themoscowtimes--2020-09-22--10 Russian Lawmakers Hospitalized With Coronavirus

State Duma speaker Vyacheslav Volodin admonished elderly deputies for attending in-person sessions after the legislative body came back from summer recess last week .
At least 10 members of Russia ’ s lower house of parliament are currently hospitalized with coronavirus and more than 50 have developed antibodies , its speaker said Tuesday .
“ To date the number of those with antibodies has exceeded 50 people and 10 deputies are in hospitals , ” Volodin was quoted by Interfax as saying .
“ The course of the disease is different with everyone .
We ’ ve proposed measures that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gather in this chamber , ” he added .
The 450-member State Duma needs 226 lawmakers to be present in order to vote on legislative initiatives .
Interfax reported that 55 State Duma deputies had a valid excuse to miss Tuesday ’ s plenary session .
A database of Duma votes showed that at least 400 deputies were in attendance last week .
Russia saw an uptick in its daily coronavirus caseload this month , with more than 5,000 confirmed infections since the start of September and more than 6,000 in each of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start of the Covid-19 pandemic , Russia has registered more than 1.1 million cases and more than 19,500 deaths .
Several government officials , including President Vladimir Putin ’ s spokesman and the prime minister , have contracted and since recovered from Covid-19 .

State Duma speaker Vyacheslav Volodin admonished elderly deputies for attending in-person sessions after the legislative body came back from summer recess last week.
At least 10 members of Russia’s lower house of parliament are currently hospitalized with coronavirus and more than 50 have developed antibodies, its speaker said Tuesday.
“To date the number of those with antibodies has exceeded 50 people and 10 deputies are in hospitals,” Volodin was quoted by Interfax as saying.
“The course of the disease is different with everyone. We’ve proposed measures that allow the maximum number of people to gather in this chamber,” he added.
The 450-member State Duma needs 226 lawmakers to be present in order to vote on legislative initiatives.
Interfax reported that 55 State Duma deputies had a valid excuse to miss Tuesday’s plenary session.
A database of Duma votes showed that at least 400 deputies were in attendance last week.
Russia saw an uptick in its daily coronavirus caseload this month, with more than 5,000 confirmed infections since the start of September and more than 6,000 in each of the past four days.
Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, Russia has registered more than 1.1 million cases and more than 19,500 deaths.
Several government officials, including President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman and the prime minister, have contracted and since recovered from Covid-19.


themoscowtimes--2020-09-22--Abramovich Bought ‘Secret Stakes’ in Chelsea’s Rival Players – BBC

The information was obtained during the FinCEN Files investigation , which is led by 108 media outlets worldwide and based on thousands of leaked suspicious activity reports ( SARs ) submitted by banks to the U.S. Treasury ’ s financial law enforcement agency .
Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich used offshore companies to secretly invest in football players who were rivals to his Chelsea football club , a BBC Panorama investigation published Monday said .
Documents revealed links between Abramovich ’ s Cypriot offshore and the British Virgin Islands-registered Leiston Holdings company that indicate both entities are owned by the businessman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stakes in at least three of Chelsea 's rival players until 2015 , when third-party ownership of players was banned internationally .
Among the players owned by Leiston was Peruvian winger Andre Carrillo , who faced Chelsea twice in the 2014 Champions League while playing for Sporting Lisbon .
The BBC further describes financial schemes surrounding Leiston ’ s ownership of Carrillo ’ s `` economic rights '' and its dealings with the Portuguese club .
`` I do n't think it can possibly be proper for the owner of a football club @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That is precisely why third-party ownership is banned , '' former Football Association chairman David Triesman told the BBC .
`` It casts suspicion and a shadow right across football .
On the documents I 've seen I would 've wanted , as chairman of the FA , to investigate them . ''
Abramovich ’ s spokeswoman told the BBC that Abramovich broke no rules or regulations .
`` The fact that we are not aware of this issue , confirms that there has been no wrongdoing as no action was taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not the first time Abramovich ’ s Virgin Islands offshore has appeared in the press .
In 2018 , the company was revealed to be a vehicle for third-party ownership in the Football Leaks investigation by Germany ’ s Der Spiegel news magazine .
Another FinCEN files investigation released by BBC Arabic Monday revealed that companies controlled by the Putin-linked billionaire have donated $ 100 million to an Israeli company reportedly involved in the expansion of Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem .
Abramovich acquired Israeli citizenship in 2018 and was forced to sell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Channel One Network due to Russia ’ s law restricting foreign ownership of domestic media .

The information was obtained during the FinCEN Files investigation , which is led by 108 media outlets worldwide and based on thousands of leaked suspicious activity reports (SARs) submitted by banks to the U.S. Treasury’s financial law enforcement agency.
Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich used offshore companies to secretly invest in football players who were rivals to his Chelsea football club, a BBC Panorama investigation published Monday said .
Documents revealed links between Abramovich’s Cypriot offshore and the British Virgin Islands-registered Leiston Holdings company that indicate both entities are owned by the businessman, the BBC reported.
Leiston owned stakes in at least three of Chelsea's rival players until 2015, when third-party ownership of players was banned internationally.
Among the players owned by Leiston was Peruvian winger Andre Carrillo, who faced Chelsea twice in the 2014 Champions League while playing for Sporting Lisbon.
The BBC further describes financial schemes surrounding Leiston’s ownership of Carrillo’s "economic rights" and its dealings with the Portuguese club.
"I don't think it can possibly be proper for the owner of a football club to own players in other football clubs. That is precisely why third-party ownership is banned," former Football Association chairman David Triesman told the BBC.
"It casts suspicion and a shadow right across football. On the documents I've seen I would've wanted, as chairman of the FA, to investigate them."
Abramovich’s spokeswoman told the BBC that Abramovich broke no rules or regulations.
"The fact that we are not aware of this issue, confirms that there has been no wrongdoing as no action was taken," she said.
This is not the first time Abramovich’s Virgin Islands offshore has appeared in the press. In 2018, the company was revealed to be a vehicle for third-party ownership in the Football Leaks investigation by Germany’s Der Spiegel news magazine.
Another FinCEN files investigation released by BBC Arabic Monday revealed that companies controlled by the Putin-linked billionaire have donated $100 million to an Israeli company reportedly involved in the expansion of Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem.
Abramovich acquired Israeli citizenship in 2018 and was forced to sell his stake in Russia’s state-run Channel One Network due to Russia’s law restricting foreign ownership of domestic media.


themoscowtimes--2020-09-22--Putin Recreates Soviet-Era Political Supervision Over National Guards

The Russian military has gained political influence in both domestic and foreign policy since the 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine and renewed geopolitical tensions with the West .
In 2018 , Putin created a “ military-patriotic ” directorate inside the Russian Armed Forces in an apparent bid to secure the loyalty of Russia ’ s estimated 1 million soldiers .
President Vladimir Putin has created a new post in Russia ’ s National Guard to ensure ideological education and political unity amid questions over the country 's return to once-abolished Soviet practices .
Putin signed a decree Monday adding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a list of powers held by the Russian National Guard .
No further details of what that work entails were provided .
“ We associate the proposals to create military-political bodies in the troops with the further development of [ the troops ' ] moral and psychological support , ” National Guard head Viktor Zolotov said in March , when he first announced the upcoming changes .
Putin created the National Guard , an internal military unit with around 340,000 troops , in 2016 .
The Soviet army employed political commissars who taught @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made sure they stayed loyal to the ruling Communist Party .
The position underwent several name changes after 1918 but continued to act as the Soviet military ’ s ideological underpinning until the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991 .
After Putin resurrected the “ military-patriotic ” directorate in the Russian army in 2018 , observers raised questions whether he was positioning the country toward a gradual return to Soviet practices .

