote on Facebook that Aleksandr Gabyshev was released on July 22 .
`` Our efforts have paid off in the end .
Without social support and wide media coverage of the efforts of defense lawyers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end as the court 's decision did not limit the time set for being [ in the psychiatric clinic ] , '' Pryanishnikov wrote .
Gabyshev was placed in a psychiatric clinic against his will on May 12 .
His lawyers filed a complaint with the European Court for Human Rights challenging the move , which they said was illegal .
Gabyshev was briefly released on May 29 , a day after his lawyers filed a complaint with the Yakutsk city court questioning the legality of his placement in the clinic .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June 2 that Gabyshev must be committed to a psychiatric clinic .
On July 3 , the Supreme Court of Yakutia excluded independent experts from taking part in evaluation of Gabyshev 's mental health , which sparked an outcry by his lawyers and supporters .
Several local and federal politicians and officials have challenged Gabyshev 's forced stay in the clinic in Yakutsk , Yakutia 's capital , equating it with a Soviet-time practice to muzzle dissent .
Amnesty International said Gabyshev `` has been made an enemy of the state solely for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In early May , Gabyshev posted a video on YouTube that showed him performing a traditional Yakut shaman 's dance while chanting , `` Very soon you all will break free . ''
Gabyshev first made headlines last year when he called Putin `` evil '' and announced that he started a march to Moscow to drive the Russian president out of the Kremlin .
He set off for Moscow in March last year and walked more than 2,000 kilometers , speaking with hundreds of Russians along the way .
As his notoriety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people were posted on social media and attracted millions of views .
In July , when Gabyshev reached the city of Chita , he led a 700-strong rally under the slogan `` Russia without Putin ! ''
At the time , Gabyshev said , `` God told me that Putin is not human but a demon , and has ordered me to drive him out . ''
His march was halted when he was detained in the region of Buryatia in September .
He was transferred to Yakutia , where he was confined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released in October , after independent experts hired by his lawyers challenged the local psychiatrists ' diagnosis of mental instability , concluding that Gabyshev is sane , does not need treatment in a psychiatric clinic , and is not a danger to society .
In December , Gabyshev and two supporters attempted to resume the march toward Moscow , ignoring Yakutia 's sub-zero temperatures .
But they were stopped again by police and forced to return .
Shamans have served as healers and diviners in Siberia for centuries .
During the Soviet era @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But in isolated parts of Siberia , they are now regaining prominence .

YAKUTSK, Russia -- A shaman in the Siberian region of Yakutia, who gained notoriety for claiming to have a plan to remove President Vladimir Putin from power, has been released from a psychiatric clinic where he was forcibly placed earlier this year amid protests by human rights defenders.
Aleksei Pryanishnikov, a legal coordinator for the opposition group Open Russia, wrote on Facebook that Aleksandr Gabyshev was released on July 22.
"Our efforts have paid off in the end. Without social support and wide media coverage of the efforts of defense lawyers, this treatment could have lasted without end as the court's decision did not limit the time set for being [in the psychiatric clinic]," Pryanishnikov wrote.
Gabyshev was placed in a psychiatric clinic against his will on May 12.
His lawyers filed a complaint with the European Court for Human Rights challenging the move, which they said was illegal.
Gabyshev was briefly released on May 29, a day after his lawyers filed a complaint with the Yakutsk city court questioning the legality of his placement in the clinic.
But a court in Yakutsk subsequently ruled on June 2 that Gabyshev must be committed to a psychiatric clinic.
On July 3, the Supreme Court of Yakutia excluded independent experts from taking part in evaluation of Gabyshev's mental health, which sparked an outcry by his lawyers and supporters.
Several local and federal politicians and officials have challenged Gabyshev's forced stay in the clinic in Yakutsk, Yakutia's capital, equating it with a Soviet-time practice to muzzle dissent.
Amnesty International said Gabyshev "has been made an enemy of the state solely for voicing his dislike of Putin."
In early May, Gabyshev posted a video on YouTube that showed him performing a traditional Yakut shaman's dance while chanting, "Very soon you all will break free."
Gabyshev first made headlines last year when he called Putin "evil" and announced that he started a march to Moscow to drive the Russian president out of the Kremlin.
He set off for Moscow in March last year and walked more than 2,000 kilometers, speaking with hundreds of Russians along the way.
As his notoriety rose, videos of his conversations with people were posted on social media and attracted millions of views.
In July, when Gabyshev reached the city of Chita, he led a 700-strong rally under the slogan "Russia without Putin!"
At the time, Gabyshev said, "God told me that Putin is not human but a demon, and has ordered me to drive him out."
His march was halted when he was detained in the region of Buryatia in September.
He was transferred to Yakutia, where he was confined to a psychiatric clinic.
Gabyshev was released in October, after independent experts hired by his lawyers challenged the local psychiatrists' diagnosis of mental instability, concluding that Gabyshev is sane, does not need treatment in a psychiatric clinic, and is not a danger to society.
In December, Gabyshev and two supporters attempted to resume the march toward Moscow, ignoring Yakutia's sub-zero temperatures.
But they were stopped again by police and forced to return.
Shamans have served as healers and diviners in Siberia for centuries. During the Soviet era, the mystics were harshly repressed. But in isolated parts of Siberia, they are now regaining prominence.


rferl--2020-07-22--Russian Baltic Gas Pipeline On Pompeo's Agenda As He Visits Denmark

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has arrived in Denmark , where he is set to discuss the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline when he meets with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in Copenhagen .
The pipeline , which Russia is seeking to complete , would transport gas to Europe under the Baltic Sea .
The portion of the pipeline that remains to be built lies in Denmark 's economic waters .
Pompeo last week warned companies against helping Russia finish the nearly $ 11 billion pipeline , which the United States opposes on grounds that it strengthens the Kremlin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and punishes Ukraine , which is battling Russian-backed separatists in its eastern provinces .
The pipeline would largely reroute natural gas around Ukraine , depriving Kyiv of billions of dollars in annual fees .
European vessels laying the pipeline halted their work in December 2019 following a round of U.S. sanctions that targeted their activity .
Russia is now hoping to complete it using its own ships , prompting the United States to include an amendment to a defense spending bill to widen the sanctions to include not just vessels , but any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The amendment passed the U.S. House of Representatives on July 20 but would still need to pass the Senate and be signed by the president before the new sanctions would become law .
Discussions also will include security , trade , and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on international cooperation .
Relations with China and recent developments in Hong Kong will also be on the agenda .
Denmark is the second stop on Pompeo 's current visit to Europe .
On July 21 he met with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tensions between the West and China soar over Beijing 's lack of transparency about the outbreak of the pandemic , continued human rights abuses , and charges of cyber-piracy .
Pompeo called on every country that `` understands freedom and democracy and values that '' to recognize the threat posed by China .
`` We hope we can build out a coalition that understands this , '' he said .
U.S. relations with China , already tense over a host of issues , including trade , intellectual property rights , 5G technology , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since the outbreak of the coronavirus earlier this year .
The United States has accused China of misleading the world about the outbreak and enabling the virus to quickly spread globally .
The United States has lobbied its allies to ban the use of Huawei ’ s 5G technology , saying the Chinese government could use it to spy on Western countries .
Huawei denies the allegations and argues that U.S. protectionism was behind the move .
Pompeo also is expected to meet Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod , and representatives from Greenland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to the Danish government .
Kofod has said Denmark considers the United States its `` absolutely closest ally . ''
But bilateral relations hit a snag in August 2019 , when Trump floated the idea of the United States buying Greenland , the world 's largest island .
Frederiksen called the proposal `` absurd , '' leading Trump to cancel a planned visit to Copenhagen over the `` nasty '' tone of the response .
A few phone calls between the countries have since eased the tensions , and Greenland officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind them .
Last month , the United States reopened a consulate in Greenland , a move that Kofod welcomed .
Pompeo has said that the Arctic region is important for U.S. security because of the `` militarization of the Arctic that China and Russia are presenting . ''
With reporting by AP and CPH Post Online

