themoscowtimes--2020-07-06--Russia's Coronavirus Cases Approach 700K

Moscow lifted restrictions including compulsory travel passes on June 8 , a move welcomed by residents who rushed out to enjoy the streets and parks .
Many other regions lifted lockdown restrictions ahead of a July 1 national vote despite the pandemic .
Critics have cast doubt on Russia 's low official mortality rate and accused authorities of under-reporting to play down the scale of the crisis .
Russia attributes its lower virus death figures to mass testing which has identified many cases with mild or no coronavirus symptoms .
The Health Ministry is now adjusting how it reports numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ related to the virus even if the direct cause of death was another condition or the patient tested negative .
Former Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin , a liberal politician known for his outspoken comments , said Russia 's health system requires more funds and modernization in many regions .
`` Medicine is significantly underfunded even according to the current norms and also it needs a serious overhaul , '' Kudrin , who heads the Audit Chamber that examines government spending , said in an interview with the state-run TASS state news agency .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and show these figures , '' he added .
Nevertheless the economist said Russia `` is not doing a bad job with the pandemic , '' crediting the role of the military , which has built emergency facilities .

The highest number of new cases were in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Russia's fatality rate has remained low compared to other badly-hit countries, raising speculation that Moscow could be underreporting figures.
Russian authorities began easing anti-virus measures in June ahead of a massive World War II military parade in Moscow and a nationwide vote on constitutional reforms that now allow President Vladimir Putin to stay in power until 2036.
Both events were initially postponed due the epidemic.
Moscow opened cinemas and theaters on Aug. 1. In the capital, masks are mandatory in stores and on public transport but not in the streets.
Several institutes in Russia are working on a coronavirus vaccine.
The Russian Defense Ministry has said it developed a "safe" vaccine following clinical trials on a group of volunteers.
The trials are ongoing, and the Defense Ministry expects clinical trials to be fully completed in the coming weeks.
AFP contributed reporting to this article.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-06--News From Russia: What You Missed Over the Weekend

Austrian police arrested two Russians from Chechnya over the fatal shooting of a Chechen dissident and asylum seeker , fueling concerns over the security of Chechen government critics living in exile .
The vocal critic of the Chechen republic 's government — identified by Russian media as Mamikhan Umarov , 43 , now using the name Martin Beck — was found dead with gunshot wounds near the capital Vienna on Saturday .
The Novaya Gazeta independent newspaper wrote that the murdered man was a `` personal foe '' of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov , and his Chechen-language blog was popular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ author . ''
The first six months of 2020 have been the hottest on record in Russia , the head of Russia ’ s weather service Roman Vilfand has said .
Temperatures hit record highs in Moscow , St. Petersburg and vast parts of Siberia between January and June this year , Vilfand told the RBC news website .
At least 17 people were detained for several hours in Moscow while holding pickets in support of journalist Svetlana Prokopyeva , who faces six years in prison for allegedly justifying terrorism in an opinion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is expected Monday .
More than 30 independent journalists have also published statements in solidarity with Prokopyeva , arguing that the Pskov-based RFE/RL ’ s Russian Service freelance contributor is being persecuted for doing her job .

Chechen hit
Austrian police arrested two Russians from Chechnya over the fatal shooting of a Chechen dissident and asylum seeker, fueling concerns over the security of Chechen government critics living in exile.
The vocal critic of the Chechen republic's government — identified by Russian media as Mamikhan Umarov, 43, now using the name Martin Beck — was found dead with gunshot wounds near the capital Vienna on Saturday.
The Novaya Gazeta independent newspaper wrote that the murdered man was a "personal foe" of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, and his Chechen-language blog was popular because of the "outspokenness of its author."
Half-year heat
The first six months of 2020 have been the hottest on record in Russia, the head of Russia’s weather service Roman Vilfand has said.
Temperatures hit record highs in Moscow, St. Petersburg and vast parts of Siberia between January and June this year, Vilfand told the RBC news website.
Journalist solidarity
At least 17 people were detained for several hours in Moscow while holding pickets in support of journalist Svetlana Prokopyeva, who faces six years in prison for allegedly justifying terrorism in an opinion piece. A verdict in her case is expected Monday.
More than 30 independent journalists have also published statements in solidarity with Prokopyeva, arguing that the Pskov-based RFE/RL’s Russian Service freelance contributor is being persecuted for doing her job.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-06--Russian Women Rally Behind Feminist ‘Political Prisoner’

