themoscowtimes--2020-06-30--Latvia Bans Russia's RT 'Propaganda' Channels

Latvia 's media watchdog , the National Electronic Media Council ( NEPLP ) , notably banned RT 's main English-language broadcast service , its Spanish and Arabic counterparts , the RT Documentary channel , as well as the HD versions of the programs .
Latvia on Tuesday banned a number of Russia 's RT television channels from being distributed in the Baltic state because of international sanctions against the head of the Russian state television network .
`` These TV programs have been banned because they are controlled and managed by Dmitry Kiselev , who is under EU sanctions for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and territorial integrity , '' said NEPLP chairman Ivars Abolins .
`` The ban will be permanent , unless Russia Today ( the network 's previous name ) fires Kiselov and replaces him with a chief who is not on the EU sanctions list , '' he told AFP .
`` Furthermore , RT is registered in Russia and since its inception in 2005 was an extension of the Kremlin 's information policy and propaganda . ''
Abolins said the network had since been re-registered in Britain for broadcasts in the EU , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` RT 's registration is no longer valid . ''
The NEPLP had previously banned 10 other Russian television channels , including Rossiya RTR , for `` systematic hate speech and warmongering against Ukraine , including open calls to kill Ukrainian citizens . ''
The NEPLP said in a statement that the decision would be implemented this week .

Latvia's media watchdog, the National Electronic Media Council (NEPLP), notably banned RT's main English-language broadcast service, its Spanish and Arabic counterparts, the RT Documentary channel, as well as the HD versions of the programs.
Latvia on Tuesday banned a number of Russia's RT television channels from being distributed in the Baltic state because of international sanctions against the head of the Russian state television network.
"These TV programs have been banned because they are controlled and managed by Dmitry Kiselev, who is under EU sanctions for repeated calls to violate Ukraine's democracy and territorial integrity," said NEPLP chairman Ivars Abolins.
"The ban will be permanent, unless Russia Today (the network's previous name) fires Kiselov and replaces him with a chief who is not on the EU sanctions list," he told AFP.
"Furthermore, RT is registered in Russia and since its inception in 2005 was an extension of the Kremlin's information policy and propaganda."
Abolins said the network had since been re-registered in Britain for broadcasts in the EU, and added that because of Brexit, "RT's registration is no longer valid."
The NEPLP had previously banned 10 other Russian television channels, including Rossiya RTR, for "systematic hate speech and warmongering against Ukraine, including open calls to kill Ukrainian citizens."
The NEPLP said in a statement that the decision would be implemented this week.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-30--Russian Cosmonaut Votes on Putin's Reforms From ISS

The 51-year-old cosmonaut , who came aboard the ISS in April , cast his ballot as part of a weeklong vote to approve constitutional reforms that could extend President Vladimir Putin 's rule , Roscosmos said .
Russian cosmonaut Anatoly Ivanishin became the first person to vote online from the International Space Station on Tuesday , the Russian Space Agency Roscosmos announced .
`` Anatoly Ivanishin has become the first man to have voted online from orbit , '' the Russian space agency said in a statement .
The ballot on changes to Russia 's basic law that ends on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but was postponed as health officials registered a surge in coronavirus cases .
Election officials opened polling stations last week to avoid overcrowding outside voting booths that could lead to an increase in virus infections .
Residents of Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod east of the Russian capital were allowed to vote online and turnout among registered voters was 93 % by Tuesday , election officials said .
Ivanishin is a permanent resident of Moscow , allowing him to participate in the online vote , Roscosmos noted .
Another Russian cosmonaut in orbit , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ via a proxy and a secure communications channel , the Russian space agency said .
The constitutional reforms proposed by Putin earlier this year would reset his presidential term limits , paving the way for him to potentially remain in power until 2036 .
The Kremlin is keen to see a high voter turnout and makeshift polling stations cropped up across the country , including some in buses , tents and on street benches that were ridiculed on social media .
The reforms also enshrine `` faith in God '' and Russian as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ define marriage as between a man and a woman and ban giving away Russian territory or questioning the country 's `` historical truth . ''
Kremlin critics have denounced the vote as a ploy that would allow Putin to become `` president for life . ''

The 51-year-old cosmonaut, who came aboard the ISS in April, cast his ballot as part of a weeklong vote to approve constitutional reforms that could extend President Vladimir Putin's rule, Roscosmos said.
Russian cosmonaut Anatoly Ivanishin became the first person to vote online from the International Space Station on Tuesday, the Russian Space Agency Roscosmos announced.
"Anatoly Ivanishin has become the first man to have voted online from orbit," the Russian space agency said in a statement.
The ballot on changes to Russia's basic law that ends on Wednesday was scheduled for April 22, but was postponed as health officials registered a surge in coronavirus cases.
Election officials opened polling stations last week to avoid overcrowding outside voting booths that could lead to an increase in virus infections.
Residents of Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod east of the Russian capital were allowed to vote online and turnout among registered voters was 93% by Tuesday, election officials said.
Ivanishin is a permanent resident of Moscow, allowing him to participate in the online vote, Roscosmos noted.
Another Russian cosmonaut in orbit, Ivan Vagner, will vote on Wednesday via a proxy and a secure communications channel, the Russian space agency said.
The constitutional reforms proposed by Putin earlier this year would reset his presidential term limits, paving the way for him to potentially remain in power until 2036.
The Kremlin is keen to see a high voter turnout and makeshift polling stations cropped up across the country, including some in buses, tents and on street benches that were ridiculed on social media.
The reforms also enshrine "faith in God" and Russian as the national language in the constitution, define marriage as between a man and a woman and ban giving away Russian territory or questioning the country's "historical truth."
Kremlin critics have denounced the vote as a ploy that would allow Putin to become "president for life."


themoscowtimes--2020-06-30--Journalist Assaulted at Polling Station During Vote on Putin’s Rule

Russian journalist and photographer David Frenkel was injured in an attack at a St. Petersburg polling station during Russia 's vote on controversial constitutional reforms , the Mediazona news website where he works reported Tuesday .
Video footage showed Frenkel screaming in pain as two police officers knocked him to the ground in a crowded hallway after a brief altercation .
Mediazona said the officers attempted to kick out Frenkel , who had arrived after an election monitor complained that they were being forced out as well .
Critics say that Russia ’ s weeklong vote at polling stations , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reason of limiting the spread of the coronavirus — is designed to limit independent observers ’ ability to track voter fraud .
Among other changes , the amendments to the Russian Constitution pave the way for President Vladimir Putin to extend his 20-year rule over Russia into 2036 .
Exit polls have shown strong support for the estimated 200 amendments , which in addition to resetting presidential term limits enshrine a ban on gay marriage , a belief in God and social welfare guarantees .
Doctors reportedly diagnosed Frenkel with a fractured arm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to move it .
An election observer who also allegedly attacked Frenkel said the journalist fell and broke his arm himself .
“ Thanks to all the friends and colleagues for your support .
I can ’ t keep up answering with one hand , I feel bad , ” Frenkel tweeted .
Mediazona later quoted St. Petersburg police as saying that their officers did n't injure Frenkel and that the officers had removed him from the polling place `` in a lawful manner . ''
News of the altercation comes as Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Voice ) said it has received more than 1,500 complaints in five days , around half of which it said bore signs of violations .
In addition to abusing authority and resisting independent monitoring , Golos said the complaints involved carousel voting and claims that employers pressure their workers to vote .
Putin ’ s Human Rights Council said 92 % of Golos ’ claims were fake while Russia ’ s election chief accused Golos of “ degrading ” and “ becoming toxic.
” Turnout for the plebiscite has neared 50 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the official July 1 vote .

Russian journalist and photographer David Frenkel was injured in an attack at a St. Petersburg polling station during Russia's vote on controversial constitutional reforms, the Mediazona news website where he works reported Tuesday. Video footage showed Frenkel screaming in pain as two police officers knocked him to the ground in a crowded hallway after a brief altercation. Mediazona said the officers attempted to kick out Frenkel, who had arrived after an election monitor complained that they were being forced out as well.
Нашему корреспонденту Давиду Френкелю диагностировали перелом. Видео нападения: телеканал «Дождь»https://t.co/QgmosOg8lM pic.twitter.com/ReeVd2LVJD — Медиазона (@mediazzzona) June 30, 2020
Critics say that Russia’s weeklong vote at polling stations, homes and online — for the stated reason of limiting the spread of the coronavirus — is designed to limit independent observers’ ability to track voter fraud. Among other changes, the amendments to the Russian Constitution pave the way for President Vladimir Putin to extend his 20-year rule over Russia into 2036. Exit polls have shown strong support for the estimated 200 amendments, which in addition to resetting presidential term limits enshrine a ban on gay marriage, a belief in God and social welfare guarantees. Doctors reportedly diagnosed Frenkel with a fractured arm and he has said he is unable to move it. An election observer who also allegedly attacked Frenkel said the journalist fell and broke his arm himself. “Thanks to all the friends and colleagues for your support. I can’t keep up answering with one hand, I feel bad,” Frenkel tweeted. Mediazona later quoted St. Petersburg police as saying that their officers didn't injure Frenkel and that the officers had removed him from the polling place "in a lawful manner."
Спасибо всем друзьям и коллегам, и кто пишет за поддержку. Не успеваю всем отвечать одной рукой, плохо себя чувствую — Dave Frenkel (@merr1k) June 30, 2020


themoscowtimes--2020-06-30--Russian Arctic Sets 'Fantastical' Heat Records: Weather Chief

