VISUAL REPORTS
The Most Interesting Candidates Running For The European Parliament
This week, citizens of all 28 EU member states will elect 751 members to the European Parliament (MEPs). Here's a look at some of the more interesting candidates running for a seat in the chamber.
Medieval Warriors Storm Ukrainian Battlefield
More than 1,000 men and women from dozens of countries took part in a world championship in medieval-style combat in Ukraine, beating their armored opponents with blunt swords and battleaxes.
Lyuli Life: Scavenging, Begging, Polygamy
For the Lyuli people of Central Asia, women are the traditional breadwinners. Some are bucking centuries-old customs.
PHOTOGALLERY: Romania's Museum Of Communist Products
A basement in Timisoara has become a bittersweet mecca for Romanians who lived through communism.
OTHER NEWS
Whelen Says His Case Is Revenge For U.S. Sanctions
A Moscow court has rejected a motion for house arrest and extended the pretrial detention of former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, who called the case politically motivated and revenge for U.S. sanctions.
Russia Denies Visa To Former Senior U.S. Official
Russian media reports that Moscow has refused a visa to former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland, saying she is on a “blacklist” compiled in response to U.S.sanctions against Russian citizens. (Russian Service)
Ukraine's PrivatBank Sues Kolomoyskiy In U.S. Court
A major Ukrainian bank at the center of a scandal involving a powerful billionaire has sued its former oligarch owners in a Delaware court, amid a battle for control that could affect relations with Western lending institutions.
Kolomoyskiy Meets With Key Political Figures
The RFE/RL investigative program Schemes has published video recordings showing that oligarch Ihor Kolomoyskiy, who this month returned to Ukraine after living for several years in Israel, has met with key political figures, including Fatherland party leader Yulia Tymoshenko, Interior Minister Arsen Avakov, and Oleksandr Hranovskiy, a deputy from former President Petro Poroshenko’s block. Kolomoyskiy has denied some of the meetings took place. There is much speculation over his links to newly elected President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. (Ukrainian Service)
Russian Files Chechnya 'Gay Purge' Complaint With European Court
A gay Russian man who says he was abducted and tortured by police in Chechnya has filed a complaint with the European Court of Human Rights after Russian investigators refused to investigate.
Former Kommersant Reporter Says Censorship Nothing New
In the wake of staff firings and mass resignations, a former features editor of the prominent Russian newspaper Kommersant told RFE/RL that "Everything that's happening now … started a long time ago," and called the newspaper’s current troubles “a period [of] half-decay." Staffers have issued a public statement telling readers that "Kommersant will, for an indefinite period, be unable to inform them about Russian politics.”
Ex-Yukos Lawyer Sentenced In Absentia By Moscow Court
A court in Moscow has handed down a 10-year sentence to a former lawyer of the now-defunct oil giant Yukos, Pavel Ivlev, who has been residing in the United States since 2004, finding him guilty of money laundering and embezzling $14 billion.
Zelenskiy’s Party Embraces Libertarianism
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s political party, Servant Of The People, has declared libertarianism as its ideology, stating it favors a “clean liberal economy and minimal government involvement in the regulation of business.” (in Russian, Current Time TV)
Ukrainian Church Leaders Meet Amid Leadership Struggle
Top figures in Ukraine's new Orthodox Church are meeting in a synod amid an apparent power struggle between Patriarch Filaret, an early vocal supporter of the independent Ukrainian church, and the new church's elected head, Metropolitan Epifaniy.
Pro-Russian Party In Bulgaria Takes Aim At Media, Politicians
A pro-Russian party in Bulgaria has published a video featuring a scene from a 2005 TV series in which a man is seen shooting at dozens of people sitting inside a legislative chamber. The text at the end of the video reads, "Vazrazhdane -- Only we can," and Vazrazhdane leader Kostadin Kostadinov told RFE/RL that the video "targets media like yours."
Relatives Blame Belarus Police Raids For Romany Woman's Death
Relatives of an elderly Romany woman who was buried in eastern Belarus on May 22 say her death was caused by "wrongful raids" by special police forces.
Tajik Students, Educators Claim They’re Pressured To ‘Troll’ Government Critics
University students, officials, and lecturers in Tajikistan are being pressured by the state to serve as online trolls to counter opposition figures and other government critics, according to documents and personal testimonies obtained by RFE/RL.
U.S. Producer Tyson Foods Eyes Kazakhstan Expansion
Tyson Foods, the largest U.S. meat producer, says it is exploring expansion into Kazakhstan as it seeks growth overseas. "We’ve visited Kazakhstan and have interest in the nation’s future food production efforts.”
Another Kazakh Activist Gets Draft Notice Ahead Of Presidential Election
A Kazakh opposition activist said authorities have sent him a conscription notice in a move that he says is punishment for his political activities.
COMMENTARY: Of Mosque And State In Central Asia
PRESSROOM: Euronews Reports On Bulgarian Service’s Exposure Of Sofia Real Estate Scandal
PRESSROOM: RFE/RL Joins One Free Press Coalition