themoscowtimes--2020-06-15--Russia Revisits U.S. Prisoner Swap After Whelan Sentencing

Whelan , a former Marine who also holds British , Canadian and Irish passports , was sentenced to 16 years in a penal colony for espionage in a trial he dismissed as a “ sham.
” Russia last year proposed a prisoner swap involving pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko , who is serving 20 years in the U.S. for conspiracy to smuggle cocaine into the country .
Russia could send Paul Whelan home to the United States as part of an exchange with Russian prisoners held in the U.S. , officials and lawyers said after Whelan ’ s sentencing Monday .
Whelan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guilty verdict was expected because “ no one was hiding ” alleged plans to swap him for Russian prisoners in the U.S. since his arrest in late 2018 .
Whelan received a harsh sentence Monday in reprisal for the jailing of Yaroshenko and convicted Russian arms trafficker Viktor Bout , who is serving 25 years in the U.S. , Zherebenkov was cited by Interfax as saying .
“ I also heard proposals on the sidelines of conducting an exchange instead of appealing [ Whelan 's verdict ] , ” the lawyer said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ exchange only for Bout or for Yaroshenko too , I don ’ t know.
” Zherebenkov declined to disclose further details , saying “ I ’ m not allowed to say certain things.
” A senior Russian diplomat has also brought up Moscow ’ s past proposals to exchange Whelan and Russian nationals serving what Russia views as long jail sentences in the U.S. “ We ’ re sticking with the previous position and these options have been repeatedly offered to the Americans , ” Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told the state-run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declined to comment on Whelan ’ s possible exchange for Bout or Yaroshenko , saying “ we don ’ t deal with these issues.
” Putin ’ s spokesman Dmitry Peskov also bristled at Whelan ’ s characterization as a pawn in a potential U.S.-Russian exchange .
Whelan ’ s twin brother David said in a statement that the family hopes a conviction would allow Russia and the U.S. to `` begin discussing Paul 's release immediately . ''

Whelan, a former Marine who also holds British, Canadian and Irish passports, was sentenced to 16 years in a penal colony for espionage in a trial he dismissed as a “sham.” Russia last year proposed a prisoner swap involving pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko, who is serving 20 years in the U.S. for conspiracy to smuggle cocaine into the country.
Russia could send Paul Whelan home to the United States as part of an exchange with Russian prisoners held in the U.S., officials and lawyers said after Whelan’s sentencing Monday.
Whelan’s lawyer Vladimir Zherebenkov said the guilty verdict was expected because “no one was hiding” alleged plans to swap him for Russian prisoners in the U.S. since his arrest in late 2018.
Whelan received a harsh sentence Monday in reprisal for the jailing of Yaroshenko and convicted Russian arms trafficker Viktor Bout, who is serving 25 years in the U.S., Zherebenkov was cited by Interfax as saying.
“I also heard proposals on the sidelines of conducting an exchange instead of appealing [Whelan's verdict],” the lawyer said. “Whether it’ll be an exchange only for Bout or for Yaroshenko too, I don’t know.”
Zherebenkov declined to disclose further details, saying “I’m not allowed to say certain things.”
A senior Russian diplomat has also brought up Moscow’s past proposals to exchange Whelan and Russian nationals serving what Russia views as long jail sentences in the U.S.
“We’re sticking with the previous position and these options have been repeatedly offered to the Americans,” Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told the state-run RIA Novosti news agency.
The Kremlin declined to comment on Whelan’s possible exchange for Bout or Yaroshenko, saying “we don’t deal with these issues.” Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov also bristled at Whelan’s characterization as a pawn in a potential U.S.-Russian exchange.
Whelan’s twin brother David said in a statement that the family hopes a conviction would allow Russia and the U.S. to "begin discussing Paul's release immediately."
AFP contributed reporting to this article.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-15--Russia Consecrates Grandiose Armed Forces Cathedral

Russia consecrated a massive new Orthodox cathedral dedicated to the country ’ s Armed Forces on Sunday .
The grand @ @ @ @ @ Kirill , Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff of the Armed @ @ @ @ @ cathedral drew controversy during the building stage for initial plans , which were eventually scrapped @ @ @ @ @ with mosaics depicting President Vladimir Putin and Soviet leader Josef Stalin .
Here 's a @ @ @ @ @ to consecrate what is now one of the world 's largest Orthodox cathedrals :

Russia Consecrates Grandiose Armed Forces Cathedral
Russia consecrated a massive new Orthodox cathedral dedicated to the country’s Armed Forces on Sunday.
The grand ceremony featured Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov and other top officials.
The cathedral drew controversy during the building stage for initial plans, which were eventually scrapped, to decorate its interior with mosaics depicting President Vladimir Putin and Soviet leader Josef Stalin.
Here's a closer look at the ceremony to consecrate what is now one of the world's largest Orthodox cathedrals:


themoscowtimes--2020-06-15--Racial Discrimination Row Hits Moscow’s Jewish Museum and Tolerance Center

The museum , a multimillion-dollar , state-of-the-art complex that opened in 2012 , blamed an HR contractor for violating its principles and said it has terminated its contract with the company .
Moscow ’ s Jewish Museum and Tolerance Center has sparked controversy with a job posting for a bartender that listed “ Slavic appearance ” as one of its requirements .
“ I ’ m inclined to think of what happened as an open provocation rather than a real demand , ” Alexander Boroda , head of the museum and president of the Federation of Jewish Communities , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All this not only goes against our beliefs but is something that we as a cultural and social organization have been confronting for almost eight years , ” Boroda said .
Nina Dymshitz , the museum ’ s PR director , attributed the questionable ad ’ s wording to “ the contractor ’ s mistake ” that she said was either a misunderstanding or its own creativity .
“ We would have never placed an ad like that , ” Dymshitz told Russia ’ s The Insider news website , adding that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vacancy on the Restojob website was deleted after a public outcry .
“ Ads like this , which are sadly found in various fields , cause only a sharp backlash and even disgust from any decent , sane person , ” Boroda said in the open letter .
Discrimination on the basis of ethnicity or nationality is an entrenched practice in Russia and is prevalent in apartment rentals .

