themoscowtimes--2020-06-18--Putin Publishes Essay on 'Real Lessons' of WWII

Russian President Vladimir Putin has attacked European leaders for failing to understand the “ real lessons ” of World War II and said the United Nations system is the only way for the world ’ s nuclear powers to avoid direct military confrontation .
In an essay published Thursday evening in U.S. magazine The National Interest , Putin blames the Western powers for appeasing Nazi Germany and signing the Munich Agreement in 1938 , and attacks Europe — Poland in particular — for wanting “ to sweep the ‘ Munich Betrayal ’ under the carpet.
” Putin defended the Soviet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — a non-aggression treaty which triggered the outbreak of hostilities in 1939 and outlined the division of Poland between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union .
The article — written in English and titled “ The real lessons of the 75th anniversary of World War II ” — comes days before Russia plans to hold a rescheduled Victory Day parade on June 24 .
The president often discusses World War II in public speeches and addresses , and has increasingly sought to assert a different interpretation of the conflict and its causes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the West .

Russian President Vladimir Putin has attacked European leaders for failing to understand the “real lessons” of World War II and said the United Nations system is the only way for the world’s nuclear powers to avoid direct military confrontation.
In an essay published Thursday evening in U.S. magazine The National Interest, Putin blames the Western powers for appeasing Nazi Germany and signing the Munich Agreement in 1938, and attacks Europe — Poland in particular — for wanting “to sweep the ‘Munich Betrayal’ under the carpet.”
Putin defended the Soviet Union's signing of the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact — a non-aggression treaty which triggered the outbreak of hostilities in 1939 and outlined the division of Poland between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union.
The article — written in English and titled “The real lessons of the 75th anniversary of World War II” — comes days before Russia plans to hold a rescheduled Victory Day parade on June 24.
The president often discusses World War II in public speeches and addresses, and has increasingly sought to assert a different interpretation of the conflict and its causes to the narrative which he sees as dominant in the West.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-18--Russian Soccer Restart Jeopardized After Positive Coronavirus Tests

The campaign is now scheduled to finish on July 22 , leaving teams with little more than a couple of weeks to prepare for the start of the 2020-21 season , pencilled in for August 10 .
Yet at the start of June , Russian Premier League president Sergey Pryadkin warned ominously that clubs hit by a raft of COVID-19 infections and forced to quarantine their players would simply have to forfeit any affected matches .
No postponements would be allowed with the league facing a race against time to complete the interrupted season .
The game itself is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ banks of the Don River in southern Russia , who despite financial difficulties are fourth in the table , just outside the Champions League qualifying berths with eight matches still to be played .
The announcement of the positive tests — and the subsequent obligatory 14-day quarantine — came Wednesday , just 48 hours before Rostov 's first game back from the season suspension , away in Sochi .
The Russian Premier League is due to return this weekend after three months in cold storage , but the perils of trying to restart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been highlighted as the entire FK Rostov squad has been placed in quarantine after six players tested positive for coronavirus .
Russia has the third-highest number of recorded coronavirus cases worldwide , with half a million positive tests and around 7,500 new cases appearing every day .
It is one of the last European countries to restart its football season , suspended since mid-March when the pandemic took hold .
For Rostov , coached by the former Russian international midfielder Valeri Karpin , being forced to quarantine their entire squad for two weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the trip to the Black Sea coast to play Sochi , Rostov are also supposed to host Arsenal Tula and near neighbors Krasnodar — rivals in the fight for Champions League qualification — in that time .
They are currently just three points behind second-placed Lokomotiv Moscow and Krasnodar in third , with the top three all earning a crack at Europe 's elite club competition next season .
Their qualifying hopes are therefore now in danger of going up in smoke , unless they can find a solution from within .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ picture , Rostov could turn to their B team or to their youth side .
However , Russian media reports say that the youth team played a friendly against the first team the day before the positive tests , meaning they also face having to go into isolation , although that has not been confirmed by the club .
Perhaps there is some hope , with the Russian Football Union 's general secretary , Alexander Alayev , opening the door to the possibility that the match against Sochi could be postponed until July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian Cup semi-finals .
`` It is the only possible date , '' he said at a press conference , while also criticising Rostov 's perceived lax handling of the situation .
He also said both clubs would have to agree to postpone the game , yet Sochi are battling to avoid relegation and have released a statement ruling out that possibility and insisting they would be waiting for Rostov at their stadium for the game on Friday evening .
Alayev also expressed hope that it would be possible for the Rostov players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in time to play their next two games as scheduled .
In the meantime , any prospect of calling off the remainder of the season has been ruled out , with the league insisting restarting was `` the right decision '' .
Several clubs were hit by virus cases in May , including Lokomotiv , but no new cases had been reported at clubs in the last two weeks , until the announcement by Rostov .
Zenit Saint-Petersburg are on course to win a second straight Russian title , sitting nine points clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game back , at CSKA Moscow on Saturday .

