themoscowtimes--2020-07-31--Russia Charges Rapper's Widow With Murder After Finding Dismembered Body

Russian investigators on Friday charged a rapper 's widow with his murder after discovering his dismembered body .
Investigators said @ @ @ @ @ body of Ukrainian rapper Alexander Yushko , who performed under the stage name Andy Cartwright @ @ @ @ @ the northwestern city of St. Petersburg on Wednesday .
The Investigative Committee , which probes @ @ @ @ @ the head resembled a passport photograph of the victim .
`` The wife of the @ @ @ @ @ She has now been charged , '' it said in a statement , adding that @ @ @ @ @ The press service of St. Petersburg 's branch of the Investigative Committee confirmed to AFP @ @ @ @ @ did not give names , referred to the rapper 's widow Marina Kokhal .

The press service of St. Petersburg's branch of the Investigative Committee confirmed to AFP that the statement, which did not give names, referred to the rapper's widow Marina Kokhal.
"The wife of the victim has been detained. She has now been charged," it said in a statement, adding that the charge was murder.
The Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes, said that the head resembled a passport photograph of the victim.
Investigators said they found fragments of the body of Ukrainian rapper Alexander Yushko, who performed under the stage name Andy Cartwright, in a flat in the northwestern city of St. Petersburg on Wednesday.
Russian investigators on Friday charged a rapper's widow with his murder after discovering his dismembered body.
Kokhal claimed that she cut up the rapper's body after he died from a drug overdose because she wanted to protect his reputation, local media reported, citing sources close to the investigation. She called police several days later.
Investigators said that the couple had quarrelled and the rapper's wife caused his death "in a way not determined."
"Then to cover up traces of the crime, the woman ... cut up the body of the victim into separate body parts with the aim of later destroying them," the investigators said.
REN TV channel reported that initial tests found no traces of drugs in the rapper's body.
The 31-year-old performer took part in rap battles in the city run by an organization called Versus Battle.
The organization on its website calls him a "Ukrainian underground rap performer" known for "complex rhymes and vivid metaphors."
He posted regularly on Instagram, most recently an image of a tattooed bicep. Fontanka.ru local news website reported that his widow continued to update his social media after his death.
The former tsarist capital known for its art galleries and ballet was recently rocked by another similarly grisly crime.
A reputed historian who taught at one of the city's universities, Oleg Sokolov, is currently on trial for murdering his young lover and dismembering her body.
He was arrested last year after being hauled out of a freezing river drunk with a backpack containing her arms.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-31--UK Names Media Mogul Yevgeny Lebedev to House of Lords

Russian-British media owner Yevgeny Lebedev has been appointed to the House of Lords in Britain .
Lebedev owns Britain ’ @ @ @ @ @ newspapers .
His father , Russian oligarch Alexander Lebedev , is co-owner of the independent @ @ @ @ @ .
In summer 2019 , then-Prime Minister Theresa May 's government launched an investigation into @ @ @ @ @ % stake in the Evening Standard and Independent to a Saudi investor .
That summer @ @ @ @ @ have entertained then-Foreign Secretary Johnson at a party in his family ’ s villa in @ @ @ @ @ an ex-KGB agent turned business tycoon , was reportedly one of the figures investigated as @ @ @ @ @ and Security Committee report on alleged Kremlin interference in country ’ s 2016 Brexit referendum @

Russian-British media owner Yevgeny Lebedev has been appointed to the House of Lords in Britain.
Queen Elizabeth II conferred Lebedev’s lifetime peerage on Friday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s office said.
Lebedev owns Britain’s Independent and Evening Standard newspapers. His father, Russian oligarch Alexander Lebedev, is co-owner of the independent Novaya Gazeta newspaper in Russia.
In summer 2019, then-Prime Minister Theresa May's government launched an investigation into his sale of a 30% stake in the Evening Standard and Independent to a Saudi investor.
That summer, he was reported to have entertained then-Foreign Secretary Johnson at a party in his family’s villa in Italy.
Alexander Lebedev, an ex-KGB agent turned business tycoon, was reportedly one of the figures investigated as part of Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee report on alleged Kremlin interference in country’s 2016 Brexit referendum.


themoscowtimes--2020-08-01--Russian Far East Protesters Turn Out by the Thousands as Crackdown Intensifies