The museum, a multimillion-dollar, state-of-the-art complex that opened in 2012, blamed an HR contractor for violating its principles and said it has terminated its contract with the company.
Moscow’s Jewish Museum and Tolerance Center has sparked controversy with a job posting for a bartender that listed “Slavic appearance” as one of its requirements.
“I’m inclined to think of what happened as an open provocation rather than a real demand,” Alexander Boroda, head of the museum and president of the Federation of Jewish Communities, said in an open letter Sunday.
“All this not only goes against our beliefs but is something that we as a cultural and social organization have been confronting for almost eight years,” Boroda said.
Nina Dymshitz, the museum’s PR director, attributed the questionable ad’s wording to “the contractor’s mistake” that she said was either a misunderstanding or its own creativity.
“We would have never placed an ad like that,” Dymshitz told Russia’s The Insider news website, adding that the museum has a diverse staff.
The vacancy on the Restojob website was deleted after a public outcry.
“Ads like this, which are sadly found in various fields, cause only a sharp backlash and even disgust from any decent, sane person,” Boroda said in the open letter.
Discrimination on the basis of ethnicity or nationality is an entrenched practice in Russia and is prevalent in apartment rentals.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-15--Moscow Expels Two Czech Diplomats in Tit-For-Tat Move – Ministry

The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned Czech envoy Vitezslav Pivonka and informed him that `` two employees of the Czech Embassy in Moscow are declared personas non-gratae , '' it said in a statement .
Russia on Monday expelled two Czech diplomats , retaliating over the expulsion of two of its own embassy workers from Prague this month over a fake story about a poisoning plot .
`` They are ordered to leave Russian territory with their family members '' by end of day Wednesday , it said , calling the move a `` mirror measure in response to Prague 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Czech weekly magazine Respekt claimed Russia had plans to poison officials in Prague after the removal of a controversial Cold War-era statue of Soviet general Ivan Konev , leading the mayor and several others to be placed under police protection .
Czech authorities on June 5 accused a Russian embassy employee of spreading the poison plot rumor and expelled two diplomats from the country .
Moscow dismissed the Respekt report as `` sick fantasies '' and described the expulsion of diplomats as a `` hostile measure . ''
The Russian Foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` absurd and baseless , '' and had warned retaliation would follow .
Czech envoy Pivonka on Monday told Russian agencies that the two countries will hold consultations , with the Konev statue 's potential restoration among the issues to be discussed .
`` This is an expected and symmetric reaction to our steps , '' Czech foreign ministry spokeswoman Zuzana Stichova told AFP Monday , adding that the Czech side considers the problem to be `` resolved . ''
Konev led Red Army troops that liberated Prague from the Nazis in 1945 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Operation Whirlwind which crushed the Hungarian Uprising against Moscow in 1956 .
The diplomatic explusions have further soured already strained relations between Prague and the Kremlin .

The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned Czech envoy Vitezslav Pivonka and informed him that "two employees of the Czech Embassy in Moscow are declared personas non-gratae," it said in a statement.
Russia on Monday expelled two Czech diplomats, retaliating over the expulsion of two of its own embassy workers from Prague this month over a fake story about a poisoning plot.
"They are ordered to leave Russian territory with their family members" by end of day Wednesday, it said, calling the move a "mirror measure in response to Prague's provocative action."
An April report in the Czech weekly magazine Respekt claimed Russia had plans to poison officials in Prague after the removal of a controversial Cold War-era statue of Soviet general Ivan Konev, leading the mayor and several others to be placed under police protection.
Czech authorities on June 5 accused a Russian embassy employee of spreading the poison plot rumor and expelled two diplomats from the country.
Moscow dismissed the Respekt report as "sick fantasies" and described the expulsion of diplomats as a "hostile measure."
The Russian Foreign Ministry called accusations against its embassy workers "absurd and baseless," and had warned retaliation would follow.
Czech envoy Pivonka on Monday told Russian agencies that the two countries will hold consultations, with the Konev statue's potential restoration among the issues to be discussed.
"This is an expected and symmetric reaction to our steps," Czech foreign ministry spokeswoman Zuzana Stichova told AFP Monday, adding that the Czech side considers the problem to be "resolved."
Konev led Red Army troops that liberated Prague from the Nazis in 1945.
He was also in charge of Operation Whirlwind which crushed the Hungarian Uprising against Moscow in 1956.
The diplomatic explusions have further soured already strained relations between Prague and the Kremlin.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-15--Russian Hotels Urged to Turn Non-Married Couples Away to Slow Virus’ Spread

Hotels would be required to “ explain ” why unmarried couples end up in the same room , said the state consumer protection watchdog Rospotrebnadzor .
Russian officials have urged hotels to ban unmarried couples from checking in as a way of preventing the spread of coronavirus , the government newspaper Rossiiskaya Gazeta reported Saturday .
“ The onus of obtaining proof of family status is fully within the responsibility of the hotel , ” Rospotrebnadzor told the publication .
Russia ’ s Federal Tourist Agency , Rostourism , assured the public that guests will not be required to show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that its ban relates to people who don ’ t usually contact each other in everyday life .
“ The guideline is : primarily single-guest accommodation with the exception of families , ” the watchdog said .
“ In other words , it ’ s recommended that people who don ’ t contact each other in normal life aren ’ t checked in [ the same ] rooms to avoid additional risks of infection in close contact , ” it added .
Russian hotels , restaurants and other businesses in the hospitality industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a two-month lockdown across the country .
Up to 90 % of hotel rooms were empty as of early June , the Vedomosti business daily reported .
The head of the Russian Hotel Association , Gennady Lamshin , explained that hotels will likely find ways to avoid following the rules that only allow married couples to stay together in a single room .
Brides and grooms as well as close friends could prove exceptions to the rule , he said , adding that a clause on “ accompanying persons ” could cancel out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could check into a room with an accompanying person .
Anyone can be an accompanying person , ” Lamshin told Rossiiskaya Gazeta .
In comments to the RBC news website , Lamshin noted that hotels have no right to check their guests ’ family status .
Russia ’ s has the world ’ s third-highest number of Covid-19 cases with more than 537,000 confirmed infections as of Monday .