Russia 's northern territories , including parts of the republic of Sakha which borders the Arctic Ocean , have faced a heat wave in recent weeks , and villages in the remote tundra are battling wildfires with some districts declaring a state of emergency .
The Russian Arctic set record temperatures in June that sparked abnormal tundra fires , the head of Russia 's weather service said Tuesday , blaming climate change for the `` fantastical '' anomalies .
`` We had extremely anomalous weather '' in June , Roman Vilfand said , adding that `` previous records were broken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in particular in the Arctic town of Verkhoyansk , where temperatures reached 38 degrees Celsius ( 100 degrees Fahrenheit ) on June 17 .
`` That is a fantastical degree , '' Vilfand said at a press conference , noting that Verkhoyansk previously set the record for the lowest temperature with minus 67.8 degrees Celsius .
Vilfand said the trend of hotter temperatures and sunnier weather was caused by climate change and a change in atmospheric circulation , with polar anticyclones — phenomena that bring sunny skies — becoming more frequent .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ causes the ground to heat up during the Arctic summer , he said .
Previously `` meteorologists did n't note fire hazardous situations in the polar regions often , '' he said , but this is now changing due to these patterns .
`` It 's an astonishing situation .
Anticyclones happen more and more often and you can never predict where they are going to occur , '' he said .
`` This is the most important problem of climate change and a result of climate change . ''
The resulting fires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ash darkens the surface of ice that previously reflected the sun , causing it to melt instead , Vilfand said .
Russia is warming 2.5 times faster than the rest of the world due to its vast Arctic territories .
Though President Vladimir Putin has noted the benefits of warmer temperatures opening up transportation routes and energy resources , climate change is a huge hazard for the country 's infrastructure built on permafrost .
Russia also struggles with wildfires in its remote taiga every summer as well as catastrophic floods .

Russia's northern territories, including parts of the republic of Sakha which borders the Arctic Ocean, have faced a heat wave in recent weeks, and villages in the remote tundra are battling wildfires with some districts declaring a state of emergency.
The Russian Arctic set record temperatures in June that sparked abnormal tundra fires, the head of Russia's weather service said Tuesday, blaming climate change for the "fantastical" anomalies.
"We had extremely anomalous weather" in June, Roman Vilfand said, adding that "previous records were broken easily."
He noted one record in particular in the Arctic town of Verkhoyansk, where temperatures reached 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit) on June 17.
"That is a fantastical degree," Vilfand said at a press conference, noting that Verkhoyansk previously set the record for the lowest temperature with minus 67.8 degrees Celsius.
Vilfand said the trend of hotter temperatures and sunnier weather was caused by climate change and a change in atmospheric circulation, with polar anticyclones — phenomena that bring sunny skies — becoming more frequent.
The lack of clouds, in turn, causes the ground to heat up during the Arctic summer, he said.
Previously "meteorologists didn't note fire hazardous situations in the polar regions often," he said, but this is now changing due to these patterns.
"It's an astonishing situation. Anticyclones happen more and more often and you can never predict where they are going to occur," he said.
"This is the most important problem of climate change and a result of climate change."
The resulting fires contribute to the cycle of warming since ash darkens the surface of ice that previously reflected the sun, causing it to melt instead, Vilfand said.
Russia is warming 2.5 times faster than the rest of the world due to its vast Arctic territories.
Though President Vladimir Putin has noted the benefits of warmer temperatures opening up transportation routes and energy resources, climate change is a huge hazard for the country's infrastructure built on permafrost.
Russia also struggles with wildfires in its remote taiga every summer as well as catastrophic floods.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-30--‘100% Bullsh*t’: Russia Blasts Reports of Taliban Bounties for Killed U.S. Troops

Since the story first broke Friday , several American and British media outlets have reported on the U.S. intelligence conclusion that Russia offered cash incentives for dead U.S. troops in Afghanistan .
The reports cite anonymous senior officials as their sources .
Russian officials have blasted a New York Times report on alleged Russian bounties offered to Taliban-linked militants in exchange for killing American troops in Afghanistan .
The mushrooming scandal comes as U.S. President Donald Trump tries to withdraw troops from the conflict-torn country — one of the Taliban 's key demands — and end America 's longest war @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the matter , contradicting The New York Times ' report which says he was briefed in March .
Here ’ s how key Russian officials and diplomats have reacted to the story : “ Maybe I can sound a little rude , but this is 100 % bullsh*t. ” “ As far as I ’ m concerned , none of America ’ s representatives has ever raised this question against Russian representatives.
” “ Too much hype is being created around outright fake news .
...
I consider it disgraceful for us to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lies.
” “ It ’ s clear that there are forces in the United States that don ’ t want to leave Afghanistan , who want to justify their own failure .
That 's what it 's all about.
” “ Baseless and anonymous accusations of Moscow as mastermind behind [ the ] killing of U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan have already led to direct threats to the life of employees of the Russian Embassies in Washington D.C. and London.
” “ The simple attack clearly illustrates the low intellectual abilities of American intelligence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this nonsense instead of inventing something more reliable.
” “ What else can you expect from intelligence that failed the 20-year war in Afghanistan with a bang.
” “ Speaking of well-known facts , it ’ s long been an open secret that members of the American intelligence community in Afghanistan are involved in drug trafficking… [ They ] don ’ t like the fact that our and their diplomats are jointly helping to launch peace talks between Kabul and the Taliban .
Their feelings are clear , they don ’ t want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ All these attacks , which can ’ t be called otherwise , have the same signature : Our country is charged with certain actions with reference to anonymous sources .
There are no arguments or concrete data , not the slightest bit of evidence .
In other words , these are outright lies .
”

Since the story first broke Friday, several American and British media outlets have reported on the U.S. intelligence conclusion that Russia offered cash incentives for dead U.S. troops in Afghanistan. The reports cite anonymous senior officials as their sources.
Russian officials have blasted a New York Times report on alleged Russian bounties offered to Taliban-linked militants in exchange for killing American troops in Afghanistan.
The mushrooming scandal comes as U.S. President Donald Trump tries to withdraw troops from the conflict-torn country — one of the Taliban's key demands — and end America's longest war. Trump has denied being briefed on the matter, contradicting The New York Times' report which says he was briefed in March.
Here’s how key Russian officials and diplomats have reacted to the story:
— Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov:
“Maybe I can sound a little rude, but this is 100% bullsh*t.”
“As far as I’m concerned, none of America’s representatives has ever raised this question against Russian representatives.”
— Presidential envoy to Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov:
“Too much hype is being created around outright fake news. ... I consider it disgraceful for us to spend too much time commenting on blatant lies.”
“It’s clear that there are forces in the United States that don’t want to leave Afghanistan, who want to justify their own failure. That's what it's all about.”
— Russian Embassy in the United States:
“Baseless and anonymous accusations of Moscow as mastermind behind [the] killing of U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan have already led to direct threats to the life of employees of the Russian Embassies in Washington D.C. and London.”
— Russian Foreign Ministry:
“The simple attack clearly illustrates the low intellectual abilities of American intelligence propagandists who have to come up with this nonsense instead of inventing something more reliable.”
“What else can you expect from intelligence that failed the 20-year war in Afghanistan with a bang.”
“Speaking of well-known facts, it’s long been an open secret that members of the American intelligence community in Afghanistan are involved in drug trafficking… [They] don’t like the fact that our and their diplomats are jointly helping to launch peace talks between Kabul and the Taliban. Their feelings are clear, they don’t want to lose this source of income.”
— Russian Embassy in the United Kingdom:
“All these attacks, which can’t be called otherwise, have the same signature: Our country is charged with certain actions with reference to anonymous sources. There are no arguments or concrete data, not the slightest bit of evidence. In other words, these are outright lies.”


themoscowtimes--2020-06-30--Putin Urges Russians to Back 'Stability, Security, Prosperity' in Vote

In a televised address before the week-long ballot ends on Wednesday , Putin said Russians should vote for the country `` we want to pass on to our children '' but made no mention of a controversial amendment that would allow him to potentially stay in power until 2036 .
President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday urged Russians to take part in a nationwide vote on constitutional reforms to ensure `` stability , security and prosperity . ''
Russians began voting last week on the package of constitutional changes proposed by Putin , including a reset of presidential term limits that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after his current six-year term ends in 2024 .
Other amendments would strengthen presidential and parliamentary powers , enshrine traditional values including an effective ban on gay marriage and guarantee better minimum wages and pensions .
`` We are voting for the country in which we want to live , with modern education and health care , with reliable social protection of citizens , with an effective government that is accountable to society , '' Putin said .
`` We are voting for the country ... we want to pass on to our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two houses of parliament have already approved the amendments but Putin reiterated they would only take effect if supported by a majority of voters .
`` We can ensure stability , security , prosperity and a decent life only through development , only together and by ourselves , '' he said .
Putin , who was first elected president in 2000 , announced the reforms earlier this year , after winning re-election with an overwhelming majority in 2018 .
The amendment resetting presidential terms was a last-minute addition before lawmakers voted on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seeking to become `` president for life . ''
Initially planned for April 22 , the vote was postponed by the coronavirus outbreak but rescheduled after Putin said the epidemic had peaked and officials began reporting lower numbers of new cases .
There is little doubt the reforms will be approved , with a state-run exit poll of more than 163,000 voters this week showing 76 % in favor .
Kremlin opponents have denounced the vote as a farce and accused the government of risking lives by going ahead with it as Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Government advertisements urging Russians to vote have played up the patriotic and populist measures but not mentioned the presidential term reset .

