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Bill Banning 'Childfree Propaganda' Gets Initial Approval From Russian Lawmakers
Russia's State Duma on October 17 passed a bill in its first reading that would ban "childfree propaganda," marking the latest expansion of the government's efforts to regulate social discourse.
The bill introduces penalties for promoting the voluntary refusal to have children, with fines reaching up to 5 million rubles ($51,440) for organizations and 400,000 rubles ($4,115) for individuals.
This move builds on existing legislation that targets "LGBT propaganda" and is part of a broader campaign by Russian authorities to defend what they view as traditional values.
The push to ban the so-called childfree movement has gained momentum in recent months, with Russian officials, including Valentina Matviyenko, chairwoman of the parliament's upper chamber, the Federation Council, linking the trend to the "radicalization of feminism in the West."
Matviyenko and other officials argue that this movement, which encourages voluntary childlessness, undermines family values and contributes to Russia's deepening demographic crisis.
Russia is facing a significant population decline, which President Vladimir Putin has frequently described as one of the country's most pressing issues. In response, the government has implemented various measures, including financial incentives for families, efforts to curb abortions, and increasing restrictions on content deemed contrary to family values, such as LGBT-related materials.
Putin has framed these policies as necessary to boost Russia's birth rate and secure its future.
Critics of the childfree ban argue it is part of a broader state agenda to ensure a supply of "future soldiers for the Kremlin," reflecting concerns that the government is using demographic policies to fuel its long-term military needs.
Meanwhile, a recent study by Russia's Higher School of Economics highlights the complexities surrounding the demographic crisis. And according to recent polls, many Russians are postponing or abandoning plans to have children due to the war in Ukraine, political instability, financial difficulties, and rising social anxiety.
These challenges have complicated the government's efforts to reverse the declining birth rate, as the economic and emotional toll of ongoing situation caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine weighs heavily on Russian society.
- By RFE/RL
Chinese Drone Companies Targeted By Latest U.S. Sanctions
The United States on October 17 imposed sanctions on two Chinese companies and an affiliated Russian company involved in making and shipping drones that Russia has used in its full-scale war in Ukraine.
The two Chinese companies designated by the U.S. Treasury Department are Xiamen Limbach Aircraft Engine Company and the Redlepus Vector Industry Shenzhen.
Xiamen Limbach Aircraft Engine Company makes an engine that powers Russia's Garpiya series long-range unmanned aerial vehicles, the U.S. Treasury Department said. Redlepus Vector Industry Shenzhen is involved in shipping the attack drones, the department said in a statement.
A Russian national and a Russian company affiliated with the two Chinese companies also were designated in the sanctions announced on October 17. They are Artem Yamshchikov, general director and beneficial owner of TSK Vektor, which serves as an intermediary between a previously designated Russian company and the China-based suppliers for Russia's Garpiya project.
Yamshikov also directs and owns Limited Liability Company Trading House Vector, the Russian affiliate that was designated for sanctions in the October 17 announcement.
The Treasury Department said the new sanctions are the first U.S. sanctions imposed on Chinese entities that produce complete weapons systems in partnership with Russian firms. Previously imposed sanctions on Chinese entities have targeted those that provided components critical to Russia's military-industrial base.
"Russia increasingly relies on the expertise of foreign professionals and the import of sophisticated technologies to sustain its weapons program and advance its military campaign against Ukraine," said Acting Undersecretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Bradley T. Smith. "We will continue to disrupt the networks that enable Russia's acquisition and use of these advanced weapons."
The Garpiya has been deployed by Russia in its brutal war against Ukraine, destroying critical infrastructure and causing mass casualties, the Treasury Department said.
The drone was designed and developed by China-based experts and is produced at factories within China in collaboration with Russian defense firms before they are transferred to Russia for use against Ukraine, according to the department.
The sanctions freeze any assets held by the individuals and companies in U.S. jurisdiction and bar U.S. persons from conducting business with them.
Israel Confirms Hamas Leader Sinwar Killed In Gaza
Yahya Sinwar, considered to be the mastermind of the October 7, 2023, attack that triggered the war in Gaza between Israel and the militant group Hamas, was killed in what the Israeli Army called a military "operation."
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed Sinwar's death in a post on X on October 17, leaving Iran-backed Hamas, which has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States and European Union, without a leader for the second time in less than three months.
It also represents a major boost to the Israeli military and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been under pressure from many allies, including the United States, for the rising number of civilian casualties in Gaza as a result of the war, and accusations that Israel has been hindering aid supplies to the territory, where hundreds of thousands are living in a growing humanitarian crisis.
