themoscowtimes--2020-11-04--Russia Breaks Coronavirus Cases and Deaths Records, Surges Past 19K Infections

The number of new coronavirus cases in Russia hit another record Wednesday , surpassing 19,000 for the first time since @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
The 19,768 new coronavirus cases smash Sunday ’ s record by more than @ @ @ @ @ caseload to 1,693,454 , the world ’ s fourth-highest number .
The national coronavirus information @ @ @ @ @ of the newly infected Russians were asymptomatic .
A record number of 389 Russians died @ @ @ @ @ beating Thursday ’ s record by 23 fatalities and bringing the national death toll to @ @ @ @ @ and experts suggest the real Covid-19 death toll is at least double that figure , @ @ @ @ @ in the world .
While Moscow remains the epicenter of Russia ’ s coronavirus outbreak @ @ @ @ @ St. Petersburg has for the first time notched up more than 1,000 new infections .
@ @ @ @ @ center said 15,567 people have recovered from the virus , bringing the overall number of @ @ @ @

The number of new coronavirus cases in Russia hit another record Wednesday, surpassing 19,000 for the first time since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The 19,768 new coronavirus cases smash Sunday’s record by more than 1,000 and push the total caseload to 1,693,454, the world’s fourth-highest number.
The national coronavirus information center said that a quarter of the newly infected Russians were asymptomatic.
A record number of 389 Russians died of the virus Wednesday, beating Thursday’s record by 23 fatalities and bringing the national death toll to 29,207.
Monthly state statistics and experts suggest the real Covid-19 death toll is at least double that figure, which is currently the 13th-highest in the world.
While Moscow remains the epicenter of Russia’s coronavirus outbreak with 5,826 new cases, St. Petersburg has for the first time notched up more than 1,000 new infections.
Russia’s Covid-19 information center said 15,567 people have recovered from the virus, bringing the overall number of recoveries to 1,266,931.


themoscowtimes--2020-11-04--Shock and Fear Grips Chechens in France After Teacher’s Beheading by 'One of Our Own'

Soon after news broke that a Chechen teenager was responsible for the gruesome daylight beheading of French teacher Samuel Paty , Parisien student Akhmat started to get texts from his friends asking him if he knew the killer .
“ We are a relatively small group , so people just assumed we knew each other .
It shows what an attack like this does to us , ” Akhmat , 22 , told The Moscow Times .
The murder that has sent shockwaves across France is forcing Chechens in the country to think about what it might mean for their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Europe fear that the attack will lead to stigmatization , or worse , deportation back to Chechnya .
“ Let me be clear , this attack is absolutely abhorrent and has no excuse .
I was shocked to read it was one of our own .
I thought it was a mistake , ” said Suleimanov , founder of Paris-based Chechen diaspora organization Bart Marsho .
He highlighted a letter condemning the attack sent to French President Emmanuel Macron from Bart Marsho and The Assembly of Chechens of Europe hours after it became @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the horrific act because he was offended by the showing of cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad in class .
“ Unfortunately , the impact of this could potentially be disastrous for us , ” Suleimanov said .
Chechens came to France as political refugees in the early 2000s , fleeing from two successive wars between Islamic separatists and Russian troops in the North Caucasian Russian republic .
Today , there are approximately 67,000 Chechens in France , making up the largest community among the Chechen diaspora in Europe .
Most of them live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A new wave of Chechens has fled into exile in recent years over disagreements with Chechen strongman leader Ramzan Kadyrov , whose rule rights groups say has seen torture and killings , while some of the earlier Chechen immigrants fought against Kadyrov during the Second Chechen War .
“ This makes it harder for Chechens to request political asylum in Europe in the long run , ” said Zelimkhan Dokudaev , a Chechen who runs a cultural center that helps North Caucasian immigrants adapt to life in Germany .
Dokudaev fears that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treated with suspicion by immigration services .
“ For many , going back to Chechnya is a death sentence , ” Dokudaev said .
Two days after the killing of Paty , France announced it was preparing to expel 231 foreigners on a government watch list for suspected extremist religious believers .
On Monday , French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said he was planning to visit Russia , along with Tunisia , Malta and Algeria to discuss security issues and the repatriation of “ radical Islamists ” from France .
`` Russia is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are individuals coming to France from Chechnya , which is part of Russia , '' Darmanin said .
It is unclear how many Chechens are on the French “ extremism ” security list .
Bart Marsho ’ s Suleimanov estimates the number to be between 20 and 40 .
Such numbers could prompt the largest expulsion of Chechens to Russia , said Yekaterina Sokirianskaya of the Conflict Analysis and Prevention Center , which specializes in the North Caucasus .
“ Whoever is identified by the French as radicalized and sent back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tough time there , ” she said .
Sokirianskaya said the expelled Chechens could face torture by Chechen security forces and be pressured to give information on other radicalized Chechens and anti-Kadyrov dissidents in Europe , given the negative sentiments many Chechens outside the region have toward Kadyrov .
Since the early 2010s , critics of Kadyrov have said he and his security forces have intensified attacks on opponents of his regime , allegations the strongman denies .
In August 2019 , 40-year-old ethnic Chechen and Georgian national , Zelimkhan Khangoshvili , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ February vocal Kadyrov critic and blogger Tumso Abdurakhmanov was attacked by a hammer-wielding assailant as he slept in his apartment in Sweden .
His attacker on Tuesday hinted Kadyrov was behind the attack , when he told a Swedish court that his actions were “ ordered by Grozny.
” Abdurakhmanov had previously been denied asylum in Poland .
Kadyrov initially condemned the murder of Paty , but later added that Macron was “ 100 time worse than the Chechen attacker ” for “ inciting terrorism.
” Shortly after , prominent Dagestani MMA fighter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests from prominent Russian Muslims against Macron ’ s defense of secular values .
“ May God disfigure the face of this creature and all followers who offend the feelings of over 1.5 billion Muslim believers under the slogan of free speech , ” Nurmagomedov wrote to his 25 million Instagram followers .
Protestors also gathered outside the French embassy in Moscow to protest against Macron , burning portraits of the French president .
Sokritianaksaya believes this tension between Chechnya and France might , in the first instance , help any Chechens deported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ characterize the expelled as victims of Western Islamophobia , but in the long term their prospects are still bleak , ” she said .
The Chechen community has not always been under the spotlight of the security services , said Nikolas Henin , a French consultant in counter-terrorism and counter-radicalization .
“ The first generation of Chechens in France , especially , were not involved in any sort of domestic terrorism .
They were in the good books of France ’ s antiterrorism organizations.
” The first sign that members of the community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when two Chechen brothers organized the bombing of the Boston Marathon in the U.S. After the outbreak of civil war in Syria in 2011 , around 3,000 Chechen militants from Europe and Russia travelled to Syria to join Islamic forces and formed numerous anti-government militias , as many saw the hostility by the rebels toward the Assad government as an extension of the long Chechen–Russian conflict .
The first attack on European soil came in 2018 , when a 21-year-old Chechen born French citizen , armed with a knife , killed a pedestrian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a terrorist attack .
This summer , ethnic clashes between Chechen , Middle Eastern and North African youths shook France ’ s eastern city of Dijon “ Chechen ’ s are sadly losing their credit in French society , ” Henin said , adding that he doesn ’ t expect France to start deporting Chechens without giving each case “ proper consideration.
” Baskhan Magomadov , a Chechen Imam in Nice , rejected the idea that the Chechen community as a whole has a radicalization problem .
“ What happened should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boy lived most of his life in France .
He radicalized here , through the Internet , not his family.
” French police have indicated that Anzorov ’ s family was not religious and have since released his brother and father .
Days after the attack , left-wing politician and leader of the La France Insoumise party Jean-Luc Mélenchon said “ there is a very clear problem with the Chechen community in France , and called for the “ expulsion ” of Chechens who act on the ground of “ Islamism policy.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for his comment , a gesture Magomadov and other Chechens have seen as a positive sign that the French people are not going to scapegoat them .
While admitting that there has been discontent in the Chechen community about the cartoons and Macron ’ s statements , Magomadov emphasized that everyone who asks for asylum in France pledges to abide by local laws .
`` This is a secular state , not a Muslim one .
Caricatures are drawn here of all religions : Jesus , Moses , Muslims , Jews , Buddhists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on our youth to be patient and not react to this , '' Magomadov said .

