VISUAL REPORTS
Face Time: Moscow's Massive Use Of Camera Surveillance
The city of Moscow has deployed more than 150,000 cameras with facial-recognition technology to follow the movements of anyone on the streets. The system has been used to track down protesters, but a defense lawyer says it should provide evidence to prosecute police abuse.
Chinese Police Launch Joint Patrols In Serbia
In a new security initiative, Chinese police are starting patrols with their local counterparts in three Serbian cities. Officials say the measures will help a growing number of Chinese tourists feel safe whey they visit Serbia.
The Rise And Fall Of Rambler
Born in a former Soviet research institute, in the 1990s it was the most popular website in Russia and was sold for more than $230 million in 2004. This story is part of a documentary series, "InterNYET", by Current Time TV exploring the history of the Russian web.
Ukraine Photographer Rescues Victim Of Anti-LGBT Mob
In the aftermath of Kharkiv’s first gay-pride parade, one incident stands out for its harrowing violence and the way it was stopped -- by a veteran photojournalist.
Woman Born In A Nazi Camp Wants Belgrade Memorial To Victims
Estera Bajer was smuggled out of a Nazi concentration camp in Belgrade in a bag, moments after her birth. She wants to see a proper memorial built at the site of the Sajmiste camp in the Serbian capital where her mother and an estimated 7,000 other Jews were held before they died.
OTHER NEWS
Influential Tycoon Kolomoyskiy Is Back In Ukraine. And He's Not Keeping A Low Profile
Billionaire Ihor Kolomoyskiy, whose 1+1 television channel propelled Volodymyr Zelenskiy to the Ukrainian presidency, is currently in the spotlight. According to media reports, the FBI is investigating him for alleged financial crimes, including money laundering. Ukraine does not extradite its citizens.
Russia Jails Six More Jehovah's Witnesses
Russian authorities in the southwestern city of Saratov have convicted and handed prison sentences to six Jehovah's Witnesses, a religious group that Moscow has outlawed and labeled as "extremist." Their sentences range from 2 to 3 1/2 years.
Yakut Shaman Protesting Putin Sent To Psychiatric Clinic
A Yakut shaman who was detained while walking across Russia for months "to drive [President Vladimir] Putin out of the Kremlin" has been placed in a psychiatric clinic in his native Yakutia region.
Russian At Risk Of Sharp Increase In Cancer-Related Mortality Rates
The Director of Russia’s Institute of Hematology, Immunology and Cell Technology Alexey Maschan has said that Russia may see a 20% - 30% increase in mortality relating to cancer over the next several years because of a “catastrophic” dearth of both basic and advanced medicines for patients with lymphoblastic and myeloid leukemia. Maschan called for abolishing laws that prevent Western manufacturers from entering the Russian pharmaceutical market. (Russian Service)
Russian Cosmonaut Allegedly Denied Senior Position Because Of American Wife
Russian media reports that the Russian space agency Roscosmos has rejected the candidacy of decorated cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko for a senior position with the Cosmonaut Training Center because of the American citizenship of his wife, Catherine. Malenchenko participated in six space expeditions, including the flight to the International Space Station on the Atlantis shuttle. (in Russian, Current Time TV)
EU Ambassadors Back Romania’s Koevesi For European Prosecutor
Having previously backed French prosecutor Jean-Francois Bohnert, EU ambassadors made a U-turn on September 19, voting in a secret ballot to back former Romanian anti-corruption official Laura Codruta Koevesi to become the first-ever European anti-fraud prosecutor.
Armenian Sacked Police Chief Named Chief Adviser To Pashinian
Armenia's police chief Valeri Osipian was sacked on September 18, two days after the resignation of the National Security Service’s head. The government’s official website later announced his appointment as chief adviser to Pashinian.
Jailed Tajik Lawyer Vorov Receives Human Rights Award
Tajik lawyer Buzurgmehr Yorov has been awarded the Faiziniso Vohidova Human Rights Prize for his contribution to the development of democratic institutions and civil rights in Tajikistan. Speaking to RFE/RL after accepting the award for him, Jamshed Yorov noted the symbolism in his brother receiving the award named for Vohidova, as "both had a role in … protecting the people."
Kazakh President Shuffles Leadership, Names New Foreign Minister
Kazakh President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev has named Mukhtar Tleuberdi the country’s foreign minister, replacing Beibut Atamqulov, who is becoming minister of industry and infrastructure development. Tleuberdi has served as first deputy minister of foreign affairs since 2016.
Uzbek Parliament Promulgates Wedding Restrictions
New legislation approved by the parliament bans citizens from inviting more than 200 guests to weddings and hosting more than 250 persons for the country’s traditional rice dish, pilav. The law also restricts funeral events to no more than three days. Similar restrictions, explained by authorities as part of an effort to limit families’ financial burden, have been in effect in Tajikistan since 2007. (in Russian, Uzbek Service)
MAJLIS PODCAST: Prove They’re Alive! Turkmenistan’s Disappeared
IRAN: Iran Suspended From International Judo Over Israel Boycott Policy
PRESSROOM: RFE/RL Statement On Freedom Of The Media In OSCE Member States