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has arrived in Denmark, where he is set to discuss the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline when he meets with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in Copenhagen.
The pipeline, which Russia is seeking to complete, would transport gas to Europe under the Baltic Sea. The portion of the pipeline that remains to be built lies in Denmark's economic waters.
Pompeo last week warned companies against helping Russia finish the nearly $11 billion pipeline, which the United States opposes on grounds that it strengthens the Kremlin's grip on the European energy market and punishes Ukraine, which is battling Russian-backed separatists in its eastern provinces.
The pipeline would largely reroute natural gas around Ukraine, depriving Kyiv of billions of dollars in annual fees.
European vessels laying the pipeline halted their work in December 2019 following a round of U.S. sanctions that targeted their activity. Russia is now hoping to complete it using its own ships, prompting the United States to include an amendment to a defense spending bill to widen the sanctions to include not just vessels, but any company helping Russia complete the pipeline.
The amendment passed the U.S. House of Representatives on July 20 but would still need to pass the Senate and be signed by the president before the new sanctions would become law.
Discussions also will include security, trade, and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on international cooperation. Relations with China and recent developments in Hong Kong will also be on the agenda.
Denmark is the second stop on Pompeo's current visit to Europe.
On July 21 he met with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab in London as tensions between the West and China soar over Beijing's lack of transparency about the outbreak of the pandemic, continued human rights abuses, and charges of cyber-piracy.
Pompeo called on every country that "understands freedom and democracy and values that'' to recognize the threat posed by China. "We hope we can build out a coalition that understands this,'' he said.
U.S. relations with China, already tense over a host of issues, including trade, intellectual property rights, 5G technology, and human rights, have spiraled downward since the outbreak of the coronavirus earlier this year. The United States has accused China of misleading the world about the outbreak and enabling the virus to quickly spread globally.
The United States has lobbied its allies to ban the use of Huawei’s 5G technology, saying the Chinese government could use it to spy on Western countries. Huawei denies the allegations and argues that U.S. protectionism was behind the move.
Pompeo also is expected to meet Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod, and representatives from Greenland and the Faroe Islands while in Copenhagen, according to the Danish government.
Kofod has said Denmark considers the United States its "absolutely closest ally."
But bilateral relations hit a snag in August 2019, when Trump floated the idea of the United States buying Greenland, the world's largest island.
Frederiksen called the proposal "absurd," leading Trump to cancel a planned visit to Copenhagen over the "nasty" tone of the response.
A few phone calls between the countries have since eased the tensions, and Greenland officials say they want to put the affair behind them.
Last month, the United States reopened a consulate in Greenland, a move that Kofod welcomed.
Pompeo has said that the Arctic region is important for U.S. security because of the "militarization of the Arctic that China and Russia are presenting."
With reporting by AP and CPH Post Online


rferl--2020-07-22--Armenia Accuses Azerbaijan Of Launching Fresh Attack On Border

The Armenian military has accused Azerbaijani forces of again attacking one of its positions at a section of the border where deadly fighting raged last week .
Defense Ministry spokeswoman Shushan Stepanian said late on July 21 that an Azerbaijani commando unit suffered heavy losses while being repelled by Armenian troops deployed in the Tavush region .
Some of the unit 's soldiers were `` left trapped '' as a result of the failed incursion , she said without elaborating .
`` The Armenian side suffered no casualties , '' Stepanian wrote on Facebook .
`` There were no new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our side , '' ministry spokesman Vagif Dargahli said .
`` The Armenian report is yet another disinformation . ''
Dargahli said earlier in the day that the situation on the border between Tavush and the Tovuz district in western Azerbaijan remained `` tense but stable . ''
Fighting between the neighboring countries had calmed recently after a flare-up of violence on July 12 that lasted several days .
The Armenian military said on Twitter that the fresh fighting broke out at 10:30 p.m. on July 21 , when the Azerbaijani special forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Anvakh but `` failed and fled with losses . ''
After fighting at the volatile border section broke out on July 12 , each side accused the other of trying to seize its front-line positions in the mountainous area .
At least 12 Azerbaijani soldiers , including a general , and four Armenian servicemen died before the clashes involving artillery fire and drone attacks largely stopped on July 16 .
WATCH : Armenia showed off parts of drones on July 21 , saying they belonged to Azerbaijan and that Armenian armed forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week .
According to Stepanian , Azerbaijani special forces targeted late in the evening the same hilltop post of the Armenian Army that they had unsuccessfully stormed early on July 16 .
`` Although there was no gunfire as of 12:47 a.m .
I must nonetheless note that the leadership of the Azerbaijani armed forces is not in control of the situation , '' the Armenian official wrote in another Facebook post early on July 22 .
Russia has expressed concern over the recent escalation between Armenia and Azerbaijan , which maintain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The international community has expressed serious concern over the worst escalation of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in years .
Armenia and Azerbaijan fought a war over the region in the late 1980s and early 1990s as they transitioned into independent countries amid the dissolution of the Soviet Union .
About 30,000 people were killed .
Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally recognized as part of predominantly Muslim Azerbaijan but is controlled by Christian Armenian separatists .
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe last week issued a statement urging the sides to resume peace talks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the countries to halt the violence immediately .
With reporting by RFE/RL 's Armenian Service and dpa

The Armenian military has accused Azerbaijani forces of again attacking one of its positions at a section of the border where deadly fighting raged last week.
Defense Ministry spokeswoman Shushan Stepanian said late on July 21 that an Azerbaijani commando unit suffered heavy losses while being repelled by Armenian troops deployed in the Tavush region. Some of the unit's soldiers were "left trapped" as a result of the failed incursion, she said, without elaborating.
"The Armenian side suffered no casualties," Stepanian wrote on Facebook.
Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry denied the claim.
"There were no new attacks, let alone casualties, from our side," ministry spokesman Vagif Dargahli said. "The Armenian report is yet another disinformation."
Dargahli said earlier in the day that the situation on the border between Tavush and the Tovuz district in western Azerbaijan remained "tense but stable."
Fighting between the neighboring countries had calmed recently after a flare-up of violence on July 12 that lasted several days.
The Armenian military said on Twitter that the fresh fighting broke out at 10:30 p.m. on July 21, when Azerbaijani special forces attempted an attack on an outpost known as Anvakh but "failed and fled with losses."
After fighting at the volatile border section broke out on July 12, each side accused the other of trying to seize its frontline positions in the mountainous area. At least 12 Azerbaijani soldiers, including a general, and four Armenian servicemen died before the clashes involving artillery fire and drone attacks largely stopped on July 16.
WATCH: Armenia showed off parts of drones on July 21, saying they belonged to Azerbaijan and that Armenian armed forces had shot them down during border fighting last week
According to Stepanian, Azerbaijani special forces targeted late in the evening the same hilltop post of the Armenian Army that they had unsuccessfully stormed early on July 16.
"Although there was no gunfire as of 12:47 a.m., I must nonetheless note that the leadership of the Azerbaijani armed forces is not in control of the situation," the Armenian official wrote in another Facebook post early on July 22.
Russia has expressed concern over the recent escalation between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which maintain deep hostilities in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.
The international community has expressed serious concern over the worst escalation of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in years.
Armenia and Azerbaijan fought a war over the region in the late 1980s and early 1990s as they transitioned into independent countries amid the dissolution of the Soviet Union. About 30,000 people were killed.
Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but is controlled by Armenian separatists.
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe last week issued a statement urging the sides to resume peace talks. Both Washington and Moscow called on the countries to halt the violence immediately.
With reporting by RFE/RL's Armenian Service and dpa


rferl--2020-07-22--Russian Gulag Historian Sentenced To 3 1/2 Years In Case Critics Call 'Spurious'

