rferl--2020-09-15--Russia Reopens De Facto Border With Georgia's Breakaway Region Of South Ossetia

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has signed a decree on reopening the de facto border with Georgia 's breakaway region @ @ @ @ @ Russian government ’ s press service said on September 15 that Mishustin 's decree also @ @ @ @ @ de facto border by crews from sea and river vessels , and Russian experts involved @ @ @ @ @ Russian aircraft and equipment at nuclear stations .
The de facto border was closed in @ @ @ @ @ spread of the coronavirus .
The separatist government in South Ossetia said on September 14 @ @ @ @ @ the de facto border and general restrictions to slow the outbreak in the breakaway region @ @ @ @ @ Moscow recognized South Ossetia and Georgia ’ s other breakaway region , Abkhazia , as @ @ @ @ @ Georgia fought a brief war in August 2008 .
Only a handful of other countries @ @ @ @ @ the Kremlin 's lead , which has kept Russian forces in both regions since .
@ @ @ @ @ and TASS

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has signed a decree on reopening the de facto border with Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia.
The Russian government’s press service said on September 15 that Mishustin's decree also lifted limitations for crossing the de facto border by crews from sea and river vessels, and Russian experts involved in checking the quality of Russian aircraft and equipment at nuclear stations.
The de facto border was closed in early April to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
The separatist government in South Ossetia said on September 14 that the restrictions to cross the de facto border and general restrictions to slow the outbreak in the breakaway region remain valid until midnight.
Moscow recognized South Ossetia and Georgia’s other breakaway region, Abkhazia, as independent nations after Russia and Georgia fought a brief war in August 2008.
Only a handful of other countries, however, have followed the Kremlin's lead, which has kept Russian forces in both regions since.
Based on reporting by Interfax and TASS


rferl--2020-09-15--Uzbek Law Easing Rules On Citizenship Comes Into Force

TASHKENT -- Amendments that introduce a simplified way to obtain Uzbek citizenship came into force on September 15 .
According to the bill , signed into law by President Shavkat Mirziyoev on March 13 , individuals born on the territory of Uzbekistan but who have resided out of the country and are not Uzbek citizens may obtain citizenship without meeting the usual requirement of residing in the country for at least five years before applying .
Also , individuals who entered Uzbekistan before January 1 , 1995 , and have legally resided in the country since without obtaining citizenship from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be recognized as Uzbek citizens if they have a legal residence permit and were stateless before the amendments came into force .
Children whose parents are recognized as Uzbek citizens are automatically considered Uzbek citizens as well , the law says .
According to the amendments , those who have resided in Uzbekistan permanently since July 28 , 1992 , and are not foreign citizens are considered Uzbek citizens if they legally express their desire to obtain citizenship .
Anyone who wants to become an Uzbek citizen must be able to communicate in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as the country does not recognize dual citizenship .
The process of obtaining Uzbek citizenship was very complex until the death of the Central Asian nation 's first president , Islam Karimov , in 2016 .
After gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and until 2007 , only 482 stateless persons were granted Uzbek citizenship , while between 2007-16 not a single person was granted citizenship of the region 's most-populous nation of 32 million .
Since taking office in 2016 , Mirziyoev has signed 51 decrees granting citizenship to @ @ @

TASHKENT -- Amendments that introduce a simplified way to obtain Uzbek citizenship came into force on September 15.
According to the bill, signed into law by President Shavkat Mirziyoev on March 13, individuals born on the territory of Uzbekistan but who have resided out of the country and are not Uzbek citizens may obtain citizenship without meeting the usual requirement of residing in the country for at least five years before applying.
Also, individuals who entered Uzbekistan before January 1, 1995, and have legally resided in the country since without obtaining citizenship from Uzbekistan or any other country will immediately be recognized as Uzbek citizens if they have a legal residence permit and were stateless before the amendments came into force.
Children whose parents are recognized as Uzbek citizens are automatically considered Uzbek citizens as well, the law says.
According to the amendments, those who have resided in Uzbekistan permanently since July 28, 1992, and are not foreign citizens are considered Uzbek citizens if they legally express their desire to obtain citizenship.
Anyone who wants to become an Uzbek citizen must be able to communicate in the Uzbek language and renounce other citizenships, as the country does not recognize dual citizenship.
The process of obtaining Uzbek citizenship was very complex until the death of the Central Asian nation's first president, Islam Karimov, in 2016.
After gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and until 2007, only 482 stateless persons were granted Uzbek citizenship, while between 2007-16 not a single person was granted citizenship of the region's most-populous nation of 32 million.
Since taking office in 2016, Mirziyoev has signed 51 decrees granting citizenship to 9,443 persons.


rferl--2020-09-15--U.S. Senators Introduce Resolution Calling For Sanctions Over 'Unconscionable' Crackdown In Belarus

A bipartisan group of 13 U.S. senators has introduced a resolution calling for targeted sanctions on Belarusian officials responsible for a crackdown on peaceful protesters in the country .
U.S .
Senator Jim Risch ( Republican-Idaho ) , chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee , said in a news release on September 14 that the continued violence and repression against the opposition in Belarus is “ unconscionable.
” The resolution declares the August 9 election that gave President Alyaksandr Lukashenka a sixth term in office “ neither free nor fair ” and declares the results announced by the Central @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the release of all political prisoners and those detained for peacefully protesting , including those arrested before the election .
The sanctions would be carried out in coordination with the European Union and other international partners , according to the resolution , which Risch described as a strong symbol of the United States ’ support for the people of Belarus and their right to freedom of assembly , freedom of expression , free elections , and the rule of law .
Senator Bob Menendez ( Democrat-New Jersey ) said he is “ in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people of Belarus.
” He also called on the international community to stand in full support of their aspirations for a free and democratic future .
“ Mr .
Lukashenka does not have a shred of legitimacy left and must step down , ” said Menendez , the highest-ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee .
“ The U.S. and our partners in Europe must move with urgency to hold him and his henchman accountable for crimes against the people of Belarus .
Further delay only welcomes deeper entrenchment by the regime.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Belarusian citizens have been detained by government authorities , mostly for taking part in or observing peaceful protests , with many of these arrests followed by beatings and torture at the hands of Belarusian law enforcement .
It also says authorities in Belarus have consistently restricted press freedom as part of the crackdown , including the arrest of dozens of journalists , six of whom report for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty .
In addition , more than 50 news websites that were covering the protests have been blocked , two independent newspapers have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accreditation of journalists working for foreign news outlets have been stripped .
The move came as Human Rights Watch ( HRW ) called on the UN Human Rights Council and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe ( OSCE ) to “ promptly open inquiries ” into the postelection crackdown in Belarus .
Security forces “ arbitrarily detained thousands of people and systematically subjected hundreds to torture and other ill- treatment ” in the days following the August 9 election , the New York-based human rights watchdog said in a statement on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former detainees who described “ beatings , prolonged stress positions , electric shocks , and in at least one case , rape .
They had serious injuries , including broken bones , cracked teeth , skin wounds , electrical burns , and mild traumatic brain injuries .
Some had kidney damage.
” “ The sweeping brutality of the crackdown shows the lengths to which the Belarusian authorities will go to silence people , but tens of thousands of peaceful protesters continue to demand fair elections and justice for abuses , ” said Hugh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at HRW .

A bipartisan group of 13 U.S. senators has introduced a resolution calling for targeted sanctions on Belarusian officials responsible for a crackdown on peaceful protesters in the country.
U.S. Senator Jim Risch (Republican-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in a news release on September 14 that the continued violence and repression against the opposition in Belarus is “unconscionable.”
The resolution declares the August 9 election that gave President Alyaksandr Lukashenka a sixth term in office “neither free nor fair” and declares the results announced by the Central Election Commission invalid.
It also demands the release of all political prisoners and those detained for peacefully protesting, including those arrested before the election.
The sanctions would be carried out in coordination with the European Union and other international partners, according to the resolution, which Risch described as a strong symbol of the United States’ support for the people of Belarus and their right to freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, free elections, and the rule of law.
Senator Bob Menendez (Democrat-New Jersey) said he is “in awe of the courage shown by the people of Belarus.” He also called on the international community to stand in full support of their aspirations for a free and democratic future.
“Mr. Lukashenka does not have a shred of legitimacy left and must step down,” said Menendez, the highest-ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “The U.S. and our partners in Europe must move with urgency to hold him and his henchman accountable for crimes against the people of Belarus. Further delay only welcomes deeper entrenchment by the regime.”
The resolution says more than 7,000 Belarusian citizens have been detained by government authorities, mostly for taking part in or observing peaceful protests, with many of these arrests followed by beatings and torture at the hands of Belarusian law enforcement.
It also says authorities in Belarus have consistently restricted press freedom as part of the crackdown, including the arrest of dozens of journalists, six of whom report for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
In addition, more than 50 news websites that were covering the protests have been blocked, two independent newspapers have been kept from publishing, and the accreditation of journalists working for foreign news outlets have been stripped.
The move came as Human Rights Watch (HRW) called on the UN Human Rights Council and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to “promptly open inquiries” into the postelection crackdown in Belarus.
Security forces “arbitrarily detained thousands of people and systematically subjected hundreds to torture and other ill- treatment” in the days following the August 9 election, the New York-based human rights watchdog said in a statement on September 15.
HRW said it interviewed former detainees who described “beatings, prolonged stress positions, electric shocks, and in at least one case, rape. They had serious injuries, including broken bones, cracked teeth, skin wounds, electrical burns, and mild traumatic brain injuries. Some had kidney damage.”
“The sweeping brutality of the crackdown shows the lengths to which the Belarusian authorities will go to silence people, but tens of thousands of peaceful protesters continue to demand fair elections and justice for abuses,” said Hugh Williamson, Europe and Central Asia director at HRW.


