VISUAL REPORTS
Post-Prison, Ukrainian Director Sentsov Plans To 'Shoot Films And Live'
More than five years after his arrest in Crimea, and just three days after his release from Russian custody as part of a prisoner swap with Ukraine, filmmaker Oleh Sentsov says his plans are simple.
InterNYET Creator Andrey Loshak: Putin Sees Internet As Part Of 'Ideological Warfare'
In this interview with Current Time anchor Ksenia Sokolyanskaya, Russian journalist Andrey Loshak discusses the events and trends that prompted him to film InterNYET: A History Of The Russian Internet, a seven-part series premiering on Current Time TV on September 5.
Fast and Furious 9 Stunts Spotted On Georgian Roads
The hit movie franchise The Fast And The Furious has been filming scenes for its latest movie in the Georgian town of Rustavi. Our cameras were there as an armored truck plowed through cars and a helicopter flew overhead.
Tajik Polio Victim Finds A Better Way To Walk, Hands Down
A small Tajik boy who contracted polio and could hardly walk has turned into a man who impresses everyone with his strength as he gets around everywhere on his hands.
OTHER NEWS
Virginia Residents Question Whether Neighbor Was A Russian Informant
As U.S. and Russian officials cast doubt on U.S. media reports that two years ago the CIA extracted a Russian intelligence asset who allegedly provided top-secret information on President Vladimir Putin, efforts to identify the man led to an estate one hour's drive southwest of Washington, D.C.
Two Russians Banned From U.S. Entry For Allegedly Torturing Jehovah's Witnesses
A September 10 State Department statement said Vladimir Yermolayev, head of the Investigative Committee in the city of Surgut; Stepan Tkach, a senior investigator; and their immediate family members "are ineligible for entry into the United States."
Dozhd Head Summoned By Russia’s Investigative Committee
Russia’s Investigative Committee has summoned for questioning Natalia Sindeeva, head of the independent TV channel Dozhd. The request is from the office of Major General Rustam Gabdulin, who is leading an investigation into unauthorised rallies demanding fair elections that took place in Moscow on July 27. (Russian Service)
Judge Suggests Sending Serebrennikov Case Back To Prosecutors
A judge in the trial of Russian theater director Kirill Serebrennikov wants to send the controversial embezzlement case back to prosecutors, contending that the texts of the official charges contained "inconsistent and controversial clauses.".
Russian National Guard Proposes Banning Journalists From Disclosing Soldiers’ Identities
Russia’s National Guard has reportedly proposed to the Presidential Council on Human Rights that journalists covering protests be required to maintain the confidentiality of soldiers and their family members. Another proposal suggests that journalists wear identification vests and establish contact with the police press service and representatives of the national guard. (Russian Service)
Dis-Chord: Pro-Kremlin Rapper Removes Music Video After Backlash
The clip for Moscow, the latest music video by well-known Russian rappers Timati and GUF, has received a record number of dislikes on YouTube, prompting Timati to remove it from the video-sharing platform after just two days.
Poland, Ukraine Hail European Court Ruling On Nord Stream
Russia’s Gazprom says it is analyzing the legal and commercial consequences of a September 10 court ruling that requires reduced gas flows via the Opal pipeline, which connects Germany with Russia’s Nord Stream pipeline.
Ukraine's Parliament Passes Bill On Presidential Impeachment
Ukraine's parliament has adopted a bill spelling out procedures for a presidential impeachment. Under the new legislation, parliament first initiates impeachment proceedings, which must be approved by the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court, and then passed by three-quarters of lawmakers.
ArcelorMittal To Move $400 Million Out Of Ukraine
Europe's largest steel mill, owned by top investor ArcelorMittal and located in Ukraine, is planning to move $433 million out of the country to pay dividends to its parent company. The company faces two probes, one over alleged pollution and another relating to claims of $360 million in unpaid taxes.
Bulgaria Charges Former Lawmaker With Spying For Russia
Nikolai Malinov, a former parliamentary deputy from the Bulgarian Socialist Party who now heads a pro-Russian nongovernmental organization, has been formally charged in Sofia with spying and laundering money for Russian organizations.
Uzbek Students Told To Volunteer Participate In Cotton-Picking Campaign
Cadets of the Uzbek Institute of the National Guard, the Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Customs Institute have told RFE/RL that they had been asked to write letters offering to volunteer to pick cotton. Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoev has publicly committed to stopping the practice of forced labor. (in Russian, Uzbek Service)
Independent Tajik News Agency Facing 'Disruption'
The Committee to Protect Journalists has called on Tajik authorities to investigate the "apparently targeted disruption" of the independent news agency Asia-Plus's websites and to help ensure they are accessible.
Jehovah's Witness In Tajikistan Imprisoned For 'Religious Hatred'
A court in Tajikistan's northeastern city of Khujand has sentenced a Jehovah's Witness to 7 1/2 years in prison after finding him guilty of inciting religious hatred.
PRESSROOM: U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Cites Persecuted RFE/RL Contributors In Ukraine
Speaking on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service, U.S. Ambassador William Taylor, who is currently serving as Chargé d’Affaires, paid tribute to three contributors currently held incommunicado by Russia-backed separatists in Ukraine’s Donbas region, and serving a suspended sentence in Russia-annexed Crimea. “Speaking of heroes, there are three of your colleagues Stanislav Aseyev, Mykola Semena, and Oleh Halaziuk who are not with us today because they are in unfreedom,” he said. (Ukrainian Service)