rferl--2020-12-17--Putin Dismisses Russian Role In Navalny Poisoning At Annual Press Conference

Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed a fresh investigative report pointing to involvement by Russia ’ s Federal Security Service ( FSB ) in the poisoning of Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny and alleged , without evidence , that the Russian opposition leader was working for U.S. intelligence .
Putin , also without providing evidence , said the joint report led by digital sleuth Bellingcat and issued this week was “ not an investigation , it ’ s laundering of U.S. intelligence material.
” Putin made the remark during his highly choreographed , annual end-of-year news conference on December 17 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy struggling in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and with fresh suspicions of a Russian role in the poisoning of Navalny and a massive cyberattack on the United States that targeted businesses and government agencies and departments .
Putin said allegations that the FSB was behind the August poisoning of Navalny in the Siberian city of Tomsk -- multiple foreign labs identified the toxin as a Soviet-era , Russian-made nerve agent known as Novichok -- were the work of unspecified media .
“ There have always been such sensationalized stories about Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told his annual press conference .
`` It is not surprising , '' he said before alleging -- without evidence -- that Navalny was in the pay of “ U.S .
special services.
” `` The special services certainly should track him .
But that does n't mean he needs to be poisoned .
Who needs him ?
If they wanted to they would have finished the job , Putin said .
Russian authorities have implemented harsh laws in recent years to identify and publicly shame alleged `` foreign agents '' and discouraged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they regard as a threat .
Putin and other Russian officials famously resist using Navalny 's name in public , and Putin 's spokesman in October alleged that the lawyer and anti-corruption crusader with a significant opposition following worked for the CIA .
Navalny , who is in Germany , responded by threatening to sue the Kremlin spokesman , Dmitry Peskov .
The 44-year-old Navalny was emergency airlifted to Germany in a coma in August after falling ill during a Russian domestic flight , where tests were said to have identified Novichok as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issued on December 14 , the British-based cybersleuth group , with the help of several media outlets including the Insider , a Russian investigative website , Der Spiegel , and CNN , published the names and photos of the alleged FSB operatives they accused of taking part in the poisoning operation as well as a timeline of events .
Navalny , one of Putin 's leading critics , was airlifted to Germany in August after collapsing on a domestic flight .
Laboratory tests in three European countries , confirmed by the global chemical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a Soviet-style Novichok nerve agent , but Russia denies this and says it has yet to be shown any evidence .
Putin avoids mentioning Navalny 's name in public and only referred to him as `` the patient from the Berlin clinic '' .
Kira Yarmysh , Navalny 's spokeswoman , said on Twitter that Putin 's comments meant he had confirmed that Navalny was being followed by FSB agents .
The nationally televised news conference is one of a series of high-profile events he uses to burnish his image , reassure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and send signals to the United States and the rest of the world .
Putin , 68 , has dominated politics in Russia for two decades , serving as president or prime minister since 1999 .
Constitutional changes approved earlier this year open a path for the former KGB officer to stay in power until 2036 .
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic , Putin is participating remotely from his Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow , the Kremlin said , while up to about 250 Russian and foreign journalists are on hand at Moscow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joined via video link , and non-journalists will also ask questions -- normally an element of the Direct Line , a Q-and-A session Putin also holds annually .
Earlier , Putin said Russia like other countries faced problems in 2020 linked to COVID-19 , but claimed the country , which has the world ’ s fourth-highest number of confirmed cases , has handled the pandemic better than most .
“ We can say confidently that we face these problems properly and probably even better than the other countries that are proud , justly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the development of their social services and health-care systems , ” Putin said .
Putin said he hadn ’ t taken the Russian COVID-19 vaccine – Sputnik V – but would soon .
Russia boasted of being the first nation to approve the vaccine in August after less than two months of human testing , triggering doubts among the international community .
Putin said the locally produced vaccine was safe and efficient , but it would take time to develop production capacity .
Putin said Russian gross domestic product would fall 3.6 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was lower than the United States and many leading countries in the European Union .
Putin said the country ’ s financial system was “ stable , ” and personal incomes were set to rise by 1.5 percent by the end of the year , although Russians might not feel that , and unemployment was up to 6.3 percent .
Putin ’ s press conference also comes amid suspicions that Russia was behind a massive cyberattack on the United States that targeted government agencies , thought to have included the Department of Homeland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defense against hacking .
The cyberattacks , first reported on December 13 , were also believed to have affected the U.S. departments of Treasury and Commerce .
Parts of the Defense Department were breached , The New York Times reported , while The Washington Post said the State Department and National Institutes of Health were hacked .
Moscow denied the reports , which came as Putin on December 15 congratulated Joe Biden on his victory in the U.S presidential election -- six weeks after the vote but hours after the Electoral College officially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some say will take a harder line with the Kremlin than President Donald Trump .
At his press conference , Putin again denied that Russia interfered in the 2016 election to help Trump win , as U.S. intelligence agencies and a special prosecutor have concluded .
`` Russian hackers have never helped the current U.S. president to get elected and never meddled in the domestic affairs of this great nation .
These are all speculations aimed to spoil relations between Russian and the United States , ” Putin said .
`` We believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will sort things out because he has both domestic and foreign policy experience , '' he said .
Asked about a series of recent media investigations into people close to him , including one of his daughters , Putin said they looked like Washington 's revenge for alleged Russian hacking of U.S. elections , something he has repeatedly denied .
`` It 's revenge and an attempt to influence public opinion in our country to try to interfere in our domestic politics , '' Putin said .
Putin also called on Washington to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which expires in February , for one year .
The New START ( Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty ) accord , signed in 2010 , limits the numbers of strategic nuclear warheads , missiles , and bombers that Russia and the United States can deploy .
The Kremlin said more than 700 journalists from Russia and abroad had been accredited for the marathon press event in Moscow that usually lasts several hours .
Putin faced the press after a new poll by the Levada Center found support for Putin among young Russians had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia ’ s commodity-dependent economy has been hit this year by a plunge in prices for oil , its main export , and by the impact of the coronavirus , with lockdowns slowing business activity .
With reporting by TASS , Reuters , and Interfax , and Merhat Sharipzhanov

Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed a fresh investigative report pointing to involvement by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) in the poisoning of Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny and alleged, without evidence, that the Russian opposition leader was working for U.S. intelligence.
Putin, also without providing evidence, said the joint report led by digital sleuth Bellingcat and issued this week was “not an investigation, it’s laundering of U.S. intelligence material.”
Putin made the remark during his highly choreographed, annual end-of-year news conference on December 17.
The event, which lasted four and a half hours, came with Russia’s economy struggling in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and with fresh suspicions of a Russian role in the poisoning of Navalny and a massive cyberattack on the United States that targeted businesses and government agencies and departments.
WATCH: Putin Responds To Navalny Poisoning Investigation With Baseless Claims Of U.S. Involvement
Putin said allegations that the FSB was behind the August poisoning of Navalny in the Siberian city of Tomsk -- multiple foreign labs identified the toxin as a Soviet-era, Russian-made nerve agent known as Novichok -- were the work of unspecified media.
“There have always been such sensationalized stories about Russia in the Western media," Putin told his annual press conference.
"It is not surprising," he said before alleging -- without evidence -- that Navalny was in the pay of “U.S. special services.”
"The [Russian] special services certainly should track him," Putin said. "But that doesn't mean he needs to be poisoned. Who needs him? If they wanted to, they would have finished the job."
Kira Yarmysh, Navalny's spokeswoman, said on Twitter that Putin's suggestion that the opposition leader "should be tracked" represented de facto confirmation that Navalny was being followed by FSB agents at the time of his poisoning.
The 44-year-old Navalny was emergency airlifted to Germany in a coma in August after falling ill during a Russian domestic flight. Laboratory tests in three European countries, confirmed by the global chemical weapons watchdog, established that he was poisoned with a Soviet-style Novichok nerve agent.
Russia, which has brushed off calls for an investigation into the poisoning, denies Russian involvement and says it has yet to be shown any evidence.
Putin and other Russian officials famously resist using Navalny's name in public, mostly alluding to him as "the patient from the Berlin clinic."
Putin's spokesman in October alleged that the lawyer and anti-corruption crusader with a significant opposition following worked for the CIA.
Navalny, who is still in Germany recovering from his poisoning, responded by threatening to sue the Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov.
In the Bellingcat report issued on December 14, the British-based cybersleuthing group, with the help of several media outlets including the Insider, a Russian investigative website, Der Spiegel, and CNN, published the names and photos of the alleged FSB operatives they accused of taking part in the poisoning operation as well as a timeline of events.
Putin's nationally televised news conference is one of a series of high-profile events he uses to burnish his image, reassure Russians that they are in good hands, and send signals to the United States and the rest of the world.
Putin, 68, has dominated politics in Russia for two decades, serving as president or prime minister since 1999. Constitutional changes approved earlier this year open a path for the former KGB officer to stay in power until 2036.
RFE/RL's Coronavirus Crisis Archive Features and analysis, videos, and infographics explore how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the countries in our region.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Putin participated remotely from his Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow, the Kremlin said, while up to about 250 Russian and foreign journalists are on hand at Moscow's International Trade Center.
Regional media joined via video link, and nonjournalists also asked questions -- normally an element of the Direct Line, a Q-and-A session Putin also holds annually.
Earlier, Putin said Russia like other countries faced problems in 2020 linked to COVID-19, but claimed the country, which has the world’s fourth-highest number of confirmed cases, has handled the pandemic better than most.
Putin said he hadn’t taken the Russian COVID-19 vaccine – Sputnik V – but would soon. Russia boasted of being the first nation to approve the vaccine in August after less than two months of human testing, triggering doubts among the international community.
Putin said the locally produced vaccine was safe and effective, but it would take time to develop production capacity.
Putin said Russian gross domestic product would fall 3.6 percent in 2020, a figure he said was lower than the United States and many leading countries in the European Union.
Putin said the country’s financial system was “stable,” and personal incomes were set to rise by 1.5 percent by the end of the year, although Russians might not feel that, and unemployment was up to 6.3 percent .
Putin’s press conference also came amid suspicions that Russia was behind a massive cyberattack on the United States that targeted government agencies, thought to have included the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees border security and defense against hacking.
The cyberattacks, first reported on December 13, were also believed to have affected the U.S. departments of Treasury and Commerce. Parts of the Defense Department were breached, The New York Times reported, while The Washington Post said the State Department and National Institutes of Health were hacked.
Moscow denied the reports, which came as Putin on December 15 congratulated Joe Biden on his victory in the U.S presidential election -- six weeks after the vote but hours after the Electoral College officially affirmed the win by Biden, whom some say will take a harder line with the Kremlin than President Donald Trump.
At his press conference, Putin again denied that Russia interfered in the 2016 election to help Trump win, as U.S. intelligence agencies and a special prosecutor have concluded.
"Russian hackers have never helped the current U.S. president to get elected and never meddled in the domestic affairs of this great nation. These are all speculations aimed to spoil relations between Russian and the United States," Putin said.
He added: "We believe the U.S. president-elect [Biden] will sort things out because he has both domestic and foreign policy experience."
Asked about a series of recent media investigations into people close to him, including one of his purported daughters, whose identities he does not publicly confirm, Putin said they looked like Washington's revenge for what it claims was Russian hacking of U.S. elections, something he has repeatedly denied.
"It's revenge and an attempt to influence public opinion in our country to try to interfere in our domestic politics," Putin said.
Putin also called on Washington to extend the New START arms-control treaty that expires in February for one year.
The New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) accord, signed in 2010, limits the numbers of strategic nuclear warheads, missiles, and bombers that Russia and the United States can deploy.
The Kremlin said more than 700 journalists from Russia and abroad had been accredited for the marathon press event in Moscow that usually lasts several hours.
Putin faced the press after a new poll by the Levada Center found support for Putin among young Russians had roughly halved in the past year.
Russia’s commodity-dependent economy has been hit this year by a plunge in prices for oil, its main export, and by the impact of the coronavirus, with lockdowns slowing business activity.
With reporting by TASS, Reuters, and Interfax, and Merhat Sharipzhanov