Soon after news broke that a Chechen teenager was responsible for the gruesome daylight beheading of French teacher Samuel Paty, Parisian student Akhmat started to get texts from his friends asking him if he knew the killer. “We are a relatively small group, so people just assumed we knew each other. It shows what an attack like this does to us,” Akhmat, 22, told The Moscow Times. The murder that has sent shockwaves across France is forcing Chechens in the country to think about what it might mean for their tight-knit community, while diaspora leaders across Europe fear that the attack will lead to stigmatization, or worse, deportation back to Chechnya. “Let me be clear, this attack is absolutely abhorrent and has no excuse. I was shocked to read it was one of our own. I thought it was a mistake,” said Suleimanov, founder of Paris-based Chechen diaspora organization Bart Marsho. He highlighted a letter condemning the attack sent to French President Emmanuel Macron from Bart Marsho and The Assembly of Chechens of Europe hours after it became clear that 18-year-old Abdoullakh Anzorov had committed the horrific act because he was offended by the showing of cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad in class. “Unfortunately, the impact of this could potentially be disastrous for us,” Suleimanov said. Chechens came to France as political refugees in the early 2000s, fleeing from two successive wars between Islamic separatists and Russian troops in the North Caucasian Russian republic. Today, there are approximately 67,000 Chechens in France, making up the largest community among the Chechen diaspora in Europe. Most of them live in Paris and the south of France. A new wave of Chechens has fled into exile in recent years over disagreements with Chechen strongman leader Ramzan Kadyrov, whose rule rights groups say has seen torture and killings, while some of the earlier Chechen immigrants fought against Kadyrov during the Second Chechen War. “This makes it harder for Chechens to request political asylum in Europe in the long run,” said Zelimkhan Dokudaev, a Chechen who runs a cultural center that helps North Caucasian immigrants adapt to life in Germany. Dokudaev fears that Chechens across the board will now be treated with suspicion by immigration services. “For many, going back to Chechnya is a death sentence,” Dokudaev said.
Two days after the killing of Paty, France announced it was preparing to expel 231 foreigners on a government watch list for suspected extremist religious believers. On Monday, French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said he was planning to visit Russia, along with Tunisia, Malta and Algeria to discuss security issues and the repatriation of “radical Islamists” from France. "Russia is a country affected by this problem, there are individuals coming to France from Chechnya, which is part of Russia," Darmanin said. It is unclear how many Chechens are on the French “extremism” security list. Bart Marsho’s Suleimanov estimates the number to be between 20 and 40. Such numbers could prompt the largest expulsion of Chechens to Russia, said Yekaterina Sokirianskaya of the Conflict Analysis and Prevention Center, which specializes in the North Caucasus. “Whoever is identified by the French as radicalized and sent back to Chechnya will very likely have a very tough time there,” she said. Sokirianskaya said the expelled Chechens could face torture by Chechen security forces and be pressured to give information on other radicalized Chechens and anti-Kadyrov dissidents in Europe, given the negative sentiments many Chechens outside the region have toward Kadyrov. Since the early 2010s, critics of Kadyrov have said he and his security forces have intensified attacks on opponents of his regime, allegations the strongman denies. In August 2019, 40-year-old ethnic Chechen and Georgian national, Zelimkhan Khangoshvili, was shot dead in Berlin, while last February vocal Kadyrov critic and blogger Tumso Abdurakhmanov was attacked by a hammer-wielding assailant as he slept in his apartment in Sweden. His attacker on Tuesday hinted Kadyrov was behind the attack, when he told a Swedish court that his actions were “ordered by Grozny.” Abdurakhmanov had previously been denied asylum in Poland.


themoscowtimes--2020-11-03--MH17 Suspect Denies Seeing Deadly Missile

A Russian suspect in the crash of flight MH17 saw no sign of the missile allegedly used to shoot down @ @ @ @ @ in a video played Tuesday at his trial .
Oleg Pulatov is one of four @ @ @ @ @ by a Dutch court over the loss of the Malaysia Airlines jet , which was @ @ @ @ @ Lumpur when it was downed over eastern Ukraine on July 17 , 2014 .
Investigators @ @ @ @ @ fired by pro-Russian rebels was used to hit the airliner , which crashed with the @ @ @ @ @ on board , including 196 Dutch nationals .
`` No I have n't seen a @ @ @ @ @ also say for sure there was certainly no BUK seen , '' Pulatov , the @ @ @ @ @ by defence lawyers , said in a video message .
`` No BUK or any @ @ @ @ @ were mentioned '' during meetings he had with other rebels on the day of the @ @ @ @ @

A Russian suspect in the crash of flight MH17 saw no sign of the missile allegedly used to shoot down the plane, he said in a video played Tuesday at his trial.
Oleg Pulatov is one of four men being tried in absentia by a Dutch court over the loss of the Malaysia Airlines jet, which was travelling from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it was downed over eastern Ukraine on July 17, 2014.
Investigators say a Soviet-era BUK missile fired by pro-Russian rebels was used to hit the airliner, which crashed with the loss of all 298 people on board, including 196 Dutch nationals.
"No I haven't seen a BUK missile and I can also say for sure there was certainly no BUK seen," Pulatov, the only suspect to be represented by defence lawyers, said in a video message.
"No BUK or any commands related to a BUK were mentioned" during meetings he had with other rebels on the day of the crash, he said.


