themoscowtimes--2020-10-07--‘We Owe Nothing to Anyone’: Russia Rejects Watchdog’s Navalny Novichok Confirmation

The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons ( OPCW ) said earlier Tuesday that Navalny ’ s blood and urine samples taken by its experts in Germany contained traces of a type of nerve agent with “ similar characteristics ” as Novichok .
Its findings confirm similar results by laboratories in Germany , where Navalny was treated , as well as France and Sweden .
Russia rejects the global chemical weapons watchdog ’ s findings of a Novichok-type nerve agent in Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny ’ s samples , Moscow ’ s envoy in the Hague-based organization said Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ OPCW Alexander Shulgin demanded “ physical evidence ” of the chemical warfare agent in Navalny ’ s samples and expert-level dialogue , according to the state-run RIA Novosti news agency .
“ Until the documents are provided… we will consider everything that ’ s happening around this incident an unbridled propaganda campaign of lies or , simply put , a low-grade provocation , ” Shulgin said at an OPCW session in The Hague .
“ Russia owes nothing to anyone , not to Germany , not to other countries that categorically and without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of poisoning Navalny , ” he said .
Navalny , 44 , was medically evacuated to Germany in late August after falling ill on a domestic flight and spending two days in a Siberian hospital with what his aides said was poisoning .
Tests by a German military laboratory determined that he was poisoned with the Soviet-designed nerve agent Novichok .
Russia insists its medical tests did not find poison in Navalny 's system and has not accepted Germany 's declarations , saying it requires more evidence .
The OPCW said in Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ samples contained traces of a type of nerve agent with similar structural characteristics as the toxic chemicals found in two Novichok variants that the OPCW banned in 2019 .
The specific type of Novichok found in the Navalny samples was not itself one of those placed on the banned list last year , it said .

The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said earlier Tuesday that Navalny’s blood and urine samples taken by its experts in Germany contained traces of a type of nerve agent with “similar characteristics” as Novichok. Its findings confirm similar results by laboratories in Germany, where Navalny was treated, as well as France and Sweden.
Russia rejects the global chemical weapons watchdog’s findings of a Novichok-type nerve agent in Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny’s samples, Moscow’s envoy in the Hague-based organization said Tuesday.
Russia’s representative to the OPCW Alexander Shulgin demanded “physical evidence” of the chemical warfare agent in Navalny’s samples and expert-level dialogue, according to the state-run RIA Novosti news agency.
“Until the documents are provided… we will consider everything that’s happening around this incident an unbridled propaganda campaign of lies or, simply put, a low-grade provocation,” Shulgin said at an OPCW session in The Hague.
“Russia owes nothing to anyone, not to Germany, not to other countries that categorically and without proof claim that Russia is allegedly guilty of poisoning Navalny,” he said.
Navalny, 44, was medically evacuated to Germany in late August after falling ill on a domestic flight and spending two days in a Siberian hospital with what his aides said was poisoning.
Tests by a German military laboratory determined that he was poisoned with the Soviet-designed nerve agent Novichok.
Russia insists its medical tests did not find poison in Navalny's system and has not accepted Germany's declarations, saying it requires more evidence.
The OPCW said in Tuesday’s statement that Navalny’s samples contained traces of a type of nerve agent with similar structural characteristics as the toxic chemicals found in two Novichok variants that the OPCW banned in 2019.
The specific type of Novichok found in the Navalny samples was not itself one of those placed on the banned list last year, it said.


themoscowtimes--2020-10-07--Kyrgyzstan Prime Minister Resigns During Post-Vote Chaos

Boronov , an ally of pro-Russian President Sooronbay Jeenbekov , was replaced by a nationalist politician that protesters released from jail the day before .
Kyrgyzstan 's prime minister Kubatbek Boronov resigned Tuesday after widespread unrest pushed the country 's electoral body to cancel the results of Sunday 's parliament elections .
Unrest over the vote left almost 700 hurt and one dead and appeared to be spreading Tuesday to other parts of the country , raising concerns from Russia which has a powerful influence in the ex-Soviet country wedged between China and Kazakhstan .
Kyrgyzstan 's Central Electoral Commission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election results '' which saw parties close to Jeenbekov dominate results amid accusations of mass vote-buying .
The results sparked a tumultuous Monday night in the capital Bishkek , with protesters seizing government buildings and freeing high-profile politicians from prison , including former president Almazbek Atambayev .
The new prime minister , Sadyr Japarov , was elected during an extraordinary meeting in a hotel after protesters seized the parliament building , the parliamentary press service said .
Russian President Vladimir Putin 's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the Kremlin was `` certainly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military authorities said they had beefed up security at their base outside the capital .
The United States meanwhile called on all sides to `` refrain from violence and resolve the election dispute through peaceful means . ''
Bishkek was calmer on Tuesday , although the president 's office remained under the control of protesters and there were some reports of crowds roaming the streets targeting businesses and other organizations .
Jeenbekov 's office said the president had remained in the capital , despite not making any public appearances .
But reports indicated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with several gold and coal mines — critical to the threadbare state budget — seized or damaged by marauders .
More than a dozen political parties said they had formed a `` coordination council '' to restore stability and `` return to the rule of law , '' criticizing the presidency for failing to ensure a fair election .
However , the new prime minister 's party has refused to recognize the council .
President Jeenbekov has insisted the situation in the country is under his control , and accused `` several political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday .
`` I ordered law enforcement agencies not to open fire or shed blood , so as not to endanger the life of a single citizen , '' Jeenbekov said .
A court in Bishkek on Tuesday reversed incoming premier Japarov 's 11.5-year conviction for hostage-taking and other crimes that he began serving in 2018 .
Banks and many shops and restaurants were closed in central Bishkek , with storeowners removing their goods over looting fears .
Weakened security after uprisings in 2005 and 2010 saw criminal gangs target mining enterprises that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokeswoman for Alliance Altyn , which operates Kyrgyzstan 's second-largest gold mine , based in the western Talas region , told AFP that work at the mine had ceased work after a group of men broke into the premises and set fire to a processing unit .
`` Our employees were not hurt , thank goodness .
We can not say yet when we will work again , '' said spokeswoman Kasiyet Karacholkova .
On the same day , an enterprise that controls a vast coal mine in Naryn region said that their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ robbed by a criminal gang .
Business associations called on political parties to ensure stability in order to help businesses facing `` huge losses '' over the coronavirus pandemic in a joint letter .
Opposition supporters had poured onto Bishkek 's streets Monday to demand the president 's resignation and a re-run of Sunday 's poll that left three parties from the outgoing parliament out in the cold .
The peaceful demonstrations in Bishkek turned violent later after clashes with police .
Some protesters then marched to the State National Security Committee building @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Footage posted on social media showed the 64-year-old greeting supporters after he left jail , where he was serving an 11-year-sentence for his role in the illegal release from jail of a mob boss .
Atambayev was once close with his successor Jeenbekov , but the pair fell out shortly after the 61-year-old won 2017 's presidential election .