rferl--2020-12-17--U.S. Confirms Cyberattack Hit Government Networks, Says It's Ongoing

The U.S. government has confirmed that a recent cyberattack affected its networks and said the attack was `` significant and ongoing . ''
A joint statement issued on December 16 by the FBI , the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency ( CISA ) , and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence ( ODNI ) called it a “ developing situation ” and said investigators were continuing their work to fully understand its full extent .
`` Over the course of the past several days , the FBI , CISA , and ODNI have become aware of a significant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joint statement said .
“ We know this compromise has affected networks within the federal government , '' the statement added .
The FBI , CISA , and ODNI have formed a Cyber Unified Coordination Group to coordinate the U.S. government 's response , the statement said .
Representatives of the National Security Agency , the Department of Homeland Security ( DHS ) , and the FBI briefed members of Congress on December 16 .
Senator Dick Durbin ( Democrat-Illinois ) later told CNN that `` this is virtually a declaration of war @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we should take that seriously.
” White House national-security adviser Robert O'Brien cut short a European trip earlier this week and returned to Washington to deal with the cyberattack , which was first reported on December 13 .
The government has not said how many agencies were hacked .
The DHS , the U.S. Treasury Department , and the U.S. Commerce Department were among those targeted , according to media reports quoting unidentified officials with knowledge of the cyberattack .
The Russian Embassy in Washington has denied any involvement , saying in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ does not conduct offensive operations in the cyber domain.
” The technology company SolarWinds has said up to 18,000 of its customers downloaded a compromised update of its network management software that allowed hackers to spy unnoticed for almost nine months .
Customers of the little-known software company based in Texas include national governments and major corporations .
CISA has ordered federal agencies to stop using products made by SolarWinds , which said hackers from an `` outside nation state '' inserted malicious code into the update , which was issued between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pentagon said in a statement that it had so far found “ no evidence of compromise ” on its classified and unclassified networks from the “ evolving cyber incident.
” A bipartisan group of U.S. senators has demanded to know more .
“ Americans deserve to know the impact of this staggering cyberattack— & how Cozy Bear reportedly slipped into systems under our sleuths ’ noses , ” Senator Richard Blumenthal ( Democrat-Connecticut ) said , referring to a Russian hacking group .
“ With no sign of a timeline for disclosure , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” With reporting by Reuters and CNN

The U.S. government has confirmed that a recent cyberattack affected its networks and said the attack was "significant and ongoing."
A joint statement issued on December 16 by the FBI, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) called it a “developing situation” and said investigators were continuing their work to fully understand its full extent.
"Over the course of the past several days, the FBI, CISA, and ODNI have become aware of a significant and ongoing cybersecurity campaign," the joint statement said.
“We know this compromise has affected networks within the federal government," the statement added.
The FBI, CISA, and ODNI have formed a Cyber Unified Coordination Group to coordinate the U.S. government's response, the statement said.
Representatives of the National Security Agency, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the FBI briefed members of Congress on December 16. Senator Dick Durbin (Democrat-Illinois) later told CNN that "this is virtually a declaration of war by Russia on the United States, and we should take that seriously.”
White House national-security adviser Robert O'Brien cut short a European trip earlier this week and returned to Washington to deal with the cyberattack, which was first reported on December 13. The government has not said how many agencies were hacked.
The DHS, the U.S. Treasury Department, and the U.S. Commerce Department were among those targeted, according to media reports quoting unidentified officials with knowledge of the cyberattack.
The Russian Embassy in Washington has denied any involvement, saying in a statement on December 14 that Russia “does not conduct offensive operations in the cyber domain.”
The technology company SolarWinds has said up to 18,000 of its customers downloaded a compromised update of its network management software that allowed hackers to spy unnoticed for almost nine months.
Customers of the little-known software company based in Texas include national governments and major corporations.
CISA has ordered federal agencies to stop using products made by SolarWinds, which said hackers from an "outside nation state" inserted malicious code into the update, which was issued between March and June this year.
The Pentagon said in a statement that it had so far found “no evidence of compromise” on its classified and unclassified networks from the “evolving cyber incident.”
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators has demanded to know more.
“Americans deserve to know the impact of this staggering cyberattack—& how Cozy Bear reportedly slipped into systems under our sleuths’ noses,” Senator Richard Blumenthal (Democrat-Connecticut) said, referring to a Russian hacking group. “With no sign of a timeline for disclosure, I’ll be demanding more facts.”
With reporting by Reuters and CNN


rferl--2020-12-17--Decision Expected On Russia's Appeal Of Ban From Major Sporting Events Over Suspected Doping

The Court of Arbitration for Sport ( CAS ) is due to announce its verdict on Russia 's appeal of a four-year ban from major international sporting events imposed over allegations of state-sanctioned doping .
The court , based in Lausanne , Switzerland , said on December 16 that a news release including the details of the decision would be published on the CAS website on December 17 at 4 p.m. local time .
The announcement is awaited with interest by the International Olympic Committee and sports federations that expect a clear directive from the court .
The World Anti-Doping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in December 2019 when it declared the Russian Anti-Doping Agency ( RUSADA ) noncompliant after it was accused of manipulating drug-testing data .
WADA ’ s executive committee concluded that laboratory data had been tampered with by planting fake evidence and deleting files linked to positive doping tests that could have helped identify drug cheats .
Providing the data had been an important condition after WADA reinstated RUSADA in 2018 after an original suspension in 2015 over wide-ranging doping practices .
The ban dealt a serious blow to Russian athletes training for major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tokyo Olympics scheduled to take place in 2021 and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar .
The ban applies to Russian athletes , government officials , and their representatives , and means the Russian flag may not fly at any major event staged during the four-year period .
Russian President Vladimir Putin slammed the ban at the time as a `` politically motivated '' ruling that `` contradicted '' the Olympic charter .
Russia protested its innocence and appealed to the CAS , which conducted a four-day hearing last month .
The doping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the former head of Moscow 's anti-doping laboratory , blew the whistle over state-backed doping at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi .
Rodchenkov fled to the United States in 2016 and provided evidence of the doping conspiracy to WADA .
An independent WADA report confirmed the allegations , leading to partial bans for Russia at the 2016 Rio Olympics and 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics .
In August the outspoken head of RUSADA , Yury Ganus , was fired .
Ganus had been a fierce critic of Russian sports authorities , saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sports of performance-enhancing drug use .
With reporting by Reuters , AP , AFP , and dpa