rferl--2020-09-15--U.S. Blocks Imports From China's Uyghur Region Over Suspected Forced Labor

The U.S. administration has issued orders to block the import of cotton , apparel , computer parts , and hair products made by `` forced labor '' in China 's northwestern region of Xinjiang , a move Beijing called an attempt to sabotage global supply chains .
The so-called “ withhold release orders , ” which stop short of a wider regional ban , give the U.S. Customs and Border Protection ( CBP ) the authority to seize products from five entities in China , preventing the goods from being imported into the United States , U.S. Secretary of State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ September 14 .
The action , which is likely to stoke already heightened tensions between the United States and China , is aimed specifically at the `` egregious human rights abuses '' that Uyghurs and other mainly Muslim ethnic groups in Xinjiang are facing .
Such abuses `` include subjecting individuals to forced labor and stripping them of their freedom and agency to choose how and where they work , ” Pompeo said , adding that the orders send a clear message to China that it is time to “ end its practice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the human rights of all people.
” China 's Foreign Ministry said on September 15 that the U.S. import bans were aimed at sabotaging global supply chains .
The five entities targeted by the new orders include the Lop County No .
4 Vocational Skills Education and Training Center in Xinjiang , where the CBP says it has information that “ reasonably indicates ” the use of prison labor to make hair products .
`` This is not a vocational center , it is a concentration camp , a place where religious and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forced to work in heinous conditions with no recourse and no freedom , '' Homeland Security Acting Deputy Secretary Ken Cuccinelli told reporters .
“ This is modern-day slavery . ''
Washington has recently ratcheted up pressure on China over its treatment of Uyghurs .
Pompeo has said that American companies are “ becoming aware ” of human rights abuses in Xinjiang , but the CBP did not identify any U.S. companies that do business with the named entities .
In the past year , the U.S. government has issued eight “ withhold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China tainted by forced labor and is considering further steps , including a ban on cotton and tomatoes from the entire Xinjiang region .
China has faced condemnation for placing more than 1 million Uyghurs and members of other ethnic groups in Xinjiang in concentration camps since 2017 .
Beijing says the camps are reeducation and training centers needed to combat separatist terrorism and extremism .
Uyghurs are the largest Turkic-speaking indigenous community in Xinjiang , followed by Kazakhs .
The region is also home to ethnic Kyrgyz , Tajiks , and Hui @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporting by Reuters , AFP , and AP

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The U.S. administration has issued orders to block the import of cotton, apparel, computer parts, and hair products made by "forced labor" in China's northwestern region of Xinjiang, a move Beijing called an attempt to sabotage global supply chains.
The so-called “withhold release orders,” which stop short of a wider regional ban, give the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) the authority to seize products from five entities in China, preventing the goods from being imported into the United States, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement on September 14.
The action, which is likely to stoke already heightened tensions between the United States and China, is aimed specifically at the "egregious human rights abuses" that Uyghurs and other mainly Muslim ethnic groups in Xinjiang are facing.
Such abuses "include subjecting individuals to forced labor and stripping them of their freedom and agency to choose how and where they work,” Pompeo said, adding that the orders send a clear message to China that it is time to “end its practice of state-sponsored forced labor and to respect the human rights of all people.”
China's Foreign Ministry said on September 15 that the U.S. import bans were aimed at sabotaging global supply chains.
The five entities targeted by the new orders include the Lop County No. 4 Vocational Skills Education and Training Center in Xinjiang, where the CBP says it has information that “reasonably indicates” the use of prison labor to make hair products.
"This is not a vocational center, it is a concentration camp, a place where religious and ethnic minorities are subject to abuse and forced to work in heinous conditions with no recourse and no freedom," Homeland Security Acting Deputy Secretary Ken Cuccinelli told reporters. “This is modern-day slavery."
Washington has recently ratcheted up pressure on China over its treatment of Uyghurs.
Pompeo has said that American companies are “becoming aware” of human rights abuses in Xinjiang, but the CBP did not identify any U.S. companies that do business with the named entities.
In the past year, the U.S. government has issued eight “withhold release orders” to block goods from China tainted by forced labor and is considering further steps, including a ban on cotton and tomatoes from the entire Xinjiang region.
China has faced condemnation for placing more than 1 million Uyghurs and members of other ethnic groups in Xinjiang in concentration camps since 2017.
Beijing says the camps are reeducation and training centers needed to combat separatist terrorism and extremism.
Uyghurs are the largest Turkic-speaking indigenous community in Xinjiang, followed by Kazakhs. The region is also home to ethnic Kyrgyz, Tajiks, and Hui, also known as Dungans.
With reporting by Reuters, AFP, and AP


rferl--2020-09-15--Iran Warns U.S. Of 'Decisive' Response After Trump Threat

Tehran has warned Washington against making a `` strategic mistake '' after U.S. President Donald Trump said that any attack by Iran would be met with a far greater response , in reaction to a news report said that Iran planned to assassinate a U.S. diplomat to avenge the killing of top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani in January .
Any `` new strategic mistake '' by the U.S. leadership would be met with a `` decisive response from Iran , '' Iranian government spokesman Ali Rabiei told a news conference on September 15 , hours after Trump tweeted : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ form , against the United States will be met with an attack on Iran that will be 1,000 times greater in magnitude ! ''
The two countries appeared to be on the brink of war after Soleimani , commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps ' ( IRGC ) elite Quds Force , was killed in a U.S. drone strike near Baghdad on January 3 .
Trump ’ s tweet came after Politico reported on an alleged Iranian plot to assassinate Lana Marks , a friend of the president who was sworn in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ October .
“ According to press reports , Iran may be planning an assassination , or other attack , against the United States in retaliation for the killing of terrorist leader Soleimani , which was carried out for his planning a future attack , murdering U.S .
Troops , and the death & suffering caused over so many years , ” the president wrote on Twitter .
Rabiei said Trump should `` refrain from fresh adventurism '' ahead of a November election in which the U.S. president is seeking a new term .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the report of an assassination plot as `` baseless '' and part of efforts to `` create an anti-Iranian atmosphere . ''
U.S. intelligence reports say the Iranian government is weighing an assassination attempt against Marks , according to Politico in a story published on September 13 .
The story quotes an unidentified U.S. government official familiar with the issue and another official who has seen the intelligence .
U.S. officials have been aware of a general threat against Marks since the spring , according to the official , but the intelligence about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent weeks .
The Iranian Embassy in Pretoria was said to be involved in the plot .
Marks , 66 , has been made aware of the threat , the U.S. government official said .
It is unclear why Iran would target her .
She is one of several options U.S. officials believe Iran ’ s regime is considering for retaliation against Soleimani ’ s assassination , Politico reported .
In retaliation for Soleimani 's killing , an Iranian ballistic-missile strike on January 8 targeted bases in Iraq housing U.S. forces , causing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ troops .
Hours later , Iran 's armed forces shot down a Ukrainian airliner , killing all 176 people on board , in what Iranian officials said was an accident .
As the head of the Quds Force , Soleimani was a key figure in supplying weapons and explosive devices to Iraqi insurgents that killed or wounded U.S. soldiers in Iraq following the ouster of Saddam Hussein .
He was also the main figure running Iran ’ s policy in Syria and support for the Lebanese militant group Hizballah .
With reporting by @ @ @