The campaign is now scheduled to finish on July 22, leaving teams with little more than a couple of weeks to prepare for the start of the 2020-21 season, pencilled in for August 10.
Yet at the start of June, Russian Premier League president Sergey Pryadkin warned ominously that clubs hit by a raft of COVID-19 infections and forced to quarantine their players would simply have to forfeit any affected matches. No postponements would be allowed with the league facing a race against time to complete the interrupted season.
The game itself is a crucial one for the club from the banks of the Don River in southern Russia, who despite financial difficulties are fourth in the table, just outside the Champions League qualifying berths with eight matches still to be played.
The announcement of the positive tests — and the subsequent obligatory 14-day quarantine — came Wednesday, just 48 hours before Rostov's first game back from the season suspension, away in Sochi.
The Russian Premier League is due to return this weekend after three months in cold storage, but the perils of trying to restart in the midst of a pandemic have been highlighted as the entire FK Rostov squad has been placed in quarantine after six players tested positive for coronavirus.
Russia has the third-highest number of recorded coronavirus cases worldwide, with half a million positive tests and around 7,500 new cases appearing every day. It is one of the last European countries to restart its football season, suspended since mid-March when the pandemic took hold.
For Rostov, coached by the former Russian international midfielder Valeri Karpin, being forced to quarantine their entire squad for two weeks is a potential disaster.
As well as the trip to the Black Sea coast to play Sochi, Rostov are also supposed to host Arsenal Tula and near neighbors Krasnodar — rivals in the fight for Champions League qualification — in that time.
They are currently just three points behind second-placed Lokomotiv Moscow and Krasnodar in third, with the top three all earning a crack at Europe's elite club competition next season.
Opponents refuse to postpone game
Their qualifying hopes are therefore now in danger of going up in smoke, unless they can find a solution from within.
With the first-team squad out of the picture, Rostov could turn to their B team or to their youth side.
However, Russian media reports say that the youth team played a friendly against the first team the day before the positive tests, meaning they also face having to go into isolation, although that has not been confirmed by the club.
Perhaps there is some hope, with the Russian Football Union's general secretary, Alexander Alayev, opening the door to the possibility that the match against Sochi could be postponed until July 19, the date earmarked for the Russian Cup semi-finals.
"It is the only possible date," he said at a press conference, while also criticising Rostov's perceived lax handling of the situation.
He also said both clubs would have to agree to postpone the game, yet Sochi are battling to avoid relegation and have released a statement ruling out that possibility and insisting they would be waiting for Rostov at their stadium for the game on Friday evening.
Alayev also expressed hope that it would be possible for the Rostov players to come out of their quarantine period in time to play their next two games as scheduled.
In the meantime, any prospect of calling off the remainder of the season has been ruled out, with the league insisting restarting was "the right decision".
Several clubs were hit by virus cases in May, including Lokomotiv, but no new cases had been reported at clubs in the last two weeks, until the announcement by Rostov.
Zenit Saint-Petersburg are on course to win a second straight Russian title, sitting nine points clear at the top before their scheduled first game back, at CSKA Moscow on Saturday.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-18--Belarus Opposition Candidate ‘Disappears’ As Presidential Election Nears

