rferl--2020-05-19--COVID-19: Son Of Revered Afghan Resistance Hero Tests Positive; Bulgaria To Ease Travel With Greece,

COVID-19: Son Of Revered Afghan Resistance Hero Tests Positive; Bulgaria To Ease Travel With Greece, Serbia

The global death toll from the coronavirus is almost 319,000 with more than 4.8 million infections confirmed , causing mass disruptions as governments continue to try to slow the spread of the new respiratory illness .
The son of Ahmad Shah Masud , the revered anti-Soviet and anti-Taliban commander , says he and several members of his family have tested positive for the coronavirus .
In a May 19 post on Twitter and Facebook , Ahmad Masud said his COVID-19 symptoms were not `` so serious , '' while warning that this did not mean that the virus should not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and several family members received the results of their coronavirus tests conducted a few days ago on May 19 .
He said they will go into quarantine for two weeks .
Masud , 31 , called on his countrymen to follow health protocols and guidelines by the Health Ministry to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus .
Masud , who was 12 when his father , known as the Lion of Panjshir , was assassinated by Al-Qaeda suicide bombers , said last year that he wanted to work to galvanize anti-Taliban groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by working together and respecting guidelines , '' Masud wrote on Facebook on May 19 .
The outbreak has so far killed 178 Afghans and infected over 7,600 , according to official figures .
The actual numbers are likely to be significantly higher , as few tests are being carried out in the war-ravaged country .
Earlier this month , Health Minister Ferozuddin Feruz tested positive for the coronavirus .
His condition was reported as `` stable '' by his spokesman , who said he self-isolated at home .
Kyrgyzstan will ramp up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all factories to resume operations , after being shut for more than two months as authorities tried to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
The government said in a statement on May 19 that while industry will resume , some restrictions will stay after June 1 , namely the holding of cultural , sports , and scientific events will remain banned .
Additionally , operations at entertainment facilities , playgrounds , Internet clubs , computer game centers , and kindergartens will also remain suspended .
As of May 19 , the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as 1,243 , including 14 deaths .
In neighboring Tajikistan , religious leaders announced on May 18 that traditional mass prayers in the country 's mosques devoted to the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday this weekend will be canceled due to the pandemic .
Eid al-Fitr is celebrated for two or three days after the end of Ramadan -- the month during which Muslims do not eat and drink during the daytime .
Tajik health authorities said on May 18 that 1,729 coronavirus cases were recorded in the country , with 14 deaths .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a decree on establishing a state medal , `` Khalyq Alghysy '' ( People 's Gratitude ) , that will be awarded to individuals for their contributions in the fight against the coronavirus .
Kazakh health authorities said on May 19 that there were 6,751 confirmed cases , including 35 deaths .
The latest figures in Uzbekistan , on May 19 , were 2,802 positive tests , including 13 deaths .
Turkmenistan remains the only country in the region that has not officially registered a single coronavirus case yet .
Experts are skeptical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases , given the lack of transparency and independent media in the country .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) has been working on a possible visit to Turkmenistan to assess the situation on the ground of one of the world 's most tightly run countries .
Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov has said his country is ready to host the WHO mission .
Bulgaria says it has agreed with neighboring Greece and Serbia to ease travel restrictions imposed to slow the spread of the coronavirus as of June 1 .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 to allow travel without quarantine for people traveling for business , family , or humanitarian reasons , '' Prime Minister Boyko Borisov told reporters on May 19 .
Speaking after taking part in a conference call with the Greek , Romanian , and Serbian leaders , Borisov said Sofia and Belgrade agreed similar arrangements .
He also expressed hope that Romania would soon join the initiative .
Bulgaria closed its borders to most travelers in mid-March as part of its lockdown measures .
Diplomats , seasonal workers , and returning Bulgarian nationals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to spend two weeks in quarantine .
Bulgaria eased its lockdown this week as the number of new infections decreased .
The European Union member state reported 24 new cases on May 19 , bringing the total to 2,259 cases , including 112 deaths .
From June 1 , travelers will have to sign a declaration at the borders with Greece and Serbia that they do not have coronavirus symptoms , Borisov said .
`` The goal is to create conditions for a restoration of travel and tourism between the citizens of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarantine , while observing all hygienic requirements for security and deterrence of the coronavirus , '' the prime minister said .
Bulgaria is also holding talks with Austria and Germany to ease travel restrictions , he added .
The Kremlin said on May 19 that Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has returned to work after recovering from COVID-19 , the illness caused by the coronavirus , as total infections in Russia approached 300,000 .
A decree signed by President Vladimir Putin published on the Kremlin 's website annulled his previous ruling appointing Deputy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minister due to Mishustin ’ s illness .
Mishustin on April 30 announced he had tested positive for the virus .
He held several online meetings with his government while in the hospital .
Mishustin 's reinstatement came after health officials reported 9,263 new infections in Russia over the past 24 hours , bringing the total to 299,941 , the second-highest in the world after the United States , as officials said new cases were dropping off .
Russia has reported 2,837 deaths , a number met with skepticism by critics who say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian officials have tested positive for the virus , including Putin 's spokesman , Dmitry Peskov , Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova , and Construction Minister Vladimir Yakushev .
Pakistan 's Supreme Court has ordered the government to lift some of the remaining restrictions imposed on businesses to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
The court order affects shopping malls and businesses that have been closed on weekends .
The ruling said that as long as markets were open , there was no justification to shut shopping malls , and it found no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for businesses to be ordered to shut on weekends .
The court said the virus `` apparently is not a pandemic in Pakistan '' and questioned why fighting it was `` swallowing so much money.
” The ruling `` puts more lives at risk '' and `` reflects a broader attempt by Pakistani federal authorities to trivialize the impact '' of the outbreak , according to Human Rights Watch ( HRW ) .
Pakistan has reported nearly 45,000 COVID-19 cases , including more than 960 deaths , but HRW said the actual count @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` minimal testing . ''
With the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holidays on the coming weekend , transport and retail shopping are expected to draw massive crowds .
Pakistani authorities allowed markets to reopen last week in a phased lifting of a countrywide lockdown , and they were immediately packed with customers , with few signs of social distancing or masks covering the nose and mouth .
Doctors have expressed concern about the reopening , saying the virus could quickly spread and overwhelm the health system .
The court 's order , which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authority to rule without waiting for a case to come before it .
With reporting by RFE/RL 's Bulgarian , Kazakh , Kyrgyz , Tajik , and Uzbek services , Reuters , and Dawn


rferl--2020-05-20--EU States Endorse Accords Making Travel For Belarusians Easier

Ambassadors of the 27 European Union member states have endorsed two agreements that will make it easier and cheaper for Belarusian citizens to enter most EU countries .
The May 20 decision will be officially rubber-stamped on May 26 by the European Council , consisting of the governments of all EU member states , with the agreements expected to enter into force in July at the earliest .
Brussels and Minsk signed the two agreements in January and Belarus 's National Assembly adopted them last month , while the European Parliament gave its green light earlier this week .
Once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be reduced to 35 euros ( $ 38 ) from 80 euros ( $ 87 ) , while the deadline for consulates to make a decision on a visa application will be shortened .
Several categories of travelers -- such as journalists and students -- will also be able to get multiple-entry visas with longer validity .
Visa facilitation is the first step before potentially granting the complete visa-liberalization regime currently enjoyed by the citizens of Georgia , Moldova , and Ukraine .
It applies to all EU countries apart from Ireland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Liechtenstein , Norway , and Switzerland .