The Russian military has gained political influence in both domestic and foreign policy since the 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine and renewed geopolitical tensions with the West. In 2018, Putin created a “military-patriotic” directorate inside the Russian Armed Forces in an apparent bid to secure the loyalty of Russia’s estimated 1 million soldiers.
President Vladimir Putin has created a new post in Russia’s National Guard to ensure ideological education and political unity amid questions over the country's return to once-abolished Soviet practices.
Putin signed a decree Monday adding “military and political work” to a list of powers held by the Russian National Guard.
No further details of what that work entails were provided.
“We associate the proposals to create military-political bodies in the troops with the further development of [the troops'] moral and psychological support,” National Guard head Viktor Zolotov said in March, when he first announced the upcoming changes.
Putin created the National Guard, an internal military unit with around 340,000 troops, in 2016.
The Soviet army employed political commissars who taught soldiers the Marxist and Leninist doctrine and made sure they stayed loyal to the ruling Communist Party. The position underwent several name changes after 1918 but continued to act as the Soviet military’s ideological underpinning until the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991.
After Putin resurrected the “military-patriotic” directorate in the Russian army in 2018, observers raised questions whether he was positioning the country toward a gradual return to Soviet practices.


themoscowtimes--2020-09-22--Russian Authorities Storm Siberian Commune, Arrest Messianic Cult Leader

A Siberian messianic cult leader and his deputies have been detained at one of their communes on accusations of using followers ’ money and psychological violence to inflict harm , Russia 's Investigative Committee said Tuesday .
Armed agents were filmed storming the Church of the Last Testament 's compound in a southern district of the Krasnoyarsk region .
The agents can be seen placing its leader Vissarion Christ the Teacher , whose followers believe that he is the reincarnation of Jesus of Nazareth , inside one of several helicopters deployed in the raid .
“ Fifty police vans , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers are driving over here , ” the Tayga.info news website quoted local resident Alexander Staroverov , who witnessed the early-morning raid , as saying on social media .
Investigative Committee and Federal Security Service ( FSB ) agents detained Vissarion , a former policeman whose secular name is Sergei Torop , as well as two of his deputies .
The Investigative Committee said that the cult 's leaders “ used its members ’ money and psychological violence ” against them , causing “ serious harm ” to some members ’ health .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a religious association that uses violence , the Investigative Committee 's statement said .
The Church of the Last Testament reported raids and interrogations in February in connection with a fraud investigation into a school attended by its members ’ children , according to Interfax .
Vissarion ’ s deputy Vadim Redkin told The Moscow Times at the height of Russia 's coronavirus outbreak this spring that the Church of the Last Testament ’ s membership applications have tripled since the start of the pandemic .
The Investigative Committee said that Redkin and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ detained in Tuesday 's raid .
Vissarion founded his movement in the early 1990s , filling an ideological void after the fall of the Soviet Union .
About 4,000 so-called “ Vissarionites ” live in 20 rural settlements in southern Siberia , with the most devoted group of around 300 living on top of a remote hill they call the Abode of Dawn .
The cult deepened its physical isolation from the rest of Russia after the start of the coronavirus pandemic , closing its communes off to outsiders .

A Siberian messianic cult leader and his deputies have been detained at one of their communes on accusations of using followers’ money and psychological violence to inflict harm, Russia's Investigative Committee said Tuesday. Armed agents were filmed storming the Church of the Last Testament's compound in a southern district of the Krasnoyarsk region. The agents can be seen placing its leader Vissarion Christ the Teacher, whose followers believe that he is the reincarnation of Jesus of Nazareth, inside one of several helicopters deployed in the raid.
Russia’s FSB is storming the Siberian settlement of the Church of the Last Testament and has arrested its leader Vissarion, who says he’s a reincarnation of Jesus Christ and has some 4,000 avowed followers. Vissarion and his aides were taken away in helicopters, Mash reports. pic.twitter.com/CiION9ml7x — Matthew Luxmoore (@mjluxmoore) September 22, 2020
“Fifty police vans, 50 buses, an ambulance and medical workers are driving over here,” the Tayga.info news website quoted local resident Alexander Staroverov, who witnessed the early-morning raid, as saying on social media. Investigative Committee and Federal Security Service (FSB) agents detained Vissarion, a former policeman whose secular name is Sergei Torop, as well as two of his deputies. The Investigative Committee said that the cult's leaders “used its members’ money and psychological violence” against them, causing “serious harm” to some members’ health. Investigators intend to charge them with creating a religious association that uses violence, the Investigative Committee's statement said. The Church of the Last Testament reported raids and interrogations in February in connection with a fraud investigation into a school attended by its members’ children, according to Interfax.


themoscowtimes--2020-09-22--Belarus Opposition Leader: We’re Not Anti-Russian

Tikhanovskaya had on the eve of last week ’ s meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarus ’ Alexander Lukashenko vowed to “ reconsider ” any newly reached agreements if she comes to power .
At the Sept. 14 Sochi summit , Putin pledged a $ 1.5 billion loan to Belarus in exchange for closer ties between the ex-Soviet neighbors and allies .
Belarus ’ opposition is not anti-Russian despite its objections to recent Russian-Belarusian deals made amid mass post-election protests , exiled opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya said in an interview published Sunday .
“ The Belarusian people don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legitimate president , ” Tikhanovskaya told the RBC news website .
“ A future legally elected president will of course have the right to review the agreements concluded between any countries.
” “ You must understand that we have absolutely nothing against Russia .
This is one person ’ s artificially inflated opinion , ” she said .
Tikhanovskaya , 37 , who fled to Lithuania under pressure from the authorities after the Aug. 9 presidential election , accuses Lukashenko of rigging the vote and says she is the rightful winner .
Belarusians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other cities in unprecedented numbers to protest the election results , with thousands detained and hundreds complaining of abuse and torture from law enforcement .
In the RBC interview , Tikhanovskaya said she “ regrets ” that Putin chose to back Lukashenko in the face of Belarus ’ widespread anti-Lukashenko protests .
The political novice , who ran for president after her husband and other Lukashenko rivals were jailed or driven out of the country , underscored her role as a transitional figure until someone else is elected in a new and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not asking to see a future president of Belarus in me , ” Tikhanovskaya told RBC .
Tikhanovskaya has maintained that the protest movement sweeping across the country is not aimed against Russia .
On Monday , she urged EU ministers to agree on sanctions against dozens of Belarusian officials accused of election fraud and the brutal crackdown on protesters , but was met with staunch resistance from Cyprus .

Tikhanovskaya had on the eve of last week’s meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarus’ Alexander Lukashenko vowed to “ reconsider ” any newly reached agreements if she comes to power. At the Sept. 14 Sochi summit, Putin pledged a $1.5 billion loan to Belarus in exchange for closer ties between the ex-Soviet neighbors and allies.
Belarus’ opposition is not anti-Russian despite its objections to recent Russian-Belarusian deals made amid mass post-election protests, exiled opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya said in an interview published Sunday.
“The Belarusian people don’t currently consider Alexander Lukashenko a legitimate president,” Tikhanovskaya told the RBC news website. “A future legally elected president will of course have the right to review the agreements concluded between any countries.”
“You must understand that we have absolutely nothing against Russia. This is one person’s artificially inflated opinion,” she said.
Tikhanovskaya, 37, who fled to Lithuania under pressure from the authorities after the Aug. 9 presidential election, accuses Lukashenko of rigging the vote and says she is the rightful winner. Belarusians have taken to the streets of Minsk and other cities in unprecedented numbers to protest the election results, with thousands detained and hundreds complaining of abuse and torture from law enforcement.
In the RBC interview, Tikhanovskaya said she “regrets” that Putin chose to back Lukashenko in the face of Belarus’ widespread anti-Lukashenko protests.
The political novice, who ran for president after her husband and other Lukashenko rivals were jailed or driven out of the country, underscored her role as a transitional figure until someone else is elected in a new and transparent vote.
“I’m not asking to see a future president of Belarus in me,” Tikhanovskaya told RBC.
Tikhanovskaya has maintained that the protest movement sweeping across the country is not aimed against Russia.
On Monday, she urged EU ministers to agree on sanctions against dozens of Belarusian officials accused of election fraud and the brutal crackdown on protesters, but was met with staunch resistance from Cyprus.


themoscowtimes--2020-09-22--Russian Authorities Mull Chartering China 'Surrogate Baby Plane'

Russian authorities are considering chartering a plane from China to fly over parents who have been estranged from their babies @ @ @ @ @ due to coronavirus restrictions , they said Tuesday .
With the practice banned in China @ @ @ @ @ surrogate babies abroad , but the system has been tipped into chaos by the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ closed , flights canceled and visas pulled .
That has created a 'pile-up ' of @ @ @ @ @ orphanages , to be picked up by their biological Chinese parents .
`` We are @ @ @ @ @ visas and organizing a humanitarian flight from Beijing so that Chinese parents can come and @ @ @ @ @ '' Anna Mityanina , in charge of children 's rights in Saint-Petersburg where many babies @ @ @ @ @ .