Update : Belarussian authorities on Thursday detained Babaryko on suspicion of financial crimes , the head of the state control @ @ @ @ @ is detained because he was the organiser and leader of illegal activities , ( and @ @ @ @ @ testimony , '' committee chief Ivan Tertel told reporters .
A former banker vying to @ @ @ @ @ Belarus briefly disappeared amid a presidential campaign marked by an intensifying crackdown on dissent , @ @ @ @ @ Two other candidates seeking to challenge President Alexander Lukashenko in this August ’ s elections @ @ @ @ @ past month on charges of violating public order and taking part in unauthorized opposition events @ @ @ @ @ opposition activists as `` bands of criminals '' who want to disrupt the upcoming ballot @

The detention of Viktor Babaryko, a 56-year-old former banker, on suspicion of financial crimes came after authorities jailed other critics including prominent opposition politician Mikola Statkevich ahead of an election in which Lukashenko is seeking a sixth term.
Belarussian authorities on Thursday detained President Alexander Lukashenko's rival ahead of August's election as Minsk intensified a crackdown on the opposition.
#Belarus . Despite arrests and mass repressions, people in #Minsk are queuing up again to leave their signatures in support of alternative candidates and to show solidarity with arrested #Babariko and #Tsikhanouski pic.twitter.com/zCpfNboO8R
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called on Belarus to immediately release "all arbitrarily detained" activists.
Tertel claimed Babaryko was in cahoots with "puppeteers" from Moscow — "big Gazprom bosses" or even "higher-placed" figures.
Minsk accused former master Russia of seeking to interfere in the country's internal affairs.
Authorities also arrested Babaryko's 30-year-old son Eduard on suspicion of tax evasion, said his girlfriend Aleksandra Zvereva.
"Babaryko is detained because he was the organizer and leader of illegal activities, (and) tried to influence witness testimony," said the head of the state control committee, Ivan Tertel.
Several hundred protesters gathered in central Minsk to express solidarity with the detained opposition figures.
"The rule of law must be respected," she told reporters in Brussels.
"And the Belarussian people are asking for democratic elections."
Babaryko's detention was announced after police searched his home and questioned both the former banker and his son.
National television reported that around 20 people were detained in connection with investigations linked to Belgazprombank, and some were testifying against Babaryko.
Last week, investigators raided the offices of Belgazprombank and launched probes into tax dodging and money laundering against current and former bankers.
'Reckless move'
Political analyst Alexander Klaskovsky said Babaryko's arrest was politically motivated, adding the former banker was Lukashenko's strongest election rival.
"Babaryko is a new figure in the opposition movement, he has become popular quickly," said Klaskovsky. "Lukashenko's nerves snapped."
Vitali Shkliarov, a Harvard University fellow and Belarus specialist, said Lukashenko was wrestling with a combination of record low ratings, a tough economic situation and the shocks of the coronavirus epidemic.
Shkliarov said Lukashenko's administation chose to crackdown on the opponents and accuse Moscow of interfering in the country's domestic affairs in a possible effort to get the West on its side.
"This is a very reckless move," he told AFP, stressing this could anger Moscow.
Law enforcement authorities in the former Soviet country have cracked down hard on would-be opposition candidates ahead of the August 9 election.
The run-up to the vote has seen a flurry of opposition activity which stood in stark contrast to the incumbent's traditional Soviet approach to campaigning.
Popular vlogger Sergei Tikhanovsky, 41, who coined a new insult for Lukashenko when he called him a "cockroach," has particularly stood out.
Tikhanovsky has been jailed on public order charges and authorities opened a criminal investigation against him and his supporters.
After his arrest, his wife Svetlana stepped into his place but has since faced threats against her family.
In early June, prominent opposition leader Statkevich was sentenced to 15 days in jail.
Statkevich, 63, was jailed for another 15 days on Monday, his wife said.
He challenged Lukashenko in elections in 2010 but was sentenced to six years in prison. He was released in 2015 and is barred from contesting the August poll.
Lukashenko, a 65-year-old former collective farm director, has ruled Belarus since 1994 and has raised the possibility of serving a further two terms.
The Belarussian opposition has been unable to get a foothold on political power.
Some candidates like Statkevich have spent long terms in jail, and not a single dissenting voice gained a seat in parliament in the 2019 poll.
Lukashenko has branded opposition activists "bands of criminals" who want to disrupt the election.
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, an international election and war monitor, has not recognized any polls in Belarus as free and fair since 1995.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-18--EU Extends Crimea Sanctions by 12 Months