In a televised address before the week-long ballot ends on Wednesday, Putin said Russians should vote for the country "we want to pass on to our children" but made no mention of a controversial amendment that would allow him to potentially stay in power until 2036.
President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday urged Russians to take part in a nationwide vote on constitutional reforms to ensure "stability, security and prosperity."
Russians began voting last week on the package of constitutional changes proposed by Putin, including a reset of presidential term limits that would allow him to run twice again after his current six-year term ends in 2024.
Other amendments would strengthen presidential and parliamentary powers, enshrine traditional values including an effective ban on gay marriage and guarantee better minimum wages and pensions.
"We are voting for the country in which we want to live, with modern education and health care, with reliable social protection of citizens, with an effective government that is accountable to society," Putin said.
"We are voting for the country... we want to pass on to our children and grandchildren."
'President for life'
Russia's two houses of parliament have already approved the amendments but Putin reiterated they would only take effect if supported by a majority of voters.
"We can ensure stability, security, prosperity and a decent life only through development, only together and by ourselves," he said.
Putin, who was first elected president in 2000, announced the reforms earlier this year, after winning re-election with an overwhelming majority in 2018.
The amendment resetting presidential terms was a last-minute addition before lawmakers voted on the reforms, with critics accusing Putin of seeking to become "president for life."
Initially planned for April 22, the vote was postponed by the coronavirus outbreak but rescheduled after Putin said the epidemic had peaked and officials began reporting lower numbers of new cases.
There is little doubt the reforms will be approved, with a state-run exit poll of more than 163,000 voters this week showing 76% in favor.
Kremlin opponents have denounced the vote as a farce and accused the government of risking lives by going ahead with it as Russia continues to record new coronavirus cases.
Government advertisements urging Russians to vote have played up the patriotic and populist measures but not mentioned the presidential term reset.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-30--American Teacher Jailed in Russia for Cleaning Product Purchase Returns to U.S.

Gaylen Grandstaff , 55 , who with his Russian wife had taught English in Russia since 2011 , was arrested in June 2017 in Moscow on suspicion of smuggling after he ordered detergent containing the banned substance .
He faced up to 20 years in prison before the court unexpectedly released him in June 2019 .
An American teacher who spent almost two years in a Russian jail for buying a cleaning product containing a banned chemical has flown back to the United States , ABC News has reported .
Grandstaff left Russia on or around April 9 , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with ABC News from London 's Heathrow Airport .
In a video interview last week , Grandstaff said his charter flight back home came at short notice .
A U.S. Embassy official in Moscow contacted him by phone shortly before a flight for repatriating Americans seeking to go home during the coronavirus pandemic .
“ I almost got tears when I saw New York City , ” Grandstaff said .
Grandstaff ’ s lawyer Anton Omelchenko told the state-run TASS news agency that his client left Russia `` officially and legally . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ exit visa for him , '' Omelchenko was quoted as saying .
He added that the Russian court had no plans yet to dismiss the criminal case against Grandstaff .
`` If the criminal proceedings against him in Russia are stopped ... he might return to his wife , who so far has been unable to reunite with him due to the pandemic , '' Omelchenko said .
In the ABC News interview , Grandstaff said his wife Anna ’ s U.S. visa had expired a few days before his flight .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be relentless in pursuing her documentation to emigrate here .
I haven ’ t stopped trying and I won ’ t stop trying , ” he said .

Gaylen Grandstaff, 55, who with his Russian wife had taught English in Russia since 2011, was arrested in June 2017 in Moscow on suspicion of smuggling after he ordered detergent containing the banned substance. He faced up to 20 years in prison before the court unexpectedly released him in June 2019.
An American teacher who spent almost two years in a Russian jail for buying a cleaning product containing a banned chemical has flown back to the United States, ABC News has reported.
Grandstaff left Russia on or around April 9, according to the date of his phone call with ABC News from London's Heathrow Airport.
In a video interview last week, Grandstaff said his charter flight back home came at short notice. A U.S. Embassy official in Moscow contacted him by phone shortly before a flight for repatriating Americans seeking to go home during the coronavirus pandemic.
“I almost got tears when I saw New York City,” Grandstaff said.
Grandstaff’s lawyer Anton Omelchenko told the state-run TASS news agency that his client left Russia "officially and legally."
"The Russian authorities have issued an exit visa for him," Omelchenko was quoted as saying.
He added that the Russian court had no plans yet to dismiss the criminal case against Grandstaff.
"If the criminal proceedings against him in Russia are stopped... he might return to his wife, who so far has been unable to reunite with him due to the pandemic," Omelchenko said.
In the ABC News interview, Grandstaff said his wife Anna’s U.S. visa had expired a few days before his flight.
“She knows that I’m going to be relentless in pursuing her documentation to emigrate here. I haven’t stopped trying and I won’t stop trying,” he said.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-30--Moscow Oil Spill Triggers 1,000-Fold Pollution Surge

The agency , Rosvodoresursy , said it first discovered petroleum products on June 25 in a river that flows into the Khimki Reservoir 15 kilometers northwest of Moscow .
It said it believes a storm drain run by a municipal company may be the source of the spill .
An oil spill north of Moscow has caused a 1,000-fold increase in pollution levels at a reservoir that supplies water to Russia ’ s capital , the Federal Water Resources Agency said Monday .
“ Lab samples by the Moscow Oka Basin Water Management Office showed excess concentration by more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ levels ] , ” the agency said in a statement .
Rosvodoresursy said fish and birds have died from lack of oxygen as a result of the spill .
The oil slick at Butakovsky Bay in the Khimki Reservoir has increased in size from 900 square meters to 22,900 square meters since being first discovered Thursday .
Rosvodoresursy said it has installed booms stretching 400 meters as part of an interagency cleanup effort .
Lab chief Vakhtang Astakhov blamed the municipal storm drain company Khimvodostok for failing to install waste treatment equipment despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the court decision would have prevented or minimized the contamination of Moscow ’ s drinking water reservoir , ” Astakhov said in the Federal Water Resources Agency ’ s statement .
“ Now , our experts are working around the clock to remove the oil spill and rehabilitate the area.
” “ In the future , Rosvodoresursy will consider seeking compensation for damage and the funds spent on the clean-up from the identified culprit of the water pollution , ” the agency said .
News of the Butakovsky Bay spill comes a month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spilled into the waterways and soil near the city of Norilsk 3,000 kilometers northeast of Moscow .

The agency, Rosvodoresursy, said it first discovered petroleum products on June 25 in a river that flows into the Khimki Reservoir 15 kilometers northwest of Moscow. It said it believes a storm drain run by a municipal company may be the source of the spill.
An oil spill north of Moscow has caused a 1,000-fold increase in pollution levels at a reservoir that supplies water to Russia’s capital, the Federal Water Resources Agency said Monday.
“Lab samples by the Moscow Oka Basin Water Management Office showed excess concentration by more than 1,000 times of permissible petroleum product [levels],” the agency said in a statement.
Rosvodoresursy said fish and birds have died from lack of oxygen as a result of the spill.
The oil slick at Butakovsky Bay in the Khimki Reservoir has increased in size from 900 square meters to 22,900 square meters since being first discovered Thursday. Rosvodoresursy said it has installed booms stretching 400 meters as part of an interagency cleanup effort.
Lab chief Vakhtang Astakhov blamed the municipal storm drain company Khimvodostok for failing to install waste treatment equipment despite a 2018 court order.
“Enforcing the court decision would have prevented or minimized the contamination of Moscow’s drinking water reservoir,” Astakhov said in the Federal Water Resources Agency’s statement. “Now, our experts are working around the clock to remove the oil spill and rehabilitate the area.”
“In the future, Rosvodoresursy will consider seeking compensation for damage and the funds spent on the clean-up from the identified culprit of the water pollution,” the agency said.
News of the Butakovsky Bay spill comes a month after 21,000 metric tons of diesel fuel spilled into the waterways and soil near the city of Norilsk 3,000 kilometers northeast of Moscow.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-30--Moscow’s Tour Guides Pray for Miracle as Summer Season Ebbs Away