Yury Dmitriyev , a Russian historian and human rights activist , has been sentenced to 3 1/2 years in prison on charges of sexually assaulting his adopted daughter -- an allegation he and his supporters deny .
Prosecutors had asked the court in the northwestern Karelia region to sentence Dmitriyev to 15 years in prison .
The case dates back to 2016 , when Dmitriyev was arrested on child-pornography charges based on photographs of his daughter that authorities found on his computer .
He has proclaimed his innocence , contending that the images were not pornographic and were made at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the child 's development .
Supporters of the 64-year-old , who is also the head of the Karelia branch of the Moscow-based human rights group Memorial , have said the charges were brought against him because of his research into a side of history that complicates the Kremlin 's glorification of the Soviet past .
Dmitriyev 's decades-long efforts to expose the extent of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin 's crimes have been viewed with hostility by the government of President Vladimir Putin .
Human Rights Watch ( HRW ) on July 21 expressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The `` circumstances surrounding criminal charges '' against Dmitriyev `` strongly suggest that they are spurious and target him for his human rights work , '' HRW said in a statement .
In May , dozens of Russian scholars , historians , writers , poets , opposition politicians , artists , and actors signed an open letter asking the Karelia Supreme Court to release Dmitriyev , expressing concerns over the researcher 's health as coronavirus infections have been found in the detention center where he is being held .
The European Union has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dmitriyev and reconsider the charges against him .
A local court acquitted Dmitriyev in April 2018 , but the Karelia Supreme Court subsequently upheld an appeal by prosecutors and ordered a new trial .
The historian was rearrested in June 2018 and is currently on trial on the more severe charge of `` violent acts of a sexual nature committed against a person under 14 years of age . ''

PETROZAVODSK, Russia -- A court in Russia's northwestern region of Karelia has sentenced historian and human rights activist Yury Dmitriyev to 3 1/2 years in prison on sexual assault charges involving his adopted daughter, which he and his supporters vehemently deny.
About 100 people, including Dmitriyev's relatives and friends, human rights activists, opposition politicians, and others gathered in front of the Petrozavodsk City Court on July 22 when Dmitriyev's verdict and sentence were pronounced behind closed doors.
Dmitriyev's lawyer, Viktor Anufriyev, said that the court dropped other charges of making pornographic materials, sexual misconduct, and illegal weapon possession against his client.
The Petrozavodsk City Court's website said Judge Aleksandr Merkov found Dmitriyev guilty of "violent acts of a sexual nature committed against a person under 14 years of age."
According to Anufriyev, his client may be released as early as November if time served during investigations and the trial are taken into account.
It was not immediately clear whether Dmitriyev plans to appeal the verdict.
Prosecutors had asked the court to sentence Dmitriyev to 15 years in prison.
The high-profile case dates back to 2016, when Dmitriyev was arrested on child-pornography charges based on photographs of his daughter that authorities found on his computer.
He has proclaimed his innocence, contending that the images were not pornographic and were made at the request of social workers concerned about the child’s development.
A local court acquitted Dmitriyev in April 2018, but the Karelia Supreme Court subsequently upheld an appeal by prosecutors and ordered a new trial.
The historian was rearrested in June 2018 and charged with a more severe charge of "violent acts of a sexual nature committed against a person under 14 years of age" -- again referring to his daughter.
'Spurious' Charges
Supporters of the 64-year-old, who is also the head of the Karelia branch of the Moscow-based human rights group Memorial, have said the charges were brought against him because of his research into a side of history that complicates the Kremlin's glorification of the Soviet past.
Dmitriyev's decades-long efforts to expose the extent of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin's crimes have been viewed with hostility by the government of President Vladimir Putin.
Ahead of the verdict, Human Rights Watch (HRW) expressed concern about the case, casting doubt on its validity.
The "circumstances surrounding criminal charges" against Dmitriyev "strongly suggest that they are spurious and target him for his human rights work," HRW said in a statement.
In May, dozens of Russian scholars, historians, writers, poets, opposition politicians, artists, and actors signed an open letter asking the Karelia Supreme Court to release Dmitriyev, expressing concerns over the researcher's health as coronavirus infections have been found in the detention center where he is being held.
The European Union has called on the Russian authorities to release Dmitriyev and reconsider the charges against him.
With reporting by Kommersant and Novaya gazeta


rferl--2020-07-21--Ukrainian Hostage-Taking Ends After President Endorses Documentary On Animal Rights

LUTSK , Ukraine -- A tense hostage situation on a bus in western Ukraine has ended without casualties after a standoff with police and after President Volodymyr Zelenskiy spoke with the hostage-taker by phone and agreed to one of his demands .
Police arrested the suspected hostage taker , whom the Ukrainian Security Service ( SBU ) identified as 44-year-old Maksym Kryvosh and said he had propagated `` extremist views . ''
Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said Kryvosh was armed with guns and a grenade , adding to the concerns of security forces during the 12-hour standoff .
The hostages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with special forces pulled up alongside the bus around 9:30 p.m. , seconds after an explosion created a bright flash near the vehicle , a video posted by an onlooker showed : Officials said Kryvosh was a two-time convict who also went by the last name `` Plokhoy , '' which means `` bad '' in Russian .
Police said Kryvosh ranted against `` the system '' in his negotiations , called the country 's oligarchs and officials `` terrorists , '' and demanded that people watch the 2005 documentary film Earthlings about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , research labs , and other locations .
In response , Zelenskiy posted a short video on Facebook recommending that people watch the documentary .
Local media said Kryvosh was following the news about his hostage-taking on his smartphone .
Zelenskiy deleted the video after Kryvosh 's capture .
He said he had spoken to Kryvosh for around seven to 10 minutes and persuaded him to release three of the hostages , including a pregnant woman .
Zelenskiy then agreed to publish the short video .
`` We agreed that he would release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record a video , '' Zelenskiy said .
`` I congratulate all those who fought all day for the release of the people in Lutsk and , in fact , for their lives , '' Zelenskiy said in a statement after the hostages were freed .
Regional police chief Yuriy Kroshko said earlier in the day that Kryvosh had told police that he was armed and had a large amount of explosives with him .
He also claimed to have placed a bomb at another site in the city and said he could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a picture of Kryvosh lying face down with security personnel standing over him after his arrest .
Avakov said an accomplice was detained in the eastern city of Kharkiv .
With reporting by Suspilne , UNIAN , Volynski Novyny , Ukrayinska Pravda , and the Kyiv Post

LUTSK, Ukraine -- A tense hostage situation on a bus in western Ukraine has ended without casualties after a standoff with police and after President Volodymyr Zelenskiy spoke with the hostage-taker by phone and agreed to one of his demands.
Police arrested the suspected hostage taker, whom the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) identified as 44-year-old Maksym Kryvosh and said he had propagated "extremist views."
Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said Kryvosh was armed with guns and a grenade, adding to the concerns of security forces during the 12-hour standoff.
The hostages were freed after an armored personnel carrier with special forces pulled up alongside the bus around 9:30 p.m., seconds after an explosion created a bright flash near the vehicle, a video posted by an onlooker showed:
Officials said Kryvosh was a two-time convict who also went by the last name "Plokhoy," which means "bad" in Russian.
Police said Kryvosh ranted against "the system" in his negotiations, called the country's oligarchs and officials "terrorists," and demanded that people watch the 2005 documentary film Earthlings about the suffering endured by animals at farms, research labs, and other locations.
In response, Zelenskiy posted a short video on Facebook recommending that people watch the documentary. Local media said Kryvosh was following the news about his hostage-taking on his smartphone.
Zelenskiy deleted the video after Kryvosh's capture. He said he had spoken to Kryvosh for around seven to 10 minutes and persuaded him to release three of the hostages, including a pregnant woman. Zelenskiy then agreed to publish the short video.
"We agreed that he would release three people and after that I will record a video," Zelenskiy said.
"I congratulate all those who fought all day for the release of the people in Lutsk and, in fact, for their lives," Zelenskiy said in a statement after the hostages were freed.
Regional police chief Yuriy Kroshko said earlier in the day that Kryvosh had told police that he was armed and had a large amount of explosives with him.
He also claimed to have placed a bomb at another site in the city and said he could detonate it remotely.
The SBU published a picture of Kryvosh lying face down with security personnel standing over him after his arrest. Avakov said an accomplice was detained in the eastern city of Kharkiv.
With reporting by Suspilne, UNIAN, Volynski Novyny, Ukrayinska Pravda, and the Kyiv Post