Boronov, an ally of pro-Russian President Sooronbay Jeenbekov, was replaced by a nationalist politician that protesters released from jail the day before.
Kyrgyzstan's prime minister Kubatbek Boronov resigned Tuesday after widespread unrest pushed the country's electoral body to cancel the results of Sunday's parliament elections.
Unrest over the vote left almost 700 hurt and one dead and appeared to be spreading Tuesday to other parts of the country, raising concerns from Russia which has a powerful influence in the ex-Soviet country wedged between China and Kazakhstan.
Kyrgyzstan's Central Electoral Commission said that it had "invalidated the election results" which saw parties close to Jeenbekov dominate results amid accusations of mass vote-buying.
The results sparked a tumultuous Monday night in the capital Bishkek, with protesters seizing government buildings and freeing high-profile politicians from prison, including former president Almazbek Atambayev.
The new prime minister, Sadyr Japarov, was elected during an extraordinary meeting in a hotel after protesters seized the parliament building, the parliamentary press service said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the Kremlin was "certainly concerned" over the unrest.
Russian military authorities said they had beefed up security at their base outside the capital.
The United States meanwhile called on all sides to "refrain from violence and resolve the election dispute through peaceful means."
Attempt to seize power
Bishkek was calmer on Tuesday, although the president's office remained under the control of protesters and there were some reports of crowds roaming the streets targeting businesses and other organizations.
Jeenbekov's office said the president had remained in the capital, despite not making any public appearances.
But reports indicated that unrest was spreading beyond the capital with several gold and coal mines — critical to the threadbare state budget — seized or damaged by marauders.
More than a dozen political parties said they had formed a "coordination council" to restore stability and "return to the rule of law," criticizing the presidency for failing to ensure a fair election.
However, the new prime minister's party has refused to recognize the council.
President Jeenbekov has insisted the situation in the country is under his control, and accused "several political forces" of attempting to seize power Tuesday.
"I ordered law enforcement agencies not to open fire or shed blood, so as not to endanger the life of a single citizen," Jeenbekov said.
A court in Bishkek on Tuesday reversed incoming premier Japarov's 11.5-year conviction for hostage-taking and other crimes that he began serving in 2018.
Banks and many shops and restaurants were closed in central Bishkek, with storeowners removing their goods over looting fears.
Mines targeted
Weakened security after uprisings in 2005 and 2010 saw criminal gangs target mining enterprises that are typically in remote locations.
A spokeswoman for Alliance Altyn, which operates Kyrgyzstan's second-largest gold mine, based in the western Talas region, told AFP that work at the mine had ceased work after a group of men broke into the premises and set fire to a processing unit.
"Our employees were not hurt, thank goodness. We cannot say yet when we will work again," said spokeswoman Kasiyet Karacholkova.
On the same day, an enterprise that controls a vast coal mine in Naryn region said that their mine had been seized and their offices robbed by a criminal gang.
Business associations called on political parties to ensure stability in order to help businesses facing "huge losses" over the coronavirus pandemic in a joint letter.
Opposition supporters had poured onto Bishkek's streets Monday to demand the president's resignation and a re-run of Sunday's poll that left three parties from the outgoing parliament out in the cold.
The peaceful demonstrations in Bishkek turned violent later after clashes with police.
Some protesters then marched to the State National Security Committee building where former president Atambayev was jailed.
Footage posted on social media showed the 64-year-old greeting supporters after he left jail, where he was serving an 11-year-sentence for his role in the illegal release from jail of a mob boss.
Atambayev was once close with his successor Jeenbekov, but the pair fell out shortly after the 61-year-old won 2017's presidential election.


themoscowtimes--2020-10-07--France, Germany Seek Russia Sanctions Over Navalny Poisoning