As countries across Europe gradually ease their coronavirus restrictions , photos of near empty city centers usually awash with tourists at this time of year have flashed across social media .
While not as prone to summer influxes as the likes of Rome , Prague or Barcelona , Moscow is still being affected by the global travel crash .
Russia ’ s borders remain tightly closed to foreigners , and with no clues as to when the country will reopen , the capital ’ s tour guides and travel agents are bracing for a full year of lost earnings .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Mariya Kotova , who has been a tour guide showing foreign visitors around Moscow for the last 15 years .
“ Nobody knows when the borders will be opened .
There will be no season , no jobs and no tourists .
The perspectives are really grim .
If any tourists come it will be a gift — a miracle.
” The United Nations ’ World Tourism Organization has said this year will be “ by far the worst crisis ” for global tourism since records began in the 1950s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 60 % and 80 % in international arrivals , and a $ 1 trillion hit to global tourism spending — more than 10 times the impact of the 2008-2009 financial crisis .
Following the success of the 2018 World Cup , Russia has sought to boost its image as a must-visit tourist destination .
The number of foreign tourists jumped 20 % last year to pass five million , according to data from Russia ’ s Federal Security Service ( FSB ) , while the country brought in $ 11 billion in spending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Legislation is currently working its way through Russia ’ s parliament that will expand the simplified e-visa regime already in place for St. Petersburg , Kaliningrad and the Far East , to the rest of the country from next year , cutting visa bureaucracy for citizens of 53 countries from 2021 .
But to tour guides 2021 feels very far away , and caught between the cracks of Russia ’ s economic response to the coronavirus and rigid labor rules , many of them say they are facing a critical situation right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freelance basis , meaning they have been unable to benefit from Russia ’ s strict labor rules which make it hard for firms to fire permanent employees even in financial crises .
That status also complicates their access to government handouts designed to support people out of work as a result of the pandemic .
Kotova says some of her colleagues are able to get support of 12,130 rubles per month ( $ 172 ) , but only after overcoming arduous bureaucracy .
Faced with lengthy procedures and high failure rates many , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apply .
Regulation is also creating problems for those in the industry looking for a new gig .
Aleksey Cherkasov — another Moscow guide who suddenly found himself out of work — says he needs a new job “ to survive , ” but pointed to strict licensing rules which means he can ’ t just switch to working with domestic tourists .
Both he and Kotova are officially registered as “ guide-interpreters ” — guides who are licensed to conduct tours in a specific foreign language , such as English or Chinese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working in Russian with Russian tourists .
While Russian-speaking guides “ expect an increase in the local market , we , as guide-interpreters , have no jobs at all , ” Cherkasov said .
Some guides are turning their hand to language tuition , although the economic climate is not on the side of job hunters .
Despite tight labor laws , Russia ’ s official unemployment rate has jumped 350 % since the start of the crisis , Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said Monday , while economists say the hit to living @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of lost income growth since the start of Russia ’ s last economic crisis in 2014 .
The desperate picture in the parts of Russia ’ s tourism industry that rely on foreign visitors exposes the shortfalls of Russia ’ s economic response to the coronavirus .
For businesses , measures such as low-interest loans have been focused on the country ’ s biggest employers , while for households , payouts have been dished out through the child welfare system , to reward families with young children .
Tour agents worry they could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the most important period of the year , leaving them heading into winter in a precarious position .
“ If you lose the summer , you lose the year , ” said Olga Sitnik , cofounder of private tour agency ExploRussia .
“ During a usual year , you live from season to season .
In spring , bookings start coming in for late summer , and you use this money for your current operations — to pay rents and salaries , ” she added .
By the time customers started @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as trips on the trans-siberian railway , in March and April , she had already spent half of it .
“ We ’ re asking them not to cancel , but to postpone their trips .
But many people are in the same position — they just need their money , ” Sitnik said .
Even if Russia were to open its borders later in the summer , it would be unlikely to lead to a sustained spike in tourist arrivals .
“ Russia has never been a last minute destination , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agent Artel Troika told The Moscow Times , estimating losses this summer to hit 90 % of last year ’ s takings .
Sitnik agreed .
“ It is usually a very long decision-making process for a person to come to Russia .
You can not make a decision like , ‘ let ’ s go to Russia for the weekend.
’ ” Some agencies have tried to switch to online tourism to plug the hole in their finances and keep busy during the pandemic .
ExploRussia has started running online cooking classes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as well as guided tours of traditional Siberian houses and villages to connect with would-be travellers from Europe and the U.S. Another company — Moscow Private Tours , which usually runs 2,000 excursions a year — this week launched paid online guided tours through the center of Moscow .
But even this creativity can ’ t replace stable income from well-heeled foreign tourists , its pioneers admit .
“ The market is not really there .
I ’ m not sure I can earn like that .
I can have fun from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s not something that will give us business , ” said Sitnik .
For those without a financial safety net — around 60 % of Russians , according to a survey conducted on the eve of the pandemic — a summer without physical tourists is a scary prospect .
Kotova , who has had to borrow money to get by , says she has gone from living a comfortable middle class lifestyle to seeing her income wiped out .
“ The situation is pretty critical .
It ’ s basically like in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fallen apart and now you need to figure out how to survive .
”

As countries across Europe gradually ease their coronavirus restrictions, photos of near empty city centers usually awash with tourists at this time of year have flashed across social media. While not as prone to summer influxes as the likes of Rome, Prague or Barcelona, Moscow is still being affected by the global travel crash. Russia’s borders remain tightly closed to foreigners, and with no clues as to when the country will reopen, the capital’s tour guides and travel agents are bracing for a full year of lost earnings. “Since March, we are jobless,” said Mariya Kotova, who has been a tour guide showing foreign visitors around Moscow for the last 15 years. “Nobody knows when the borders will be opened. There will be no season, no jobs and no tourists. The perspectives are really grim. If any tourists come it will be a gift — a miracle.” The United Nations’ World Tourism Organization has said this year will be “by far the worst crisis” for global tourism since records began in the 1950s. It predicts a fall of between 60% and 80% in international arrivals, and a $1 trillion hit to global tourism spending — more than 10 times the impact of the 2008-2009 financial crisis. Following the success of the 2018 World Cup, Russia has sought to boost its image as a must-visit tourist destination. The number of foreign tourists jumped 20% last year to pass five million, according to data from Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), while the country brought in $11 billion in spending from foreign travellers, UN data shows.
Locals across Europe may rejoice at fewer tourists crowding city streets, but for those who make a living from foreign travellers, the coronavirus could spell financial ruin. Andrei Lyubimov / Moskva News Agency
Legislation is currently working its way through Russia’s parliament that will expand the simplified e-visa regime already in place for St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad and the Far East, to the rest of the country from next year, cutting visa bureaucracy for citizens of 53 countries from 2021. But to tour guides 2021 feels very far away, and caught between the cracks of Russia’s economic response to the coronavirus and rigid labor rules, many of them say they are facing a critical situation right now. Guides often work on a freelance basis, meaning they have been unable to benefit from Russia’s strict labor rules which make it hard for firms to fire permanent employees even in financial crises. That status also complicates their access to government handouts designed to support people out of work as a result of the pandemic. Kotova says some of her colleagues are able to get support of 12,130 rubles per month ($172), but only after overcoming arduous bureaucracy. Faced with lengthy procedures and high failure rates many, including her, opted not even to apply. Regulation is also creating problems for those in the industry looking for a new gig. Aleksey Cherkasov — another Moscow guide who suddenly found himself out of work — says he needs a new job “to survive,” but pointed to strict licensing rules which means he can’t just switch to working with domestic tourists. Both he and Kotova are officially registered as “guide-interpreters” — guides who are licensed to conduct tours in a specific foreign language, such as English or Chinese. It means they are prohibited from working in Russian with Russian tourists. While Russian-speaking guides “expect an increase in the local market, we, as guide-interpreters, have no jobs at all,” Cherkasov said.
Some guides are turning their hand to language tuition, although the economic climate is not on the side of job hunters. Despite tight labor laws, Russia’s official unemployment rate has jumped 350% since the start of the crisis, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said Monday, while economists say the hit to living standards could lead to almost a decade of lost income growth since the start of Russia’s last economic crisis in 2014. The desperate picture in the parts of Russia’s tourism industry that rely on foreign visitors exposes the shortfalls of Russia’s economic response to the coronavirus. For businesses, measures such as low-interest loans have been focused on the country’s biggest employers, while for households, payouts have been dished out through the child welfare system, to reward families with young children. Tour agents worry they could miss out on both important government support, and the most important period of the year, leaving them heading into winter in a precarious position. “If you lose the summer, you lose the year,” said Olga Sitnik, cofounder of private tour agency ExploRussia. “During a usual year, you live from season to season. In spring, bookings start coming in for late summer, and you use this money for your current operations — to pay rents and salaries,” she added. By the time customers started requesting refunds for their summer tours, such as trips on the trans-siberian railway, in March and April, she had already spent half of it. “We’re asking them not to cancel, but to postpone their trips. But many people are in the same position — they just need their money,” Sitnik said. Even if Russia were to open its borders later in the summer, it would be unlikely to lead to a sustained spike in tourist arrivals.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-30--Serbian Defense Chief Tests Positive for Virus After Moscow Visit

Defense Minister Aleksandar Vulin went into self-isolation after testing positive for Covid-19 , Serbia ’ s defense ministry said in a statement Saturday .
He visited Serbian troops in Moscow last Tuesday and was scheduled to attend the Victory Day parade on Red Square at the invitation of his Russian counterpart the next day .
Serbia ’ s defense chief who was scheduled to attend Russia ’ s massive World War II parade in Moscow last week has been diagnosed with coronavirus , the Serbian government has said .
Russian President Vladimir Putin oversaw the June 24 parade of tanks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany .
The traditional May 9 commemoration had been postponed due to the coronavirus .
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met Putin in the Kremlin the day before the celebrations and also attended the Red Square parade , where he was seated next to veterans and leaders of post-Soviet states invited as guests .
He was not reported to be among the Serbian officials who were infected with coronavirus .
The president of Kyrgyzstan , Sooronbay Jeenbekov , sat out the Red Square parade after two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 upon arrival in Moscow .
More members of his administration became infected days later .
Serbia reined in its first Covid-19 outbreak in early May , shedding its lockdown measures to allow sporting events and national elections to go ahead in June .
Reported infections have risen markedly since the June 21 election , with several officials recently testing positive and the daily caseload exceeding 200 cases compared to around 50 in May .
Russia has the world ’ s third-highest coronavirus caseload with 641,156 infections .
Serbia has confirmed 14,288 cases @