Hotels would be required to “explain” why unmarried couples end up in the same room, said the state consumer protection watchdog Rospotrebnadzor.
Russian officials have urged hotels to ban unmarried couples from checking in as a way of preventing the spread of coronavirus, the government newspaper Rossiiskaya Gazeta reported Saturday.
“The onus of obtaining proof of family status is fully within the responsibility of the hotel,” Rospotrebnadzor told the publication.
Russia’s Federal Tourist Agency, Rostourism, assured the public that guests will not be required to show their marriage certificates.
Rospotrebnadzor later clarified that its ban relates to people who don’t usually contact each other in everyday life.
“The guideline is: primarily single-guest accommodation with the exception of families,” the watchdog said.
“In other words, it’s recommended that people who don’t contact each other in normal life aren’t checked in [the same] rooms to avoid additional risks of infection in close contact,” it added.
Russian hotels, restaurants and other businesses in the hospitality industry gradually began to reopen June 1 after a two-month lockdown across the country. Up to 90% of hotel rooms were empty as of early June, the Vedomosti business daily reported.
The head of the Russian Hotel Association, Gennady Lamshin, explained that hotels will likely find ways to avoid following the rules that only allow married couples to stay together in a single room. Brides and grooms as well as close friends could prove exceptions to the rule, he said, adding that a clause on “accompanying persons” could cancel out the requirement altogether.
“A guest could check into a room with an accompanying person. Anyone can be an accompanying person,” Lamshin told Rossiiskaya Gazeta.
In comments to the RBC news website, Lamshin noted that hotels have no right to check their guests’ family status.
Russia’s has the world’s third-highest number of Covid-19 cases with more than 537,000 confirmed infections as of Monday.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-15--Russia Sentences U.S. Ex-Marine to 16 Years in Prison in Spy Trial

The court process is `` slimy , greasy Russian politics nothing more , nothing less , '' he said .
Moscow City Court found Whelan guilty of receiving classified information as he stood in the dock with a sign that read `` Sham trial ! ''
and pleaded for U.S. President Donald Trump to intervene in the case .
A Russian court on Monday sentenced former U.S. marine Paul Whelan to 16 years in a penal colony for espionage in a case that strained ties with Washington and fueled speculation of a prisoner swap .
Whelan , 50 , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his arrest in December 2018 and his trial was held behind closed doors because of the accusations of seeking to obtain state secrets .
Throughout the trial he maintained his innocence , saying he was framed and comparing himself to the hapless comedy character Mr. Bean .
`` Russia thought they caught James Bond on a spy mission , in reality they abducted Mr. Bean on holiday , '' he said .
Whelan says he was detained on a visit to Moscow to attend a wedding when he took a USB drive from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The prosecution had asked the judge to sentence Whelan to 18 years in a strict-regime penal colony , just short of the 20 years maximum term for the charge .
The U.S. ambassador to Moscow John Sullivan condemned the trial as unfair and lacking transparency .
`` I am disappointed , outraged by what I just heard , '' he told reporters in court .
`` ( Whelan has ) been sentenced to 16 years in prison with no evidence that 's been produced .
`` I ca n't say I 'm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case has been heading from the beginning , '' he added .
The prosecutor summed up last month by saying Whelan tried to receive information that was a state secret and could harm Russia 's security , Whelan 's lawyer Vladimir Zherebenkov told reporters .
The prosecutor claimed that Whelan has the rank of an officer — `` at least a colonel '' — at the U.S. defense intelligence agency , the lawyer said .
Whelan 's family had said ahead of the verdict that a guilty verdict was a foregone conclusion .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ David said in a statement that he family would continue to fight for his release , and criticized the court 's politically motivated verdict .
`` We had hoped that the court might show some independence but , in the end , Russian judges are political , not legal , entities , '' he said .
Whelan was dishonorably discharged as a marine before working as head of global security at a U.S. autoparts company .
There have been suggestions that if convicted , Whelan , who also has British , Canadian and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. in a prisoner swap .
Whelan 's lawyer said on Monday that Russian intelligence services were considering an exchange with two Russians detained in the United States , including pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko , imprisoned on drug smuggling charges .
His twin brother David said in a statement that the family hope that a conviction will allow Russia and the United States to `` begin discussing Paul 's release immediately . ''
Whelan has complained of being mistreated in prison and late last month underwent an operation in a Moscow hospital that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The US embassy criticized the Russian authorities for waiting till his condition was `` life-threatening to provide him medical attention , '' while the Russian Foreign Ministry described the procedure as `` simple . ''