The measures prohibit certain exports and imports from Crimea , and ban EU-based companies from investment and tourism services in @ @ @ @ @ .
The European Union on Thursday rolled over for another year tough sanctions imposed over @ @ @ @ @ Crimea from Ukraine .
`` The Council today decided to renew the sanctions introduced in @ @ @ @ @ of Crimea and Sevastopol by the Russian Federation until 23 June 2021 , '' the @ @ @ @ @ a statement .
`` The EU still does not recognize the illegal annexation of Crimea @ @ @ @ @ Federation and continues to condemn this violation of international law . ''
The EU has @ @ @ @ @ related to Russia 's role in the Ukraine conflict , which has rumbled on since @ @ @ @ @ 13,000 lives .

The measures prohibit certain exports and imports from Crimea, and ban EU-based companies from investment and tourism services in the strategic Black Sea peninsula.
The European Union on Thursday rolled over for another year tough sanctions imposed over Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.
"The Council today decided to renew the sanctions introduced in response to the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol by the Russian Federation until 23 June 2021," the EU member states said in a statement.
"The EU still does not recognize the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol by the Russian Federation and continues to condemn this violation of international law."
The EU has imposed a raft of sanctions related to Russia's role in the Ukraine conflict, which has rumbled on since 2014 and claimed more than 13,000 lives.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-18--Russia ‘Unblocks’ Telegram Messenger in Surprise Reversal

Russia ’ s federal media watchdog Roskomnadzor made the surprise announcement Thursday , citing Telegram founder Pavel Durov ’ s “ stated readiness to counter terrorism and extremism.
” Russia has halted its largely unsuccessful two-year efforts to block the popular messaging service Telegram .
“ In agreement with the Russian Prosecutor General ’ s Office , Roskomnadzor is lifting demands to restrict access to Telegram , ” Roskomnadzor said on its website .
“ We ’ re ready to cooperate with all internet companies operating in the country to promptly stop the spread of terrorist and extremist information , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” it said .
Telegram agreed to turn over terrorist suspects ’ personal data under a privacy policy adopted in 2018 after a Russian court ordered Roskomnadzor to block the app over its refusal to provide users ’ online communications to security services .
Russia ’ s Federal Security Service ( FSB ) has sought tools to break Telegram ’ s message encryption and unscramble private conversations since two suspects in the 2017 St. Petersburg metro bombings were accused of using the app to coordinate the attacks .
Telegram maintains that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keys .
Roskomnadzor inadvertently blocked Russian users ’ access to a host of unrelated online services and blacklisted millions of IP addresses in an attempt to block Telegram in April 2018 .
The app has continued to be widely used by Russian officials , government agencies and state-run media outlets despite it being blocked .
Russian opposition lawmakers have submitted legislation recently to unblock Telegram in Russia .

Russia’s federal media watchdog Roskomnadzor made the surprise announcement Thursday, citing Telegram founder Pavel Durov’s “stated readiness to counter terrorism and extremism.”
Russia has halted its largely unsuccessful two-year efforts to block the popular messaging service Telegram.
“In agreement with the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office, Roskomnadzor is lifting demands to restrict access to Telegram,” Roskomnadzor said on its website.
“We’re ready to cooperate with all internet companies operating in the country to promptly stop the spread of terrorist and extremist information, child pornography, suicide and drugs propaganda,” it said.
Telegram agreed to turn over terrorist suspects’ personal data under a privacy policy adopted in 2018 after a Russian court ordered Roskomnadzor to block the app over its refusal to provide users’ online communications to security services.
Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has sought tools to break Telegram’s message encryption and unscramble private conversations since two suspects in the 2017 St. Petersburg metro bombings were accused of using the app to coordinate the attacks.
Telegram maintains that it has no access to users’ encryption keys.
Roskomnadzor inadvertently blocked Russian users’ access to a host of unrelated online services and blacklisted millions of IP addresses in an attempt to block Telegram in April 2018.
The app has continued to be widely used by Russian officials, government agencies and state-run media outlets despite it being blocked.
Russian opposition lawmakers have submitted legislation recently to unblock Telegram in Russia.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-18--Russian Official Says 489 Medics Died From Coronavirus