Ambassadors of the 27 European Union member states have endorsed two agreements that will make it easier and cheaper for Belarusian citizens to enter most EU countries.
The May 20 decision will be officially rubber-stamped on May 26 by the European Council, consisting of the governments of all EU member states, with the agreements expected to enter into force in July at the earliest.
Brussels and Minsk signed the two agreements in January and Belarus's National Assembly adopted them last month, while the European Parliament gave its green light earlier this week.
Once they enter into force, visa fees will be reduced to 35 euros ($38) from 80 euros ($87), while the deadline for consulates to make a decision on a visa application will be shortened.
Several categories of travelers -- such as journalists and students -- will also be able to get multiple-entry visas with longer validity.
Visa facilitation is the first step before potentially granting the complete visa-liberalization regime currently enjoyed by the citizens of Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine.
It applies to all EU countries apart from Ireland, as well as non-EU states Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.


rferl--2020-05-20--Ukrainian President 'Sure' IMF Memorandum To Be Signed By End Of Month

Ukraine 's president , Volodymyr Zelenskiy , says he is certain a memorandum with the International Monetary Fund ( IMF ) will be signed by the end of May to bolster the country 's finances .
`` We have large debts to international entities .
We are a serious nation , but we are a poor country .
We are paying off billions of U.S. dollars annually to international organizations , '' the 42-year-old former comedic actor told a press conference on May 20 to mark his first anniversary in power .
`` We will sign this memorandum , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in May .
It can not be delayed , '' he added .
Ukraine has been in talks with the IMF for months about a three-year , $ 5.5 billion loan tied to reforms to help the country meet a spike in debt repayments this year .
Earlier this month , Prime Minister Denys Shmygal said that about $ 3.5 billion of the total expected from the IMF is intended to go directly into the state budget .
Lawmakers approved banking legislation on May 13 that paved the way for billions from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also has other implications for Ukraine 's banks , analysts say its main purpose is to prevent one of Ukraine 's most powerful tycoons , Ihor Kolomoyskiy , the former co-owner of PrivatBank , from regaining ownership rights to the bank .
The IMF is said to have insisted upon approval of the banking law amid signs the government was considering returning PrivatBank , which is in the midst of a major legal and political fight involving Kolomoyskiy .
The bank was nationalized in 2016 when international auditors found a $ 5.5 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who has close ties to Zelenskiy , has insisted that the bank was improperly nationalized by Ukrainian regulators .
Kolomoyskiy has denied any wrongdoing and maintains he is the rightful owner of PrivatBank .

Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, says he is certain a memorandum with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will be signed by the end of May to bolster the country's finances.
"We have large debts to international entities. We are a serious nation, but we are a poor country. We are paying off billions of U.S. dollars annually to international organizations," the 42-year-old former comedic actor told a press conference on May 20 to mark his first anniversary in power.
"We will sign this memorandum, I am sure that we will sign it in May. It cannot be delayed," he added.
Ukraine has been in talks with the IMF for months about a three-year, $5.5 billion loan tied to reforms to help the country meet a spike in debt repayments this year.
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Denys Shmygal said that about $3.5 billion of the total expected from the IMF is intended to go directly into the state budget.
Lawmakers approved banking legislation on May 13 that paved the way for billions from the IMF to flow.
Though the legislation also has other implications for Ukraine's banks, analysts say its main purpose is to prevent one of Ukraine's most powerful tycoons, Ihor Kolomoyskiy, the former co-owner of PrivatBank, from regaining ownership rights to the bank.
The IMF is said to have insisted upon approval of the banking law amid signs the government was considering returning PrivatBank, which is in the midst of a major legal and political fight involving Kolomoyskiy.
The bank was nationalized in 2016 when international auditors found a $5.5 billion hole in its balance sheet. Kolomoyskiy, who has close ties to Zelenskiy, has insisted that the bank was improperly nationalized by Ukrainian regulators.
Kolomoyskiy has denied any wrongdoing and maintains he is the rightful owner of PrivatBank.


rferl--2020-05-20--Khalilzad In Kabul For Peace Talks Amid New Deadly Attacks

KABUL -- U.S. special peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad is in Kabul to press the Taliban and Afghan government to start delayed talks amid an uptick in violence -- including two more deadly attacks overnight -- that threatens to unravel a landmark peace deal between Washington and the militants signed earlier this year .
President Ashraf Ghani 's office on May 20 confirmed that Khalilzad arrived in Afghanistan from Qatar , where he held fresh talks with Taliban representatives .
The U.S. envoy 's trip comes as 14 people were killed in attacks late on May 19 on two mosques in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fast .
The Taliban denied carrying out the killings , which came after last week 's attack on a maternity hospital in Kabul in which 24 people , included newborns , were shot dead .
The Taliban also denied carrying out the maternity attack , which Washington said bore the hallmarks of the Islamic State ( IS ) militant group .
In a message that coincided with Khalilzad 's visit to Kabul , Taliban 's reclusive leader Haibatullah Akhundzada said on May 20 that militants were still committed to the February 29 deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up violence against government forces since it was signed .
In the message , released ahead of next week 's Eid al-Fitr holiday which marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan , Akhundzada called on Washington `` not to waste '' the opportunity offered by the deal to end America 's longest war .
`` The Islamic Emirate is committed to the agreement ... and urges the other side to honor its own commitments and not allow this critical opportunity to go to waste , '' Akhundzada said , using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were in power .
`` I urge American officials to not afford anyone the opportunity to obstruct , delay , and ultimately derail this internationally recognized bilateral agreement , '' he added .
The Taliban has so far rejected repeated calls for a cease-fire by the Afghan government .
At least 11 people were killed and 16 were wounded in one of the mosque attacks in Charekar , the capital of the central province of Parwan , security officials told RFE/RL .
`` Unknown gunmen fired on people praying inside a mosque @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shahkar , spokeswoman for the governor of Parwan , referring to the meal eaten to break daytime fasting during the Islamic holy month .
The Interior Ministry blamed the attack on the insurgent Taliban .
The militants denied responsibility and said Afghan security forces were to blame .
The Parwan Province police chief , Haroon Mubariz Parwan , told RFE/RL that Islamic State militants are suspected of having carried out the attack .
Three other people were killed in a similar attack late on May 19 on a mosque in the southeastern Khost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the provincial governor , told RFE/RL .
Mangal said a child was also wounded in the attack in the Sabari district of Khost .
No one claimed responsibility for the Khost attack .
In the northern Takhar Province , suspected Taliban militants attacked a checkpoint late on May 19 , leaving nine dead , officials said .
Six others were wounded in the incident , which took place in the province 's Khawja Bahauddin district .
Elsewhere on May 19 , Afghan security forces clashed with Taliban fighters around the city of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the militants have briefly captured twice in recent years .
Security forces largely repelled the Taliban offensive with the help of air support .
Assadullah Khalid , acting defense minister , said during a visit to the city that more than 50 militants and eight security-force members had been killed .
With reporting by AP , Reuters , dpa , and AFP

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


rferl--2020-05-20--U.S. Energy Giant ExxonMobil Puts Stake In Azerbaijani Oil Field Up For Sale

ExxonMobil has again put its stake in Azerbaijan ’ s largest oil field up for sale despite a historic decline in oil prices linked to a decline in consumption due to coronavirus restrictions .
A spokeswoman for the U.S. energy giant said ExxonMobil “ is testing market interest ” for its assets in Azerbaijan .
The company routinely evaluates its production portfolio and “ if other companies find more value in an asset , we will sell , ” spokeswoman Julie King told Reuters in a story published May 19 .
ExxonMobil first tried to sell its 6.8 percent stake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Caspian Sea in 2018 .
But a competing sale by rival Chevron for its larger stake in the field was taking place at the same time .
Chevron was successful in selling its 9.8 percent stake to Hungarian energy firm MOL Group for $ 1.57 billion last year .
It is unclear how much ExxonMobil is seeking to raise from the sale , but it is likely to be valued significantly lower than Chevron ’ s stake , the sources said .
A number of Asian national oil companies , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , India ’ s ONGC , and Indonesia ’ s Pertamina , have shown interest in the stake , according to Reuters quoting four unidentified industry and banking sources .
The sharp drop in oil prices pushed ExxonMobil to report its first quarterly loss in decades in the first three months of the year .
The attempt to sell its stake in the Azerbaijani oil field comes after the Texas-based company last year launched a plan to divest up to $ 25 billion of oil and gas fields in Europe , Asia @ @ @ @