rferl--2020-07-23--Deal Reached For Ukraine Cease-fire from July 27

Ukrainian , Russian , and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe ( OSCE ) negotiators have reached an agreement for a cease-fire in eastern Ukraine from July 27 .
“ The regime of full and comprehensive cease-fire , if observed by the other party , is a basic precondition for the implementation of the Minsk agreements and opens the way to the implementation of other provisions of these agreements , ” the Ukrainian president ’ s office said July 22 .
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was elected last year on promises to end the conflict in the eastern regions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ France have mediated between Ukraine and Russia since a peace agreement was signed in the Belarus capital Minsk in 2015 , but efforts at implementation have faltered .
The leaders of the four countries met at a summit in Paris in December 2019 to revive a peace process , leading to Kyiv and Russia-backed separatists in the east of Ukraine conducting a series of prisoner exchanges .
Lingering issues remain over a timeline for local elections , control over borders in the separatist-controlled regions , the withdrawal of Russian military units and equipment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moscow denies it has troops in eastern Ukraine .
Ukraine 's relationship with Russia has been tense ever since protests in Kyiv led to the overthrow of pro-Russian leader Viktor Yanukovych in February 2014 .
Russia annexed Ukraine 's Crimean Peninsula shortly thereafter and backed separatist forces in eastern Ukraine , sparking a war that has resulted in some 13,200 deaths .

KYIV -- Negotiators from Ukraine, Russia, and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) have reached an agreement for a cease-fire in eastern Ukraine from July 27.
“The regime of full and comprehensive cease-fire, if observed by the other party, is a basic precondition for the implementation of the Minsk agreements and opens the way to the implementation of other provisions of these agreements,” the Ukrainian president’s office said July 22.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was elected last year on promises to end the conflict in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk.
Germany and France have mediated between Ukraine and Russia since a peace agreement was signed in the Belarusian capital, Minsk, in 2015, but efforts at implementation have faltered.
The leaders of the four countries met at a summit in Paris in December 2019 to revive the peace process, leading to Kyiv and Russia-backed separatists in the east of Ukraine conducting a series of prisoner exchanges.
Lingering issues remain over a timeline for local elections, control over borders in the separatist-controlled regions, the withdrawal of Russian military units and equipment, and disarmament of separatist groups.
Moscow denies it has troops in eastern Ukraine.
Ukraine's relationship with Russia has been tense ever since protests in Kyiv led to the overthrow of pro-Russian leader Viktor Yanukovych in February 2014.
Russia forcibly annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula shortly thereafter and backed separatist forces in eastern Ukraine, sparking a war that has resulted in some 13,200 deaths.


rferl--2020-07-22--UN, EU's Top Diplomat Urge Armenia and Azerbaijan To Deescalate Following Clashes

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has held a three-way phone call with the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan in a bid to deescalate tensions amid a flare-up of violence along their border .
The July 22 call with Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanian and his Azerbaijani counterpart Ceyhun Bayramov was the first such direct diplomacy that brought the three together simultaneously .
Borell called on both sides to commit to a cease-fire and take immediate action to deescalate the situation .
The EU ’ s top diplomat “ urged both sides to stop the armed confrontation and to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tension , in particular from any further threats to critical infrastructure in the region , ” the European Union External Action service said in a statement .
Separately on July 22 , UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for `` immediate and full deescalation '' and `` a return to negotiations '' between Azerbaijan and Armenia .
Guterres spoke by telephone separately with Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian .
Fighting between the neighboring South Caucasus countries has killed at least 12 Azerbaijani soldiers , including a general , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence began on July 12 that lasted several days .
Each side has blamed the other for starting the fighting , the worst outbreak of violence in the region since clashes in Nagorno-Karabakh in 2016 .
Armenia and Azerbaijan fought a war over Nagorno-Karabakh in the late 1980s and early 1990s as they transitioned into independent countries amid the dissolution of the Soviet Union .
About 30,000 people were killed .
Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but is controlled by Armenian separatists .
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sides to resume peace talks .
Both Washington and Moscow have called on the countries to halt the violence immediately .

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated that there can be no advancement in the relationship between the United States and Afghanistan's Taliban rulers unless there is an improvement in the treatment of women in the country.
Speaking to reporters on August 15, the two-year anniversary of the Taliban’s seizure of power in Kabul, Blinken said the United States continues to work to hold the Taliban accountable for the commitments that it's made, particularly when it comes to the rights of women and girls.
"We've been very clear with the Taliban -- and dozens of countries around the world have been very clear -- that the path to any more normal relationship between the Taliban and other countries will be blocked unless and until the rights of women and girls among other things are actually supported," Blinken said.
No country has recognized the Taliban-led government, and the United States has avoided direct economic engagement in part over the treatment of women and girls, who have seen their rights drastically curbed by the hard-line Islamists. This includes a ban on women working in local and international nongovernmental organizations and a ban on education beyond the sixth grade.
The Taliban stormed back to power in August 2021 after President Joe Biden withdrew U.S. troops under the terms of an agreement reached in February 2020 between the Taliban and the administration of then-U.S. President Donald Trump.
Blinken defended the pullout and said the United States was not focused on other priorities.
"The decision to withdraw from Afghanistan was an incredibly difficult one, but also the right one," Blinken said. "We ended America's longest war. For the first time in 20 years, we don't have another generation of young Americans going to fight and die."
A number of international human rights organizations earlier on August 15 called the Taliban's two years of rule shameful and worrying.
Amnesty International and several other international human rights organizations demanded in a statement an effective response to the situation, noting the Taliban's strict decrees against human rights in Afghanistan, especially against women and girls.
The organizations said in a statement that in the past two years, the Taliban has increasingly imposed harmful policies against women and girls and religious and ethnic minorities that clearly violate Afghanistan's obligations under international human rights law.
The Taliban has previously rejected reports on the treatment of women as propaganda of international organizations. The militant group's leaders have said they have strengthened all the rights of women in Afghanistan in light of Islamic principles.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the chief spokesman for the Taliban, said in an interview with the AP marking the second anniversary of the Taliban takeover of the country that the Taliban views its rule of Afghanistan as open-ended and as drawing legitimacy from Islamic law. He also suggested a ban on female education will remain in place.
Female activist Soheila Yousefi calls the situation alarming and wants the world to pay attention.
"The international community should take serious action in this regard because the world chose to be silent in these two years and did not take any practical steps. Our request is that they should look at the current situation in Afghanistan, then take a serious and comprehensive review."
The Taliban did not respond to Radio Azadi's questions before the release of the report, but the rulers have spoken of strengthening human rights in Afghanistan, especially the rights of women and girls, according to Islamic principles.
With reporting by AP and AFP


rferl--2020-07-22--Trump Campaign Ad Uses Ukraine Photo In Depicting Street 'Chaos'

A campaign ad for U.S. President Donald Trump that aims to promote him as a guarantor of public safety features a photo of pro-democracy protesters in Ukraine battling with police during the 2014 revolution .
The ad , which appeared on the president ’ s official Facebook page , consists of two images : one showing Trump standing alongside law enforcement officials on the left side and citizens in helmets fighting with police on the other side .
The caption below the photos reads “ Public Safety vs Chaos & Violence.
” The U.S. has been rocked by violent protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the killing of George Floyd by Minnesota law enforcement officers .
Stores in major cities were looted and businesses destroyed while some activists and police were injured .
Though Trump has called the death of Floyd , an African American , “ terrible ” and said it should never have happened , he has stood by law enforcement , a key constituent .
Trump is seeking reelection in November .
However , the violence depicted in the Trump ad shows pro-democracy protesters fighting police in Ukraine in 2014 and not the recent U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ viral among Trump critics .
The Trump campaign had not immediately repsonded to media inquires about the ad .
The United States backed the Ukrainian protesters , who took to the streets after President Viktor Yanukovych agreed to closer ties with Russia , angering those citizens who wanted Ukraine to eventually join the European Union .
The protesters , some of whom stood for weeks in the freezing cold and faced police brutality , were admired around the world .

