SvobodaToday

VISUAL REPORTS

THE POWER VERTICAL: Who's Afraid Of Montenegro?

One has to wonder why the Kremlin is getting so hysterical about Montenegro joining NATO.

'We'll Put An End to Putin,' Says Saakashvili

In an exclusive interview with RFE/RL’s North Caucasus Service on June 7 in Vienna, the former Georgian president and ex-governor of Odesa, Mikheil Saakashvili, praised Chechen and Georgian fighters who are helping Ukrainian government forces battle Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine.

Russian Authorities Search Prisoners Rights Group's Headquarters

Authorities have searched the Moscow headquarters of Russia Behind Bars (Rus Sidyashchaya), an NGO that advocates for prison inmates.

OTHER NEWS

Russian Duma Proposes To Block VPNs And Other Circumvention Tools

Russian lawmakers from the United Russia, Communist and A Just Russia parties proposed legislation on June 8 banning the use of internet anonymizers and VPN services inside the country. The bill also proposes fines of up to approximately $12,200 for internet search engines that provide links to officially banned websites. (in Russian, Current Time TV)

Putin Calls U.S. Senator McCain 'Old World,' But Admires His Patriotism

In an interview excerpt released on June 8, Russian President Vladimir Putin said his longtime critic U.S. Senator John McCain is living in the "Old World," but he admires the former Republican presidential candidate's patriotism.

Belarus Sends Chechen Man Back To Russia Despite Fears For His Life

Belarus authorities have sent a man who is wanted in Chechnya back to Russia despite pleas from relatives and warnings from human rights activists that he could be tortured or killed by Chechen law-enforcement authorities.

St. Petersburg Court Orders Scientology Church Leadership Detained

A court in St. Petersburg on June 8 ordered the spiritual leader of the city's branch of the Church of Scientology held in detention for two months.

Protesters Detained Before Vote To Demolish Moscow Soviet-Era Housing

Police detained at least three people during protests outside the Russian parliament as lawmakers prepared to vote on a plan to raze thousands of Soviet-era apartment blocs.

Granddaughter Of Khrushchev Reportedly Struck And Killed By Train

Russian officials say that Yulia Khrushcheva, a granddaughter of the late Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, has died after being hit by a train on the outskirts of Moscow.

Russian State Duma To Host ‘Council Of Bloggers’

In an acknowledgement of the influence of bloggers in Russia, the Duma has invited several to attend a first meeting of a newly created Council for the Development of the Information Society and the Media on June 19. (Russian Service)

Azerbaijan's Energy Minister Aliyev Dies In Turkey After Heart Trouble

Azerbaijani Energy Minister Natiq Aliyev has died in a Turkish hospital, news reports cited Azerbaijani officials as saying.

Georgian Furor Erupts Over Azerbaijani Dissident's Reported Abduction

Georgian civil activists, journalists, and ordinary citizens are outraged at the reports of Afqan Muxtarli’s forcible delivery to Azerbaijan, with many suspecting the Georgian government's knowledge, if not connivance, in the snatching.

Mostar Hosts Contentious Croatian Singer Despite Outrage

The Bosnian city of Mostar is hosting a benefit concert featuring Marko Perkovic Thompson, a Croatian nationalist singer accused of glorifying fascism.

First Tanker With U.S. Natural Gas Reaches Poland

The first-ever transport of liquefied natural gas from the United States arrived in Poland on June 8 as part of Warsaw’s efforts to cut its dependence on Russia.

Shanghai Cooperation Organization Meets In Astana

A summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization is under way in Kazakhstan's capital, Astana.

Kazakh Faces Prosecution In Uzbekistan For Videos On Phone

A Kazakh citizen has been arrested in Uzbekistan over what local authorities said were two extremist videos found on his mobile phone.

THE POWER VERTICAL: The New Oprichniki

MOST READ/UKRAINE: Anticorruption Bureau Investigates Kyiv Mayor Klitschko

Following an investigation by RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service program “Schemes,” Ukraine’s National Anticorruption Agency has opened an investigation of Kyiv mayor and former boxing champion Vitali Klitschko for allegedly failing to declare as assets real estate property used by Klitschko’s family in Hamburg and Los Angeles. (Ukrainian Service)

BLOGGING THE CAUCASUS: Pardon For Jailed Makhachkala Mayor Unlikely

BLOGGING CENTRAL ASIA: Turkmenistan To Spend Money On Useful Project

FURTHER AFIELD: Tehran Terror Attacks Expose Establishment Rifts