rferl--2020-06-02--Two Killed In Kabul Mosque Bombing After Deadly Roadside Bomb Blast In North

KABUL -- Afghan officials say a bomb exploded at a mosque in the Afghan capital , killing two people , a day after seven civilians died in a roadside bombing in the country 's north .
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attacks , which came amid a reduction in overall violence across much of Afghanistan since last-week 's cease-fire between the Taliban and the government .
Interior Ministry spokesman Tariq Arian said the bomb targeted the Wazir Akber Khan Mosque on June 2 as worshipers gathered for evening prayers .
Arian said the mosque 's imam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of two people killed in the attack , which wounded at least two other people .
The Taliban condemned the killing of the imam `` in strong terms . ''
The attack was also condemned by President Ashraf Ghani and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan ( UNAMA ) , which said those responsible should be held into account .
The Islamic State extremist group has been active in Kabul in recent weeks and has in the past targeted mosques in Afghanistan .
Reports initially said the attack was conducted by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Akbar Khan neighborhood is home to embassies and government buildings .
Earlier , officials said an explosion struck a small truck carrying a group of laborers late on June 1 in the volatile district of Khan Abad , in the northern Kunduz Province .
Provincial spokesman Esmatullah Muradi said he suspected the Taliban .
`` The Taliban plants roadside bombs to target security forces , but their bombs usually kill civilians , '' Muradi said .
Two of the six people wounded in the attack were in critical condition , said district chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ welcomed the Taliban cease-fire declared to mark the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr and authorities responded by announcing that they would accelerate the release of Taliban prisoners as a `` goodwill gesture '' before the launch of peace talks .
Afghanistan 's former chief executive , Abdullah Abdullah , who has been appointed to lead the talks , said his team was ready to begin negotiations `` at any moment . ''
The United States and the Taliban signed an agreement in February aimed at ending the longest war in U.S. history that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of U.S. troops from Afghanistan in return for security commitments from the Taliban .
The deal , of which the Afghan government was not a signatory , also stipulates that Kabul nevertheless must free 5,000 Taliban prisoners , while the militants are to release 1,000 captives .
Afghan authorities have so far released around 2,700 Taliban militants while the militant group has freed some 400 government captives .
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , who has been pushing for intra-Afghan peace talks to begin , held a video conference with top officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deputy , Amrullah Saleh .
Ghani 's office said in a statement that Saleh highlighted the importance of the ongoing drop in violence and the need for the cease-fire to hold .
The two sides discussed the future steps needed to bring peace in Afghanistan , the statement said , adding that the release of Taliban prisoners and the venue for the intra-Afghan peace talks were also tackled .
In Washington , U.S. special envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad said he was optimistic that the Taliban and Afghan government will begin peace talks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pulled out ahead of schedule if all goes well .
Khalilzad said on June 1 that there 'd been a lot of progress as the Afghan government speeds up the release of prisoners .
`` We are in a good place , '' Khalilzad said , adding that levels of violence in Afghanistan have remained relatively low since the Eid al-Fitr cease-fire .
`` We are optimistic that finally we 're moving forward to the start of the intra-Afghan negotiations . ''
Speaking to reporters in Washington , Khalilzad did not set a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs to be done '' on freeing prisoners .
Under the February agreement , the United States will pull troops out of Afghanistan by mid-2021 in exchange for the insurgents ' commitments to keep out Al-Qaeda and other foreign extremists .
U.S. officials have said that troops already are returning home and the withdrawal is ahead of schedule .
The United States invaded Afghanistan in 2001 and toppled the Taliban regime , saying it had provided a safe haven to Al-Qaeda , which carried out the September 11 , 2001 attacks .
With @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and dpa


rferl--2020-06-03--Kosovo Lawmakers End Months Of Turmoil, Approve New Government With Hoti As PM

Lawmakers in Kosovo have approved a new government led by Avdullah Hoti , ending months of political turmoil .
The @ @ @ @ @ deputies endorse the new administration , while 24 were against and one lawmaker abstained .
@ @ @ @ @ ’ s leftist-nationalist Vetevendosje ( Self-Determination ) party , which had called for early general @ @ @ @ @ .
The government will be led by Hoti ’ s center-right LDK party .
Hoti @ @ @ @ @ , was approved as the new prime minister by lawmakers.

Lawmakers in Kosovo has approved a new government led by Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti by a razor-thin majority, ending months of political turmoil.
On June 3, Hoti, a 44-year-old economics professor and former finance minister, secured 61 votes in the 120-seat parliament. A total of 24 lawmakers voted against, with one abstention.
The leftist-nationalist Vetevendosje (Self-Determination) party did not participate in the vote.
As the vote took place, a small number of Vetevendosje supporters protested outside the parliament building, calling for early elections. Some of them tried to enter the parliament building but were turned away by police.
Hoti’s new fragile coalition government, formed between the center-right Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) and two former opposition groups and parties representing ethnic minorities, will now attempt to move Kosovo forward on stalled normalization talks with neighboring Serbia while dealing with the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
"I feel responsible to the deputies, to the citizens, and to the constitution for the tasks that await us," Hoti told the assembly.
Kosovo, a former province of Serbia, declared independence in 2008 in a move rejected by Belgrade. Both Serbia and Kosovo are under pressure from the United States and the EU to strike a comprehensive agreement.
Hoti said the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia on reaching a deal is essential to the interests of Kosovo and that the opposition should participate in the process.
"We should all be together in the dialogue because a successful end is in the interest of everyone in Kosovo," the new prime minister said.
Hoti stressed that any agreement with Belgrade will be based on reciprocal recognition, which he said will help ensure long-term stabilization of Kosovo and guarantee future membership in the United Nations, NATO, and the European Union.
He also spoke about Kosovo’s partnership with the United States and the European Union, saying the role of the two is inseparable in the dialogue with Serbia. He said the United States and the EU must be involved in both reaching an agreement and in implementing it.
Vetevendosje, the party of Hoti’s predecessor, former Prime Minister Albin Kurti, has accused Washington and Kosovar President Hashim Thaci of working in tandem to remove him from power in order to push through a deal with Serbia. Both Washington and Thaci deny the accusations.
The LDK initially partnered with Kurti after coming in second place behind Vetevendosje in elections in October, but the union fell apart after the LDK held a no-confidence motion against Kurti in March.
Kurti demanded new elections, but the Constitutional Court ruled that a new government could be formed without a vote, giving Hoti a path to the premiership.
Hoti said there had been an unprecedented campaign against the United States, adding that anti-Americanism had been what he called the greatest damage that has happened to Kosovo in 30 years of efforts for freedom and independence.
“Taking responsibility for running the government today, when our strategic relations with international partners have been disrupted by populist policies, is a great challenge and requires great commitment,” he said.
"We have no dilemmas with America or anyone else. For us, a partnership with the United States has no alternative," Hoti added.
But he said the fight against the coronavirus pandemic and economic reconstruction after the health crisis, however, are the main priorities of the new government. Other priorities include the implementation of reforms and the fight against organized crime and corruption.
Both the EU and the U.S. Embassy in Pristina welcomed the new government.
“The EU-facilitated dialogue is the only way to turn Kosovo’s European future into a reality for its citizens,” EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi said in a statement.
The U.S. Embassy said it looked forward to working with Hoti’s government “to continue important work on peace, justice, and prosperity, including efforts to strengthen regional relations and combat COVID-19."
With reporting by RFE/RL’s Balkan Service, AP, AFP, and dpa


rferl--2020-06-03--At Least 20 People Detained In Moscow While Protesting Police Violence

MOSCOW -- Police in Moscow detained at least 20 demonstrators on June 2 as they rallied in front of the Moscow City Police headquarters to protest against police violence .
Current Time correspondents reported from the site that Yegor Ilyushkin , press secretary of the Civil Society movement , along with activists Mila Zemtsova , Lusine Minasyan , Maria Chernykh , Ksenia Babich , and many other noted civil rights defenders were among those detained The series of single-person pickets , protest acts that do not require preliminary permission from the authorities , was held after local media reported the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man in St. Petersburg suspected of stealing several rolls of wallpaper .
The National Guard explained the fatal shooting by `` noticing an item looking like an assault rifle aimed at the officers '' in the man 's hands .
Last week , police detained dozens of picketers in front of the Moscow City Police headquarters as they expressed support for journalist Ilya Azar .
Azar was sentenced to 15 days in jail for publicly protesting against the jailing of Vladimir Vorontsov , an activist who has worked to expose violations within Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said on May 29 that even single-person pickets have been banned in Moscow as a precaution against the coronavirus pandemic .

