themoscowtimes--2020-08-31--News From Russia: What You Missed Over the Weekend

Tens of thousands of opposition supporters marched through the Belarusian capital Minsk on Sunday , calling for an end to @ @ @ @ @ despite heavily armed police and troops blocking streets and detaining dozens of demonstrators .
On @ @ @ @ @ withdrew accreditation for numerous journalists working for international media , including AFP , the BBC @ @ @ @ @ , with a government official citing `` counter-terrorism '' grounds .
Thousands of protesters took @ @ @ @ @ in Russia ’ s Far East for the 50th consecutive day in support of a @ @ @ @ @ being held in Moscow on murder charges he denies .
In addition to demanding ex-governor @ @ @ @ @ to Khabarovsk , the demonstrators protested the suspected poisoning of prominent Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny @ @ @ @ @ of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko , who have been staging massive rallies for new elections @

Digging in
Tens of thousands of opposition supporters marched through the Belarusian capital Minsk on Sunday, calling for an end to strongman Alexander Lukashenko's rule despite heavily armed police and troops blocking streets and detaining dozens of demonstrators.
On Saturday the Belarusian foreign ministry withdrew accreditation for numerous journalists working for international media, including AFP, the BBC and Radio Liberty/Radio Free Europe, with a government official citing "counter-terrorism" grounds.
Khabarovsk
Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Khabarovsk in Russia’s Far East for the 50th consecutive day in support of a popular regional governor who is being held in Moscow on murder charges he denies.
In addition to demanding ex-governor Sergei Furgal’s transfer to Khabarovsk, the demonstrators protested the suspected poisoning of prominent Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny and expressed solidarity with opponents of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who have been staging massive rallies for new elections.


themoscowtimes--2020-09-01--White House Calls on Russia to 'Respect Belarus' Sovereignty, Democracy

The White House on Monday urged Russia to `` respect '' sovereignty and democracy in neighboring Belarus where strongman President @ @ @ @ @ calling for new elections .
`` Russia must also respect Belarus ' sovereignty and the @ @ @ @ @ to elect their own leaders freely and fairly , '' President Donald Trump 's press @ @ @ @ @ told reporters .
Lukashenko has the backing of Russian President Vladimir Putin , who has @ @ @ @ @ military support if Belarus `` starts to get out of control . ''
McEnany said @ @ @ @ @ Belarusians protesting peacefully makes clear that the government can no longer ignore the people 's @ @ @ @ @

The White House on Monday urged Russia to "respect" sovereignty and democracy in neighboring Belarus where strongman President Alexander Lukashenko faces mass demonstrations calling for new elections.
"Russia must also respect Belarus' sovereignty and the right of its own people to elect their own leaders freely and fairly," President Donald Trump's press secretary, Kayleigh McEnany, told reporters.
Lukashenko has the backing of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has raised the possibility of sending military support if Belarus "starts to get out of control."
McEnany said "the massive amount of Belarusians protesting peacefully makes clear that the government can no longer ignore the people's call for democracy."


themoscowtimes--2020-08-31--Baltic States Ban Belarus Leader Over Election Fraud, Violence

Estonia , Latvia and Lithuania on Monday blacklisted embattled Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and 29 other high-ranking officials over alleged election fraud and a crackdown on pro-democracy protesters .
The Baltic EU members announced their sanctions in a coordinated effort to support the protests in Belarus , which are now entering a fourth week since the country 's disputed presidential election on August 9 .
`` We are sending the message that we need to do more than just issue statements , we must also take concrete action , '' Lithuania 's Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius told AFP .
Lukashenko @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 29 officials including from the election commission , ministries and law-enforcement bodies .
Linkevicius said the lists may be expanded in the near future .
His Estonian counterpart Urmas Reinsalu said the Baltic states were `` demonstrating that we are addressing the human rights violations in Belarus with utmost seriousness '' .
The European Union is also mulling travel bans and asset freezes on around 20 Belarus officials but the list requires the approval of all 27 EU states .
Some Western EU members say sanctioning Lukashenko could hamper efforts to broker dialogue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ push him into Russia 's arms .
Formerly occupied by the Soviet Union , the Baltic states are all now in the eurozone .
Latvia and Lithuania have borders with Belarus .
Lithuania , which has taken a lead in European diplomacy on Belarus , is giving refuge to Belarusian opposition challenger Svetlana Tikhanovskaya .

