A.M. Agenda

Moscow Vote A ‘Small Revolution’ For Russian Opposition

Russia’s 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. "There has been a revolution in [the voter's] mind," Gudkov told RFE/RL's Russian Service, referring to his coalition’s capture of majorities in more than a dozen district councils, finishing second overall to President Vladimir Putin's United Russia party.

Expert Contacts:

Sergey Khazov-Cassia, Correspondent of RFE/RL’s Russian Service

Khazov-CassiaS@rferl.org , Location: Moscow, Russia

Mikhail Sokolov, Correspondent of RFE/RL’s Russian Service

sokolovmi@rferl.org, Location: Moscow, Russia

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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 declared by Russia on food imports from the EU 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.

Expert Contacts:

Sergey Khazov-Cassia, Correspondent of RFE/RL’s Russian Service

Khazov-CassiaS@rferl.org , Location: Moscow, Russia

Mikhail Sokolov, Correspondent of RFE/RL’s Russian Service

sokolovmi@rferl.org, Location: Moscow, Russia

*****

ICRC Halts Operations In Northern Afghanistan

The International Committee of the Red Cross has announced the full suspension of its operations in northern Afghanistan after a staffer was gunned down and killed in a planned attack in the city of Mazar-e-Sharif on Monday.

Expert Contacts:

Hamid Mohmand, Bureau Chief of RFE/RL’s Afghan Service

mohmandha@rferl.org, Location: Prague Headquarters

Hasham Mohmand, Director of RFE/RL’s Afghan Service

mohmandh@rferl.orf, Location: Prague Headquarters

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International Cricket Returns To Pakistan After Long Isolation

With cricket teams arriving from England, Australia, West Indies, South Africa, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and New Zealand, big-time cricket returns to Pakistan with the first matches planned for today in the eastern city of Lahore. The new series marks the return of international competition after it was suspended over security concerns following a deadly 2009 attack that targeted a visiting team from Sri Lanka.

Expert Contacts

Daud Khan, Editor of RFE/RL’s Radio Mashaal,

khand@rferl.org, Location: Prague Headquarters

Khana@rferl.org, Location: Islamabad, Pakistan

Defiant Saakashvili Makes Way To Lviv

Mikheil Saakashvili, the ex-president of Georgia and former governor of Ukraine's Odesa region, has forced his way into Ukraine across the Polish border in a confrontation in which 17 police and border guards were injured. Police say they’ve launched a criminal investigation into his reentry, and that charges would be pursued against persons who helped organize it.

Expert Contacts:

Christopher Miller, RFE/RL’s correspondent

millerjchristopher@gmail.com , Location: Kiev, Ukraine

Maryana Drach, Director of RFE/RL’s Ukraine Service

drachm@rferl.org, Location: Prague Headquarters

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Russians Vote For Regional Governors, Local Legislators

People across Russia have gone to the polls to elect local and regional councils and governors in the last major vote before a presidential election in March. Opposition candidates in Moscow hope for a strong showing but have accused authorities of trying to discourage voter turnout.

Expert Contacts:

Mikhail Sokolov, RFE/RL’s Russian Service correspondent

sokolovmi@rferl.org, Location: Moscow, Russia

Andrey Shary, Director of RFE/RL’s Russian Service

sharya@rferl.org, Location: Prague Headquarters

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Baku Sentences Turan New Agency Director To House Arrest

A Baku court today ruled to release independent news agency TURAN director Mehman Aliyev from custody, sentencing him to house arrest on charges rights groups have condemned as politically motivated. The decision comes as two rapporteurs for Azerbaijan under the mandate of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe head to Baku later this week.

Expert Contacts:

Ilkin mammadov, Director of RFE/RL’s Azerbaijan Service

Mammadovi@rferl.org, Location: Prague Headquarters

*****

Families Of Tajik IS Fighters To Return Home

Tajikistan is sending its diplomats to Iraq to secure the return of families of Tajik jihadists who fought with the militant group Islamic State and were detained after the fall of Mosul. Around 1,400 people, mostly the wives and children of IS militants originally from Turkey, Tajikistan, and the rest of Central Asia, are reportedly held in Iraqi-run camps.

Expert Contacts

Sojida Djakhfarova, Director of RFE/RL’s Tajik Service

djakhfarovas@rferl.org, Location: Prague Headquarters,

Farangis Najiballah, RFE/RL’s Central Asian Affairs Correspondent

najiballahf@rferl.org, Location: Prague Headquarters,