Defense Minister Aleksandar Vulin went into self-isolation after testing positive for Covid-19, Serbia’s defense ministry said in a statement Saturday. He visited Serbian troops in Moscow last Tuesday and was scheduled to attend the Victory Day parade on Red Square at the invitation of his Russian counterpart the next day.
Serbia’s defense chief who was scheduled to attend Russia’s massive World War II parade in Moscow last week has been diagnosed with coronavirus, the Serbian government has said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin oversaw the June 24 parade of tanks, warplanes and troops to mark the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany. The traditional May 9 commemoration had been postponed due to the coronavirus.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met Putin in the Kremlin the day before the celebrations and also attended the Red Square parade, where he was seated next to veterans and leaders of post-Soviet states invited as guests. He was not reported to be among the Serbian officials who were infected with coronavirus.
The president of Kyrgyzstan, Sooronbay Jeenbekov, sat out the Red Square parade after two members of his delegation tested positive for Covid-19 upon arrival in Moscow. More members of his administration became infected days later.
Serbia reined in its first Covid-19 outbreak in early May, shedding its lockdown measures to allow sporting events and national elections to go ahead in June. Reported infections have risen markedly since the June 21 election, with several officials recently testing positive and the daily caseload exceeding 200 cases compared to around 50 in May.
Russia has the world’s third-highest coronavirus caseload with 641,156 infections. Serbia has confirmed 14,288 cases.
AFP contributed reporting to this article.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-29--Russia to Offer Simplified E-Visas to Tourists From 53 Countries in 2021

Russia has previously introduced simplified e-visas for visitors to St. Petersburg , Kaliningrad and the Far East .
While Russia closed its borders and stopped issuing visas to foreigners in March due to the coronavirus , tourism officials hope the e-visa expansion will inject much-needed revenue to a sector hit hard by the pandemic .
Russian lawmakers have passed legislation that will allow foreign tourists from 53 countries to visit Russia with an electronic visa starting next year , the Kommersant business daily reported Monday .
Under the new regulations , citizens of 53 countries , including EU member states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Turkey , will be able to obtain 16-day , single-entry tourist visas online from Jan. 1 , 2021 , Kommersant reported .
Foreigners will be asked to apply on the Russian Foreign Ministry website for the visas , which will be issued no more than four days after applying and will be valid for 60 days after issuance .
The visas will cost about $ 50 for adults and will be free for children aged 6 and under .
The State Duma , Russia ’ s lower house of parliament , passed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Kommersant reported .
Deputy Foreign Minister Yevgeny Ivanov told Kommersant that the draft regulations will be submitted to the Russian government by July 18 .
Russia 's Federal Tourist Agency , Rostourism , previously recommended offering the e-visas at no cost to help the tourism sector recover from the coronavirus crisis .
The agency also suggested extending proposed e-visas from 16 days to 90-120 days and making them multiple-entry .
Ivanov said these changes should be introduced gradually to prevent illegal migration , pointing to more than 2,000 foreigners who have stayed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 football World Cup under a visa waiver program .
He added that the visa fees are needed in order to prevent attempts to manipulate and overload the Foreign Ministry 's database .
Russia could potentially change the e-visa program to allow multiple entries and expand their periods of validity to one or five years in the future , he said .
Russia could also someday add Britain , the U.S. and Canada to the list of countries whose citizens are eligible for e-visas “ if visa dialogue with these states normalizes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While it ’ s still unclear when Russia ’ s embassies and consulates abroad will reopen after closing down due to the coronavirus , diplomatic officials are already preparing to resume their work , Kommersant reported .

Russia has previously introduced simplified e-visas for visitors to St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad and the Far East. While Russia closed its borders and stopped issuing visas to foreigners in March due to the coronavirus, tourism officials hope the e-visa expansion will inject much-needed revenue to a sector hit hard by the pandemic.
Russian lawmakers have passed legislation that will allow foreign tourists from 53 countries to visit Russia with an electronic visa starting next year, the Kommersant business daily reported Monday.
Under the new regulations, citizens of 53 countries, including EU member states, China, Japan, India and Turkey, will be able to obtain 16-day, single-entry tourist visas online from Jan. 1, 2021, Kommersant reported.
Foreigners will be asked to apply on the Russian Foreign Ministry website for the visas, which will be issued no more than four days after applying and will be valid for 60 days after issuance. The visas will cost about $50 for adults and will be free for children aged 6 and under.
The State Duma, Russia’s lower house of parliament, passed the legislation in its first reading last week, Kommersant reported.
Deputy Foreign Minister Yevgeny Ivanov told Kommersant that the draft regulations will be submitted to the Russian government by July 18.
Russia's Federal Tourist Agency, Rostourism, previously recommended offering the e-visas at no cost to help the tourism sector recover from the coronavirus crisis. The agency also suggested extending proposed e-visas from 16 days to 90-120 days and making them multiple-entry.
Ivanov said these changes should be introduced gradually to prevent illegal migration, pointing to more than 2,000 foreigners who have stayed in Russia illegally after arriving for the 2018 football World Cup under a visa waiver program. He added that the visa fees are needed in order to prevent attempts to manipulate and overload the Foreign Ministry's database.
Russia could potentially change the e-visa program to allow multiple entries and expand their periods of validity to one or five years in the future, he said.
Russia could also someday add Britain, the U.S. and Canada to the list of countries whose citizens are eligible for e-visas “if visa dialogue with these states normalizes,” Ivanov said earlier this year.
While it’s still unclear when Russia’s embassies and consulates abroad will reopen after closing down due to the coronavirus, diplomatic officials are already preparing to resume their work, Kommersant reported.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-26--As Russia’s Constitution Reform Vote Kicks Off, Election Watchdog Decries ‘Manipulative’ Process

During a company-wide meeting this month at Moscow-region state-run television station Yegoryevsk Today , the chief editor issued a directive .
Staffers were to de-register from the polling stations where they usually vote and re-register at the one in the town of Yegoryevsk .
“ There you can do what you wish , but tomorrow you need to be on my list , ” a woman who is purportedly the editor can be heard telling her staff — some of whom grumble audibly — in a recording sent to the independent election monitoring organization Golos , or Voice .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m just warning you .
Especially during a pandemic : no bonus , no job.
” “ We all live under this government and sometimes we have to step on our own throats , ” she adds .
On Thursday , polls opened nationwide for a vote on amendments to Russia ’ s Constitution , one of which could hand President Vladimir Putin , who was first elected in 2000 , the opportunity to remain in office until 2036 .
Voting on the package of amendments — yes or no to all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 , which Putin has declared a national holiday to allow Russians to head to polling stations throughout the day .
But ahead of the referendum , which needs more than 50 % yes votes to pass the amendments , Golos warned that the voting procedure may not be entirely free .
In an interview this week , Grigory Melkonyants , a co-chairman of the group , described the vote as the “ most manipulative ” and “ least transparent ” in the country ’ s history — aside from elections during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Soviet Union in 1991 .
“ We ’ ve never had this many complaints from people telling us they are being pressured to vote , ” Melkonyants said , referring to a common practice ahead of elections in Russia , which is nonetheless forbidden by law .
Evidence that companies are mobilizing their employees ahead of the vote has surfaced in recent days , including complaints from librarians at state-run libraries in St. Petersburg and doctors treating coronavirus patients in Arkhangelsk in Russia ’ s north and Vladivostok in the Far East @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week .
Not only are companies mobilizing their employees to vote , they are also working to track them to ensure that they have voted , as appears to be the case with Yegoryevsk Today .
This week , Reuters found a scheme assigning QR codes to people lured to register to vote by the opportunity to win a car or an apartment in a polling station raffle , while the Meduza news website reported that some companies are getting the QR codes not just from voluntary raffle signups , but by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a website .
A high turnout would improve the already high chances of the constitutional overhaul passing , analysts say .
According to pre-referendum polling by the state-run VtSIOM pollster , between 67 and 71 % of Russians support the amendments .
In stark opposition to Melkonyats , head of the Central Election Commission Ella Pamfilova told the state-run Rossiya 24 television channel this week that the commission has “ never had this few complaints ” ahead of a vote .
In addition to voter coercion , Melkonyants laid out a list of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big question mark ” hovering over the results of the vote next week .
The main ones , he said , concern the authorities using the pandemic “ to their advantage.
” By spreading out the vote over seven days and allowing at-home and electronic voting — all ostensibly to limit coronavirus infections by thinning out crowds at polling stations — the authorities are limiting independent observers ’ abilities to track voter fraud , Melkonyants said .
As most observers are volunteers , many will have to ask their employers for time off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state-run companies have reported having their requests denied .
If the volunteers do manage to get to polling stations , he said it will be difficult to see if voters are voting for themselves or “ stuffing the ballot under the guise of someone else.
” “ Mask-wearing and social-distancing guidelines means observers won ’ t be able to verify a voter ’ s identity , ” Melkonyants said .
Then there is the fact that ballots will be kept at polling stations overnight .
“ This leaves a dark zone in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happening , ” Melkonyants said .
“ It opens up the possibility for mass tampering.
” On top of this , observers this time around — unlike in past elections — are not being allowed to freely visit whichever polling stations they please , instead having to wait for approval from local election commissions specifying an allotted polling station .
Moreover , the Central Election Commission will not be requiring video recording at each polling station that observers can later check for possible fraud .
Nor will it be publishing voter data for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in my mind is to make the voting maximally non-transparent , ” Melkonyants said .
“ This very seriously influences our trust in the results.
” Right on cue , after polls opened on Thursday , a journalist with the independent Dozhd television channel reported that he had managed to vote twice — first at his polling station , then online .
Aside from all these concerns , Melkonyants also noted that a flaw is built into the referendum itself : the bundling of completely unrelated amendments — from writing God into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enshrining social protections like a guaranteed minimum wage — together as one yes-or-no vote .
If the purpose of a vote is to determine the will of the electorate , this clouds the authorities ’ ability to do so , he said .
“ A person might want to vote yes to one amendment but no to another , ” Melkonyants said .
Critics have said that the numerous amendments are a smoke screen to obscure the fact that the main purpose of the referendum is to give Putin the opportunity to run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Notably , ahead of the vote , the authorities have focused on advertising all amendments but that one .
For all of these reasons , Russia ’ s most prominent Kremlin critic and de facto opposition leader Alexei Navalny has called on his supporters to boycott the vote — adding even more likelihood the reforms will pass easily .
“ Voting on the amendments is illegal , meaningless and dangerous to the health of you and your loved ones , ” Navalny wrote on his blog earlier this month .
Although new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and outbreaks are growing in some regions , Russia has mostly lifted its lockdown restrictions .
Critics have said that the reason is to make sure that the Kremlin can push through the constitutional overhaul before discontent over its coronavirus response gains momentum .
According to the latest polling by the independent Levada Center , Putin ’ s approval rating has fallen to 59 % , its lowest ever .
Last month , the group ’ s deputy director Denis Volkov cited dissatisfaction over Russia ’ s economic response to the pandemic as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That discontent could fester if economic recovery is protracted .
In an interview on the eve of the vote , Ivan Zhdanov , head of Navalny ’ s Anti-Corruption Foundation , told The Moscow Times that the group is unlikely to call people to street protests — one of its common tools — no matter next week ’ s results .
Although he believes Putin ’ s falling ratings and people ’ s growing anger will be compounded by the feeling of being “ lied to ” by a dishonest constitutional vote , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the long game .
“ This vote isn ’ t some important event to focus on , ” he said .
“ Putin was always going to find a way to stay in power past 2024 .
The question was just how.
” “ It ’ s an illusion that we could go and vote no , ” Zhdanov added , predicting that the result will end up being in the range of 75 % for to 25 % against .
That result , accordingly to political scientist Yekaterina Schulmann , could see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public .
“ It will be almost impossible for the organizers of the voting to sell it as a political win , ” she said .
“ If the vote goes through by 55 % , it will be tantamount to losing and will be a hit to the political authority of the regime .
If it goes through by 70 % , it will be perceived as a result of mass falsification .
”