KHABAROVSK — As the rain beat down , a sea of umbrellas filled the valley that has become part of the well-trodden path protesters take on their daily march around the city of Khabarovsk in Russia ’ s Far East .
Despite a torrential summer downpour , thousands took to the streets for the fourth straight massive Saturday protest , the main event of the daily rallies .
There has now been a demonstration for 22 consecutive days since the arrest of governor Sergei Furgal on July 10 on several 15-year-old murder charges his supporters believe are payback for their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ represent the ruling United Russia party into office .
Furgal is a member of the nationalist Liberal Democratic Party of Russia .
But as the protest movement has taken on an increasingly anti-Kremlin stance over the past two weeks , the authorities have begun to crack down .
This week they handed two protesters week-long prison sentences , slapped fines of 10,000 rubles ( $ 134.4 ) apiece on another two demonstrators for participating in unsanctioned protests and detained another two on the eve of Saturday ’ s rally , holding them overnight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to be agreed in advance with the authorities , who have not approved any of the Khabarovsk rallies .
Some local media outlets estimated that over 10,000 people turned up for Saturday ’ s rally — still large in a city of 600,000 but fewer than the previous three and the first time numbers have fallen .
While this was the first wet weekend since the protests began , there were also the first signs that the surprising movement may be losing steam .
“ Some days are really hard and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Nikolai , a 30-year-old protester , who walks with the help of a cane after a car accident .
He has marched nearly every day since the rallies kicked off last month .
“ But I plan on continuing to do so until Putin begins treating us with dignity.
” Nikolai , like an increasing number of demonstrators , declined to give his last name over fears of reprisals .
That growing unease may partly explain the lower numbers at Saturday ’ s rally .
“ I think it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to show Putin that we are tired of how he treats us , ” said Alexei Osipov , a 30-year-old line cook , though he expressed doubts as to how committed he will be if the movement fades .
“ I ’ ll keep going if this many people go , but I ’ m not sure I will want to go alone.
” Local news website DVHab.ru reported that the march was smaller than previous Saturday events , while Khabarovsk authorities announced that 3,000 people attended .
Last Saturday , the authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though estimates from other sources were much higher .
Yet even as the authorities increasingly target individual protesters in a movement that lacks a leader , the Kremlin more generally appears to be taking a wait-and-see approach .
State television has ignored the rallies .
Furgal ’ s Putin-picked replacement Mikhail Degtyaryov , who has never lived in the region , left Khabarovsk for the second straight Saturday to visit another city .
And during the march on Saturday — as at all of the rallies so far — police escorted the marchers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without interfering .
Sergei Zuev , a 65-year-old pensioner , believes the Kremlin is playing it correctly .
“ Moscow authorities should understand that if they use force this could end in civil war , ” he said on the eve of Saturday ’ s rally .
“ If OMON ” — riot police — “ come here from Moscow , they will return in coffins.
” But Zuev ’ s fighting stance was a lone voice in recent days .
Most protesters who spoke to The Moscow Times believe the authorities will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon as it fizzles down to a manageable number .
Many were also resigned to the fact that that will happen sooner or later .
“ For now they want to scare all of the protesters by randomly targeting certain people who were more visible , ” said Artyom Mozgov , a 20-year-old activist who was one of the two protesters fined this week .
“ Most likely they will wait until the number of people on the streets becomes lower and lower , and when the number of protesters is around 1,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force.
” As the crackdown intensifies , protesters have added cries of “ Freedom to political prisoners , ” “ When we are united we are unbeatable ” and “ You can ’ t scare us ” to their catalog of chants , many of which are directed at the Kremlin .
Those include “ Putin resign ” and “ Twenty years , no trust , ” a reference to the time the Russian president has been in power .
On Friday evening at Lenin Square in the city center , where protesters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s administration building each day before beginning their march , several people posted flyers with information on donating money to Furgal ’ s legal defense team and to help those like Mozgov pay off their fines .
Then their daily ritual began , with Dmitry Timoschenko , a 33-year-old salesman , leading chants over a megaphone as about 100 protesters gathered .
One of the two protesters fined this week , Valentin Kvashnikov , had normally held the megaphone , but he has since stopped coming to the square .
Timoschenko and others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of us are braver ; some are less brave .
Some pick up the megaphone ; others aren ’ t up for that , ” Timoschenko said , noting that he expected police to target him at some point .
“ People have already given me their contact information for if or when I get fined.
” Several hours later , as the protest came to an end , Timoschenko and another man who had held the megaphone were detained .
By the time the skies opened on Saturday , new protesters had @ @ @ @