Russian authorities are considering chartering a plane from China to fly over parents who have been estranged from their babies born to surrogates in Russia due to coronavirus restrictions, they said Tuesday.
With the practice banned in China, parents pay to have surrogate babies abroad, but the system has been tipped into chaos by the pandemic, which has seen borders closed, flights canceled and visas pulled.
That has created a 'pile-up' of newborns waiting, some in orphanages, to be picked up by their biological Chinese parents.
"We are considering the possibility of providing visas and organizing a humanitarian flight from Beijing so that Chinese parents can come and pick up their children," Anna Mityanina, in charge of children's rights in Saint-Petersburg where many babies are blocked, told reporters.


themoscowtimes--2020-09-22--‘A Bag of Snickers to Survive in the Forest.’ Lukashenko Critic’s Unlikely Journey From Belarus to P

‘A Bag of Snickers to Survive in the Forest.’ Lukashenko Critic’s Unlikely Journey From Belarus to Poland

A week after Belarus ’ contested presidential elections , senior police investigator Andrei Ostapovich decided he could no longer stay silent .
He had already started to lose faith in President Alexander Lukashenko and even took part in one of the first post-election protest marches .
The turning point came on his first weekend shift after the Aug. 9 elections when his superiors asked him to investigate protesters who were detained in Minsk for damaging a police van , charges he believed to be trumped up by the authorities .
`` I saw with my own eyes the lawlessness of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rule of law .
I knew I was n't going to take part in the crackdown , I had to make a statement , '' he told The Moscow Times .
He left a resignation letter on his desk on Aug. 16 , called in sick and left for Moscow — soon after , his Instagram post featuring a picture of his resignation letter calling for fellow Belarusians to “ kick out the dictator ” went viral .
Ostapovich says his life since then has been a rollercoaster ride that has included @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a Belarusian forest and eventual escape to Poland .
He is one of the few state workers to have left Belarus since protests over the election broke out .
While Lukashenko has faced strikes at state-run factories that for a long time were seen as the core of his political support , he has not yet seen any high-profile desertions from his government and looks set to retain the support of the security apparatus that he has developed during his two and a half decades in power .
Neither the Russian Federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have responded to requests for comment on Ostapovich ’ s claims .
Ostapovich understood that his problems were just getting started soon after his arrival in Moscow , when he said he received a message from a `` high-placed '' friend in Belarus that said the authorities had started looking for him the day after his Instagram post and were aware that he was in Russia .
Realizing he had to get out of the country , he contacted the Latvian authorities who promised him he would get a visa once he made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hired a car and drove for nine hours to the Latvian border .
Once there , Russian border authorities refused to let him cross due to Covid-19 restrictions and he was advised by the Latvians to go to their closest consulate in Russia 's western city of Pskov .
In Pskov , local police arrested him on what he describes as “ made up ” public disorder charges .
After a night in a prison cell , officials told him to leave through the emergency exit .
Once outside , he said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks who he believes were members of Russia 's Federal Security Service ( FSB ) .
Ostapovich said they blindfolded him , bundled him into a van and handcuffed him to a kettlebell .
`` My mind started racing .
Are they going to throw me into the river ?
I knew I was a very good swimmer but a 30 kilogram weight might be the end of me , '' he said .
According to human rights organizations , several activists in Belarus went missing when the protests started .
While most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a military history museum who reportedly refused to sign an electoral protocol stating Lukashenko had won the presidential elections was found dead weeks after the elections , Belarusian media reported .
`` You just do n't know what they will do with you .
They could have staged my incidental death if they wanted to , ” Ostapovich said .
After a few hours in the car , he said he started to hear what sounded like multiple trucks passing by , which made him suspect they were approaching the Belarusian border @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his blindfold and told him he was in the Vitebsk region of Belarus , on the border with Russia .
They added that he was banned from entering Russia for five years for taking part in a `` hostage plot that involved Wagner soldiers . ''
Belarus in July arrested 33 Russian mercenaries from the private military contractor Wagner Group for allegedly plotting to destabilize the country ahead of the presidential election .
The Belarussian government later said that the mercenaries were lured into a trap that was part of a special operation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine .
`` It was an absolutely absurd allegation , but I decided not to tempt my luck and not question them , '' Ostapovich said , adding that he believes the men he identified as FSB left him on the empty road rather than handing him over to Belarusian security services because in the days just after the election Russia was not yet publicly backing Lukashenko .
`` You have to remember this was before all the Putin-Lukashenko talks .
Russia was n't yet openly helping Belarus so they wanted to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ostapovich ’ s Russian lawyer , Vyacheslav Golovin , confirmed details of Ostapovich ’ s extraordinary story to The Moscow Times and said he believes Russian security forces brought him out of the country .
“ Most likely , he was taken to Belarus by Russian security services .
I doubt he was getting a lift from Good Samaritans , ” Golovin told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty shortly after Ostapovich was taken across the border .
Moments after the Russian van drove off , Ostapovich saw what he believed to be a Belarusian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him , and ran for cover into one of the forests that cover much of Belarus .
He would spend the next five days there , drinking water from creeks and rationing the little food he had with him .
`` Luckily , I had brought one of those big bags of Snickers with lots of minibars .
All my other stuff was left behind at the hotel in Pskov , '' he said .
The first two nights were spent dodging flashlights and hiding from Belarusian police .
As things `` calmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ walking around 70 kilometers a day .
At some point , disoriented , he said he got stuck in a swamp , leaving him `` at an emotional and physical low point . ''
Another night he said he was chased by a wild boar , making him `` tremble to the core . ''
On Sept. 3 , two weeks after his Instagram post went public , he made it to Poland .
Ostapovich said he was helped by a number of people along the way , but declined to give more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for them .
In Belarus , he is now facing official charges of “ illegal actions of a state official.
” `` One day I hope to tell the full story , '' he said .
Ostapovich believes that , in a small country like Belarus , every defection like his own will weaken the regime .