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania on Monday blacklisted embattled Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and 29 other high-ranking officials over alleged election fraud and a crackdown on pro-democracy protesters.
The Baltic EU members announced their sanctions in a coordinated effort to support the protests in Belarus, which are now entering a fourth week since the country's disputed presidential election on August 9.
"We are sending the message that we need to do more than just issue statements, we must also take concrete action," Lithuania's Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius told AFP.
Lukashenko aside, the national blacklists also feature 29 officials including from the election commission, ministries and law-enforcement bodies. Linkevicius said the lists may be expanded in the near future.
His Estonian counterpart Urmas Reinsalu said the Baltic states were "demonstrating that we are addressing the human rights violations in Belarus with utmost seriousness".
The European Union is also mulling travel bans and asset freezes on around 20 Belarus officials but the list requires the approval of all 27 EU states.
Some Western EU members say sanctioning Lukashenko could hamper efforts to broker dialogue between the authorities and the opposition and push him into Russia's arms.
Formerly occupied by the Soviet Union, the Baltic states are all now in the eurozone. Latvia and Lithuania have borders with Belarus.
Lithuania, which has taken a lead in European diplomacy on Belarus, is giving refuge to Belarusian opposition challenger Svetlana Tikhanovskaya.


themoscowtimes--2020-08-31--Russian Baliffs Seize $460,000 From Navalny Ally

Bailiffs on Monday seized $ 460,000 from bank accounts belonging to Russian opposition activist Lyubov Sobol , she said , nearly a year after a court-ordered damages from her and opposition leader Alexei Navalny .
Sobol is a lawyer for the Anti-Corruption Foundation set up by Navalny , who is in a coma with suspected poisoning in hospital in Germany .
She tweeted that the full sum had been debited from her account , leaving her deep in the red .
`` The bailiffs have seized an enforced gift from all my accounts , '' she wrote , adding : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ? ''
The case concerned an investigation by the Anti-Corruption Foundation into a company that provides school meals , alleging that it was monopolizing the market and serving poor quality food that made children ill .
The Moskovsky Shkolnik ( Moscow Schoolboy ) company has been linked in media reports to businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin , nicknamed `` Putin 's chef '' because his company Konkord has done catering for the Kremlin .
The court in October last year ordered Navalny , Sobol and the Anti-Corruption Foundation to jointly pay almost 88 million rubles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shkolnik .
Prigozhin said last week that he would personally claim the damages and wanted to `` strip this group of unscrupulous people of everything down to their clothes and shoes . ''
Media reports have said Prigozhin funds Wagner , a private army of Russian mercenaries , which he denies .
While Prigozhin denies owning Moskovsky Shkolnik , he said last week that he transferred the 88 million rubles to the company and argued that Navalny and Sobol owed him personally .
Navalny formally closed the Anti-Corruption Foundation in July in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the court-ordered penalty .
Sobol , in addition to representing Navalny legally , produces his live YouTube channel .