A polytechnic school in Russia’s Tatarstan, a region some 900 kilometers east of Moscow, is using manufacturing facilities that are part of a nearby special economic zone to assemble Iranian attack drones and are increasingly turning to underage students as laborers, many of whom often work in exploitative conditions.
The revelations at Alabuga Polytechnic University raise troubling implications about the lengths that Russian authorities are going to in order to boost the war effort and how the advanced Iranian weaponry -- which is increasingly used to bombard Ukrainian cities and has only recently begun to be manufactured inside Russia -- could contribute to escalating tensions and rising civilian casualties.
The use of underage students as drone factory workers and the details of the manufacturing facilities were first reported by Russian independent media outlets Protokol and Razvorot, which published a series of investigations in July.
Since then, RFE/RL’s Idel.Realities has spoken with students who describe grueling working conditions and interviewed dozens of parents whose children have been enrolled at Alabuga Polytechnic University -- some as young at 15 -- who say that their children were forced to work exceedingly long hours, often without proper breaks or meals, and under hostile conditions that have deeply affected their mental health.
“My son enrolled and 2 1/2 months later he called for me to take him away,” Zhanna, who asked to be identified only by her first name to protect against reprisals for speaking about the operation, told RFE/RL. “He said to me on the phone, ‘Come and get me or I’ll die,’ so I picked him up immediately.”
Zhanna, who asked that her underage son’s name also not be used, says that she sent him from Nizhny Novgorod to study at Alabuga Polytechnic University in 2022 because of its reputation as a leading technical institution inside Russia.
The school offered students -- often between the ages of 15-18 -- an opportunity to get vocational training as part of a dual program that combines a classroom education with practical work experience. Students were also promised an opportunity to work and earn a locally competitive salary of up to 70,000 rubles ($700) a month as part of the work experience program that could further their career growth.
Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's full-scale invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war in Ukraine, click here.
But, instead, those enrolled were encouraged and in some cases pressured into working at the drone facility, where the salaries of the mostly underage laborers are contingent on meeting tough production quotas.
“This is a textbook definition of what constitutes exploitation,” Sergei Podsytnik, an investigative journalist at Protokol who worked on the series of reports, told RFE/RL. “[Students] assemble drones, with the work taking priority over their studies.”
The pressure to fulfill these quotas has allegedly led to strenuous back-to-back days -- with some shifts lasting up to 15 hours -- with little time for sleep or adequate sustenance. Overtime work is often unpaid, further highlighting potential labor violations. Exhausted students also reported not always meeting their quotas, which led to them not earning the salary initially promised by the school. Many students came from disadvantaged backgrounds and relied on their earnings to cover costs for tuition, room, and board and would send the remainder home.
Other parents, such as Marina, said she decided to take her daughter out of the program when she discovered that she was working in apparent unsafe conditions and that staff from the school had instructed students not to tell their parents about the drone assembly work.
“This was the last straw for me,” Marina, who also asked for her identity to be concealed, told RFE/RL. “This is a dangerous production process that involves dangerous chemicals. They also forbid the kids from telling everything to their parents.”
RFE/RL sent multiple requests for comment to various staff and administrators at Alabuga Polytechnic University but received no replies.
Making Iranian Drones In Russia
The complicated and concerning dynamic at Alabuga Polytechnic University stems from growing military cooperation between Iran and Russia that has accelerated since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Iran has said it provided drones to Russia before the start of the war, but not since. However, U.S. intelligence officials have warned for months of continued deliveries and deepening cooperation between Moscow and Tehran, saying the two sides were exploring how to set up a manufacturing plant for Iranian drones inside Russia.
According to The Wall Street Journal, an Iranian delegation visited Yelabuga in Tatarstan on January 5, touring a potential site for such a factory at the Alabuga special economic zone close to Alabuga Polytechnic University. U.S. officials released satellite images in April of the plant being built.
Russia already possesses an array of unarmed aerial vehicles, or UAVs, which are used mainly for surveillance and artillery spotting, but has turned increasingly to Tehran for attack drones.
After being forced to abandon Ukrainian territory that its troops captured in the early stretches of the war, Moscow shifted to a strategy of relentless air assaults on Ukrainian cities. These attacks often rely on a combination of cruise missiles and self-detonating drones packed with explosives to knock out electricity and running water for the civilian population in Ukraine.
So far, Iran has provided Russia mostly with so-called "suicide" drones, known as the Shahed-136, that contain a modest amount of explosives that can detonate when the drones crash into targets, military experts say.
In acquiring its own domestic assembly line, Russia could dramatically increase its stockpile of the relatively inexpensive but highly destructive weapons systems.
WATCH: Russia has resorted to using Shahed-136 drones from Iran in its war on Ukraine. Ukraine says it's already downed many of the drones, which work by slamming into their intended target, laden with explosives. Ordinary Ukrainians say they can already recognize the sound of the drones, which use two-stroke engines like lawnmowers or motorbikes. Iran has denied supplying the drones to Russia.
The arrangement also offers substantial economic and political benefits for Iran, which has sought to portray itself as neutral in the Ukraine war. The appearance of Iranian-made drones over Ukrainian cities, however, has triggered threats of new economic sanctions from the West. The United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom have also all issued rules in recent months designed to cut off the flow of drone components to Russia and Iran.
The Washington Post reported in November 2022, citing unnamed U.S. intelligence officials, that the agreement to deliver Iranian drone schematics and materials for manufacture in Russia resulted from Iranian leaders believing that the arrangement would allow Tehran to avert new sanctions.
Foreign Recruitment And Patriotic Education
Alabuga Polytechnic University is formally not a college. All of its students are officially enrolled at nearby Yelabuga Polytechnic College, with the Alabuga institution existing on paper as a specialized program for students looking to break into high-tech industries.
Currently, about 1,000 students are studying at Alabuga Polytechnic University, with several hundred of them -- most of whom are between the ages of 15 and 17 -- involved in assembling the Iranian drones.
In addition to the work on the drones, there are other signs that point to blurred lines in Russia between the education system and the country’s military amid the war in Ukraine.
According to current and former Alabuga Polytechnic University students, team-building and organized extracurricular activities through the school often take on a “patriotic” character that may be designed to expose students to official government narratives of international events or echo talking points from state television.
Organized paintball games have become a mainstay for students, especially first-year arrivals, in which they are encouraged to compete against one another and then play together against more experienced outside players. Teachers and administration officials regularly refer to paintball as being part of a “patriotic” education needed to complement the technical aspect of their studies.
In one instance, a group of new students competed in paintball as Soviet soldiers against outside players who were dressed as troops from Nazi Germany in a capture-the-flag competition meant to simulate the World War II battle of Stalingrad. According to one student, the Nazi flag contained the compass symbol used by the NATO military alliance instead of the swastika used by Nazi Germany.
Other instances of political teachings from staff are more direct. In a recording obtained by RFE/RL from June 16, a senior administrator can be heard telling the teenagers that NATO launched a hybrid war against Russia back in 2011 and that it has slowly become more overt. The man then goes on to tell students that their hard work and exceeding long days at the drone factory are part of a nationwide struggle against the West and that their patriotism will be rewarded.
Several students and parents identified the man in the recording as Timur Shagivaleev, the director-general of the special economic zone where Alabuga Polytechnic University and the drone factory operate.
Shagivaleev did not respond to RFE/RL’s request for comment.
The man in the recording then goes on to tell students not to take holidays and to continue working “even if it's mom's birthday,” before ending his speech with, “Long live our great country.”
WATCH: Amid a new wave of Russian drone attacks on Ukraine, analysts in Kyiv are gaining useful intelligence from a collection of downed Russian aerial weapons. They have been studying the remains of Iranian Shahed drones and Russian Kinzhal missiles, among others.
Multiple current and former students told RFE/RL that students who work in the drone factory are often praised by staff, while those who have refused or asked to be reassigned due to the high workload are often publicly shamed. In some instances -- according to recordings heard by RFE/RL -- staff even encourage students to bully others who are not deemed “patriotic” enough.
According to Protokol and Razvorot’s investigations, Alabuga Polytechnic University has also turned toward recruiting foreign students to enroll. The majority of them come from African countries, but also from Central Asia and Azerbaijan, where they are promised “world class” salaries as part of the dual-track world experience program.
However, these foreign students are then given low-skill and menial tasks around the campus and the special economic zone, such as janitorial work, and are also paid lower salaries than initially promised.
Written by Reid Standish based on reporting by RFE/RL’s Idel.Realities


rferl--2020-09-18--Open Russia Director Detained After Release From Moscow Jail

Prominent Russian activist Andrei Pivovarov has been detained at the exit of a Moscow detention center immediately after being released from serving a 14-day sentence for breaking protest laws .
Pivovarov , the executive director of opposition group Open Russia , was taken to a Moscow police station on September 17 and will go before a court the following day on new charges of organizing or holding a public event without giving notice .
“ I suspect that immediately after the first detention they decided to issue another one , ” Pivovarov wrote on his Telegram channel from a police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was sentenced to two weeks of detention over a Facebook post in July in which he sought to gather signatures in Moscow to petition against sweeping constitutional reforms passed later in the summer .
Pivovarov denied the charge and said it was politically motivated .
After the verdict was handed down , Pivovarov accused Russian authorities of jailing him in order to sideline him ahead of local elections that took place on September 13 .
Russian authorities consider Open Russia a so-called “ undesirable ” organization and have repeatedly targeted the organization and @ @ @