For weeks , Russian women have been posting non-sexualized photos of themselves in little or no clothing as well as artwork of tummy rolls , body hair , vaginas and breasts on social media .
The online flashmob , a common form of protest in Russia , is taking place in support of Yulia Tsvetkova , a feminist and LGBT activist from the city of Komsomolsk-on-Amur in Russia ’ s Far East .
It ’ s just one of the efforts in recent weeks aimed at drawing public attention to Tsvetkova ’ s case — and potentially turning the tide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is facing up to six years in prison on criminal pornography charges for her “ Vagina Monologues ” social media page , which featured abstract illustrations of female sexual organs in all shapes and sizes to help end the stigma surrounding women ’ s bodies .
“ I see a lot of people who aren ’ t afraid to express their opinions , take to the streets and publicly support feminist and LGBT movements , ” Tsvetkova told The Moscow Times .
“ I see that women 's voices are being heard more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia ’ s recent adoption of constitutional amendments that enshrine conservative , populist beliefs in Russia ’ s basic law , Tsvetkova has become a symbol of the consequences of Russia ’ s push for “ traditional family values ” at the expense of free expression .
She has been labeled a political prisoner by domestic and foreign rights groups alike and an online petition calling for the charges against her to be dropped has gathered more than 234,000 signatures .
In the months since her case started , she and her mother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She has also been hit with administrative fines and charges over drawings that promoted concepts like body-positivity and acceptance of sexual identity among young people in her community , which were found to have violated Russia ’ s “ gay propaganda ” law .
“ The reason Tsvetkova is targeted so relentlessly is that she is a feminist and an LGBT activist in a remote town , where she particularly stands out as a dissenter and a free thinker , ” said Anastasiia Zlobina , a representative for the Human Rights Watch NGO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S.-based artist who helps organize efforts to support Tsvetkova , said Russia has developed a narrative of heroically protecting children from ideas of non-traditional sexual relations while trashing feminists and others who support women ’ s rights .
“ This is a useful distraction from the very serious struggles facing average Russian people , ” she added .
Ahead of Tsvetkova ’ s trial , which is set to begin in mid-July , activists across Russia are mobilizing , with in-person and online protests calling for her release .
“ My task was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of an overwhelmed protest agenda — we have a huge amount of injustice in Russia , so nobody noticed persecution against another LGBT activist , ” said Olga Karchevskaya , an activist who has been working to raise awareness for Tsvetkova ’ s case for the past year .
With large gatherings like protests off-limits because of the coronavirus , activists have staged solo pickets in Moscow , St. Petersburg and other cities across the country in recent weeks .
At last Saturday ’ s pickets which involved over 500 people nationwide , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moscow and St. Petersburg , some of them by force .
One of the protesters was jailed for 20 days on charges of repeated violations of Russian protest law , while others have been ordered to pay fines .
Also on June 27 , activists organized a “ media strike ” that saw more than 50 Russian media outlets , bloggers , celebrities , NGOs and cultural organizations go dark all day to call for the charges against Tsvetkova to be dropped immediately .
Prominent cultural figures like Pussy Riot 's Nadya Tolokonnikova @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and readings to raise awareness for Tsvetkova 's case .
“ The staunch support for Yulia inspires hope , ” Zlobina said .
“ On the other hand , the case against her stems from vague , selectively enforced legislation .
”

For weeks, Russian women have been posting non-sexualized photos of themselves in little or no clothing as well as artwork of tummy rolls, body hair, vaginas and breasts on social media. The online flashmob, a common form of protest in Russia, is taking place in support of Yulia Tsvetkova, a feminist and LGBT activist from the city of Komsomolsk-on-Amur in Russia’s Far East. It’s just one of the efforts in recent weeks aimed at drawing public attention to Tsvetkova’s case — and potentially turning the tide in her favor. The 27-year-old artist is facing up to six years in prison on criminal pornography charges for her “Vagina Monologues” social media page, which featured abstract illustrations of female sexual organs in all shapes and sizes to help end the stigma surrounding women’s bodies. “I see a lot of people who aren’t afraid to express their opinions, take to the streets and publicly support feminist and LGBT movements,” Tsvetkova told The Moscow Times. “I see that women's voices are being heard more and more.”
Against the backdrop of Russia’s recent adoption of constitutional amendments that enshrine conservative, populist beliefs in Russia’s basic law, Tsvetkova has become a symbol of the consequences of Russia’s push for “traditional family values” at the expense of free expression. She has been labeled a political prisoner by domestic and foreign rights groups alike and an online petition calling for the charges against her to be dropped has gathered more than 234,000 signatures. In the months since her case started, she and her mother have experienced harassment and death threats. She has also been hit with administrative fines and charges over drawings that promoted concepts like body-positivity and acceptance of sexual identity among young people in her community, which were found to have violated Russia’s “gay propaganda” law. “The reason Tsvetkova is targeted so relentlessly is that she is a feminist and an LGBT activist in a remote town, where she particularly stands out as a dissenter and a free thinker,” said Anastasiia Zlobina, a representative for the Human Rights Watch NGO in Russia.
news Russian LGBT Activist Faces Porn Trial for Vagina Drawings Read more
Nicole Garneau, a U.S.-based artist who helps organize efforts to support Tsvetkova, said Russia has developed a narrative of heroically protecting children from ideas of non-traditional sexual relations while trashing feminists and others who support women’s rights. “This is a useful distraction from the very serious struggles facing average Russian people,” she added. Ahead of Tsvetkova’s trial, which is set to begin in mid-July, activists across Russia are mobilizing, with in-person and online protests calling for her release. “My task was to distinguish this case from the background of an overwhelmed protest agenda — we have a huge amount of injustice in Russia, so nobody noticed persecution against another LGBT activist,” said Olga Karchevskaya, an activist who has been working to raise awareness for Tsvetkova’s case for the past year.
loljanordic / Twitter
With large gatherings like protests off-limits because of the coronavirus, activists have staged solo pickets in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other cities across the country in recent weeks. At last Saturday’s pickets which involved over 500 people nationwide, more than 40 people were detained in Moscow and St. Petersburg, some of them by force. One of the protesters was jailed for 20 days on charges of repeated violations of Russian protest law, while others have been ordered to pay fines. Also on June 27, activists organized a “media strike” that saw more than 50 Russian media outlets, bloggers, celebrities, NGOs and cultural organizations go dark all day to call for the charges against Tsvetkova to be dropped immediately. Prominent cultural figures like Pussy Riot's Nadya Tolokonnikova also held a nine-hour marathon of lectures and readings to raise awareness for Tsvetkova's case. “The staunch support for Yulia inspires hope,” Zlobina said. “On the other hand, the case against her stems from vague, selectively enforced legislation.”