ExxonMobil has again put its stake in Azerbaijan’s largest oil field up for sale despite a historic decline in oil prices linked to a decline in consumption due to coronavirus restrictions.
A spokeswoman for the U.S. energy giant said ExxonMobil “is testing market interest” for its assets in Azerbaijan. The company routinely evaluates its production portfolio and “if other companies find more value in an asset, we will sell,” spokeswoman Julie King told Reuters in a story published May 19.
ExxonMobil first tried to sell its 6.8 percent stake in the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG) field in the Caspian Sea in 2018. But a competing sale by rival Chevron for its larger stake in the field was taking place at the same time.
Chevron was successful in selling its 9.8 percent stake to Hungarian energy firm MOL Group for $1.57 billion last year.
It is unclear how much ExxonMobil is seeking to raise from the sale, but it is likely to be valued significantly lower than Chevron’s stake, the sources said.
A number of Asian national oil companies, including China National Offshore Oil Corp (CNOOC), India’s ONGC, and Indonesia’s Pertamina, have shown interest in the stake, according to Reuters quoting four unidentified industry and banking sources.
A spokesman for SOCAR, Azerbaijan’s national oil company, declined to comment, Reuters reported.
The sharp drop in oil prices pushed ExxonMobil to report its first quarterly loss in decades in the first three months of the year.
The attempt to sell its stake in the Azerbaijani oil field comes after the Texas-based company last year launched a plan to divest up to $25 billion of oil and gas fields in Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Based on reporting by Reuters


rferl--2020-05-19--Ukraine To Use Pro-Separatist Interviews As Evidence Of Role In MH17 Downing

The Ukrainian Security Service ( SBU ) says it will use a journalist 's interview with former pro-separatist figures as evidence of crimes committed during the war in the east of the country , including the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 ( MH17 ) .
The SBU announcement on May 19 relates to two interviews published by Ukrainian journalist Dmytro Gordon on his YouTube channel in which ex-separatist leader Igor Girkin , also known as Strelkov , and the former top prosecutor in Russian-annexed Crimea , Natalia Poklonskaya , divulge information that prosecutors say could be used against them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these interviews is already being analyzed in detail by the [ SBU ] staff for its use as additional evidence of the Russian Federation 's seizure of Ukrainian territory and the actual beginning of the war in the east of our state , '' the SBU said .
Girkin , a former colonel in Russia 's Federal Security Service ( FSB ) , was the so-called defense minister of a Russia-backed separatist group in the Donetsk region when MH17 was shot down in July 17 , 2014 , by a Russian-made Buk missile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interview published on May 18 , Girkin said that as the military commander in the area he felt `` indirect responsibility '' for the downing of the passenger jet , but that his forces did n't fire the missile that killed all 298 passengers and crew on board .
Dutch investigators have linked Girkin and two other Russians and one Ukrainian to downing the jet on its way from the Netherlands to Malaysia .
In March , a Dutch court began criminal proceedings against the four separatist figures , who are believed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the missile was secretly transported across the Russian border into Ukraine .
Russia denies any role in the tragedy .
Another interview Gordon published with Poklonskaya on May 11 may also be used by the SBU to build its case against the ex-prosecutor of annexed Crimea between 2014 and 2016 Poklonskaya , now a deputy in the Russian State Duma , is wanted in Ukraine for `` actions committed with the aim of forcible change or overthrow of the constitutional order or seizure of state power . ''
Both interviews caused a stir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of spreading Russian and separatist propaganda .
In particular , the European Solidarity Party called on the SBU to launch an investigation into Gordon `` for inciting hostility , supporting terrorism , and undermining Ukraine 's sovereignty . ''
In a twist to the story , Gordon said in a video statement on May 19 that he had interviewed Poklonskaya and Girkin `` in collaboration with the Ukrainian secret services . ''
The SBU responded that the interviews were conducted at Gordon 's `` initiative . ''
Gordon said flash drives of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where the testimonies could be used in international court cases against Russia 's illegal annexation of Crimea and the war in the east of Ukraine .
With reporting by UNIAN and Ukrinform

The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) says it will use a journalist's interview with former pro-separatist figures as evidence of crimes committed during the war in the east of the country, including the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 (MH17).
The SBU announcement on May 19 relates to two interviews published by Ukrainian journalist Dmytro Hordon on his YouTube channel in which ex-separatist leader Igor Girkin, also known as Strelkov, and the former top prosecutor in Russian-annexed Crimea, Natalia Poklonskaya, divulge information that prosecutors say could be used against them.
"All the information voiced in these interviews is already being analyzed in detail by the [SBU] staff for its use as additional evidence of the Russian Federation's seizure of Ukrainian territory and the actual beginning of the war in the east of our state," the SBU said.
Girkin, a former colonel in Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), was the so-called defense minister of a Russia-backed separatist group in the Donetsk region when MH17 was shot down in July 17, 2014, by a Russian-made Buk missile fired from separatist-controlled territory.
In the interview published on May 18, Girkin said that as the military commander in the area he felt "indirect responsibility" for the downing of the passenger jet, but that his forces didn't fire the missile that killed all 298 passengers and crew on board.
Dutch investigators have linked Girkin and two other Russians and one Ukrainian to downing the jet on its way from the Netherlands to Malaysia. In March, a Dutch court began criminal proceedings against the four separatist figures, who are believed to be in Russia. Dutch officials believe the missile was secretly transported across the Russian border into Ukraine.
Russia denies any role in the tragedy.
Another interview Hordon published with Poklonskaya on May 11 may also be used by the SBU to build its case against the ex-prosecutor of annexed Crimea between 2014 and 2016
Poklonskaya, now a deputy in the Russian State Duma, is wanted in Ukraine for "actions committed with the aim of forcible change or overthrow of the constitutional order or seizure of state power."
Both interviews caused a stir in Ukraine, with some accusing Hordon of spreading Russian and separatist propaganda.
In particular, the European Solidarity Party called on the SBU to launch an investigation into Hordon "for inciting hostility, supporting terrorism, and undermining Ukraine's sovereignty."
In a twist to the story, Hordon said in a video statement on May 19 that he had interviewed Poklonskaya and Girkin "in collaboration with the Ukrainian secret services."
The SBU responded that the interviews were conducted at Hordon's "initiative."
Hordon said flash drives of the interviews were sent to The Hague, where the testimonies could be used in international court cases against Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea and the war in the east of Ukraine.
With reporting by UNIAN and Ukrinform


rferl--2020-05-20--Iran Jails Critical Journalist For 'Spreading Propaganda'

Iranian journalist Nejat Bahrami has started serving a one-year prison sentence this week , in what the Committee to Protect Journalists ( CPJ ) called another step by authorities to `` muzzle '' the press .
Bahrami arrived at Tehran ’ s Evin Prison on May 18 to begin serving his sentence , according to the Persian service of the International Federation of Journalists ( IFJ ) .
It said Bahrami , a freelance columnist who has written for several publications in Iran , was convicted in August 2019 by the Revolutionary Court of Tehran of `` spreading propaganda against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disturb the public order '' over his writing critical of Iran 's political establishment .
He was sentenced to one year in prison and a two-year ban on any media activities and joining any political or social factions -- a sentence Bahrami said was upheld by an appeals court last month .
The New York-based CPJ on May 20 urged Iranian authorities to immediately release Bahrami and cease arbitrarily jailing members of the press .
Jailing a journalist during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic , `` especially one whom authorities already previously released from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet another example of the extreme steps that Iran 's judiciary is willing to take to muzzle the press , '' CPJ Middle East and North Africa program coordinator Sherif Mansour said in a statement .
Bahrami was arrested in December 2018 over his writings in Iranian publications and on social media , before being released on bail due to health complications , including high blood pressure , according to reports .