Germany has until now only urged Moscow to investigate the case , but stopped short of making a direct accusation against President Vladimir Putin 's government .
`` In this context , we consider that there is no other plausible explanation for Mr Navalny ’ s poisoning than Russian involvement and responsibility , '' they said .
The European powers have repeatedly asked Moscow to shed light on the poisoning which took place on Russian soil , but `` no credible explanation has been provided by Russia so far , '' according to a joint statement issued by the German @ @ @ @ @ @ @ France on Wednesday directly accused Russia of `` involvement and responsibility '' in the poisoning of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny , announcing that they will seek EU sanctions over the case .
The sharpened tone came a day after the UN 's chemical weapons watchdog OPCW confirmed Germany , France and Sweden 's finding that the Russian opposition leader was poisoned by a nerve agent of the Soviet-developed Novichok group .
Paris and Berlin said they will put to EU partners sanctions targeting `` individuals deemed responsible for this crime and breach of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ function , as well as an entity involved in the Novichok program '' .
Earlier Wednesday , German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas had set the stage for the move , telling German lawmakers that sanctions against Russia would be `` unavoidable '' unless Moscow cleared up the case .
`` A serious violation of international law was perpetrated with a chemical warfare agent , and something like that can not remain without consequences , '' he said .
`` It is clear that if the events are not cleared up , if the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ targeted and proportionate sanctions against those responsible on the Russian side will be unavoidable . ''
Navalny was medically evacuated to Germany in late August after falling ill on a plane and spending several days in a Siberian hospital .
He was discharged after just over a month in the Berlin Charite hospital and has vowed to return to Russia to resume his opposition campaign when he is fully recovered .
Russia has firmly rejected the allegations , lashing out on Tuesday at a `` conspiratorial scenario '' planned in advance .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Germany to a new low , as it followed just a year after a murder in a central Berlin park that German prosecutors say was ordered by Moscow .
A Russian suspect is standing trial over the killing , with the court hearing opening Wednesday .
The brazen murder in the heart of the German capital appeared to be a tipping point for Chancellor Angela Merkel , who said in May that the killing `` disrupts a cooperation of trust '' between Berlin and Moscow .
The German leader has always stressed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but she has toughened up her tone in recent months .
With tensions running high , calls have grown for Berlin to scrap a controversial 10-billion-euro ( $ 12 billion ) pipeline project , which is set to double Russian natural gas shipments to Germany .
Asked during the parliamentary question-time if the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project could be hit , Maas said that `` after the discussions we had , it is most likely for the EU to find agreement on a list of people '' on whom sanctions would @ @ @

Germany has until now only urged Moscow to investigate the case, but stopped short of making a direct accusation against President Vladimir Putin's government.
"In this context, we consider that there is no other plausible explanation for Mr Navalny’s poisoning than Russian involvement and responsibility," they said.
The European powers have repeatedly asked Moscow to shed light on the poisoning which took place on Russian soil, but "no credible explanation has been provided by Russia so far," according to a joint statement issued by the German and French foreign ministers.
Germany and France on Wednesday directly accused Russia of "involvement and responsibility" in the poisoning of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, announcing that they will seek EU sanctions over the case.
The sharpened tone came a day after the UN's chemical weapons watchdog OPCW confirmed Germany, France and Sweden's finding that the Russian opposition leader was poisoned by a nerve agent of the Soviet-developed Novichok group.
Paris and Berlin said they will put to EU partners sanctions targeting "individuals deemed responsible for this crime and breach of international norms, based on their official function, as well as an entity involved in the Novichok program".
Earlier Wednesday, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas had set the stage for the move, telling German lawmakers that sanctions against Russia would be "unavoidable" unless Moscow cleared up the case.
"A serious violation of international law was perpetrated with a chemical warfare agent, and something like that cannot remain without consequences," he said.
"It is clear that if the events are not cleared up, if the necessary information is not provided, then targeted and proportionate sanctions against those responsible on the Russian side will be unavoidable."
Navalny was medically evacuated to Germany in late August after falling ill on a plane and spending several days in a Siberian hospital.
He was discharged after just over a month in the Berlin Charite hospital and has vowed to return to Russia to resume his opposition campaign when he is fully recovered.
Russia has firmly rejected the allegations, lashing out on Tuesday at a "conspiratorial scenario" planned in advance.
New low
The case has plunged Russia's relations with Germany to a new low, as it followed just a year after a murder in a central Berlin park that German prosecutors say was ordered by Moscow.
A Russian suspect is standing trial over the killing, with the court hearing opening Wednesday.
The brazen murder in the heart of the German capital appeared to be a tipping point for Chancellor Angela Merkel, who said in May that the killing "disrupts a cooperation of trust" between Berlin and Moscow.
The German leader has always stressed the importance of keeping dialogue open with Putin, but she has toughened up her tone in recent months.
With tensions running high, calls have grown for Berlin to scrap a controversial 10-billion-euro ($12 billion) pipeline project, which is set to double Russian natural gas shipments to Germany.
Asked during the parliamentary question-time if the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project could be hit, Maas said that "after the discussions we had, it is most likely for the EU to find agreement on a list of people" on whom sanctions would be imposed.


themoscowtimes--2020-10-07--Russia Adds Belarus Opposition Leader Tikhanovskaya to Wanted List

Tikhanovskaya claimed victory against strongman leader Alexander Lukashenko in Belarus ’ Aug. 9 presidential election but fled to neighboring Lithuania soon after , citing pressure from the authorities .
Russia has added Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya to its interstate wanted list on a criminal charge , the state-run RIA Novosti news agency reported Wednesday .
The Russian police database entry says Tikhanovskaya `` is wanted under an article of the Criminal Code '' but does not specify which article .
Russia automatically added Tikhanovskaya to the list after Belarusian authorities added her to their own list , the state-run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law enforcement source .
Russia and Belarus are partially integrated under a union-state agreement .
Belarusian authorities in August opened a criminal probe into alleged attempts to `` seize power '' when opposition figures including Tikhanovskaya formed a Coordination Council to oversee a peaceful transition of power after the election .
Nearly all leading members of the council have been jailed as part of the criminal case or have fled the country .
Russia placed its support behind Lukashenko following the vote , while Europe refuses to recognize the election results and has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says are responsible for vote-rigging and a violent crackdown on protesters .