During a company-wide meeting this month at Moscow-region state-run television station Yegoryevsk Today, the chief editor issued a directive. Staffers were to de-register from the polling stations where they usually vote and re-register at the one in the town of Yegoryevsk. “There you can do what you wish, but tomorrow you need to be on my list,” a woman who is purportedly the editor can be heard telling her staff — some of whom grumble audibly — in a recording sent to the independent election monitoring organization Golos, or Voice. “There may be various consequences, I’m just warning you. Especially during a pandemic: no bonus, no job.” “We all live under this government and sometimes we have to step on our own throats,” she adds. On Thursday, polls opened nationwide for a vote on amendments to Russia’s Constitution, one of which could hand President Vladimir Putin, who was first elected in 2000, the opportunity to remain in office until 2036. Voting on the package of amendments — yes or no to all — will run through Wednesday, July 1, which Putin has declared a national holiday to allow Russians to head to polling stations throughout the day. But ahead of the referendum, which needs more than 50% yes votes to pass the amendments, Golos warned that the voting procedure may not be entirely free. In an interview this week, Grigory Melkonyants, a co-chairman of the group, described the vote as the “most manipulative” and “least transparent” in the country’s history — aside from elections during the initial rocky years after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. “We’ve never had this many complaints from people telling us they are being pressured to vote,” Melkonyants said, referring to a common practice ahead of elections in Russia, which is nonetheless forbidden by law.
Evidence that companies are mobilizing their employees ahead of the vote has surfaced in recent days, including complaints from librarians at state-run libraries in St. Petersburg and doctors treating coronavirus patients in Arkhangelsk in Russia’s north and Vladivostok in the Far East, as The Moscow Times reported earlier this week. Not only are companies mobilizing their employees to vote, they are also working to track them to ensure that they have voted, as appears to be the case with Yegoryevsk Today. This week, Reuters found a scheme assigning QR codes to people lured to register to vote by the opportunity to win a car or an apartment in a polling station raffle, while the Meduza news website reported that some companies are getting the QR codes not just from voluntary raffle signups, but by uploading a list of their employees to a website. A high turnout would improve the already high chances of the constitutional overhaul passing, analysts say. According to pre-referendum polling by the state-run VtSIOM pollster, between 67 and 71% of Russians support the amendments. In stark opposition to Melkonyats, head of the Central Election Commission Ella Pamfilova told the state-run Rossiya 24 television channel this week that the commission has “never had this few complaints” ahead of a vote. Question marks In addition to voter coercion, Melkonyants laid out a list of factors he said will leave a “big question mark” hovering over the results of the vote next week. The main ones, he said, concern the authorities using the pandemic “to their advantage.” By spreading out the vote over seven days and allowing at-home and electronic voting — all ostensibly to limit coronavirus infections by thinning out crowds at polling stations — the authorities are limiting independent observers’ abilities to track voter fraud, Melkonyants said. As most observers are volunteers, many will have to ask their employers for time off. Melkonyants said those that work at state-run companies have reported having their requests denied. If the volunteers do manage to get to polling stations, he said it will be difficult to see if voters are voting for themselves or “stuffing the ballot under the guise of someone else.” “Mask-wearing and social-distancing guidelines means observers won’t be able to verify a voter’s identity,” Melkonyants said.
Then there is the fact that ballots will be kept at polling stations overnight. “This leaves a dark zone in which we won’t know what is happening,” Melkonyants said. “It opens up the possibility for mass tampering.” On top of this, observers this time around — unlike in past elections — are not being allowed to freely visit whichever polling stations they please, instead having to wait for approval from local election commissions specifying an allotted polling station. Moreover, the Central Election Commission will not be requiring video recording at each polling station that observers can later check for possible fraud. Nor will it be publishing voter data for specific polling stations. “The motivation in my mind is to make the voting maximally non-transparent,” Melkonyants said. “This very seriously influences our trust in the results.” Right on cue, after polls opened on Thursday, a journalist with the independent Dozhd television channel reported that he had managed to vote twice — first at his polling station, then online.
Aside from all these concerns, Melkonyants also noted that a flaw is built into the referendum itself: the bundling of completely unrelated amendments — from writing God into the Constitution to defining marriage as heterosexual to enshrining social protections like a guaranteed minimum wage — together as one yes-or-no vote. If the purpose of a vote is to determine the will of the electorate, this clouds the authorities’ ability to do so, he said. “A person might want to vote yes to one amendment but no to another,” Melkonyants said. Critics have said that the numerous amendments are a smoke screen to obscure the fact that the main purpose of the referendum is to give Putin the opportunity to run for president again in 2024 and 2030. Notably, ahead of the vote, the authorities have focused on advertising all amendments but that one. Opposition plans For all of these reasons, Russia’s most prominent Kremlin critic and de facto opposition leader Alexei Navalny has called on his supporters to boycott the vote — adding even more likelihood the reforms will pass easily. “Voting on the amendments is illegal, meaningless and dangerous to the health of you and your loved ones,” Navalny wrote on his blog earlier this month. Although new daily coronavirus infections remain in the thousands and outbreaks are growing in some regions, Russia has mostly lifted its lockdown restrictions. Critics have said that the reason is to make sure that the Kremlin can push through the constitutional overhaul before discontent over its coronavirus response gains momentum. According to the latest polling by the independent Levada Center, Putin’s approval rating has fallen to 59%, its lowest ever. Last month, the group’s deputy director Denis Volkov cited dissatisfaction over Russia’s economic response to the pandemic as the main reason for the drop. That discontent could fester if economic recovery is protracted.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-01--Russian Voters Back Reforms Allowing Putin to Stay Until 2036

With almost 30 % of polling stations reporting after the end of seven days of voting , 74 % of voters had supported the reforms , the central election commission said .
Russians overwhelmingly approved a package of constitutional changes in a nationwide vote , partial results showed Wednesday , allowing President Vladimir Putin to potentially extend his two-decade rule until 2036 .
There had been little doubt that voters would back the changes , which Putin announced earlier this year and critics denounced as a manoeuvre to allow him to stay in the Kremlin for life .
The amendments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's parliament and copies of the new constitution were already on sale in bookshops , but Putin had said voter approval was essential to give them legitimacy .
The reforms include conservative and populist measures — like guaranteed minimum pensions and an effective ban on gay marriage — but crucially for Putin also reset presidential limits allowing him to run twice again after his current six-year term expires in 2024 .
Turnout as of 1700 GMT was just under 65 % , the election commission said .
The Kremlin pulled out all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extended over nearly a week , the last day of voting declared a national holiday and prizes — including apartments and cars — on offer to voters .
Initially planned for April 22 , the referendum was postponed by the coronavirus pandemic but rescheduled after Putin said the epidemic had peaked and officials began reporting lower numbers of new cases .
In a final appeal to voters on Tuesday , Putin said the changes were needed to ensure Russia 's future `` stability , security , prosperity . ''
State television showed Putin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Russian Academy of Sciences , where he was handed a ballot by an electoral worker wearing a surgical mask and gloves .
Dressed in a dark suit and tie , Putin was not wearing any protective gear .