The court process is "slimy, greasy Russian politics nothing more, nothing less," he said.
Moscow City Court found Whelan guilty of receiving classified information as he stood in the dock with a sign that read "Sham trial!" and pleaded for U.S. President Donald Trump to intervene in the case.
A Russian court on Monday sentenced former U.S. marine Paul Whelan to 16 years in a penal colony for espionage in a verdict that has outraged Washington.
The case has strained ties between Moscow and Washington and fueled speculation of a prisoner swap.
Whelan, 50, has been held in a Moscow jail since his arrest in December 2018 and his trial was held behind closed doors because of the accusations of seeking to obtain state secrets.
He had complained of being mistreated in prison and last month underwent an urgent hernia operation at a Moscow hospital.
Whelan's conviction is another impediment in relations between the two world powers, which are at odds over Ukraine, Syria, Libya, arms control and a host of other issues.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo slammed the verdict and demanded that Russia release Whelan immediately.
He said the United States was outraged "after a secret trial, with secret evidence, and without appropriate allowances for defense witnesses."
The U.S. ambassador to Moscow John Sullivan condemned the trial as unfair and lacking transparency, saying he was "disappointed, outraged" by the verdict.
He said Whelan was "sentenced to 16 years in prison with no evidence that's been produced."
"I can't say I'm surprised," he added. "This is the direction this case has been heading from the beginning."
'They abducted Mr. Bean'
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed allegations Whelan's detention was political saying: "The charges brought against him were proven in court and accepted by the court."
Throughout the hearings, Whelan insisted he was innocent, saying he was framed and comparing himself to the hapless comedy character Mr. Bean.
"Russia thought they caught James Bond on a spy mission, in reality they abducted Mr. Bean on holiday," he said in October.
Whelan says he was detained on a visit to Moscow to attend a wedding when he took a USB drive from an acquaintance thinking it contained holiday photographs.
Whelan, who also has British, Canadian and Irish passports, was sentenced to 16 years in a strict regime penal colony.
The prosecution had asked for 18 years, just short of the maximum 20-year term for the charge.
The prosecutor said last month Whelan tried to receive information that was a state secret and could harm Russia's security, Whelan's lawyer Vladimir Zherebenkov told reporters.
The prosecutor claimed Whelan has the rank of an officer — "at least a colonel" — at the U.S. defense intelligence agency, the lawyer said.
'Russian judges are political'
Whelan's brother David said his family would continue to fight for his release.
"We had hoped that the court might show some independence but, in the end, Russian judges are political, not legal, entities," he said.
Whelan was dishonorably discharged as a marine before working as head of global security at a U.S. auto parts company.
There had been suggestions that Whelan could be returned to the U.S. in a prisoner swap.
Whelan's lawyer said Monday that Russian intelligence services were considering an exchange for two Russians detained in the United States, including pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko, imprisoned on drug smuggling charges.
David Whelan has said that the family hoped a conviction would allow Russia and the United States to begin discussing Paul's release immediately.
US diplomats and the former marine's family have condemned Whelan's treatment in detention, saying Russia ignored his medical condition and barred him from communicating with relatives.
The U.S. embassy criticized the Russian authorities for waiting until his condition was "life-threatening to provide him medical attention," while the Russian Foreign Ministry described his operation last month as "simple."


themoscowtimes--2020-06-15--Russia's Coronavirus Cases Surpass 537K as Country Eyes Constitutional Vote

Moscow lifted restrictions including compulsory travel passes on Tuesday , a move welcomed by residents who rushed out to enjoy the streets and parks .
Many other regions are lifting lockdown restrictions as Russia is preparing to hold a July 1 national vote despite the pandemic .
President Vladimir Putin is seeking public backing for constitutional amendments that would allow him to stay on at the Kremlin beyond his current term .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which has identified many cases with mild or no coronavirus symptoms .
The Health Ministry is now adjusting how it reports numbers to include all deaths believed to be related to the virus even if the direct cause of death was another condition or the patient tested negative .
Moscow reported Wednesday that it saw 5,260 such deaths in May .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
`` We will carry out a check 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--2020-06-15--News From Russia: What You Missed Over the Weekend

The previously announced toll for April was 1,152 .
The new April figure represents a death rate of 2.6 % among those infected .
Russia on Saturday more than doubled its official coronavirus death toll for April to 2,712 after changing how it classifies fatalities , including deaths where the victim tested positive for the virus but it was not the main cause of death .
President Vladimir Putin said Sunday that anti-racism protests that have swept the U.S. were a sign of deep crises in the country , criticizing the protests for sparking violence and raising questions over President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
The Russian leader stressed he supported black Americans ’ struggle for equality , calling this “ a long-standing problem of the United States , ” but spoke out against “ mayhem and rioting.
” Putin connected the protests in the U.S. to the country 's poor handling of the pandemic , pointing to “ deep-seated internal crises.
” Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill on Sunday consecrated a huge cathedral dedicated to the Russian military more than a month after its original planned opening , which was timed to coincide with the 75th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ War II on May 9 .
The cathedral caused controversy during the building stage for initial plans , which were eventually scrapped , to decorate its interior with mosaics depicting Putin and Stalin .
A job post for a bartender at Moscow ’ s Jewish Museum and Tolerance Center sparked controversy with its requirement that the new employee have a “ Slavic appearance .
”

The previously announced toll for April was 1,152. The new April figure represents a death rate of 2.6% among those infected.
Russia on Saturday more than doubled its official coronavirus death toll for April to 2,712 after changing how it classifies fatalities, including deaths where the victim tested positive for the virus but it was not the main cause of death.
‘Mayhem and rioting’
President Vladimir Putin said Sunday that anti-racism protests that have swept the U.S. were a sign of deep crises in the country, criticizing the protests for sparking violence and raising questions over President Donald Trump's response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Russian leader stressed he supported black Americans’ struggle for equality, calling this “a long-standing problem of the United States,” but spoke out against “mayhem and rioting.”
Putin connected the protests in the U.S. to the country's poor handling of the pandemic, pointing to “deep-seated internal crises.”
Military shrine
Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill on Sunday consecrated a huge cathedral dedicated to the Russian military more than a month after its original planned opening, which was timed to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory in World War II on May 9.
The cathedral caused controversy during the building stage for initial plans, which were eventually scrapped, to decorate its interior with mosaics depicting Putin and Stalin.
Slavs only
A job post for a bartender at Moscow’s Jewish Museum and Tolerance Center sparked controversy with its requirement that the new employee have a “Slavic appearance.”


themoscowtimes--2020-06-15--Russia's Gazprom to Reimburse Poland $1.5Bln

Russian gas giant Gazprom will reimburse Poland 's PGNiG to the tune of $ 1.5 billion by July 1 for @ @ @ @ @ for years , the Polish company said on Monday following a court battle .
On @ @ @ @ @ won a case against Gazprom over its long-term contract for gas imports at an international @ @ @ @ @ The Polish company had since proposed a new formula for the cost of deliveries from @ @ @ @ @ at $ 1.5 billion ( 1.3 billion euros ) .
On Monday , PGNiG said @ @ @ @ @ confirming the new formula and reimbursement .
Poland in November said it would not extend @ @ @ @ @ Gazprom signed in 1996 .
Two-thirds of the gas consumed in Poland , about 10 @ @ @ @ @ currently delivered by Russia under the Yamal contract .