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has upheld doping sanctions that will prevent Russian athletes from competing at major sporting events under the country's flag, but halved the period of the ban to two from four years.
The Lausanne-based court announced its ruling on December 17, saying the reduction of the ban should not be seen "as any validation" of Russia's conduct.
The ban will now run until December 16, 2022.
The ban prevents Russia from competing in the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, which was delayed to next year, and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) imposed the four-year ban in December 2019 when it declared the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) noncompliant after it was accused of manipulating drug-testing data.
Russian President Vladimir Putin slammed the ban at the time as a "politically motivated" ruling that "contradicted" the Olympic charter.
WADA concluded that laboratory data had been tampered with by planting fake evidence and deleting files linked to positive doping tests that could have helped identify drug cheats.
Russia was told to hand over data as a condition of its controversial reinstatement in 2018 following a three-year suspension over wide-ranging doping practices.
CAS said its panel “has imposed consequences to reflect the nature and seriousness of the noncompliance and to ensure that the integrity of sport against the scourge of doping is maintained."
"It has considered matters of proportionality and, in particular, the need to effect cultural change and encourage the next generation of Russian athletes to participate in clean international sport," the court added.
WADA President Witold Banka said his agency was “pleased to have won this landmark case” but also disappointed the court had not endorsed all of its recommendations.
"These are still the strongest set of consequences ever imposed on any country for doping-related offences,” Banka said in a statement.
The ban means Russia will not be allowed to use its flag and anthem at any major sporting events for the next two years.
Athletes will be able to compete under a neutral flag if they prove no connection to doping. They can wear a uniform bearing Russian colors, but it cannot contain the Russian flag or any national symbol. If the uniform displays the name “Russia” -- written in any language -- it cannot be more prominent than the words "neutral athlete," which must be written in English.
Russia is also prevented from hosting international events during the same period.
"This sends a clear message that institutionalized cheating and concerted efforts to subvert the global anti-doping system will not be tolerated," Banka said.
RUSADA said it was partially satisfied with the ruling.
Allowing athletes proven to have remained free of performance-enhancing drugs is a "victory of common sense," the agency said in a statement, adding that Russia remains ready to fulfil the conditions required to be reinstated by WADA.
More than 160 Russian athletes competed under a neutral flag at the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea.
Travis Tygart, head of the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) called the decision to halve the ban on Russia "a catastrophic blow to clean athletes, the integrity of sport, and the rule of law.”
"At this stage in this sordid Russian state-sponsored doping affair, now spanning close to a decade, there is no consolation in this weak, watered-down outcome,” Tygart said in a statement.
A lawyer for Grigory Rodchenkov, the former head of Moscow's anti-doping laboratory and a key whistleblower in the Russia affair, said the CAS decision showed the tribunal was "unwilling and unable to meaningfully deal with systematic and long-standing criminality by Russia."
Jim Walden said in a statement that the ruling was made despite "overwhelming proof" of corruption and doping fraud by Russia.
The United States has recently introduced legislation that gives them jurisdiction to charge anyone anywhere in connection with doping, mainly those behind the schemes and not athletes -- named the Rodchenkov Act.
Russia has been banned from competing as a country in athletics since 2015.
The World Athletics governing body is to decide in March whether to allow Russian athletes who can prove they are clean to compete as neutral athletes in international track and field competitions.
Russia is allowed to participate in next year's Euro 2020 tournament, delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic, because European soccer's body UEFA is not defined as a "major event organization" regarding rulings on anti-doping breaches.
With reporting by the BBC, Reuters, AP, AFP, and dpa


rferl--2020-12-16--Rights Group Says Azerbaijan Targeted Armenian Church In Possible War Crime

Human Rights Watch ( HRW ) says Azerbaijani forces attacked a church in the town of Shushi during recent fighting over the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region , in what the group said appeared to be a deliberate targeting in violation of the laws of war .
Armenia accused Azerbaijan of shelling the Holy Savior Cathedral , a historic church perched on a strategic clifftop in Shushi , which is known as Susa in Azeri , on October 8 .
Residents of the town said the church , also known as the Ghazanchetsots Cathedral , sustained exterior and interior damage after being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 19th-century cathedral is part of the Armenian Apostolic Church .
In a statement on December 16 , HRW said the two separate attacks “ suggest that the church , a civilian object with cultural significance , was an intentional target despite the absence of evidence that it was used for military purposes.
” “ The two strikes on the church , the second one while journalists and other civilians had gathered at the site , appear to be deliberate , ” said Hugh Williamson , Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impartially investigated and those responsible held to account.
” HRW said weapon remnants collected at the site corroborate the use of guided munitions .
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said that the church could have been targeted only by mistake and was “ not among military targets.
” The attacks took place while Armenian forces still controlled the city .
Azerbaijani forces regained control of the city on November 8 .
Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan , but the territory and some surrounding areas have been controlled by ethnic Armenian forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Azerbaijan launched a military offensive that resulted in Baku regaining control of the surrounding districts and parts of Nagorno-Karabakh itself .
The sides agreed to a Russia-brokered truce in early November , resulting in in the deployment of 2,000 Russian peacekeeping forces to the conflict zone .
International human rights groups have urged both Azerbaijan and Armenia to urgently conduct investigations into war crimes allegedly committed by both sides during the six weeks of fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh .
Amnesty International has analyzed 22 videos depicting `` extrajudicial executions , the mistreatment of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and desecration of the dead bodies of enemy soldiers , '' the London-based human rights watchdog said in a statement on December 10 .

Human Rights Watch (HRW) says Azerbaijani forces attacked a church in the town of Shushi during recent fighting over the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region, in what the group said appeared to be a deliberate targeting in violation of the laws of war.
Armenia accused Azerbaijan of shelling the Holy Savior Cathedral, a historic church perched on a strategic clifftop in Shushi, which is known as Susa in Azeri, on October 8.
Residents of the town said the church, also known as the Ghazanchetsots Cathedral, sustained exterior and interior damage after being hit twice within several hours. The 19th-century cathedral is part of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
In a statement on December 16, HRW said the two separate attacks “suggest that the church, a civilian object with cultural significance, was an intentional target despite the absence of evidence that it was used for military purposes.”
“The two strikes on the church, the second one while journalists and other civilians had gathered at the site, appear to be deliberate,” said Hugh Williamson, Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “These attacks should be impartially investigated and those responsible held to account.”
HRW said weapon remnants collected at the site corroborate the use of guided munitions.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said that the church could have been targeted only by mistake and was “not among military targets.”
The attacks took place while Armenian forces still controlled the city. Azerbaijani forces regained control of the city on November 8.
Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, but the territory and some surrounding areas have been controlled by ethnic Armenian forces since the early 1990s.
In September, Azerbaijan launched a military offensive that resulted in Baku regaining control of the surrounding districts and parts of Nagorno-Karabakh itself.
The sides agreed to a Russia-brokered truce in early November, resulting in in the deployment of 2,000 Russian peacekeeping forces to the conflict zone.
International human rights groups have urged both Azerbaijan and Armenia to urgently conduct investigations into war crimes allegedly committed by both sides during the six weeks of fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh.
Amnesty International has analyzed 22 videos depicting "extrajudicial executions, the mistreatment of prisoners of war and other captives, and desecration of the dead bodies of enemy soldiers," the London-based human rights watchdog said in a statement on December 10.


rferl--2020-12-17--Biden Calls Cyberattack A 'Great Concern,' Promises To Impose 'Substantial Costs' On Perpetrators

WASHINGTON -- President-elect Joe Biden on December 17 called a recent , large-scale , and ongoing cyberattack against U.S. government agencies and companies a “ great concern , ” and promised to impose “ substantial costs ” on the perpetrators .
The Department of Homeland Security , the Treasury Department , and the Commerce Department were among those targeted in the massive attack , according to media reports , quoting unidentified officials with knowledge of the cyberattack .
Hackers working on behalf of a foreign government undertook the attack , which began months ago but was only recently discovered .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ our adversaries from undertaking significant cyber attacks in the first place , ” Biden said in a statement on December 17 .
“ We will do that by , among other things , imposing substantial costs on those responsible for such malicious attacks , including in coordination with our allies and partners.
” Senator Dick Durbin ( Democrat-Illinois ) , following a briefing by U.S. intelligence agencies on December 16 , blamed the attack on Russia .
The Russian Embassy in Washington has denied any involvement , saying in a statement on December @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offensive operations in the cyber domain.
” Biden said his incoming administration is working with the government agencies impacted to learn all it can about the attack .
“ There ’ s a lot we don ’ t yet know , but what we do know is a matter of great concern , ” he said .
The president-elect , who will be inaugurated on January 20 , reiterated that he would make cybersecurity and resolving the current attack a top priority in his administration .
He also promised to increase investment in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ technology company SolarWinds has said up to 18,000 of its customers downloaded a compromised update of its network management software that allowed hackers to spy unnoticed for almost nine months .
It said hackers from an `` outside nation state '' inserted malicious code into the update , which was issued between March and June this year .
Customers of the little-known software company based in Texas include national governments and major corporations .
The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency ( CISA ) ordered federal agencies to stop using products made by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so far found “ no evidence of compromise ” on its classified and unclassified networks from the “ evolving cyber incident .
”

WASHINGTON -- President-elect Joe Biden on December 17 called a recent, large-scale, and ongoing cyberattack against U.S. government agencies and companies a “great concern” and promised to impose “substantial costs” on the perpetrators.
The Department of Homeland Security, the Treasury Department, and the Commerce Department were among those targeted in the massive attack, according to media reports, quoting unidentified officials with knowledge of the cyberattack.
Hackers working on behalf of a foreign government undertook the attack, which began months ago but was only recently discovered.
“We need to disrupt and deter our adversaries from undertaking significant cyberattacks in the first place,” Biden said in a statement on December 17. “We will do that by, among other things, imposing substantial costs on those responsible for such malicious attacks, including in coordination with our allies and partners.”
Senator Dick Durbin (Democrat-Illinois), following a briefing by U.S. intelligence agencies on December 16, blamed the attack on Russia.
The Russian Embassy in Washington has denied any involvement, saying in a statement on December 14 that Russia “does not conduct offensive operations in the cyber domain.”
Biden said his incoming administration is working with the government agencies impacted to learn all it can about the attack.
“There’s a lot we don’t yet know, but what we do know is a matter of great concern,” he said.
The president-elect, who will be inaugurated on January 20, reiterated that he would make cybersecurity and resolving the current attack a top priority in his administration.
He also promised to increase investment in cyberdefense alongside beefing up deterrence.
The technology company SolarWinds has said up to 18,000 of its customers downloaded a compromised update of its network-management software that allowed hackers to spy unnoticed for almost nine months.
It said hackers from an "outside nation state" inserted malicious code into the update, which was issued between March and June this year.
Customers of the little-known software company based in Texas include national governments and major corporations.
The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) ordered federal agencies to stop using products made by SolarWinds.
The Pentagon said it had so far found “no evidence of compromise” on its classified and unclassified networks from the “evolving cyber incident.”