Bailiffs on Monday seized $460,000 from bank accounts belonging to Russian opposition activist Lyubov Sobol, she said, nearly a year after a court-ordered damages from her and opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
Sobol is a lawyer for the Anti-Corruption Foundation set up by Navalny, who is in a coma with suspected poisoning in hospital in Germany.
She tweeted that the full sum had been debited from her account, leaving her deep in the red.
"The bailiffs have seized an enforced gift from all my accounts," she wrote, adding: "How is your Monday morning going?"
The case concerned an investigation by the Anti-Corruption Foundation into a company that provides school meals, alleging that it was monopolizing the market and serving poor quality food that made children ill.
The Moskovsky Shkolnik (Moscow Schoolboy) company has been linked in media reports to businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin, nicknamed "Putin's chef" because his company Konkord has done catering for the Kremlin.
The court in October last year ordered Navalny, Sobol and the Anti-Corruption Foundation to jointly pay almost 88 million rubles ($1.2 million) to Moskovsky Shkolnik.
Prigozhin said last week that he would personally claim the damages and wanted to "strip this group of unscrupulous people of everything down to their clothes and shoes."
Media reports have said Prigozhin funds Wagner, a private army of Russian mercenaries, which he denies.
While Prigozhin denies owning Moskovsky Shkolnik, he said last week that he transferred the 88 million rubles to the company and argued that Navalny and Sobol owed him personally.
Navalny formally closed the Anti-Corruption Foundation in July in a move to avoid paying its share of the court-ordered penalty.
Sobol, in addition to representing Navalny legally, produces his live YouTube channel.


themoscowtimes--2020-08-31--2020 Arctic Wildfires Emissions So Far Surpass All of 2019

Wildfires in the Arctic have emitted more carbon dioxide so far in 2020 than in all of 2019 , according @ @ @ @ @ cited by The Guardian newspaper on Monday .
As much as 245 megatons of CO2 @ @ @ @ @ wildfires up to Aug. 24 this year , compared with 181 megatons in the whole @ @ @ @ @ s an increase of 35 % and may be setting a new precedent , Mark @ @ @ @ @ the EU ’ s Copernicus atmosphere monitoring service , told The Guardian .
“ In @ @ @ @ @ ] has been similar to 2019 in terms of the dry and warm conditions in @ @ @ @ @ year , the difference was a large cluster of fires that burned through July for @ @ @ @ @ estimated emissions , ” Parrington said .

Wildfires in the Arctic have emitted more carbon dioxide so far in 2020 than in all of 2019, according to European atmospheric composition data cited by The Guardian newspaper on Monday.
As much as 245 megatons of CO2 have been released from Arctic wildfires up to Aug. 24 this year, compared with 181 megatons in the whole of 2019.
That’s an increase of 35% and may be setting a new precedent, Mark Parrington, senior scientist at the EU’s Copernicus atmosphere monitoring service, told The Guardian.
“In some respects [the data] has been similar to 2019 in terms of the dry and warm conditions in the Siberian Arctic. This year, the difference was a large cluster of fires that burned through July for many days leading to higher estimated emissions,” Parrington said.


themoscowtimes--2020-08-31--Kremlin Rules Out Deploying Security ‘Reserve’ in Belarus, for Now

Belarus has no need for Russia ’ s troops for the time being , the Kremlin said Monday after President @ @ @ @ @ of a Russian “ reserve ” ready for deployment in case of mass unrest in @ @ @ @ @ The use of this reserve is out of the question at the moment , ” @ @ @ @ @ Peskov told reporters during a daily briefing , according to the Kommersant newspaper .
Putin @ @ @ @ @ of the reserve last week , said he would not send it to ex-Soviet Belarus @ @ @ @ @ cross a line and start plundering.
” “ We see that the situation is under @ @ @ @ @ s no point in talking about it now , ” Peskov said Monday .

Belarus has no need for Russia’s troops for the time being, the Kremlin said Monday after President Vladimir Putin announced the creation of a Russian “reserve” ready for deployment in case of mass unrest in the neighboring state.
“The use of this reserve is out of the question at the moment,” Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters during a daily briefing, according to the Kommersant newspaper.
Putin, when announcing the creation of the reserve last week, said he would not send it to ex-Soviet Belarus unless “extremists in Belarus cross a line and start plundering.”
“We see that the situation is under control and so there’s no point in talking about it now,” Peskov said Monday.


themoscowtimes--2020-08-31--India Pulls Out of Russian Military Drills With China, Pakistan

