VIDEO REPORTS
Moscow marked the second anniversary of the referendum on Russia’s annexation of Crimea with a rally and concert titled “Crimea Is Ours.” President Vladimir Putin appeared on a giant screen, declaring that Crimea symbolizes Russia’s unity and potential. Liberal Democratic party leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky called on Russians to move to the peninsula. (Ukrainian Service)
At voting precinct #535 in the Altau district of Almaty, a man calling himself Rahmetzhan is seen casting five ballots - for himself and four members of his family - before a reporter and members of the election commission. (Kazakh Service)
In Azerbaijan, Economy Casts Shadow Over Novruz Holiday
Azerbaijanis are getting ready for Novruz, the New Year's holiday that heralds the beginning of spring. But many people are worried about how rising prices will affect their family celebrations.
Ukraine Takes Down Largest Remaining Lenin Statue
It took a crane to lift the 20 meter-tall, 40-ton statue of the Soviet leader from its pedestal in the eastern city of Zaporizhia.
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
Guilty Verdict For Savchenko Expected Tomorrow
A judge at the Donetsk city court began reading the verdict on March 21 in the murder trial of Ukrainian military pilot Nadia Savchenko, declaring that Savchenko was driven by "hatred." A guilty verdict is expected. RFE/RL’s Russian Service is live-streaming the verdict from the courthouse here.
Poroshenko Envoy Barred From Savchenko Trial
Ukrainian lawmaker Iryna Gerashenko, President Petro Poroshenko’s envoy to Donbas and a member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, was labeled an “undesirable person” by a Russian border guard and prevented from entering Russia to observe Nadia Savchenko’s trial. (In Ukrainian)
Poroshenko’s Party Endorses Jaresko To Head Government
Spokesperson Yuriy Lutsenko made the announcement on March 20, ruling out the possibility that Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk could remain in the position. (In Ukrainian)
Following last week’s stand-off with riot police after watching authorities sever their gas line, the mostly Roma residents of the village Plekhanova now face the possibility of eviction. (In Russian)
OSCE Says Kazakh Vote Falls Short Of Democratic Standards
“Kazakhstan still has a long way to go towards fulfilling its election commitments, although some progress was noted," an OSCE spokesperson said of the March 20 poll, in which President Nursultan Nazarbaev's Nur Otan party won 82.15 percent of the vote.
Uzbek Law Enforcement Ups The Terror On Citizenry
Terror thrives in Uzbekistan, and it is the representatives of state law enforcement agencies who are responsible. But lately the country's police, security forces, and prison guards have stepped up the brutality for reasons that are not clear.
Commentary: Assignment To Harass
Attempts by authoritarian governments to intimidate and harass RFE/RL journalists only serve to emphasize how well these reporters are doing their jobs, says Nenad Pejic, editor in chief.
PRESS RELEASE: RFE/RL Condemns Pressure Tactics Against Moscow Bureau
INFOGRAPHIC: How Foreign Soviet Republics Rank When It Comes To Happiness