themoscowtimes--2020-07-06--Russia Demands $2Bln From Mining Giant Over Arctic Oil Spill

Russian authorities have demanded mining giant Nornickel make a “ voluntary ” $ 2 billion contribution to cover the environmental @ @ @ @ @ ’ s biggest ever oil spill .
In a statement issued Monday , Russia ’ @ @ @ @ @ the cost of the spillage of 21,000 tons of diesel at 148 billion rubles ( @ @ @ @ @ The agency added that it had “ calculated the damage and sent claims for voluntary @ @ @ @ @ , a subsidiary of Nornickel .
The de facto fine would represent a third of @ @ @ @ @ profits , or around 15 % of annual income , Russian news agency RIA Novosti @ @

Russian authorities have demanded mining giant Nornickel make a “voluntary” $2 billion contribution to cover the environmental damage caused by the Arctic’s biggest ever oil spill.
In a statement issued Monday, Russia’s environmental agency Rosprirodnadzor assessed the cost of the spillage of 21,000 tons of diesel at 148 billion rubles ($2.1 billion).
The agency added that it had “calculated the damage and sent claims for voluntary compensation” to Norilsk Taimyr, a subsidiary of Nornickel.
The de facto fine would represent a third of the company’s 2019 profits, or around 15% of annual income, Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-06--Putin Cannot Yet Clarify When EU Borders Will Be Opened to Russians

It is unclear when EU countries will reopen their borders to Russian tourists , President Vladimir Putin said Monday during a meeting with the head of Russia ’ s flagship airline Aeroflot .
`` It is not clear what our partners will do in many countries of the world , including in Europe , they can not understand each other yet .
And it is not clear when they will open their borders and territories to third-country citizens , including Russian citizens , even during the summer holidays , '' Putin was quoted as saying on the Kremlin ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fast-spreading coronavirus outbreak prompted Russia to ground most of its international fleet , keeping active only special evacuation flights to bring Russian tourists home from abroad , and some government jets .
Aeroflot halted ticket sales for international routes until August 1 .
Aeroflot CEO Vitaly Saveliev said during the meeting with Putin that a number of foreign airlines have lifted restrictions on international flights and that Aeroflot also expects to be able restore its flying capacities .
“ If we manage to agree and start flying , then the real recovery to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ December , and by the end of the winter season , which is the end of March next year , we can reach the level of 2019 for international flights ” , Saveliev said .
Russia was not included in the European Commission 's list of countries granted entry to the European Union from July 1 .

It is unclear when EU countries will reopen their borders to Russian tourists, President Vladimir Putin said Monday during a meeting with the head of Russia’s flagship airline Aeroflot.
"It is not clear what our partners will do in many countries of the world, including in Europe, they cannot understand each other yet. And it is not clear when they will open their borders and territories to third-country citizens, including Russian citizens, even during the summer holidays," Putin was quoted as saying on the Kremlin’s website.
In late March, the fast-spreading coronavirus outbreak prompted Russia to ground most of its international fleet, keeping active only special evacuation flights to bring Russian tourists home from abroad, and some government jets. Aeroflot halted ticket sales for international routes until August 1.
Aeroflot CEO Vitaly Saveliev said during the meeting with Putin that a number of foreign airlines have lifted restrictions on international flights and that Aeroflot also expects to be able restore its flying capacities.
“If we manage to agree and start flying, then the real recovery to 80 percent of capacity will be by December, and by the end of the winter season, which is the end of March next year, we can reach the level of 2019 for international flights”, Saveliev said.
Russia was not included in the European Commission's list of countries granted entry to the European Union from July 1.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-06--U.K. Designates 25 Russian Individuals in New Rights Sanctions