Russian gas giant Gazprom will reimburse Poland's PGNiG to the tune of $1.5 billion by July 1 for overcharging it for its supplies for years, the Polish company said on Monday following a court battle.
On March 30, state-owned PGNiG won a case against Gazprom over its long-term contract for gas imports at an international arbitration tribunal in Stockholm.
The Polish company had since proposed a new formula for the cost of deliveries from 2014, estimating the figure at $1.5 billion (1.3 billion euros).
On Monday, PGNiG said Gazprom had signed an agreement confirming the new formula and reimbursement.
Poland in November said it would not extend beyond 2022 a contract with Gazprom signed in 1996.
Two-thirds of the gas consumed in Poland, about 10 billion cubic meters, is currently delivered by Russia under the Yamal contract.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-15--Top Russian Newspaper Editors Quit, Denouncing Pro-Kremlin Censorship

Kremlin critics said the exodus of top editors likely sounded the death knell for Vedomosti in its current incarnation .
Vedomosti is one of the last major independent newspapers in Russia , where journalists are increasingly squeezed by curbs on press freedoms and pressure from the Kremlin .
Senior editors at Russia 's leading business newspaper quit Monday in protest against what they say is censorship under new ownership , as a months-long dispute between journalists and management came to a head .
`` All five deputy editors at Vedomosti are leaving the newspaper in protest over the appointment of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ newspaper said .
Boris Safronov , one of the editors who resigned , told AFP he believed `` the old Vedomosti will soon be no more . ''
Launched in 1999 , Vedomosti was co-founded and co-owned by Dutch entrepreneur Derk Sauer 's Independent Media , the London-based Financial Times and U.S. business daily The Wall Street Journal .
Like the Financial Times , it is published on salmon-colored paper .
The paper has changed hands several times since its first print run , as lawmakers introduced legislation limiting foreign ownership of Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and editors were shaken by an announcement from then-owner Demyan Kudryavtsev that he planned to sell the newspaper .
Shmarov , 65 , was appointed acting editor-in-chief the same month , before the sale was finalized .
'No choice but to leave' The newspaper was eventually sold to the head of a little-known regional news agency called FederalPress , Ivan Yeryomin .
Vedomosti journalists have denounced censorship under Shmarov , saying his appointment was political .
They complain they have been barred from covering negative opinion polls of President Vladimir Putin and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rosneft , which is run by Putin 's top ally Igor Sechin .
In an open letter published by The Bell , an independent Russian-language news site , all five editors said they were leaving after Shmarov was confirmed as editor-in-chief .
`` As acting chief editor , he ran the newsroom for almost three months and managed over that period to repeatedly violate editorial norms and guidelines adopted at Vedomosti , '' they said .
`` We have no other choice but to leave . ''
The new owner has said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high professional standards . ''
While the daily newspaper focuses on business and industry news , its editorial section has become a vital space for dissenting voices and debate on political life in Russia .
Its journalists repeatedly complained to owners about Shmarov and recently put forward an alternative candidate to lead the paper .
Although nearly 70 staff members backed a long-serving colleague to be editor-in-chief , the owners went ahead with the appointment of Shmarov , they said .
The outgoing editors have worked at the newspaper for around 15 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by several Russian news outlets , including Vedomosti , concluded that Rosneft leveraged control over the paper through debts owed by Kudryavtsev to the oil giant 's bank .
Kremlin critics on Monday praised Vedomosti staff for fighting for editorial independence until the end .
`` Vedomosti RIP , '' Yulia Galyamina , a local deputy in Moscow , said on Twitter .
Anna Kachkaeva , a media expert at the Higher School of Economics , said the departure of the top editors marked the end of the newspaper in its current form @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but it will be a different newspaper , '' she told AFP .
`` I very much hope that such a team will have the opportunity to pursue their own project . ''
In May , 2019 the entire politics desk of Russian business daily Kommersant , a Vedomosti rival , quit in protest over censorship .

Kremlin critics said the exodus of top editors likely sounded the death knell for Vedomosti in its current incarnation.
Vedomosti is one of the last major independent newspapers in Russia, where journalists are increasingly squeezed by curbs on press freedoms and pressure from the Kremlin.
Senior editors at Russia's leading business newspaper quit Monday in protest against what they say is censorship under new ownership, as a months-long dispute between journalists and management came to a head.
"All five deputy editors at Vedomosti are leaving the newspaper in protest over the appointment of Andrei Shmarov as editor-in-chief," the newspaper said.
Boris Safronov, one of the editors who resigned, told AFP he believed "the old Vedomosti will soon be no more."
Launched in 1999, Vedomosti was co-founded and co-owned by Dutch entrepreneur Derk Sauer's Independent Media, the London-based Financial Times and U.S. business daily The Wall Street Journal.
Like the Financial Times, it is published on salmon-colored paper.
The paper has changed hands several times since its first print run, as lawmakers introduced legislation limiting foreign ownership of Russian media.
In March, its reporters and editors were shaken by an announcement from then-owner Demyan Kudryavtsev that he planned to sell the newspaper.
Shmarov, 65, was appointed acting editor-in-chief the same month, before the sale was finalized.
'No choice but to leave'
The newspaper was eventually sold to the head of a little-known regional news agency called FederalPress, Ivan Yeryomin.
Vedomosti journalists have denounced censorship under Shmarov, saying his appointment was political.
They complain they have been barred from covering negative opinion polls of President Vladimir Putin and that Shmarov interfered in coverage of oil giant Rosneft, which is run by Putin's top ally Igor Sechin.
In an open letter published by The Bell, an independent Russian-language news site, all five editors said they were leaving after Shmarov was confirmed as editor-in-chief.
"As acting chief editor, he ran the newsroom for almost three months and managed over that period to repeatedly violate editorial norms and guidelines adopted at Vedomosti," they said.
"We have no other choice but to leave."
The new owner has said he is certain the newspaper would retain "high professional standards."
While the daily newspaper focuses on business and industry news, its editorial section has become a vital space for dissenting voices and debate on political life in Russia.
Its journalists repeatedly complained to owners about Shmarov and recently put forward an alternative candidate to lead the paper.
'Vedomosti RIP'
Although nearly 70 staff members backed a long-serving colleague to be editor-in-chief, the owners went ahead with the appointment of Shmarov, they said.
The outgoing editors have worked at the newspaper for around 15 years or more.
An investigation in May by several Russian news outlets, including Vedomosti, concluded that Rosneft leveraged control over the paper through debts owed by Kudryavtsev to the oil giant's bank.
Kremlin critics on Monday praised Vedomosti staff for fighting for editorial independence until the end.
"Vedomosti RIP," Yulia Galyamina, a local deputy in Moscow, said on Twitter.
Anna Kachkaeva, a media expert at the Higher School of Economics, said the departure of the top editors marked the end of the newspaper in its current form.
"Vedomosti will be published, but it will be a different newspaper," she told AFP.
"I very much hope that such a team will have the opportunity to pursue their own project."
In May, 2019 the entire politics desk of Russian business daily Kommersant, a Vedomosti rival, quit in protest over censorship.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-15--French City Rocked by Unrest Blamed on Score-Settling Chechens