rferl--2020-12-17--Russian Billionaire 'Continues To Control Companies' In Violation Of Sanctions

European officials have concluded that Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska continues to control aluminum producer Rusal in violation of a U.S. sanctions agreement , Bloomberg News reported , citing unidentified officials .
The Europeans earlier this year sent U.S. officials their conclusion that Deripaska still maintains day-to-day influence over the operations of Rusal , one of the world ’ s largest aluminum producers , and its parent company EN+ Group , the news agency said on December 17 .
U.S. officials have confirmed receiving the European report .
The United States lifted sanctions on Rusal and EN+ after Deripaska agreed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50 percent and relinquish operational control .
But the billionaire continued to use “ company resources and employees ” for his own business pursuits as well as to advance the Kremlin ’ s political agenda , Bloomberg reported , citing the Europeans .
Lawyers for Deripaska , who remains under personal U.S. sanctions , denied the European officials ’ allegations .
Lawyers for EN+ also rejected the report .
EN+ said its board continues to have “ full confidence in the group ’ s robust compliance procedures.
” The Bloomberg article caused a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amid concerns the U.S. could sanction Rusal again .
The United States sanctioned Deripaska and six other Russian tycoons in 2018 for supporting Russia ’ s “ malign activity around the globe , ” including Kremlin aggression against Ukraine .
Deripaska , 52 , is one of Russia 's richest moguls , with a net worth estimated by Forbes at more than $ 4 billion .

European officials have concluded that Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska continues to control aluminum producer Rusal in violation of a U.S. sanctions agreement, Bloomberg News reported, citing unidentified officials.
The Europeans earlier this year sent U.S. officials their conclusion that Deripaska still maintains day-to-day influence over the operations of Rusal, one of the world’s largest aluminum producers, and its parent company EN+ Group, the news agency said on December 17.
U.S. officials have confirmed receiving the European report.
The United States lifted sanctions on Rusal and EN+ after Deripaska agreed in late 2018 to cut his stakes below 50 percent and relinquish operational control.
But the billionaire continued to use “company resources and employees” for his own business pursuits as well as to advance the Kremlin’s political agenda, Bloomberg reported, citing the Europeans.
Lawyers for Deripaska, who remains under personal U.S. sanctions, denied the European officials’ allegations.
Lawyers for EN+ also rejected the report. EN+ said its board continues to have “full confidence in the group’s robust compliance procedures.”
The Bloomberg article caused a spike in aluminum prices on December 17 amid concerns the U.S. could sanction Rusal again.
The United States sanctioned Deripaska and six other Russian tycoons in 2018 for supporting Russia’s “malign activity around the globe,” including Kremlin aggression against Ukraine.
Deripaska, 52, is one of Russia's richest moguls, with a net worth estimated by Forbes at more than $4 billion.
Based on reporting by Bloomberg News


rferl--2020-12-17--Russia 'Used Bulgarian Airspace' To Deliver Military Equipment To Serbia

SOFIA -- Russian aircraft have repeatedly used the airspace of NATO-member Bulgaria to deliver military equipment to Serbia , a joint investigation by RFE/RL ’ s Bulgarian and Balkan services shows .
In the most recent case known , an AN-124 plane flying from Russia to Serbia passed through Bulgarian airspace on March 3 , coinciding with the delivery of parts for the Russian Pantsir-C1 air defense system .
It was at least the fourth delivery of Russian military equipment to the Balkan country via Bulgarian airspace in the past few years .
The Bulgarian Foreign Ministry did not confirm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian military supplies through its airspace , telling RFE/RL there were no grounds for refusing `` flights delivering trade supplies between sovereign states . ''
The ministry further justified the flyover by pointing out `` that no restrictive measures have been imposed on Serbia with regard to defense-related products by the UN , the EU , and the OSCE . ''
Romania , another NATO member , in July 2019 refused to allow the transit of Russian military equipment to Serbia , invoking the Kremlin ’ s annexation of Ukraine ’ s Crimean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ route for Serbian-bound flights from Russia .
The Russian flight was rerouted through Bulgarian airspace , according to data from the Flightradar24 tracking service .
Bulgaria ’ s actions indicate it is `` quite friendly to Russia and its intentions , '' Todor Tagarev , a military expert and former interim defense minister in 2013 , told RFE/RL .
`` From a political point of view , the Bulgarian government does not seem to be worried about the fact that Russia is helping to build serious capabilities , including intelligence and air defense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ borders , '' he said .
In the last two years , Serbia has received deliveries from Russia of the Panzer-C1 antiaircraft missile system , T-72 tanks , and BRDM-2 armored off-road vehicles .
Some of the equipment was donated by Moscow to Belgrade while other items were purchased .
The Russian plane making the July 2019 delivery returned to its destination via Hungary , Slovakia , and Poland .
It is unclear what was on board .
Hungary confirmed that it had been notified of the passover , but did not have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operated by a civilian operator .
Poland claims that it was not informed about a flight over its airspace containing military cargo .
'There Is No Control Mechanism' Meanwhile , Slovakia told RFE/RL it authorized the passage of such a flight through its airspace because the permission was made by a Russian civilian operator and the shipment was described as a nonmilitary `` vehicle . ''
The Bulgarian Foreign Ministry did not specify what information it received about the cargo of this or other flights which are supposed to have carried military equipment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for monitoring the cargo of such flights over Bulgaria .
`` When a request is received from the [ Russian ] Foreign Ministry , it states what the load is , but there is no control mechanism .
We are supposed to believe what they have told us , ” Tagarev explained .
The European Commission told RFE/RL that EU countries decide for themselves whether to allow the transit of weapons over their territory .
However , when making such decisions , member states must also comply with European rules for control over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the commission said .
NATO has not commented on the transit of Russian military equipment through the airspace of allies .
The U.S. State Department did not immediately reply to a request for comment .
Tagarev said Sofia 's decision to allow the transit of Russian military equipment through its airspace makes Bulgaria look like a `` weak link in the allied defense and security system . ''
`` While this is not an immediate threat , at the very least it is a lack of more strategic and long-term thinking on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relations with other countries through actions that are not friendly to us . ''
Tagarev said the possibility of modern Russian antiaircraft missile systems , including systems that could be used for reconnaissance purposes , is concerning .
`` What is worrying is not a certain number of tanks or several MiG-29 aircraft .
Serbia , as a sovereign country , has the right to develop its capabilities as it sees fit .
What we should be worried about are precisely those systems that can also be used for intelligence -- be it @ @ @ @ @ @ @

SOFIA -- Russian aircraft have repeatedly used the airspace of NATO-member Bulgaria to deliver military equipment to Serbia, a joint investigation by RFE/RL’s Bulgarian and Balkan services shows.
In the most recent case known, an AN-124 plane flying from Russia to Serbia passed through Bulgarian airspace on March 3, coinciding with the delivery of parts for the Russian Pantsir-C1 air defense system.
It was at least the fourth delivery of Russian military equipment to the Balkan country via Bulgarian airspace in the past few years.
The Bulgarian Foreign Ministry did not confirm it had received a request to transport Russian military supplies through its airspace, telling RFE/RL there were no grounds for refusing "flights delivering trade supplies between sovereign states."
The ministry further justified the flyover by pointing out "that no restrictive measures have been imposed on Serbia with regard to defense-related products by the UN, the EU, and the OSCE."
Romania, another NATO member, in July 2019 refused to allow the transit of Russian military equipment to Serbia, invoking the Kremlin’s annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula. Romania is the most direct route for Serbian-bound flights from Russia.
The Russian flight was rerouted through Bulgarian airspace, according to data from the Flightradar24 tracking service.
Bulgaria’s actions indicate it is "quite friendly to Russia and its intentions," Todor Tagarev, a military expert and former interim defense minister in 2013, told RFE/RL.
"From a political point of view, the Bulgarian government does not seem to be worried about the fact that Russia is helping to build serious capabilities, including intelligence and air defense, of a country west of our borders," he said.
In the last two years, Serbia has received deliveries from Russia of the Panzer-C1 antiaircraft missile system, T-72 tanks, and BRDM-2 armored off-road vehicles. Some of the equipment was donated by Moscow to Belgrade while other items were purchased.
The Russian plane making the July 2019 delivery returned to its destination via Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland. It is unclear what was on board.
Hungary confirmed that it had been notified of the passover, but did not have to give permission because the flight was operated by a civilian operator. Poland claims that it was not informed about a flight over its airspace containing military cargo.
'There Is No Control Mechanism'
Meanwhile, Slovakia told RFE/RL it authorized the passage of such a flight through its airspace because the permission was made by a Russian civilian operator and the shipment was described as a nonmilitary "vehicle."
The Bulgarian Foreign Ministry did not specify what information it received about the cargo of this or other flights which are supposed to have carried military equipment.
Tagarev said there is no mechanism for monitoring the cargo of such flights over Bulgaria.
"When a request is received from the [Russian] Foreign Ministry, it states what the load is, but there is no control mechanism. We are supposed to believe what they have told us,” Tagarev explained.
The European Commission told RFE/RL that EU countries decide for themselves whether to allow the transit of weapons over their territory.
However, when making such decisions, member states must also comply with European rules for control over the export of military technology and equipment, the commission said.
NATO has not commented on the transit of Russian military equipment through the airspace of allies. The U.S. State Department did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
Tagarev said Sofia's decision to allow the transit of Russian military equipment through its airspace makes Bulgaria look like a "weak link in the allied defense and security system."
"While this is not an immediate threat, at the very least it is a lack of more strategic and long-term thinking on our part and allowing Russia to develop relations with other countries through actions that are not friendly to us."
Tagarev said the possibility of modern Russian antiaircraft missile systems, including systems that could be used for reconnaissance purposes, is concerning.
"What is worrying is not a certain number of tanks or several MiG-29 aircraft. Serbia, as a sovereign country, has the right to develop its capabilities as it sees fit. What we should be worried about are precisely those systems that can also be used for intelligence -- be it radar systems or other means."
*A previous version of this story was illustrated with a Ukrainian, not a Russian, AN-124


rferl--2020-12-17--Uzbek President Orders Cut In Gas Exports As Winter Shortage Threatens