`` 489 — that is medics , unfortunately we have lost almost 500 of our colleagues , '' Roszdravnadzor watchdog chief Alla Samoilova said at an online conference on safety for medics organized by her agency .
Nearly 500 Russian medics who tested positive for the coronavirus have died , the head of the state health watchdog said Thursday , a far higher figure than given before .
Previously a Health Ministry official on May 26 gave a death toll of 101 .
Samoilova 's agency later backtracked , with its press service saying in a statement sent to Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was `` not official '' and was based on `` data circulating on the internet . ''
An independent website set up by medics where colleagues report deaths , the Remembrance List , lists 444 deaths among health workers in Russia .
`` Could we have done something more for prevention ( of medics ' deaths ) ?
Probably yes , '' Samoilova said .
President Vladimir Putin has acknowledged problems in supplying personal protective equipment ( PPE ) to medics .
Samoilova also cited this as a factor , while stressing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The country was n't ready , there was too little PPE , '' she said .
`` If I 'm being honest , there were issues at the start , there were some shortcomings . ''
`` Far from all ( hospital ) heads ... supplied workers with PPE .
Sometimes there simply was n't any , there were n't any deliveries .
There was this problem . ''
However she added that `` as of today we practically do n't receive complaints that medics do n't have supplies of PPE , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The watchdog chief also said there was initially `` a low level of epidemiological safety '' in medical facilities hastily adapted for coronavirus patients .
`` It was n't always possible to separate red zones '' for infected patients as hospitals departments were reorganized , she said .
`` What did the pandemic teach us ?
It taught us that we have to create a safety culture among medics , '' she said .
Former Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin , now head of the Audit Chamber , said this month that `` medicine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` outdated '' buildings and lacked equipment and drugs , Samoilova said .
`` There were no ventilators , oxygen supply systems were n't always hooked up , there were n't enough medicines , '' she added .
`` Today the system looks completely different . ''
Samoilova praised medics who she said `` even in this situation showed themselves to be heroes . ''
`` They immediately threw themselves into the red zones , not thinking that they could get sick , that they could lose their lives . ''
Russia has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus , counting only cases where the virus was listed as the main cause of death .
It has the world 's third-highest number of confirmed cases with 561,091 , including 7,790 over the last 24 hours , a figure that has fallen over this month .

"489 — that is medics, unfortunately we have lost almost 500 of our colleagues," Roszdravnadzor watchdog chief Alla Samoilova said at an online conference on safety for medics organized by her agency.
Nearly 500 Russian medics who tested positive for the coronavirus have died, the head of the state health watchdog said Thursday, a far higher figure than given before.
Previously a Health Ministry official on May 26 gave a death toll of 101.
Samoilova's agency later backtracked, with its press service saying in a statement sent to Russian news agencies that the figure she gave was "not official" and was based on "data circulating on the internet."
An independent website set up by medics where colleagues report deaths, the Remembrance List, lists 444 deaths among health workers in Russia.
"Could we have done something more for prevention (of medics' deaths)? Probably yes," Samoilova said.
President Vladimir Putin has acknowledged problems in supplying personal protective equipment (PPE) to medics.
Samoilova also cited this as a factor, while stressing the situation is now much better.
"The country wasn't ready, there was too little PPE," she said.
"If I'm being honest, there were issues at the start, there were some shortcomings."
"Far from all (hospital) heads... supplied workers with PPE. Sometimes there simply wasn't any, there weren't any deliveries. There was this problem."
However she added that "as of today we practically don't receive complaints that medics don't have supplies of PPE, that medics don't get tested."
The watchdog chief also said there was initially "a low level of epidemiological safety" in medical facilities hastily adapted for coronavirus patients.
"It wasn't always possible to separate red zones" for infected patients as hospitals departments were reorganized, she said.
"What did the pandemic teach us? It taught us that we have to create a safety culture among medics," she said.
Former Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin, now head of the Audit Chamber, said this month that "medicine is significantly underfunded."
Hospitals had "outdated" buildings and lacked equipment and drugs, Samoilova said.
"There were no ventilators, oxygen supply systems weren't always hooked up, there weren't enough medicines," she added.
"Today the system looks completely different."
Samoilova praised medics who she said "even in this situation showed themselves to be heroes."
"They immediately threw themselves into the red zones, not thinking that they could get sick, that they could lose their lives."
Russia has reported a total of 7,660 deaths from coronavirus, counting only cases where the virus was listed as the main cause of death.
It has the world's third-highest number of confirmed cases with 561,091, including 7,790 over the last 24 hours, a figure that has fallen over this month.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-19--Belarus Accuses West, Russia of Destabilization Ahead of Polls