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--2020-05-20--U.K.-Iranian Woman's Temporary Prison Release Extended

Iranian authorities have again extended the temporary release of jailed British-Iranian aid worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe , her family and lawyer say .
In mid-March , Zaghari-Ratcliffe was temporarily released from Tehran 's Evin prison , where she was serving of a five-year sentence for `` plotting to topple the Iranian government , '' a charge she has denied .
The furlough has been extended until May 27 , her lawyer told the IRNA news agency on May 20 .
Mahmud Behzadirad added that Zaghari-Ratcliffe had been told by judiciary officials that they would decide whether the rest of her sentence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Prosecutors Office today .
Her furlough from prison has again been extended -- until a decision has been made on her clemency .
She was told no decision has been made on clemency , '' the Free Nazanin campaign tweeted .
Amnesty International U.K. 's director , Kate Allen , said that `` another period of this 'conditional liberty ' is far better than outright jail , but we 're worried that the Iranian authorities are still playing games with Nazanin and her family . ''
`` Confined to her parents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still a prisoner of conscience , '' Allen said in a statement .
A project manager with the Thomson Reuters Foundation , Zaghari-Ratcliffe was arrested in April 2016 at a Tehran airport as she headed back to Britain with her daughter following a family visit .
She was sentenced to prison in September 2016 following what Amnesty International called a `` deeply unfair trial . ''
Britain has demanded her release and that of other dual nationals imprisoned in Iran .
Tehran does not recognize dual citizenship .
Iran has temporarily released tens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prisoners , in recent months in response to the coronavirus epidemic .


rferl--2020-05-20--Ukrainian President Accuses Journalist Of Crossing Line, Which Editor Denies

KYIV -- President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has accused a reporter of Skhemy ( Schemes ) , a joint investigative project by RFE/RL and UA : Pershy television , of crossing the line of balanced journalism and breaking laws in pursuing the Ukrainian leader , a charge denied by the group .
During a news conference on May 20 to mark his first year in power , Zelenskiy singled out Skhemy reporter Mykhaylo Tkach , saying that the journalist was `` everywhere , where I live , where I move , where I work ... always or almost every day on duty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Please tell me if there is at least one country in the world where a journalist travels in the president 's motorcade , right inside the president 's motorcade , filming or not filming -- I do n't care , I have nothing to hide -- but inside the presidential motorcade , '' Zelenskiy said .
`` To my mind there must not be anything personal between journalism and the government and one can not break the law , '' Zelenskiy said .
Skhemy 's editorial board immediately issued a statement responding to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's accusations were groundless and its journalists act exclusively within Ukraine 's laws and in accordance with journalistic standards .
`` The president has decided to complain about our work publicly .
It seems that the Ukrainian authorities are very annoyed by the work of independent media , which cover its shortcomings and unfulfilled promises , '' Natalia Sedletska , the project 's editor in chief , wrote on Facebook .
`` Zelenskiy even addressed a concrete person , attacking Mykhaylo Tkach , the author of numerous high-profile journalistic investigations into what was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukrainian politics .
Skhemy 's editorial board states that all our journalists , including Mykhaylo Tkach , act exclusively within the norms of the law and in accordance with journalistic standards , '' she added .
Sedletska noted that Skhemy 's work `` is aimed exclusively at covering socially important information that would otherwise remain secret or nonpublic . ''
`` Our journalists are guided only by the interests of the society , not by a specific government or a specific president , and that is what the independent journalism is about , @ @ @ @

KYIV -- President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has accused a reporter of Skhemy (Schemes), a joint investigative project by RFE/RL and UA: Pershy television, of crossing the line of balanced journalism and breaking laws in pursuing the Ukrainian leader, a charge denied by the group.
During a news conference on May 20 to mark his first year in power, Zelenskiy singled out Skhemy reporter Mykhaylo Tkach, saying that the journalist was "everywhere, where I live, where I move, where I work...always or almost every day on duty like a national guard."
"Please tell me if there is at least one country in the world where a journalist travels in the president's motorcade, right inside the president's motorcade, filming or not filming -- I don't care, I have nothing to hide -- but inside the presidential motorcade," Zelenskiy said.
"To my mind there must not be anything personal between journalism and the government and one cannot break the law," Zelenskiy said.
Skhemy's editorial board immediately issued a statement responding to the president's comments saying that Zelenskiy's accusations were groundless and its journalists act exclusively within Ukraine's laws and in accordance with journalistic standards.
"The president has decided to complain about our work publicly. It seems that the Ukrainian authorities are very annoyed by the work of independent media, which cover its shortcomings and unfulfilled promises," Natalia Sedletska, the project's editor in chief, wrote on Facebook.
"Zelenskiy even addressed a concrete person, attacking Mykhaylo Tkach, the author of numerous high-profile journalistic investigations into what was really happening on the sidelines of the Ukrainian politics. Skhemy's editorial board states that all our journalists, including Mykhaylo Tkach, act exclusively within the norms of the law and in accordance with journalistic standards," she added.
Sedletska noted that Skhemy's work "is aimed exclusively at covering socially important information that would otherwise remain secret or nonpublic."
"Our journalists are guided only by the interests of the society, not by a specific government or a specific president, and that is what the independent journalism is about," she said.


rferl--2020-05-20--U.S. Puts Sanctions On Iranian Minister, Top Police Officials For Violent Crackdowns

The U.S. government has imposed sanctions on Iran 's interior minister , senior police officials , and a military commander for human rights abuses , including killing peaceful protesters .
`` The Iranian regime violently suppresses dissent of the Iranian people , including peaceful protests , through physical and psychological abuse , '' U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on May 20 .
`` The United States will continue to hold accountable Iranian officials and institutions that oppress and abuse their own people . ''
The Treasury Department said Iran 's interior minister and chairman of the National Domestic Security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led security forces in killing hundreds of protesters over the years and in November 2019 , including at least 23 minors .
Seven senior members of the Law Enforcement Forces ( LEF ) and an Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps ( IRGC ) general were also put under sanctions for their role in violent crackdowns on dissent .
The Treasury also alleged that the LEF operates detention centers associated with physical and psychological abuses and has led a crackdown on Afghan migrants in Iran , coercing them to fight for Iran-backed militias in Syria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be implicated in the torture and drowning earlier in May of Afghan nationals attempting to cross into Iran .
In addition , the LEF Foundation , known as Bonyad Taavon NAJA in Iran , was put under sanctions .
The foundation is engaged in economic activity in Iran 's energy , construction , services , technology , and banking industries .
Most of the newly sanctioned individuals are or were board directors at the foundation .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the sanctions `` send a message of support to the Iranian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their demands for transparent and accountable governance and speak out for those who are being silenced by this regime . ''
The sanctions bar U.S. nationals from conducting transactions with the sanctioned entities and seize their assets in the United States .
They also leave foreign companies and financial institutions that conduct transactions with sanctioned entities subject themselves to sanctions .
The United States has already imposed sweeping sanctions on Iran since President Donald Trump withdrew from Tehran 's nuclear deal with world powers in 2018 .


rferl--2020-05-20--Amnesty Demands Justice After Iranian 'Killing Spree' Against November Protesters

Amnesty International says the families of the more than 300 people who were killed by Iran 's security forces during November 's `` ruthless '' crackdown on anti-government protests continue to face `` intense harassment and intimidation '' from the authorities as they seek justice .
Five days of protests erupted in Iran on November 15 following a government announcement about a fuel price hike .
Amnesty International has documented 304 men , women , and children who were killed by security forces during the demonstrations but says it believes the real number is higher .
New research has again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the vast majority of the recorded 304 victims was unlawful , the London-based human rights watchdog said in a statement on May 20 .
In almost all protests , there is no evidence that people were in possession of firearms or that they posed an imminent threat to life that would have warranted the use of lethal force , according to research conducted by the group .
It cited two exceptions in the city of Mahshahr , Khuzestan Province , where gunfire was exchanged between protesters and security forces .
The violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps ( IRGC ) and one police officer .
`` The fact that so many people were shot while posing no threat whatsoever shows the sheer ruthlessness of the security forces ' unlawful killing spree , '' said Philip Luther , Amnesty International ’ s research and advocacy director for the Middle East and North Africa .
Six months after the crackdown , Iranian authorities have still not issued an official death toll and `` the devastated families of victims continue their struggle for truth and justice while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities , '' Luther said .
Such `` impunity '' afforded to the security forces `` allows the recurrence of lethal force to crush dissent , '' he added , reiterating Amnesty 's call to members of the UN Human Rights Council to `` mandate an inquiry into the killings , and identify pathways for truth , justice , and reparations . ''
The 304 victims were killed in 37 cities in eight provinces across Iran , reflecting the `` widespread nature of the crackdown , '' the statement said .
The poverty-stricken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with at least 163 deaths recorded .
The minority-populated western provinces of Khuzestan and Kermanshah were also badly affected , with 57 and 30 deaths , respectively .
The victims include 236 men , 10 women , and at least 23 children ; the sex of the remaining 35 victims remains unknown to Amnesty International .
In all but four cases , the victims were shot dead by Iranian security forces -- including IRGC members , paramilitary Basij forces , and the police -- `` firing live ammunition , often at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were shooting to kill . ''
Two other victims reportedly suffered fatal head injuries after being beaten by members of the security forces , and another two were recorded as having suffocated from tear gas .
More than 220 of the recorded deaths took place over two days -- on November 16-17 .
To conduct its research , Amnesty said it had gathered evidence from videos and photographs , death and burial certificates , accounts from eyewitnesses and victims ' relatives and friends , as well as information collected by human rights activists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demonstrations , it said thousands of protesters were `` arbitrarily '' detained and many were subjected to `` enforced disappearance , torture , and other ill-treatment , and unfair trials . ''