A campaign ad for U.S. President Donald Trump that aims to promote him as a guarantor of public safety features a photo of pro-democracy protesters in Ukraine battling with police during the 2014 Maidan events.
The ad, which appeared on the president’s official Facebook page, consists of two images: one showing Trump standing alongside law enforcement officials on the left side and citizens in helmets fighting with police on the other side.
The caption below the photos reads “Public Safety vs Chaos & Violence.”
The United States has been rocked by violent protests over police brutality against black Americans following the killing of George Floyd by Minnesota law enforcement officers.
Stores in major cities were looted and businesses destroyed while some activists and police were injured.
Though Trump has called the death of Floyd, an African American, “terrible” and said it should never have happened, he has stood by law enforcement, a key constituency.
Trump is seeking reelection in November.
However, the violence depicted in the Trump ad shows pro-democracy protesters fighting police in Ukraine in 2014 and not the recent U.S. protests.
The ad has since gone viral among Trump critics. The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to media inquiries about the ad.
The United States backed the Ukrainian protesters, who took to the streets after then-President Viktor Yanukovych agreed to closer ties with Russia, angering those citizens who wanted Ukraine to eventually join the European Union.
The protesters, some of whom stood for weeks in the freezing cold and faced police brutality, were admired around the world.


rferl--2020-07-22--Pakistani Protesters Condemn Assassination Attempt On Rights Activist

Dozens of protesters have staged a demonstration in Pakistan 's northwestern city of Peshawar to condemn an assassination attempt on Fazal Khan , an ethnic Pashtun rights activist .
Khan has been a vocal critic of both the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan ( TTP ) militant group and Pakistani authorities , which he accuses of turning a blind eye to militants .
Khan , a lawyer , told police that he was on his way home from the Peshawar High Court on July 21 when two motorcyclists opened fire on him .
Khan said he got away unharmed .
Protesters on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citizens from militant groups .
Khan lost his son in a Peshawar school massacre carried out by TTP militants in 2014 and has campaigned for justice for the nearly 150 students and teachers who were killed .
Khan is a member of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement ( PTM ) , which defends the rights of Pashtuns , Pakistan ’ s largest ethnic minority .
The PTM has campaigned for civil rights for ethnic Pashtuns since 2018 .
The group has attracted tens of thousands of people to public rallies to denounce the powerful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regions impacted by militant operations and the military 's alleged connection with Islamist militants .
International rights groups say authorities have banned peaceful rallies organized by the PTM and some of its leading members have been arbitrarily detained and prevented from traveling within the country .
Some members have also faced charges for alleged sedition and cybercrimes .

Dozens of protesters have staged a demonstration in Pakistan's northwestern city of Peshawar to condemn an assassination attempt on Fazal Khan, an ethnic Pashtun rights activist.
Khan has been a vocal critic of both the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militant group and Pakistani authorities, which he accuses of turning a blind eye to militants.
Khan, a lawyer, told police that he was on his way home from the Peshawar High Court on July 21 when two motorcyclists opened fire on him. Khan said he got away unharmed.
Protesters on July 22 urged the government to protect citizens from militant groups.
Khan lost his son in a Peshawar school massacre carried out by TTP militants in 2014 and has campaigned for justice for the nearly 150 students and teachers who were killed.
Khan is a member of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), which defends the rights of Pashtuns, Pakistan’s largest ethnic minority.
The PTM has campaigned for civil rights for ethnic Pashtuns since 2018.
The group has attracted tens of thousands of people to public rallies to denounce the powerful Pakistani Army's heavy-handed operations in tribal regions impacted by militant operations and the military's alleged connection with Islamist militants.
International rights groups say authorities have banned peaceful rallies organized by the PTM and some of its leading members have been arbitrarily detained and prevented from traveling within the country. Some members have also faced charges for alleged sedition and cybercrimes.


rferl--2020-07-22--U.S. Offers $2 Million Reward In Global Search For Ukrainians Accused Of Hacking SEC Database

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Secret Service has announced a $ 2 million reward for information leading to the arrest or conviction of two Ukrainian men accused of hacking into the Securities and Exchange Commission ’ s data system .
Artem Radchenko , 28 , and Oleksandr Ieremenko , 28 , acquired inside information on publicly traded companies by stealing test versions of quarterly and annual reports filed with the SEC but not yet available to investors , the Secret Service said in a statement on July 22 .
The two men earned over $ 4.5 million in illicit profit by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and trading on it .
Radchenko and Ieremenko carried out their scheme for more than a year , the Secret Service said .
The reward , which consists of $ 1 million for helping capture each individual , is an unprecedented step by the Secret Service .
“ For the first time in agency history , we are able to strategically leverage resources worldwide in the pursuit of a wanted fugitive charged with the exploitation and manipulation of our financial systems , ” U.S. Secret Service Director James M. Murray said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the District of New Jersey last year charged Radchenko and Ieremenko with securities fraud conspiracy , wire fraud conspiracy , computer fraud conspiracy , wire fraud , and computer fraud in a 16-count indictment .
Radchenko and Ieremenko were born in Kyiv , according to information published by the Secret Service .
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also announced the reward on Twitter .
“ We will continue working with @ TheJusticeDept to protect American citizens and other nations from being victimized by cyber-crime , ” he said in the tweet .

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Secret Service has announced a $2 million reward for information leading to the arrest or conviction of two Ukrainian men accused of hacking into the Securities and Exchange Commission’s data system.
Artem Radchenko, 28, and Oleksandr Ieremenko, 28, acquired inside information on publicly traded companies by stealing test versions of quarterly and annual reports filed with the SEC but not yet available to investors, the Secret Service said in a statement on July 22.
The two men earned over $4.5 million in illicit profit by both selling the inside information to others and trading on it. Radchenko and Ieremenko carried out their scheme for more than a year, the Secret Service said.
The reward, which consists of $1 million for helping capture each individual, is an unprecedented step by the Secret Service.
“For the first time in agency history, we are able to strategically leverage resources worldwide in the pursuit of a wanted fugitive charged with the exploitation and manipulation of our financial systems,” U.S. Secret Service Director James M. Murray said in a statement.
A federal grand jury in the District of New Jersey last year charged Radchenko and Ieremenko with securities fraud conspiracy, wire fraud conspiracy, computer fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, and computer fraud in a 16-count indictment.
Radchenko and Ieremenko were born in Kyiv, according to information published by the Secret Service.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also announced the reward on Twitter.
“We will continue working with @TheJusticeDept to protect American citizens and other nations from being victimized by cyber-crime,” he said in the tweet.


rferl--2020-07-22--Pompeo Discusses Arctic Cooperation In Copenhagen Amid Rivalry For Region's Wealth