themoscowtimes--2020-11-03--Russians Among Those Detained in Vienna Attack, Ambassador Says

Authorities in Austria have detained suspects from southwestern Russia ’ s North Caucasus region as part of an investigation into the deadly shooting rampage in Vienna , Russia ’ s ambassador in Vienna said Tuesday .
The only known gunman in Monday evening 's shooting spree across Vienna that killed four people and wounded 22 was an Islamic State group supporter , Austria ’ s interior ministry has said .
A total of 14 suspects have been detained so far , the ministry said .
“ There ’ s information that those detained include migrants from the Balkan countries , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Russia ’ s Ambassador Dmitry Lyubinskyi told Russian state television .
The North Caucasus region includes the Muslim-majority Russian republics of Chechnya , Dagestan and Ingushetia , among others .
“ There are no further details at the moment , ” Lyubinskyi told the Rossia state broadcaster 's “ 60 Minutes ” news talk show .
The diplomat said that no Russian nationals were known to have been hurt in the attacks .
One of the suspected killers , who was shot dead by police after Monday 's attack , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dual Austrian and Macedonian nationality , Interior Minister Karl Nehammer said .
He had been convicted of a terror offence in April last year for trying to travel to Syria , Nehammer told the APA news agency .
According to Nehammer , police are searching for more possible assailants who may still be at large , and several neighboring countries have stepped up border checks .
The shooting erupted just hours before Austria was to re-impose a coronavirus lockdown , with people out in bars and restaurants enjoying a final night out .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sort of major attacks that have hit other European countries , but Monday 's shooting followed a spate of Islamist attacks in France and it triggered an outpouring of solidarity from world leaders .
Russian President Vladimir Putin called the Vienna shooting a `` cruel and cynical '' crime in a condolences telegram to the Austrian leadership .

Authorities in Austria have detained suspects from southwestern Russia’s North Caucasus region as part of an investigation into the deadly shooting rampage in Vienna, Russia’s ambassador in Vienna said Tuesday.
The only known gunman in Monday evening's shooting spree across Vienna that killed four people and wounded 22 was an Islamic State group supporter, Austria’s interior ministry has said. A total of 14 suspects have been detained so far, the ministry said.
“There’s information that those detained include migrants from the Balkan countries, the Islamic world and the North Caucasus,” Russia’s Ambassador Dmitry Lyubinskyi told Russian state television.
The North Caucasus region includes the Muslim-majority Russian republics of Chechnya, Dagestan and Ingushetia, among others.
“There are no further details at the moment,” Lyubinskyi told the Rossia state broadcaster's “60 Minutes” news talk show.
The diplomat said that no Russian nationals were known to have been hurt in the attacks.
One of the suspected killers, who was shot dead by police after Monday's attack, was a 20-year-old Islamic State group sympathiser with dual Austrian and Macedonian nationality, Interior Minister Karl Nehammer said. He had been convicted of a terror offence in April last year for trying to travel to Syria, Nehammer told the APA news agency.
According to Nehammer, police are searching for more possible assailants who may still be at large, and several neighboring countries have stepped up border checks.
The shooting erupted just hours before Austria was to re-impose a coronavirus lockdown, with people out in bars and restaurants enjoying a final night out.
Austria had until now been spared the sort of major attacks that have hit other European countries, but Monday's shooting followed a spate of Islamist attacks in France and it triggered an outpouring of solidarity from world leaders.
Russian President Vladimir Putin called the Vienna shooting a "cruel and cynical" crime in a condolences telegram to the Austrian leadership.
AFP contributed reporting.


themoscowtimes--2020-11-05--Russia's Doping Ban Decision 'by End of Year', Says CAS

The ensuing ban meant Russia would miss the re-arranged Tokyo Olympics next year as well as football 's 2022 World Cup in Qatar and the 2022 Winter Olympics in China .
The showdown took place following WADA 's decision last year to declare RUSADA non-compliant after being accused of manipulating drug testing data .
A four-day arbitration hearing between the World Anti-Doping Agency ( WADA ) and the Russian Anti-Doping Agency ( RUSADA ) wrapped up after four days of talks at a secret location .
A decision over whether to overturn Russia 's four-year ban from international sport due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the end of this year , '' the Court of Arbitration for Sport ( CAS ) said Thursday .
`` In light of the travel restrictions and sanitary measures in place due to the Covid-19 pandemic , the hearing took place in a mixed format with the majority of participants joining via video link , '' said CAS in a statement .
`` The Arbitral Panel in charge of the arbitration will now deliberate and prepare the Arbitral Award containing its decision .
`` While it is difficult to predict exactly how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is anticipated that the Arbitral Award will be notified to the parties by the end of this year . ''
Russia considers its ban to be legally indefensible while former prime minister Dmitry Medvedev described the suspension as `` chronic anti-Russian hysteria '' .
`` WADA is satisfied with how we presented our case and we now look forward to receiving the decision of the Panel , '' said WADA president Witold Bańka on Thursday .
`` As at every other stage , we are following due process in relation to RUSADA 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effectively with this complex matter . ''
The hearing was billed as a landmark week for Russian sport and global anti-doping efforts .
WADA , formed in 1999 , also has plenty on the line after the U.S. threatened to pull its annual $ 2.7 million financing .
U.S. lawmakers accused WADA of failing to implement governance reforms and have criticized the handling of the Russian scandal .
Also , the International Olympic Committee and sports federations are expecting clear directives from CAS , eight months before the Tokyo Olympics .
The Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
In May 2016 , Grigory Rodchenkov , the former head of Moscow 's anti-doping laboratory , blew the whistle over state-backed doping at the 2014 Sochi Olympics .
Barely two weeks before the 2016 Olympics in July that year , WADA called for Russia to be banned from Rio .
The IOC , however , stopped short of an outright ban and said individual federations would decide whether to allow Russian athletes to compete .
In 2017 , the IOC banned the Russian Olympic Committee from the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take part as neutral competitors .