rferl--2020-05-20--Russian Prosecutors To Ask For Sentencing In Whelan Trial

Russian prosecutors are expected to issue their sentencing recommendation on May 25 in the case of former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan , who is on trial in Moscow for what the United States says are baseless spying charges .
Whelan 's lawyer , Vladimir Zherebenkov , said on May 20 that all evidence in the trial had been presented and the defense and prosecutors would make final statements in the courtroom on May 25 .
Prosecutors in the case will then request to the court the sentence they are seeking for the defendant .
In the court proceedings on May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who said there was no indication Whelan engaged in espionage .
The witnesses said they `` have known Paul for quite a long time and have n't noticed anything weird about him , '' Zherebenkov said .
The 50-year-old Whelan , who also holds British , Canadian , and Irish citizenship , was arrested in Moscow in December 2018 .
Prosecutors claim that a flash disc in his possession contained classified information .
He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted .
Whelan vehemently denies the allegations against him , calling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accused guards of mistreatment .
The former U.S. Marine has said he traveled to Moscow to attend a wedding .
The trial is being held behind closed doors because the evidence includes classified materials and because of measures taken to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
Based on reporting by TASS and Interfax

Russian prosecutors are expected to issue their sentencing recommendation on May 25 in the case of former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, who is on trial in Moscow for what the United States says are baseless spying charges.
Whelan's lawyer, Vladimir Zherebenkov, said on May 20 that all evidence in the trial had been presented and the defense and prosecutors would make final statements in the courtroom on May 25.
Prosecutors in the case will then request to the court the sentence they are seeking for the defendant.
In the court proceedings on May 20, the defense presented two witnesses who said there was no indication Whelan engaged in espionage.
The witnesses said they "have known Paul for quite a long time and haven't noticed anything weird about him," Zherebenkov said.
The 50-year-old Whelan, who also holds British, Canadian, and Irish citizenship, was arrested in Moscow in December 2018. Prosecutors claim that a flash disc in his possession contained classified information. He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
Whelan vehemently denies the allegations against him, calling them political in nature, and has accused guards of mistreatment.
The former U.S. Marine has said he traveled to Moscow to attend a wedding.
The trial is being held behind closed doors because the evidence includes classified materials and because of measures taken to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Based on reporting by TASS and Interfax


rferl--2020-05-20--Moldova's Orthodox Church Lashes Out At 'Anti-Christ Plot' To Develop Virus Vaccine

The Moscow-affiliated Moldovan Orthodox Church has called on the country 's leadership to ensure that a potential future anti-coronavirus vaccine will not be made compulsory , claiming conspiracy by a `` world anti-Christ system '' that will allegedly insert microchips into humans to control them via 5G technology .
The Church made the accusations in a May 19 religious statement to President Igor Dodon , Parliament Speaker Zinaida Greceanni , and Prime Minister Ion Chicu .
Europe and the United States have seen a growing wave of protests by conspiracy theorists , extremists , and anti-vaxxers against coronavirus restrictions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Theories about the allegedly negative effects of 5G technology have been aggressively pushed on social media during the pandemic by conservative circles in Europe and the United States , aided by Russian media affiliated to the Kremlin .
Some of the theories promoting false claims that billionaire U.S. philanthropist Bill Gates is the alleged mastermind behind the pandemic have been gaining traction online since the beginning of the outbreak , with experts warning they could hamper efforts to curb the virus .
Such accusations are also present in the Moldovan church 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gates is considered the man responsible for the creation of a technology allowing people to be microchipped through a vaccine that would insert in their bodies nanoparticles that interact with 5G waves and allow people to be remotely controlled . ''
“ Public opinion in many European states is protesting against mandatory vaccines , in particular against an anti-COVID-19 vaccine , because they consider them a means through which the global anti-Christ system wishes to introduce microchips into people ’ s bodies with whose help they can control them , through 5G technology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement backs the anti-Gates theories , stating that it is `` considered '' that 5G technology , in combination with vaccines , has been behind the coronavirus outbreak .
It does not clarify , however , who considers Gates responsible .
Gates has become the latest in a series of online targets after pledging $ 250 million to efforts to fight the outbreak .
Hungarian-American billionaire and philanthropist George Soros has also been blamed for creating the virus , which has infected almost 5 million people and killed more than 323,000 around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stepped up efforts to fight what it called an `` infodemic '' -- misinformation fanned by panic and confusion about the coronavirus .
Moldova , a former Soviet republic sandwiched between Romania and Ukraine , is one of Europe 's poorest countries .
An estimated 95 percent of its 4.5-million population is Christian Orthodox .
The Moldovan Orthodox Church is autonomous but operates under the jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church .
The Romanian Orthodox Church 's Metropolis of Bessarabia is the country 's other major church .
With reporting by Current Time @ @ @

The Moscow-affiliated Moldovan Orthodox Church has called on the country's leadership to ensure that a potential future anti-coronavirus vaccine will not be made compulsory, claiming conspiracy by a "world anti-Christ system" that will allegedly insert microchips into humans to control them via 5G technology.
The Church made the accusations in a May 19 religious statement to President Igor Dodon, Parliament Speaker Zinaida Greceanni, and Prime Minister Ion Chicu.
Europe and the United States have seen a growing wave of protests by conspiracy theorists, extremists, and anti-vaxxers against coronavirus restrictions, many of them promoted via social media.
Theories about the allegedly negative effects of 5G technology have been aggressively pushed on social media during the pandemic by conservative circles in Europe and the United States, aided by Russian media affiliated to the Kremlin.
Some of the theories promoting false claims that billionaire U.S. philanthropist Bill Gates is the alleged mastermind behind the pandemic have been gaining traction online since the beginning of the outbreak, with experts warning they could hamper efforts to curb the virus.
Such accusations are also present in the Moldovan church's statement, which says that "Bill Gates is considered the man responsible for the creation of a technology allowing people to be microchipped through a vaccine that would insert in their bodies nanoparticles that interact with 5G waves and allow people to be remotely controlled."
“Public opinion in many European states is protesting against mandatory vaccines, in particular against an anti-COVID-19 vaccine, because they consider them a means through which the global anti-Christ system wishes to introduce microchips into people’s bodies with whose help they can control them, through 5G technology,” the statement said.
'Infodemic'
The statement backs the anti-Gates theories, stating that it is "considered" that 5G technology, in combination with vaccines, has been behind the coronavirus outbreak. It does not clarify, however, who considers Gates responsible.
Gates has become the latest in a series of online targets after pledging $250 million to efforts to fight the outbreak.
Hungarian-American billionaire and philanthropist George Soros has also been blamed for creating the virus, which has infected almost 5 million people and killed more than 323,000 around the world.
The World Health Organization has stepped up efforts to fight what it called an "infodemic" -- misinformation fanned by panic and confusion about the coronavirus.
Moldova, a former Soviet republic sandwiched between Romania and Ukraine, is one of Europe's poorest countries. An estimated 95 percent of its 4.5-million population is Christian Orthodox.
The Moldovan Orthodox Church is autonomous but operates under the jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church. The Romanian Orthodox Church's Metropolis of Bessarabia is the country's other major church.
With reporting by Current Time and Balkan Insight


rferl--2020-05-20--Azerbaijani Activist Jailed For Disobeying Police, Family Protests