Members of the Chechen diaspora then set out on so-called punishment raids seeking to avenge the assault , they said .
Police sources said the unrest was sparked by an attack on a 16-year-old member of the Chechen community on June 10 .
New tensions on Monday flared in France 's eastern city of Dijon after it was rocked by a weekend of unrest blamed on Chechens seeking vengeance for an assault on a teenager .
After three successive nights of violence , early Monday evening some 150 people , some hooded and armed , again assembled in Dijon , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fire .
Some also shot into the air , police sources told AFP .
`` What happened is unprecedented and unacceptable , '' the city 's mayor , Francois Rebsamen , told AFP .
Attacks had already taken place on three successive nights starting Friday , with many people wielding baseball bats .
The local prefect Bernard Schmeltz — the top state official in the region — said in a statement that the violence `` appeared to be part of a settling of scores between members of the Chechen community in France and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that in one incident some 50 Chechens entered the restive district of Gresilles overnight Saturday , and a man who owns a pizzeria was badly wounded by apparent gunfire .
Even more people , around 200 , also entered Gresilles late on Sunday with violent intent .
In an interview with local daily Le Bien Public , a man claiming to be a Chechen said the raids aimed to avenge an assault by local drug dealers on the 16-year-old .
`` There were about a hundred of us from all over France but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never intended to ransack the city or take it out on the people , '' said the man , who was not identified by name .
Dijon prosecutor Eric Mathais said a total of six people had been injured in the three incidents on the successive nights , but no one has yet been arrested .
A probe has been opened into attempted murder by a criminal gang , he added .
Rebsamen said the police reinforcements were arriving after he spoke by telephone with Interior Minister Christophe Castaner .
Thirty-seven anti-riot police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ additional gendarmes will be deployed from Monday , he said .
Chechnya is a predominantly Muslim Russian republic in the North Caucasus .
Two wars in the 1990s triggered a wave of emigration , with many Chechens heading for western Europe .

Members of the Chechen diaspora then set out on so-called punishment raids seeking to avenge the assault, they said.
Police sources said the unrest was sparked by an attack on a 16-year-old member of the Chechen community on June 10.
New tensions on Monday flared in France's eastern city of Dijon after it was rocked by a weekend of unrest blamed on Chechens seeking vengeance for an assault on a teenager.
After three successive nights of violence, early Monday evening some 150 people, some hooded and armed, again assembled in Dijon, setting rubbish bins and a car on fire.
Some also shot into the air, police sources told AFP.
"What happened is unprecedented and unacceptable," the city's mayor, Francois Rebsamen, told AFP.
Attacks had already taken place on three successive nights starting Friday, with many people wielding baseball bats.
The local prefect Bernard Schmeltz — the top state official in the region — said in a statement that the violence "appeared to be part of a settling of scores between members of the Chechen community in France and residents" of Dijon.
Police said that in one incident some 50 Chechens entered the restive district of Gresilles overnight Saturday, and a man who owns a pizzeria was badly wounded by apparent gunfire.
Even more people, around 200, also entered Gresilles late on Sunday with violent intent.
In an interview with local daily Le Bien Public, a man claiming to be a Chechen said the raids aimed to avenge an assault by local drug dealers on the 16-year-old.
"There were about a hundred of us from all over France but also from Belgium and Germany. We never intended to ransack the city or take it out on the people," said the man, who was not identified by name.
Dijon prosecutor Eric Mathais said a total of six people had been injured in the three incidents on the successive nights, but no one has yet been arrested.
A probe has been opened into attempted murder by a criminal gang, he added.
Rebsamen said the police reinforcements were arriving after he spoke by telephone with Interior Minister Christophe Castaner.
Thirty-seven anti-riot police members came on Sunday, while 110 additional gendarmes will be deployed from Monday, he said.
Chechnya is a predominantly Muslim Russian republic in the North Caucasus. Two wars in the 1990s triggered a wave of emigration, with many Chechens heading for western Europe.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-15--Russian Arctic Scientist Charged With Treason for Passing ‘State Secrets’ to China

Valery Mitko , 78 , president of the Arctic Academy of Sciences in St. Petersburg , faces up to 20 years in prison , his lawyer Ivan Pavlov was cited as saying .
Pavlov said his client read lectures in China using documents containing only academic and open-source information .
A Russian scientist has been charged with treason on allegations of passing state secrets to China , Reuters reported Monday .
“ There were no state secrets there at all , ” Pavlov was quoted as saying in reference to Mitko ’ s travels to China twice a year to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ denied that his client handed state secrets to Chinese authorities .
“ We consider these accusations to be absurd , ” he added , expressing hope that the treason case would be thrown out before trial .
Mitko has been under house arrest since February when authorities first accused him of high treason , Reuters cited Pavlov as saying .
A court extended Mitko ’ s house arrest earlier this month until Oct. 10 .
Mitko had allegedly agreed to collect information “ of military nature ” for the Chinese secret services out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to a house arrest order cited by the Meduza news website .
The 78-year-old academic had been a guest lecturer at the Dalian Maritime University in China since 2016 , traveling there twice a year to give lectures on hydrophysics , Meduza reported .
An unnamed source told Interfax that Mitko passed information on submarine detection technology to China between March 2017 and March 2018 .
The academic denies the charges against him .
Mitko is the latest in a string of elderly academics accused or convicted of cooperating with foreign states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the charges as manifestations of the state ’ s paranoia .
The Arctic , with vast energy reserves hidden in the permafrost , has emerged in recent years as a staging ground for geopolitical competition between world powers .