TASHKENT -- Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoev has ordered his government to cut natural-gas exports to ensure the availability of gas at home in Central Asia 's most populous nation this winter .
Mirziyoev publicly laid into the government during an online government session on December 16 for what he called `` failure to properly prepare for winter season '' and said there was currently a domestic shortfall of 20 million cubic meters of gas a day .
`` We all know that problems with natural gas are not just happening today but have been bothering us for 30 years now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no one has the right to make excuses .
Our people need gas , and many of them are paying for it honestly and on time . ''
The move could reportedly translate into 7-8 million cubic meters of natural gas for Uzbek citizens this winter .
Officials were also tasked with transferring into investors ' control some 25 natural-gas fields in the country and buying an additional 217,000 tons of liquefied natural gas ( LNG ) .
This year has been unusually cold in Uzbekistan , and power outages have been reported @ @ @ @

TASHKENT -- Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoev has ordered his government to cut natural-gas exports to ensure the availability of gas at home in Central Asia's most populous nation this winter.
Mirziyoev publicly laid into the government during an online government session on December 16 for what he called "failure to properly prepare for winter season" and said there was currently a domestic shortfall of 20 million cubic meters of gas a day.
"We all know that problems with natural gas are not just happening today but have been bothering us for 30 years now," Mirziyoev said. "But no one has the right to make excuses. Our people need gas, and many of them are paying for it honestly and on time."
The move could reportedly translate into 7-8 million cubic meters of natural gas for Uzbek citizens this winter.
Officials were also tasked with transferring into investors' control some 25 natural-gas fields in the country and buying an additional 217,000 tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
This year has been unusually cold in Uzbekistan, and power outages have been reported across the country.


rferl--2020-12-17--Senate Sources Say Trump Pick For Ukraine Ambassador Unlikely To Get Vote

WASHINGTON -- The Senate has not yet scheduled a vote and is therefore unlikely to green-light the Trump administration ’ s choice of a retired Army lieutenant general to be the next U.S. ambassador to Ukraine , according to Senate and other sources .
A failure to vote would leave the naming of someone for a posting that has been vacant for around 18 months to President-elect Joe Biden 's administration .
Career foreign service officer Marie Yovanovitch was dismissed as the U.S. ambassador to Kyiv in 2019 and later testified to Congress claiming she had been the target of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of President Donald Trump .
The White House announced on May 1 that it had nominated Keith Dayton , who currently serves as the senior U.S. defense adviser to Ukraine and as director of the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies in Germany , as Washington 's next ambassador to Kyiv .
Nominees for ambassadorships must be confirmed by a Senate vote .
Dayton and Julie Fisher , a career civil servant who was nominated to become the next U.S. ambassador to Belarus , had their Senate confirmation hearings in early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s nomination on December 15 .
But there are currently no plans to vote on Dayton 's appointment before the current congressional session ends later this month , a spokesperson for one senator told RFE/RL .
“ While Dayton wasn ’ t particularly controversial , there is no point in confirming him this late in the term when Biden will want the opportunity to nominate his own ambassador to Ukraine , ” a spokesperson for another senator said .
A former U.S. career foreign service officer who is still active with Ukraine also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forward before Biden 's inauguration on January 20 .
Biden has extensive Ukraine experience , having served as the point man to Kyiv when he was vice president during Barack Obama 's 2009-17 presidency .
Biden made six trips to Ukraine during his eight years in the White House .
Though Dayton served four decades in the Army , he is considered a political appointee as he is not a career foreign service officer .
Political appointees frequently step down from their ambassadorial posts when a new administration enters the White House .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be approved because he possessed significant experience in the former Soviet region , having served as U.S. defense attache in the U.S. Embassy in Moscow before being appointed in 2018 as senior U.S. defense adviser to Ukraine .
The United States has been without an ambassador to Ukraine since May 2019 , when the Trump administration recalled Yovanovitch shortly before alleged efforts to pressure officials in Kyiv into investigating Biden and his son that were at the center of Trump 's impeachment , which concluded with an acquittal by the Senate in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ served six months as charge d'affaires while the Trump administration sought a replacement until returning to the United States early this year .

WASHINGTON -- The Senate has not yet scheduled a vote and is therefore unlikely to green-light the Trump administration’s choice of a retired Army lieutenant general to be the next U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, according to Senate and other sources.
A failure to vote would leave the naming of someone for a posting that has been vacant for around 18 months to President-elect Joe Biden's administration.
Career foreign service officer Marie Yovanovitch was dismissed as the U.S. ambassador to Kyiv in 2019 and later testified to Congress claiming she had been the target of a campaign to discredit her by surrogates of President Donald Trump.
The White House announced on May 1 that it had nominated Keith Dayton, who currently serves as the senior U.S. defense adviser to Ukraine and as director of the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies in Germany, as Washington's next ambassador to Kyiv.
Nominees for ambassadorships must be confirmed by a Senate vote.
Dayton and Julie Fisher, a career civil servant who was nominated to become the next U.S. ambassador to Belarus, had their Senate confirmation hearings in early August. The Senate approved Fisher’s nomination on December 15.
But there are currently no plans to vote on Dayton's appointment before the current congressional session ends later this month, a spokesperson for one senator told RFE/RL.
“While Dayton wasn’t particularly controversial, there is no point in confirming him this late in the term when Biden will want the opportunity to nominate his own ambassador to Ukraine,” a spokesperson for another senator said.
A former U.S. career foreign service officer who is still active with Ukraine also predicted Dayton's nomination would not move forward before Biden's inauguration on January 20.
Biden has extensive Ukraine experience, having served as the point man to Kyiv when he was vice president during Barack Obama's 2009-17 presidency.
Biden made six trips to Ukraine during his eight years in the White House.
Though Dayton served four decades in the Army, he is considered a political appointee as he is not a career foreign service officer. Political appointees frequently step down from their ambassadorial posts when a new administration enters the White House.
Analysts initially expected the 71-year old Dayton to be approved because he possessed significant experience in the former Soviet region, having served as U.S. defense attache in the U.S. Embassy in Moscow before being appointed in 2018 as senior U.S. defense adviser to Ukraine.
The United States has been without an ambassador to Ukraine since May 2019, when the Trump administration recalled Yovanovitch shortly before alleged efforts to pressure officials in Kyiv into investigating Biden and his son that were at the center of Trump's impeachment, which concluded with an acquittal by the Senate in February.
Former Ukrainian Ambassador Bill Taylor served six months as charge d'affaires while the Trump administration sought a replacement until returning to the United States early this year.


rferl--2020-12-17--Putin Responds To Navalny Poisoning Investigation With Baseless Claims Of U.S. Involvement

Russian President Vladimir Putin responded to extensive investigations by Bellingcat and various Western media into the poisoning of opposition leader @ @ @ @ @ annual news conference , Putin made the claim , without any evidence to back it @ @ @ @ @ outlets were merely `` laundering '' U.S. intelligence materials .
He also said that if @ @ @ @ @ to poison Navalny , `` they would have finished the job . ''

Russian President Vladimir Putin responded to extensive investigations by Bellingcat and various Western media into the poisoning of opposition leader Aleksei Navalny. During his annual news conference, Putin made the claim, without any evidence to back it up, that the media outlets were merely "laundering" U.S. intelligence materials. He also said that if Russian security services had wanted to poison Navalny, "they would have finished the job."


rferl--2020-12-17--Second Pussy Riot Member Punished For Moscow Performance

MOSCOW -- A second member of the Russian protest collective Pussy Riot has been punished by a Moscow court for her part in a performance last month to highlight harsh prison sentences handed down against people who hurled plastic cups and plastic bottles at police .
Lawyer Mansur Gilmanov said on December 17 that Maria Alyokhina was found guilty of violating regulations on public gatherings and ordered to pay 15,000-ruble ( $ 204 ) fine .
On November 28 , Alyokhina , her colleague Rita Flores , also known as Margarita Konovalova , and artist Farkhad Israfilli-Gelman staged a performance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Care ! ''
not far from the State History Museum near Red Square in the Russian capital .
In it , the women , in Russian national dress , tied Israfilli-Gelman , who was wearing a riot-police uniform , to a light pole with packing tape .
The event highlighted cases against protesters who received prison terms last year for throwing plastic objects at police who were dispersing rallies in Moscow .
On December 3 , Flores was found guilty of repeatedly violating the law on public gatherings and sentenced to 20 days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allegedly violating the law on public gatherings is pending .