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he had a “ positive meeting ” with his counterparts from Denmark , Greenland and the Faroe Islands as they discussed Arctic cooperation amid growing economic and military competition in the region .
Pompeo met July 22 with the three foreign ministers in Copenhagen , marking the first visit by a U.S. Secretary of State to Denmark since 2016 .
The top U.S. diplomat also discussed energy security , including the construction of Russia ’ s controversial Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline , which runs through Denmark ’ s economic waters .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are among countries vying for dominance in the Arctic , which is believed to possess massive energy and mining resources .
Global warming is opening up the region to more exploration and shipping routes .
The United States has accused Russia of militarizing its regions of the Arctic and as called for more cooperation among allies with Arctic territory , including Denmark and Canada .
Greenland and the Faroe Islands , which are members of the Arctic Council , an international organization , are both part of the Kingdom of Denmark .
Pompeo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the reopening of a U.S. Consulate in Greenland .
The Arctic island is also home to the key Thule base , the northernmost U.S. defense site .
He also said the Faroe Islands and the United States had agreed to enhance economic ties , including in the fisheries industry .
He gave no further details on the agreement .
The ministers did not discuss the possible purchase of Greenland by the United States , Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod said .
“ That discussion was dealt with last year , it was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
U.S. President Donald Trump raised the idea of buying Greenland last year ahead of a planned visit to Copenhagen .
When the idea was rejected by Denmark , Trump canceled his trip .
Prior to his talks with Kofod , Greenland 's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Energy Steen Lynge , and Faroe Islands Minister for Foreign Affairs and Culture Jenis av Rana , Pompeo met with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen .
Pompeo and Frederiksen discussed “ European energy security and other matters of mutual concern , ” the U.S. State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seeking to halt the Kremlin ’ s Nord Stream 2 pipeline , which would carry natural gas from Russia to Germany via the Baltic Sea .
Russia is trying to lay the last remaining segment of the pipeline near Danish watters .
Nord Stream 2 , which consists of two parallel lines stretching 1,230 kilometers each , is more than 90 percent complete .
After Denmark gave approval to Russian vessels to finish the work , Pompeo said July 15 that the United States would sanction any company that assists the project .

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he had a “positive meeting” with his counterparts from Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands as they discussed Arctic cooperation amid growing economic and military competition in the region.
Pompeo met July 22 with the three foreign ministers in Copenhagen, marking the first visit by a U.S. Secretary of State to Denmark since 2016.
The top U.S. diplomat also discussed energy security, including the construction of Russia’s controversial Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, which runs through Denmark’s economic waters.
The United States, Russia, and China are among countries vying for dominance in the Arctic, which is believed to possess massive energy and mining resources. Global warming is opening up the region to more exploration and shipping routes.
The United States has accused Russia of militarizing its regions of the Arctic and as called for more cooperation among allies with Arctic territory, including Denmark and Canada.
Greenland and the Faroe Islands, which are members of the Arctic Council, an international organization, are both part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
Pompeo said in a statement that he welcomed the reopening of a U.S. Consulate in Greenland. The Arctic island is also home to the key Thule base, the northernmost U.S. defense site.
He also said the Faroe Islands and the United States had agreed to enhance economic ties, including in the fisheries industry. He gave no further details on the agreement.
The ministers did not discuss the possible purchase of Greenland by the United States, Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod said.
“That discussion was dealt with last year, it was not on the table,” Kofod said.
U.S. President Donald Trump raised the idea of buying Greenland last year ahead of a planned visit to Copenhagen. When the idea was rejected by Denmark, Trump canceled his trip.
Prior to his talks with Kofod, Greenland's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Energy Steen Lynge, and Faroe Islands Minister for Foreign Affairs and Culture Jenis av Rana, Pompeo met with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.
Pompeo and Frederiksen discussed “European energy security and other matters of mutual concern,” the U.S. State Department said.
The United States is seeking to halt the Kremlin’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which would carry natural gas from Russia to Germany via the Baltic Sea.
Russia is trying to lay the last remaining segment of the pipeline near Danish watters.
Nord Stream 2, which consists of two parallel lines stretching 1,230 kilometers each, is more than 90 percent complete.
After Denmark gave approval to Russian vessels to finish the work, Pompeo said July 15 that the United States would sanction any company that assists the project.


rferl--2020-07-22--Rallies In Khabarovsk Continue As Protesters Demand Putin's Resignation

KHABAROVSK , Russia -- Hundreds of supporters of the arrested ex-governor of Russia 's Far Eastern Khabarovsk Krai region , Sergei Furgal , have rallied for a 12th day , this time demanding the resignation of the country 's president , Vladimir Putin .
The demonstrators gathered on the central square in the regional capital , Khabarovsk , on July 22 , chanting `` Putin must resign '' and `` No trust in 20 years , '' referring to Putin 's ruling the country as president or prime minister since 1999 .
Police were present at the rally but did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way across the city chanting slogans denouncing the newly appointed acting governor of the region , Mikhail Degtyaryov .
Degtyaryov was appointed by Putin , on July 20 .
He arrived in Khabarovsk on the morning of July 21 , but did not meet with the protesters , who were demonstrating at the time against his appointment .
Degtyaryov posted a video statement on his Instagram account on July 22 saying that he was not going to leave Khabarovsk and that he wished Furgal all the best in his upcoming trial .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' behind the ongoing protests , though he did not specify who .
Degtyaryov ’ s statement on Instagram sparked a huge wave of criticism online .
Putin fired Furgal on July 20 before appointing Degtyaryov to the post .
Both are members of Vladimir Zhirinovsky 's nationalist Liberal Democratic Party of Russia ( LDPR ) .
On July 21 , two local lawmakers , Pyotr Yemelyanov and Aleksandr Kayan , quit the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia to protest Furgal ’ s dismissal from office .
Furgal , who was arrested in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moscow , is charged with attempted murder and for ordering two murders in 2004-2005 .
He denies the allegations .
He was elected governor of the Khabarovsk region , which borders China , almost two years ago in an upset for the longtime incumbent who represented the ruling United Russia party .
The Khabarovsk rallies have attracted thousands of people on the weekends and are the largest protests in the city since the fall of the Soviet Union .
Such sizeable demonstrations far from the Russian capital are a rare public show of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a controversial nationwide vote that set the stage for Putin to remain in power until 2036 .
Authorities have been unnerved by the protests , with the regional capital 's mayor calling for calm and saying such rallies were illegal and could help accelerate the spread of the coronavirus .
Russia 's Federal Security Service ( FSB ) had also warned of an alleged terrorist threat involving explosives , which it claimed to have already foiled .
Authorities in Khabarovsk region have also said they were considering a return to strict quarantine measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation with the spread of coronavirus infection .
”

KHABAROVSK, Russia -- Hundreds of supporters of the arrested ex-governor of Russia's Far Eastern Khabarovsk Krai region, Sergei Furgal, have rallied for a 12th day, this time demanding the resignation of the country's president, Vladimir Putin.
The demonstrators gathered on the central square in the regional capital, Khabarovsk, on July 22, chanting "Putin must resign" and "No trust in 20 years," referring to Putin's ruling the country as president or prime minister since 1999.
Police were present at the rally but did not interfere as the protesters made their way across the city chanting slogans denouncing the newly appointed acting governor of the region, Mikhail Degtyaryov.
Degtyaryov was appointed by Putin, on July 20. He arrived in Khabarovsk on the morning of July 21, but did not meet with the protesters, who were demonstrating at the time against his appointment.
Degtyaryov posted a video statement on his Instagram account on July 22 saying that he was not going to leave Khabarovsk and that he wished Furgal all the best in his upcoming trial. He added that there "must be someone" behind the ongoing protests, though he did not specify who.
Degtyaryov’s statement on Instagram sparked a huge wave of criticism online.
Putin fired Furgal on July 20 before appointing Degtyaryov to the post. Both are members of Vladimir Zhirinovsky's nationalist Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR).
On July 21, two local lawmakers, Pyotr Yemelyanov and Aleksandr Kayan, quit the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia to protest Furgal’s dismissal from office.
Furgal, who was arrested in Khabarovsk on July 9 and transferred to Moscow, is charged with attempted murder and for ordering two murders in 2004-2005. He denies the allegations.
He was elected governor of the Khabarovsk region, which borders China, almost two years ago in an upset for the longtime incumbent who represented the ruling United Russia party.
The Khabarovsk rallies have attracted thousands of people on the weekends and are the largest protests in the city since the fall of the Soviet Union.
Such sizeable demonstrations far from the Russian capital are a rare public show of defiance against the Kremlin and come following a controversial nationwide vote that set the stage for Putin to remain in power until 2036.
Authorities have been unnerved by the protests, with the regional capital's mayor calling for calm and saying such rallies were illegal and could help accelerate the spread of the coronavirus.
Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) had also warned of an alleged terrorist threat involving explosives, which it claimed to have already foiled.
Authorities in Khabarovsk region have also said they were considering a return to strict quarantine measures and attributed this to the “difficult situation with the spread of coronavirus infection.”