Valery Mitko, 78, president of the Arctic Academy of Sciences in St. Petersburg, faces up to 20 years in prison, his lawyer Ivan Pavlov was cited as saying. Pavlov said his client read lectures in China using documents containing only academic and open-source information.
A Russian scientist has been charged with treason on allegations of passing state secrets to China, Reuters reported Monday.
“There were no state secrets there at all,” Pavlov was quoted as saying in reference to Mitko’s travels to China twice a year to speak as a guest lecturer.
Pavlov denied that his client handed state secrets to Chinese authorities.
“We consider these accusations to be absurd,” he added, expressing hope that the treason case would be thrown out before trial.
Mitko has been under house arrest since February when authorities first accused him of high treason, Reuters cited Pavlov as saying. A court extended Mitko’s house arrest earlier this month until Oct. 10.
Mitko had allegedly agreed to collect information “of military nature” for the Chinese secret services out of a “selfish interest,” according to a house arrest order cited by the Meduza news website.
The 78-year-old academic had been a guest lecturer at the Dalian Maritime University in China since 2016, traveling there twice a year to give lectures on hydrophysics, Meduza reported.
An unnamed source told Interfax that Mitko passed information on submarine detection technology to China between March 2017 and March 2018.
The academic denies the charges against him.
Mitko is the latest in a string of elderly academics accused or convicted of cooperating with foreign states in recent years. Critics have blasted the charges as manifestations of the state’s paranoia.
The Arctic, with vast energy reserves hidden in the permafrost, has emerged in recent years as a staging ground for geopolitical competition between world powers.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-16--Russia Vows to Stand Firm by Iran on Nuclear Deal

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov made the comments during a visit to Moscow by his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif amid a fresh row over access to Iranian sites where past nuclear activity may have occurred .
Russia on Tuesday vowed to stand by its ally Iran and resist any attempts to promote an anti-Iranian agenda amid tensions over Tehran 's nuclear program .
The standoff comes as a landmark deal between Iran and world powers brokered in 2015 continues to unravel .
`` We will be doing everything so that no one can destroy these agreements , '' Lavrov told reporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington has no right to punish Iran . ''
Moscow 's top diplomat said at the start of the talks that Russia would firmly oppose any `` attempts to use this situation in order to manipulate the ( United Nations ) Security Council and to promote an anti-Iranian agenda . ''
Zarif , for his part , described developments around the Iranian nuclear deal — formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action — as `` very dangerous . ''
Iran committed under the deal to curb its nuclear activities for sanctions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Islamic republic has slowly abandoned its commitments after U.S. President Donald Trump 's decision two years ago to renounce the deal and reimpose sanctions .
Iran 's stockpile of enriched uranium is now almost eight times the limit fixed in the accord , according to an IAEA assessment .
However , the level of enrichment is still far below what would be needed for a nuclear weapon .
On Monday , the head of the UN 's nuclear watchdog called on Iran to allow prompt access to two sites where past nuclear activity @ @ @ @

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov made the comments during a visit to Moscow by his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif, as Iran sought to fend off criticism over granting access to sites where past nuclear activity may have occurred.
Russia on Tuesday vowed to stand by its ally Iran and resist attempts to promote an anti-Iranian agenda amid tensions over Tehran's nuclear program.
The standoff comes as a landmark deal brokered in 2015 between Iran and world powers to limit Tehran's nuclear program continues to unravel.
"We will be doing everything so that no one can destroy these agreements," Lavrov told reporters after talks with Zarif.
Lavrov accused the United States of trying to "manipulate" the United Nations Security Council in order to put pressure on Iran.
"Washington has no right to punish Iran" by leveraging the UN Security Council, Lavrov said, adding that U.S. plans to extend an arms embargo on the Islamic republic "contravene international law."
Moscow's top diplomat said at the start of the talks that Russia would firmly oppose any attempts "to promote an anti-Iranian agenda."
Zarif described developments around the Iranian nuclear deal — formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action — as "very dangerous."
Iran had committed to curb its nuclear activities for sanctions relief and other benefits.
But Tehran has slowly abandoned its commitments since U.S. President Donald Trump's decision two years ago to renounce the deal and reimpose sanctions.
Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium is now almost eight times the limit fixed in the accord, according to an assessment by IAEA, the UN nuclear watchdog.
However, the level of enrichment is still far below that needed for a nuclear weapon.
The head of the IAEA on Monday called on Iran to allow prompt access to two sites where past nuclear activity may have occurred.
In Moscow, Zarif implied Washington was also using the International Atomic Energy Agency to further its own interests.
Iran "won't allow the IAEA to become an instrument of abuse" for countries that want to scrap the Iran deal and "destroy all international obligations," he said in translated remarks.
He added that Iran had fully cooperated with the IAEA.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-16--Kadyrov Accused of Masterminding Murder Plot Against Georgian TV Host Who Insulted Putin

Television host Giorgi Gabunia ignited backlash last summer when he opened his broadcast with a minute of graphic vulgarity aimed at Putin and his deceased mother .
Officials in both Georgia and Russia , which have had a tense relationship since fighting a brief war in 2008 , condemned Gabunia ’ s tirade .
Georgia has arrested a Russian national suspected of being hired to kill a journalist who insulted President Vladimir Putin live on air , with the would-be victim ’ s boss claiming that Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov ordered the killing .
Georgia ’ s state security service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian citizen as part of a criminal investigation into “ preparation of murder by contract.
” The suspect , identified by the initials V.B.
, has been charged with buying forged documents .
Gabunia ’ s boss Nika Gvaramia claimed that the suspect , whom he identified as ethnic Ingush Vasambeg Bokov , 37 , was hired by Kadyrov .
“ [ Bokov ] was planning to liquidate Giorgi Gabunia on the orders of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov , ” the Open Caucasus Media news website quoted Gvaramia as saying .
He added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alleged assassination plot from Ukrainian law enforcement .
“ Our sources in the counterterrorism service said that it ’ s directly related to Giorgi Gabunia ’ s speech about Putin , ” Gvaramia said on an opposition-leaning news channel which he had set up after being ousted from the independent channel where Gabunia made his anti-Putin diatribe .
At the height of the scandal , Kadyrov had warned that “ Gabunia should be hidden behind seven fences for the first to cross his path could do with him what he deserves.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the allegations .