Prominent Russian activist Andrei Pivovarov has been detained at the exit of a Moscow detention center immediately after being released from serving a 14-day sentence for breaking protest laws.
Pivovarov, the executive director of opposition group Open Russia, was taken to a Moscow police station on September 17 and will go before a court the following day on new charges of organizing or holding a public event without giving notice.
“I suspect that immediately after the first detention they decided to issue another one,” Pivovarov wrote on his Telegram channel from a police van.
On September 4, Pivovarov was sentenced to two weeks of detention over a Facebook post in July in which he sought to gather signatures in Moscow to petition against sweeping constitutional reforms passed later in the summer.
Pivovarov denied the charge and said it was politically motivated. After the verdict was handed down, Pivovarov accused Russian authorities of jailing him in order to sideline him ahead of local elections that took place on September 13.
Russian authorities consider Open Russia a so-called “undesirable” organization and have repeatedly targeted the group and its leadership.


rferl--2020-09-17--U.S., European Allies Among 29 Countries Condemning Internet Shutdowns In Belarus

Twenty-nine countries including the United States and Germany issued on joint statement on September 17 condemning Belarus for Internet shutdowns and blocking websites after a `` fraudulent '' presidential election last month .
“ In conjunction with restrictive measures and intimidation employed against opposition candidates and the mass arrests and detentions of Belarusian civil society members and journalists , actions to limit access to the Internet , including social media and other digital communication platforms , further erode civic space , ” said the statement released by the U.S. State Department .
Belarusian authorities have repeatedly disrupted the Internet and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bid to control information and hamper efforts at organizing protests .
In the statement , the 29 countries said that “ civic space online is integral to a vibrant civic space off-line ” and they would continue to stand by the people of Belarus as they try to make their voices heard despite “ oppressive measures.
” “ Shutdowns and restrictions also limit the dissemination and free flow of information , harm economic activity , contribute to social and political disorder , and negatively affect public safety , ” the statement said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ability of journalists and human rights defenders to report on human rights violations or abuses and hold governments accountable , ” it continued .
Thousands of people have been detained while nearly all the opposition 's key leaders have been forced to leave the country or been arrested in a widening crackdown since the August 9 vote extended President Alyaksandr Lukashenka ’ s 26-year rule in what the opposition and the West have called a rigged election .

Twenty-nine countries including the United States and Germany issued a joint statement on September 17 condemning Belarus for Internet shutdowns and blocking websites after a "fraudulent" presidential election last month.
"In conjunction with restrictive measures and intimidation employed against opposition candidates and the mass arrests and detentions of Belarusian civil society members and journalists, actions to limit access to the Internet, including social media and other digital communication platforms, further erode civic space," said the statement released by the U.S. State Department.
Belarusian authorities have repeatedly disrupted the Internet and restricted access to independent media websites in a bid to control information and hamper efforts at organizing protests.
In the statement, the 29 countries said that "civic space online is integral to a vibrant civic space off-line" and they would continue to stand by the people of Belarus as they try to make their voices heard despite "oppressive measures."
"Shutdowns and restrictions also limit the dissemination and free flow of information, harm economic activity, contribute to social and political disorder, and negatively affect public safety," the statement said.
"Shutdowns limit media freedom and the ability of journalists and human rights defenders to report on human rights violations or abuses and hold governments accountable," it continued.
Thousands of people have been detained while nearly all the opposition's key leaders have been forced to leave the country or been arrested in a widening crackdown since the August 9 vote extended President Alyaksandr Lukashenka’s 26-year rule in what the opposition and the West have called a rigged election.


rferl--2020-09-17--OSCE Launches Probe Into Belarus Election Fraud, Rights Abuses

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe ( OSCE ) has launched an investigation into alleged human rights abuses @ @ @ @ @ .
The expert commission assigned on September 17 to conduct the investigation is expected to @ @ @ @ @ to eight weeks .
The commission will look into numerous reports of human rights violations @ @ @ @ @ 's August 9 presidential election , which gave long-standing President Alyaksandr Lukashenka a sixth straight @ @ @ @ @ against the outcome .
The United States and Canada will join 15 European countries on @ @ @ @ @ the measure , the 17 OSCE members said in a statement that Belarus had failed @ @ @ @ @ 's earlier offer to mediate between the government and the opposition .
`` The response @ @ @ @ @ been to systematically target those who would engage in dialogue and to continue ... violent @ @ @ @ @ including women and young people , '' the statement said .
With reporting by dpa @ @

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has launched an investigation into alleged human rights abuses and election fraud in Belarus.
The expert commission assigned on September 17 to conduct the investigation is expected to deliver its findings within six to eight weeks.
Crisis In Belarus Read our coverage as Belarusian strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka continues his brutal crackdown on NGOs, activists, and independent media following the August 2020 presidential election.
The commission will look into numerous reports of human rights violations both before and after Belarus's August 9 presidential election, which gave long-standing President Alyaksandr Lukashenka a sixth straight term and prompted mass demonstrations against the outcome.
The United States and Canada will join 15 European countries on the commission.
In announcing the measure, the 17 OSCE members said in a statement that Belarus had failed to comply with the body's earlier offer to mediate between the government and the opposition.
"The response of the Belarusian authorities has been to systematically target those who would engage in dialogue and to continue...violent repression of peaceful protesters, including women and young people," the statement said.
With reporting by dpa and Reuters


rferl--2020-09-17--Romania's Military Gets First Shipment Of U.S. Patriot Missiles

Romania ’ s military received its first shipment of U.S. Patriot surface-to-air missiles on September 16 , part of efforts to upgrade the NATO member 's defense capabilities .
The Patriot missile system , as well as recent purchases of F-16 fighter jets , are also part of Romania ’ s pledge to gradually increase military spending to 2 percent of gross domestic product ( GDP ) by 2024 , the minimum level demanded for NATO members .
In 2018 , U.S. President Donald Trump called on NATO members to increase defense spending to 4 percent of GDP .
Romanian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make the country safer .
“ The strategic partnership between the United States and Romania is further materialized in a military and economic relationship that is beneficial to Romania , ” Orban said .
Since 2016 , Romania has hosted a U.S. ballistic-missile system at the Deveselu military base , in the country ’ s south .
Russia has criticized the deployment of the defense system , but Washington says it is needed to ensure the safety of NATO members from potential attacks by Iran .
Based on reporting by AP and digi24.ro

Romania’s military received its first shipment of U.S. Patriot surface-to-air missiles on September 16, part of efforts to upgrade the NATO member's defense capabilities.
The Patriot missile system, as well as recent purchases of F-16 fighter jets, are also part of Romania’s pledge to gradually increase military spending to 2 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2024, the minimum level demanded for NATO members.
In 2018, U.S. President Donald Trump called on NATO members to increase defense spending to 4 percent of GDP.
Romanian Prime Minister Ludovic Orban said the missiles make the country safer.
“The strategic partnership between the United States and Romania is further materialized in a military and economic relationship that is beneficial to Romania,” Orban said.
Since 2016, Romania has hosted a U.S. ballistic-missile system at the Deveselu military base, in the country’s south.
Russia has criticized the deployment of the defense system, but Washington says it is needed to ensure the safety of NATO members from potential attacks by Iran.
Based on reporting by AP and digi24.ro


rferl--2020-09-17--Russia 'Very Active' In Trying To Influence U.S. Election, FBI Director Says

FBI Director Christopher Wray has told U.S. lawmakers that Russia continues to try to influence U.S. elections and that its @ @ @ @ @ denigrate '' Democratic Party presidential nominee Joe Biden .
Wray said during testimony before the @ @ @ @ @ Security Committee on September 17 that Russia is behind `` malign foreign influence '' that @ @ @ @ @ campaign through social media , proxies , state media , and online journals .
Moscow @ @ @ @ @ its attempts to undermine what it sees as an anti-Russian U.S. establishment , Wray said @ @ @ @ @ that his biggest concern was that a `` steady drumbeat of misinformation '' would lead @ @ @ @ @ in the result of the November 3 presidential election between Biden and the incumbent , @ @ @ @ @ Wray 's testimony comes as the White House has downplayed reports that Russia is trying @ @ @ @ @ .
With reporting by CNN and Reuters