rferl--2020-07-22--UN Experts Urge Immediate Release Of Iranian Human Rights Defender With COVID-19 Symptoms

A group of UN human rights experts has called on Iran to immediately release imprisoned human rights activist Narges Mohammadi , who has reportedly been suffering from symptoms of COVID-19 -- the illness caused by the new coronavirus -- `` before it is too late . ''
`` The group of 16 experts expressed grave concerns that Ms. Mohammadi appears to have contracted COVID-19 in Zanjan Prison , '' the UN Human Rights Council said in a statement on July 22 .
Mohammadi , who is serving a prison sentence for anti-government propaganda and membership of a banned group opposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in detention since 2015 .
She received a combined 16-year prison sentence in May 2016 , of which she will need to serve 10 years under Iranian law .
The UN experts called on authorities to give Mohammadi , who showed the first symptoms of COVID-19 on June 29 , the results of the test she took on 8 July , and to move her to a hospital for proper care .
Mohammadi , who served as the spokesperson for the Center for Human Rights Defenders in Iran founded by Nobel Peace Prize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letter from prison published online on July 13 , that she and 11 of her cellmates were suspected of having been infected with the coronavirus .
One of her cellmates subsequently tested positive .
In her letter , the activist said “ signs ” of an outbreak of coronavirus emerged in the Zanjan prison , some 330 kilometers west of the capital Tehran , at the beginning of this month , and called on Iran ’ s Health Ministry to send a representative to the prison to investigate the situation .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s well-being .
We previously raised concerns that she and other individuals in Iranian prisons are at great risk if they contract COVID-19 and we called for their immediate release , ” the UN experts said .
“ For those with underlying health conditions , such as Ms. Mohammadi , it may have life-or-death consequences .
The Iranian authorities must act now before it is too late.
” The experts also voiced concern that there may be more cases in prison , as prisoners previously released on furlough are being returned to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus infections is spiking again in Iran .
Iran has been struggling to contain the deadly coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 14,600 Iranians and infected nearly 280,000 , according to official figures .
Real numbers are believed to be significantly higher .
“ Ms .
Mohammadi should not be in prison in the first place , ” the experts said , adding that her detention is arbitrary .
“ We yet again call on Iran to immediately release Ms. Mohammadi , as well as all others who are currently denied their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights , ” the UN experts said .

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--2020-07-22--More Than A Dozen Afghan Officers, Scores Of Taliban Militants Killed As Violence Escalates

Over a dozen Afghan security personnel and scores of Taliban militants have been killed in attacks across the country as violence continues to surge despite an initial peace deal .
Afghan officials said at least 45 Taliban militants , including several commanders , were killed in an air strike in the western province of Herat on July 22 .
Abdul Ali Faqiryar , the governor of Herat ’ s Adraskan district , said the air strike targeted a gathering of Taliban fighters .
The Taliban said in a statement that people had gathered to welcome a Taliban prisoner who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ militants said eight civilians were among those killed .
It was unclear if the air strike was conducted by Afghan or NATO forces .
Hours earlier , eight Afghan security personnel , including three senior security officials , were killed by a roadside bomb in the southern province of Uruzgan .
The security officers were on their way from an army base in the Khas Uruzgan district of Urozgan Province to the local police headquarters on July 22 when their Humvee tank hit a roadside bomb , provincial authorities told RFE/RL .
District @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of local police in Khas Uruzgan , and a senior officer of the Afghan National Army were among those killed , Khan Mohammad , a commander at the district base , told RFE/RL .
Several other officers were injured .
The Taliban has controlled the roads leading to the area for more than eight years and has been carrying out large-scale operations .
The Afghan forces stationed there are often supplied by air as the roads are too dangerous .
Mohammad said that dozens of Taliban fighters had gathered from neighboring districts and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ district 's headquarters .
The spokesperson for the provincial governor Zargai Ebadi said that they would send more security forces to the area in the coming days to boost support .
Elsewhere , the provincial police chief of the southern province of Kandahar said on July 22 that Taliban militants stormed several security checkpoints in the Takht-e Pol district overnight , killing at least seven government personnel .
The July 22 attack is the latest against Afghan forces since a peace deal was signed five months ago .
More than a dozen Afghan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ separate attacks .
A framework deal signed by the Taliban and the United States in February calls for direct negotiations between the militant group and the Western-backed government in Kabul aimed at putting an end to the nearly two-decade-old war in Afghanistan .
The Taliban and government forces have been exchanging accusations over a recent surge in attacks across Afghanistan -- even as efforts continue to try and bring about the start of direct peace talks between Kabul and the militants .

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--2020-07-22--Russia-Controlled Court Sentences Crimean Tatar For Participation In Resistance Group

A court in Russia-annexed Crimea has sentenced a local Tatar man to eight years in prison after finding him guilty @ @ @ @ @ an `` illegal armed group ” that resists Moscow ’ s control of the peninsula @ @ @ @ @ ( FSB ) said on July 22 that Nariman Mezhmedinov , 55 , had joined @ @ @ @ @ Crimean Tatar volunteers in 2016 .
The battalion operates in Ukraine ’ s southern Kherson @ @ @ @ @ .
According to the FSB , Mezhmedinov had actively participated for four months during 2016 @ @ @ @ @ , namely blocking roads near a checkpoint and searching vehicles coming in and out of @ @ @ @ @ the Kremlin annexed the peninsula in 2014 following a revolution that installed a pro-Western government @ @ @ @ @ have prosecuted dozens of Crimean Tatars and other local residents who openly oppose Moscow ’ @ @ @ @ @ and Western governments have denounced Russian actions in Crimea as a campaign of repression and @ @ @ @ @ of those detained for political reasons .
Based on reporting by TASS and Interfax

A court in Russia-annexed Crimea has sentenced a local Tatar man to eight years in prison after finding him guilty of being a member of an "illegal armed group” that resists Moscow’s control of the peninsula.
The Federal Security Service (FSB) said on July 22 that Nariman Mezhmedinov, 55, had joined the Noman Chelebidzhikhan battalion of Crimean Tatar volunteers in 2016. The battalion operates in Ukraine’s southern Kherson region bordering the Crimean peninsula.
According to the FSB, Mezhmedinov had actively participated for four months during 2016 in the battalion's activities, namely blocking roads near a checkpoint and searching vehicles coming in and out of Crimea in 2016.
Since the Kremlin annexed the peninsula in 2014 following a revolution that installed a pro-Western government in Kyiv, Russian authorities have prosecuted dozens of Crimean Tatars and other local residents who openly oppose Moscow’s control.
Rights groups and Western governments have denounced Russian actions in Crimea as a campaign of repression and have called for the release of those detained for political reasons.
Based on reporting by TASS and Interfax


rferl--2020-07-22--EU 'To Impose Sanctions' On Russia, China, North Korea Over Cyberattacks