Tikhanovskaya claimed victory against strongman leader Alexander Lukashenko in Belarus’ Aug. 9 presidential election but fled to neighboring Lithuania soon after, citing pressure from the authorities.
Russia has added Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya to its interstate wanted list on a criminal charge, the state-run RIA Novosti news agency reported Wednesday.
The Russian police database entry says Tikhanovskaya "is wanted under an article of the Criminal Code" but does not specify which article.
Russia automatically added Tikhanovskaya to the list after Belarusian authorities added her to their own list, the state-run TASS news agency reported, citing a law enforcement source. Russia and Belarus are partially integrated under a union-state agreement.
Belarusian authorities in August opened a criminal probe into alleged attempts to "seize power" when opposition figures including Tikhanovskaya formed a Coordination Council to oversee a peaceful transition of power after the election.
Nearly all leading members of the council have been jailed as part of the criminal case or have fled the country.
Russia placed its support behind Lukashenko following the vote, while Europe refuses to recognize the election results and has drawn up sanctions against Belarusian officials it says are responsible for vote-rigging and a violent crackdown on protesters.


themoscowtimes--2020-10-07--‘I Want to Join the Final Battle.’ Armenians in Russia Flock to Karabakh

A large group of men gathered in front of the Armenian Embassy in central Moscow on Tuesday morning — some dressed in expensive suits , others in track pants — waiting to meet the ambassador .
They were members of the Armenian diaspora in Moscow eager to find out how they could help their country in the fighting raging over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region .
Tigran , a 28-year-old taxi driver who has lived his whole life in Moscow and has only visited Armenia once , said he hoped to get more information on how he could join in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nation needed him.
” “ I want to join the final battle for our homeland , ” he said , declining to give his surname .
Others , like Aram Nikosian , a 45-year-old businessman , said they had come to coordinate the delivery of financial assistance to Armenia .
Since Sept. 27 , Armenian and Azerbaijani forces have been engaged in conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh , a mountainous , majority ethnic Armenian region that broke away from Azerbaijan during the collapse of the Soviet Union .
The current fighting is the worst seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two former Soviet republics have been blaming each other for the escalating violence .
Over the weekend , Armenia shelled Azerbaijan 's second-largest city , Ganja , after Azerbaijani forces shelled Nagorno-Karabakh ’ s capital , Stepanakert .
More than 220 people have been confirmed dead , but there are fears the actual toll on both sides could be higher .
The Union of Armenians in Russia said last week that it had compiled a list of 20,000 volunteers willing to join the fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh .
Some of those who have already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told The Moscow Times that they were turned away from the battlefield .
“ I was in Stepanakert a few days ago , they wrote my name down but said I was not yet needed .
At the moment they are only accepting fighters with experience , ” said Levan , a student from Moscow who went to Nagorno-Karabakh with three friends , but is now in the Armenian capital Yerevan .
In Armenia and Azerbaijan , officials announced general mobilizations the day fighting broke out .
Since then , Armenian media have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ volunteers have arrived at the frontlines in Nagorno-Karabakh .
The reports said many have been turned away due to lack of combat experience .

A large group of men gathered in front of the Armenian Embassy in central Moscow on Tuesday morning — some dressed in expensive suits, others in track pants — waiting to meet the ambassador. They were members of the Armenian diaspora in Moscow eager to find out how they could help their country in the fighting raging over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.
Tigran, a 28-year-old taxi driver who has lived his whole life in Moscow and has only visited Armenia once, said he hoped to get more information on how he could join in the clashes, as he felt his “nation needed him.”
“I want to join the final battle for our homeland,” he said, declining to give his surname.
Others, like Aram Nikosian, a 45-year-old businessman, said they had come to coordinate the delivery of financial assistance to Armenia.
Since Sept. 27, Armenian and Azerbaijani forces have been engaged in conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountainous, majority ethnic Armenian region that broke away from Azerbaijan during the collapse of the Soviet Union. The current fighting is the worst seen since a 1994 ceasefire, and the two former Soviet republics have been blaming each other for the escalating violence.
Over the weekend, Armenia shelled Azerbaijan's second-largest city, Ganja, after Azerbaijani forces shelled Nagorno-Karabakh’s capital, Stepanakert. More than 220 people have been confirmed dead, but there are fears the actual toll on both sides could be higher.
The Union of Armenians in Russia said last week that it had compiled a list of 20,000 volunteers willing to join the fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh. Some of those who have already traveled to the region, however, told The Moscow Times that they were turned away from the battlefield.
“I was in Stepanakert a few days ago, they wrote my name down but said I was not yet needed. At the moment they are only accepting fighters with experience,” said Levan, a student from Moscow who went to Nagorno-Karabakh with three friends, but is now in the Armenian capital Yerevan.
In Armenia and Azerbaijan, officials announced general mobilizations the day fighting broke out. Since then, Armenian media have reported that more than 7,000 carloads of volunteers have arrived at the frontlines in Nagorno-Karabakh. The reports said many have been turned away due to lack of combat experience.


themoscowtimes--2020-10-07--Russia’s Security Guarantees for Armenia Don’t Extend to Karabakh, Putin Says

In his first public comments on the deadly conflict since it broke out on Sept. 27 , Putin called the 10-day eruption of fighting a “ tragedy ” whose end is “ still a long way off.
” Russia has walked a thin line between ex-Soviet neighbors Yerevan and Baku , calling for a ceasefire in the latest flare-up but not publicly backing either side .
Russia 's commitments to Armenia as part of a Moscow-led regional security bloc do not include the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region where fighting is raging between Armenia and Azerbaijan , President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are heavy losses on both sides and we hope that this conflict will end as soon as possible , ” Putin told state television in an interview .
The president underscored that Armenia is a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization ( CSTO ) , a Russian-led military alliance between six ex-Soviet states .
Azerbaijan and the breakaway ethnic Armenian republic of Nagorno-Karabakh are not .
“ We have certain obligations as part of this treaty , ” Putin told the Rossia 24 broadcaster .
“ Russia has always honored and will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is deeply regrettable that the hostilities continue , but they are not taking place on Armenian territory , ” Putin said .
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was more explicit , saying Russia 's obligations under the CSTO `` do not extend to Karabakh . ''
Putin has spoken to Armenia ’ s prime minister at least five times since the clashes began on Sept. 27 ; he held his first phone talks with the president of Azerbaijan on Wednesday .
The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has simmered since a 1994 ceasefire , most recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and in clashes in July 2020 .
Reports say that Turkey has deployed Syrian mercenaries and drones in support of its Turkic-speaking ally Azerbaijan in the latest bout of fighting .
Analysts say Ankara ’ s direct involvement risks dragging Russia into a large-scale conflict .