A week after Belarus’ contested presidential elections, senior police investigator Andrei Ostapovich decided he could no longer stay silent. He had already started to lose faith in President Alexander Lukashenko and even took part in one of the first post-election protest marches. The turning point came on his first weekend shift after the Aug. 9 elections when his superiors asked him to investigate protesters who were detained in Minsk for damaging a police van, charges he believed to be trumped up by the authorities. "I saw with my own eyes the lawlessness of the police and the total disregard for the rule of law. I knew I wasn't going to take part in the crackdown, I had to make a statement," he told The Moscow Times. He left a resignation letter on his desk on Aug. 16, called in sick and left for Moscow — soon after, his Instagram post featuring a picture of his resignation letter calling for fellow Belarusians to “kick out the dictator” went viral.
Ostapovich's resignation letter. Instagram
Ostapovich says his life since then has been a rollercoaster ride that has included detention in Russia, hiding from police in a Belarusian forest and eventual escape to Poland. He is one of the few state workers to have left Belarus since protests over the election broke out. While Lukashenko has faced strikes at state-run factories that for a long time were seen as the core of his political support, he has not yet seen any high-profile desertions from his government and looks set to retain the support of the security apparatus that he has developed during his two and a half decades in power. Neither the Russian Federal Security Service nor the Belarusian Investigative Committee have responded to requests for comment on Ostapovich’s claims. Ostapovich understood that his problems were just getting started soon after his arrival in Moscow, when he said he received a message from a "high-placed" friend in Belarus that said the authorities had started looking for him the day after his Instagram post and were aware that he was in Russia. Realizing he had to get out of the country, he contacted the Latvian authorities who promised him he would get a visa once he made it across the Russian-Latvian border.
Break for the border He hired a car and drove for nine hours to the Latvian border. Once there, Russian border authorities refused to let him cross due to Covid-19 restrictions and he was advised by the Latvians to go to their closest consulate in Russia's western city of Pskov. In Pskov, local police arrested him on what he describes as “made up” public disorder charges. After a night in a prison cell, officials told him to leave through the emergency exit. Once outside, he said he was met by seven men in ski masks who he believes were members of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB). Ostapovich said they blindfolded him, bundled him into a van and handcuffed him to a kettlebell. "My mind started racing. Are they going to throw me into the river? I knew I was a very good swimmer but a 30 kilogram weight might be the end of me," he said. According to human rights organizations, several activists in Belarus went missing when the protests started. While most were eventually accounted for, the director of a military history museum who reportedly refused to sign an electoral protocol stating Lukashenko had won the presidential elections was found dead weeks after the elections, Belarusian media reported. "You just don't know what they will do with you. They could have staged my incidental death if they wanted to,” Ostapovich said.
news Tens of Thousands Protest in Belarus Capital Against Lukashenko Read more
After a few hours in the car, he said he started to hear what sounded like multiple trucks passing by, which made him suspect they were approaching the Belarusian border. His abductors made him take off his blindfold and told him he was in the Vitebsk region of Belarus, on the border with Russia. They added that he was banned from entering Russia for five years for taking part in a "hostage plot that involved Wagner soldiers." Belarus in July arrested 33 Russian mercenaries from the private military contractor Wagner Group for allegedly plotting to destabilize the country ahead of the presidential election. The Belarussian government later said that the mercenaries were lured into a trap that was part of a special operation carried out by the Security Service of Ukraine. "It was an absolutely absurd allegation, but I decided not to tempt my luck and not question them," Ostapovich said, adding that he believes the men he identified as FSB left him on the empty road rather than handing him over to Belarusian security services because in the days just after the election Russia was not yet publicly backing Lukashenko. "You have to remember this was before all the Putin-Lukashenko talks. Russia wasn't yet openly helping Belarus so they wanted to be more discrete," he said. Ostapovich’s Russian lawyer, Vyacheslav Golovin, confirmed details of Ostapovich’s extraordinary story to The Moscow Times and said he believes Russian security forces brought him out of the country. “Most likely, he was taken to Belarus by Russian security services. I doubt he was getting a lift from Good Samaritans,” Golovin told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty shortly after Ostapovich was taken across the border.


themoscowtimes--2020-09-23--Russia’s Nuclear Waste Imports Likely Larger Than Declared – Greenpeace

European enrichment firm Urenco resumed exports of uranium hexafluoride , a waste product known as “ tails , ” last year after a 10-year pause initiated by Russia ’ s state nuclear agency Rosatom due to storage safety concerns .
The shipments have sparked outcry from environmental activists , who say importing nuclear waste is illegal and threatens human and environmental safety .
A series of toxic radioactive waste shipments to Russia from Germany is likely importing more waste than officially declared , Greenpeace Russia said Tuesday .
The latest batch of “ tails ” to arrive at Russia ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to 900 metric tons of uranium enrichment waste instead of the declared 600 tons , Greenpeace energy campaigner Rashid Alimov told the Sever.Realii news website , citing documents shared by German activists .
From 2019-2022 , Urenco plans to ship a total of 12,000 metric tons of uranium tails from the German city of Gronau to Russia , though this number is likely higher in reality , Greenpeace Russia said .
The uranium hexafluoride is transported by train from Ust-Luga to a storage facility at the Ural Electrochemical Combine plant located 70 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city of Yekaterinburg .
Rosatom has said the imported uranium tails will be recycled , with the resulting uranium-235 sold back to Germany and any other remaining materials used in fast nuclear reactors that are not yet built .
While the final tails shipment under Unerco and Rosatom ’ s current contract is expected to be conducted in October , Greenpeace said that future cooperation plans between the two agencies mean more toxic waste will likely be imported to Russia .
NGOs and lawmakers from Russia , Germany and the Netherlands unsuccessfully lobbied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end the shipments .
Greenpeace estimates that Russia already stores 1 million metric tons of uranium hexafluoride — most of which lies in open-air facilities in Siberia .

European enrichment firm Urenco resumed exports of uranium hexafluoride, a byproduct known as “tails,” last year after a 10-year pause initiated by Russia’s state nuclear agency Rosatom. The shipments have sparked outcry from environmental activists, who say importing nuclear waste is illegal and threatens human and environmental safety.
A series of nuclear byproduct shipments to Russia from Germany is likely importing more than officially declared, Greenpeace Russia said Tuesday.
The latest batch of “tails” to arrive at Russia’s northern port of Ust-Luga could contain up to 900 metric tons of uranium enrichment byproducts instead of the declared 600 tons, Greenpeace energy campaigner Rashid Alimov told the Sever.Realii news website, citing documents shared by German activists.
From 2019-2022, Urenco plans to ship a total of 12,000 metric tons of uranium tails from the German city of Gronau to Russia, though this number is likely higher in reality, Greenpeace Russia said.
The uranium hexafluoride is transported by train from Ust-Luga to a storage facility at the Ural Electrochemical Combine plant located 70 kilometers north of Russia’s fourth-largest city of Yekaterinburg.
Rosatom has said the imported uranium tails will be recycled, with the resulting uranium-235 sold back to Germany and any other remaining materials used in fast nuclear reactors that are not yet built.
In a statement to The Moscow Times, Rosatom said it is working alongside nuclear regulators and international watchdogs to ensure "the highest standards of safety" in its operations. It has also launched an expert panel on depleted uranium processing that includes leading scientists and members of environmental groups.
"Rosatom is the world’s leader in fuel reprocessing and deploys state-of-the-art technologies aiming at making nuclear energy virtually waste-free," a Rosatom representative said. "Nuclear energy is absolutely vital to fight climate change and saves thousands of lives every year as it prevents vast amount of harmful emissions by replacing highly polluting fossil fuel-based ‘dispatchable’ energy sources such as coal and lignite. We are absolutely convinced that fuel reprocessing works must go ahead to ensure that our net-zero future, unthinkable without nuclear energy, is achieved in the most sustainable way."
While the final tails shipment under Unerco and Rosatom’s current contract is expected to be conducted in October, Greenpeace said that future cooperation plans between the two agencies mean more uranium hexafluoride will likely be imported to Russia.
NGOs and lawmakers from Russia, Germany and the Netherlands unsuccessfully lobbied German and Russian leaders in June to end the shipments.
Greenpeace estimates that Russia already stores 1 million metric tons of uranium hexafluoride.


themoscowtimes--2020-09-23--Yandex Shares Hit Record High as Analysts Cheer $5.5Bln Tinkoff Deal