MOSCOW -- A second member of the Russian protest collective Pussy Riot has been punished by a Moscow court for her part in a performance last month to highlight harsh prison sentences handed down against people who hurled plastic cups and plastic bottles at police.
Lawyer Mansur Gilmanov said on December 17 that Maria Alyokhina was found guilty of violating regulations on public gatherings and ordered to pay 15,000-ruble ($204) fine.
On November 28, Alyokhina, her colleague Rita Flores, also known as Margarita Konovalova, and artist Farkhad Israfilli-Gelman staged a performance they called "Fragile! Handle With Care!" not far from the State History Museum near Red Square in the Russian capital.
In it, the women, in Russian national dress, tied Israfilli-Gelman, who was wearing a riot-police uniform, to a light pole with packing tape.
The event highlighted cases against protesters who received prison terms last year for throwing plastic objects at police who were dispersing rallies in Moscow.
On December 3, Flores was found guilty of repeatedly violating the law on public gatherings and sentenced to 20 days in jail.
Israfilli-Gelman's trial for allegedly violating the law on public gatherings is pending.


rferl--2020-12-17--EU Officially Slaps More Economic Sanctions On Belarus Over Crackdown

The European Union on December 17 imposed a third round of economic sanctions on dozens of Belarusian individuals and entities over their suspected involvement in a crackdown on ongoing pro-democracy protests .
The latest round of sanctions was initially announced on December 16 and officially adopted during a meeting the next day of the European Council .
They include restrictive measures imposed on the head of Belarusian state television , Ivan Eismant , Deputy Prime Minister Anatol Sivak , Information Minister Ihar Lutsky , and 26 other individuals .
The sanctions package also includes asset freezes on seven Belarusian companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The punitive measures follow similar steps in October and last month in which the 27-member bloc slapped asset freezes and visa bans on 55 people , including Alyaksandr Lukashenka , following the violent crackdown on demonstrators in the wake of a presidential election on August 9 that the opposition says was stolen through massive fraud .
Belarusian authorities have carried out mass arrests , forced expulsions , and jailings , including of senior opposition figures , along with a muzzling of the press that helped fuel a record number of journalist arrests worldwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousands of people have continued in Minsk and many other cities despite the risk from police batons , tear gas , and water cannons .
Exiled opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya , who entered the presidential race against Lukashenka after authorities jailed her candidate-husband , this week predicted it was just `` a matter of time '' until Lukashenka , who has run the country since 1994 , steps aside .
Sivak was sanctioned because in his previous capacity as chairman of the Minsk City Executive Committee , he was responsible for “ arbitrary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , of peaceful demonstrators as well as intimidation and violence against journalists.
” Eismant was targeted for “ the dissemination of state propaganda in public media ” and the firing of striking employees .
Other people listed include the businessmen Alyaksandr Shakutsin and Mikalay Varabei , who the bloc claims are benefiting from their support for the Lukashenka regime , former health minister and current governor of Hrodna Uladzimer Karanik , and Prosecutor-General Andrey Shved , as well as a number of senior police officers and judges .
Arms exporter Belechexport is closely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ benefiting from and supporting the Lukashenka regime , by bringing benefits to the presidential administration , ” the EU said .
AGAT Electromechanical Plant OJSC was placed on the sanctions list because it is “ responsible for implementing the military-technical policy of the state and is subordinate to the Council of Ministers and President of Belarus , '' as is the OJSC 140 Repair Plant , which has manufactured transport vehicles and armored vehicles that have been deployed against peaceful demonstrations .
Another inclusion on the list is VOLAT , a Minsk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the August election .
The EU noted that employees of the plant who protested during his visit and went on strike were fired , making the company “ responsible for the violation of human rights . ''
Other targeted companies include the real-estate developer Dana Holdings/Dana Astra , which employs Lukashenka 's daughter-in-law Lilia and whose owners the EU says maintain close relations with Lukashenka .
GHU company , described as “ the largest operator on the nonresidential real estate market in Belarus and a supervisor of numerous companies , ” is also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a tech company .
LLC Synesis is used both by the Interior Ministry and the Belarusian KGB , being accused of providing “ the Belarusian authorities with a surveillance platform , which can search through and analyze video footage and employ facial-recognition software , making the company responsible for the repression of civil society and democratic opposition by the state apparatus in Belarus .
”

The European Union on December 17 imposed a third round of economic sanctions on dozens of Belarusian individuals and entities over their suspected involvement in a crackdown on ongoing pro-democracy protests.
The latest round of sanctions was initially announced on December 16 and officially adopted during a meeting the next day of the European Council.
They include restrictive measures imposed on the head of Belarusian state television, Ivan Eismant, Deputy Prime Minister Anatol Sivak, Information Minister Ihar Lutsky, and 26 other individuals.
The sanctions package also includes asset freezes on seven Belarusian companies, including arms exporter CJSC Beltechexport.
The punitive measures follow similar steps in October and last month in which the 27-member bloc slapped asset freezes and visa bans on 55 people, including Alyaksandr Lukashenka, following the violent crackdown on demonstrators in the wake of a presidential election on August 9 that the opposition says was stolen through massive fraud.
Belarusian authorities have carried out mass arrests, forced expulsions, and jailings, including of senior opposition figures, along with a muzzling of the press that helped fuel a record number of journalist arrests worldwide.
But weekly protests involving tens of thousands of people have continued in Minsk and many other cities despite the risk from police batons, tear gas, and water cannons.
Exiled opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who entered the presidential race against Lukashenka after authorities jailed her candidate-husband, this week predicted it was just "a matter of time" until Lukashenka, who has run the country since 1994, steps aside.
Sivak was sanctioned because in his previous capacity as chairman of the Minsk City Executive Committee, he was responsible for “arbitrary arrests and the ill-treatment, including torture, of peaceful demonstrators as well as intimidation and violence against journalists.”
Eismant was targeted for “the dissemination of state propaganda in public media” and the firing of striking employees.
Other people listed include the businessmen Alyaksandr Shakutsin and Mikalay Varabei, who the bloc claims are benefiting from their support for the Lukashenka regime, former health minister and current governor of Hrodna Uladzimer Karanik, and Prosecutor-General Andrey Shved, as well as a number of senior police officers and judges.
Arms exporter Belechexport is closely associated with the Belarusian Defense Ministry, “benefiting from and supporting the Lukashenka regime, by bringing benefits to the presidential administration,” the EU said.
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.
AGAT Electromechanical Plant OJSC was placed on the sanctions list because it is “responsible for implementing the military-technical policy of the state and is subordinate to the Council of Ministers and President of Belarus," as is the OJSC 140 Repair Plant, which has manufactured transport vehicles and armored vehicles that have been deployed against peaceful demonstrations.
Another inclusion on the list is VOLAT, a Minsk tractor-wheel plant that Lukashenka visited shortly after the August election. The EU noted that employees of the plant who protested during his visit and went on strike were fired, making the company “responsible for the violation of human rights."
Other targeted companies include the real-estate developer Dana Holdings/Dana Astra, which employs Lukashenka's daughter-in-law Lilia and whose owners the EU says maintain close relations with Lukashenka.
GHU company, described as “the largest operator on the nonresidential real estate market in Belarus and a supervisor of numerous companies,” is also included, as is LLC Synesis, a tech company.
LLC Synesis is used both by the Interior Ministry and the Belarusian KGB, being accused of providing “the Belarusian authorities with a surveillance platform, which can search through and analyze video footage and employ facial-recognition software, making the company responsible for the repression of civil society and democratic opposition by the state apparatus in Belarus.”


rferl--2020-12-17--In 'COVID-Free' Turkmenistan, Britain's (Singing) Ambassador Now Has COVID

Britain 's ambassador to Turkmenistan , where an authoritarian post-Soviet government has never officially registered a single coronavirus infection , has said he `` need [ s ] to recuperate from covid . ''
British Ambassador to Turkmenistan Hugh Philpott tweeted the news of his apparent infection on December 16 while talking about a quirky YouTube video in which he performs a song in Turkmen in front of a green-screen backdrop of that Central Asian country 's natural beauty .
On YouTube , Philpott describes himself as `` an amateur singer and diplomat '' and says the `` Orient TM @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record this song . ''
He says the agency created the video backdrop to his performance of the song Turkmen Steppe .
He thanks those who shared the video and suggests it was `` from my recuperation . ''
Later , he tweeted in reply to a former British ambassador , Robin Ord-Smith , `` I need to recuperate from covid . ''
It is not clear where or when Philpott , who has served as the U.K. 's ambassador to Ashgabat since 2018 , was exposed to the coronavirus .
He did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an RFE/RL journalist asking him for details .
Turkmenistan is one of 15 states or territories -- nearly all of them remote Pacific islands -- that have not reported a single coronavirus infection to the World Health Organization ( WHO ) .
In August , the WHO expressed concern over an increase in atypical pneumonia cases in Turkmenistan and unsuccessfully urged Ashgabat to allow it to organize independent coronavirus tests in the country .
Turkmen officials have clung to their zero-infections statistics despite signs of outbreaks in prisons , schools , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as well as large numbers of cases in neighboring countries .
Many Turkmen citizens report staying home despite illness , fearing that a trip to the doctor could infect them as hospitals quietly strain under high numbers of patients reporting COVID-19-like symptoms .
The bodies of victims of lung ailments are being delivered to relatives in special plastic bags , and there have been an unusually high number of fresh graves across the country .