In power since 1994 , Lukashenko is seeking a sixth term in the Aug. 9 presidential election .
President Alexander Lukashenko on Friday accused foreign powers of seeking to destabilize Belarus as he intensifies a crackdown on the opposition ahead of August 's election .
Several of his critics including former banker Viktor Babaryko , seen as Lukashenko 's leading election rival , have been jailed in the run-up to the vote .
`` The focus of all political interests is on Belarus .
Both from the West and the East , '' the 65-year-old strongman told officials in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Authorities had uncovered a plot to `` destabilize Belarus '' and organize a popular uprising .
`` Not only certain puppets that we had here but also puppeteers who are located outside Belarus have been unmasked , '' Lukashenko said .
On Thursday , authorities arrested the 56-year-old Babaryko on suspicion of financial crimes .
He formerly headed Belgazprombank , a Belarus subsidiary of Russian energy giant Gazprom .
A total of around 20 people have been detained in connection with investigations linked to Belgazprombank .
Babaryko 's 30-year-old son Eduard was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The head of the state control committee , Ivan Tertel , has claimed Babaryko was in cahoots with `` puppeteers '' from Moscow — `` big Gazprom bosses '' or even `` higher-placed '' figures .
On Friday , the general prosecutor 's office said it opened a criminal case into organizing or participating in a criminal group .
The penalty for those crimes is up to 15 years .

In power since 1994, Lukashenko is seeking a sixth term in the Aug. 9 presidential election.
President Alexander Lukashenko on Friday accused foreign powers of seeking to destabilize Belarus as he intensifies a crackdown on the opposition ahead of August's election.
Several of his critics including former banker Viktor Babaryko, seen as Lukashenko's leading election rival, have been jailed in the run-up to the vote.
"The focus of all political interests is on Belarus. Both from the West and the East," the 65-year-old strongman told officials in a thinly veiled reference to Russia on Friday.
Authorities had uncovered a plot to "destabilize Belarus" and organize a popular uprising.
"Not only certain puppets that we had here but also puppeteers who are located outside Belarus have been unmasked," Lukashenko said.
On Thursday, authorities arrested the 56-year-old Babaryko on suspicion of financial crimes.
He formerly headed Belgazprombank, a Belarus subsidiary of Russian energy giant Gazprom. A total of around 20 people have been detained in connection with investigations linked to Belgazprombank.
Babaryko's 30-year-old son Eduard was also detained on suspicion of tax evasion.
The head of the state control committee, Ivan Tertel, has claimed Babaryko was in cahoots with "puppeteers" from Moscow — "big Gazprom bosses" or even "higher-placed" figures.
On Friday, the general prosecutor's office said it opened a criminal case into organizing or participating in a criminal group. The penalty for those crimes is up to 15 years.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-19--Ex-Governor Who Sued Putin Dies From Coronavirus – Reports