FBI Director Christopher Wray has told U.S. lawmakers that Russia continues to try to influence U.S. elections and that its primary goal is to "denigrate" Democratic Party presidential nominee Joe Biden.
Wray said during testimony before the House of Representatives' Homeland Security Committee on September 17 that Russia is behind "malign foreign influence" that aims to harm Biden's campaign through social media, proxies, state media, and online journals.
Moscow also uses these platforms in its attempts to undermine what it sees as an anti-Russian U.S. establishment, Wray said.
The FBI director added that his biggest concern was that a "steady drumbeat of misinformation" would lead to a loss of trust in the result of the November 3 presidential election between Biden and the incumbent, Republican President Donald Trump.
Wray's testimony comes as the White House has downplayed reports that Russia is trying to help Trump win reelection.
With reporting by CNN and Reuters


rferl--2020-09-17--U.S. Places Sanctions On Hacking Group With Alleged Ties To Iranian Intelligence

The U.S. Treasury Department has announced sanctions against an Iranian hacking group , a front company , and more than 45 individuals accused of carrying out a years-long campaign targeting Iranian dissidents , journalists , and international travel companies on behalf of Iran 's Ministry of Intelligence and Security ( MOIS ) .
The September 17 announcement said that the ministry used the hacking group , Advanced Persistent Threat 39 ( APT39 ) , and the front company , Rana , to monitor `` dissidents , Iranian journalists , former government employees , environmentalists , refugees , university students and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organizations . ''
Some of the individuals targeted by the campaign had been `` subjected to arrest and physical and psychological intimidation '' by Iranian intelligence for targeting hundreds of individuals and entities in 30 countries across Africa , Asia , Europe , and North America .
`` The United States is determined to counter offensive cybercampaigns designed to jeopardize security and inflict damage on the international travel sector , '' U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement .
The Treasury Department said that an FBI advisory , also being released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and distinct sets of malware used by MOIS through Rana to conduct their computer intrusion activities .
Tensions between Tehran and Washington have risen since President Donald Trump withdrew from a landmark nuclear deal in 2018 between Iran and world powers under which the Islamic republic pledged to curb its atomic ambitions in exchange for sanctions relief .
In addition to reimposing sanctions that were dropped under the deal , Washington has accused Iran of financing extremism in the Middle East , which Iran denies .


rferl--2020-09-17--Taliban Kills 20 Afghan Government Troops Amid Ongoing Peace Talks

Fierce fighting between Afghan forces and Taliban militants has left at least 20 government troops dead , even as peace talks continued in an effort to end the 19-year war .
The fighting , in which 17 members of the Afghan security forces were wounded , took place following overnight militant attacks in the eastern Nangarhar Province .
Nangarhar governor spokesman Ataullah Khogyani told the AFP news agency that around 30 Taliban fighters died in the clashes , although the militant group has not commented .
Acting Defense Minister Asadullah Khalid said on September 17 that he hoped ongoing peace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but warned the Taliban against using force to achieve their goals .
`` If the enemy is thinking that they can conquer everything by force , it is a dream , it is a fantasy , it is impossible and it is madness , '' Khalid said .
The peace talks , part of a February agreement between the Taliban and Washington , began in Qatar on September 12 following a lengthy dispute over prisoner swaps .
The Afghan government and its allies , including NATO and the United States , are calling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cease-fire to help advance what are expected to be long and grinding negotiations to end the conflict .
The Taliban have not agreed to a cease-fire and have conducted near daily attacks on Afghan security forces since the United States and the militants struck the February agreement that could see foreign troops exit Afghanistan .
Negotiations are initially expected to focus on technical details such as schedules for the talks and a code of conduct .
Negotiators are due to discuss the cease-fire , the rights of women and minorities , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fighters and militias loyal to warlords , some of them aligned with the government .
With reporting by 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--2020-09-17--Kazakhstan's North Hit By Outbreak Of Bird Flu

NUR-SULTAN -- Kazakhstan ’ s Agriculture Ministry says a bird flu outbreak was detected in the Central Asian nation 's @ @ @ @ @ The ministry said in a September 17 statement that 10 villages and towns were placed @ @ @ @ @ en masse between September 9 and September 16 in the North Kazakhstan Region 's seven @ @ @ @ @ bird flu came back positive .
In accordance with international regulations , Kazakhstan informed the @ @ @ @ @ World Organization for Animal Health about the outbreak , the ministry said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ that measures are under way to prevent the spread of the bird flu , namely @ @ @ @ @ birds and the disinfection of poultry farms and territories close to them .
The ministry @ @ @ @ @ vaccinating birds in the area and neighboring regions of Qostanai and Pavlodar , as well @ @ @ @ @ the Aqmola region that surrounds the capital , Nur-Sultan .

NUR-SULTAN -- Kazakhstan’s Agriculture Ministry says a bird flu outbreak was detected in the Central Asian nation's northern region bordering Russia.
The ministry said in a September 17 statement that 10 villages and towns were placed under quarantine after birds died en masse between September 9 and September 16 in the North Kazakhstan Region's seven districts and tests results on bird flu came back positive.
In accordance with international regulations, Kazakhstan informed the World Animal Protection and the World Organization for Animal Health about the outbreak, the ministry said in a statement.
The ministry also said that measures are under way to prevent the spread of the bird flu, namely the burning of the dead birds and the disinfection of poultry farms and territories close to them.
The ministry has also decided to start vaccinating birds in the area and neighboring regions of Qostanai and Pavlodar, as well as in some districts of the Aqmola region that surrounds the capital, Nur-Sultan.


rferl--2020-09-17--European Parliament Rejects Belarusian Vote Results; Lukashenka Announces Border Closures

The European Parliament on September 17 overwhelmingly passed a resolution refusing to recognize Alyaksandr Lukashenka as president of Belarus once his current term expires in November , rejecting the results of an election last month that the opposition and the West have called rigged .
The nonbinding text , which was supported on September 17 by 574 EU lawmakers , with 37 voting against and 82 abstaining , also calls for “ new , free , and fair elections to take place as soon as possible under international supervision.
” '' Once the term of office for the incumbent authoritarian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5 November , parliament will no longer recognize him as the president of the country , '' the European Parliament said in a statement .
Following the vote , Lukashenka said that he does not need a new election to be recognized .
`` We held the election in accordance with the constitution , laws of our country , and do not need any recognition .
The election took place , and it is lawful , '' Lukashenka told a women 's forum in Minsk on September 17 .
The embattled strongman said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ border with EU neighbors Poland and Lithuania , and also to strengthen its border controls with Ukraine .
Lukashenka claimed that he dispatched `` half the army '' to increase security on the country 's western border .
`` We had to take troops off the streets .
Like I said already : Put half the army on alert and close the state border with the West , primarily with Lithuania and Poland .
Regrettably , we had to strengthen the state border with our fraternal Ukraine , '' Lukashenka said .
Belarus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as `` a blatant interference in Belarusian affairs , a brazen and cynical one , no matter how much they are disguising it by employing musings about democracy . ''
EU member states are currently working on visa bans and asset freezes against Belarusian officials whom the 27-nation bloc sees as responsible for abuses against mass protests that pose the biggest threat yet to Lukashenka 's 26-year rule .
Thousands of people have been detained and beaten by police while nearly all the opposition 's key leaders have been forced to leave the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crackdown .
According to sources close to the work on sanctions , Lukashenka will not be listed initially , but the European Parliament has called for his inclusion and is asking member states to look into the possibility of including Russian citizens who are directly involved in supporting the regime in Minsk on the sanctions list .
Moscow 's backing has become crucial for Lukashenka 's survival and the Kremlin has accused the West of seeking a revolution in the country .
Other suggestions in the European Parliament resolution are the establishment of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ democratic Belarus , bringing together international financial institutions , G7 countries , EU member states and institutions ” and to push for the withdrawal of the decision by the International Ice Hockey Federation ( IIHF ) to hold the 2021 World Ice Hockey Championship partially in Belarus , “ until the situation and , in particular , the state of human rights in the country have improved.
” The text also encourages EU member states “ to facilitate and accelerate the establishment of a humanitarian corridor and the procedure for obtaining visas for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe ( OSCE ) has also launched an investigation into alleged human rights abuses and election fraud in Belarus .
The expert commission assigned on September 17 to conduct the investigation is expected to deliver its findings within six to eight weeks .
The United States and Canada will join 15 European countries on the commission .
In announcing the measure , the 17 OSCE members said in a statement that Belarus had failed to comply with the body 's earlier offer to mediate between the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response of the Belarusian authorities has been to systematically target those who would engage in dialogue and to continue ... violent repression of peaceful protestors , including women and young people , '' the statement said .