The ensuing ban meant Russia would miss the re-arranged Tokyo Olympics next year as well as football's 2022 World Cup in Qatar and the 2022 Winter Olympics in China.
The showdown took place following WADA's decision last year to declare RUSADA non-compliant after being accused of manipulating drug testing data.
A four-day arbitration hearing between the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) wrapped up after four days of talks at a secret location.
A decision over whether to overturn Russia's four-year ban from international sport due to state-sanctioned doping will be known "by the end of this year," the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said Thursday.
"In light of the travel restrictions and sanitary measures in place due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the hearing took place in a mixed format with the majority of participants joining via video link," said CAS in a statement.
"The Arbitral Panel in charge of the arbitration will now deliberate and prepare the Arbitral Award containing its decision.
"While it is difficult to predict exactly how long this process will take, it is anticipated that the Arbitral Award will be notified to the parties by the end of this year."
Russia considers its ban to be legally indefensible while former prime minister Dmitry Medvedev described the suspension as "chronic anti-Russian hysteria".
"WADA is satisfied with how we presented our case and we now look forward to receiving the decision of the Panel," said WADA president Witold Bańka on Thursday.
"As at every other stage, we are following due process in relation to RUSADA's compliance procedure as we continue to deal effectively with this complex matter."
Landmark week
The hearing was billed as a landmark week for Russian sport and global anti-doping efforts.
WADA, formed in 1999, also has plenty on the line after the U.S. threatened to pull its annual $2.7 million financing.
U.S. lawmakers accused WADA of failing to implement governance reforms and have criticized the handling of the Russian scandal.
Also, the International Olympic Committee and sports federations are expecting clear directives from CAS, eight months before the Tokyo Olympics.
The Russian saga is now uncomfortably into its fifth year.
In May 2016, Grigory Rodchenkov, the former head of Moscow's anti-doping laboratory, blew the whistle over state-backed doping at the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
Barely two weeks before the 2016 Olympics in July that year, WADA called for Russia to be banned from Rio.
The IOC, however, stopped short of an outright ban and said individual federations would decide whether to allow Russian athletes to compete.
In 2017, the IOC banned the Russian Olympic Committee from the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Games, but allowed clean Russian athletes to take part as neutral competitors.
A total of 168 Russians eventually competed.


themoscowtimes--2020-11-05--OSCE Condemns Belarus Torture, Calls for Fresh Presidential Vote

Lukashenko claimed victory after the election in August , but tens of thousands of opposition protesters have taken to the streets in a wave of protests in the months since decrying fraud .
The first major independent report into the election and subsequent crackdown by authorities said human rights abuses `` were found to be massive and systematic and proven beyond doubt '' and also recommended that the result of the vote should be annulled `` due to irregularities at all stages of the process . ''
A report from the OSCE election-monitoring organization published on Thursday condemned `` massive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and called for a re-run of the country 's August presidential polls in which President Alexander Lukashenko claimed victory .
The 66-year-old authoritarian leader -- emboldened by Russia 's backing -- has refused to step down despite the mass gatherings demanding he resign and hand power to main opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya who has taken refuge in neighboring Lithuania .
The report by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe ( OSCE ) urged Belarus to `` organise new genuine presidential elections based on international standards . ''
It says that `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fraud ' the rapporteur comes to the conclusion that there were evident shortcomings of the presidential elections , '' going on to say the vote was `` not transparent , free or fair . ''
The report was produced at the request of 17 states including France , the UK and the U.S. and is based on 700 submissions of evidence .
It was discussed at a meeting of the OSCE 's permanent council on Thursday .
The rapporteur who produced the report was however not able to travel to Belarus as Minsk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the report 's finding were `` a damning indictment of Lukashenko ’ s regime '' and said the UK supported its call for fresh elections .
U.S .
Ambassador to the OSCE James Gilmore said in a statement that it was `` shocking that the Belarusian security services would treat their fellow citizens in such an unacceptable manner , and even more shocking that such lawlessness and brutality is occurring with total impunity . ''
The report says that `` some 1,500 persons were arrested before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election in the repression against peaceful protests '' with the total figure now at around 13,000 .
Among the cases of abuse cited is one of a couple who went to a police station to search for their son and were then themselves detained , beaten and forced to undress .

Lukashenko claimed victory after the election in August, but tens of thousands of opposition protesters have taken to the streets in a wave of protests in the months since decrying fraud.
The first major independent report into the election and subsequent crackdown by authorities said human rights abuses "were found to be massive and systematic and proven beyond doubt" and also recommended that the result of the vote should be annulled "due to irregularities at all stages of the process."
A report from the OSCE election-monitoring organization published on Thursday condemned "massive" rights abuses and torture in Belarus and called for a re-run of the country's August presidential polls in which President Alexander Lukashenko claimed victory.
The 66-year-old authoritarian leader -- emboldened by Russia's backing -- has refused to step down despite the mass gatherings demanding he resign and hand power to main opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya who has taken refuge in neighboring Lithuania.
The report by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) urged Belarus to "organise new genuine presidential elections based on international standards."
It says that "with regard to the question of 'election fraud' the rapporteur comes to the conclusion that there were evident shortcomings of the presidential elections," going on to say the vote was "not transparent, free or fair."
'Lawlessness and brutality'
The report was produced at the request of 17 states including France, the UK and the U.S. and is based on 700 submissions of evidence.
It was discussed at a meeting of the OSCE's permanent council on Thursday.
The rapporteur who produced the report was however not able to travel to Belarus as Minsk refused to co-operate with the probe.
UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the report's finding were "a damning indictment of Lukashenko’s regime" and said the UK supported its call for fresh elections.
U.S. Ambassador to the OSCE James Gilmore said in a statement that it was "shocking that the Belarusian security services would treat their fellow citizens in such an unacceptable manner, and even more shocking that such lawlessness and brutality is occurring with total impunity."
The report says that "some 1,500 persons were arrested before the election and more than 10,000 after the election in the repression against peaceful protests" with the total figure now at around 13,000.
Among the cases of abuse cited is one of a couple who went to a police station to search for their son and were then themselves detained, beaten and forced to undress.


themoscowtimes--2020-11-05--Russia Says 'Obvious Shortcomings' in U.S. Election System

Russia 's foreign ministry on Thursday said outdated legislation and a lack of regulation had revealed flaws in the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ were being tallied to decide the next American president .
The knife-edge U.S. presidential race @ @ @ @ @ Biden early Thursday , but President Donald Trump claimed he was being cheated and went @ @ @ @ @ stop vote counting .
Foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that both candidates had an @ @ @ @ @ pointed out `` obvious shortcomings in the American electoral system . ''

Russia's foreign ministry on Thursday said outdated legislation and a lack of regulation had revealed flaws in the U.S. electoral system, as votes were being tallied to decide the next American president.
The knife-edge U.S. presidential race was tilted toward Democrat Joe Biden early Thursday, but President Donald Trump claimed he was being cheated and went to court to try and stop vote counting.
Foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that both candidates had an equal chance of winning and pointed out "obvious shortcomings in the American electoral system."


themoscowtimes--2020-11-05--Up To 40% of Russia’s Coronavirus Test Results Could Be False Negatives