LANKARAN , Azerbaijan -- Police in the southeatern Azerbaijani city of Lankaran have jailed an activist for `` disobeying the police , '' a charge his relatives are calling politically motivated .
Elvin Irsadov , known on Facebook as Umar Ali , was detained on May 18 and sentenced the next day to 16 days in jail , his sister , Aynur Irsadova , told RFE/RL .
According to Irsadova , the 30-year-old Elvin 's incarceration was retaliation by the police for his online activities .
She said her brother was threatened by a district policeman in Lankaran for sharing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brutality .
The policeman also demanded Irsadov delete the pictures .
The day before his arrest , Irsadov wrote on Facebook that an unknown individual had threatened and insulted him , and later spread false information about him .
In one recent post , Irsadov criticized the government 's anti-corruption efforts , saying that the widely announced arrests of officials in the country were in fact just for show and not part of a real fight against corruption .
Critics of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev say the authorities in the energy-rich South Caucasus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , human rights defenders , and civil society advocates without grounds in an effort to silence dissent .
Aliyev , who has ruled Azerbaijan since shortly before his father 's death in 2003 , has rejected the criticism .

LANKARAN, Azerbaijan -- Police in the southeatern Azerbaijani city of Lankaran have jailed an activist for "disobeying the police," a charge his relatives are calling politically motivated.
Elvin Irsadov, known on Facebook as Umar Ali, was detained on May 18 and sentenced the next day to 16 days in jail, his sister, Aynur Irsadova, told RFE/RL.
According to Irsadova, the 30-year-old Elvin's incarceration was retaliation by the police for his online activities.
She said her brother was threatened by a district policeman in Lankaran for sharing images on Facebook that purportedly show police brutality. The policeman also demanded Irsadov delete the pictures.
The day before his arrest, Irsadov wrote on Facebook that an unknown individual had threatened and insulted him, and later spread false information about him.
In one recent post, Irsadov criticized the government's anti-corruption efforts, saying that the widely announced arrests of officials in the country were in fact just for show and not part of a real fight against corruption.
Critics of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev say the authorities in the energy-rich South Caucasus state frequently jail opposition activists, reporters, human rights defenders, and civil society advocates without grounds in an effort to silence dissent.
Aliyev, who has ruled Azerbaijan since shortly before his father's death in 2003, has rejected the criticism.


rferl--2020-05-20--U.S. Envoy Holds Peace Talks In Kabul Amid Wave Of Afghan Violence

KABUL -- U.S. special peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad has held fresh talks with the Afghan leadership in Kabul , amid an uptick in violence that threatens to unravel a February peace deal between the United States and the Taliban .
After holding talks with Taliban representatives in Qatar , Khalilzad flew to Afghanistan on May 20 , as the leader of the Taliban said the militants were committed to the deal with Washington despite stepping up violence against government forces since it was signed .
In Kabul , Khalilzad met with President Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah , who is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Taliban , according to the Afghan presidency .
The sides discussed the importance of `` a cease-fire or reduction in violence before the start of direct talks , '' a statement said .
Khalilzad ’ s visit comes days after Ghani and Abdullah reached a power-sharing agreement under which Abdullah , his political rival , leads the High Peace Council .
A power struggle between Ghani and Abdullah , both of whom claimed to have won the presidential election in September , had been one of the main impediments to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 18 years of war .
The talks were to begin on March 10 under the agreement between the Taliban and the United States , which calls for U.S. and foreign troops to withdraw from Afghanistan following an intra-Afghan deal and in exchange for security guarantees .
Khalilzad ’ s visit also comes as at least 14 people were killed in attacks late on May 19 on two mosques in Afghanistan where worshippers were breaking their Ramadan fast .
The Taliban denied carrying out the killings , which came after last week 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in which 24 people , included newborns , were shot dead .
The Taliban also denied carrying out the maternity attack , which Washington said bore the hallmarks of the Islamic State ( IS ) militant group .
In a message that coincided with Khalilzad 's visit to Kabul , the Taliban 's reclusive leader , Haibatullah Akhundzada , called on Washington `` not to waste '' the opportunity offered by the deal to end the United States ' longest war .
In the message released ahead of next week 's Eid al-Fitr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Islamic month of Ramadan , Akhundzada urged U.S. officials to not afford anyone the opportunity to obstruct , delay , and ultimately derail this internationally recognized bilateral agreement . ''
The Taliban has so far rejected repeated calls for a cease-fire by the Afghan government .
On May 19 , at least 11 people were killed and 16 were wounded in one of the mosque attacks in Charekar , the capital of the central province of Parwan , security officials told RFE/RL .
`` Unknown gunmen fired on people praying inside a mosque @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shahkar , spokeswoman for the governor of Parwan , referring to the meal eaten to break daytime fasting during the Islamic holy month .
The Interior Ministry blamed the attack on the Taliban .
The militants denied responsibility and said Afghan security forces were to blame .
The Parwan Province police chief , Haroon Mubariz Parwan , told RFE/RL that Islamic State militants were suspected of having carried out the attack .
Three other people were killed in a similar attack late on May 19 on a mosque in the southeastern Khost Province @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the provincial governor , told RFE/RL .
Mangal said a child was also wounded in the attack in Khost 's Sabari district .
No one claimed responsibility for the Khost attack .
In the northern Takhar Province , suspected Taliban militants attacked a checkpoint late on May 19 , leaving nine dead , officials said .
Six others were wounded in the incident , which took place in the province 's Khawja Bahauddin district .
Elsewhere on May 19 , Afghan security forces clashed with Taliban fighters around the city of Kunduz , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have briefly captured twice in recent years .
Security forces largely repelled the Taliban offensive with the help of air support .
Assadullah Khalid , acting defense minister , said during a visit to the city that more than 50 militants and eight security-force members had been killed .
With reporting by AP , Reuters , dpa , and AFP


rferl--2020-05-21--Kyrgyz Lawmaker 'Ashamed Of Parliament's Failures,' Gives Up Mandate

BISHKEK -- Kyrgyz lawmaker Iskhak Masaliev has announced he will give up his mandate because he is `` ashamed of parliament ’ s failures , '' saying the legislature does n't use its full authority to challenge the government on very important issues .
Masaliev told a parliamentary session on May 21 that he will end his duties as a member from May 25 , and accused other members of `` violating procedural regulations . ''
`` It would be great if the parliament ’ s work could change at least a bit .
I apologize to my voters , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I am ready to work at any other post to be of use to the country , but I consider it impossible to continue working as a lawmaker in the current parliament , '' Masaliev said .
Masaliev and several other lawmakers initiated a bill to decrease the 9 percent threshold needed to get a seat in the legislature to 5 percent .
The move , however , failed at it was not supported by parliamentary committees .
After fierce debate last week , however , lawmakers approved a different bill that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The 59-year-old Masaliev is the Chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Kyrgyzstan .
He was elected in 2015 to the parliament on the list of the Onuguu-Progress Party .
Masaliev served earlier as a lawmaker between 2000-2010 .
In 2012-2014 , he led Kyrgyzstan ’ s State Taxation Service .