Yandex ’ s management has been talking up the prospect of making a splash in Russia ’ s financial services industry in recent months , and had amassed $ 3 billion of cash on the balance sheet by the end of June — which analysts expected would be used to launch some kind of fintech initiative .
Fintech has been the clear missing piece in Yandex ’ s portfolio , analysts say .
After a strategic partnership with state-owned Sberbank hit the rocks in 2018 after Yandex rebuffed the bank ’ s offer to buy a controlling stake in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lengthy and complicated breakup — finalized this summer — during which Yandex was blocked from launching new fintech initiatives .
While Yandex ’ s market capitalization is more than four times that of Tinkoff , the bank is more profitable , reporting significantly higher earnings-per-share in recent years .
Yandex posted profits of around $ 180 million last year , while Tinkoff came in above $ 500 million .
“ The proposed acquisition is a win-win for both companies , ” said Mikhail Terentiev , head of research at Sova Capital in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ valuation looks reasonable , and the takeover should create vast scope for synergies , ” he added , highlighting that the deal should increase Yandex ’ s earnings and profitability from the very outset .
“ Yandex will immediately become the number one firm in the Russian fintech space — a market with big potential , ” Viktor Dima , senior analyst at Aton said of the deal .
Officially , the two sides said they had struck an “ agreement in principle ” for a $ 5.5 billion cash-and-shares deal for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giant absorb “ 100 % ” of Tinkoff ’ s shares .
The deal is subject to due diligence , shareholder votes and the finalization of terms .
Shares in Nasdaq-listed , Netherlands-headquartered Yandex added more than 14 % in Moscow trading Wednesday , where the firm has a secondary listing , before retreating slightly .
That comes on top of the 11 % jump recorded Tuesday evening after the two sides confirmed a deal was being discussed , leaving Yandex ’ s share price above 5,300 rubles ( $ 69 ) — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times more than a year ago .
Analysts and investors are overwhelmingly upbeat on the potential takeover , saying it will make Yandex Russia ’ s leading fintech player and bring together two of the most innovative and talented corporate teams in the country .
Business outlet VC.ru said it could be “ the deal of the decade.
” Yandex shares have surged to a record high after the technology giant announced it has reached a preliminary agreement on a $ 5.5 billion deal for Tinkoff , Russia ’ s leading online bank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ completed a tie-up with Yandex ’ s mail technology rival , Mail.Ru — a venture which analysts say will likely have to step up to compete with the new Yandex-Tinkoff technology and finance empire .
Buying Tinkoff — Russia ’ s leading online lender with significant tech investments — “ offers Yandex a way to leapfrog into pole position in the Russian fintech space , making its ecosystem comparable with Sberbank ’ s , ” said VTB Capital analyst Mikhail Shlemov .
“ Yandex had three options for how to build its fintech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , find a partner or buy somebody else , ” Anna Kurbatova , senior analyst at Alfa Bank told Russian business outlet The Bell .
“ With a partner there are risks , and building a fully fledged fintech unit from scratch that can compete with Sberbank would take much more than a year .
So buying somebody was the most likely option from the start.
” Analysts say the takeover makes sense not only from the perspective of giving Yandex a ready-made entry into the fintech space .
They also point to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mindset , products built on data and technology and rapid plans for expansion — alongside many areas where the companies ’ existing products will complement each other .
For instance , Tinkoff could benefit from the enormous quantity of customer data Yandex controls , being able to better target new customers and give more accurate credit scores and banking products , Terentiev suggested .
Yandex , meanwhile , will bring in market-leading financial expertise and gain control of crucial payments and transactions infrastructure , which will be helpful for its retail business lines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delivery and e-commerce Tinkoff ’ s strong profitability and cash-generation could also give Yandex a significant and reliable stream of income to pour into its more expensive and early-stage initiatives , such as self-driving cars .
However , the acquisition is not without risks .
Fully fledged banks are exceptionally complicated and highly regulated outfits , analysts point out , and the integration of Tinkoff into Yandex , which has little in-house financial services knowhow , will be a challenge .
“ Yandex would depend heavily on the Tinkoff management team , at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as it does not have the relevant expertise , ” VTB Capital ’ s Vladimir Bespalov , said .
“ Furthermore , its exposure to bank-specific risks would increase significantly.
” Around 70 % of assets in Russia ’ s financial services sector are controlled by state-run banks .
Yandex ’ s entry into the sector in such a significant way will open new lines of regulatory and political scrutiny towards the firm , which just last year had to establish an entirely new Kremlin-approved corporate governance structure with oversight of ownership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stave off punitive legislative campaigns against the company .
Sova Capital ’ s Terentiev is also concerned about the potential “ conglomerization ” of the company ’ s sprawling empire .
“ Yandex is already the Google , Uber and Amazon of Russia ... adding a 320 billion-plus ruble loan book takes Yandex ’ s corporate complexity to a new level and raises entirely new challenges.
” Those include not only tough banking regulations , but issues like debt collection — a notoriously brutal industry in Russia — “ that are hardly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ internet company.
” While the acquisition also has the potential to generate significant cash for Yandex ’ s other business lines , Bespalov adds : “ The deal would require significant allocation of capital and resources … which is not Yandex ’ s core expertise .
This might turn suboptimal , were other potentially more attractive opportunities to face underinvestment as a result.
” Banks are also cyclical businesses — generally moving in line with wider economic trends — meaning Yandex ’ s fortunes would become more closely connected to factors such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unemployment .
At a time of high economic uncertainty , and with Tinkoff ’ s specialization and heavy exposure to unsecured credit , this could prove an additional headwind for Yandex , depending on how the economy recovers from the coronavirus pandemic .
For Oleg Tinkov , the media-savvy Tinkoff founder and chairman who controls a decision-making majority of shares , a multi-billion dollar sale could have other benefits , analysts say .
The U.S. is currently seeking his extradition under tax fraud charges , alleging he underreported around $ 1 billion of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bank and its 2013 initial public offering ( IPO ) .
The sale to Yandex offers a potential “ exit ” for him , Shlemov said , as it would bring in more than $ 1 billion in cash “ to handle the Internal Revenue Service ( IRS ) claims ” and another $ 1 billion worth of Yandex shares , assuming the deal goes ahead on an even cash-and-shares split .
He is currently being treated for acute leukemia in London , after posting a 20 million pound ( $ 25.5 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. while he fights the charges .
But Tinkov — who first publicly raised the idea of a Yandex-Tinkoff deal last year — said Wednesday morning he will stay involved with the bank if the sale goes ahead .
“ I have n't sold anything yet , the deal is being discussed , ” he wrote on his Instagram page .
“ And this is not a sale , but rather a merger .
I have immense respect for Yandex .
We are the two best IT companies in the country and there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 'm definitely staying at Tinkoff .
”