India has informed Russia that it will not be sending a contingent for the Kavkaz-2020 ( Caucasus-2020 ) exercises , its Defense Ministry spokesperson said via Twitter on Saturday .
India was one of several countries due to carry out command post exercises as part of Kavkaz-2020 in southern Russia ’ s Astrakhan region in September .
The Indian military has said it will not participate in Russia ’ s multinational exercises next month amid border standoffs with China and Pakistan .
Russia and India are close and privileged strategic partners .
At Russia 's invitation India has been participating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rajnathsingh @ RajnathSingh_in @ IAF_MCC @ drajaykumar_ias @ indiannavy @ adgpi @ PIB_India @ IndEmbMoscow Soon after the announcement , India accused China of fresh “ provocative ” military movements at the site of this summer ’ s deadly battle on their contested Himalayan border .
New Delhi and Beijing have blamed each other for the latest frontier tensions between the two sides , who fought a border war in 1962 and have been involved in regular showdowns since .
On June 15 , troops from the two sides fought hand-to-hand combat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
China also acknowledged casualties but did not give numbers .
The Chinese and Indian militaries have poured tens of thousands of troops into the region since the June fighting .
But their military and diplomatic talks on easing tensions are in an apparent stalemate .
The Muslim-majority Himalayan region is largely divided between India and Pakistan , who both claim it in its entirety and have fought two wars over it .
Last year India took away the semi-autonomous status granted to its side of the territory .
Tensions have risen since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speed up its S-400 missile system and MiG-29 fighter jet deals with India .

India has informed Russia that it will not be sending a contingent for the Kavkaz-2020 (Caucasus-2020) exercises, its Defense Ministry spokesperson said via Twitter on Saturday. India was one of several countries due to carry out command post exercises as part of Kavkaz-2020 in southern Russia’s Astrakhan region in September.
The Indian military has said it will not participate in Russia’s multinational exercises next month amid border standoffs with China and Pakistan.
Russia and India are close and privileged strategic partners. At Russia's invitation India has been participating in many international events. @DefenceMinIndia @rajnathsingh @RajnathSingh_in @IAF_MCC @drajaykumar_ias @indiannavy @adgpi @PIB_India @IndEmbMoscow
Soon after the announcement, India accused China of fresh “provocative” military movements at the site of this summer’s deadly battle on their contested Himalayan border.
New Delhi and Beijing have blamed each other for the latest frontier tensions between the two sides, who fought a border war in 1962 and have been involved in regular showdowns since.
On June 15, troops from the two sides fought hand-to-hand combat in which 20 Indian troops were killed. China also acknowledged casualties but did not give numbers.
The Chinese and Indian militaries have poured tens of thousands of troops into the region since the June fighting. But their military and diplomatic talks on easing tensions are in an apparent stalemate.
The Muslim-majority Himalayan region is largely divided between India and Pakistan, who both claim it in its entirety and have fought two wars over it.
Last year India took away the semi-autonomous status granted to its side of the territory. Tensions have risen since.
The standoffs have prompted Russia to speed up its S-400 missile system and MiG-29 fighter jet deals with India.
AFP contributed reporting.


themoscowtimes--2020-09-01--Explainer: Russia’s Recent Tit-for-Tat Diplomatic Expulsions

