DOCUMENTARY: NOT IN OUR NAME
An RFE/RL research and documentary project seeks to help communities in Central Asia understand and prevent the spread of violence and extremism.
VISUAL REPORTS
Ukrainian Director Sentsov Awarded 2018 Sakharov Prize
Oleh Sentsov, a Ukrainian film director imprisoned in Russia after opposing Moscow's takeover of his native Crimea, has won the European Parliament’s prestigious 2018 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.
Bolton Says U.S. Assessing Russia Sanctions Over Skripal Attack
Speaking in Baku, Azerbaijan, U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton said the United States will assess whether Russia has changed its behavior in the wake of its alleged March 4 attempt to poison ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia.
Ukrainian Security Service Releases Covert Video Of Alleged Russian Agent
A Ukrainian businessman faces trial for treason amid allegations he was tasked with setting up a pro-Kremlin political party. The Ukrainian Security Service has released covert recordings which they say incriminate Timofiy Nahornyy -- who denies the charges.
Russian Deputy Milonov Crashes The Opening Of The LGBT Festival In St. Petersburg
Controversial Russian Duma deputy Vitaly Milonov has crashed the opening of the Side By Side LGBT movie festival in St. Petersburg, interrogating attendees, blocking their entrance to the venue, calling them “homosexual and pervert comrades,” threatening to call the police, and accusing the group of holding an unsanctioned rally. (Russian Service)
OTHER NEWS
Putin Says Russia Will Target European Nations Hosting U.S. Missiles
Russian President Vladimir Putin told a news conference after talks with visiting Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte that if the United States deploys intermediate-range missiles in Europe, Moscow will target the countries hosting them. He also said a new “arms race” will ensue if the U.S. withdraws from the INF treaty, and pledged to put the U.S. decision before the United Nations for a symbolic vote.
With ‘Trident Juncture,’ NATO Seeks To Send Strong Message Of Defense
NATO is launching its largest military exercise since the collapse of the Soviet Union, mustering tens of thousands of troops in what the head of the Western alliance called a "strong display" of its capability, unity, and resolve at a time of growing danger in Europe.
Navalny Lawyer Detained In Moscow
Russian authorities have detained the lawyer of opposition politician Aleksei Navalny's Anticorruption Foundation in Moscow.
Russia Mulls Tougher Penalties For Engaging Minors In ‘Dangerous’ Public Activities
A new draft bill may increase penalties for "engaging children in public activities that impose danger to their health and lives as well as to the lives and health of other individuals." While still vague, the proposal comes amid reports about larger numbers of teenagers taking part in antigovernment protests across Russia since 2017.
HRW Report Faults 'Weak' Russian Response To Domestic Violence
A new Human Rights Watch report finds that serious gaps in Russian legislation, the lack of protection orders, and inappropriate police and judicial conduct deprive women of protection, even when severe physical violence is involved.
Top EU Court Rejects Extradition Appeal By Ukrainian Oligarch Firtash
The European Union’s top court turned away an appeal by Dmytro Firtash, the latest twist for the Ukrainian oligarch whose extradition from Austria the United States has been fighting for since his 2014 arrest in Vienna. The October 24 ruling by the EU Court of Justice paves the way for the Austrian Supreme Court to hear Firtash’s challenge to the U.S. extradition request.
Cyberattack Threats Loom Large Ahead Of Elections In Ukraine
Ukraine’s Security Council and intelligence services are issuing strong warnings about the danger of cyberattacks ahead of presidential and parliamentary elections in 2019, amid concerns about inadequate protections for infrastructure and other targets. 35 cyberattacks on the country’s energy, transport and banking sectors have been reported so far in 2018. (Ukrainian Service)
Belarus Activist Describes Mistreatment And Denial Of Medical Care
Freed after 18 months behind bars on what he contends were false charges, Belarus civil society activist Dzmitry Paliyenka said he was under constant pressure in prison and was denied adequate medical treatment.
Lech Walesa Calls For Global 'Solidarity' Movement For Russia
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Lech Walesa, co-founder of Poland's Solidarity movement and the country's first postcommunist president, has called for a new international "solidarity" movement to propel democracy forward in Russia and respond to Moscow's aggressive foreign policies.
U.S. Delegation Confirms FBI Interest In Cyclist Attack, Raises Human Rights Issues In Tajikistan
Speaking to journalists on October 24 during a visit to Tajikistan, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Central Asia and Press and Public Diplomacy Emilia Puma confirmed that Tajik authorities have invited the FBI to investigate the July 29 attack on western cyclists that killed 4 and injured 2 people. She also said her delegation "raised the issue of free press and free media," and the imprisonment of defense lawyer Buzurgmehr Yorov and other people. (in Russian, Current Time TV)
POLL: More Than A Quarter Of Russians See British Role In Skripal Poisoning
A Levada Center poll finds that 28% of Russian respondents believe that British intelligence services were involved in the poisoning of former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury in March 2018. 3% percent of respondents believe that Russian intelligence may be involved, and 5% think it could be anyone. (in Russian, Current Time TV)
PHOTOGALLERY: 620 Meters Below Ground: A Unique RFE/RL Project About A Coal Mine In Ukraine