The European Parliament on September 17 overwhelmingly passed a resolution refusing to recognize Alyaksandr Lukashenka as president of Belarus once his current term expires in November, rejecting the results of an election last month that the opposition and the West have called rigged.
The nonbinding text, which was supported on September 17 by 574 EU lawmakers, with 37 voting against and 82 abstaining, also calls for “new, free, and fair elections to take place as soon as possible under international supervision.”
"Once the term of office for the incumbent authoritarian leader [Alyaksandr Lukashenka] expires on 5 November, parliament will no longer recognize him as the president of the country," the European Parliament said in a statement.
Following the vote, Lukashenka said that he does not need a new election to be recognized.
"We held the election in accordance with the constitution, laws of our country, and do not need any recognition. The election took place, and it is lawful," Lukashenka told a women's forum in Minsk on September 17.
The embattled strongman said that had been forced to close the border with EU neighbors Poland and Lithuania, and also to strengthen its border controls with Ukraine.
Lukashenka claimed that he dispatched "half the army" to increase security on the country's western border.
"We had to take troops off the streets. Like I said already: Put half the army on alert and close the state border with the West, primarily with Lithuania and Poland. Regrettably, we had to strengthen the state border with our fraternal Ukraine," Lukashenka said.
Belarus's Foreign Ministry described the EU resolution as "a blatant interference in Belarusian affairs, a brazen and cynical one, no matter how much they are disguising it by employing musings about democracy."
EU member states are currently working on visa bans and asset freezes against Belarusian officials whom the 27-nation bloc sees as responsible for abuses against mass protests that pose the biggest threat yet to Lukashenka's 26-year rule.
Thousands of people have been detained and beaten by police while nearly all the opposition's key leaders have been forced to leave the country or been arrested in a widening crackdown.
According to sources close to the work on sanctions, Lukashenka will not be listed initially, but the European Parliament has called for his inclusion and is asking member states to look into the possibility of including Russian citizens who are directly involved in supporting the regime in Minsk on the sanctions list.
Moscow's backing has become crucial for Lukashenka's survival and the Kremlin has accused the West of seeking a revolution in the country.
Other suggestions in the European Parliament resolution are the establishment of a donors’ conference for a “democratic Belarus, bringing together international financial institutions, G7 countries, EU member states and institutions” and to push for the withdrawal of the decision by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) to hold the 2021 World Ice Hockey Championship partially in Belarus, “until the situation and, in particular, the state of human rights in the country have improved.”
The text also encourages EU member states “to facilitate and accelerate the establishment of a humanitarian corridor and the procedure for obtaining visas for those fleeing Belarus for political reasons.”
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has also launched an investigation into alleged human rights abuses and election fraud in Belarus.
The expert commission assigned on September 17 to conduct the investigation is expected to deliver its findings within six to eight weeks.
The United States and Canada will join 15 European countries on the commission. In announcing the measure, the 17 OSCE members said in a statement that Belarus had failed to comply with the body's earlier offer to mediate between the government and the opposition.
"The response of the Belarusian authorities has been to systematically target those who would engage in dialogue and to continue...violent repression of peaceful protestors, including women and young people," the statement said.


rferl--2020-09-17--Uzbek Activists Urge Switzerland To Ensure Karimova's Returned Money Is Not Misused

Uzbek rights defenders and former political prisoners , some of whom reside abroad , have called on Switzerland , Uzbekistan , and the United States to ensure that money confiscated from the oldest daughter of the late Uzbek President Islam Karimov , Gulnara Karimova , will not be misused again .
The letter , initiated by the Uzbek-German Forum for Human Rights and signed by 13 Uzbek human and civil rights activists , was placed on the Uzbekform.org website on September 16 , five days after the Swiss government said it had reached agreement with Tashkent on returning $ 131 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ connection with criminal proceedings against Karimova .
In its statement , the Swiss government said that , according to the nonbinding framework agreement , any returned assets `` shall be used for the benefit of the people of Uzbekistan . ''
Transparency and the creation of a monitoring mechanism are among the requirements for the restitution to take place , the statement said .
In their letter , the Uzbek activists hailed the Swiss-Uzbek agreement , calling it `` an important step , '' but warned that `` the agreement requires evidence of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ institutional environment in Uzbekistan . ''
The activists say in the letter that the implementation of the agreements and other deals related to the issue must be conducted with the involvement of Uzbek and international civil society groups and `` independent '' NGOs not controlled by the Uzbek government .
`` Thirdly , we believe that the requirement of accountability simply can not be fulfilled until rule of law is established in the country .
The legal [ system ] is still under the direct control of the Uzbek Ministry of Justice .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of public procurement , nor a conflict of interest clause .
Due process rights are prohibited and selectively enforced .
A number of other anti-corruption mechanisms have not yet been adopted by the government , without which abuse in spending the returned assets is very likely , ” the letter says .
Switzerland froze around 800 million Swiss francs ( $ 880 million ) in 2012 in connection with criminal proceedings against Karimova , of which almost $ 131 million was confiscated in 2019 .
The remaining funds remain frozen , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the framework agreement would cover any more assets definitively confiscated in the still-ongoing criminal case .
Earlier in May , Uzbek government officials said Tashkent received from France assets worth $ 10 million illegally acquired by Karimova .
Tashkent has sought over $ 1 billion from foreign jurisdictions since announcing Karimova 's imprisonment in 2017 .
Karimova , once seen as a possible successor to Islam Karimov , was placed under house arrest in Tashkent in 2014 while her father was still alive and running the country .
Karimov died in 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ afterward .
Criminal investigations in Switzerland , the United States , Sweden , and the Netherlands have linked Karimova to a massive , years-long bribery scheme that revolved mainly around foreign telecommunications companies gaining access to the lucrative Uzbek market .
In December 2017 , Karimova was sentenced to a 10-year prison term , but the sentence was later reclassified to house arrest and shortened to five years .
She was placed in jail in March 2019 for allegedly violating the terms of her house arrest .
In February , she sent a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 686 million to the country 's treasury in exchange for the dismissal of the court case against her at home .
But a month later , she received an additional 13 years and four months in prison after being found guilty of extortion , money laundering , and other crimes .

Uzbek rights defenders and former political prisoners, some of whom reside abroad, have called on Switzerland, Uzbekistan, and the United States to ensure that money confiscated from the oldest daughter of the late Uzbek President Islam Karimov, Gulnara Karimova, will not be misused again.
The letter, initiated by the Uzbek-German Forum for Human Rights and signed by 13 Uzbek human and civil rights activists, was placed on the Uzbekform.org website on September 16, five days after the Swiss government said it had reached agreement with Tashkent on returning $131 million to Uzbekistan that was seized in connection with criminal proceedings against Karimova.
In its statement, the Swiss government said that, according to the nonbinding framework agreement, any returned assets "shall be used for the benefit of the people of Uzbekistan."
Transparency and the creation of a monitoring mechanism are among the requirements for the restitution to take place, the statement said.
In their letter, the Uzbek activists hailed the Swiss-Uzbek agreement, calling it "an important step," but warned that "the agreement requires evidence of further domestic reform given the political and institutional environment in Uzbekistan."
The activists say in the letter that the implementation of the agreements and other deals related to the issue must be conducted with the involvement of Uzbek and international civil society groups and "independent" NGOs not controlled by the Uzbek government.
"Thirdly, we believe that the requirement of accountability simply cannot be fulfilled until rule of law is established in the country. The legal [system] is still under the direct control of the Uzbek Ministry of Justice. There are no open and transparent systems of public procurement, nor a conflict of interest clause. Due process rights are prohibited and selectively enforced. A number of other anti-corruption mechanisms have not yet been adopted by the government, without which abuse in spending the returned assets is very likely,” the letter says.
Switzerland froze around 800 million Swiss francs ($880 million) in 2012 in connection with criminal proceedings against Karimova, of which almost $131 million was confiscated in 2019.
The remaining funds remain frozen, and the Swiss government's September 11 statement stressed that the framework agreement would cover any more assets definitively confiscated in the still-ongoing criminal case.
Earlier in May, Uzbek government officials said Tashkent received from France assets worth $10 million illegally acquired by Karimova.
Tashkent has sought over $1 billion from foreign jurisdictions since announcing Karimova's imprisonment in 2017.
Karimova, once seen as a possible successor to Islam Karimov, was placed under house arrest in Tashkent in 2014 while her father was still alive and running the country. Karimov died in 2016 and Shavkat Mirziyoev became his successor soon afterward.
Criminal investigations in Switzerland, the United States, Sweden, and the Netherlands have linked Karimova to a massive, years-long bribery scheme that revolved mainly around foreign telecommunications companies gaining access to the lucrative Uzbek market.
In December 2017, Karimova was sentenced to a 10-year prison term, but the sentence was later reclassified to house arrest and shortened to five years. She was placed in jail in March 2019 for allegedly violating the terms of her house arrest.
In February, she sent a letter to Mirziyoev offering to return $686 million to the country's treasury in exchange for the dismissal of the court case against her at home.
But a month later, she received an additional 13 years and four months in prison after being found guilty of extortion, money laundering, and other crimes.