Between 30 % and 40 % of the Covid-19 polymerase chain reaction ( PCR ) tests performed in Russia could @ @ @ @ @ because of the methodology being used , the state-run Interfax agency reported Thursday citing Russian @ @ @ @ @ Avdeev .
“ If sampling materials are collected poorly or too lightly , that could @ @ @ @ @ sample , ” Avdeev said .
Avdeev identified “ sampling time ” as another important @ @ @ @ @ s accuracy , saying that taking the sample “ during the early stages of the @ @ @ @ @ of getting a positive result .
”

Between 30% and 40% of the Covid-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests performed in Russia could be giving false negative results because of the methodology being used, the state-run Interfax agency reported Thursday citing Russian Health Ministry chief pulmonologist Sergei Avdeev.
“If sampling materials are collected poorly or too lightly, that could lead to a false negative sample,” Avdeev said.
Avdeev identified “sampling time” as another important factor affecting a test’s accuracy, saying that taking the sample “during the early stages of the diseases gives a higher chance of getting a positive result.”


themoscowtimes--2020-11-06--Russian Mink Farmers Unfazed by Coronavirus Mutations

Producers of mink fur in Russia said Friday they have not encountered outbreaks of the coronavirus on their farms and do not have plans to cull their stocks amid growing concerns in Europe that the virus could spread and mutate in mink-to-human transmission .
“ We have no intention of killing our mink because of Covid-19 .
Our animals and staff working on the farms have been completely healthy and we haven ’ t seen anything unusual , ” a representative of Russia ’ s largest mink farm , Kaliningrad-based Bagrationovskoye , told The Moscow Times .
Denmark on Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mink population — as many as 17 million — after a mutated form of the coronavirus that can spread to humans was found on mink farms .
Danish researchers said they found that the animals can harbor new mutations of the virus that could undermine the effectiveness of the Covid-19 vaccines that are currently being developed worldwide .
At least 12 Danes have so far been diagnosed with mink-related coronavirus .
Two other large mink farms in Russia also said they had not diagnosed any cases of the coronavirus and were not aware @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Producers of mink fur in Russia said Friday they have not encountered outbreaks of the coronavirus on their farms and do not have plans to cull their stocks amid growing concerns in Europe that the virus could spread and mutate in mink-to-human transmission.
“We have no intention of killing our mink because of Covid-19. Our animals and staff working on the farms have been completely healthy and we haven’t seen anything unusual,” a representative of Russia’s largest mink farm, Kaliningrad-based Bagrationovskoye, told The Moscow Times.
Denmark on Wednesday announced that it would cull its entire mink population — as many as 17 million — after a mutated form of the coronavirus that can spread to humans was found on mink farms. Danish researchers said they found that the animals can harbor new mutations of the virus that could undermine the effectiveness of the Covid-19 vaccines that are currently being developed worldwide. At least 12 Danes have so far been diagnosed with mink-related coronavirus.
Two other large mink farms in Russia also said they had not diagnosed any cases of the coronavirus and were not aware of any mink-related coronavirus cases in Russia.


themoscowtimes--2020-11-06--Renowned Russian Satirist Zhvanetsky Dies at Age 86

Beloved Soviet-era satirist Mikhail Zhvanetsky has died from an unknown cause at age 86 , Russian media reported Friday .
@ @ @ @ @ that he has died , ” Zhvanetsky ’ s spokesman Oleg Stashkevich told the state-run @ @ @ @ @ the cause of death .
Born in the Soviet Ukrainian city of Odessa on March @ @ @ @ @ began performing monologues skewering everyday life in the Soviet Union in the 1960s .
Fellow @ @ @ @ @ Roman Kartsev and Viktor Ilchenko have performed more than 300 monologues and sketches written by @ @ @ @ @ writing and performing career has earned him the honorary titles of People ’ s Artist @ @ @ @ @ s Artist of Ukraine , in addition to numerous other awards and orders .
He @ @ @ @ @ collapse of the Soviet Union with his caustic but light-hearted humor that stayed relevant in @ @ @ @

Beloved Soviet-era satirist Mikhail Zhvanetsky has died from an unknown cause at age 86, Russian media reported Friday.
“I can only confirm that he has died,” Zhvanetsky’s spokesman Oleg Stashkevich told the state-run TASS news agency without disclosing the cause of death.
Born in the Soviet Ukrainian city of Odessa on March 6, 1934, Zhvanetsky began performing monologues skewering everyday life in the Soviet Union in the 1960s.
Fellow legendary humorists Arkady Raikin, Roman Kartsev and Viktor Ilchenko have performed more than 300 monologues and sketches written by Zhvanetsky.
Zhvanetsky’s writing and performing career has earned him the honorary titles of People’s Artist of Russia and People’s Artist of Ukraine, in addition to numerous other awards and orders. He has retained popularity after the collapse of the Soviet Union with his caustic but light-hearted humor that stayed relevant in the modern age.


themoscowtimes--2020-11-06--Scientists Fear Arctic Sea That Didn’t Freeze Heralds Trend

The town of Verkhoyansk , one of the coldest inhabited places on Earth , hit an unprecedented temperature of 38 degrees Celsius in June , wildfires raging in Siberia had emitted more carbon dioxide by the end of August than in all of 2020 and melting permafrost may have caused the Arctic ’ s worst ever fuel spill .
For the first time since records began Russia ’ s Laptev Sea had not frozen by late October , a milestone that came on the heels of a freakishly hot summer in Russia ’ s Arctic and Siberian regions .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 % every decade and this is a very fast-paced trajectory , ” said Vladimir Semenov , Deputy Director of the Obukhov Institute of Atmospheric Physics in Moscow .
“ Sea ice coverage will soon be half of what it was in the late 1970s , ” he added , without giving a timeframe .
Arctic sea ice is on track to continue shrinking because of climate change and could soon cover half the area it did in the late 1970s , a leading Russian climate scientist told The Moscow Times .
Semenov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to freeze “ expected news , ” and pointed out that the Barents Sea , which is also in the Arctic , has been almost completely ice-free in winter for a number of years .
He forecast that the Eastern Siberian Sea will be the next to stop freezing in winter .
Arctic sea ice usually reaches its maximum levels by November after shrinking in the spring and summer .
In addition to the belated freezing , the Laptev Sea thawed much earlier in 2020 than in any previous year since 1979 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Voeikov Main Geophysical Observatory in St. Petersburg , agreed with Semenov , saying that the late freezing of the Laptev Sea should no longer be treated as something out of the ordinary .
“ The Laptev Sea was always covered with ice by late October and this year it didn ’ t happen .
We know that the Arctic is warming faster than the rest of the world , and even faster than Russian land territories , so the late freezing of the Laptev Sea is in line with overall tendencies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attribute the lack of ice to early summer warming and a Siberia ’ s heatwave , as well as warm Atlantic currents flowing into the Arctic .
Climate change has reduced sea ice coverage across the whole of the Arctic Ocean in recent decades , with 2019 tying for second-lowest in recorded history .
“ There ’ s so much more heat in the ocean now than there used to be that the pattern of autumn ice growth has been completely disrupted , ” NSIDC director Mark Serreze wrote in The Conversation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ five degrees Celsius in the area , according to The Guardian newspaper .
Both Russian scientists agreed that the effects of the Laptev Sea warming will be noticed only at a local level .
“ It will influence the biosphere of the region but we should not expect any disastrous global consequences from it .
It is , rather , just another sign of ongoing transformations in the Arctic , ” Kiselev said .
Polar bears will be among the species most affected by the Laptev Sea ’ s late freezing , climatologist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ By now , they should have set off on the journey across the ice in search of seals , ” Kislov said .
Kislov also explained that the sea warming leads to a longer-term food loss for bears — unable to swim long distances , they can no longer travel between the sea-ice formations in search of food .
His statement is backed by worrying reports from Russia ’ s Arctic region .
Last year , dozens of starving polar bears arrived in a village in Russia ’ s Far East @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents to stay indoors .
There have also been reports of polars bears turning to cannibalism .
Semenov forecast that the Laptev Sea will be frozen by March , while Kiselev noted that the climate change consequences the world should pay the most attention to are further north .
“ We should be alarmed by the melting of any ice , but especially of that in Antarctica and Greenland where the world ’ s largest ice masses are located , ” he said .