Britain's ambassador to Turkmenistan, where an authoritarian post-Soviet government has never officially registered a single coronavirus infection, has said he "need[s] to recuperate" from COVID-19.
British Ambassador to Turkmenistan Hugh Philpott tweeted the news of his apparent infection on December 16 while talking about a quirky YouTube video in which he performs a song in Turkmen in front of a green-screen backdrop of that Central Asian country's natural beauty.
On YouTube, Philpott describes himself as "an amateur singer and diplomat" and says the "Orient TM news agency in Ashgabat invited me to record this song." He says the agency created the video backdrop to his performance of the song Turkmen Steppe.
He thanks those who shared the video and suggests it was "from my recuperation."
Later, he tweeted in reply to a former British ambassador, Robin Ord-Smith, "I need to recuperate from covid."
It is not clear where or when Philpott, who has served as the U.K.'s ambassador to Ashgabat since 2018, was exposed to the coronavirus.
He did not initially respond to a tweet by an RFE/RL journalist asking him for details.
Turkmenistan is one of 15 states or territories -- nearly all of them remote Pacific islands -- that have not reported a single coronavirus infection to the World Health Organization (WHO).
In August, the WHO expressed concern over an increase in atypical pneumonia cases in Turkmenistan and unsuccessfully urged Ashgabat to allow it to organize independent coronavirus tests in the country.
Turkmen officials have clung to their zero-infections statistics despite signs of outbreaks in prisons, schools, and the general population as hospitals get increasingly crowded, as well as large numbers of cases in neighboring countries.
Many Turkmen citizens report staying home despite illness, fearing that a trip to the doctor could infect them as hospitals quietly strain under high numbers of patients reporting COVID-19-like symptoms.
The bodies of victims of lung ailments are being delivered to relatives in special plastic bags, and there have been an unusually high number of fresh graves across the country.


rferl--2020-12-17--Putin Uses Annual Press Event To Deny Russian Role In Navalny Poisoning, Allege U.S. Conspiracies

Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed a fresh investigative report pointing to involvement by Russia ’ s Federal Security Service ( FSB ) in the poisoning of Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny and alleged , without evidence , that the Russian opposition leader was working for U.S. intelligence .
Putin , also without providing evidence , said the joint report led by digital sleuth Bellingcat and issued this week was “ not an investigation , it ’ s laundering of U.S. intelligence material.
” Putin made the remark during his highly choreographed , annual end-of-year news conference on December 17 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a half hours , came with Russia ’ s economy struggling in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and with fresh suspicions of a Russian role in the poisoning of Navalny and a massive cyberattack on the United States that targeted businesses and government agencies and departments .
WATCH : Putin Responds To Navalny Poisoning Investigation With Baseless Claims Of U.S. Involvement Putin said allegations that the FSB was behind the August poisoning of Navalny in the Siberian city of Tomsk -- multiple foreign labs identified the toxin as a Soviet-era , Russian-made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the work of unspecified media .
“ There have always been such sensationalized stories about Russia in the Western media , '' Putin told his annual press conference .
`` It is not surprising , '' he said before alleging -- without evidence -- that Navalny was in the pay of “ U.S .
special services.
” '' The [ Russian ] special services certainly should track him , '' Putin said .
`` But that does n't mean he needs to be poisoned .
Who needs him ?
If they wanted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Kira Yarmysh , Navalny 's spokeswoman , said on Twitter that Putin 's suggestion that the opposition leader `` should be tracked '' represented de facto confirmation that Navalny was being followed by FSB agents at the time of his poisoning .
The 44-year-old Navalny was emergency airlifted to Germany in a coma in August after falling ill during a Russian domestic flight .
Laboratory tests in three European countries , confirmed by the global chemical weapons watchdog , established that he was poisoned with a Soviet-style Novichok nerve agent .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for an investigation into the poisoning , denies Russian involvement and says it has yet to be shown any evidence .
Putin and other Russian officials famously resist using Navalny 's name in public , mostly alluding to him as `` the patient from the Berlin clinic . ''
Putin 's spokesman in October alleged that the lawyer and anti-corruption crusader with a significant opposition following worked for the CIA .
Navalny , who is still in Germany recovering from his poisoning , responded by threatening to sue the Kremlin spokesman , Dmitry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on December 14 , the British-based cybersleuthing group , with the help of several media outlets including the Insider , a Russian investigative website , Der Spiegel , and CNN , published the names and photos of the alleged FSB operatives they accused of taking part in the poisoning operation as well as a timeline of events .
Putin 's nationally televised news conference is one of a series of high-profile events he uses to burnish his image , reassure Russians that they are in good hands , and send signals to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world .
Putin , 68 , has dominated politics in Russia for two decades , serving as president or prime minister since 1999 .
Constitutional changes approved earlier this year open a path for the former KGB officer to stay in power until 2036 .
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic , Putin participated remotely from his Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow , the Kremlin said , while up to about 250 Russian and foreign journalists are on hand at Moscow 's International Trade Center .
Regional media joined via video link , and nonjournalists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Direct Line , a Q-and-A session Putin also holds annually .
Earlier , Putin said Russia like other countries faced problems in 2020 linked to COVID-19 , but claimed the country , which has the world ’ s fourth-highest number of confirmed cases , has handled the pandemic better than most .
Putin said he hadn ’ t taken the Russian COVID-19 vaccine – Sputnik V – but would soon .
Russia boasted of being the first nation to approve the vaccine in August after less than two months of human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community .
Putin said the locally produced vaccine was safe and effective , but it would take time to develop production capacity .
Putin said Russian gross domestic product would fall 3.6 percent in 2020 , a figure he said was lower than the United States and many leading countries in the European Union .
Putin said the country ’ s financial system was “ stable , ” and personal incomes were set to rise by 1.5 percent by the end of the year , although Russians might not feel that , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Putin ’ s press conference also came amid suspicions that Russia was behind a massive cyberattack on the United States that targeted government agencies , thought to have included the Department of Homeland Security , which oversees border security and defense against hacking .
The cyberattacks , first reported on December 13 , were also believed to have affected the U.S. departments of Treasury and Commerce .
Parts of the Defense Department were breached , The New York Times reported , while The Washington Post said the State Department and National Institutes of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports , which came as Putin on December 15 congratulated Joe Biden on his victory in the U.S presidential election -- six weeks after the vote but hours after the Electoral College officially affirmed the win by Biden , whom some say will take a harder line with the Kremlin than President Donald Trump .
At his press conference , Putin again denied that Russia interfered in the 2016 election to help Trump win , as U.S. intelligence agencies and a special prosecutor have concluded .
`` Russian hackers have never helped the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never meddled in the domestic affairs of this great nation .
These are all speculations aimed to spoil relations between Russian and the United States , '' Putin said .
He added : `` We believe the U.S. president-elect [ Biden ] will sort things out because he has both domestic and foreign policy experience . ''
Asked about a series of recent media investigations into people close to him , including one of his purported daughters , whose identities he does not publicly confirm , Putin said they looked like Washington 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hacking of U.S. elections , something he has repeatedly denied .
`` It 's revenge and an attempt to influence public opinion in our country to try to interfere in our domestic politics , '' Putin said .
Putin also called on Washington to extend the New START arms-control treaty that expires in February for one year .
The New START ( Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty ) accord , signed in 2010 , limits the numbers of strategic nuclear warheads , missiles , and bombers that Russia and the United States can deploy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ journalists from Russia and abroad had been accredited for the marathon press event in Moscow that usually lasts several hours .
Putin faced the press after a new poll by the Levada Center found support for Putin among young Russians had roughly halved in the past year .
Russia ’ s commodity-dependent economy has been hit this year by a plunge in prices for oil , its main export , and by the impact of the coronavirus , with lockdowns slowing business activity .
With reporting by TASS , Reuters , and Interfax @ @ @ @