MOSCOW -- Police in Moscow detained at least 20 demonstrators on June 2 as they rallied in front of the Moscow City Police headquarters to protest against police violence.
Current Time correspondents reported from the site that Yegor Ilyushkin, press secretary of the Civil Society movement, along with activists Mila Zemtsova, Lusine Minasyan, Maria Chernykh, Ksenia Babich, and many other noted civil rights defenders were among those detained
The series of single-person pickets, protest acts that do not require preliminary permission from the authorities, was held after local media reported the killing by National Guard officers of a man in St. Petersburg suspected of stealing several rolls of wallpaper. The National Guard explained the fatal shooting by "noticing an item looking like an assault rifle aimed at the officers" in the man's hands.
Last week, police detained dozens of picketers in front of the Moscow City Police headquarters as they expressed support for journalist Ilya Azar.
Azar was sentenced to 15 days in jail for publicly protesting against the jailing of Vladimir Vorontsov, an activist who has worked to expose violations within Russia's law enforcement agencies.
Moscow police said on May 29 that even single-person pickets have been banned in Moscow as a precaution against the coronavirus pandemic.


rferl--2020-06-03--Iranian Scientist Arrives Home After Being Released From U.S. Custody

An Iranian scientist who had been detained in the United States has landed in his homeland amid denials from both countries that his release is part of a prisoner swap .
Sirous Asgari , a materials science professor at Tehran 's Sharif University of Technology , arrived in Iran on June 3 , the semiofficial ISNA news agency reported .
The 59-year-old Asgari was charged in 2016 with attempting to steal trade secrets from a research project being carried out by Case Western Reserve University in Ohio .
He denied the charge and was acquitted in November after a U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the prosecutors .
The United States and Iran conducted a swap in December , when Chinese-American researcher Xiyue Wang and Iranian scientist Massud Soleimani were freed .
Asgari ’ s return to Iran led to speculation that he could be part of another prisoner swap .
But Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Musavi said that talk of a prisoner exchange was `` groundless '' because Asgari was `` released on the basis of being acquitted . ''
State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus later said `` Asgari is not and has never been a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Several other U.S. citizens are currently imprisoned in Iran or out on bail , including Navy veteran Michael White , who was temporarily released from prison in March on medical grounds amid the coronavirus pandemic .
White was arrested in 2018 and sentenced to 13 years in prison for allegedly insulting Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and posting private information online .
Relations between Washington and Tehran have become increasingly hostile since 2018 , when President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from a landmark nuclear deal between Iran and @ @ @

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--2020-06-03--Emergency Declared After Siberian Arctic Diesel Leak Threatens Environmental Disaster

Authorities in the Siberian city of Norilsk on June 2 declared a state of emergency after a diesel fuel leak seeped into a local river , threatening an ecological disaster in the fragile Arctic environment .
At least 20,000 liters of diesel fuel leaked from a thermal power plant on May 29 near the industrial city of Norilsk , located above the Arctic Circle .
The World Wildlife Fund ( WWF ) released satellite photos showing crimson red waters in the Daldykan and Ambarnaya rivers .
The environmental group warned that the poisoned water could reach Lake Pyasino , north @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June 2 that oil booms installed by the Federal Marine Rescue Service appeared to be helping .
However , the containment doesn ’ t mean that toxic elements wo n't enter the lake , said Aleksey Knizhnikov of WWF-Russia .
“ Unfortunately the most poisonous elements of diesel fuel are aromatic compounds like benzol , toluene , ethyl benzene , xylene , which mix with the water and it is impossible to collect them using oil booms , ” he said .
Russia 's Rosrybolovstvo state fishing agency described the fuel leak as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already be said now that it will take decades for the restoration of the ecological balance of the affected Norilo-Pyasinsky water system , '' said Dmitry Klokov , a spokesman for the agency .
Russian mining conglomerate Norilsk Nickel , which owns the thermal power facility , said the leak was caused when pillars supporting a storage tank sank due to permafrost soil thawing .
Norilsk , an isolated city of 180,000 people built around Norilsk Nickel , the world 's leading nickel and palladium producer , is constructed on permafrost and its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by climate change .
With reporting by AFP , Reuters , Interfax , and TASS

Russian President Vladimir Putin has backed a proposal to declare a state of emergency on a federal scale, days after a diesel fuel leak seeped into local rivers, threatening an ecological disaster in the fragile Arctic environment.
Authorities in the Siberian city of Norilsk already declared a state of emergency after at least 20,000 tons of diesel fuel spilled from a thermal power plant on May 29 near the industrial city of Norilsk, located above the Arctic Circle.
At a meeting with Putin on June 3, Emergencies Minister Yevgeny Zinichev called for the spill to be declared a federal emergency – a move that would allow the use of Russia’s federal capabilities to tackle the situation.
"I agree with your proposal to declare an emergency," the Russian president responded to Zinichev.
He also instructed the minister "to be quick organizing the work related to prevention of further negative effects on the environment."
During the televised videoconference, Putin lambasted the head of the company that runs the thermal power facility, NTEK, after officials said it failed to report the incident.
"Why did government agencies only find out about this two days after the fact? Are we going to learn about emergency situations from social media? Is there something wrong with you?" Putin asked NTEK chief Sergei Lipin.
Russian mining conglomerate Norilsk Nickel, which owns NTEK, said the company had reported what happened in a "timely and proper" way.
It also said the leak was caused when pillars supporting a storage tank sank due to permafrost soil thawing.
Russia's Investigative Committee announced it had launched three criminal investigations over environmental violations and detained an employee of the plant.
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has released satellite photos showing crimson red waters in the Daldykan and Ambarnaya rivers near Norilsk.
The environmental group warned that the poisoned water could reach Lake Pyasino, north of the city, but said on June 2 that oil booms installed by the Federal Marine Rescue Service appeared to be helping.
However, the containment doesn’t mean that toxic elements won't enter the lake, said Aleksey Knizhnikov of WWF-Russia.
“Unfortunately the most poisonous elements of diesel fuel are aromatic compounds like benzol, toluene, ethyl benzene, xylene, which mix with the water and it is impossible to collect them using oil booms,” he said.
'Ecological Catastrophe'
Russia's Rosrybolovstvo state fishing agency described the fuel leak as an ecological catastrophe.
"It can already be said now that it will take decades for the restoration of the ecological balance of the affected Norilo-Pyasinsky water system," said Dmitry Klokov, a spokesman for the agency.
Norilsk, an isolated city of 180,000 people built around Norilsk Nickel, the world's leading nickel and palladium producer, is located in the Krasnoyarsk region.
The city is constructed on permafrost and its infrastructure is threatened by melting ice caused by climate change.
Norilsk Nickel has historically been a major polluter. In 2018, it accounted for more than half of the emissions of sulfur dioxide emissions, a toxic gas tracked by NASA across Russia, the Barents Observer has reported.
The company is owned by Vladimir Potanin, who is Russia's richest man with a net worth of nearly $20 billion, according to Forbes.
With reporting by AFP, Reuters, Interfax, TASS, and RIA Novosti


rferl--2020-06-02--Top Ukrainian And German Diplomats Talk NATO And Conflict In Eastern Ukraine

BERLIN – Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has discussed the ongoing conflict with Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine , Kyiv ’ s relationship with NATO , and the issue of Russia-annexed Crimea with German officials during a one-day visit to Berlin .
At a joint press conference after the talks on June 2 , Kuleba and his German counterpart Heiko Maas said they had agreed to accelerate the implementation of agreements reached in Paris in December during talks held in the so-called Normandy Format , a diplomatic process involving Ukraine , Russia , Germany , and France to end fighting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Germany will continue to support Ukraine in the European Union as well as Kyiv 's ties with NATO .
Germany ’ s top diplomat stressed the importance of ending fighting in the eastern Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk , known as the Donbas , some parts of which have been controlled by Moscow-supported separatists since April 2014 .
More than 13,000 people have been killed since the beginning of the conflict , including some 50 Ukrainian soldiers killed this year .
Maas also pushed for more crossing points along the demarcation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the current five such points along the 400-kilometer line of contact are not enough .
Maas also said that it was important to continue demining operations in the conflict zone and stated that `` all sides need compromises . ''
Kuleba said that Kyiv wants peace in the Donbas , but such peace should not lead to `` crossing the red lines , '' which `` are national security , sovereignty , and territorial integrity of Ukraine . ''
Kuleba also addressed the importance of providing access to the International Committee of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Russia-annexed Crimea .
Kuleba separately mentioned dozens of Crimean Tatars held in Crimea and in Russia , saying Moscow is carrying out an `` intentional policy '' of persecution against the Muslim Turkic-speaking people of Crimea , the majority of whom opposed the peninsula 's annexation by Russia in 2014 .