The town of Verkhoyansk, one of the coldest inhabited places on Earth, hit an unprecedented temperature of 38 degrees Celsius in June, wildfires raging in Siberia had emitted more carbon dioxide by the end of August than in all of 2020 and melting permafrost may have caused the Arctic’s worst ever fuel spill.
For the first time since records began Russia’s Laptev Sea had not frozen by late October, a milestone that came on the heels of a freakishly hot summer in Russia’s Arctic and Siberian regions.
“Sea ice continues to shrink by approximately 10% every decade and this is a very fast-paced trajectory,” said Vladimir Semenov, Deputy Director of the Obukhov Institute of Atmospheric Physics in Moscow. “Sea ice coverage will soon be half of what it was in the late 1970s,” he added, without giving a timeframe.
Arctic sea ice is on track to continue shrinking because of climate change and could soon cover half the area it did in the late 1970s, a leading Russian climate scientist told The Moscow Times.
Semenov called the Laptev Sea’s failure to freeze “expected news,” and pointed out that the Barents Sea, which is also in the Arctic, has been almost completely ice-free in winter for a number of years. He forecast that the Eastern Siberian Sea will be the next to stop freezing in winter.
Arctic sea ice usually reaches its maximum levels by November after shrinking in the spring and summer. In addition to the belated freezing, the Laptev Sea thawed much earlier in 2020 than in any previous year since 1979.
Andrei Kiselev, the leading research scientist at the Voeikov Main Geophysical Observatory in St. Petersburg, agreed with Semenov, saying that the late freezing of the Laptev Sea should no longer be treated as something out of the ordinary.
“The Laptev Sea was always covered with ice by late October and this year it didn’t happen. We know that the Arctic is warming faster than the rest of the world, and even faster than Russian land territories, so the late freezing of the Laptev Sea is in line with overall tendencies,” Kisilev said.
Scientists worldwide attribute the lack of ice to early summer warming and a Siberia’s heatwave, as well as warm Atlantic currents flowing into the Arctic. Climate change has reduced sea ice coverage across the whole of the Arctic Ocean in recent decades, with 2019 tying for second-lowest in recorded history.
“There’s so much more heat in the ocean now than there used to be that the pattern of autumn ice growth has been completely disrupted,” NSIDC director Mark Serreze wrote in The Conversation. Ocean temperatures have risen by more than five degrees Celsius in the area, according to The Guardian newspaper.
Both Russian scientists agreed that the effects of the Laptev Sea warming will be noticed only at a local level.
“It will influence the biosphere of the region but we should not expect any disastrous global consequences from it. It is, rather, just another sign of ongoing transformations in the Arctic,” Kiselev said.
Polar bears
Polar bears will be among the species most affected by the Laptev Sea’s late freezing, climatologist Alexander Kislov told the Meduza media outlet.
“By now, they should have set off on the journey across the ice in search of seals,” Kislov said.
Kislov also explained that the sea warming leads to a longer-term food loss for bears — unable to swim long distances, they can no longer travel between the sea-ice formations in search of food.
His statement is backed by worrying reports from Russia’s Arctic region. Last year, dozens of starving polar bears arrived in a village in Russia’s Far East in search of food, forcing its residents to stay indoors. There have also been reports of polars bears turning to cannibalism.
Semenov forecast that the Laptev Sea will be frozen by March, while Kiselev noted that the climate change consequences the world should pay the most attention to are further north.
“We should be alarmed by the melting of any ice, but especially of that in Antarctica and Greenland where the world’s largest ice masses are located,” he said.


themoscowtimes--2020-11-06--Ex-Partner Accuses Radical Russian Artist Pavlensky of Rape and Abuse

“ What happened in France is an extreme level of cruelty .
These weren ’ t just domestic beatings , these were forms of torture comparable to concentration camps , ” she told Wonderzine .
Oksana Shalygina told the outlet she had helped organize several of Pavlensky ’ s stunts , including nailing his scrotum to the cobblestones in Red Square , slicing off part of his ear and setting fire to the front door of the Federal Security Service ( FSB ) headquarters in Moscow .
After fleeing Russia and being granted asylum in Paris , Shalygina and Pavlensky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Bank of France on fire in 2017 .
The former partner of Russian radical performance artist Pyotr Pavlensky has accused him of rape and domestic abuse in a tell-all book , the news website Wonderzine reported .
Shalygina recounted Pavlensky characterizing the period of sexual and physical violence after his release from prison as a “ a path of dictatorship.
” “ He warned me he ’ d be as cruel as possible with me , ” she said .
“ It happened every night before going to bed .
The sadistic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was no longer needed after a few days , ” she said .
“ I couldn ’ t say no and I couldn ’ t leave either.
” “ I remember my lower body , legs and everything else was completely black , it hurt to breathe , it felt like he broke a couple of my ribs .
There was a period when he beat me every day , he could beat me over the same bruises again .
I was terrifying to look at.
” Shalygina told Wonderzine she decided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence she endured at the hands of Pavlensky after breaking up with him in late 2018 and opening up to a new friend .
She said he showed “ endless patience ” toward their two daughters , though she said they had suffered emotional trauma from witnessing the violence .