Britain on Monday identified 49 `` notorious '' individuals and organizations , 25 of them Russian and 20 Saudis , to be sanctioned under its first post-Brexit targeting of accused human rights violators , prompting immediate anger from Moscow .
The Russians are listed for their alleged involvement in the death of lawyer Sergei Magnitsky and the Saudis for suspected roles in the death of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi , the Foreign Office said .
One notable name on the list is Saud al-Qahtani , who it is believed oversaw the team that killed Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Korea were also included on the list and all those named will have their UK assets frozen and travel bans imposed .
It is the first time Britain has gone it alone and used sanctions to penalize individuals and organizations accused of human rights abuse .
Previously , it has followed European Union and United Nations sanctions regimes .
The new measures were announced by Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab in a statement to the House of Commons .
He said the government would now have the `` power to impose sanctions on those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abuses right around the world .
`` These sanctions are a forensic tool , they allow us to target perpetrators without punishing the wider people of a country that may be affected . ''
He added : `` Today this Government and this House sends a very clear message on behalf of the British people that those with blood on their hands , the thugs of despots , the henchman of dictators will not be free to waltz into this country to buy up property on the King 's Road , to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to siphon dirty money through British banks or other financial institutions . ''
Those targeted would be those not just committing human rights abuses but anyone who profited from them , Raab said .
Lisa Nandy , the main opposition Labour party 's foreign affairs spokeswoman , said the sanctions could not come too soon .
Britain had been a `` haven '' to those who use corruption , torture and murder , she said .
The decision drew a furious reaction from Russia , marking another low-point between the two countries .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take retaliatory measures in connection with Britain 's hostile decision , '' the Russian embassy in London said in a statement without elaborating .
The mission said Moscow was particularly outraged by the sanctioning of top directors of Russia 's Investigative Committee and General Prosecutor 's Office as well as judges .
Meanwhile , U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo backed the move as an example of British post-Brexit diplomacy .
`` This sanctions regime marks the beginning of a new era for UK sanctions policy and cooperation between our two democracies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The move follows the passage of the 2018 Sanctions Act to set up a post-Brexit sanctions regime .
Britain formally left the EU earlier this year following the 2016 referendum vote backing the move .
Emil Dall , a senior research fellow with the RUSI think tank , called the list `` UK 's first independent sanctions '' , in a briefing with journalists .
The new regime of sanctions would hit London 's financial sector , the insurance industry and even UK boarding schools , where some of the individuals had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Raab paid tribute to Magnitsky , who was arrested after detailing an alleged large-scale tax fraud by Russian officials .
He died in jail in 2009 .
Khashoggi was a Saudi journalist based in the United States , whose columns were critical of the Saudi regime .
He was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul .

Britain on Monday identified 49 "notorious" individuals and organizations, 25 of them Russian and 20 Saudis, to be sanctioned under its first post-Brexit targeting of accused human rights violators, prompting immediate anger from Moscow.
The Russians are listed for their alleged involvement in the death of lawyer Sergei Magnitsky and the Saudis for suspected roles in the death of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the Foreign Office said.
One notable name on the list is Saud al-Qahtani, who it is believed oversaw the team that killed Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Turkey in 2018.
Individuals from North Korea were also included on the list and all those named will have their UK assets frozen and travel bans imposed.
It is the first time Britain has gone it alone and used sanctions to penalize individuals and organizations accused of human rights abuse. Previously, it has followed European Union and United Nations sanctions regimes.
The new measures were announced by Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab in a statement to the House of Commons.
He said the government would now have the "power to impose sanctions on those involved in the very worst human rights abuses right around the world.
"These sanctions are a forensic tool, they allow us to target perpetrators without punishing the wider people of a country that may be affected."
He added: "Today this Government and this House sends a very clear message on behalf of the British people that those with blood on their hands, the thugs of despots, the henchman of dictators will not be free to waltz into this country to buy up property on the King's Road, to do their Christmas shopping in Knightsbridge or frankly to siphon dirty money through British banks or other financial institutions."
Those targeted would be those not just committing human rights abuses but anyone who profited from them, Raab said.
Lisa Nandy, the main opposition Labour party's foreign affairs spokeswoman, said the sanctions could not come too soon. Britain had been a "haven" to those who use corruption, torture and murder, she said.
Moscow angered
The decision drew a furious reaction from Russia, marking another low-point between the two countries.
"The Russian side reserves the right to take retaliatory measures in connection with Britain's hostile decision," the Russian embassy in London said in a statement without elaborating.
The mission said Moscow was particularly outraged by the sanctioning of top directors of Russia's Investigative Committee and General Prosecutor's Office as well as judges.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo backed the move as an example of British post-Brexit diplomacy.
"This sanctions regime marks the beginning of a new era for UK sanctions policy and cooperation between our two democracies," he said in a statement.
Independent sanctions
The move follows the passage of the 2018 Sanctions Act to set up a post-Brexit sanctions regime.
Britain formally left the EU earlier this year following the 2016 referendum vote backing the move.
Emil Dall, a senior research fellow with the RUSI think tank, called the list "UK's first independent sanctions", in a briefing with journalists.
The new regime of sanctions would hit London's financial sector, the insurance industry and even UK boarding schools, where some of the individuals had sent their children, he said.
Raab paid tribute to Magnitsky, who was arrested after detailing an alleged large-scale tax fraud by Russian officials. He died in jail in 2009.
Khashoggi was a Saudi journalist based in the United States, whose columns were critical of the Saudi regime. He was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-06--Russian Journalist Found Guilty of 'Justifying Terrorism' Avoids Jail Time