In his first public comments on the deadly conflict since it broke out on Sept. 27, Putin called the 10-day eruption of fighting a “tragedy” whose end is “still a long way off.” Russia has walked a thin line between ex-Soviet neighbors Yerevan and Baku, calling for a ceasefire in the latest flare-up but not publicly backing either side.
Russia's commitments to Armenia as part of a Moscow-led regional security bloc do not include the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region where fighting is raging between Armenia and Azerbaijan, President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday.
“People are dying, there are heavy losses on both sides and we hope that this conflict will end as soon as possible,” Putin told state television in an interview.
The president underscored that Armenia is a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a Russian-led military alliance between six ex-Soviet states. Azerbaijan and the breakaway ethnic Armenian republic of Nagorno-Karabakh are not.
“We have certain obligations as part of this treaty,” Putin told the Rossia 24 broadcaster. “Russia has always honored and will continue to honor its commitments.”
“It is deeply regrettable that the hostilities continue, but they are not taking place on Armenian territory,” Putin said.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was more explicit, saying Russia's obligations under the CSTO "do not extend to Karabakh."
Putin has spoken to Armenia’s prime minister at least five times since the clashes began on Sept. 27; he held his first phone talks with the president of Azerbaijan on Wednesday.
The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has simmered since a 1994 ceasefire, most recently erupting in a six-day war in 2016 and in clashes in July 2020.
Reports say that Turkey has deployed Syrian mercenaries and drones in support of its Turkic-speaking ally Azerbaijan in the latest bout of fighting. Analysts say Ankara’s direct involvement risks dragging Russia into a large-scale conflict.


themoscowtimes--2020-10-08--Russia Convicts 6 Jehovah’s Witnesses on ‘Extremism’ Charges

A district court in the city of Ulyanovsk 800 kilometers southeast of Moscow found four men and a married couple guilty of organizing or participating in “ extremist activity , ” the Jehovah ’ s Witnesses organization told The Moscow Times .
A court in central Russia has handed suspended sentences to six Jehovah ’ s Witnesses on Thursday , its latest crackdown on the religious organization that it banned three years ago .
The court gave them suspended sentences ranging from two to four years .
The court database has classified the details of the case .
Prosecutors last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to seven years for the worshippers aged between 35 and 63 , the Jehovah ’ s Witnesses in Russia group said on its website .
“ We are pleased that they were not imprisoned , yet it remains a gross injustice for them to be convicted simply for their peaceful Christian worship , ” Jehovah ’ s Witnesses spokesman Jarrod Lopes said in an email .
He contrasted the Ulyanovsk case with the “ courageous ” acquittal of a believer in the North Caucasus , the first such ruling since Russia outlawed Jehovah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Yesterday , in Kabardino-Balkarian Republic , Judge Kudryavtseva courageously issued the first ‘ not guilty ’ verdict on one of Jehovah ’ s Witnesses since the 2017 Supreme Court ruling , ” Lopes said .
“ Today ’ s judge , Galina Soshkina , instead aligned herself with those who have facilitated the persecution of Jehovah ’ s Witnesses , flouting the censure of the international human rights community.
” Russia has outlawed an estimated 400 Jehovah ’ s Witnesses branches across the country since the Supreme Court ’ s decision to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since issued a series of lengthy sentences against believers , including several European Union nationals .

A district court in the city of Ulyanovsk 800 kilometers southeast of Moscow found four men and a married couple guilty of organizing or participating in “extremist activity,” the Jehovah’s Witnesses organization told The Moscow Times.
A court in central Russia has handed suspended sentences to six Jehovah’s Witnesses on Thursday, its latest crackdown on the religious organization that it banned three years ago.
The court gave them suspended sentences ranging from two to four years. The court database has classified the details of the case.
Prosecutors last week requested real prison sentences of up to seven years for the worshippers aged between 35 and 63, the Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia group said on its website.
“We are pleased that they were not imprisoned, yet it remains a gross injustice for them to be convicted simply for their peaceful Christian worship,” Jehovah’s Witnesses spokesman Jarrod Lopes said in an email.
He contrasted the Ulyanovsk case with the “courageous” acquittal of a believer in the North Caucasus, the first such ruling since Russia outlawed Jehovah’s Witnesses as “extremists.”
“Yesterday, in Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, Judge Kudryavtseva courageously issued the first ‘not guilty’ verdict on one of Jehovah’s Witnesses since the 2017 Supreme Court ruling,” Lopes said.
“Today’s judge, Galina Soshkina, instead aligned herself with those who have facilitated the persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses, flouting the censure of the international human rights community.”
Russia has outlawed an estimated 400 Jehovah’s Witnesses branches across the country since the Supreme Court’s decision to ban the organization. Russian courts have since issued a series of lengthy sentences against believers, including several European Union nationals.


themoscowtimes--2020-10-08--Kyrgyz Leader Missing as Power Vacuum Persists

The whereabouts of Kyrgyzstan 's pro-Russia president were unknown Thursday as a power vacuum persisted after disputed parliamentary elections plunged @ @ @ @ @ a new bout of political chaos .
Sooronbay Jeenbekov has not been seen in public @ @ @ @ @ 's vote which was won by his supporters but opponents as well as monitors said @ @ @ @ @ .
Clashes have already left at least one dead and hundreds injured , with a @ @ @ @ @ of the polls doing little to ease the tensions .
The crisis is the latest @ @ @ @ @ the volatile ex-Soviet state bordering China which has seen two revolutions and three of its @ @ @ @ @ into exile since independence .
Jeenbekov has called for a return to a rule of @ @ @ @ @ in the parliament have said that there is no way to solve the growing impasse @ @ @ @ @ .
As of Thursday , candidates from self-styled opposition parties claimed to control the state @ @ @ @ @ national security committee and the interior ministry .