“What happened in France is an extreme level of cruelty. These weren’t just domestic beatings, these were forms of torture comparable to concentration camps,” she told Wonderzine.
Oksana Shalygina told the outlet she had helped organize several of Pavlensky’s stunts, including nailing his scrotum to the cobblestones in Red Square, slicing off part of his ear and setting fire to the front door of the Federal Security Service (FSB) headquarters in Moscow. After fleeing Russia and being granted asylum in Paris, Shalygina and Pavlensky spent several months in prison for setting the Bank of France on fire in 2017.
The former partner of Russian radical performance artist Pyotr Pavlensky has accused him of rape and domestic abuse in a tell-all book, the news website Wonderzine reported .
Shalygina recounted Pavlensky characterizing the period of sexual and physical violence after his release from prison as a “a path of dictatorship.” “He warned me he’d be as cruel as possible with me,” she said.
“It happened every night before going to bed. The sadistic rape didn’t last long, it was no longer needed after a few days,” she said. “I couldn’t say no and I couldn’t leave either.”
“I remember my lower body, legs and everything else was completely black, it hurt to breathe, it felt like he broke a couple of my ribs. There was a period when he beat me every day, he could beat me over the same bruises again. I was terrifying to look at.”
Shalygina told Wonderzine she decided to give a detailed account of the violence she endured at the hands of Pavlensky after breaking up with him in late 2018 and opening up to a new friend.
She said he showed “endless patience” toward their two daughters, though she said they had suffered emotional trauma from witnessing the violence.


themoscowtimes--2020-11-06--Russian Police Rule Out Navalny Poisoning, Diagnose Pancreatitis

`` The diagnosis of 'poisoning ' ... was not confirmed , '' it said in a statement .
The interior ministry 's Siberian branch said doctors who treated Navalny for two days before he was flown to Berlin confirmed their diagnosis of `` disruption of carbohydrate metabolism and chronic pancreatitis . ''
The 44-year-old anti-graft campaigner collapsed on a flight from Siberia to Moscow and was transferred for treatment to Germany where experts ruled he was poisoned with the Soviet-designed nerve agent Novichok .
Russian officials said Friday that metabolic problems and pancreatitis caused Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny to fall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by European labs that he was poisoned .
The local branch of the interior ministry added that no poisonous substances were found on Navalny 's clothes or on objects collected from his hotel or the airport cafe in Siberia here he was seen before the flight .
The EU has sanctioned several senior Russian officials over the poisoning , saying the attack with the Novichok could not have been carried out without the complicity of the FSB , the defense ministry and Putin 's executive office .
Navalny has claimed that Russian President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poisoning , while the Kremlin has rejected all allegations it could have been involved .
The head of Russia 's Foreign Intelligence Service ( SVR ) Sergei Naryshkin said earlier Friday that NATO countries plotted to use a Russian opposition leader as a `` sacred sacrifice '' to uphold the protest mood in the country .
Navalny responded on Twitter saying it was `` funny '' that both the interior ministry 's statement and Naryshkin 's interview with state TV were released on the same day .
`` It seems NATO countries convinced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Navalny wrote .
On Thursday , police raided the office of Navalny 's Anti-Corruption Foundation ( FBK ) in Moscow , removing equipment and charging one of his aides Ivan Zhdanov with contempt of court .
The charge is likely related to a defamation case won by Kremlin associate Yevgeny Prigozhin , whose catering firm is seeking to recoup damages of 29 million roubles ( $ 373,800 ) each from Navalny , his ally Lyubov Sobol and the FBK .
Navalny has vowed to return to Russia after fully recovering in Germany @

"The diagnosis of 'poisoning'... was not confirmed," it said in a statement.
The interior ministry's Siberian branch said doctors who treated Navalny for two days before he was flown to Berlin confirmed their diagnosis of "disruption of carbohydrate metabolism and chronic pancreatitis."
The 44-year-old anti-graft campaigner collapsed on a flight from Siberia to Moscow and was transferred for treatment to Germany where experts ruled he was poisoned with the Soviet-designed nerve agent Novichok.
Russian officials said Friday that metabolic problems and pancreatitis caused Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny to fall ill in August, ruling out findings by European labs that he was poisoned.
The local branch of the interior ministry added that no poisonous substances were found on Navalny's clothes or on objects collected from his hotel or the airport cafe in Siberia here he was seen before the flight.
The EU has sanctioned several senior Russian officials over the poisoning, saying the attack with the Novichok could not have been carried out without the complicity of the FSB, the defense ministry and Putin's executive office.
Navalny has claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin was personally responsible for the poisoning, while the Kremlin has rejected all allegations it could have been involved.
The head of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) Sergei Naryshkin said earlier Friday that NATO countries plotted to use a Russian opposition leader as a "sacred sacrifice" to uphold the protest mood in the country.
Navalny responded on Twitter saying it was "funny" that both the interior ministry's statement and Naryshkin's interview with state TV were released on the same day.
"It seems NATO countries convinced me to start a fatal diet," Navalny wrote.
On Thursday, police raided the office of Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) in Moscow, removing equipment and charging one of his aides Ivan Zhdanov with contempt of court.
The charge is likely related to a defamation case won by Kremlin associate Yevgeny Prigozhin, whose catering firm is seeking to recoup damages of 29 million roubles ($373,800) each from Navalny, his ally Lyubov Sobol and the FBK.
Navalny has vowed to return to Russia after fully recovering in Germany.


themoscowtimes--2020-11-06--Belarus Briefing | Nov. 6

Belarus Briefing | Nov. 6

Belarus has seen weekly mass protests against the disputed presidential re-election of Alexander Lukashenko for nearly three months .
On Monday , exiled Belarusian opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya called for a national strike after the deadline she set for Lukashenko to resign and free all political prisoners expired the previous day .
Here 's more of the latest news from Russia 's ex-Soviet neighbor : Nov. 6 : What you need to know today • A report from the OSCE election-monitoring organization published on Thursday condemned `` massive '' rights abuses and torture in Belarus and called for a re-run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in which President Alexander Lukashenko claimed victory .
• Belarus on Tuesday launched its controversial Russia-built nuclear power station despite safety concerns from neighboring Baltic states three decades after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster .
• None The OSCE says there is “ overwhelming evidence ” that Belarus 's August presidential election results were falsified and that “ systematic '' human rights violations have been committed by the country 's security forces .
• None More than 1,000 demonstrators , including many pensioners , took part in a march in Minsk on Nov. 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a day after hundreds of people were detained by police during a similar protest .
• Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko held a meeting with his new security chiefs on Friday following a reshuffle as he seeks to tighten his grip on power after months of unprecedented protests .
• None with all neighbors except Russia for most travelers , citing the coronavirus , while critics say it was a political move against the opposition .
• None Lukashenko dismissed controversial Belarusian interior minister Yury Karayeu , who oversaw a brutal crackdown on protesters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential election , on Thursday .
State media reported that Karayeu was replaced by Ivan Kubrakou , who previously headed the Minsk city police department .
• None Prominent American political strategist and former Bernie Sanders campaign adviser Vitali Shkliarov on Wednesday returned to the United States from Belarus where he was detained in late July on charges of mobilizing protesters .
Shkliarov was among several prominent figures seized in Belarus amid a crackdown on Lukashenko 's opponents .
• Belarus opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has called Monday ’ s general strike aimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ collective success ” and vowed to continue calling for his resignation .
• None Lukashenko has called on universities to expel students who joined the anti-government rallies across Belarus .
With reporting from AFP , TASS and RFE .