rferl--2020-09-17--Tajikistan's Internet Goes Down Just As Speech By Exiled Opposition Leader Delivered Online

DUSHANBE -- Tajikistan on September 16 experienced a one-hour Internet outage that coincided with an address by an exiled opposition leader in the United States that was streamed live online .
Tajikistan 's State Communications Service has not given any official explanation for the outage .
The service 's representative told RFE/RL on September 17 that the Internet unexpectedly stopped working at around 7:40 p.m. for ” unknown reasons ” and that the operator had to switch to its backup system to bring it back after about 30 minutes .
The representative added that `` specialists are working to determine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tajik social-media users say the outage lasted for one hour , some adding that mobile phone service was also affected .
The outage occurred at exactly the time when the exiled chairman of the opposition Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan ( IRPT ) , Muhiddin Kabiri , was delivering an online address to an event organized by George Washington University in Washington , D.C .
In his address , Kabiri , who resides in an EU country , accused the authorities of barring opposition candidates from taking part in the presidential poll scheduled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long an influential party with representatives in the government and parliament , was labeled a terrorist group and banned in 2015 .
Dozens of IRPT officials and supporters have been prosecuted and many of them imprisoned , drawing criticism from human rights groups .
In recent years , there have been several cases when access to social networks and the websites of independent media outlets have been blocked at sensitive times .
The presidential campaign kicked off in Tajikistan on September 15 .
The Central Election Commission has said that five candidates , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ registered .
Many in Tajikistan expect that Rahmon will be announced as the winner again , saying that the other candidates were registered just as a facade .
The only opposition party functioning inside Tajikistan , the Social Democratic Party , said earlier that it will boycott the poll .
In Tajikistan 's last presidential election , in 2013 , Rahmon , who has been running the country since 1992 , was reelected by a landslide with 84 percent of the vote .
None of the five presidential elections won by Rahmon has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election observers .

DUSHANBE -- Tajikistan on September 16 experienced a one-hour Internet outage that coincided with an address by an exiled opposition leader in the United States that was streamed live online.
Tajikistan's State Communications Service has not given any official explanation for the outage.
The service's representative told RFE/RL on September 17 that the Internet unexpectedly stopped working at around 7:40 p.m. for ”unknown reasons” and that the operator had to switch to its backup system to bring it back after about 30 minutes.
The representative added that "specialists are working to determine the cause of the outage."
Tajik social-media users say the outage lasted for one hour, some adding that mobile phone service was also affected.
The outage occurred at exactly the time when the exiled chairman of the opposition Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan (IRPT), Muhiddin Kabiri, was delivering an online address to an event organized by George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
In his address, Kabiri, who resides in an EU country, accused the authorities of barring opposition candidates from taking part in the presidential poll scheduled for October 11.
The IRPT, long an influential party with representatives in the government and parliament, was labeled a terrorist group and banned in 2015.
Dozens of IRPT officials and supporters have been prosecuted and many of them imprisoned, drawing criticism from human rights groups.
In recent years, there have been several cases when access to social networks and the websites of independent media outlets have been blocked at sensitive times.
The presidential campaign kicked off in Tajikistan on September 15.
The Central Election Commission has said that five candidates, including incumbent Emomali Rahmon, have been registered.
Many in Tajikistan expect that Rahmon will be announced as the winner again, saying that the other candidates were registered just as a facade.
The only opposition party functioning inside Tajikistan, the Social Democratic Party, said earlier that it will boycott the poll.
In Tajikistan's last presidential election, in 2013, Rahmon, who has been running the country since 1992, was reelected by a landslide with 84 percent of the vote.
None of the five presidential elections won by Rahmon has been deemed free and fair by Western election observers.


rferl--2020-09-17--Nearly Two Dozen Pakistani Schools Closed For Flouting Coronavirus Rules

Pakistani authorities say they have closed down almost two dozen educational institutions for failing to comply with rules aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus .
`` During the last 48 hours , 22 educational institutions across Pakistan have been closed due to noncompliance of health SOPs/protocols and disease prevalence , '' the National Command and Operations Center ( NCOC ) said in a statement on September 17 .
The NCOC said that 16 of the closed institutions are located in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ; one in the capital , Islamabad ; and five in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a day after millions of students across Pakistan at high schools and other institutions of higher learning returned to classes following a six-month break due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The federal government last week announced the staggered resumption of classes following a sharp decline in the country 's daily infection numbers , though teachers and students must follow precautionary measures such as wearing masks and practicing social distancing .
Middle school and elementary school classes are set to reopen on September 23 and September 30 , respectively .
Pakistan has recorded more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but daily infections have been slowing since July .

Pakistani authorities say they have closed down almost two dozen educational institutions for failing to comply with rules aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus.
"During the last 48 hours, 22 educational institutions across Pakistan have been closed due to noncompliance of health SOPs/protocols and disease prevalence," the National Command and Operations Center (NCOC) said in a statement on September 17.
The NCOC said that 16 of the closed institutions are located in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; one in the capital, Islamabad; and five in the Pakistani-administered Kashmir region.
The announcement comes a day after millions of students across Pakistan at high schools and other institutions of higher learning returned to classes following a six-month break due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The federal government last week announced the staggered resumption of classes following a sharp decline in the country's daily infection numbers, though teachers and students must follow precautionary measures such as wearing masks and practicing social distancing.
Middle school and elementary school classes are set to reopen on September 23 and September 30, respectively.
Pakistan has recorded more than 303,000 coronavirus cases and 6,399 deaths, but daily infections have been slowing since July.


rferl--2020-09-17--Rights Groups Warn Of 'Alarming' Surge In Harassment Of Journalists In Pakistan

Pakistani and international rights groups and media watchdogs are warning of increased police and judicial harassment of journalists who criticize or question the country 's authorities on social media .
“ This harassment must stop , ” the Paris-based Reporters Without Borders ( RSF ) said in a statement on September 17 after three Pakistani journalists faced “ arbitrary accusations such as inciting rebellion , treason , and anti-Pakistan activities.
” Those journalists targeted in recent days included Bilal Farooqi , a news editor at the English-language Express Tribune newspaper , who was detained in Karachi on the evening of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ posted messages on Facebook and Twitter regarded as critical of the military , was interrogated at the police station before being released on his lawyer ’ s personal guarantee the next day .
The police were acting on a complaint filed by a member of the public accusing him of “ inciting citizens to rebel against the military ” and “ inciting sectarian hatred ” -- an accusation that Farooqi said could put his life in danger because it could be exploited by extremist religious groups .
Also on September 11 , police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ journalist Absar Alam for suspected “ sedition ” and “ treason , ” acting on a complaint filed by a lawyer accusing him of posting “ highly inappropriate ” comments on social media .
Alam , who used to head the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority , has criticized Prime Minister Imran Khan and the army .
“ The alarming increase in such actions against journalists confirms that the government is bent on muzzling freedom of expression , ” the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan ( HRCP ) tweeted earlier this week .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ TV said on Twitter on September 14 that he was the target of a complaint by the police in Rawalpindi accusing him of “ anti-Pakistan ” posts and “ propagating against the Pakistan army on social media.
” In recent weeks , Asad Ali Toor tweeted articles about alleged corruption involving Asim Saleem Bajwa , a retired army general who now heads the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor , a package of infrastructural development projects .
The accusations against Farooqi , Alam , and Toor -- which they reject -- “ are baseless and constitute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the government , in particular , on social media , ” said Daniel Bastard , the head of RSF ’ s Asia-Pacific desk .
Pakistan is ranked 145th out of 180 countries in RSF 's 2020 World Press Freedom Index .