At least five people were injured during fresh clashes between rival groups in Kyrgyzstan on Friday as the volatile Central Asian country slipped deeper into crisis. Political factions were jostling for power as President Sooronbay Jeenbekov ordered military forces to enter the capital after claiming he was ready to resign to calm tensions. Fresh clashes broke out Friday afternoon between followers of rival politicians in the center of capital Bishkek, where one of the groups -- an opposition bloc representing several parties -- was holding a rally. One of the five injured during the violence was a prominent youth activist, whom the bloc has proposed as the country's new deputy prime minister. Tilek Toktagaziyev, 29, suffered concussion and was hospitalized after being struck by stones, the health ministry told AFP. 'Live ammunition' Almazbek Atambayev, a former president who was released from jail by supporters during a night of tumult this week, claimed that his car was struck by bullets during the clashes in a video shared on social media. "The former president's car was hit with live ammunition," Kunduz Joldubayeva, a spokeswoman for the ex-leader, told AFP. The assailants were believed to be loyal to Sadyr Japarov, a populist politician who is pressing his own claim to be head of government after hundreds of his supporters flooded the capital in the aftermath of the vote. The conflict between the two groups began with fistfights, said an AFP correspondent, who heard shots fired but could not verify the former president's claim.
Оказывается выстрелы были предположительно по уезжающей машине Атамбаева. Тилека Токтогазиева ранили в голову, ещё весь окровавленный без сознания лежит якобы телохранитель Атамбаева. pic.twitter.com/jUEgdfxhz1 — Nurjamal Djanibekova (@NurjamalD) October 9, 2020
There has been little evidence of a central authority in Bishkek since a disputed parliamentary vote on Sunday sparked protests that morphed into violent unrest leaving one dead and more than a thousand injured. On Friday, Jeenbekov signed off on the resignation of the government in place before the election, which opposition parties say was rigged by massive vote-buying in favor of parties close to the president. Election officials said a date for fresh elections would be set before November 6. Jeenbekov said in a statement early Friday that he was prepared to step down once a new government is formed "and we are back on the path of lawfulness." Later the same day he declared a 12-day state of emergency in Bishkek, including tight controls on movement in and out of the capital. Eyewitnesses saw heavy military vehicles rolling into the city on Friday night. Russia is the dominant foreign power in Kyrgyzstan and has attempted to broker disputes in the past.


themoscowtimes--2020-10-08--Could a Lethal Algae Bloom Have Killed Kamchatka’s Sea Creatures? Some Marine Biologists Think So.

Around the same time as an unexplained event wiped out 95 % of sea-dwelling life off the coast of Russia ’ s Far Eastern Kamchatka peninsula earlier this month , a yellow foam covered an area of water so large it could be seen from space .
That ’ s the clue prompting some of Russia ’ s leading marine biologists to blame the catastrophe on a harmful algae bloom — a rapid growth of naturally occurring algae that can produce toxins lethal for marine life and even humans .
“ From my point of view , in this case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looks more reliable than chemical pollution , ” Yulia Polyak , a senior scientist at the Scientific Research Center for Ecological Safety at the Russian Academy of Sciences in St. Petersburg , told The Moscow Times .
Over a week after locals grabbed national attention by posting shocking images of dead marine animals on Khalaktyrsky Beach on Russia ’ s Pacific Coast , experts are still trying to pinpoint the cause of the mysterious mass die-off .
Scientists have ruled out a volcano-related earthquake , while Kamchatka region governor Vladimir Solodov has rejected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been caused by rocket fuel leaking into the water from a nearby military base .
On Monday he said a laboratory in Moscow did not find the chemical unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine in the water , which would have been present if there had been spillage .
Solodov has nonetheless said he believes the most likely explanation is a spill of some sort of man-made toxin .
Tests have shown petroleum levels four times higher than usual and phenol levels 2.5 times above the norm .
On Wednesday , Russia ’ s Investigative Committee opened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the disaster .
Those levels of petroleum products in the water , though , “ are unlikely to lead to such catastrophic consequences , ” said Polyak , who believes investigators should be testing the water and the dead animals for “ microalgae toxins.
” On Thursday , Russia ’ s Federal Service for Supervision of Natural Resources said it had not found any toxic substances in the water .
Scientists say lethal algae blooms are becoming more common and increasingly toxic worldwide as a result of climate change .
In Florida , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed 589 sea turtles , 127 dolphins and over 100 manatees .
Russia ’ s meteorological service Roshydromet for the Ministry of Natural Resources said in a report on the disaster seen by the VTimes news website that “ even a sharp release of some metal from an unknown source would hardly cause poisoning over such a vast area.
” The document , according to VTimes , also mentions harmful algae blooms , noting that one in the same area in the 1980s led to a mass die-off of fish .
“ A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the almost unlimited affected water area , since phytoplankton blooms can cover very large areas , ” the report says .
Another clue , Polyak said , may be the symptoms that local surfers began reporting in mid-September before the dead animals started turning up on shore , including burns to the eyes , scratchy throats and nausea .
According to the U.S. ’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , symptoms in humans exposed to harmful algae blooms include skin , eye , nose or throat irritation ; stomach pain ; headaches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; vomiting ; and diarrhea .
That Russian authorities are looking so thoroughly at what took place is a credit to the surfers who first reported those symptoms .
When dead crabs , fish , octopuses and sea urchins , among other marine animals , began washing up on shore late last month , they called for governor Solodov to respond .
Not all government bodies took the problem seriously at first .
Kamchatka ’ s Ministry of Natural Resources and Ecology responded with a video of its own captioned : “ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the smell of the air is regular , the beach is absolutely clean.
” In response , local surfer Anton Morozov sent a message and photos of the dead marine life to popular blogger Yury Dud , who posted it to his nearly 4.5 million followers on Instagram .
“ A month has already passed , ” Morovov wrote in the message .
“ There was no reaction to prevent the disaster and save the situation.
” Solodov has since revved into action , inviting journalists and locals to regular updates and discussions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who works at the local Snowave Surf School and helped bring the disaster to national attention .
“ We have to admit that the investigation is happening quite transparently , which in my view for Russia is very rare , ” said Dyba , who is part of an unofficial working group trying to determine the cause of the disaster .
“ I think our work in making a big fuss about it played a big role.
” She also noted that the unofficial working group is getting support from all over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are sending us useful information , ” she said .
“ Clearly this topic struck a chord .
You can look at it as a local problem , but it ’ s also a burning issue for a lot of other regions in Russia.
” In recent years , Russians have begun to worry about ecological dangers .
In 2018 , a poll conducted by the Presidential Human Rights Council found that respondents felt environmental safety was their right most often violated by authorities .
Last month , 22 % of respondents to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Center pollster said the problem that most concerned them was the deteriorating environment — above rising prices , poverty and corruption .
And when Levada earlier this year asked respondents to identify humanity ’ s greatest threats in the 21st century , 48 % named environmental pollution .
Part of this trend has been the near constant presence of some sort of ecological threat seen by Russians as having been caused by the authorities .
In the spring of 2018 , a landfill just outside Moscow leaked toxic fumes that left over 50 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a solution to send the capital ’ s waste north to a new dump near the Shiyes train station in the Arkhangelsk region .
After two years of protests over pollution concerns , they finally decided against the plan in June .