Russians overwhelmingly approved a package of constitutional changes in a nationwide vote, partial results showed Wednesday, allowing President Vladimir Putin to potentially extend his two-decade rule until 2036. With almost 30% of polling stations reporting after the end of seven days of voting, 74% of voters had supported the reforms, the central election commission said.
There had been little doubt that voters would back the changes, which Putin announced earlier this year and critics denounced as a manoeuvre to allow him to stay in the Kremlin for life. The amendments had been passed weeks ago by Russia's parliament and copies of the new constitution were already on sale in bookshops, but Putin had said voter approval was essential to give them legitimacy. The reforms include conservative and populist measures — like guaranteed minimum pensions and an effective ban on gay marriage — but crucially for Putin also reset presidential limits allowing him to run twice again after his current six-year term expires in 2024. Turnout as of 1700 GMT was just under 65%, the election commission said. The Kremlin pulled out all the stops to encourage voting, with polls extended over nearly a week, the last day of voting declared a national holiday and prizes — including apartments and cars — on offer to voters. Initially planned for April 22, the referendum was postponed by the coronavirus pandemic but rescheduled after Putin said the epidemic had peaked and officials began reporting lower numbers of new cases. In a final appeal to voters on Tuesday, Putin said the changes were needed to ensure Russia's future "stability, security, prosperity." State television showed Putin voting Wednesday at his usual polling station at the Russian Academy of Sciences, where he was handed a ballot by an electoral worker wearing a surgical mask and gloves. Dressed in a dark suit and tie, Putin was not wearing any protective gear.
Президент посетил избирательный участок № 2151 в Москве, где принял участие в голосовании по поправкам в Конституцию https://t.co/QXFCiVacPu pic.twitter.com/Sns6H1SN47 — Президент России (@KremlinRussia) July 1, 2020
At a polling station in Vladivostok in Russia's Far East, 79-year-old Valentina Kungurtseva told AFP she supported the reforms. "For us as pensioners, it's very important that they will increase our pension every year," she said, adding that she had no problem with resetting presidential terms. "As long as we have a good president, life will be good," she said. In the second city, Saint Petersburg, 20-year-old Sergei Goritsvetov said he opposed the reforms but doubted it would make any difference. "I voted against and I hope there will be many of us, but I don't know what it will change," he said. "At least I expressed my opinion."


themoscowtimes--2020-07-01--‘All We Have Is Putin’: Russians Vote to Grant President Ability to Extend Rule Until 2036

The final day of Russia ’ s week-long vote on overhauling its Constitution is ending with no surprises .
Vladimir Putin , who was first elected president in 2000 , has been all but handed the opportunity to remain in office until 2036 .
If that happens , the former KGB officer will overtake Josef Stalin as the country ’ s longest-serving leader .
In an unprecedented week-long vote — ostensibly to thin crowds at polling stations during the coronavirus pandemic — Russians voted yes or no to a bundle of over 200 amendments to their Constitution .
The changes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the enshrining in the document of traditionalist ideology — including an affirmation of Russians ’ faith in God and a definition of marriage as possible only between a man and a woman .
Taken together , the changes are the biggest overhaul of the Constitution since it was written two years after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 .
But there is one amendment among the many that is key for the Russian president and his supporters , and that critics identify as the reason for the changes being presented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scraps Putin ’ s term limits — his second consecutive and fourth overall term will come to an end in 2024 — allowing him to run for office again in 2024 and 2030 .
“ All we have is Putin , ” said Galina Morozova , 81 , outside a polling station in central Moscow Wednesday afternoon after voting yes to the changes .
“ We have to make sure he stays in power.
” Although the referendum was postponed from its original date in late April by the pandemic , it had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vote even kicked off on June 25 , bookshops in Moscow had begun selling copies of the new Constitution , which was approved by both houses of parliament — the State Duma and the Federal Council — as well as regional assemblies nationwide in March .
On the eve of the start of voting , Grigory Melkonyants , a co-chairman of the independent election monitor Golos , or Voice , described the vote as one of the “ most manipulative ” and “ least transparent ” in the country ’ s history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ final day of voting had kicked off — which Putin declared a national holiday so Russians could head to the polls — Golos had received over 1,500 complaints of violations .
The organization said that about half of them held weight .
Election commission officials fashioned a host of new procedures for the referendum , which Melkonyants warned could enable voter fraud .
For one , voters were allowed to vote from home on request in the first six days of voting .
In one Moscow district , a municipal deputy found that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compared to previous years , with no documentation proving people actually voted .
Voters were also allowed to vote at makeshift voting booths outside their homes , which ranged from car trunks to benches to tree stumps .
No election observers were assigned to those locations .
And voters could also cast their ballots online .
Some Russians found this allowed them to vote twice , even thrice .
In what would appear to be evidence of falsification , voter turnout in the Yamal-Nenets autonomous district before the final day of voting , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ahead of the referendum , Putin had called for election commission officials to ensure a clean vote .
In his final pitch to voters on Tuesday , the president stood in front of a backdrop of a new World War II monument .
He did not mention the amendment that would allow him to run for office once again .
“ We can ensure stability , security , prosperity and a decent life only through development , only together and by ourselves , ” Putin said .
Analysts predicted that the referendum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 75 % in favor .
Critics said they expected those numbers because they would allow Putin to point to a significant majority backing him without being too high to trigger cries of voter fraud .
In winter 2011 , that situation led to the Bolotnaya protests , the biggest uprising against Putin ’ s rule .
In perhaps the only surprise of the day , early Wednesday afternoon , nearly five hours before the close of polls in Moscow , the Central Election Commission began publishing results : 72.9 % had so far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We typically have a moratorium on publishing results early because it can influence voters who have not yet voted , ” Melkonyants said .
“ But they ’ ve made their own rules .
What you have is the dirtiest technology being used to influence voters.
” Because of this , Kremlin ’ s loudest critic and de facto opposition leader Alexei Navalny called for his supporters to boycott the vote rather than participate in what he has called a farce .
Other opposition activists rallied around a movement they called the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day , the group published its own exit polls for Moscow and St. Petersburg .
As of early evening , its results showed 47 % in favor of the constitutional changes in Moscow and only 37.8 % in St. Petersburg .
“ I know I can ’ t influence the results , but I would have a guilty conscience if I didn ’ t at least try , ” said Polina Volkova , a 23-year-old waitress , explaining why she voted against the changes .
Volkova also said that she didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the pandemic , with new daily coronavirus infections remaining in the thousands .
Critics have said the Kremlin wants to push the amendments through before discontent over its pandemic response overflows , as Putin ’ s approval rating is hovering near a historic low of 60 % .
The Moscow polling station could have been mistaken for a coronavirus testing center .
Workers and volunteers wore personal protective equipment and took voters ’ temperatures .
They also handed out gift bags with latex gloves and single-use masks .
“ What we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less and less embarrassed about violating the law to push through what it needs , ” said Tatiana Stanovaya , the founder of the R.Politik analysis project .
“ Ultimately , though , it is lying to itself .
It does not have this 70 plus percent support that the results are showing .
”

The final day of Russia’s week-long vote on overhauling its Constitution is ending with no surprises. Vladimir Putin, who was first elected president in 2000, has been all but handed the opportunity to remain in office until 2036. If that happens, the former KGB officer will overtake Josef Stalin as the country’s longest-serving leader. In an unprecedented week-long vote — ostensibly to thin crowds at polling stations during the coronavirus pandemic — Russians voted yes or no to a bundle of over 200 amendments to their Constitution. The changes included social protections like guaranteed minimum pensions and the enshrining in the document of traditionalist ideology — including an affirmation of Russians’ faith in God and a definition of marriage as possible only between a man and a woman. Taken together, the changes are the biggest overhaul of the Constitution since it was written two years after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. But there is one amendment among the many that is key for the Russian president and his supporters, and that critics identify as the reason for the changes being presented in a single yes-or-no vote. It scraps Putin’s term limits — his second consecutive and fourth overall term will come to an end in 2024 — allowing him to run for office again in 2024 and 2030. “All we have is Putin,” said Galina Morozova, 81, outside a polling station in central Moscow Wednesday afternoon after voting yes to the changes. “We have to make sure he stays in power.”
Although the referendum was postponed from its original date in late April by the pandemic, it had long been considered a formality. Before the vote even kicked off on June 25, bookshops in Moscow had begun selling copies of the new Constitution, which was approved by both houses of parliament — the State Duma and the Federal Council — as well as regional assemblies nationwide in March. On the eve of the start of voting, Grigory Melkonyants, a co-chairman of the independent election monitor Golos, or Voice, described the vote as one of the “most manipulative” and “least transparent” in the country’s history. A week later, before the final day of voting had kicked off — which Putin declared a national holiday so Russians could head to the polls — Golos had received over 1,500 complaints of violations. The organization said that about half of them held weight. Election commission officials fashioned a host of new procedures for the referendum, which Melkonyants warned could enable voter fraud. For one, voters were allowed to vote from home on request in the first six days of voting. In one Moscow district, a municipal deputy found that the number of votes had risen twelvefold compared to previous years, with no documentation proving people actually voted. Voters were also allowed to vote at makeshift voting booths outside their homes, which ranged from car trunks to benches to tree stumps. No election observers were assigned to those locations. And voters could also cast their ballots online. Some Russians found this allowed them to vote twice, even thrice. In what would appear to be evidence of falsification, voter turnout in the Yamal-Nenets autonomous district before the final day of voting, on Wednesday, reached over 100%.
Ahead of the referendum, Putin had called for election commission officials to ensure a clean vote. In his final pitch to voters on Tuesday, the president stood in front of a backdrop of a new World War II monument. He did not mention the amendment that would allow him to run for office once again. “We can ensure stability, security, prosperity and a decent life only through development, only together and by ourselves,” Putin said. Analysts predicted that the referendum would pass by somewhere between 70 and 75% in favor. Critics said they expected those numbers because they would allow Putin to point to a significant majority backing him without being too high to trigger cries of voter fraud. In winter 2011, that situation led to the Bolotnaya protests, the biggest uprising against Putin’s rule. In perhaps the only surprise of the day, early Wednesday afternoon, nearly five hours before the close of polls in Moscow, the Central Election Commission began publishing results: 72.9% had so far voted in favor across the country. “We typically have a moratorium on publishing results early because it can influence voters who have not yet voted,” Melkonyants said. “But they’ve made their own rules. What you have is the dirtiest technology being used to influence voters.” “We can’t trust these results,” he added.
Because of this, Kremlin’s loudest critic and de facto opposition leader Alexei Navalny called for his supporters to boycott the vote rather than participate in what he has called a farce. Other opposition activists rallied around a movement they called the “No! Campaign.” Throughout the day, the group published its own exit polls for Moscow and St. Petersburg. As of early evening, its results showed 47% in favor of the constitutional changes in Moscow and only 37.8% in St. Petersburg. “I know I can’t influence the results, but I would have a guilty conscience if I didn’t at least try,” said Polina Volkova, a 23-year-old waitress, explaining why she voted against the changes. Volkova also said that she didn’t see why the voting had to happen during the pandemic, with new daily coronavirus infections remaining in the thousands. Critics have said the Kremlin wants to push the amendments through before discontent over its pandemic response overflows, as Putin’s approval rating is hovering near a historic low of 60%. The Moscow polling station could have been mistaken for a coronavirus testing center. Workers and volunteers wore personal protective equipment and took voters’ temperatures. They also handed out gift bags with latex gloves and single-use masks. “What we are seeing is a regime that is becoming less and less embarrassed about violating the law to push through what it needs,” said Tatiana Stanovaya, the founder of the R.Politik analysis project. “Ultimately, though, it is lying to itself. It does not have this 70 plus percent support that the results are showing.”