European Union ambassadors have given the green light to sanctions on Russia 's GRU military intelligence unit , as well as on Chinese and North Korean entities over three separate cyberattacks in recent years .
Several sources familiar with the file told RFE/RL on July 22 that the ambassadors decided to freeze assets of the GRU , China 's Tianjin Huaying Haitai Science & technology development Co. , and North Korea 's Chosun Expo .
They also will freeze potential funds held by all three in the bloc and impose visa bans on six unnamed citizens from China and Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WannaCry , NotPetya and Cloud Hopper cyberattacks .
The sanctions , which will be formally adopted before the end of July , are the first ever imposed by the EU under its new cybersanctions regime , which was adopted last year and allows the bloc to implement visa bans and asset freezes on people and entities involved in cyberattacks both against EU member states and third countries and international organizations .
The WannaCry ransomware attack in May 2018 , followed by NotPetya a month later , paralyzed computers -- and companies -- globally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspected of being behind the Cloud Hopper attack , which targeted businesses and government agencies through IT service providers .
The attacks , which have been linked to the three countries by various intelligence agencies , hit several EU member states and other countries around the world .
EU officials have accused Russia of conducting a hacking campaign against the West .
Russia is accused of being behind an attempt to hack into the network of the global chemical-weapons watchdog , the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons , in the Netherlands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigating the nerve-agent attack on former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Britain in 2018 , as well as the alleged use of chemical weapons by the Syrian government .
Separately , sources said the European Union is also working on listing two additional individuals , as well as one entity , all from Russia , who Berlin claims were involved in a 2015 cyberattack against the German Bundestag .
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that there was “ hard evidence ” of the involvement of `` Russian forces '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in which documents from her own parliamentary office were reportedly stolen .
Russia has denied any involvement in the hacking incidents .

European Union ambassadors have given the green light to sanctions on Russia's GRU military intelligence unit, as well as on Chinese and North Korean entities over three separate cyberattacks in recent years.
Several sources familiar with the file told RFE/RL on July 22 that the ambassadors decided to freeze assets of the GRU, China's Tianjin Huaying Haitai Science & technology development Co., and North Korea's Chosun Expo.
They also will freeze potential funds held by all three in the bloc and impose visa bans on six unnamed citizens from China and Russia who the bloc believe are behind the WannaCry, NotPetya and Cloud Hopper cyberattacks.
The sanctions, which will be formally adopted before the end of July, are the first ever imposed by the EU under its new cybersanctions regime, which was adopted last year and allows the bloc to implement visa bans and asset freezes on people and entities involved in cyberattacks both against EU member states and third countries and international organizations.
The WannaCry ransomware attack in May 2018, followed by NotPetya a month later, paralyzed computers -- and companies -- globally. The China-based hacker group APT10 is suspected of being behind the Cloud Hopper attack, which targeted businesses and government agencies through IT service providers.
The attacks, which have been linked to the three countries by various intelligence agencies, hit several EU member states and other countries around the world.
EU officials have accused Russia of conducting a hacking campaign against the West.
Russia is accused of being behind an attempt to hack into the network of the global chemical-weapons watchdog, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, in the Netherlands last year.
The agency had been investigating the nerve-agent attack on former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Britain in 2018, as well as the alleged use of chemical weapons by the Syrian government.
Separately, sources said the European Union is also working on listing two additional individuals, as well as one entity, all from Russia, who Berlin claims were involved in a 2015 cyberattack against the German Bundestag.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that there was “hard evidence” of the involvement of "Russian forces" in the attack against the German parliament in which documents from her own parliamentary office were reportedly stolen.
Russia has denied any involvement in the hacking incidents.


rferl--2020-07-22--Russian Gulag Historian Sentenced To 3 1/2 Years On Charges He Denies

PETROZAVODSK , Russia -- A court in Russia 's northwestern region of Karelia has sentenced historian and human rights activist Yury Dmitriyev to 3 1/2 years in prison on sexual assault charges involving his adopted daughter , which he and his supporters vehemently deny .
About 100 people , including Dmitriyev 's relatives and friends , human rights activists , opposition politicians , and others , gathered in front of the Petrozavodsk City Court on July 22 when Dmitriyev 's verdict and sentence were pronounced behind closed doors .
Dmitriyev 's lawyer , Viktor Anufriyev , said that the court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , sexual misconduct , and illegal weapon possession against his client .
The Petrozavodsk City Court 's website said Judge Aleksandr Merkov found Dmitriyev guilty of `` violent acts of a sexual nature committed against a person under 14 years of age . ''
According to Anufriyev , his client may be released as early as in November if time served during investigations and the trial are taken into account .
It was not immediately clear whether Dmitriyev plans to appeal the verdict .
Prosecutors had asked the court to sentence Dmitriyev to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case dates back to 2016 , when Dmitriyev was arrested on child-pornography charges based on photographs of his daughter that authorities found on his computer .
He has proclaimed his innocence , contending that the images were not pornographic and were made at the request of social workers concerned about the child ’ s development .
A local court acquitted Dmitriyev in April 2018 , but the Karelia Supreme Court subsequently upheld an appeal by prosecutors and ordered a new trial .
The historian was rearrested in June 2018 and charged with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a sexual nature committed against a person under 14 years of age '' -- again referring to his daughter .
Supporters of the 64-year-old , who is also the head of the Karelia branch of the Moscow-based human rights group Memorial , have said the charges were brought against him because of his research into a side of history that complicates the Kremlin 's glorification of the Soviet past .
Dmitriyev 's decades-long efforts to expose the extent of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin 's crimes have been viewed with hostility by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the verdict , Human Rights Watch ( HRW ) expressed concern about the case , casting doubt on its validity .
The `` circumstances surrounding criminal charges '' against Dmitriyev `` strongly suggest that they are spurious and target him for his human rights work , '' HRW said in a statement .
In May , dozens of Russian scholars , historians , writers , poets , opposition politicians , artists , and actors signed an open letter asking the Karelia Supreme Court to release Dmitriyev , expressing concerns over the researcher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found in the detention center where he is being held .
The European Union has called on the Russian authorities to release Dmitriyev and reconsider the charges against him .
With reporting by Kommersant and Novaya Gazeta


rferl--2020-07-23--Suspect Armed With Grenade Takes Police Officer Hostage In Ukraine

KYIV -- Police officials in Ukraine say a man suspected in the theft of a car has taken a police @ @ @ @ @ detonate a grenade when law enforcement officers tried to detain him in the central city @ @ @ @ @ the statement by the National Police on July 23 , the man agreed to swap @ @ @ @ @ local chief detective .
The two then drove off in a vehicle provided to him @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The operation to apprehend the perpetrator is under way , '' the statement @ @ @ @ @ Anton Herashchenko wrote on Facebook that the perpetrator is 32-year-old Roman Skrypnyk , who has @ @ @ @ @ hostage-taking incident comes a day after another man held 13 passengers hostage on a bus @ @ @ @ @ of Lutsk for 12 hours before he was apprehended .

KYIV -- Police officials in Ukraine say a man suspected in the theft of a car has taken a police officer hostage after threatening to detonate a grenade when law enforcement officers tried to detain him in the central city of Poltava.
According to the statement by the National Police on July 23, the man agreed to swap the police officer for a local chief detective. The two then drove off in a vehicle provided to him as part of his demands.
Hours later, the suspect left the car with the hostage inside and escaped into a forest by foot, police said, adding that the operation to apprehend the man continues.
Deputy Interior Minister Anton Herashchenko wrote on Facebook that the perpetrator is 32-year-old Roman Skrypnyk, who has a criminal record.
The hostage-taking incident comes two days after another man held 13 passengers hostage on a bus in Ukraine's northwestern city of Lutsk for 12 hours before he was apprehended.