BERLIN – Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has discussed the ongoing conflict with Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine, Kyiv’s relationship with NATO, and the issue of Russia-annexed Crimea with German officials during a one-day visit to Berlin.
At a joint press conference after the talks on June 2, Kuleba and his German counterpart Heiko Maas said they had agreed to accelerate the implementation of agreements reached in Paris in December during talks held in the so-called Normandy Format, a diplomatic process involving Ukraine, Russia, Germany, and France to end fighting in eastern Ukraine.
Maas also said that Germany will continue to support Ukraine in the European Union as well as Kyiv's ties with NATO.
Germany’s top diplomat stressed the importance of ending fighting in the eastern Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, known as the Donbas, some parts of which have been controlled by Moscow-supported separatists since April 2014.
More than 13,000 people have been killed since the beginning of the conflict, including some 50 Ukrainian soldiers killed this year.
Maas also pushed for more crossing points along the demarcation line in the Donbas, pointing out that the current five such points along the 400-kilometer line of contact are not enough.
Maas also said that it was important to continue demining operations in the conflict zone and stated that "all sides need compromises."
Kuleba said that Kyiv wants peace in the Donbas, but such peace should not lead to "crossing the red lines," which "are national security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine."
Kuleba also addressed the importance of providing access to the International Committee of the Red Cross for Ukrainians illegally held in Russia-annexed Crimea.
Kuleba separately mentioned dozens of Crimean Tatars held in Crimea and in Russia, saying Moscow is carrying out an "intentional policy" of persecution against the Muslim Turkic-speaking people of Crimea, the majority of whom opposed the peninsula's annexation by Russia in 2014.


rferl--2020-06-02--'Completely Crazy': Activists Slam Antigay Ad As Russia's Constitutional Vote Looms

A Russian media group linked to a close associate of President Vladimir Putin has produced an antigay political ad ahead of a vote on constitutional amendments that would open the door for the former KGB colonel to remain in power until 2036 .
The video , which was produced by Patriot Media Group and began airing this week on social media , shows a young boy ’ s disappointment upon learning that his new adopted mother is actually a makeup-wearing gay man , who immediately presents the child with a dress .
Upon observing the interaction between the boy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the orphanage spits on the ground in disgust .
`` Is this the Russia you will choose ?
Decide the future of the country .
Vote for the amendments to the constitution , '' a voiceover says at the end of the ad as the gay couple hugs .
Putin 's ally Yevgeny Prigozhin , who is commonly referred to as `` Putin ’ s chef ” because of his catering business , heads Patriot 's board of trustees .
He has been sanctioned by the United States for his role in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The video , which has attracted hundreds of thousands of views online , has been criticized for its homophobic message .
`` There is nothing worse than an orphanage for a child .
A gay or lesbian couple who can give care , warmth and love is heaven and earth compared with life in an orphanage , '' a popular Moscow-based blogger who goes by the name Ksenia Dukalis said in an Instagram post that received nearly 100,000 likes .
`` If a government or organization which films such a thing really cared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' she said .
Aleksei Navalny , a popular opposition figure , said in a tweet that Russian officials `` have gone completely crazy '' about the theme of homosexuality .
Nikolai Stolyarchuk , the head of Patriot , rejected the notion that the ad was attacking members of the lesbian , gay , bisexual , and transgender ( LGBT ) community .
`` The main idea is not a fight with the LGBT community , rather to protect the institution of the family as the union of a man and woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go to the polls on July 1 to vote for a series of amendments to the constitution that would reset Putin ’ s previous presidential term count back to zero , allowing him to run again in 2024 and 2030 .
The amendments also include a passage defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman , thus enshrining the country 's ban on same-sex marriage in the constitution It also includes declaring the Russian language as the state language and outlawing the `` falsification of history.
” The amendments can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all .
Since returning to the presidency in 2012 , Putin has promoted a “ traditional values ” agenda , including by adopting a law criminalizing “ propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations among minors.
” The law has caused many LGBT people in Russia to leave the country .
Aleksandr Filimonenko , who played one of the gay men in the political ad , said he did not know how the video was going to be used .
Filimonenko said he simply accepted the role for two videos , one of which has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calling on citizens to vote for the constitutional amendments was added after the video was shot , he said , adding that he would vote against the proposed changes to the constitution .

A Russian media group linked to a close associate of President Vladimir Putin has produced an antigay political ad ahead of a vote on constitutional amendments that would open the door for the former KGB lieutenant colonel to remain in power until 2036.
The video, which was produced by Patriot Media Group and began airing this week on social media, shows a young boy’s disappointment upon learning that his new adopted mother is actually a makeup-wearing gay man, who immediately presents the child with a dress.
Upon observing the interaction between the boy and the man, an elderly woman working at the orphanage spits on the ground in disgust.
"Is this the Russia you will choose? Decide the future of the country. Vote for the amendments to the constitution," a voiceover says at the end of the ad as the gay couple hugs.
Putin's ally Yevgeny Prigozhin, who is commonly referred to as "Putin’s chef” because of his catering business, heads Patriot's board of trustees. He has been sanctioned by the United States for his role in interfering in the 2016 presidential election.
The video, which has attracted hundreds of thousands of views online, has been criticized for its homophobic message.
"There is nothing worse than an orphanage for a child. A gay or lesbian couple who can give care, warmth and love is heaven and earth compared with life in an orphanage," a popular Moscow-based blogger who goes by the name Ksenia Dukalis said in an Instagram post that received nearly 100,000 likes.
"If a government or organization which films such a thing really cared about children, they would know this," she said.
Aleksei Navalny, a popular opposition figure, said in a tweet that Russian officials "have gone completely crazy" about the theme of homosexuality.
Nikolai Stolyarchuk, the head of Patriot, rejected the notion that the ad was attacking members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community.
"The main idea is not a fight with the LGBT community, rather to protect the institution of the family as the union of a man and woman,” Stolyarchuk said.
Russians will go to the polls on July 1 to vote for a series of amendments to the constitution that would reset Putin’s previous presidential term count back to zero, allowing him to run again in 2024 and 2030.
The amendments also include a passage defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman, thus enshrining the country's ban on same-sex marriage in the constitution
It also includes declaring the Russian language as the state language and outlawing the "falsification of history.”
The amendments can only be approved altogether or not at all.
'Traditional Values'
Since returning to the presidency in 2012, Putin has promoted a “traditional values” agenda, including by adopting a law criminalizing “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations among minors.”
The law has caused many LGBT people in Russia to leave the country.
Aleksandr Filimonenko, who played one of the gay men in the political ad, said he did not know how the video was going to be used.
Filimonenko said he simply accepted the role for two videos, one of which has yet to be aired.
The voiceover calling on citizens to vote for the constitutional amendments was added after the video was shot, he said, adding that he would vote against the proposed changes to the constitution.
With reporting by AFP


rferl--2020-06-03--Trump Says ‘Common Sense’ To Invite Russia to G7

U.S. President Donald Trump has said it is “ common sense ” to invite Russian President Vladimir Putin to an expanded Group of Seven ( G7 ) summit .
Speaking to Fox News radio on June 3 , Trump said the G7 leading industrialized nations need to talk to Russia despite its policies on the international stage and illegal annexation of Crimea from Ukraine .
“ It 's not a question of what he 's done .
It 's a question of common sense , ” Trump said .
“ The problem is many of the things that we talk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're just sitting around wasting time because then you have to finish your meeting and somebody has to call Putin or deal with Putin on different things .
And I say have him in the room , ” Trump said .
On May 30 , Trump said he would postpone the G7 summit from June to September because of the coronavirus pandemic and expand the list of invitees to include Australia , Russia , South Korea , and India .
Some commentators suggested the expanded list was meant in part to isolate China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ very outdated group of countries ” that in its current format does n't properly represent what is happening in the world .
The G7 includes the United States , Canada , Germany , Japan , France , Britain , and Italy .
Russia was expelled from the G8 in 2014 after it invaded and illegally annexed Crimea from Ukraine .
Moscow has simultaneously supported separatists in parts of eastern Ukraine in a conflict that has claimed more than 13,000 lives .
Other G7 nations have responded coolly to the idea of having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on June 3 said that as the host this year Trump could invite any country he wanted to the summit as a guest , but that any change to the group ’ s format would need the agreement of all the members .
`` Inviting guests to the G7 has precedent , and is a matter for the presidency , '' German government spokesperson Steffen Seibert said .
But `` if someone wants to change the format of the G7 , that could only happen in any case with a unanimous decision by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ France similarly said there has been no change in Russian behavior to justify Moscow reentering the group .
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on June 1 said he opposes reintegrating Moscow into the G7 .
`` Russia was excluded from the G7 after it invaded Crimea a number of years ago , '' Trudeau told reporters .
`` Its continued disrespect and flaunting of international rules and norms is why it remains outside of the G7 and will continue to remain out , '' he added .
With reporting by dpa and Reuters

U.S. President Donald Trump has said it is "common sense" to invite Russian President Vladimir Putin to an expanded Group of Seven (G7) summit.
Speaking to Fox News radio on June 3, Trump said the G7 leading industrialized countries needed to talk to Russia despite its policies on the international stage and illegal annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.
"It's not a question of what he's done. It's a question of common sense," Trump said.
"The problem is many of the things that we talk about are about Putin, so we're just sitting around wasting time because then you have to finish your meeting and somebody has to call Putin or deal with Putin on different things. And I say have him in the room," Trump said.
On May 30, Trump said he would postpone the G7 summit from June to September because of the coronavirus pandemic and expand the list of invitees to include Australia, Russia, South Korea, and India. Some commentators suggested the expanded list was meant in part to isolate China.
Trump described the G7 as a "very outdated group of countries" that in its current format doesn't properly represent what is happening in the world.
The G7 includes the United States, Canada, Germany, Japan, France, Britain, and Italy.
Russia was expelled from the G8 in 2014 after it invaded and illegally annexed Crimea from Ukraine. Moscow has simultaneously supported separatists in parts of eastern Ukraine in a conflict that has claimed more than 13,000 lives.
Other G7 members have responded coolly to the idea of having Russia rejoin the elite group.
Germany on June 3 said that as the host this year Trump could invite any country he wanted to the summit as a guest, but that any change to the group's format would need the agreement of all the members.
"Inviting guests to the G7 has precedent, and is a matter for the presidency," German government spokesman Steffen Seibert said. But "if someone wants to change the format of the G7, that could only happen in any case with a unanimous decision by the G7."
France similarly said there had been no change in Russian behavior to justify Moscow reentering the group.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on June 1 said he opposed reintegrating Moscow into the G7.
"Russia was excluded from the G7 after it invaded Crimea a number of years ago," Trudeau told reporters. "Its continued disrespect and flaunting of international rules and norms is why it remains outside of the G7 and will continue to remain out."
With reporting by dpa and Reuters


rferl--2020-06-03--Kyrgyz Investigators Criticized After Alleging That Murdered Source Paid RFE/RL Reporters In Money-L

Kyrgyz Investigators Criticized After Alleging That Murdered Source Paid RFE/RL Reporters In Money-Laundering Probe

BISHKEK – Two lawmakers and a prominent legal expert in Kyrgyzstan have criticized the state security service after they claimed that reporters with RFE/RL received money from a self-proclaimed money launderer who served as the journalists ' source in an investigation into corruption in the Central Asian country .
The claim was made on June 2 at a parliamentary hearing into the murder of Aierken Saimaiti , a Chinese-born Uyghur businessman who funneled hundreds of millions of dollars out of Kyrgyzstan over the course of several years .
The head of the state security service 's ( UKMK ) investigative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commission that investigators obtained testimony from two witnesses who said Saimaiti had paid $ 100,000 to journalists from RFE/RL 's Kyrgyz Service , known locally as Radio Azattyk .
No documentary or other evidence supporting the witnesses ' claims were provided .
Cholpon Jakupova , the head of the Adilet ( Justice ) Legal Clinic nongovernmental organization , on June 3 said the showing of video testimonies of the alleged witnesses at the parliamentary hearing was `` illegal by all means.
” “ As the UKMK continues to investigate the case , its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can not be made public , ” Jakupova said , adding that the witnesses ' claims “ sound absolutely doubtful.
” Lawmaker Janarbek Akaev said the UKMK 's move `` undermines people 's trust '' in the security service , while another member of parliament , Dastan Bekeshev , called the claim `` an attempt to throw dirt on RFE/RL . ''
RFE/RL President Jamie Fly earlier said the allegations `` appear to be the latest attempt in a longstanding campaign of retaliation against journalists by corrupt individuals seeking to protect their wealth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killing in Istanbul in November , Saimaiti provided a trove of financial records to reporters showing how he moved the money out of Kyrgyzstan via murky wire transfers and cash couriers .
Following Saimaiti 's death , RFE/RL ’ s Kyrgyz Service , the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project , and the Kyrgyz news site Kloop published an award-winning investigation based on these records and their own independent reporting , titled Plunder And Patronage In The Heart Of Central Asia .
The investigation implicated former Kyrgyz State Customs Agency Deputy Chairman Raimbek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money Saimaiti moved out of the country , Matraimov and his family have denied any links to Saimaiti or corruption in the Kyrgyz customs service , and filed a libel suit over the investigation .
The lead reporter in the investigation , Ali Toktakunov of Radio Azattyk , has received credible death threats in connection with the publication , which has triggered street protests in Kyrgyzstan following its publication in November .

BISHKEK -- Two lawmakers and a prominent legal expert in Kyrgyzstan have criticized the state security service after it claimed that reporters with RFE/RL received money from a self-proclaimed money launderer who served as the journalists' source in an investigation into corruption in the Central Asian country.
The claim was made on June 2 at a parliamentary hearing into the killing of Aierken Saimaiti, a Chinese-born Uyghur businessman who funneled hundreds of millions of dollars out of Kyrgyzstan over the course of several years.
The head of the State Committee for National Security's (UKMK) investigative team, Sagynbek Samidin-uulu, told the commission that investigators obtained testimony from two witnesses who said Saimaiti had paid $100,000 to journalists from RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service, known locally as Radio Azattyk.
No documentary or other evidence supporting the witnesses' claims was provided.
Cholpon Jakupova, the head of the Adilet (Justice) Legal Clinic nongovernmental organization, on June 3 said the showing of video testimonies of the alleged witnesses at the parliamentary hearing was "illegal by all means."
"As the UKMK continues to investigate the case, its materials, especially statements by witnesses, cannot be made public," Jakupova said, adding that the witnesses' claims "sound absolutely doubtful."
Lawmaker Janarbek Akaev said the UKMK's move "undermines people's trust" in the security service, while another member of parliament, Dastan Bekeshev, called the claim "an attempt to throw dirt on RFE/RL."
RFE/RL President Jamie Fly earlier said the allegations "appear to be the latest attempt in a long-standing campaign of retaliation against journalists by corrupt individuals seeking to protect their wealth and power."
Prior to his killing in Istanbul in November, Saimaiti provided a trove of financial records to reporters showing how he moved the money out of Kyrgyzstan via murky wire transfers and cash couriers.
Following Saimaiti's death, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service, the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, and the Kyrgyz news site Kloop published an award-winning investigation based on these records and their own independent reporting, titled Plunder And Patronage In The Heart Of Central Asia.
The investigation implicated former Kyrgyz State Customs Agency Deputy Chairman Raimbek Matraimov in widespread corruption linked to the money Saimaiti moved out of the country,
Matraimov and his family have denied any links to Saimaiti or corruption in the Kyrgyz customs service, and filed a libel suit over the investigation.
The lead reporter in the investigation, Ali Toktakunov of Radio Azattyk, has received credible death threats in connection with the publication, which has triggered street protests in Kyrgyzstan following its publication in November.


rferl--2020-06-03--Lukashenka Dismisses Belarusian Government Ahead Of Presidential Vote

MINSK -- Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has dismissed his government , state media report , two months before a presidential election .
`` The president has decided to dismiss the current government .
A relevant decree has been signed , '' Belarus 1 television channel said on June 3 .
A presidential election is scheduled to be held on August 9 , with the 65-year-old Lukashenka widely expected to win a sixth term in office .
None of the elections since Lukashenka took power in 1994 has been deemed free or fair by Western standards .
Earlier in the day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ composition of the next government , according to the BelTA news agency .
The Belarusian leader was quoted as saying he saw no need to make radical changes when forming a new cabinet .
`` A sharp scrapping , replacing all members of the government , would be wrong from the point of view of the current moment , ” Lukashenka said , citing the “ unprecedented economic crisis ” the world is facing amid the coronavirus pandemic .
`` A new generation of leaders has grown up who have shown themselves well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Why change them ?
They can work , '' he added .
Nearly two years ago , in August 2018 , Lukashenka appointed Syarhey Rumas as prime minister and replaced several ministers .
Critics of Lukashenka say his government has shown little tolerance for dissent and independent media .
The Central Electoral Commission has rejected a bid by prominent opposition leader Mikalay Statkevich to stand against Lukashenka .
On June 1 , Statkevich was sentenced to 15 days in police detention and dozens of activists were held by the authorities after rallies throughout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HRW ) last month warned that Belarusian authorities have intensified their crackdown on protesters , opposition bloggers , journalists , and other government critics with a “ new wave of arbitrary arrests ” ahead of the presidential election .
The country of 9.5 million people has been the target of U.S. and EU sanctions over its poor rights record and lack of fair elections , but Belarus and the West have recently sought to mend ties to reduce Russia ’ s influence in the country .
With reporting by Belarus 1 , Reuters @ @ @

MINSK -- Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has dismissed his government, state media report, two months before a presidential election.
"The president has decided to dismiss the current government. A relevant decree has been signed," Belarus 1 television channel said on June 3.
A presidential election is scheduled to be held on August 9, with the 65-year-old Lukashenka widely expected to win a sixth term in office.
None of the elections since Lukashenka took power in 1994 has been deemed free or fair by Western standards.
Belarus abolished presidential term limits in 2004.
Earlier in the day, Lukashenka met officials to discuss the composition of the next government, according to the BelTA news agency.
The Belarusian leader was quoted as saying he saw no need to make radical changes when forming a new cabinet.
"A sharp scrapping, replacing all members of the government, would be wrong from the point of view of the current moment,” Lukashenka said, citing the "unprecedented economic crisis" the world is facing amid the coronavirus pandemic.
"A new generation of leaders has grown up who have shown themselves well and worked well in the government. Why change them? They can work," he added.
Nearly two years ago, in August 2018, Lukashenka appointed Syarhey Rumas as prime minister and replaced several ministers.
Critics of Lukashenka say his government has shown little tolerance for dissent and independent media.
The Central Election Commission has rejected a bid by prominent opposition leader Mikalay Statkevich to rub against Lukashenka.
On June 1, Statkevich was sentenced to 15 days in police detention and dozens of activists were held by the authorities after rallies throughout the country.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) last month warned that Belarusian authorities have intensified their crackdown on protesters, opposition bloggers, journalists, and other government critics with a "new wave of arbitrary arrests" ahead of the presidential election.
The country of 9.5 million people has been the target of U.S. and EU sanctions over its poor rights record and lack of fair elections, but Belarus and the West have recently sought to mend ties to reduce Russia’s influence in the country.
With reporting by Belarus 1, Reuters, and BelTA


rferl--2020-06-03--Journalists, NGOs Urge Tajik Government To 'Thoroughly' Investigate Journalist's Beatings

Fifteen nongovernmental organizations in Tajikistan , along with several noted journalists , have urged officials to `` thoroughly '' investigate the recent beatings of a journalist working for independent Asia Plus news agency .
In their open letter made public on June 3 and addressed to the presidential administration , the Prosecutor-General 's Office , and the country 's ombudsman , the group -- including well-known Tajik organizations defending civil rights , such as Apeiron , Nota Bene , The World of Law , and the Independent Human Rights Center -- called for the attackers of Abdulloh Ghurbati to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the statement also called on Tajik authorities to comply with national and international standards recognized by Tajikistan and to abandon the practice of harassing journalists and putting pressure on their professional activities .
“ The humiliation of journalists because of their professional activities , as well as the failure to properly respond and investigate such attacks on journalists and media representatives , can lead to a significant deterioration with the freedom of expression in Tajikistan , as impunity contributes to an atmosphere of fear , self-censorship , and a decrease in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country , '' the letter says .
Ghurbati was attacked twice last month -- on May 11 in Dushanbe near his home and on May 29 in the southern Khatlon region when he was working on a report about the aftermath of a recent landslide that killed two men .
The assailants in the first attack have not yet been found , while in the second case , police tried to accuse Ghurbati of provoking the attack by entering -- without permission -- tents used by some local residents as temporary shelters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ landslide .
Ghurbati rejected the claims , saying that he did n't even have a chance to enter any of the tents and that he was attacked far away from where they were located .
In the end , police identified the attackers as three local residents , who were found guilty of petty hooliganism and fined 580 somonis ( $ 56 ) each .
Rights defending NGOs and journalists , meanwhile , stressed in their letter that the three attackers should have been charged with obstruction of the legitimate professional activities of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe has condemned the attacks and urged Tajik authorities to thoroughly investigate them In April , Reporters Without Borders ( RSF ) ranked Tajikistan 161st out of 180 countries for press freedom .
According to RSF , conditions for independent media working in Tajikistan have dramatically worsened in the last two years .

Fifteen nongovernmental organizations in Tajikistan, along with several noted journalists, have urged officials to "thoroughly" investigate the recent beatings of a journalist working for independent Asia Plus news agency.
In their open letter made public on June 3 and addressed to the presidential administration, the Prosecutor-General's Office, and the country's ombudsman, the group -- including well-known Tajik organizations defending civil rights, such as Apeiron, Nota Bene, The World of Law, and the Independent Human Rights Center -- called for the attackers of Abdulloh Ghurbati to be "adequately" punished.
The authors of the statement also called on Tajik authorities to comply with national and international standards recognized by Tajikistan and to abandon the practice of harassing journalists and putting pressure on their professional activities.
“The humiliation of journalists because of their professional activities, as well as the failure to properly respond and investigate such attacks on journalists and media representatives, can lead to a significant deterioration with the freedom of expression in Tajikistan, as impunity contributes to an atmosphere of fear, self-censorship, and a decrease in the activities of journalists and media outlets in the country," the letter says.
Ghurbati was attacked twice last month -- on May 11 in Dushanbe near his home and on May 29 in the southern Khatlon region when he was working on a report about the aftermath of a recent landslide that killed two men.
The assailants in the first attack have not yet been found, while in the second case, police tried to accuse Ghurbati of provoking the attack by entering -- without permission -- tents used by some local residents as temporary shelters after their houses were destroyed by the landslide.
Ghurbati rejected the claims, saying that he didn't even have a chance to enter any of the tents and that he was attacked far away from where they were located.
In the end, police identified the attackers as three local residents, who were found guilty of petty hooliganism and fined 580 somonis ($56) each.
Rights defending NGOs and journalists, meanwhile, stressed in their letter that the three attackers should have been charged with obstruction of the legitimate professional activities of a journalist, a more serious felony.
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe has condemned the attacks and urged Tajik authorities to thoroughly investigate them
In April, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) ranked Tajikistan 161st out of 180 countries for press freedom.
According to RSF, conditions for independent media working in Tajikistan have dramatically worsened in the last two years.


rferl--2020-06-03--Iranian Leader Accuses U.S. Of Duplicity In Wake Of Floyd’s Killing

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has accused the United States of duplicity in the wake of the death of an unarmed African-American in police custody in Minnesota .
In a speech in Tehran on June 3 to mark the anniversary of the 1989 death of the founder of the Islamic republic , Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini , Khamenei claimed in the televised address that `` they kill people in an obvious crime and they do not offer an apology while claiming [ to support ] human rights . ''
Iranian officials have in recent days expressed support for protesters that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of U.S. cities to denounce racial injustice .
Iran is often criticized by rights groups over serious human rights abuses , including the November killing of protesters during antiestablishment demonstrations sparked by a sharp rise in fuel prices .
An Iranian lawmaker said earlier this week that 230 people were killed in the crackdown , though rights group Amnesty International has said at least 300 died .
Iran routinely uses force to crush anti-government protests in the country .
`` Apparently , the African-American man who was killed there was not a human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speech , which took place as part of a major annual commemoration for Khomeini that was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Khamenei described George Floyd 's death on May 25 , including his `` I ca n't breathe '' cries , and said that the incident was nothing new .
`` This is the American nature .
This is what Americans have been doing to the whole world , '' said Khamenei , who has the last word in the Islamic republic .
With reporting by IRNA and AP


rferl--2020-06-03--COVID-19: Azerbaijan Makes Masks Mandatory; Kazakh Restaurant Owners, Employees Demand Restrictions

COVID-19: Azerbaijan Makes Masks Mandatory; Kazakh Restaurant Owners, Employees Demand Restrictions Be Lifted

The global death toll from the coronavirus is more than 380,000 with more than 6.4 million infections confirmed , causing mass disruptions as governments continue to try to slow the spread of the new respiratory illness .
President Ilham Aliyev has signed a law making it mandatory for Azerbaijanis to wear face masks while in public places as of June 3 .
The president signed the bill on June 2 , just hours after it was approved by lawmakers .
Violators of the regulation will be fined 50 manats ( $ 30 ) , while officials violating the law will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 60 ) .
Companies and organizations who break the law will be fined 200 manats ( $ 120 ) .
The fines will double for repeated violations .
As of June 3 , the number of officially registered coronavirus case sin the South Caucasus nation was reported as 5,935 , including 71 deaths .
Dozens of restaurant owners and their employees have rallied in front of the city administration office in the Kazakh capital , Nur-Sultan , demanding that all coronavirus restrictions imposed on the hospitality sector be lifted .
The protesters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all market places and shopping malls have been allowed to return to full capacity , large restaurants and cafeterias should be allowed to do the same .
The city government has gradually lifted restrictions imposed to slow the spread of the coronavirus , but restaurants are still limited to having a maximum of 30 clients inside their premises at any one time .
The protesters said this is preventing them from recovering from the two-and-a-half-month suspension of their operations during the outbreak .
A similar protest was also held on June 3 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health authorities said on June 3 that the total number of coronavirus cases in the country was 11,796 , including 44 deaths .
In neighboring Kyrgyzstan , Deputy Prime Minister Kubatbek Boronov said on June 3 that domestic air flights and public transportation between regions will resume on June 5 .
`` The organization of bus and taxi transportation must be safe .
We have to be absolutely sure that all passengers comply with all sanitary regulations , '' Boronov said .
According to the latest data provided by Kyrgyz health officials , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country is 1,871 , including 20 deaths .
In Uzbekistan , the Health Ministry said on June 3 that the number of coronavirus cases in the country was 3,769 , including 15 deaths .
The ministry added that 846 COVID-19 patients are currently being treated in hospitals , 10 of whom are in serious condition and one in grave condition .
In Tajikistan , the Health Ministry said on June 2 that in the past week there had been no coronavirus deaths in the country .
According to the ministry , as of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of coronavirus cases in the country was 4,100 , including 47 deaths .
The fifth nation in Central Asia , Turkmenistan , remains the only country in the region that has not officially admitted a single coronavirus case , though experts are skeptical of the claim given the lack of transparency and the absence of an independent media in the country .
The U.S. Embassy in Turkmenistan announced on June 1 that Washington had allocated an additional $ 500,000 via the United States Agency for International Development ( USAID ) to assist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bringing the total U.S. Government resources made available to all partners in Turkmenistan to $ 1.42 million . ''
`` The additional funding will be provided to the United Nations Children 's Fund ( UNICEF ) in Turkmenistan to improve risk communication and infection prevention and control efforts , '' the statement said .
With reporting by RFE/RL 's Azerbaijani , Kazakh , Kyrgyz , Uzbek , Tajik , and Turkmen services

The global death toll from the coronavirus is more than 380,000 with more than 6.4 million infections confirmed, causing mass disruptions as governments continue to try to slow the spread of the new respiratory illness.
Here's a roundup of COVID-19 developments in RFE/RL's broadcast regions.
Azerbaijan
President Ilham Aliyev has signed a law making it mandatory for Azerbaijanis to wear face masks while in public places as of June 3.
The president signed the bill on June 2, just hours after it was approved by lawmakers.
Violators of the regulation will be fined 50 manats ($30), while officials violating the law will be obliged to pay 100 manats ($60). Companies and organizations who break the law will be fined 200 manats ($120).
The fines will double for repeated violations.
As of June 3, the number of officially registered coronavirus case sin the South Caucasus nation was reported as 5,935, including 71 deaths.
Central Asia
Dozens of restaurant owners and their employees have rallied in front of the city administration office in the Kazakh capital, Nur-Sultan, demanding that all coronavirus restrictions imposed on the hospitality sector be lifted.
The protesters said on June 3 that, since all market places and shopping malls have been allowed to return to full capacity, large restaurants and cafeterias should be allowed to do the same.
The city government has gradually lifted restrictions imposed to slow the spread of the coronavirus, but restaurants are still limited to having a maximum of 30 clients inside their premises at any one time. The protesters said this is preventing them from recovering from the two-and-a-half-month suspension of their operations during the outbreak.
A similar protest was also held on June 3 in the northwestern city of Aqtobe.
Kazakh health authorities said on June 3 that the total number of coronavirus cases in the country was 11,796, including 44 deaths.
In neighboring Kyrgyzstan, Deputy Prime Minister Kubatbek Boronov said on June 3 that domestic air flights and public transportation between regions will resume on June 5.
"The organization of bus and taxi transportation must be safe. We have to be absolutely sure that all passengers comply with all sanitary regulations," Boronov said.
According to the latest data provided by Kyrgyz health officials, the number of coronavirus cases in the country is 1,871, including 20 deaths.
In Uzbekistan, the Health Ministry said on June 3 that the number of coronavirus cases in the country was 3,769, including 15 deaths. The ministry added that 846 COVID-19 patients are currently being treated in hospitals, 10 of whom are in serious condition and one in grave condition.
In Tajikistan, the Health Ministry said on June 2 that in the past week there had been no coronavirus deaths in the country. According to the ministry, as of the evening of June 2, the number of coronavirus cases in the country was 4,100, including 47 deaths.
The fifth nation in Central Asia, Turkmenistan, remains the only country in the region that has not officially admitted a single coronavirus case, though experts are skeptical of the claim given the lack of transparency and the absence of an independent media in the country.
The U.S. Embassy in Turkmenistan announced on June 1 that Washington had allocated an additional $500,000 via the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to assist Ashgabat's coronavirus prevention efforts, "bringing the total U.S. Government resources made available to all partners in Turkmenistan to $1.42 million."
"The additional funding will be provided to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Turkmenistan to improve risk communication and infection prevention and control efforts," the statement said.
With reporting by RFE/RL's Azerbaijani, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Uzbek, Tajik, and Turkmen services


rferl--2020-06-03--Kosovar Lawmakers End Months Of Turmoil, Approve New Government With Hoti As PM

Lawmakers in Kosovo has approved a new government led by Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti by a razor-thin majority , ending months of political turmoil .
On June 3 , Hoti , a 44-year-old economics professor and former finance minister , secured 61 votes in the 120-seat parliament .
A total of 24 lawmakers voted against , with one abstention .
The leftist-nationalist Vetevendosje ( Self-Determination ) party did not participate in the vote .
As the vote took place , a small number of Vetevendosje supporters protested outside the parliament building , calling for early elections .
Some of them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were turned away by police .
Hoti ’ s new fragile coalition government , formed between the center-right Democratic League of Kosovo ( LDK ) and two former opposition groups and parties representing ethnic minorities , will now attempt to move Kosovo forward on stalled normalization talks with neighboring Serbia while dealing with the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic .
`` I feel responsible to the deputies , to the citizens , and to the constitution for the tasks that await us , '' Hoti told the assembly .
Kosovo , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2008 in a move rejected by Belgrade .
Both Serbia and Kosovo are under pressure from the United States and the EU to strike a comprehensive agreement .
Hoti said the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia on reaching a deal is essential to the interests of Kosovo and that the opposition should participate in the process .
`` We should all be together in the dialogue because a successful end is in the interest of everyone in Kosovo , '' the new prime minister said .
Hoti stressed that any agreement with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which he said will help ensure long-term stabilization of Kosovo and guarantee future membership in the United Nations , NATO , and the European Union .
He also spoke about Kosovo ’ s partnership with the United States and the European Union , saying the role of the two is inseparable in the dialogue with Serbia .
He said the United States and the EU must be involved in both reaching an agreement and in implementing it .
Vetevendosje , the party of Hoti ’ s predecessor , former Prime Minister Albin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Hashim Thaci of working in tandem to remove him from power in order to push through a deal with Serbia .
Both Washington and Thaci deny the accusations .
The LDK initially partnered with Kurti after coming in second place behind Vetevendosje in elections in October , but the union fell apart after the LDK held a no-confidence motion against Kurti in March .
Kurti demanded new elections , but the Constitutional Court ruled that a new government could be formed without a vote , giving Hoti a path to the premiership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unprecedented campaign against the United States , adding that anti-Americanism had been what he called the greatest damage that has happened to Kosovo in 30 years of efforts for freedom and independence .
“ Taking responsibility for running the government today , when our strategic relations with international partners have been disrupted by populist policies , is a great challenge and requires great commitment , ” he said .
`` We have no dilemmas with America or anyone else .
For us , a partnership with the United States has no alternative , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fight against the coronavirus pandemic and economic reconstruction after the health crisis , however , are the main priorities of the new government .
Other priorities include the implementation of reforms and the fight against organized crime and corruption .
Both the EU and the U.S. Embassy in Pristina welcomed the new government .
“ The EU-facilitated dialogue is the only way to turn Kosovo ’ s European future into a reality for its citizens , ” EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forward to working with Hoti ’ s government “ to continue important work on peace , justice , and prosperity , including efforts to strengthen regional relations and combat COVID-19 . ''
With reporting by RFE/RL ’ s Balkan Service , AP , AFP , and dpa


rferl--2020-06-04--Poland's Walesa Says Change 'Must Happen' In Belarus

Former Polish President Lech Walesa has urged Belarusians not to give up on democracy and the rule of law as the country heads toward a presidential election in August .
In an interview with RFE/RL on June 3 , Walesa said changes were realistic even when the opposition is tightly controlled , and people should believe that a lot can be achieved without violence and bloodshed .
`` The only question is the time and the price we are ready to pay for freedom in Belarus , '' the Nobel Peace Prize laureate said .
`` But this has to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Belarus -- simply , there is n't -- so [ changes ] must happen . ''
Walesa , co-founder of Poland 's Solidarity movement and the country 's first postcommunist president ( 1990-1995 ) , said it 's important for people to believe in democracy and the rule of law .
When people believe in the rule of law and `` make it right , '' they can enjoy democracy and progress , he said .
Belarus is set to hold a presidential election on August 9 , with President Alyaksandr Lukashenka widely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office .
None of the elections since the 65-year-old leader took power in 1994 has been deemed free or fair by Western standards .
And Human Rights Watch has warned that Belarusian authorities have intensified their crackdown on government critics with a `` new wave of arbitrary arrests '' ahead of the vote this summer .
Asked about the Belarusian police force and its role in suppressing dissent in the country , Walesa said it should support all Belarusians and not exist just to prop up Lukashenka , but he added that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also took exception to suggestions that voters would be best served by sticking with Lukashenka , because otherwise they risk angering Russia as Ukraine did when 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 more than 13,000 deaths .
That armed conflict continues to this day .
`` All this talk about invasions and conquering -- this is no longer the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and open structures , Walesa said .
`` These are obsolete methods and old fears that do not fit our times anymore . ''
In the current climate , politicians have to win people over through persuasion and put forward new solutions that appeal to the youngest generations , he added .
Walesa , whose Solidarity movement is credited with inspiring a revolutionary wave in the late 1980s that toppled communist rule across Central and Eastern Europe , said his best advice for Belarusians is to believe in themselves and not to wait @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of unity and other problem have caused `` such a mess '' in Europe that it is too preoccupied to provide Belarus and Ukraine with the help they need so that all countries can progress , he said .
`` Be your own helping hand , then others will come to help you , '' he said .

Former Polish President Lech Walesa has urged Belarusians not to give up on democracy and the rule of law as the country heads toward a presidential election in August.
In an interview with RFE/RL on June 3, Walesa said changes were realistic even when the opposition is tightly controlled, and people should believe that a lot can be achieved without violence and bloodshed.
"The only question is the time and the price we are ready to pay for freedom in Belarus," the Nobel Peace Prize laureate said. "But this has to happen because there is no Europe without Belarus -- simply, there isn't -- so [changes] must happen."
Walesa, co-founder of Poland's Solidarity movement and the country's first postcommunist president (1990-1995), said it's important for people to believe in democracy and the rule of law.
When people believe in the rule of law and "make it right," they can enjoy democracy and progress, he said.
Belarus is set to hold a presidential election on August 9, with President Alyaksandr Lukashenka widely expected to win a sixth term in office.
None of the elections since the 65-year-old leader took power in 1994 has been deemed free or fair by Western standards.
And Human Rights Watch has warned that Belarusian authorities have intensified their crackdown on government critics with a "new wave of arbitrary arrests" ahead of the vote this summer.
Asked about the Belarusian police force and its role in suppressing dissent in the country, Walesa said it should support all Belarusians and not exist just to prop up Lukashenka, but he added that it took effort to achieve this.
Walesa also took exception to suggestions that voters would be best served by sticking with Lukashenka, because otherwise they risk angering Russia as Ukraine did when 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 more than 13,000 deaths. That armed conflict continues to this day.
"All this talk about invasions and conquering -- this is no longer the way" in the current era of technologies and open structures, Walesa said. "These are obsolete methods and old fears that do not fit our times anymore."
In the current climate, politicians have to win people over through persuasion and put forward new solutions that appeal to the youngest generations, he added.
Walesa, whose Solidarity movement is credited with inspiring a revolutionary wave in the late 1980s that toppled communist rule across Central and Eastern Europe, said his best advice for Belarusians is to believe in themselves and not to wait for anybody's help.
A lack of unity and other problem have caused "such a mess" in Europe that it is too preoccupied to provide Belarus and Ukraine with the help they need so that all countries can progress, he said.
"Be your own helping hand, then others will come to help you," he said.


rferl--2020-06-04--Russia Delivers 'Second Batch' Of Planes To Syria After U.S. Accuses It Of Sending Jets To Libya

Russia has confirmed the delivery of more MiG-29 fighter jets to Syria , just days after the U.S. military accused Moscow of using Syria to transfer warplanes to Libya .
The Russian Embassy in Damascus said on Twitter on June 3 that a `` second batch '' of advanced MiG-29 fighter jets were handed over to the Syrian military `` within the framework of defense cooperation '' and were already flying missions .
Syria 's SANA news agency reported on May 30 that a handover ceremony for `` advanced and modernized MiG-29 fighter jets '' was held at Russia 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the planes would fly missions over Syria starting on June 1 .
Russia , which has backed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad with air power , and the Syrian government , have been accused by Western states , UN investigators , and human rights groups of indiscriminate bombing of civilians and possible war crimes during the country 's nine-year civil war .
The delivery comes after the U.S. military in late May accused Moscow of deploying military aircraft to Libya to provide support for Russian mercenaries helping a local warlord battle the North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Africa Command said 14 MiG-29 fighter jets and Su-24 fighter bombers were flown to Libya via Syria , where they were repainted at Hmeimim air base to disguise their identity .
Vagner Group , a private military contractor believed to be close to the Kremlin , has been helping Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar 's self-styled Libyan National Army ( LNA ) in the east of the country in their fight against the Government of National Accord ( GNA ) based in the capital , Tripoli .
A UN report earlier this month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between 800 and 1,200 .
Moscow has denied the Russian state is responsible for any deployments of the Vagner group and denied sending aircraft to Libya .
The LNA has denied links to the aircraft , although it says it has refurbished some old Libyan planes and is preparing a new air campaign .
But on June 3 , an LNA military source told Reuters that warplanes had struck near Gharyan , south of Tripoli , in the first acknowledged use of warplanes by eastern forces since Washington said Russia had supplied the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been torn by civil war since a NATO-backed popular uprising ousted and killed the North African country 's longtime dictator , Colonel Muammar Qaddafi , in 2011 .
The conflict has drawn in multiple regional actors , with Russia , France , Egypt , Jordan , and the United Arab Emirates backing Haftar 's command .
Turkey , which deployed troops , drones , and Syrian rebel mercenaries to Libya in January , supports the government in Tripoli , alongside Qatar and Italy .