KHABAROVSK — As the rain beat down, a sea of umbrellas filled the valley that has become part of the well-trodden path protesters take on their daily march around the city of Khabarovsk in Russia’s Far East. Despite a torrential summer downpour, thousands took to the streets for the fourth straight massive Saturday protest, the main event of the daily rallies. There has now been a demonstration for 22 consecutive days since the arrest of governor Sergei Furgal on July 10 on several 15-year-old murder charges his supporters believe are payback for their having voted a politician who does not represent the ruling United Russia party into office. Furgal is a member of the nationalist Liberal Democratic Party of Russia. But as the protest movement has taken on an increasingly anti-Kremlin stance over the past two weeks, the authorities have begun to crack down. This week they handed two protesters week-long prison sentences, slapped fines of 10,000 rubles ($134.4) apiece on another two demonstrators for participating in unsanctioned protests and detained another two on the eve of Saturday’s rally, holding them overnight. According to Russian law, demonstrations have to be agreed in advance with the authorities, who have not approved any of the Khabarovsk rallies. Some local media outlets estimated that over 10,000 people turned up for Saturday’s rally — still large in a city of 600,000 but fewer than the previous three and the first time numbers have fallen. While this was the first wet weekend since the protests began, there were also the first signs that the surprising movement may be losing steam. “Some days are really hard and I think I should rest my legs,” said Nikolai, a 30-year-old protester, who walks with the help of a cane after a car accident. He has marched nearly every day since the rallies kicked off last month. “But I plan on continuing to do so until Putin begins treating us with dignity.”
Nikolai, like an increasing number of demonstrators, declined to give his last name over fears of reprisals. That growing unease may partly explain the lower numbers at Saturday’s rally. “I think it’s our civic responsibility to keep coming out to show Putin that we are tired of how he treats us,” said Alexei Osipov, a 30-year-old line cook, though he expressed doubts as to how committed he will be if the movement fades. “I’ll keep going if this many people go, but I’m not sure I will want to go alone.” Local news website DVHab.ru reported that the march was smaller than previous Saturday events, while Khabarovsk authorities announced that 3,000 people attended. Last Saturday, the authorities reported more than double that figure, though estimates from other sources were much higher. Yet even as the authorities increasingly target individual protesters in a movement that lacks a leader, the Kremlin more generally appears to be taking a wait-and-see approach. State television has ignored the rallies. Furgal’s Putin-picked replacement Mikhail Degtyaryov, who has never lived in the region, left Khabarovsk for the second straight Saturday to visit another city. And during the march on Saturday — as at all of the rallies so far — police escorted the marchers throughout their five-kilometer loop around the city without interfering.
Protesters have gathered for 22 consecutive days after Khabarovsk’s governor Sergei Furgal was arrested on July 10. Evan Gershkovich / MT
Sergei Zuev, a 65-year-old pensioner, believes the Kremlin is playing it correctly. “Moscow authorities should understand that if they use force this could end in civil war,” he said on the eve of Saturday’s rally. “If OMON” — riot police — “come here from Moscow, they will return in coffins.” But Zuev’s fighting stance was a lone voice in recent days. Most protesters who spoke to The Moscow Times believe the authorities will come down hard on the movement as soon as it fizzles down to a manageable number. Many were also resigned to the fact that that will happen sooner or later. “For now they want to scare all of the protesters by randomly targeting certain people who were more visible,” said Artyom Mozgov, a 20-year-old activist who was one of the two protesters fined this week. “Most likely they will wait until the number of people on the streets becomes lower and lower, and when the number of protesters is around 1,000, they will clear them out with force.” As the crackdown intensifies, protesters have added cries of “Freedom to political prisoners,” “When we are united we are unbeatable” and “You can’t scare us” to their catalog of chants, many of which are directed at the Kremlin. Those include “Putin resign” and “Twenty years, no trust,” a reference to the time the Russian president has been in power. On Friday evening at Lenin Square in the city center, where protesters gather in front of the governor’s administration building each day before beginning their march, several people posted flyers with information on donating money to Furgal’s legal defense team and to help those like Mozgov pay off their fines.


themoscowtimes--2020-08-01--Russia Records Over 5,400 Coronavirus Cases as Deaths Surpass 14K

The highest number of new cases were in Moscow , the western Siberian region of Khanty-Mansiysk and Sverdlovsk in the @ @ @ @ @ rate has remained low compared to other badly-hit countries , raising speculation that Moscow could @ @ @ @ @ authorities began easing anti-virus measures in June ahead of a massive World War II military @ @ @ @ @ nationwide vote on constitutional reforms that now allow President Vladimir Putin to stay in power @ @ @ @ @ were initially postponed due the epidemic .
Moscow plans to open cinemas and theaters on @ @ @ @ @ capital , masks are mandatory in stores and on public transport but not in the @ @ @ @ @ Russia are working on a coronavirus vaccine .
Last week the Russian Defense Ministry said @ @ @ @ @ safe '' vaccine following clinical trials on a group of volunteers .
The trials are @ @ @ @ @ Ministry expects clinical trials to be fully completed in the coming weeks .

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.