Mikhail Ignatyev was hospitalized in critical condition with pneumonia in both lungs and placed on oxygen support last month .
He became the first ex-governor to sue Putin over what he said was wrongful dismissal for “ loss of trust ” in January .
A former Russian governor who sued President Vladimir Putin over his dismissal has died at age 58 from coronavirus complications , Interfax reported Thursday .
An unnamed source in the republic of Chuvashia ’ s administration told Interfax that its former governor Ignatyev had Covid-19 .
Doctors at the St. Petersburg hospital where was being treated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failure .
“ The situation was aggravated by double pneumonia , ” said Raisa Konashkova , assistant chief medical officer at the Almazov National Medical Research Center .
The Kremlin called the news of Ignatyev ’ s death “ very sad ” and said it extends condolences to the families of everyone who had died from Covid-19 .
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin did not plan to make “ any special statements '' in the wake of Ignatyev ’ s death .
Putin relieved Ignatyev from his 10-year governorship after the governor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out ” journalists who criticize the authorities and for dangling engine keys over a firefighter at a ceremony honoring them .
Russia ’ s Supreme Court was set to hear Ignatyev ’ s case against his dismissal on June 30 .
Ignatyev ’ s funeral is scheduled for this Sunday in the Chuvash capital of Cheboksary 650 kilometers east of Moscow .

Mikhail Ignatyev was hospitalized in critical condition with pneumonia in both lungs and placed on oxygen support last month. He became the first ex-governor to sue Putin over what he said was wrongful dismissal for “loss of trust” in January.
A former Russian governor who sued President Vladimir Putin over his dismissal has died at age 58 from coronavirus complications, Interfax reported Thursday.
An unnamed source in the republic of Chuvashia’s administration told Interfax that its former governor Ignatyev had Covid-19.
Doctors at the St. Petersburg hospital where was being treated later clarified that Ignatyev died from heart failure.
“The situation was aggravated by double pneumonia,” said Raisa Konashkova, assistant chief medical officer at the Almazov National Medical Research Center.
The Kremlin called the news of Ignatyev’s death “very sad” and said it extends condolences to the families of everyone who had died from Covid-19. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin did not plan to make “any special statements" in the wake of Ignatyev’s death.
Putin relieved Ignatyev from his 10-year governorship after the governor made headlines for calls to “wipe out” journalists who criticize the authorities and for dangling engine keys over a firefighter at a ceremony honoring them.
Russia’s Supreme Court was set to hear Ignatyev’s case against his dismissal on June 30.
Ignatyev’s funeral is scheduled for this Sunday in the Chuvash capital of Cheboksary 650 kilometers east of Moscow.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-19--Vote on Putin’s Reforms Will ‘Wrest Soviet Rule From Uncle Sam’ – Official

The amendments , which President Vladimir Putin signed into law in March and Russian voters are expected to back in a July 1 vote , reset the president ’ s term limits and allow him to stay in power until 2036 .
The reforms also include a provision that prioritizes Russian law over international treaties and other acts .
Russia ’ s constitutional amendments will bring back the Soviet era and end Russia being “ ruled by Uncle Sam , ” the governor of a southern Siberian region has said in support of the reforms .
“ When the Constitution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was specified that international law prevails over Russian laws .
And now we ’ re living under the domination of Uncle Sam , ” said Alexander Burkov , governor of the Omsk region .
“ That ’ s it , we ’ re going back to the Soviet period .
Russian law is prevalent now .
We ’ ll be living under Russian laws instead of American laws , ” Burkov said on local television Thursday .
Europe ’ s constitutional advisory body on Thursday urged Russia to remove or reword the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ European and international judgments .
A Russian senator who pushed through the reforms made clear Friday that Russia won ’ t tweak the amendments despite the European advisory body ’ s position .
Urging his constituents to vote in favor of the amendments , Burkov highlighted another clause that enshrines marriage as a union between a man and a woman .
“ Think about how far-sighted it is .
What ’ s happening in Europe now ?
Kids are told since elementary school that same-sex marriage is good , ” he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to traditional family values and don ’ t agree with what ’ s drummed into their heads and forced on their children go tomorrow ?
...
They ’ ll go to Russia , ” Burkov said .
The amendments also enshrine the mention of “ faith in God ” and ban giving away Russian territory to other countries .
Observers have linked the latter provision to Crimea , which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014 in a move that spurred sanctions and backlash from the international community .
Burkov did not appear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ run for two more six-year presidential terms after his latest term expires in 2024 during the 1.5-hour broadcast .