rferl--2020-12-17--Russia To Miss Olympics, World Cup After Doping Ban Halved

The Court of Arbitration for Sport ( CAS ) has upheld doping sanctions that will prevent Russian athletes from competing at major sporting events under the country 's flag , but halved the period of the ban to two from four years .
The Lausanne-based court announced its ruling on December 17 , saying the reduction of the ban should not be seen `` as any validation '' of Russia 's conduct .
The ban will now run until December 16 , 2022 .
The ban prevents Russia from competing in the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics , which was delayed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World Cup in Qatar .
The World Anti-Doping Agency ( WADA ) imposed the four-year ban in December 2019 when it declared the Russian Anti-Doping Agency ( RUSADA ) noncompliant after it was accused of manipulating drug-testing data .
Russian President Vladimir Putin slammed the ban at the time as a `` politically motivated '' ruling that `` contradicted '' the Olympic charter .
WADA concluded that laboratory data had been tampered with by planting fake evidence and deleting files linked to positive doping tests that could have helped identify drug cheats .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a condition of its controversial reinstatement in 2018 following a three-year suspension over wide-ranging doping practices .
CAS said its panel “ has imposed consequences to reflect the nature and seriousness of the noncompliance and to ensure that the integrity of sport against the scourge of doping is maintained . ''
`` It has considered matters of proportionality and , in particular , the need to effect cultural change and encourage the next generation of Russian athletes to participate in clean international sport , '' the court added .
WADA President Witold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have won this landmark case ” but also disappointed the court had not endorsed all of its recommendations .
`` These are still the strongest set of consequences ever imposed on any country for doping-related offences , ” Banka said in a statement .
The ban means Russia will not be allowed to use its flag and anthem at any major sporting events for the next two years .
Athletes will be able to compete under a neutral flag if they prove no connection to doping .
They can wear a uniform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not contain the Russian flag or any national symbol .
If the uniform displays the name “ Russia ” -- written in any language -- it can not be more prominent than the words `` neutral athlete , '' which must be written in English .
Russia is also prevented from hosting international events during the same period .
`` This sends a clear message that institutionalized cheating and concerted efforts to subvert the global anti-doping system will not be tolerated , '' Banka said .
RUSADA said it was partially satisfied with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have remained free of performance-enhancing drugs is a `` victory of common sense , '' the agency said in a statement , adding that Russia remains ready to fulfil the conditions required to be reinstated by WADA .
More than 160 Russian athletes competed under a neutral flag at the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea .
Travis Tygart , head of the United States Anti-Doping Agency ( USADA ) called the decision to halve the ban on Russia `` a catastrophic blow to clean athletes , the integrity of sport , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this stage in this sordid Russian state-sponsored doping affair , now spanning close to a decade , there is no consolation in this weak , watered-down outcome , ” Tygart said in a statement .
A lawyer for Grigory Rodchenkov , the former head of Moscow 's anti-doping laboratory and a key whistleblower in the Russia affair , said the CAS decision showed the tribunal was `` unwilling and unable to meaningfully deal with systematic and long-standing criminality by Russia . ''
Jim Walden said in a statement that the ruling was made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and doping fraud by Russia .
The United States has recently introduced legislation that gives them jurisdiction to charge anyone anywhere in connection with doping , mainly those behind the schemes and not athletes -- named the Rodchenkov Act .
Russia has been banned from competing as a country in athletics since 2015 .
The World Athletics governing body is to decide in March whether to allow Russian athletes who can prove they are clean to compete as neutral athletes in international track and field competitions .
Russia is allowed to participate in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic , because European soccer 's body UEFA is not defined as a `` major event organization '' regarding rulings on anti-doping breaches .
With reporting by the BBC , Reuters , AP , AFP , and dpa


rferl--2020-12-18--Lines Of Hearses At Hospital Challenge Official COVID-19 Death Toll In Tatarstan

Hearses line up outside Hospital No .
7 in Russia 's Republic of Tatarstan to pick up the bodies of @ @ @ @ @ contracting COVID-19 .
RFE/RL filmed the long lines and grieving relatives over four days in @ @ @ @ @ just 11 deaths from COVID-19 over the same period .

Hearses line up outside Hospital No. 7 in Russia's Republic of Tatarstan to pick up the bodies of people who have died after contracting COVID-19. RFE/RL filmed the long lines and grieving relatives over four days in December as official figures recorded just 11 deaths from COVID-19 over the same period.


rferl--2020-12-18--Backer Of Kosovar War Veterans Declines To Enter Plea At Hague Hearing

The deputy leader of an association of Kosovar war veterans declined to enter a plea before the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague on December 18 in a hearing related to witness endangerment and other charges in connection with investigations of possible war crimes .
Nasim Haradinaj accused the prosecutors of “ selective , political , and biased '' prosecutions and `` trying to place the blame on Kosovo '' for atrocities during the former Yugoslav province 's war of independence from Serbia in 1998-99 .
Hysni Gucati , the head of the Kosovo War Veterans ' Association of which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guilty to the same charges when he appeared at a separate hearing later on December 18 .
Both men are accused of obstruction of justice and divulging the identities of witnesses in violation of the secrecy of proceedings before the Kosovo Specialist Chambers and Specialist Prosecutor 's Office .
Haradinaj 's lawyer , Toby Cadman , said his client would enter a plea to the charges at his next appearance , in early 2021 .
The War Veterans Association represents former ethnic Albanian separatists who fought Serb troops in the late 1990s .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ex-President Hashim Thaci are also under indictment by The Hague-based prosecutors -- who operate under Kosovar law -- for alleged murder , abduction , and other serious crimes stemming from Kosovo 's war and its aftermath .
Thaci and the others deny the charges .
They and many Kosovars have accused The Hague-based prosecutors of unfairly targeting Kosovars ' actions while ignoring atrocities by Serbs who fought to prevent their independence .
Serbia still does not recognize Kosovar independence , and international mediation efforts for over a decade have focused on trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relations .
Haradinaj 's lawyer , Toby Cadman , said he would enter a plea to the charges at an appearance before the chambers early next year .

The deputy leader of an association of Kosovar war veterans declined to enter a plea before the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague on December 18 in a hearing related to witness endangerment and other charges in connection with investigations of possible war crimes.
Nasim Haradinaj accused the prosecutors of “selective, political, and biased" prosecutions and "trying to place the blame on Kosovo" for atrocities during the former Yugoslav province's war of independence from Serbia in 1998-99.
Hysni Gucati, the head of the Kosovo War Veterans' Association of which Haradinaj is vice president, pleaded not guilty to the same charges when he appeared at a separate hearing later on December 18.
Both men are accused of obstruction of justice and divulging the identities of witnesses in violation of the secrecy of proceedings before the Kosovo Specialist Chambers and Specialist Prosecutor's Office.
Haradinaj's lawyer, Toby Cadman, said his client would enter a plea to the charges at his next appearance, in early 2021.
The War Veterans Association represents former ethnic Albanian separatists who fought Serb troops in the late 1990s.
A handful of ex-guerrilla leaders including Kosovar ex-President Hashim Thaci are also under indictment by The Hague-based prosecutors -- who operate under Kosovar law -- for alleged murder, abduction, and other serious crimes stemming from Kosovo's war and its aftermath.
Thaci and the others deny the charges.
They and many Kosovars have accused The Hague-based prosecutors of unfairly targeting Kosovars' actions while ignoring atrocities by Serbs who fought to prevent their independence.
Serbia still does not recognize Kosovar independence, and international mediation efforts for over a decade have focused on trying to get the two Balkan neighbors to normalize relations.
Haradinaj's lawyer, Toby Cadman, said he would enter a plea to the charges at an appearance before the chambers early next year.
With reporting by AP


rferl--2020-12-18--After Long Delays, Kyrgyzstan Announces New Biometric Passports

BISHKEK -- Kyrgyzstan has announced the introduction of long-awaited biometric passports for its citizens -- passports embedded with a microchip containing information that can be read and authenticated electronically .
The move comes after months of speculation that Kyrgyzstan 's inclusion on a U.S. partial travel ban list may have been linked to delays in fully switching to a biometric system .
The State Registration Service ( MKK ) in Bishkek said on December 18 that new biometric passports made by a German company -- Muhlbauer ID Services GmbH -- will be available starting on January 1 .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 34 pages and cost citizens just under $ 5 .
It says those who frequently travel can obtain a 52-page biometric passport at a cost of about $ 5.30 .
The White House announced in late January that it was suspending the issuance of visas that can lead to permanent residency for citizens of Eritrea , Kyrgyzstan , Myanmar , Nigeria , Sudan , and Tanzania .
It said the move would not impact nonimmigrant visas for visitors to the United States from the listed countries .
U.S. officials said the six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and information-sharing standards .
Without specifying concerns about each country , Washington noted issues ranging from substandard passport technology to the failure of governments to adequately exchange information about terrorist suspects and convicted criminals .
Weeks before the White House 's announcement , media reports said that the United States was planning a total travel ban against citizens from Kyrgyzstan .
At the time , Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Chyngyz Aidarbekov said the lack of biometric passports could have been the reason Kyrgyzstan was included on the list .
Kyrgyzstan had planned to start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the introduction of the technology was delayed after the Kyrgyz State Committee for National Security ( UKMK ) canceled the results of a tender on who would produce the documents .
In February 2019 , the MKK announced that a Lithuanian company , Garsu Pasaulis , had won the tender .
But in April 2019 , the UKMK annulled the decision and launched an investigation into alleged irregularities that bolstered the bid by the Lithuanian firm .

BISHKEK -- Kyrgyzstan has announced the introduction of long-awaited biometric passports for its citizens -- passports embedded with a microchip containing information that can be read and authenticated electronically.
The move comes after months of speculation that Kyrgyzstan's inclusion on a U.S. partial travel ban list may have been linked to delays in fully switching to a biometric system.
The State Registration Service (MKK) in Bishkek said on December 18 that new biometric passports made by a German company -- Muhlbauer ID Services GmbH -- will be available starting on January 1.
According to the MKK, the passports will consist of 34 pages and cost citizens just under $5. It says those who frequently travel can obtain a 52-page biometric passport at a cost of about $5.30.
The White House announced in late January that it was suspending the issuance of visas that can lead to permanent residency for citizens of Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Nigeria, Sudan, and Tanzania.
It said the move would not impact nonimmigrant visas for visitors to the United States from the listed countries.
U.S. officials said the six countries had failed to meet U.S. security and information-sharing standards.
Without specifying concerns about each country, Washington noted issues ranging from substandard passport technology to the failure of governments to adequately exchange information about terrorist suspects and convicted criminals.
Weeks before the White House's announcement, media reports said that the United States was planning a total travel ban against citizens from Kyrgyzstan.
At the time, Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Chyngyz Aidarbekov said the lack of biometric passports could have been the reason Kyrgyzstan was included on the list.
Kyrgyzstan had planned to start issuing biometric passports in 2019. But the introduction of the technology was delayed after the Kyrgyz State Committee for National Security (UKMK) canceled the results of a tender on who would produce the documents.
In February 2019, the MKK announced that a Lithuanian company, Garsu Pasaulis, had won the tender.
But in April 2019, the UKMK annulled the decision and launched an investigation into alleged irregularities that bolstered the bid by the Lithuanian firm.