BISHKEK -- Kyrgyz lawmaker Iskhak Masaliev has announced he will give up his mandate because he is "ashamed of parliament’s failures," saying the legislature doesn't use its full authority to challenge the government on very important issues.
Masaliev told a parliamentary session on May 21 that he will end his duties as a member from May 25, and accused other members of "violating procedural regulations."
"It would be great if the parliament’s work could change at least a bit. I apologize to my voters, whose expectations I probably did not meet. I am ready to work at any other post to be of use to the country, but I consider it impossible to continue working as a lawmaker in the current parliament ," Masaliev said.
Masaliev and several other lawmakers initiated a bill to decrease the 9 percent threshold needed to get a seat in the legislature to 5 percent. The move, however, failed at it was not supported by parliamentary committees.
After fierce debate last week, however, lawmakers approved a different bill that would lower the barrier to 7 percent.
The 59-year-old Masaliev is the Chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Kyrgyzstan. He was elected in 2015 to the parliament on the list of the Onuguu-Progress Party.
Masaliev served earlier as a lawmaker between 2000-2010.
In 2012-2014, he led Kyrgyzstan’s State Taxation Service.


rferl--2020-05-21--EU Monitor Sees Drop In COVID-19 Disinformation, Urges Social Media To Take More Action

EU monitors say they have seen `` at least a temporary decrease '' in the amount of misinformation and disinformation surrounding the coronavirus pandemic , but external actors , notably pro-Kremlin sources , are still active in spreading false information on the outbreak .
In a report released on May 20 , the strategic communications division of the European diplomatic corps , the European External Action Service ( EEAS ) , said that , while social media companies continue to invest into detecting and countering misinformation and disinformation on their platforms , `` it is clear that much more needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work of independent media and fact-checkers is crucial to deliver reliable and authoritative information about the pandemic , '' said the report , which covers observations and assessments from the period of April 23 to May 18 .
`` Continued threats and harassment against fact-checkers and fact-checking organizations are being observed , '' it added .
The publication , a follow-up to three previous reports in March and April in which EU monitors identified a `` trilateral convergence of disinformation narratives '' being promoted by China , Iran , and Russia on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that despite the decrease in disinformation , `` external actors , notably pro-Kremlin sources , are still involved in spreading disinformation , including by amplifying existing conspiracy theories , which link the COVID-19 pandemic to biological warfare , 5G technology and fuel anti-vaccination sentiment . ''
Theories about the allegedly negative effects of 5G technology have been aggressively pushed on social media during the pandemic by conservative circles in Europe and the United States , aided by Russian media affiliated to the Kremlin .
Some of the theories promoting false claims that billionaire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mastermind behind the pandemic have been gaining traction online since the beginning of the outbreak , with experts warning they could hamper efforts to curb the virus .
`` Disinformation around COVID-19 has real world consequences , '' the report said .
`` It has become clear that disinformation is not just a potential health risk when false cures are propagated .
The spread of false information pertaining to the 5G network has also led to multiple arson attacks on telecommunication infrastructure across Europe , '' it added .
Meanwhile , Chinese state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use the pandemic to promote their own governmental system and enhance their image abroad , '' the report said .
The report also states that social-media platforms `` are still vulnerable to being the tool for viral distribution of false information and conspiracy theories . ''
It cites the example of `` a pseudo-documentary containing multiple cases of false , misleading and harmful claims '' that `` spread with high velocity across the Internet . ''
The video was first uploaded to YouTube in early May and amplified by conspiracy groups on Facebook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few days .
Even though both companies removed the content , it continued to circulate as peopled posted new copies or used other platforms .

EU monitors say they have seen "at least a temporary decrease" in the amount of misinformation and disinformation surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, but external actors, notably pro-Kremlin sources, are still active in spreading false information on the outbreak.
In a report released on May 20, the strategic communications division of the European diplomatic corps, the European External Action Service (EEAS), said that, while social media companies continue to invest into detecting and countering misinformation and disinformation on their platforms, "it is clear that much more needs to be done."
"The work of independent media and fact-checkers is crucial to deliver reliable and authoritative information about the pandemic," said the report, which covers observations and assessments from the period of April 23 to May 18.
"Continued threats and harassment against fact-checkers and fact-checking organizations are being observed," it added.
The publication, a follow-up to three previous reports in March and April in which EU monitors identified a "trilateral convergence of disinformation narratives" being promoted by China, Iran, and Russia on the pandemic to undermine public trust, said that despite the decrease in disinformation, "external actors, notably pro-Kremlin sources, are still involved in spreading disinformation, including by amplifying existing conspiracy theories, which link the COVID-19 pandemic to biological warfare, 5G technology and fuel anti-vaccination sentiment."
Theories about the allegedly negative effects of 5G technology have been aggressively pushed on social media during the pandemic by conservative circles in Europe and the United States, aided by Russian media affiliated to the Kremlin.
'Harmful Claims'
Some of the theories promoting false claims that billionaire U.S. philanthropist Bill Gates is the alleged mastermind behind the pandemic have been gaining traction online since the beginning of the outbreak, with experts warning they could hamper efforts to curb the virus.
"Disinformation around COVID-19 has real world consequences," the report said.
"It has become clear that disinformation is not just a potential health risk when false cures are propagated. The spread of false information pertaining to the 5G network has also led to multiple arson attacks on telecommunication infrastructure across Europe," it added.
Meanwhile, Chinese state actors continue to deflect blame and "use the pandemic to promote their own governmental system and enhance their image abroad," the report said.
The report also states that social-media platforms "are still vulnerable to being the tool for viral distribution of false information and conspiracy theories."
It cites the example of "a pseudo-documentary containing multiple cases of false, misleading and harmful claims" that "spread with high velocity across the Internet." The video was first uploaded to YouTube in early May and amplified by conspiracy groups on Facebook gaining millions of views within only a few days.
Even though both companies removed the content, it continued to circulate as peopled posted new copies or used other platforms.


rferl--2020-05-21--U.S. Supreme Court Blocks Disclosure Of Material Gathered In Probe Of Russian Election Interference

The U.S. Supreme Court has temporarily prevented the release of secret grand jury testimony gathered during Special Counsel Robert Mueller 's investigation into Russian election interference that a House committee has sought for months .
The May 20 ruling keeps previously undisclosed details from the 22-month investigation that probed Russian interference in the 2016 election out of the hands of Democratic lawmakers on the House Judiciary Committee for another few months .
The ruling puts a hold on a federal appeals court decision in March saying that the material must be disclosed to lawmakers because the committee ’ s need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s interests in keeping the testimony secret .
The Supreme Court 's order gave the administration until June 1 to formally appeal that ruling .
If the justices decide to hear the case , a final resolution may not be reached until after the November 3 presidential election in which Donald Trump is seeking a second term .
If the justices refuse to hear the appeal , the materials would have to be handed over .
The committee has argued that it needs the underlying grand jury material to make its own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including whether he obstructed justice as investigators looked into his campaign ’ s involvement with Russians .
Mueller ’ s report , issued in April 2019 , stopped short of reaching conclusions about Trump ’ s conduct , including whether he obstructed justice .
The report detailed multiple interactions between the 2016 Trump campaign and Russia , but did not find sufficient evidence to establish a criminal conspiracy between the campaign and the Kremlin to tip the election .
However , large portions of the report were blacked out , including the grand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could harm ongoing investigations or infringe on the privacy of third parties .
Some Democrats have expressed concern that the redaction process was used to keep potentially damaging information about Trump secret .
The Justice Department argued that the Supreme Court should not allow the release of the grand jury testimony in part because the House Judiciary Committee hasn ’ t given any indication it `` urgently needs these materials for any ongoing impeachment investigation . ''
The committee opposed the delay on the grounds that its investigation of Trump was continuing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the approaching November election .
The investigation `` continues today and has further developed in light of recent events , '' the House members told the justices .
The Democrats cited the `` possible exercise of improper political influence '' on decisions to seek a shorter prison term for Trump confidant Roger Stone and end the prosecution of former national-security adviser Michael Flynn despite his two guilty pleas .
The materials initially were sought by House Democrats last year , but by the time the appeals court ruled in March , Trump had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different charges and acquitted by the Republican-controlled Senate .
With reporting by AP and Reuters