The amendments, which President Vladimir Putin signed into law in March and Russian voters are expected to back in a July 1 vote, reset the president’s term limits and allow him to stay in power until 2036. The reforms also include a provision that prioritizes Russian law over international treaties and other acts.
Russia’s constitutional amendments will bring back the Soviet era and end Russia being “ruled by Uncle Sam,” the governor of a southern Siberian region has said in support of the reforms.
“When the Constitution was adopted in the early 1990s, it was specified that international law prevails over Russian laws. And now we’re living under the domination of Uncle Sam,” said Alexander Burkov, governor of the Omsk region.
“That’s it, we’re going back to the Soviet period. Russian law is prevalent now. We’ll be living under Russian laws instead of American laws,” Burkov said on local television Thursday.
Europe’s constitutional advisory body on Thursday urged Russia to remove or reword the amendments' clause on national law superseding European and international judgments. A Russian senator who pushed through the reforms made clear Friday that Russia won’t tweak the amendments despite the European advisory body’s position.
Urging his constituents to vote in favor of the amendments, Burkov highlighted another clause that enshrines marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
“Think about how far-sighted it is. What’s happening in Europe now? Kids are told since elementary school that same-sex marriage is good,” he said.
“But where will Europeans who live according to traditional family values and don’t agree with what’s drummed into their heads and forced on their children go tomorrow? ... They’ll go to Russia,” Burkov said.
The amendments also enshrine the mention of “faith in God” and ban giving away Russian territory to other countries. Observers have linked the latter provision to Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014 in a move that spurred sanctions and backlash from the international community.
Burkov did not appear to mention an amendment allowing Putin to run for two more six-year presidential terms after his latest term expires in 2024 during the 1.5-hour broadcast.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-19--French Police Stage Raids in City Marked by Chechen Unrest

`` The police operations are aimed at finding weapons , ammunition and narcotics , '' said Bernard Schmeltz , the government 's top official for the region .
French police carried out raids in the eastern city of Dijon on Friday after several nights of violence blamed on members of its Chechen community , officials said .
Around 140 officers took part in the raids , which came a day after police detained six from Dijon 's large Chechen population on suspicions they took part in the violence .
From Friday to Monday , the city was rocked by clashes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month on a 16-year-old Chechen boy , which prompted other members of the community to stage reprisal raids .
Chechens reportedly traveled to Dijon from all over France and even from neighboring Belgium and Germany to take part .
Scenes of the unrest , including men brandishing what appear to be assault rifles as well as handguns and clubs , shocked the country and prompted questions about whether security forces had taken sufficient measures to stop the fighting .
The national government eventually sent in police reinforcements to quell the violence .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gritty Gresilles district that is home to many people originally from North Africa and where many of the clashes took place , and in two other neighborhoods .
Dijon prosecutor Eric Mathais said this week that investigators were trying to identify the participants .
No new clashes have occurred since Tuesday , and the father of the teenager who was assaulted has pleaded for calm .

"The police operations are aimed at finding weapons, ammunition and narcotics," said Bernard Schmeltz, the government's top official for the region.
French police carried out raids in the eastern city of Dijon on Friday after several nights of violence blamed on members of its Chechen community, officials said.
Around 140 officers took part in the raids, which came a day after police detained six from Dijon's large Chechen population on suspicions they took part in the violence.
From Friday to Monday, the city was rocked by clashes and vehicle burnings after an assault this month on a 16-year-old Chechen boy, which prompted other members of the community to stage reprisal raids.
Chechens reportedly traveled to Dijon from all over France and even from neighboring Belgium and Germany to take part.
Scenes of the unrest, including men brandishing what appear to be assault rifles as well as handguns and clubs, shocked the country and prompted questions about whether security forces had taken sufficient measures to stop the fighting.
The national government eventually sent in police reinforcements to quell the violence.
The raids Friday were carried out in the gritty Gresilles district that is home to many people originally from North Africa and where many of the clashes took place, and in two other neighborhoods.
Dijon prosecutor Eric Mathais said this week that investigators were trying to identify the participants.
No new clashes have occurred since Tuesday, and the father of the teenager who was assaulted has pleaded for calm.