Russia has been involved in several diplomatic rows over the past several months .
Here ’ s a roundup of events : The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday it had expelled three Slovakian diplomats from Moscow after Bratislava ordered the removal of the same number of Russian foreign service staff over a “ serious crime.
” Moscow dubbed Bratislava ’ s move an “ unfriendly step ” that contradicted the “ traditional spirit ” of international ties .
Slovakian media , however , linked the expulsion of the Russian diplomats to the murder of former Chechen rebel Zelimkhan Khangoshvili @ @ @ @ @ @ @ August , the Russian Foreign Ministry declared a senior Norwegian diplomat persona non grata after Oslo expelled a Russian diplomat .
The Russian diplomat , who reportedly worked in the trade section , was suspected of harvesting sensitive information with the help of a local 50-year-old Norwegian man in exchange for “ not significant sums of cash.
” The Norwegian , who claimed the harvested data was not harmful to Norway ’ s interests , was eventually accused of spying .
Norway said the Russian diplomat ’ s acts were “ not compatible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for taking a “ destructive course ” that would inevitably negatively affect the atmosphere of bilateral relations.
” Last month , Vienna accused a Russian diplomat of industrial espionage and reportedly ordered him to leave the country until Sept. 1 .
The Russian Foreign Ministry , “ guided by the principle of reciprocity , ” declared , in turn , a diplomat from the Austrian embassy in Moscow persona non grata .
The Russian diplomat had reportedly been engaged in economic espionage in a high-tech company for years .
An Austrian citizen who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him as his senior officer , according to Austrian media reports .
In June , Moscow expelled two Czech diplomats in a retaliation move after Prague expelled Russian embassy staffers from the country over a media report about an alleged poisoning plot .
The Czech weekly media outlet Respekt broke the news earlier this year , reporting that Moscow had plans to poison Czech officials in the capital city after Prague removed a Cold War-era monument to Soviet general Ivan Konev .
The news led to the mayor of Prague and several other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protection .
Czech authorities accused a Russian embassy staffer of spreading a fake poisoning plot story and declared two Russian diplomats persona non grata .
Moscow dismissed the Respekt story as “ sick fantasies ” and described the expulsion of diplomats as a “ hostile measure , ” calling accusations against its embassy workers “ absurd and baseless .
”

Russia has been involved in several diplomatic rows over the past several months. Here’s a roundup of events:
Slovakia
The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday it had expelled three Slovakian diplomats from Moscow after Bratislava ordered the removal of the same number of Russian foreign service staff over a “serious crime.”
Moscow dubbed Bratislava’s move an “unfriendly step” that contradicted the “traditional spirit” of international ties. Slovakian media, however, linked the expulsion of the Russian diplomats to the murder of former Chechen rebel Zelimkhan Khangoshvili in Berlin last year.
Norway
In late August, the Russian Foreign Ministry declared a senior Norwegian diplomat persona non grata after Oslo expelled a Russian diplomat.
The Russian diplomat, who reportedly worked in the trade section, was suspected of harvesting sensitive information with the help of a local 50-year-old Norwegian man in exchange for “not significant sums of cash.”
The Norwegian, who claimed the harvested data was not harmful to Norway’s interests, was eventually accused of spying. Norway said the Russian diplomat’s acts were “not compatible with his status.”
Moscow blamed Oslo for taking a “destructive course” that would inevitably negatively affect the atmosphere of bilateral relations.”
Austria
Last month, Vienna accused a Russian diplomat of industrial espionage and reportedly ordered him to leave the country until Sept. 1. The Russian Foreign Ministry, “guided by the principle of reciprocity,” declared, in turn, a diplomat from the Austrian embassy in Moscow persona non grata.
The Russian diplomat had reportedly been engaged in economic espionage in a high-tech company for years. An Austrian citizen who allegedly helped him steal sensitive information identified him as his senior officer, according to Austrian media reports.
Czech Republic
In June, Moscow expelled two Czech diplomats in a retaliation move after Prague expelled Russian embassy staffers from the country over a media report about an alleged poisoning plot.
The Czech weekly media outlet Respekt broke the news earlier this year, reporting that Moscow had plans to poison Czech officials in the capital city after Prague removed a Cold War-era monument to Soviet general Ivan Konev.
The news led to the mayor of Prague and several other local officials being placed under special police protection.
Czech authorities accused a Russian embassy staffer of spreading a fake poisoning plot story and declared two Russian diplomats persona non grata.
Moscow dismissed the Respekt story as “sick fantasies” and described the expulsion of diplomats as a “hostile measure,” calling accusations against its embassy workers “absurd and baseless.”
AFP contributed reporting.