Yandex’s management has been talking up the prospect of making a splash in Russia’s financial services industry in recent months, and had amassed $3 billion of cash on the balance sheet by the end of June — which analysts expected would be used to launch some kind of fintech initiative.
Fintech has been the clear missing piece in Yandex’s portfolio, analysts say. After a strategic partnership with state-owned Sberbank hit the rocks in 2018 after Yandex rebuffed the bank’s offer to buy a controlling stake in the firm, the two set about a lengthy and complicated breakup — finalized this summer — during which Yandex was blocked from launching new fintech initiatives.
While Yandex’s market capitalization is more than four times that of Tinkoff, the bank is more profitable, reporting significantly higher earnings-per-share in recent years. Yandex posted profits of around $180 million last year, while Tinkoff came in above $500 million .
“The proposed acquisition is a win-win for both companies,” said Mikhail Terentiev, head of research at Sova Capital in a research note. “Tinkoff’s valuation looks reasonable, and the takeover should create vast scope for synergies,” he added, highlighting that the deal should increase Yandex’s earnings and profitability from the very outset.
“Yandex will immediately become the number one firm in the Russian fintech space — a market with big potential,” Viktor Dima, senior analyst at Aton said of the deal.
Officially, the two sides said they had struck an “agreement in principle” for a $5.5 billion cash-and-shares deal for TCS, Tinkoff's holding company, which would see the technology giant absorb “100%” of the bank. The deal is subject to due diligence, shareholder votes and the finalization of terms.
Shares in Nasdaq-listed, Netherlands-headquartered Yandex added more than 14% in Moscow trading Wednesday, where the firm has a secondary listing, before retreating slightly. That comes on top of the 11% jump recorded Tuesday evening after the two sides confirmed a deal was being discussed, leaving Yandex’s share price above 5,300 rubles ($69) — the highest ever recorded and almost three times more than a year ago.
Analysts and investors are overwhelmingly upbeat on the potential takeover, saying it will make Yandex Russia’s leading fintech player and bring together two of the most innovative and talented corporate teams in the country. Business outlet VC.ru said it could be “the deal of the decade.”
Yandex shares have surged to a record high after the technology giant announced it has reached a preliminary agreement on a $5.5 billion deal for Tinkoff , Russia’s leading online bank.
Former partner Sberbank, meanwhile, completed a tie-up with Yandex’s mail technology rival, Mail.Ru — a venture which analysts say will likely have to step up to compete with the new Yandex-Tinkoff technology and finance empire.
Buying Tinkoff — Russia’s leading online lender with significant tech investments — “offers Yandex a way to leapfrog into pole position in the Russian fintech space, making its ecosystem comparable with Sberbank’s,” said VTB Capital analyst Mikhail Shlemov.
“Yandex had three options for how to build its fintech arm — create a service from scratch, find a partner or buy somebody else,” Anna Kurbatova, senior analyst at Alfa Bank told Russian business outlet The Bell. “With a partner there are risks, and building a fully fledged fintech unit from scratch that can compete with Sberbank would take much more than a year. So buying somebody was the most likely option from the start.”
Analysts say the takeover makes sense not only from the perspective of giving Yandex a ready-made entry into the fintech space. They also point to similar corporate setups — a deep entrepreneurial mindset, products built on data and technology and rapid plans for expansion — alongside many areas where the companies’ existing products will complement each other.
For instance, Tinkoff could benefit from the enormous quantity of customer data Yandex controls, being able to better target new customers and give more accurate credit scores and banking products, Terentiev suggested. Yandex, meanwhile, will bring in market-leading financial expertise and gain control of crucial payments and transactions infrastructure, which will be helpful for its retail business lines such as taxis, carsharing, food delivery and e-commerce
Tinkoff’s strong profitability and cash-generation could also give Yandex a significant and reliable stream of income to pour into its more expensive and early-stage initiatives, such as self-driving cars.
Challenges ahead
However, the acquisition is not without risks.
Fully fledged banks are exceptionally complicated and highly regulated outfits, analysts point out, and the integration of Tinkoff into Yandex, which has little in-house financial services knowhow, will be a challenge.
“Yandex would depend heavily on the Tinkoff management team, at least at the early stages of integration, as it does not have the relevant expertise,” VTB Capital’s Vladimir Bespalov, said.
“Furthermore, its exposure to bank-specific risks would increase significantly.”
Around 70% of assets in Russia’s financial services sector are controlled by state-run banks. Yandex’s entry into the sector in such a significant way will open new lines of regulatory and political scrutiny towards the firm, which just last year had to establish an entirely new Kremlin-approved corporate governance structure with oversight of ownership changes, intellectual property and personal data to stave off punitive legislative campaigns against the company.
Sova Capital’s Terentiev is also concerned about the potential “conglomerization” of the company’s sprawling empire.
“Yandex is already the Google, Uber and Amazon of Russia ... adding a 320 billion-plus ruble loan book takes Yandex’s corporate complexity to a new level and raises entirely new challenges.” Those include not only tough banking regulations, but issues like debt collection — a notoriously brutal industry in Russia — “that are hardly compatible with the image of a user-friendly internet company.”
While the acquisition also has the potential to generate significant cash for Yandex’s other business lines, Bespalov adds: “The deal would require significant allocation of capital and resources … which is not Yandex’s core expertise. This might turn suboptimal, were other potentially more attractive opportunities to face underinvestment as a result.”
Banks are also cyclical businesses — generally moving in line with wider economic trends — meaning Yandex’s fortunes would become more closely connected to factors such as the oil price, wage levels and unemployment. At a time of high economic uncertainty, and with Tinkoff’s specialization and heavy exposure to unsecured credit, this could prove an additional headwind for Yandex, depending on how the economy recovers from the coronavirus pandemic.
Tinkov to exit?
For Oleg Tinkov, the media-savvy Tinkoff founder and chairman who controls a decision-making majority of shares, a multi-billion dollar sale could have other benefits, analysts say.
The U.S. is currently seeking his extradition under tax fraud charges, alleging he underreported around $1 billion of assets related to his stake in the bank and its 2013 initial public offering (IPO). The sale to Yandex offers a potential “exit” for him, Shlemov said, as it would bring in more than $1 billion in cash “to handle the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) claims” and another $1 billion worth of Yandex shares, assuming the deal goes ahead on an even cash-and-shares split.
He is currently being treated for acute leukemia in London, after posting a 20 million pound ($25.5 million) bail to avoid extradition to the U.S. while he fights the charges.
But Tinkov — who first publicly raised the idea of a Yandex-Tinkoff deal last year — said Wednesday morning he will stay involved with the bank if the sale goes ahead.
“I haven't sold anything yet, the deal is being discussed,” he wrote on his Instagram page. “And this is not a sale, but rather a merger. I have immense respect for Yandex. We are the two best IT companies in the country and there can be a lot of synergy. I'm definitely staying at Tinkoff.”


themoscowtimes--2020-09-23--Friendly Fire Suspected in Russian Fighter Jet Crash

A Russian Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jet that crashed this week may have been accidentally shot down by another plane during @ @ @ @ @ news agency reported Wednesday .
The Su-30 was on a routine training mission with two @ @ @ @ @ it crashed near a village in the Tver region northwest of Moscow .
The pilots @ @ @ @ @ were soon evacuated by a search and rescue helicopter .
“ The preliminary cause of @ @ @ @ @ accidentally hitting the Su-30 during exercises , ” an unnamed source in the regional emergency @ @ @ @ @ The shot was fired by another aircraft , ” they added .
The Defence Blog @ @ @ @ @ , citing unnamed sources , that an Su-35 fighter jet may have fired at the @ @ @ @ @ said the Su-30 pilots were in stable condition .

A Russian Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jet that crashed this week may have been accidentally shot down by another plane during exercises, the state-run TASS news agency reported Wednesday.
The Su-30 was on a routine training mission with two pilots on board Tuesday when it crashed near a village in the Tver region northwest of Moscow. The pilots ejected before the crash and were soon evacuated by a search and rescue helicopter.
“The preliminary cause of the accident is a missile accidentally hitting the Su-30 during exercises,” an unnamed source in the regional emergency services told TASS.
“The shot was fired by another aircraft,” they added.
The Defence Blog military news website previously reported, citing unnamed sources, that an Su-35 fighter jet may have fired at the Su-30.
The TASS source said the Su-30 pilots were in stable condition.


themoscowtimes--2020-09-23--Navalny Leaves German Hospital One Month After Near-Fatal Poisoning

Navalny , 44 , was flown to Germany two days after falling violently ill on a flight in Siberia on Aug. 20 .
Germany says it has evidence backed by French and Swedish scientists that the fierce critic of President Vladimir Putin was poisoned by a Novichok nerve agent , while Russia denies that he was poisoned .
Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny has been discharged from hospital after more than a month of treatment in Germany for his near-fatal poisoning with Novichok , Berlin ’ s Charité hospital said Wednesday .
Charité said Navalny was discharged from inpatient care on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 24 of which were spent in intensive care .
“ Based on the patient ’ s progress and current condition , the treating physicians believe that complete recovery is possible , ” the hospital said .
Charité reiterated its previous assertions that “ it remains too early to gauge the potential long-term effects of his severe poisoning.
” Following the news of his discharging Wednesday , the Kremlin said Navalny is free to return to Moscow , `` like any other Russian citizen . ''
In keeping with the Kremlin 's tradition of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dmitry Peskov said he would welcome news that `` the patient really is getting better , '' and wished him `` a speedy recovery . ''
Russia maintains that Navalny was not poisoned but either had a metabolic disease or low blood sugar .
When urged to investigate the Aug. 20 incident , Russian officials complained that Germany had n't shared its findings and that Navalny ’ s aides took potential evidence out of the country .