themoscowtimes--2020-07-02--Putin Thanks Russians for 'Support and Trust' After Vote

`` Thank you very much for your support and trust , '' Putin said in televised remarks after an announcement from Russia 's election commission that nearly 78 % of voters had supported the amendments to the basic law .
President Vladimir Putin on Thursday thanked Russians after a nationwide vote approved controversial constitutional reforms that allow him to extend his rule until 2036 .
Putin reiterated that the amendments were necessary as they `` improve the political system and fortify social guarantees '' as well as `` strengthen sovereignty . ''
He made no mention of the fact that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limit , allowing him to stay in the Kremlin for 12 more years after his current term expires in 2024 .
`` Very little time has passed since the break-up of the Soviet Union , '' Putin said .
`` We are still very vulnerable in many respects .
As people say , a lot of things have just been tacked together , '' he added .
`` We need internal stability and time to strengthen the country and its institutions . ''
Putin said he understood those who voted against the amendments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
But the results of the vote `` show that an overwhelming majority of Russian citizens believe that we can work better '' and the government `` must do everything to justify this trust , '' Putin said .

"Thank you very much for your support and trust," Putin said in televised remarks after an announcement from Russia's election commission that nearly 78% of voters had supported the amendments to the basic law.
President Vladimir Putin on Thursday thanked Russians after a nationwide vote approved controversial constitutional reforms that allow him to extend his rule until 2036.
Putin reiterated that the amendments were necessary as they "improve the political system and fortify social guarantees" as well as "strengthen sovereignty."
He made no mention of the fact that the changes also reset his constitutional term limit, allowing him to stay in the Kremlin for 12 more years after his current term expires in 2024.
"Very little time has passed since the break-up of the Soviet Union," Putin said.
"We are still very vulnerable in many respects. As people say, a lot of things have just been tacked together," he added.
"We need internal stability and time to strengthen the country and its institutions."
Putin said he understood those who voted against the amendments, pointing to "many unsolved problems."
But the results of the vote "show that an overwhelming majority of Russian citizens believe that we can work better" and the government "must do everything to justify this trust," Putin said.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-02--Russia Halts Early Release of Jehovah’s Witness Dennis Christensen

Danish national Dennis Christensen was granted early release last week when a district court ordered him to pay a fine of 400,000 rubles ( $ 5,800 ) in lieu of his remaining prison sentence .
Christensen had been sentenced to six years in a penal colony in 2019 on charges that critics condemned as an attack on religious freedom .
The early release of the first Jehovah ’ s Witness to be jailed for extremism in Russia has been put on hold after prosecutors appealed the court ruling , the religious organization said Wednesday .
The same prosecutor ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ region that backed a motion to release Christensen filed an appeal last Thursday to reverse the decision , the Jehovah ’ s Witnesses in Russia group said on its website .
“ It ’ s unknown what made the prosecution change its position , ” it said .
The penal colony where Christensen was awaiting his release has placed him in a poorly ventilated punishment cell for allegedly violating prison rules , the organization added .
His lawyer , according to the statement , said the series of events “ suggest that there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s needed to prevent Dennis from being released by a court order.
” Human Rights Watch called Christensen ’ s postponed release and placement in the punishment cell “ absolutely outrageous.
” “ Russia has absolutely nothing to gain from the pointless , cruel and abusive persecution of Jehovah ’ s Witnesses , ” HRW added .
The rights group said a court hearing on the prosecutors ’ appeal of Christensen ’ s early release could start as late as August .
Christensen was arrested in May 2017 at a prayer meeting in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Russia outlawed the Jehovah ’ s Witnesses as an “ extremist ” organization in April of that year and has since issued a series of lengthy sentences against believers .

Danish national Dennis Christensen was granted early release last week when a district court ordered him to pay a fine of 400,000 rubles ($5,800) in lieu of his remaining prison sentence. Christensen had been sentenced to six years in a penal colony in 2019 on charges that critics condemned as an attack on religious freedom.
The early release of the first Jehovah’s Witness to be jailed for extremism in Russia has been put on hold after prosecutors appealed the court ruling, the religious organization said Wednesday.
The same prosecutor’s office in western Russia’s Kursk region that backed a motion to release Christensen filed an appeal last Thursday to reverse the decision, the Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia group said on its website.
“It’s unknown what made the prosecution change its position,” it said.
The penal colony where Christensen was awaiting his release has placed him in a poorly ventilated punishment cell for allegedly violating prison rules, the organization added.
His lawyer, according to the statement, said the series of events “suggest that there’s a planned action that’s needed to prevent Dennis from being released by a court order.”
Human Rights Watch called Christensen’s postponed release and placement in the punishment cell “absolutely outrageous.”
“Russia has absolutely nothing to gain from the pointless, cruel and abusive persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses,” HRW added.
The rights group said a court hearing on the prosecutors’ appeal of Christensen’s early release could start as late as August.
Christensen was arrested in May 2017 at a prayer meeting in the town of Oryol south of Moscow.
Russia outlawed the Jehovah’s Witnesses as an “extremist” organization in April of that year and has since issued a series of lengthy sentences against believers.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-02--Russia Extends International Flight Ban Due to Coronavirus

The country closed its borders and grounded most international flights in late March to slow the spread of the virus , allowing only special evacuations of its own citizens from abroad and other government-authorized flights .
Russia ’ s aviation authority has extended its ban on international flights until Aug. 1 due to the coronavirus pandemic , the RBC news website reported and a Vnukovo Airport source confirmed to The Moscow Times on condition of anonymity .
A monthly telegram sent to airports states that foreign citizens and stateless people will not be allowed entry until 11:59 p.m. July 31 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ source and a Domodedovo Airport official .
Russia 's Federal Air Transport Agency , Rosaviatsia , could reportedly circulate a new telegram among airlines and airports if it decides to reopen the borders before Aug. 1 .
A Rosaviatsia official declined to comment on the telegram 's authenticity .
Earlier reporting has suggested and officials have hinted that Russia could reopen its outside borders starting on July 15 with post-Soviet republics .
Only Russians with residence permits in destination countries , as well as those who need to work , study , seek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are allowed abroad .
However , multiple reports have said that Russians without clearance still made it into Europe and other countries via the land border with Belarus and Serbian airports .
Russia ’ s flagship carrier Aeroflot also flies passengers to New York , Paris , London , Frankfurt , Seoul , Tel Aviv , Barcelona , Rome and Nice at least once a week , reports have said .

The country closed its borders and grounded most international flights in late March to slow the spread of the virus, allowing only special evacuations of its own citizens from abroad and other government-authorized flights.
Russia’s aviation authority has extended its ban on international flights until Aug. 1 due to the coronavirus pandemic, the RBC news website reported and a Vnukovo Airport source confirmed to The Moscow Times on condition of anonymity.
A monthly telegram sent to airports states that foreign citizens and stateless people will not be allowed entry until 11:59 p.m. July 31, RBC reported, citing a government source and a Domodedovo Airport official.
Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency, Rosaviatsia, could reportedly circulate a new telegram among airlines and airports if it decides to reopen the borders before Aug. 1.
A Rosaviatsia official declined to comment on the telegram's authenticity.
Earlier reporting has suggested and officials have hinted that Russia could reopen its outside borders starting on July 15 with post-Soviet republics.
Only Russians with residence permits in destination countries, as well as those who need to work, study, seek treatment or attend relatives’ funerals, are allowed abroad.
However, multiple reports have said that Russians without clearance still made it into Europe and other countries via the land border with Belarus and Serbian airports.
Russia’s flagship carrier Aeroflot also flies passengers to New York, Paris, London, Frankfurt, Seoul, Tel Aviv, Barcelona, Rome and Nice at least once a week, reports have said.