Pakistani and international rights groups and media watchdogs are warning of increased police and judicial harassment of journalists who criticize or question the country's authorities on social media.
“This harassment must stop,” the Paris-based Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said in a statement on September 17 after three Pakistani journalists faced “arbitrary accusations such as inciting rebellion, treason, and anti-Pakistan activities.”
Those journalists targeted in recent days included Bilal Farooqi, a news editor at the English-language Express Tribune newspaper, who was detained in Karachi on the evening of September 11.
Farooqi, who has posted messages on Facebook and Twitter regarded as critical of the military, was interrogated at the police station before being released on his lawyer’s personal guarantee the next day.
The police were acting on a complaint filed by a member of the public accusing him of “inciting citizens to rebel against the military” and “inciting sectarian hatred” -- an accusation that Farooqi said could put his life in danger because it could be exploited by extremist religious groups.
Also on September 11, police in Punjab Province opened an investigation into journalist Absar Alam for suspected “sedition” and “treason,” acting on a complaint filed by a lawyer accusing him of posting “highly inappropriate” comments on social media.
Alam, who used to head the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority, has criticized Prime Minister Imran Khan and the army.
“The alarming increase in such actions against journalists confirms that the government is bent on muzzling freedom of expression,” the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) tweeted earlier this week.
Meanwhile, a journalist working for Samaa TV said on Twitter on September 14 that he was the target of a complaint by the police in Rawalpindi accusing him of “anti-Pakistan” posts and “propagating against the Pakistan army on social media.”
In recent weeks, Asad Ali Toor tweeted articles about alleged corruption involving Asim Saleem Bajwa, a retired army general who now heads the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor, a package of infrastructural development projects.
The accusations against Farooqi, Alam, and Toor -- which they reject -- “are baseless and constitute judicial harassment aimed at suppressing all criticism of the government, in particular, on social media,” said Daniel Bastard, the head of RSF’s Asia-Pacific desk.
Pakistan is ranked 145th out of 180 countries in RSF's 2020 World Press Freedom Index.


rferl--2020-09-17--Fire In Siberian Rehabilitation Facility For Drug Addicts Kills Four

KRASNOYARSK , Russia -- A fire at a rehabilitation center in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk has killed four patients @ @ @ @ @ in the region said on September 17 that the fire hit the center , located @ @ @ @ @ an apartment block , at around 4:30 a.m. local time .
According to the committee @ @ @ @ @ the clinic indicated that the fire was lit by one of the patients who survived @ @ @ @ @ were also hospitalized with heavy burns .
In a separate statement , the Investigative Committee @ @ @ @ @ the rehabilitation center , whose identity was not disclosed , has been detained for questioning @

KRASNOYARSK, Russia -- A fire at a rehabilitation center in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk has killed four patients.
The Investigative Committee branch in the region said on September 17 that the fire hit the center, located on the ground level of an apartment block, at around 4:30 a.m. local time.
According to the committee, security camera footage from the clinic indicated that the fire was lit by one of the patients who survived the blaze.
Two persons were also hospitalized with heavy burns.
In a separate statement, the Investigative Committee said that the director of the rehabilitation center, whose identity was not disclosed, has been detained for questioning.


rferl--2020-09-17--Lukashenka Strips Diplomatic Status Of Three Belarusian Officials Who Supported Protesters

MINSK -- Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has stripped the diplomatic status of two ambassadors who openly supported ongoing public protests challenging official results of a presidential election they say was rigged to hand the authoritarian leader a sixth term in office .
The presidential press service said that Paval Latushka and Ihar Lyashchenya had been relieved of their diplomatic rank in decrees signed on September 16 because of the two diplomats ' `` misconduct . ''
Lyashchenya resigned from the post of the Belarusian ambassador to Slovakia on August 18 , two days after he publicly supported the anti-Lukashenka rallies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election .
Latushka , who served as Belarusian ambassador to Poland , France , UNESCO , and Spain between 2002-2019 , was part of the opposition 's Coordination Council .
While neither are currently serving as ambassadors , both still had diplomatic status .
According to the presidential press service , Lukashenka also sacked and removed the diplomatic rank of Belarusian Ambassador to Latvia Vasil Markovich `` for failing to properly carry out his duties . ''
In recent days , the Latvian Foreign Ministry summoned Markovich over Lukashenka 's public statements , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are being financially supported by countries including Latvia .

MINSK -- Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has stripped the diplomatic status of two ambassadors who openly supported ongoing public protests challenging official results of a presidential election they say was rigged to hand the authoritarian leader a sixth term in office.
The presidential press service said that Paval Latushka and Ihar Lyashchenya had been relieved of their diplomatic rank in decrees signed on September 16 because of the two diplomats' "misconduct."
Lyashchenya resigned from the post of the Belarusian ambassador to Slovakia on August 18, two days after he publicly supported the anti-Lukashenka rallies sweeping across Belarus following the August 9 election.
Latushka, who served as Belarusian ambassador to Poland, France, UNESCO, and Spain between 2002-2019, was part of the opposition's Coordination Council.
While neither are currently serving as ambassadors, both still had diplomatic status.
According to the presidential press service, Lukashenka also sacked and removed the diplomatic rank of Belarusian Ambassador to Latvia Vasil Markovich "for failing to properly carry out his duties."
In recent days, the Latvian Foreign Ministry summoned Markovich over Lukashenka's public statements, saying that the ongoing protests in Belarus are being financially supported by countries including Latvia.


rferl--2020-09-17--Top EU Court Upholds Sanctions On Russian Energy Firms, Calls Them 'Duly Justified'

The European Union 's top court has upheld restrictive measures adopted by the 27-nation bloc against Russian oil and gas companies in connection with Moscow ’ s actions in Ukraine .
The Luxembourg-based Court of Justice announced on September 17 that it had upheld a judgment by a lower EU court dismissing an action against the sanctions slapped on companies that are part of state oil giant Rosneft , saying the measures `` have been duly justified and are suitable for putting pressure on Russia because of its role '' in the Ukraine crisis .
Beginning in July 2014 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Russian bank and energy sectors in Russia in response to its annexation of the Crimean Peninsula and its support for separatists fighting in eastern Ukraine .
Those measures include prohibitions on the export of certain products and technologies to the oil and gas sector and restrictions on the access of certain operators in that sector to the EU capital market .
A number of Russian companies that are part of Rosneft had brought the action before the General Court and asked for the annulment of the measures .
The General Court dismissed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the companies to appeal further to the Court of Justice .
The September 17 ruling noted that the court `` dismisses the companies ' appeal in its entirety . ''
The judges said the companies in question “ could not reasonably have been unaware of the reasons why the targeted restrictions at issue were imposed on them ” and that both the export prohibitions and the restrictions on access to the EU capital market “ clearly contribute ” to achieving the objective pursued by the European Council : increasing the costs of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and promoting a peaceful settlement of the crisis .
The decision is also in line with two key international agreements : the 1994 EU-Russian Partnership Agreement and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade , they said .
The European Council welcomed the ruling , saying it “ demonstrated the legitimacy , legal robustness , and strength of the EU ’ s sanctions in place for Russia ’ s destabilizing actions in Ukraine.
” '' The sanctions in place are a key element of the EU 's efforts to bring a solution to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ territorial integrity , sovereignty , and independence , ” spokesman Peter Stano said .

The European Union's top court has upheld restrictive measures adopted by the 27-nation bloc against Russian oil and gas companies in connection with Moscow’s actions in Ukraine.
The Luxembourg-based Court of Justice announced on September 17 that it had upheld a judgment by a lower EU court dismissing an action against the sanctions slapped on companies that are part of state oil giant Rosneft, saying the measures "have been duly justified and are suitable for putting pressure on Russia because of its role" in the Ukraine crisis.
Beginning in July 2014, the European Council adopted restrictive measures on the Russian bank and energy sectors in Russia in response to its annexation of the Crimean Peninsula and its support for separatists fighting in eastern Ukraine.
Those measures include prohibitions on the export of certain products and technologies to the oil and gas sector and restrictions on the access of certain operators in that sector to the EU capital market.
A number of Russian companies that are part of Rosneft had brought the action before the General Court and asked for the annulment of the measures.
The General Court dismissed that action in September 2018, prompting the companies to appeal further to the Court of Justice.
The September 17 ruling noted that the court "dismisses the companies' appeal in its entirety."
The judges said the companies in question “could not reasonably have been unaware of the reasons why the targeted restrictions at issue were imposed on them” and that both the export prohibitions and the restrictions on access to the EU capital market “clearly contribute” to achieving the objective pursued by the European Council: increasing the costs of the Russian actions against Ukraine’s sovereignty and promoting a peaceful settlement of the crisis.
The decision is also in line with two key international agreements: the 1994 EU-Russian Partnership Agreement and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, they said.
The European Council welcomed the ruling, saying it “demonstrated the legitimacy, legal robustness, and strength of the EU’s sanctions in place for Russia’s destabilizing actions in Ukraine.”
"The sanctions in place are a key element of the EU's efforts to bring a solution to the crisis in Ukraine that respects its territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence,” spokesman Peter Stano said.