Russia has confirmed the delivery of more MiG-29 fighter jets to Syria, just days after the U.S. military accused Moscow of using Syria to transfer warplanes to Libya.
The Russian Embassy in Damascus said on Twitter on June 3 that a "second batch" of advanced MiG-29 fighter jets were handed over to the Syrian military "within the framework of defense cooperation" and were already flying missions.
Syria's SANA news agency reported on May 30 that a handover ceremony for "advanced and modernized MiG-29 fighter jets" was held at Russia's Hmeimim air base in western Latakia Province and the planes would fly missions over Syria starting on June 1.
Russia, which has backed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad with air power, and the Syrian government, have been accused by Western states, UN investigators, and human rights groups of indiscriminate bombing of civilians and possible war crimes during the country's nine-year civil war.
The delivery comes after the U.S. military in late May accused Moscow of deploying military aircraft to Libya to provide support for Russian mercenaries helping a local warlord battle the North African country's internationally recognized government.
U.S. Africa Command said 14 MiG-29 fighter jets and Su-24 fighter bombers were flown to Libya via Syria, where they were repainted at Hmeimim air base to disguise their identity.
Vagner Group, a private military contractor believed to be close to the Kremlin, has been helping Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) in the east of the country in their fight against the Government of National Accord (GNA) based in the capital, Tripoli.
A UN report earlier this month estimated the number of Russian mercenaries at between 800 and 1,200.
Moscow has denied the Russian state is responsible for any deployments of the Vagner group and denied sending aircraft to Libya.
The LNA has denied links to the aircraft, although it says it has refurbished some old Libyan planes and is preparing a new air campaign.
But on June 3, an LNA military source told Reuters that warplanes had struck near Gharyan, south of Tripoli, in the first acknowledged use of warplanes by eastern forces since Washington said Russia had supplied the new MiG-29 and Su-24 jets.
Libya has been torn by civil war since a NATO-backed popular uprising ousted and killed the North African country's longtime dictator, Colonel Muammar Qaddafi, in 2011.
The conflict has drawn in multiple regional actors, with Russia, France, Egypt, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates backing Haftar's command.
Turkey, which deployed troops, drones, and Syrian rebel mercenaries to Libya in January, supports the government in Tripoli, alongside Qatar and Italy.
With reporting by Reuters


rferl--2020-06-03--Trump Says 'Common Sense' To Invite Russia to G7

U.S. President Donald Trump has said it is `` common sense '' to invite Russian President Vladimir Putin to an expanded Group of Seven ( G7 ) summit .
Speaking to Fox News radio on June 3 , Trump said the G7 leading industrialized countries needed to talk to Russia despite its policies on the international stage and illegal annexation of Crimea from Ukraine .
`` It 's not a question of what he 's done .
It 's a question of common sense , '' Trump said .
`` The problem is many of the things that we talk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're just sitting around wasting time because then you have to finish your meeting and somebody has to call Putin or deal with Putin on different things .
And I say have him in the room , '' Trump said .
On May 30 , Trump said he would postpone the G7 summit from June to September because of the coronavirus pandemic and expand the list of invitees to include Australia , Russia , South Korea , and India .
Some commentators suggested the expanded list was meant in part to isolate China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` very outdated group of countries '' that in its current format does n't properly represent what is happening in the world .
The G7 includes the United States , Canada , Germany , Japan , France , Britain , and Italy .
Russia was expelled from the G8 in 2014 after it invaded and illegally annexed Crimea from Ukraine .
Moscow has simultaneously supported separatists in parts of eastern Ukraine in a conflict that has claimed more than 13,000 lives .
Other G7 members have responded coolly to the idea of having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on June 3 said that as the host this year Trump could invite any country he wanted to the summit as a guest , but that any change to the group 's format would need the agreement of all the members .
`` Inviting guests to the G7 has precedent , and is a matter for the presidency , '' German government spokesman Steffen Seibert said .
But `` if someone wants to change the format of the G7 , that could only happen in any case with a unanimous decision by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been no change in Russian behavior to justify Moscow reentering the group .
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on June 1 said he opposed reintegrating Moscow into the G7 .
`` Russia was excluded from the G7 after it invaded Crimea a number of years ago , '' Trudeau told reporters .
`` Its continued disrespect and flaunting of international rules and norms is why it remains outside of the G7 and will continue to remain out . ''
With reporting by dpa and Reuters


rferl--2020-06-04--Facebook Starts Labeling Russian, Chinese, And Iranian State Media

Facebook says it has begun to label state-controlled media organizations such as Russia ’ s Sputnik , Iran ’ s Press TV , and China ’ s Xinhua News so that people know whether the content they read is coming from an entity that may be under the influence of a state .
The social media company announced plans to create a state media label in October last year , and on June 4 said it has started to apply the labels .
“ We ’ re providing greater transparency into these publishers because they combine the influence of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a state , ” Facebook said .
The company initially will apply the label to about 200 pages .
Under the section `` Page Transparency '' at Sputnik 's page , the label says : `` This publisher is partially or wholly under the editorial control of a state .
This is determined by a range of factors , including but not limited to funding , structure , and journalistic standards . ''
The same message appears at the page of China ’ s Xinhua News .
Facebook will not label any U.S.-based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outlets have editorial independence , Nathaniel Gleicher , Facebook 's head of cybersecurity policy , said in an interview with Reuters .
Facebook also will not use the label for media outlets affiliated with individual political figures or parties , Gleicher said .
The label will appear on pages globally and on news feed posts within the United States .
The company said it consulted more than 65 experts around the world specializing in media , governance , and human rights and development to form its policy .
“ The input we received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the different ways and degrees to which governments exert editorial control over media entities , ” Facebook said .
It said its definition of state-controlled media extends beyond examining financial control or ownership to include an assessment of editorial control exerted by a government .
It looks at several factors including mission statement , ownership structure , editorial guidelines , sources of funding , and governance and accountability mechanisms .
“ If we determine that there are enough protections in place to ensure editorial independence , we will not apply the label , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for things such as a statute that clearly protects editorial independence and an assessment by an independent , credible organization verifying that the statute is followed .
Organizations that believe the label has been applied in error can submit an appeal , it added .
Facebook also said that later this year it will block any ads from state-controlled media that target U.S. users .
It said it would take the step “ to ensure we ’ re equally transparent when it comes to paid content from these publishers.
” It added that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States , but it will carry out the policy “ out an abundance of caution ” ahead of the November 3 election in the United States .
Facebook has previously acknowledged its failure to stop Russian use of its platforms to interfere in the 2016 U.S. presidential election .
Since then it has stepped up its defenses and imposed greater transparency requirements for pages and ads on its platforms .

Facebook says it has begun to label state-controlled media organizations such as Russia's Sputnik, Iran's Press TV, and China's Xinhua News so that people know whether the content they read is coming from an entity that may be under the influence of a state.
The social media company announced plans to create a state media label in October 2019, and on June 4 said it had started to apply the labels.
"We're providing greater transparency into these publishers because they combine the influence of a media organization with the strategic backing of a state," Facebook said.
The company will initially apply the label to about 200 pages.
Under the section "Page Transparency" at Sputnik's page, the label says: "This publisher is partially or wholly under the editorial control of a state. This is determined by a range of factors, including but not limited to funding, structure, and journalistic standards."
The same message appears at the page of China's Xinhua News.
Facebook will not label any U.S.-based news organizations after determining that U.S. government-run outlets have editorial independence, Nathaniel Gleicher, Facebook's head of cybersecurity policy, said in an interview with Reuters.
Facebook also will not use the label for media outlets affiliated with individual political figures or parties, Gleicher said.
The label will appear on pages globally and on news-feed posts within the United States.
The company said it consulted more than 65 experts around the world specializing in media, governance, and human rights and development to form its policy.
"The input we received from these organizations was crucial to understanding the different ways and degrees to which governments exert editorial control over media entities," Facebook said.
It said its definition of state-controlled media extended beyond examining financial control or ownership to include an assessment of editorial control exerted by a government.
It looks at several factors, including mission statement, ownership structure, editorial guidelines, sources of funding, and governance and accountability mechanisms.
"If we determine that there are enough protections in place to ensure editorial independence, we will not apply the label," it said.
It specifically looks for things such as a statute that clearly protects editorial independence and an assessment by an independent, credible organization verifying that the statute is followed.
Organizations that believe the label has been applied in error can submit an appeal, it added.
Facebook also said that later this year it will block any ads from state-controlled media that target U.S. users. It said it would take the step "to ensure we’re equally transparent when it comes to paid content from these publishers."
It added that state-controlled media outlets rarely advertise in the United States, but it will carry out the policy "out an abundance of caution" ahead of the November 3 elections in the United States.
Facebook has previously acknowledged its failure to stop Russian use of its platforms to interfere in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Since then it has stepped up its defenses and imposed greater transparency requirements for pages and ads on its platforms.
With reporting by Reuters