Update: Kadyrov denied ordering Gabunia’s killing, saying “trust me, if someone acts on my orders, they will fulfill it” on his Telegram channel late Tuesday.
“And if the task is to be performed quietly, then no one — especially those in your deeply stagnating countries — will find out about it,” he wrote. Kadyrov added that “we haven’t forgotten how [Gabunia] insulted our state, our people and therefore me personally.”
Georgia has arrested a Russian national suspected of being hired to kill a journalist who insulted President Vladimir Putin live on air, with the would-be victim’s boss claiming that Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov ordered the killing.
Television host Giorgi Gabunia ignited backlash last summer when he opened his broadcast with a minute of graphic vulgarity aimed at Putin and his deceased mother. Officials in both Georgia and Russia, which have had a tense relationship since fighting a brief war in 2008, condemned Gabunia’s tirade.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-16--Kremlin Calls for 'Restraint' Amid N. Korea Escalation

The Kremlin on Tuesday called for restraint following a sharp escalation in tensions after North Korea blew up a liaison @ @ @ @ @ South Korea .
`` This is a concern , we urge all parties to show @ @ @ @ @ Dmitry Peskov told reporters , adding that Russia would be closely monitoring the situation .
@ @ @ @ @ of the Stalinist regime , was not planning any talks at the highest level for @ @ @ @ @ .
After days of increasingly virulent rhetoric from Pyongyang , North Korea blew up an @ @ @ @ @ side of the border on Tuesday .
The demolition came after Kim Yo Jong — @ @ @ @ @ Korean leader Kim Jong Un — said over the weekend that the `` useless north-south @ @ @ @ @ soon be seen `` completely collapsed . ''
Analysts say Pyongyang may be seeking to @ @ @ @ @ pressure on Seoul while nuclear talks with Washington are at a standstill .

The Kremlin on Tuesday called for restraint following a sharp escalation in tensions after North Korea blew up a liaison office near its border with South Korea.
"This is a concern, we urge all parties to show restraint," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, adding that Russia would be closely monitoring the situation.
The Kremlin, an ally of the Stalinist regime, was not planning any talks at the highest level for the moment, he said.
After days of increasingly virulent rhetoric from Pyongyang, North Korea blew up an inter-Korean liaison office on its side of the border on Tuesday.
The demolition came after Kim Yo Jong — the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un — said over the weekend that the "useless north-south joint liaison office" would soon be seen "completely collapsed."
Analysts say Pyongyang may be seeking to manufacture a crisis to increase pressure on Seoul while nuclear talks with Washington are at a standstill.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-16--Chechen Violence in France, Explained

Chechen Violence in France, Explained

Violence involving young Chechens rocked France ’ s eastern city of Dijon over the weekend .
French police were deployed late Monday to restore order following the unrest , which was blamed on the local Chechen community seeking vengeance for an assault on a teenager .
Here is a brief look at the origins of the conflict as well as the Chechen diaspora in France : — Police sources said the unrest was ignited after a 16-year-old member of the Chechen community was attacked on June 10 .
— French media reported that the attack was carried out by local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identified the alleged perpetrators of the attack as members of an Algerian drug mafia .
Members of the Chechen diaspora identified them only as “ Maghreb dealers.
” — The local press also refers to the violence as “ tensions between the Chechen and Maghreb communities , ” referring to a wide swath of northwest Africa that , among other countries , includes Algeria and Morocco .
— Vladislav Davidzon , the chief editor of Ukraine ’ s The Odessa Review magazine who has connections to the Chechen diaspora in France , described @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Algerian immigrants and native born French citizens of Arab descent ” involved in drug trafficking .
He said the tensions have long been simmering between the sides .
— The local prefect said the violence `` appeared to be part of a settling of scores between members of the Chechen community in France and residents.
” — Starting Friday , members of the Chechen diaspora set out on so-called punishment raids over three successive nights seeking to avenge the assault , with many people wielding baseball bats , the police sources said @

Violence involving young Chechens rocked France’s eastern city of Dijon over the weekend.
French police were deployed late Monday to restore order following the unrest, which was blamed on the local Chechen community seeking vengeance for an assault on a teenager.
Here is a brief look at the origins of the conflict as well as the Chechen diaspora in France:
What caused the unrest?
— Police sources said the unrest was ignited after a 16-year-old member of the Chechen community was attacked on June 10.
— French media reported that the attack was carried out by local drug dealers. Right-wing social media users identified the alleged perpetrators of the attack as members of an Algerian drug mafia. Members of the Chechen diaspora identified them only as “Maghreb dealers.”
— The local press also refers to the violence as “tensions between the Chechen and Maghreb communities,” referring to a wide swath of northwest Africa that, among other countries, includes Algeria and Morocco.
— Vladislav Davidzon, the chief editor of Ukraine’s The Odessa Review magazine, quoted a source in the Chechen diaspora in France as describing the opposing side as “a mixture of Algerian immigrants and native born French citizens of Arab descent” involved in drug trafficking. The source said the tensions have long been simmering between the sides.
— The local prefect said the violence "appeared to be part of a settling of scores between members of the Chechen community in France and residents.”
What happened?
— Starting Friday, members of the Chechen diaspora set out on so-called punishment raids over three successive nights seeking to avenge the assault, with many people wielding baseball bats, the police sources said.