Belarus has seen weekly mass protests against the disputed presidential re-election of Alexander Lukashenko for nearly three months.
Here's more of the latest news from Russia's ex-Soviet neighbor:
Nov. 17: What you need to know today
The Belarusian Association of Journalists has won the Media Freedom Award, a prize awarded by the governments of Britain and Canada
At least 1,000 people were detained across Belarus on November 15, according to local human rights watchdog Viasna, amid mass demonstrations against longstanding leader Alexander Lukashenko
Police brutality against demonstrators in Belarus, unprovoked by protesters, is impermissible, but the very instances of provocations must not be ruled out, Russian presidential spokesman, Dmitry Peskov told the media on Tuesday.
Nov. 13
Roman Bondarenko , 31, died on Thursday after being beaten to death by unknown security agents . Witnesses say Bondarenko was detained in Minsk after scuffling with people in plain clothes who came to a playground to remove red-and-white ribbons.
. Witnesses say Bondarenko was detained in Minsk after scuffling with people in plain clothes who came to a playground to remove red-and-white ribbons. Thousands of people carrying candles and flowers gathered in Minsk on Thursday to mourn the death of Bondarenko.
The EU has added Lukashenko and his son Viktor to its sanctions blacklist of Belarus officials, bringing the total to 59.
Nov. 9
Hundreds of people were detained in Minsk as protests continued for the 14th Sunday in a row.
Opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who fled to Lithuania under pressure from officials after the nationwide ballot, has seemed out the help of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden, to heap pressure on Lukashenko. "Joe Biden has spoken out more than once and taken a firm position of support for the Belarusian people," she said.
Nov. 6
A report from the OSCE election-monitoring organization published on Thursday condemned "massive" rights abuses and torture in Belarus and called for a re-run of the country's August presidential polls in which President Alexander Lukashenko claimed victory.
Nov. 4
Belarus on Tuesday launched its controversial Russia-built nuclear power station despite safety concerns from neighboring Baltic states three decades after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
The OSCE says there is “overwhelming evidence” that Belarus's August presidential election results were falsified and that “systematic" human rights violations have been committed by the country's security forces.
More than 1,000 demonstrators, including many pensioners, took part in a march in Minsk on Nov. 2 to demand the resignation of Lukashenko, a day after hundreds of people were detained by police during a similar protest.
Oct. 30
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko held a meeting with his new security chiefs on Friday following a reshuffle as he seeks to tighten his grip on power after months of unprecedented protests.
Belarus has partly closed its land borders with all neighbors except Russia for most travelers, citing the coronavirus, while critics say it was a political move against the opposition.
Oct. 29
Lukashenko dismissed controversial Belarusian interior minister Yury Karayeu, who oversaw a brutal crackdown on protesters in the days after the Aug. 9 presidential election, on Thursday. State media reported that Karayeu was replaced by Ivan Kubrakou, who previously headed the Minsk city police department.
Prominent American political strategist and former Bernie Sanders campaign adviser Vitali Shkliarov on Wednesday returned to the United States from Belarus where he was detained in late July on charges of mobilizing protesters. Shkliarov was among several prominent figures seized in Belarus amid a crackdown on Lukashenko's opponents.
Belarus opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has called Monday’s general strike aimed at putting pressure on President Alexander Lukashenko a “collective success” and vowed to continue calling for his resignation.
Lukashenko has called on universities to expel students who joined the anti-government rallies across Belarus.
With reporting from AFP, TASS and RFE.


themoscowtimes--2020-11-06--Kyrgyzstan Tears Down Government Gates in Symbolic Move After Crisis

Kyrgyzstan tore down the gates of its main government building on Friday in a move authorities said symbolized the removal @ @ @ @ @ authorities following political turmoil .
Sooronbay Jeenbekov last month became the third president in Kyrgyzstan @ @ @ @ @ the country gained independence 29 years ago amid the collapse of the Soviet Union .
@ @ @ @ @ of vote-rigging in parliamentary elections sparked mass protests that persisted even after the results of @ @ @ @ @ The initiative to tear down the black-painted metal gates surrounding the building that houses both @ @ @ @ @ administration came from the new prime minister and acting president Sadyr Japarov , parliamentary speaker @ @ @ @ @ The demolition of the gates `` is a symbol of the openness of the new @ @ @ @ @ '' Mamytov said .

Kyrgyzstan tore down the gates of its main government building on Friday in a move authorities said symbolized the removal of barriers between citizens and authorities following political turmoil. Sooronbay Jeenbekov last month became the third president in Kyrgyzstan to resign amid unrest since the country gained independence 29 years ago amid the collapse of the Soviet Union. His departure came after allegations of vote-rigging in parliamentary elections sparked mass protests that persisted even after the results of the vote were canceled. The initiative to tear down the black-painted metal gates surrounding the building that houses both the parliament and the presidential administration came from the new prime minister and acting president Sadyr Japarov, parliamentary speaker Talant Mamytov told journalists. The demolition of the gates "is a symbol of the openness of the new government to the people," Mamytov said.
news Kyrgyzstan Elects Speaker Loyal To New Leader Ahead of Vote Read more
An AFP correspondent saw state workers use cutting and welding tools to break off sections of the gate before hauling them away using a crane, leaving one section untouched. The new mayor of the capital Bishkek, Balbak Tulobayev, said the section, which includes a plaque bearing the name of the dead from a previous uprising, would be left standing and compared it to remnants of the Berlin wall. "It will remain as a memory," Tulobayev said. 'Mass vote-buying' Protesters captured the government building, known as the White House, in the early hours of Oct. 6, a day after the results of the election were announced. They broke through the gates, mirroring the actions of protesters during political upheavals that unseated the country's first and second presidents in 2005 and 2010. The latest crisis was triggered by legislative elections that saw parties close to former president Jeenbekov accused of mass vote-buying. Parliament is currently holding sessions at the state residence on the outskirts of Bishkek until the White House is restored following the takeover by protesters.