A Russian journalist avoided a prison sentence on Monday but was given a $ 7,000 fine for `` justifying terrorism '' in a controversial case that sparked an outcry at home and abroad .
Svetlana Prokopyeva , who is based in the northwestern city of Pskov , was charged with publicly justifying terrorism over a column she wrote about a bombing attack that targeted the FSB security service in the north of the country in 2018 .
The 40-year-old walked out of a Pskov courtroom a free woman after the judge found her guilty and ordered her to pay a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
Prokopyeva works for the Russian service of the US-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty ( RFE/RL ) as a freelance contributor .
Prosecutors had asked the judge to jail Prokopyeva for six years and ban her from working in journalism for four years on the charges that carry a maximum sentence of seven years .
As the judge read out the verdict , supporters in the courtroom — many of whom had arrived from Moscow — shouted `` shame '' and `` she is not guilty . ''
Standing on the steps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bouquet of flowers , Prokopyeva thanked her allies for their support and vowed to appeal the decision .
`` The biggest success is that I was not forbidden from working in my profession , '' she told the crowd , sporting a T-shirt that said `` We will not shut up '' .
Yulia Galyamina , a Moscow deputy in the opposition Yabloko party who described the verdict as `` unfair , '' tweeted that 10 percent of Prokopyeva 's fine was already collected outside the courtroom .
The journalist 's case has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carried out by a 17-year-old anarchist who blew himself up in a Federal Security Service ( FSB ) building in Arkhangelsk in northern Russia .
In her commentary , published by the Pskov affiliate of the Echo of Moscow radio station , Prokopyeva linked the teenager 's suicide bombing to the political climate under President Vladimir Putin .
Prokopyeva said she was freed thanks to public pressure .
In a statement published by the Memorial rights group , dozens of human rights defenders denounced the case as `` openly political '' with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` A journalist is entitled to freely spread information not only on events but also on ideas , '' they said .
International press advocacy group Reporters Without Borders said it was `` relieved '' by the ruling and welcomed `` the mobilisation in support of the journalist . ''
Human Rights Watch said the ruling `` creates another dangerous precedent , with a journalist found guilty of a terrorism offence for normal journalistic work '' .
`` The authorities should immediately and unconditionally vacate her politically motivated conviction , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian journalists spoke out in support of Prokopyeva this month , and more than a dozen of her supporters were briefly detained at a picket last week .
Speaking to reporters after the sentencing , Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied the case against Prokopyeva had fuelled public mistrust in Russia 's legal system .
`` I see no grounds for that , '' he said .

A Russian journalist avoided a prison sentence on Monday but was given a $7,000 fine for "justifying terrorism" in a controversial case that sparked an outcry at home and abroad. Svetlana Prokopyeva, who is based in the northwestern city of Pskov, was charged with publicly justifying terrorism over a column she wrote about a bombing attack that targeted the FSB security service in the north of the country in 2018. The 40-year-old walked out of a Pskov courtroom a free woman after the judge found her guilty and ordered her to pay a fine of 500,000 rubles ($6,950).
Prokopyeva works for the Russian service of the US-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) as a freelance contributor. Prosecutors had asked the judge to jail Prokopyeva for six years and ban her from working in journalism for four years on the charges that carry a maximum sentence of seven years. As the judge read out the verdict, supporters in the courtroom — many of whom had arrived from Moscow — shouted "shame" and "she is not guilty." Standing on the steps of the court building holding a large bouquet of flowers, Prokopyeva thanked her allies for their support and vowed to appeal the decision. "The biggest success is that I was not forbidden from working in my profession," she told the crowd, sporting a T-shirt that said "We will not shut up". Yulia Galyamina, a Moscow deputy in the opposition Yabloko party who described the verdict as "unfair," tweeted that 10 percent of Prokopyeva's fine was already collected outside the courtroom. The journalist's case has its origins in a November 2018 bombing carried out by a 17-year-old anarchist who blew himself up in a Federal Security Service (FSB) building in Arkhangelsk in northern Russia. In her commentary, published by the Pskov affiliate of the Echo of Moscow radio station, Prokopyeva linked the teenager's suicide bombing to the political climate under President Vladimir Putin.
Public pressure Prokopyeva said she was freed thanks to public pressure. In a statement published by the Memorial rights group, dozens of human rights defenders denounced the case as "openly political" with the goal of "intimidating Russian journalists". "A journalist is entitled to freely spread information not only on events but also on ideas," they said. International press advocacy group Reporters Without Borders said it was "relieved" by the ruling and welcomed "the mobilisation in support of the journalist." Human Rights Watch said the ruling "creates another dangerous precedent, with a journalist found guilty of a terrorism offence for normal journalistic work". "The authorities should immediately and unconditionally vacate her politically motivated conviction," the watchdog said. More than 30 prominent Russian journalists spoke out in support of Prokopyeva this month, and more than a dozen of her supporters were briefly detained at a picket last week. Speaking to reporters after the sentencing, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied the case against Prokopyeva had fuelled public mistrust in Russia's legal system. "I see no grounds for that," he said.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-07--Russia Will Impose Counter-Sanctions on U.K. – Kremlin

