RFE/RL Watchdog
1/21/2011 9:13:04 AM
A blog of human rights, media freedom, and democracy developments from RFE/RL's broadcast region.
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Daughter Visits Mother In Iran Jail
A Dutch-Iranian woman,Zahra Bahrami, who has been sentenced to death in Iran on multiple charges, has been allowed a visit from her daughter in Tehran's Evin prison. Bahrami was arrested after participating in Ashura protests against the Iranian regime. She has denied the charges against her. Her daughter, Banafsheh Nayebpor, said she was allowed to visit her mother on January 18. More 
TV Owner Escalates Armenia Feud
The owner of a TV station facing closure has threatened to campaign for the ouster of Armenia's political leadership if it fails to meet his far-reaching political and economic demands. More 
Tajiks Continue Search For Militant Leaders
Tajik government forces continue to hunt for followers of militant commander Alovuddin Davlatov in Tajikabad. More 
Journalist Ponders Reason For Attack
Russian journalist Oleg Kashin, found beaten in Moscow in November, says the attack was related to his professional work. He is currently in Israel undergoing treatment for injuries to his head, jaw, leg and hand. More 
Early Jail Release For Russian Editor
Police filed charges against Aigul Makhmutova after her newspaper published a series of articles criticizing local authorities for demolishing playgrounds in order to build garages. More 
Possible Landmark Kazakh Torture Trial
Five prison guards and four inmates are charged with torturing former army officer Zhandos Saghatov, who is serving a jail term in the town of Zarechny, in the Almaty region, for a drug-related crime. More 
Belarusian Journalist Sentenced For Participation In Protest
Belarusian journalist Barys Haretski has been sentenced by a Minsk court to 14 days in jail for taking part in postelection demonstrations on December 19. More 
Uzbek President To Visit Brussels
A European Commission official says a controversial visit by Uzbek President Islam Karimov to Brussels is part of a European Union policy to strengthen relations with Central Asian countries in such areas as human rights as well as economic and military cooperation. More 
Activists Seek OK For Moscow Rally
Russian opposition and human rights activists have officially asked Moscow city authorities for permission to hold a demonstration in support of freedom of assembly at the end of the month. More 
More Belarus Activists Detained
More political activists have been detained in Belarus, as Minsk set a provisional date for the presidential inauguration following last month's disputed election. More 
Russian Activist Injured In Attack
Two unknown persons opened fire today at the car of Moscow-based civic activist Konstantin Voevodkin. More 
Belarus KGB Searches More Homes
Volha Nyaklyaeva, wife of imprisoned former presidential candidate Uladzimer Nyaklyaeu, told RFE/RL that three KGB officers stopped her as she was leaving her apartment block on her way to meet Durbin early on January 14. She said the KGB officers showed her a search warrant dated January 3. Other searches and raids continued as well. More A spokesman said the latest issue contained articles criticizing the proposed national referendum on prolonging President Nursultan Nazarbaev's term in office until 2020. More 
Kyrgyz Opposition Supporter 'Attacked'
A legislator in the opposition Ata-Meken parliamentary group has asked police to investigate the attack to determine whether it was politically motivated. More 
Another Uzbek Inmate Dies Suspiciously In Prison
The body of Abdulfattoh Raimokhunov, 48, was given to his relatives in the Andijon region on January 11. According to his death certificate, Raimokhunov died of a heart attack on January 8 in the Jasliq (Youth) prison in southwestern Uzbekistan. More 
Prominent Kazakh Opposition Journalist Resigns
The chief editor of Kazakhstan's leading opposition newspaper, "Svoboda Slova" (Freedom of Speech), has resigned. More |