Navalny, 44, was flown to Germany two days after falling violently ill on a flight in Siberia on Aug. 20. Germany says it has evidence backed by French and Swedish scientists that the fierce critic of President Vladimir Putin was poisoned by a Novichok nerve agent, while Russia denies that he was poisoned.
Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny has been discharged from hospital after more than a month of treatment in Germany for his near-fatal poisoning with Novichok, Berlin’s Charité hospital said Wednesday.
Charité said Navalny was discharged from inpatient care on Tuesday after 32 days of treatment, 24 of which were spent in intensive care.
“Based on the patient’s progress and current condition, the treating physicians believe that complete recovery is possible,” the hospital said.
Charité reiterated its previous assertions that “it remains too early to gauge the potential long-term effects of his severe poisoning.”
Following the news of his discharging Wednesday, the Kremlin said Navalny is free to return to Moscow, "like any other Russian citizen."
In keeping with the Kremlin's tradition of not using Navalny's name, spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he would welcome news that "the patient really is getting better," and wished him "a speedy recovery."
Russia maintains that Navalny was not poisoned but either had a metabolic disease or low blood sugar.
When urged to investigate the Aug. 20 incident, Russian officials complained that Germany hadn't shared its findings and that Navalny’s aides took potential evidence out of the country.
AFP contributed reporting.


themoscowtimes--2020-09-23--6 Convicts Tunnel Out of Russian Prison

6 Convicts Tunnel Out of Russian Prison

Wardens discovered the tunnel during a routine inspection around midnight and found out after a roll call that they were six prisoners short , the regional prison service said in a statement .
Six convicted criminals in the southern Russian republic of Dagestan have escaped from prison by digging a tunnel , authorities said Wednesday .
Images shared on social media channels linked to Russian law enforcement agencies showed pictures and videos of the tunnel used in the prison break .
Its dimensions were not immediately reported .
“ Four out of six [ fugitives ] had lengthy sentences for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” an unnamed security source told the state-run TASS news agency .
One of the prisoners was reportedly a Tajik native , while the rest were from Dagestan .
Interfax reported , citing Dagestani police , that they were serving between eight and 15 years .
The Dagestan prison service said its entire personnel has been deployed to help find the fugitives .
An all-points-bulletin has been issued to police departments in Dagestan and its neighboring regions .
Law enforcement authorities opened a criminal case into negligence against prison officials after the daring @ @

Wardens discovered the tunnel during a routine inspection around midnight and found out after a roll call that they were six prisoners short, the regional prison service said in a statement.
Six convicted criminals in the southern Russian republic of Dagestan have escaped from prison by digging a tunnel, authorities said Wednesday.
Images shared on social media channels linked to Russian law enforcement agencies showed pictures and videos of the tunnel used in the prison break. Its dimensions were not immediately reported.
“Four out of six [fugitives] had lengthy sentences for drug offenses, two for murder,” an unnamed security source told the state-run TASS news agency. One of the prisoners was reportedly a Tajik native, while the rest were from Dagestan.
Interfax reported, citing Dagestani police, that they were serving between eight and 15 years.
The Dagestan prison service said its entire personnel has been deployed to help find the fugitives. An all-points-bulletin has been issued to police departments in Dagestan and its neighboring regions.
Law enforcement authorities opened a criminal case into negligence against prison officials after the daring escape.


themoscowtimes--2020-09-23--Embattled Belarusian Leader Holds Secret Inauguration

The date of his inauguration for a sixth term had not been announced , but on Wednesday morning , the Belta state news agency broke the news that `` Alexander Lukashenko has taken office as President of Belarus . ''
Lukashenko has faced massive demonstrations against his rule since claiming victory with more than 80 % in a presidential election on Aug. 9 , with tens of thousands marching at the latest protest in the capital Minsk on Sunday .
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko took the oath of office at a secret ceremony on Wednesday in a move his opponents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of demonstrators who have held historic protests against his disputed re-election .
Belta said the ceremony was taking place `` in these minutes '' in the Palace of Independence where the president has his offices and which has been a focus of demonstrations .
The announcement came after independent media reported that Lukashenko 's motorcade had raced through the capital , prompting speculation that the inauguration was due to take place .
The ceremony was not shown live on state television .
`` If the inauguration had been announced in advance , 200,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said Ales Belyatsky , head of the Viasna rights group , which monitors political prisoners .
He predicted Lukashenko 's assuming office while seen by many as an `` illegitimate president '' would trigger `` even larger mass protests . ''
`` Where are the rejoicing citizens ?
Where is the diplomatic corps ? ''
questioned opposition activist and former minister Pavel Latushko on social media , likening the ceremony to a gangster convention .
Rights lawyer Garri Pogonyailo said Lukashenko behaved like a `` coward '' and `` like any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in secret . ''
Despite its secretive nature , the ceremony featured the usual pomp and several hundred guests , according to the presidential website .
Belta published photographs of the 66-year-old leader , in power since 1994 , swearing the oath of allegiance at a podium in a blue suit with his hand on a copy of the Constitution , watched by officials and state media journalists .
In his address , Lukashenko preened himself on overcoming the political crisis , saying he and his allies had `` prevented a catastrophe .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenge '' from `` devilishly sophisticated '' tactics directed from abroad , he said .
`` But we were one of the very few , maybe even the only one , where the colour revolution did n't work out , '' he said .
He called this `` the choice of the Belarusians who do n't want to lose their country . ''
Riot police have harshly detained thousands of protesters who have reported torture and abuse in custody , prompting international condemnation and proposed EU sanctions .
In a bizarre episode , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helicopter , describing the demonstrators as `` rats , '' and later disembarked in a bulletproof vest carrying a Kalashnikov .
The authorities have rolled out military vehicles including armed personnel carriers and used water cannon and tear gas during protests .
Lukashenko 's main opposition rival , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , claimed she won the election but has taken shelter in EU member Lithuania , while the strongman has jailed or driven out other key opposition figures .
In his inaugural address , Lukashenko said : `` I ca n't , I do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
He described the protests as `` disorientation of society '' and thanked state employees and law enforcement for showing `` firmness . ''
Following the inauguration , armed forces swore an oath of allegiance to the president , Belta reported .
Lukashenko has sought support from Russian President Vladimir Putin , who has promised him law enforcement backup if needed , as well as a $ 1.5 billion loan .
European Union foreign ministers on Monday failed to agree sanctions over the political crisis , despite a plea for support from @ @