Around the same time as an unexplained event wiped out 95% of sea-dwelling life off the coast of Russia’s Far Eastern Kamchatka peninsula earlier this month, a yellow foam covered an area of water so large it could be seen from space. That’s the clue prompting some of Russia’s leading marine biologists to blame the catastrophe on a harmful algae bloom — a rapid growth of naturally occurring algae that can produce toxins lethal for marine life and even humans. “From my point of view, in this case, the version of harmful algal bloom looks more reliable than chemical pollution,” Yulia Polyak, a senior scientist at the Scientific Research Center for Ecological Safety at the Russian Academy of Sciences in St. Petersburg, told The Moscow Times. Over a week after locals grabbed national attention by posting shocking images of dead marine animals on Khalaktyrsky Beach on Russia’s Pacific Coast, experts are still trying to pinpoint the cause of the mysterious mass die-off. Scientists have ruled out a volcano-related earthquake, while Kamchatka region governor Vladimir Solodov has rejected a popular explanation that it could have been caused by rocket fuel leaking into the water from a nearby military base. On Monday he said a laboratory in Moscow did not find the chemical unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine in the water, which would have been present if there had been spillage. Solodov has nonetheless said he believes the most likely explanation is a spill of some sort of man-made toxin. Tests have shown petroleum levels four times higher than usual and phenol levels 2.5 times above the norm. On Wednesday, Russia’s Investigative Committee opened a criminal case linking the pollution to the disaster. Those levels of petroleum products in the water, though, “are unlikely to lead to such catastrophic consequences,” said Polyak, who believes investigators should be testing the water and the dead animals for “microalgae toxins.” On Thursday, Russia’s Federal Service for Supervision of Natural Resources said it had not found any toxic substances in the water.
A satellite image showing the Kamchatka coastline on Sept. 9 zelenyikot / livejournal / Sentinel Hub / Greenpeace
Scientists say lethal algae blooms are becoming more common and increasingly toxic worldwide as a result of climate change. In Florida, an algae bloom that ended last year killed 589 sea turtles, 127 dolphins and over 100 manatees. Russia’s meteorological service Roshydromet for the Ministry of Natural Resources said in a report on the disaster seen by the VTimes news website that “even a sharp release of some metal from an unknown source would hardly cause poisoning over such a vast area.” The document, according to VTimes, also mentions harmful algae blooms, noting that one in the same area in the 1980s led to a mass die-off of fish. “A feature of this cause of death is the almost unlimited affected water area, since phytoplankton blooms can cover very large areas,” the report says. Another clue, Polyak said, may be the symptoms that local surfers began reporting in mid-September before the dead animals started turning up on shore, including burns to the eyes, scratchy throats and nausea. According to the U.S.’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, symptoms in humans exposed to harmful algae blooms include skin, eye, nose or throat irritation; stomach pain; headaches; neurological symptoms such as muscle twitches; vomiting; and diarrhea. Public outcry That Russian authorities are looking so thoroughly at what took place is a credit to the surfers who first reported those symptoms. When dead crabs, fish, octopuses and sea urchins, among other marine animals, began washing up on shore late last month, they called for governor Solodov to respond. Not all government bodies took the problem seriously at first. Kamchatka’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Ecology responded with a video of its own captioned: “The color of the water is normal, the smell of the air is regular, the beach is absolutely clean.” In response, local surfer Anton Morozov sent a message and photos of the dead marine life to popular blogger Yury Dud, who posted it to his nearly 4.5 million followers on Instagram.
“A month has already passed,” Morovov wrote in the message. “There was no reaction to prevent the disaster and save the situation.” Solodov has since revved into action, inviting journalists and locals to regular updates and discussions, said Katya Dyba, 30, who works at the local Snowave Surf School and helped bring the disaster to national attention. “We have to admit that the investigation is happening quite transparently, which in my view for Russia is very rare,” said Dyba, who is part of an unofficial working group trying to determine the cause of the disaster. “I think our work in making a big fuss about it played a big role.” She also noted that the unofficial working group is getting support from all over the country. “People from all over are sending us useful information,” she said. “Clearly this topic struck a chord. You can look at it as a local problem, but it’s also a burning issue for a lot of other regions in Russia.” Ecological concerns In recent years, Russians have begun to worry about ecological dangers. In 2018, a poll conducted by the Presidential Human Rights Council found that respondents felt environmental safety was their right most often violated by authorities. Last month, 22% of respondents to a poll published by the independent Levada Center pollster said the problem that most concerned them was the deteriorating environment — above rising prices, poverty and corruption. And when Levada earlier this year asked respondents to identify humanity’s greatest threats in the 21st century, 48% named environmental pollution. Part of this trend has been the near constant presence of some sort of ecological threat seen by Russians as having been caused by the authorities. In the spring of 2018, a landfill just outside Moscow leaked toxic fumes that left over 50 children hospitalized. The authorities came up with a solution to send the capital’s waste north to a new dump near the Shiyes train station in the Arkhangelsk region. After two years of protests over pollution concerns, they finally decided against the plan in June.


