VISUAL REPORTS
Russia Accused Of Stoking Far Right In Georgia
The influence of far-right groups has "dramatically increased" in Georgia, and ultranationalist leaders have connections to the Russian government, according to Transparency International.
Russian Deputy Rails Against iPhones
Russian State Duma deputy Vitaly Milonov derided them as “Speculators, illegal traders, prostitutes, and drug addicts” as people stood in line for the new iPhone in Moscow. Some queued for three days ahead of the sales, with $6,118 the top bid for first place in line. (Current Time TV, Facebook)
Nails And Chili: Uzbek Writer Recalls Torture In Prison
Uzbek writer Mamadali Mahmudov spent much of his life opposing Soviet rule only to find himself imprisoned by authoritarian leader Islam Karimov in an independent Uzbekistan. He speaks proudly of his life after 17 years behind bars.
Hundreds Turn Out At Kazakh Activist's Funeral
Hundreds of oil workers, rights activists, friends, relatives, and colleagues attended the funeral of Maqsat Dosmaghambetov, 35, who died of cancer shortly after serving a six-year prison sentence.
OTHER NEWS
Scripal Suspect Boshirov Alleged To Be Alias For Yanukovich Operative
Exiled Russian journalist Sergei Kanev has told Ukrainian media that Ruslan Boshirov, who is a suspect in the poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter in March, is the alias of GRU colonel Anatoli Chepiga. Chepiga was named a Hero of Russia in December 2014 for his role in extracting embattled Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych from his Kyiv residence earlier that year. Kanev reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s personal body guard and Tula regional governor Alexey Dyumin also received the honor for his role in the same operation. (Russian Service)
Macedonian PM Pledges To Forge Ahead, Despite Referendum Failure
Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev has vowed to follow through with a change to the Balkan state's name as part of a deal to end a decades-old dispute with Greece after low turnout doomed a September 30 vote.
Moscow Objects To British Plans To Boost Military Presence In Arctic
The Russian Embassy in London is objecting to Britain's reported plans to boost its military presence in the Arctic next year to counter what London has called increasing Russian aggression.
Russian Military Death Toll In Syria Reaches 112, Lawmaker Says
The Russian military has lost 112 personnel in the Syrian civil war over the past three years, according to a senior lawmaker who heads a defense committee in Russia's parliament.
Russian Prisoner Who Inspired Anti-Torture Campaign Serves Term
Yevgeny Makarov, a Russian man whose videotaped abuse by prison guards caused a public outcry, has been released from prison after serving his nearly seven-year prison term.
Poroshenko Presents Ex-French Leader Hollande With State Award
President Petro Poroshenko has presented Francois Hollande with one of Ukraine's highest awards, praising the former French leader for his role in introducing European Union sanctions against Russia over its illegal actions in Ukraine in 2014.
New Ukrainian Law Grants Citizenship To Foreigners Fighting In Donbas
Ukraine’s parliament has adopted a law providing a simplified path to citizenship for foreign nationals who have fought on the Ukrainian side in the conflict in the country’s eastern Donbas region. Nationalist organizations rallied in favor of the legislation in demonstrations in front of the parliament that turned violent. (Ukrainian Service)
Georgia's Shops Clear Out Plastic Bags As Ban Takes Effect
Shops across Georgia have cleared their shelves of plastic bags after a government decree took effect that recognizes only biodegradable and compostable bags as legal.
COMMENTARY: Recalling 48 Hours In Moscow During Russia's October 1993 Crisis
PRESSROOM: RFE/RL President Ends Tenure With High Marks For Innovation And Impact