Belarus police fired tear gas and arrested more than 150 protesters on Wednesday after the secret inauguration of President Alexander Lukashenko triggered new demonstrations and fresh condemnation in the West. Several thousand protesters, many carrying the red-and white opposition flag, took to the streets of the capital Minsk and other cities following a surprise announcement that Lukashenko had been sworn into a sixth term in office following disputed elections in August. Clashes between masked riot police and protesters broke out in Minsk, with the Viasna rights group saying that more than 150 people had been arrested in the capital, as well as the southwestern city of Brest and other places.
Так выглядел разгон возле стелы сегодня. Против людей использовали водомет с цветной водой. pic.twitter.com/f9pASep1cc — TUT.BY (@tutby) September 23, 2020
Several European countries including Germany and the United States responded to Lukashenko's inauguration by refusing to recognize him as the president of the ex-Soviet state. "The announced results were fraudulent and did not convey legitimacy," a State Department spokesperson said in Washington. "The United States cannot consider Alexander Lukashenko the legitimately elected leader of Belarus." The state-run Belta news agency broke the news that Lukashenko had "taken office as President of Belarus" during a ceremony in the Palace of Independence on Wednesday. It was not shown live on television unlike previous ceremonies, but Belta published photographs of the mustachioed leader swearing the oath of allegiance at a podium in a blue suit with his hand on a copy of the Constitution. "I can't, I don't have the right to abandon Belarusians," Lukashenko said in his inaugural address according to a transcript of his remarks later released by his office. He blamed the mass protests since August, which have seen tens of thousands take to the streets, on "disorientation of society" and thanked law enforcement for showing "firmness." Lukashenko said he and his allies had "prevented a catastrophe," though the ceremony in front of 700 guests drew mockery from critics.
Pretty amazing video of a protester running away from riot police in Minsk this evening, with getaway support from a taxi driver who deserves a big tip! pic.twitter.com/PltP3DcGrw — Evan Gershkovich (@evangershkovich) September 23, 2020
"If the inauguration had been announced in advance, 200,000 demonstrators would have gathered outside his palace," said Ales Belyatsky, head of the Viasna rights group. "Where are the rejoicing citizens? Where is the diplomatic corps?" questioned opposition activist and former minister Pavel Latushko on social media. 'Such a farce' On Wednesday evening, several thousand protesters took to the streets, with some chanting "Long live Belarus" and others wearing cardboard crowns. Many derided the 66-year-old, who has been in power since 1994. "I had my cat sworn in today," read one placard. Video and pictures released by Tut.by, an independent Belarusian outlet, showed riot police violently dispersing protesters who yelled "fascists" while some demonstrators including women had bloodied faces. Tear gas was used during scuffles between police and protesters. Earlier in the day Lukashenko's opposition rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya reiterated her claim to be the true winner of the elections, saying the "so-called inauguration is of course a farce."
Фотография с инаугурации Лукашенко, которая началась без анонса и телетрансляции.
Фото: Пул Первого pic.twitter.com/iKQKT5F9UL — TUT.BY (@tutby) September 23, 2020


themoscowtimes--2020-09-23--Russian Narcotics Officer Caught Growing Marijuana to Meet Drug Arrest Quota

Authorities opened the investigation after the suspect , the deputy head of a local drug enforcement agency , staged a drug bust in the western Russian town of Velikiye Luki last week .
A senior Russian narcotics officer is suspected of growing marijuana with the intent of planting the drugs on innocent people , investigators have said .
Investigators and Federal Security Service ( FSB ) agents found two marijuana plantations run by the drug enforcement officer , the Pskov region ’ s Investigative Committee branch said Saturday .
“ The suspect organized the collection of cannabis by a local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indicators of uncovering and curbing drug crimes , ” the investigators said in an earlier statement .
The Investigative Committee did not say whether it detained the officer or released him pending the investigation .
The unnamed officer faces up to 10 years in prison on charges of exceeding his authority and up to 10 years on drug trafficking charges .
Russian police work on a quota system in which senior officers are known to order their subordinates to “ lie , invent crimes or provoke people into committing them ” to fulfill @ @

Authorities opened the investigation after the suspect, the deputy head of a local drug enforcement agency, staged a drug bust in the western Russian town of Velikiye Luki last week.
A senior Russian narcotics officer is suspected of growing marijuana with the intent of planting the drugs on innocent people, investigators have said .
Investigators and Federal Security Service (FSB) agents found two marijuana plantations run by the drug enforcement officer, the Pskov region’s Investigative Committee branch said Saturday.
“The suspect organized the collection of cannabis by a local resident in order to artificially improve personal indicators of uncovering and curbing drug crimes,” the investigators said in an earlier statement.
The Investigative Committee did not say whether it detained the officer or released him pending the investigation.
The unnamed officer faces up to 10 years in prison on charges of exceeding his authority and up to 10 years on drug trafficking charges.
Russian police work on a quota system in which senior officers are known to order their subordinates to “lie, invent crimes or provoke people into committing them” to fulfill quotas.


themoscowtimes--2020-09-23--Russia Not Planning Second Coronavirus Lockdown, Officials Say

Russia has seen an uptick in its daily Covid-19 caseload in September , with more than 5,000 confirmed infections per day since the start of the month and more than 6,000 in each of the past five days .
Russian officials are continuing to reassure the public that they won ’ t reimpose lockdown measures despite a renewed rise in coronavirus cases .
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin has taken to the airwaves almost daily in recent weeks to dispel rumors that authorities were planning to reintroduce restrictions in mid-September .
The Kremlin has also regularly stressed that it saw no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Every case that has been registered to date is epidemiologically clear , ” Anna Popova , who heads the federal consumer protection watchdog Rospotrebnadzor , told reporters Monday .
“ There ’ s no need to introduce new restrictive measures , ” Popova said , linking the growth of Russia ’ s Covid-19 cases to the start of the flu season .
Other health officials however have linked the rise in new cases to Russians who fail to comply with health guidelines to avoid getting infected as they return to everyday life after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daily number of detected cases is directly related to the increase in social contacts , ” Viktor Maleyev , who heads Rospotrebnadzor ’ s epidemiology research institute , told The Moscow Times .
“ People are returning from vacation , classes have started in schools and universities , ” Maleyev said , adding that an autumn cold snap and increased testing have also played a role in the resurgence of Covid-19 .
Maleyev agreed with Popova that there was no need for nationwide self-isolation orders “ at the moment ” as long as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing , wearing masks and washing hands regularly .
Since recording its first infection in March , Russia has confirmed more than 1.1 million cases of Covid-19 and more than 19,500 deaths .
Britain has meanwhile tightened restrictions to try to stop its latest coronavirus surge , days after Israel became the first country to reimpose a nationwide lockdown amid its second wave .
The World Health Organization said new cases worldwide soared last week to nearly 2 million , marking a new record .
The developer of Russia ’ s first registered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spreading by November 2021 , when he said up to 80 % of the population will be vaccinated against the infection .

Russia has seen an uptick in its daily Covid-19 caseload in September, with more than 5,000 confirmed infections per day since the start of the month and more than 6,000 in each of the past five days.
Russian officials are continuing to reassure the public that they won’t reimpose lockdown measures despite a renewed rise in coronavirus cases.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin has taken to the airwaves almost daily in recent weeks to dispel rumors that authorities were planning to reintroduce restrictions in mid-September. The Kremlin has also regularly stressed that it saw no reason to return to shutdowns.
“Every case that has been registered to date is epidemiologically clear,” Anna Popova, who heads the federal consumer protection watchdog Rospotrebnadzor, told reporters Monday.
“There’s no need to introduce new restrictive measures,” Popova said, linking the growth of Russia’s Covid-19 cases to the start of the flu season.
Other health officials however have linked the rise in new cases to Russians who fail to comply with health guidelines to avoid getting infected as they return to everyday life after months of lockdown.
“The growing daily number of detected cases is directly related to the increase in social contacts,” Viktor Maleyev, who heads Rospotrebnadzor’s epidemiology research institute, told The Moscow Times.
“People are returning from vacation, classes have started in schools and universities,” Maleyev said, adding that an autumn cold snap and increased testing have also played a role in the resurgence of Covid-19.
Maleyev agreed with Popova that there was no need for nationwide self-isolation orders “at the moment” as long as Russians follow health guidelines such as social distancing, wearing masks and washing hands regularly.
Since recording its first infection in March, Russia has confirmed more than 1.1 million cases of Covid-19 and more than 19,500 deaths.
Britain has meanwhile tightened restrictions to try to stop its latest coronavirus surge, days after Israel became the first country to reimpose a nationwide lockdown amid its second wave.
The World Health Organization said new cases worldwide soared last week to nearly 2 million, marking a new record.
The developer of Russia’s first registered coronavirus vaccine predicted that Covid-19 would stop spreading by November 2021, when he said up to 80% of the population will be vaccinated against the infection.