Moscow will apply counter-sanctions against Britain , the Kremlin said Tuesday , after London blacklisted Russian officials for their alleged @ @ @ @ @ lawyer Sergei Magnitsky .
`` We can only regret such unfriendly measures , '' Kremlin @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Obviously the principle of reciprocity will be applied , '' he added , @ @ @ @ @ Russians included on the sanctions list drawn up by Britain 's Foreign Office were included @ @ @ @ @ the death of Magnitsky .
Magnitsky , a tax consultant for British financier William Browder @ @ @ @ @ untreated illness in 2009 after accusing Russian officials of tax fraud of $ 230 million @ @ @ @ @ targeted by the sanctions include Alexander Bastrykin , the head of the powerful Investigative Committee @ @ @ @ @ Vladimir Putin .

Moscow will apply counter-sanctions against Britain, the Kremlin said Tuesday, after London blacklisted Russian officials for their alleged involvement in the death of lawyer Sergei Magnitsky.
"We can only regret such unfriendly measures," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
"Obviously the principle of reciprocity will be applied," he added, without elaborating.
The 25 Russians included on the sanctions list drawn up by Britain's Foreign Office were included for their alleged involvement in the death of Magnitsky.
Magnitsky, a tax consultant for British financier William Browder, died in prison of untreated illness in 2009 after accusing Russian officials of tax fraud of $230 million.
Russian officials to be targeted by the sanctions include Alexander Bastrykin, the head of the powerful Investigative Committee that reports directly to President Vladimir Putin.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-07--Colleagues Rally Behind Former Russian Journalist Detained for Treason

Allegations that former journalist Ivan Safronov passed state secrets to foreign intelligence strain credulity , his colleagues told The Moscow Times after he was detained on suspicion of state treason .
Special agents detained Safronov outside his apartment earlier Tuesday , only two months after he left his decade-long journalism career to become an adviser to Russia ’ s space chief Dmitry Rogozin .
Safronov was a defense correspondent at the Kommersant business daily for 10 years , and for Vedomosti between 2019 and May this year .
“ I ’ ll never believe that Vanya could give or sell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harm Russia ’ s interests to foreigners , ” said Safronov ’ s former colleague , deputy head of Kommersant ’ s foreign desk Yelena Chernenko , who was later detained by police when she joined solo picketers outside Federal Security Services ( FSB ) headquarters in central Moscow .
“ I think it ’ s a complete stitch-up , ” Chernenko told The Moscow Times by phone , linking the treason case to her colleague ’ s journalism despite the Kremlin ’ s denial of such suggestions .
“ He wrote things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .

Allegations that former journalist Ivan Safronov passed state secrets to foreign intelligence strain credulity, his colleagues told The Moscow Times after he was detained on suspicion of state treason.
Special agents detained Safronov outside his apartment earlier Tuesday, only two months after he left his decade-long journalism career to become an adviser to Russia’s space chief Dmitry Rogozin. Safronov was a defense correspondent at the Kommersant business daily for 10 years, and for Vedomosti between 2019 and May this year.
“I’ll never believe that Vanya could give or sell state secrets or any information that could harm Russia’s interests to foreigners,” said Safronov’s former colleague, deputy head of Kommersant’s foreign desk Yelena Chernenko, who was later detained by police when she joined solo picketers outside Federal Security Services (FSB) headquarters in central Moscow.
“I think it’s a complete stitch-up,” Chernenko told The Moscow Times by phone, linking the treason case to her colleague’s journalism despite the Kremlin’s denial of such suggestions.
“He wrote things that clearly displeased the authorities,” she said.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-07--Russian Independent Magazine Editor Detained after Police Raid

A prominent Russian journalist and chief editor of the independent news magazine Holod Media has been detained after authorities searched @ @ @ @ @ human rights lawyer Pavel Chikov said Tuesday .
“ It ’ s unknown what the @ @ @ @ @ but according to social media posts , Taisiya Bekbulatova is closely acquainted with the journalist @ @ @ @ @ this morning , ” Chikov wrote .
Earlier today , authorities in Moscow detained the @ @ @ @ @ space chief and former Kommersant and Vedomosti journalist Ivan Safronov on suspicion of state treason @ @ @ @ @ could be imprisoned for up to 20 years .