themoscowtimes--2020-09-01--Russia Says Belarus Sanctions 'Unacceptable'

Russia on Tuesday denounced sanctions against ally Belarus as `` unacceptable '' and voiced support for strongman Alexander Lukashenko 's proposal of constitutional reforms .
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Western countries were `` delivering verdicts '' on events in Belarus , following weeks of protests against Lukashenko 's claim to have won a sixth presidential term in an August 9 election .
Moscow considers this `` to be unacceptable in the modern world , '' Lavrov said in a televised address to students at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations ( MGIMO ) , one of the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convinced that the Belarusian people have all the possibilities to solve this problem by themselves , '' he said .
On Monday , EU members Estonia , Latvia and Lithuania banned Lukashenko and 29 other high-ranking officials over the election , which critics say was rigged , and a harsh crackdown on demonstrators .
The European Union as a whole is also drawing up a list of individuals to hit with asset freezes and travel bans .
Lavrov singled out Lithuania for particular criticism , accusing its government and Lukashenko 's election rival @ @ @ @ @ @ @ democratic '' political methods .
`` In my opinion , our Lithuanian neighbors have gone beyond the pale , '' Lavrov said .
After the controversial election , Lithuania granted Tikhanovskaya refuge and has been a vocal supporter of Belarusian protesters .
Lavrov also expressed support for Lukashenko 's proposal to discuss constitutional reforms , saying Belarusian civil society should be involved in dialogue .
`` They themselves should show interest in this , '' he said .
Lukashenko , who has ruled the ex-Soviet state for 26 years , claimed re-election with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the largest protests of his rule .
He has refused to give in to protesters ' demands to quit .
During the first days of demonstrations his security forces detained thousands of protesters , many of whom accused police of beatings and torture .
On Monday , Lukashenko acknowledged the country 's `` somewhat authoritarian system '' and said it needed to work `` without being tied to a personality . ''
Russian President Vladimir Putin has raised the possibility of sending military support if Belarus `` starts to get out of control @ @

Russia on Tuesday denounced sanctions against ally Belarus as "unacceptable" and voiced support for strongman Alexander Lukashenko's proposal of constitutional reforms. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Western countries were "delivering verdicts" on events in Belarus, following weeks of protests against Lukashenko's claim to have won a sixth presidential term in an August 9 election. Moscow considers this "to be unacceptable in the modern world," Lavrov said in a televised address to students at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), one of the country's top schools. "We are convinced that the Belarusian people have all the possibilities to solve this problem by themselves," he said.
On Monday, EU members Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania banned Lukashenko and 29 other high-ranking officials over the election, which critics say was rigged, and a harsh crackdown on demonstrators. The European Union as a whole is also drawing up a list of individuals to hit with asset freezes and travel bans. Lavrov singled out Lithuania for particular criticism, accusing its government and Lukashenko's election rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya of using "not quite democratic" political methods. "In my opinion, our Lithuanian neighbors have gone beyond the pale," Lavrov said. After the controversial election, Lithuania granted Tikhanovskaya refuge and has been a vocal supporter of Belarusian protesters. Lavrov also expressed support for Lukashenko's proposal to discuss constitutional reforms, saying Belarusian civil society should be involved in dialogue. "They themselves should show interest in this," he said. Lukashenko, who has ruled the ex-Soviet state for 26 years, claimed re-election with 80 percent of the vote, sparking the largest protests of his rule.
news Belarus Leader Proposes Vote on Constitution Reforms Read more


themoscowtimes--2020-09-01--Millions of U.S. Voters’ Details Leak to Russia’s Dark Web – Kommersant