The U.S. Supreme Court has temporarily prevented the release of secret grand jury testimony gathered during Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian election interference that a House committee has sought for months.
The May 20 ruling keeps previously undisclosed details from the 22-month investigation that probed Russian interference in the 2016 election out of the hands of Democratic lawmakers on the House Judiciary Committee for another few months.
The ruling puts a hold on a federal appeals court decision in March saying that the material must be disclosed to lawmakers because the committee’s need for the material outweighed the Justice Department’s interests in keeping the testimony secret.
The Supreme Court's order gave the administration until June 1 to formally appeal that ruling. If the justices decide to hear the case, a final resolution may not be reached until after the November 3 presidential election in which Donald Trump is seeking a second term. If the justices refuse to hear the appeal, the materials would have to be handed over.
The committee has argued that it needs the underlying grand jury material to make its own determinations about Trump’s actions, including whether he obstructed justice as investigators looked into his campaign’s involvement with Russians.
Mueller’s report, issued in April 2019, stopped short of reaching conclusions about Trump’s conduct, including whether he obstructed justice.
The report detailed multiple interactions between the 2016 Trump campaign and Russia, but did not find sufficient evidence to establish a criminal conspiracy between the campaign and the Kremlin to tip the election.
However, large portions of the report were blacked out, including the grand jury testimony and material that Mueller said could harm ongoing investigations or infringe on the privacy of third parties. Some Democrats have expressed concern that the redaction process was used to keep potentially damaging information about Trump secret.
The Justice Department argued that the Supreme Court should not allow the release of the grand jury testimony in part because the House Judiciary Committee hasn’t given any indication it "urgently needs these materials for any ongoing impeachment investigation."
The committee opposed the delay on the grounds that its investigation of Trump was continuing, and that time is critical because of the approaching November election.
The investigation "continues today and has further developed in light of recent events," the House members told the justices. The Democrats cited the "possible exercise of improper political influence" on decisions to seek a shorter prison term for Trump confidant Roger Stone and end the prosecution of former national-security adviser Michael Flynn despite his two guilty pleas.
The materials initially were sought by House Democrats last year, but by the time the appeals court ruled in March, Trump had been impeached by the Democrat-controlled House on different charges and acquitted by the Republican-controlled Senate.
With reporting by AP and Reuters


rferl--2020-05-21--Pakistani Lawmaker, Ex-Governor Die After Positive Coronavirus Tests

A legislator in the provincial assembly of Punjab and a former provincial governor died on May 20 in separate hospitals after testing positive for coronavirus .
Shaheen Raza , 60 , a member of the ruling Tehrik-e-Insaaf Party , passed away in a hospital in Punjab province , marking the first death of a lawmaker from coronavirus in Pakistan .
Pakistani President Arif Alvi expressed grief over her death and offered condolences to her family .
“ I would like to console the death of Punjab MPA Ms Shaheen Raza Chheema , ” the Pakistani president said in a tweet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ station reported that Prime Minister Imran Khan had also sent condolences .
Separately , the former governor of Balochistan Province , Syed Fazal Agha , who had tested positive for the coronavirus and was admitted to a hospital in Karachi , Sindh Province , died on May 20 , Pakistan 's Dawn newspaper reported , quoting hospital sources .
Pakistan has recorded 45,898 infections and 985 deaths from COVID-19 , the respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus , according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University .
Pakistan has relaxed the lockdown , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ markets for the upcoming Eid al-Fitr festival .
Meanwhile , mosques have also been opened for the prayers , and many people have gathered without proper precautions .
Khan has repeatedly expressed his opposition to a complete lockdown , arguing that this will result in serious financial problems for lower-paid workers .
Several Pakistani parliamentarians and government figures have tested positive for the coronavirus .
Prominent among them are Sindh Province Governor Imran Ismail , National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaisar , and former provincial minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain .

The global death toll from the coronavirus is almost 330,000 with more than 5 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.
Pakistan
A legislator in the provincial assembly of Punjab and a former provincial governor died on May 20 in separate hospitals after testing positive for coronavirus.
Shaheen Raza, 60, a member of the ruling Tehrik-e-Insaaf Party, passed away in a hospital in Punjab province, marking the first death of a lawmaker from coronavirus in Pakistan.
Pakistani President Arif Alvi expressed grief over her death and offered condolences to her family.
“I would like to console the death of Punjab MPA Ms Shaheen Raza Chheema,” the Pakistani president said in a tweet on May 20
The official Radio Pakistan station reported that Prime Minister Imran Khan had also sent condolences.
Separately, the former governor of Balochistan Province, Syed Fazal Agha, who had tested positive for the coronavirus and was admitted to a hospital in Karachi, Sindh Province, died on May 20, Pakistan's Dawn newspaper reported, quoting hospital sources.
Pakistan has recorded 45,898 infections and 985 deaths from COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.
Pakistan has relaxed the lockdown, and people are freely shopping in the markets for the upcoming Eid al-Fitr festival.
Meanwhile, mosques have also been opened for the prayers, and many people have gathered without proper precautions.
Khan has repeatedly expressed his opposition to a complete lockdown, arguing that this will result in serious financial problems for lower-paid workers.
Several Pakistani parliamentarians and government figures have tested positive for the coronavirus. Prominent among them are Sindh Province Governor Imran Ismail, National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaisar, and former provincial minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain.
North Caucasus
Authorities in Russia's North Caucasus regions of Chechnya and Daghestan have imposed restrictions to deter people from gathering in groups this weekend as the mostly Muslim-populated regions mark the Eid al-Fitr Islamic holiday, known locally as Uraza Bairam, to mark the end of the month of Ramadan.
Chechen Interior Minister Ruslan Alkhanov said on May 21 that all movements, except for emergency services, will be banned from May 23 to 26 across the republic, adding that a violation of the rule "will be punished in accordance with the law."
In neighboring Daghestan, authorities announced on May 21 that two cities, Kizlyar and Kizilyurt, will be locked down during the four-day celebration of Eid al-Fitr. A decision on Makhachkala, the capital, had yet to be taken.
A day earlier, President Rustam Minnikhanov, head of the mostly Muslim-populated Republic of Tatarstan in the Volga region, told Russian President Vladimir Putin that the republic's residents will mark the holiday at home due to the pandemic.
Usually, Muslims gather in mosques for mass prayers to mark Eid al-Fitr but in many former Soviet republics and other countries, Muslims are set to mark the holiday at home because of the outbreak.
Central Asia
Authorities in Turkmenistan, where no coronavirus cases have been officially reported, have cancelled traditional ceremonies and celebrations marking the end of the academic year at schools and school-graduation events.
RFE/RL's correspondents reported on May 21 that education authorities made the decision without elaborating.
Several senior students of secondary schools in Ashgabat told RFE/RL that their teachers had told them there wouldn't be graduation ceremonies and banquets this year, but did not explain why.
Turkmenistan remains the only nation in the Central Asian 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.
In Kyrgyzstan, authorities in Bishkek said that as of May 25, fitness clubs, swimming pools, and sports centers will resume operations on condition of complying with regulations to prevent the spread of the virus.
Sports venue personnel will be required to wear masks and gloves, while customers will be provided with hand sanitizer and instructed on how to keep a distance of at least 2 meters from others.
Sports venues specializing in contact and group sports will remain closed.
Health authorities said on May 21 that the number of coronavirus cases in Kyrgyzstan was 1,313, including 14 deaths.
In Uzbekistan, authorities said that as of May 22, arts galleries, museums, and parks in some selected towns and cities will be open for those who take sanitary precautions such as masks and social distancing.
In Tashkent, the Tashkent City Park resumed operations on May 20.
As of May 21, the number of coronavirus cases in the country was reported at 2,950, including 13 deaths.
In neighboring Tajikistan, officials said on May 20 that the number of coronavirus cases in the country was 2,140, including 41 deaths.
Tajikistan did not officially register a coronavirus case until April 30, just ahead of the arrival of a mission from the World Health Organization.
Still, many in the country doubt the data and believe the government has been underreporting figures.
In Kazakhstan, where the largest number of COVID-19 cases in Central Asia have been reported, the latest figures are 7,234 cases with 35 deaths.
With reporting by RFE/RL's Turkmen, Kyrgyz, Uzbek, Tajik, Kazakh, and North Caucasus services and RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal