VISUAL REPORTS
Saakashvili Says He Crossed Ukrainian Border Legally
Former Georgian president and ex-governor of Ukraine's Odesa region Mikheil Saakashvili has defended himself against accusations that he committed a crime by crossing the Ukrainian border on September 10, telling reporters he has a legal Ukrainian passport and it was crime to have stripped him of his Ukrainian citizenship in the first place. Police officially served Saakashvili notice of his illegal entry on September 12.
Azerbaijani News Agency Director Put Under House Arrest
Mehman Aliyev, the head of Azerbaijan’s independent Turan news agency, has been put under house arrest pending his trial on charges of tax evasion and abuse of power.
Cars Torched In Moscow, But Film Screened In Vladivostok
Two cars were torched in Moscow in an apparent reprisal for a controversial film about Tsar Nicholas II. But the film, called Matilda, still had its premiere in Vladivostok.
Kyrgyz Student Signs Songs For Deaf
Sadyk Kaziev learned how to communicate in sign language when he was 10 years old to aid his deaf parents. Now he helps others by interpreting pop songs on Instagram.
OTHER NEWS
Russia Urges U.S. To 'Stop Destruction' Of Bilateral Ties
Russia says Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov has met with U.S. Undersecretary of State Thomas Shannon in Finland’s capital, Helsinki, to address sore spots in Moscow and Washington's relations.
Putin Honors Former Russian Ambassador Kislyak
Russian President Vladimir Putin has awarded former Ambassador to the United States Sergei Kislyak a top state honor in recognition of his "substantial contribution to the realization of Russia's foreign policy."
Turkey Signs Deal To Buy Anti-Aircraft Missiles From Russia
Turkey has signed a deal with Russia to buy S-400 antiaircraft missile systems in its first major weapons purchase from Moscow.
Police Serve Saakashvili Notice On Border Breach
Ukrainian border control authorities have formally read out a document to Mikheil Saakashvili on his illegal entry into Ukraine two days earlier.
Russian Election Monitor Reports 'Illegal Tactics’ During September 10 Vote
The independent Russian election monitoring group, Golos, said low turnout was the result of a lack of competition and voters' distrust of the electoral process.
Moscow Vote Touted As 'Small Revolution' For Russian Opposition
The Russian opposition is claiming success after a grassroots campaign led by Kremlin critic Dmitry Gudkov helped dissenters win a rare toehold in the capital in weekend elections.
Russia Urged To Bring Latynina’s Attackers To Justice
The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists has called on Russian authorities to "identify and prosecute" those responsible for the attacks on journalist Yulia Latynina and to ensure she can "live and work safely" in the country.
Nemtsov Plaque Removed In Moscow
A plaque honoring slain Russian opposition politician Boris Nemtsov that was placed on his apartment building in Moscow has been removed after less than one week.
Supply And Demand Meet At The Estonian - Russian Border
A vigorous import/export market has developed along Russia’s border with Estonia, spurred by a ban on food imports from the EU declared by Russia after the bloc imposed sanctions following Moscow’s 2014 annexation of Crimea. Residents from both sides are exploiting the five-kilogram limit to trundle cheese, meats and other scarce products across the Narva bridge. (Russian Service)
Amnesty Chides Bosnia For Denying Justice To Victims Of Sexual Violence
More than 20,000 survivors of wartime sexual violence in Bosnia-Herzegovina are still being denied justice, Amnesty International said in a report released on September 12.
Former Kazakh National Security Chief Imprisoned
Kazakhstan’s military court has convicted former National Security Committee chief Nartai Dutbaev on espionage charges and sentenced him to 7 1/2 years in prison.
Blogging The Balkans: Serbia’s Treatment Of Migrants