A database of several million American voters ’ personal information has appeared on the Russian dark web two months ahead @ @ @ @ @ claims of Russian meddling , Russia ’ s Kommersant business newspaper reported Tuesday .
A @ @ @ @ @ access to the personal information of 7.6 million voters in Michigan in an unnamed discussion @ @ @ @ @ .
The paper said it has also found databases of between 2 million and 6 @ @ @ @ @ Arkansas , Florida and North Carolina .
Infowatch , a software company that provides data @ @ @ @ @ authenticity of the database to Kommersant .
Infowatch said the data leaked online sometime late @ @ @ @ @ reportedly includes names , dates of birth , gender , dates of voter registration , @ @ @ @ @ e-mails , voter registration numbers and polling station numbers .
Kommersant reported that Gorka9 said @ @ @ @ @ of March 2020 .

A database of several million American voters’ personal information has appeared on the Russian dark web two months ahead of presidential elections clouded by claims of Russian meddling, Russia’s Kommersant business newspaper reported Tuesday.
A user nicknamed Gorka9 advertised free access to the personal information of 7.6 million voters in Michigan in an unnamed discussion forum, according to Kommersant. The paper said it has also found databases of between 2 million and 6 million voters in Connecticut, Arkansas, Florida and North Carolina.
Infowatch, a software company that provides data security services, confirmed the authenticity of the database to Kommersant. Infowatch said the data leaked online sometime late in 2019.
The information reportedly includes names, dates of birth, gender, dates of voter registration, addresses, zip codes, e-mails, voter registration numbers and polling station numbers. Kommersant reported that Gorka9 said the data was valid as of March 2020.


themoscowtimes--2020-09-01--Belarus TV Staffs Up With Kremlin-Funded Journalists – RBC

Journalists and technical personnel from Russia ’ s Kremlin-funded RT broadcaster have been standing in for staff on strike at @ @ @ @ @ , Russia ’ s RBC news website reported Monday .
Workers at the Belteleradio broadcasting @ @ @ @ @ on Aug. 17 in protest against Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko ’ s violent crackdown on @ @ @ @ @ , whose claim of a landslide victory in last month ’ s vote triggered mass @ @ @ @ @ later that he had invited Russian replacements for the striking Belarusian journalists .
At least @ @ @ @ @ arrived at Belteleradio ’ s studios since Aug. 18 , RBC cited two unnamed Belteleradio @ @ @ @ @ first team has since returned to Russia , according to an unnamed employee of Belteleradio @ @ @ @ @ .
“ They included at least one IT expert , four technical personnel and [ @ @ @ @ @ ” one of the employees said .

Journalists and technical personnel from Russia’s Kremlin-funded RT broadcaster have been standing in for staff on strike at Belarus state television and radio, Russia’s RBC news website reported Monday.
Workers at the Belteleradio broadcasting service walked off the job on Aug. 17 in protest against Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s violent crackdown on peaceful opposition rallies. Lukashenko, whose claim of a landslide victory in last month’s vote triggered mass nationwide demonstrations, said days later that he had invited Russian replacements for the striking Belarusian journalists.
At least two teams from RT have arrived at Belteleradio’s studios since Aug. 18, RBC cited two unnamed Belteleradio employees as saying. The first team has since returned to Russia, according to an unnamed employee of Belteleradio’s TV news division.
“They included at least one IT expert, four technical personnel and [RT correspondent] Pridybaylo,” one of the employees said.


themoscowtimes--2020-09-01--Montenegro’s Opposition Coalition Objects to Russian Sanctions