A prominent Russian journalist and chief editor of the independent news magazine Holod Media has been detained after authorities searched her apartment in Moscow, human rights lawyer Pavel Chikov said Tuesday.
Earlier in the day, authorities in Moscow detained the adviser to Russia’s space chief and former Kommersant and Vedomosti journalist Ivan Safronov on suspicion of state treason.
Chikov said that authorities had taken in Bekbulatova in for questioning as a witness in Safronov’s treason case
Bekbulatova was previously employed at Kommersant.
If convicted, Safronov could be imprisoned for up to 20 years.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-07--Adviser to Russia’s Space Chief and Ex-Journalist Detained for Treason

Authorities in Moscow have detained the adviser to Russia ’ s space chief and former journalist Ivan Safronov on suspicion @ @ @ @ @ ’ s space agency Roscosmos said Tuesday .
Safronov ’ s detention comes two months @ @ @ @ @ Dmitry Rogozin ’ s adviser .
Until May , Safronov had been writing for the @ @ @ @ @ dailies for a total of 11 years .
Roscosmos confirmed Safronov ’ s detention following @ @ @ @ @ the state corporation is assisting in the investigation .
Authorities suspect Safronov of working in @ @ @ @ @ NATO country ’ s secret services , according to the state-run news agency RIA Novosti @ @ @ @ @ gathered Tuesday afternoon outside the FSB building in Moscow for solo pickets .
At least @ @ @ @ @ s former colleague and deputy head of the foreign desk at Kommersant Yelena Chernenko — @ @ @ @

Twenty people have been detained, according to OVD Info, which tracks detentions at political protests.
His arrest, on charges that carry a maximum sentence of 20 years behind bars, sparked an uproar among supporters, some of whom took to the streets of Moscow to protest.
Ivan Safronov, 30, worked for business outlets Kommersant and Vedomosti and was one of Russia's most high profile and respected journalists reporting on defence. Moscow's Lefortovsky court ruled to approve Safronov's arrest for one month and 30 days, "until September 6," a court spokeswoman told AFP.
A high-profile Russian journalist who became an adviser to the head of the space agency was detained Tuesday on charges of treason for allegedly divulging state military secrets, the country's security service said.
Safronov's lawyer Ivan Pavlov said it was the first time in nearly 20 years that a reporter had been accused of state treason in Russia, adding the fate of independent journalism was now on the line.
Supporters took to social media arguing that the charges were a response to his reporting, which had ruffled feathers among the ruling elite.
Safronov's arrest came after President Vladimir Putin, who has been in power for two decades, oversaw a controversial nationwide vote that allows him to extend his grip on power until 2036.
On Tuesday, the Federal Security Service said Safronov had collected confidential data about the Russian military, defense, and security and was "handing it over" to the intelligence of a NATO member country.
The Kremlin insisted his detention was not related to his previous work as a journalist.
"Our counterintelligence is very busy, has a lot of tasks, and does its job very well," spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
But the space agency said the charges were unrelated to Safronov's work at Roscosmos, where he started working in May.
Roscosmos chief Dmitry Rogozin said Safronov "did not have access to secret information."
In recent years authorities have ramped up efforts to squelch dissent, and a wide range of individuals including scientists have been accused of high treason or disclosing state secrets.
Security analyst Andrei Soldatov said Safronov's arrest indicates that repression in the country may be entering a new phase.
"The case against Ivan Safronov is an absolutely new level of repression against journalism in the country," he said.
Arrest after arrest
Safronov reported on the military, politics and Russia's space programme, which has suffered a series of embarrassing setbacks and corruption scandals in recent years.
In 2019, Kommersant removed from its website an article he co-authored about the delivery of Russian jets to Egypt after court proceedings were opened into the disclosure of state secrets.
He was forced to quit Kommersant in May last year following the publication of an article he co-authored which reported that the speaker of Russia's upper house of parliament was planning to step down.
The entire politics desk of the newspaper resigned in protest against his dismissal.
A number of media outlets including Kommersant on Tuesday issued statements in defence of Safronov, describing him as one of the best Russian journalists and a patriot.
"It is simply impossible to imagine Ivan, the son of an officer, to be a traitor," said Vedomosti.
Safronov followed in the footsteps of his journalist father, who also covered defence for Kommersant.
Ivan Safronov senior died in 2007 after falling out of a window under murky circumstances. At the time of his death he was working on a story about Russia sending an air defence system and planes to Iran and Syria.
On Monday, a reporter from the northwestern city of Pskov was fined nearly $7,000 for "justifying terrorism," in a case that sparked an outcry.
Prosecutors had requested that Svetlana Prokopyeva be sentenced to six years in prison for a commentary about a bomb attack and banned from working as a journalist for four years.
"Watching arrest after arrest of Russian journalists — it's starting to look like a concerted campaign against #MediaFreedom," tweeted Rebecca Ross, a spokeswoman for the U.S. embassy in Moscow.
By Anna Smolchenko and Jonathan Brown for AFP.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-07--Most Russian Doctors Mistrust Official Coronavirus Data – Poll