themoscowtimes--2020-10-08--Ex-German Leader Sues Outlet Over Navalny’s ‘Putin’s Errand Boy’ Claims

Putin ’ s close friend Schroeder , 76 , last week cast doubt on the Kremlin ’ s role in Navalny ’ s near-fatal poisoning with the nerve agent Novichok in late August , calling the claims “ speculation.
” Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has said he will sue a German magazine for defamation over poisoned Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny ’ s comments that he is Russian President Vladimir Putin ’ s “ errand boy ” who receives “ covert payments ” from the Kremlin .
Navalny , who is recovering in Berlin , accused Schroeder of “ receiving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” after leading “ Europe ’ s most powerful country ” in an interview with the Bild tabloid .
“ He himself says that he has no evidence for his insinuations .
However , Bild-Zeitung and bild.de have disseminated these statements without asking my opinion , ” Schroeder wrote on his LinkedIn page Wednesday .
“ I therefore feel compelled to take legal action against the publisher , which has seriously violated my right of publicity , ” the ex-chancellor said , warning other outlets of similar actions .
Schroeder also called on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigate Navalny ’ s poisoning on a flight in Siberia on Aug. 20 .
The 44-year-old opposition leader was medevaced to Germany after two days of treatment in Russia .
The global chemical weapons watchdog this week confirmed Germany ’ s findings , backed by French and Swedish laboratories , that Navalny ’ s samples contained traces of Novichok .
Shortly after stepping down as chancellor in 2005 , Schroeder became chair of the shareholders ’ committee at Russia ’ s Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline project , which faces U.S. sanctions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he was also appointed chairman of the board at Russian state-controlled oil giant Rosneft .
In the Bild interview , Navalny urged the European Union to hit key Russian government figures and others who support Putin ’ s government with entry bans and other sanctions .
Schroeder ’ s successor Angela Merkel has said that Germany would consult with European partners on actions in retaliation to Navalny ’ s poisoning .
France , Britain and the Netherlands have come out in support of additional sanctions on the perpetrators of the attacks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ propose blacklisting officials from Russia ’ s GRU military intelligence agency at an EU meeting next Monday .
Russia denies that it was involved in Navalny 's poisoning .

Putin’s close friend Schroeder, 76, last week cast doubt on the Kremlin’s role in Navalny’s near-fatal poisoning with the nerve agent Novichok in late August, calling the claims “speculation.”
Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has said he will sue a German magazine for defamation over poisoned Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny’s comments that he is Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “errand boy” who receives “covert payments” from the Kremlin.
Navalny, who is recovering in Berlin, accused Schroeder of “receiving shadow payments” and “protecting murderers” after leading “Europe’s most powerful country” in an interview with the Bild tabloid.
“He himself says that he has no evidence for his insinuations. However, Bild-Zeitung and bild.de have disseminated these statements without asking my opinion,” Schroeder wrote on his LinkedIn page Wednesday.
“I therefore feel compelled to take legal action against the publisher, which has seriously violated my right of publicity,” the ex-chancellor said, warning other outlets of similar actions.
Schroeder also called on the Russian government to “transparently” investigate Navalny’s poisoning on a flight in Siberia on Aug. 20. The 44-year-old opposition leader was medevaced to Germany after two days of treatment in Russia.
The global chemical weapons watchdog this week confirmed Germany’s findings, backed by French and Swedish laboratories, that Navalny’s samples contained traces of Novichok.
Shortly after stepping down as chancellor in 2005, Schroeder became chair of the shareholders’ committee at Russia’s Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline project, which faces U.S. sanctions as it nears completion. In 2017, he was also appointed chairman of the board at Russian state-controlled oil giant Rosneft.
In the Bild interview, Navalny urged the European Union to hit key Russian government figures and others who support Putin’s government with entry bans and other sanctions.
Schroeder’s successor Angela Merkel has said that Germany would consult with European partners on actions in retaliation to Navalny’s poisoning.
France, Britain and the Netherlands have come out in support of additional sanctions on the perpetrators of the attacks. Reuters reported that France and Germany would propose blacklisting officials from Russia’s GRU military intelligence agency at an EU meeting next Monday.
Russia denies that it was involved in Navalny's poisoning.