Montenegro ’ s opposition coalition , which claimed a tiny majority in Sunday ’ s election on a platform of seeking closer links with Serbia and Russia , has called Western sanctions against Moscow a mistake .
Zdravko Krivokapić , leader of the For the Future of Montenegro coalition , told Russia ’ s RIA Novosti news agency Tuesday that the Montenegrin economy has suffered major losses due to anti-Russia sanctions .
“ We ’ re a small state and can not have any influence on the global level , ” Krivokapić said .
“ That ’ s why it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state became the first to impose sanctions against Russia .
I think it ’ s a completely wrong step , ” he added .
Montenegro 's pro-West ruling party could be knocked from power for the first time in three decades after the election gave a razor-thin edge to opposition camps , results showed Monday .
The Democratic Party of Socialists ( DPS ) led by President Milo Djukanovic is still the biggest single party after winning just over third of the vote , according to official results from Sunday 's election .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to unite , including For the Future of Montenegro , could outnumber DPS , in what would be a political earthquake for the small Adriatic nation of 620,000 people .
Montenegro followed the EU in imposing financial restrictions and travel bans on Russia for its annexation of Crimea in 2014 .
The move triggered a tit-for-tat response from Russia in 2017 , days before the country officially joined NATO .

Montenegro’s opposition coalition, which claimed a tiny majority in Sunday’s election on a platform of seeking closer links with Serbia and Russia, has called Western sanctions against Moscow a mistake.
Zdravko Krivokapić, leader of the For the Future of Montenegro coalition, told Russia’s RIA Novosti news agency Tuesday that the Montenegrin economy has suffered major losses due to anti-Russia sanctions.
“We’re a small state and cannot have any influence on the global level,” Krivokapić said.
“That’s why it’s unacceptable that such a small state became the first to impose sanctions against Russia. I think it’s a completely wrong step,” he added.
Montenegro's pro-West ruling party could be knocked from power for the first time in three decades after the election gave a razor-thin edge to opposition camps, results showed Monday.
The Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) led by President Milo Djukanovic is still the biggest single party after winning just over third of the vote, according to official results from Sunday's election.
But three opposition coalitions who have pledged to unite, including For the Future of Montenegro, could outnumber DPS, in what would be a political earthquake for the small Adriatic nation of 620,000 people.
Montenegro followed the EU in imposing financial restrictions and travel bans on Russia for its annexation of Crimea in 2014. The move triggered a tit-for-tat response from Russia in 2017, days before the country officially joined NATO.
AFP contributed reporting.


themoscowtimes--2020-09-01--Interpol Drops Extradition Notice for ‘Putin’s Chef’ Prigozhin

Interpol has removed catering magnate Yevgeny Prigozhin from its international alert list after U.S. prosecutors dropped a criminal case into @ @ @ @ @ .
The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia dismissed in March the case @ @ @ @ @ LLC , less than a month before the company was due to face a criminal @ @ @ @ @ Its executive Yevgeny Prigozhin , 12 individuals and two other entities were charged in 2018 @ @ @ @ @ United States for their alleged role in funding a propaganda operation to interfere in the @ @ @ @ @ Monday , Concord posted English- and Russian-language letters on social media signed by Interpol ’ @ @ @ @ @ the end of efforts to extradite Prigozhin , 59 .
Concord said it received the @ @ @ @ @ 28 , after submitting a request following the U.S. court decision .
“ The General @ @ @ @ @ Police Organization — Interpol hereby certifies that Mr. Prigozhin Yevgeniy Viktorovich … is not subject @ @ @ @ @ diffusion , ” the letters said .

Interpol has removed catering magnate Yevgeny Prigozhin from its international alert list after U.S. prosecutors dropped a criminal case into election meddling against his company.
The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia dismissed in March the case against Concord Management and Consulting LLC, less than a month before the company was due to face a criminal trial in the case. Its executive Yevgeny Prigozhin, 12 individuals and two other entities were charged in 2018 with conspiracy to defraud the United States for their alleged role in funding a propaganda operation to interfere in the 2016 presidential election.
On Monday, Concord posted English- and Russian-language letters on social media signed by Interpol’s legal affairs office announcing the end of efforts to extradite Prigozhin, 59. Concord said it received the letters from Interpol on Aug. 28, after submitting a request following the U.S. court decision.
“The General Secretariat of the International Criminal Police Organization — Interpol hereby certifies that Mr. Prigozhin Yevgeniy Viktorovich … is not subject to an Interpol Notice or diffusion,” the letters said.