Around half of Russia ’ s doctors believe that official statistics undercount the number of coronavirus cases in the country while one in 10 say the numbers are too high , the Vedomosti business newspaper reported Tuesday .
The survey ’ s results follow questions over Russia ’ s relatively low Covid-19 death toll among the hardest-hit countries as authorities doubled fatalities for the early months of the outbreak .
Russia has attributed its low mortality figures , which stood at 10,494 as of Tuesday , to mass testing and scrupulous autopsies determining the exact cause of death .
Among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ association ESOMAR , 49 % said the official tally of Russia ’ s coronavirus cases is too low and 47 % said they believe that Covid-19 deaths are undercounted .
Conversely , 9 % said of the respondents the official caseload is too high and 11 % said they believe Covid-19 deaths are overcounted , according to the results cited by Vedomosti .
“ Doctors have more expert information and most of them talk about lowered statistics , ” Stepan Goncharov , sociologist with the independent polling agency Levada Center , told Vedomosti @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients infected with Covid-19 have more of this mistrust , ” Goncharov said .
Only a quarter of the polled doctors ( 23 % ) said they trust the official caseload , while 21 % said they trust the official death toll , Vedomosti reported .
Levada Center and Russia ’ s state-funded pollster FOM conducted the survey for ESOMAR among 502 Russian healthcare professionals between June 8-17 .
Around 60 % of the respondents had experience with Covid-19 patients and 16 % work in so-called coronavirus “ red zones .
”

Around half of Russia’s doctors believe that official statistics undercount the number of coronavirus cases in the country while one in 10 say the numbers are too high, the Vedomosti business newspaper reported Tuesday.
The survey’s results follow questions over Russia’s relatively low Covid-19 death toll among the hardest-hit countries as authorities doubled fatalities for the early months of the outbreak. Russia has attributed its low mortality figures, which stood at 10,494 as of Tuesday, to mass testing and scrupulous autopsies determining the exact cause of death.
Among the doctors polled for the global research association ESOMAR, 49% said the official tally of Russia’s coronavirus cases is too low and 47% said they believe that Covid-19 deaths are undercounted.
Conversely, 9% said of the respondents the official caseload is too high and 11% said they believe Covid-19 deaths are overcounted, according to the results cited by Vedomosti.
“Doctors have more expert information and most of them talk about lowered statistics,” Stepan Goncharov, sociologist with the independent polling agency Levada Center, told Vedomosti.
“Those who have worked with patients infected with Covid-19 have more of this mistrust,” Goncharov said.
Only a quarter of the polled doctors (23%) said they trust the official caseload, while 21% said they trust the official death toll, Vedomosti reported.
Levada Center and Russia’s state-funded pollster FOM conducted the survey for ESOMAR among 502 Russian healthcare professionals between June 8-17.
Around 60% of the respondents had experience with Covid-19 patients and 16% work in so-called coronavirus “red zones.”


themoscowtimes--2020-07-07--Russian Village Quarantines With Anti-Coronavirus Trench

A Siberian village has surrounded itself with trenches to prevent the spread of the coronavirus after officials said an infected shaman caused an outbreak among the local population .
The village of Shuluta in the republic of Buryatia had registered 37 cases of Covid-19 among its 390 residents as of Saturday , with a quarter of the population believed to have been in contact with them .
An infected woman who performed a shaman ritual with dozens of villagers on June 10 is thought to have been the spreader , Reuters quoted Ivan Alheyev , the head of the district @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Workers have dug two deep trenches “ in an almost complete ring ” surrounding Shuluta as a protective measure , his spokeswoman Dora Khamaganova wrote on Facebook on June 29 .
She explained that the trenches were dug not only to self-isolate the villagers but also prevent tourists from driving through Shuluta to a national park on Lake Baikal .
“ This traffic chaos stopped when a second trench was plowed , ” Khamaganova said , referring to Shuluta as a “ strategic ” location .
The village ’ s only grocery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and authorities have organized food deliveries to avoid shortages .
The republic of Buryatia , located more than 5,500 kilometers east of Moscow , had registered 3,141 total cases of Covid-19 as of Monday .
Its authorities extended anti-coronavirus restrictions until July 31 as the caseload has shifted from Moscow to the outer regions in recent weeks .
Alkheyev has threatened lawsuits against two Shuluta residents who infected their families and neighbors as soon as restrictions are lifted .

A Siberian village has surrounded itself with trenches to prevent the spread of the coronavirus after officials said an infected shaman caused an outbreak among the local population.
The village of Shuluta in the republic of Buryatia had registered 37 cases of Covid-19 among its 390 residents as of Saturday, with a quarter of the population believed to have been in contact with them. An infected woman who performed a shaman ritual with dozens of villagers on June 10 is thought to have been the spreader, Reuters quoted Ivan Alheyev, the head of the district where Shuluta is located, as saying.
Workers have dug two deep trenches “in an almost complete ring” surrounding Shuluta as a protective measure, his spokeswoman Dora Khamaganova wrote on Facebook on June 29.
She explained that the trenches were dug not only to self-isolate the villagers but also prevent tourists from driving through Shuluta to a national park on Lake Baikal.
“This traffic chaos stopped when a second trench was plowed,” Khamaganova said, referring to Shuluta as a “strategic” location.
The village’s only grocery store has been closed for several days and authorities have organized food deliveries to avoid shortages.
The republic of Buryatia, located more than 5,500 kilometers east of Moscow, had registered 3,141 total cases of Covid-19 as of Monday. Its authorities extended anti-coronavirus restrictions until July 31 as the caseload has shifted from Moscow to the outer regions in recent weeks.
Alkheyev has threatened lawsuits against two Shuluta residents who infected their families and neighbors as soon as restrictions are lifted.