"Eliminated: Yahya Sinwar," the IDF said in its post, giving no further details.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz also confirmed Sinwar had been killed, calling it a "victory for the entire free world."
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz also confirmed Sinwar had been killed, calling it a "victory for the entire free world" and "an opportunity for the immediate release of the hostages and paves the way for a change that will lead to a new reality in Gaza."
Earlier the IDF said three "terrorists were eliminated" in a military operation, but that "there were no signs of the presence of hostages in the area" where the operations took place.
Hamas has not officially commented on the reports.
U.S. President Joe Biden said in a statement that DNA tests had confirmed Sinwar is dead.
"This is a good day for Israel, for the United States, and for the world," he said. "As the leader of the terrorist group Hamas, Sinwar was responsible for the deaths of thousands of Israelis, Palestinians, Americans, and citizens from over 30 countries."
Biden said it was on Sinwar's orders that Hamas militants invaded Israel on October 7, 2023, and committed "massacres, rapes, and kidnappings."
Vice President Kamala Harris also commented on the death of Sinwar, saying Hamas is no longer capable of carrying out another October 7 and "gives us an opportunity to finally end the war in Gaza."
Sinwar replaced Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in a suspected Israeli strike in a Tehran suburb on July 31.
Sinwar was previously the head of Hamas's armed wing and widely seen as the mastermind of the group's October 7 attack that killed some 1,200 Israelis. Some 240 others were taken hostage. He was believed to be hiding in Gaza.
While Israel has not claimed responsibility for some of the deaths of senior Hamas officials, it has admitted to killing others, including Saleh al-Arouriand Mohammed Deif, the movement's military commander.
Some analysts and diplomats said Sinwar's death may offer an opportunity for Netanyahu to halt Israel's campaign in Gaza.
"I hope that the disappearance of the Hamas leader will lead to a cease-fire in Gaza," Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said.
The Republican speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, said Sinwar's death should bring "relief" to Israel.
On October 15, the United States, Israel's biggest ally, threatened to cut some military assistance if the Israeli government did not boost humanitarian aid access to Gaza within 30 days.
In the letter, signed by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Washington noted its "deep concern" about "the deteriorating humanitarian situation" in the region, accusing Israel of impeding almost 90 percent of the humanitarian aid being transported within Gaza in September.
The war in Gaza has spilled over into Lebanon, where another Iran-backed group, Hezbollah, has been battling Israeli forces as well.
Hezbollah is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, while the European Union blacklists its armed wing but not its political party. Hezbollah's political party has seats in the Lebanese parliament.
Clashes Erupt Between Rival Orthodox Groups At Cathedral In Ukraine
A violent confrontation broke out between believers of rival Orthodox churches after the handover of a cathedral in the central Ukrainian city of Cherkasy.
St. Michael's Cathedral, which has been designated a garrison church for Ukraine's armed forces, was the site of a night liturgy when about 100 people in camouflage and balaclavas forcefully broke into the grounds early on October 17.
The tensions surrounding St. Michael's Cathedral follow Ukraine's broader efforts to curb the influence of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), which has historically been linked to the Russian Orthodox Church.
Despite declaring independence from Moscow in 2022, the UOC is still viewed with suspicion by Ukrainian authorities due to its alleged pro-Russian stance.
Video from the incident escalating into a physical clash between believers of the rival churches.
Several people were injured in the clashes and were being treated by doctors, according to Zoya Vovk, a spokeswoman for the National Police in the Cherkasy region.
UOC representatives reportedly broke through the entrance gates and lobbed tear gas into a crowd of Orthodox Church of Ukraine believers.
Witnesses said the church's UOC priests and parishioners barricaded themselves inside the cathedral and refused entry to others.
An RFE/RL correspondent reported from the site that the confrontation ended only after police and activists arrived.
The senior military chaplain of the Cherkasy region, Father Nazariy, told RFE/RL that local worshipers had initially occupied the church at night, but were later ejected by what he described as "Russian activists" loyal to the Moscow Patriarchate.
"Prayers for our soldiers should be heard here," Father Nazariy said, adding that UOC members shunned Ukrainian soldiers, viewing them as enemies.
A service in Ukrainian was eventually held in the church.
Vovk confirmed that an investigation for "hooliganism" had been opened.
Tajik Opposition Leader Jailed For 30 Years
A court in Dushanbe has sentenced the leader of an opposition group that has been sharply critical of the government and another group member to lengthy prison sentences for "extremism." Suhrob Zafar, the leader of Group 24, and Nasimjon Sharifov were sentenced to 30 years and 20 years in prison, respectively. The sentences were handed down a week earlier, sources told RFE/RL on October 17. Group 24 was founded by businessman Umarali Quvatov, who was assassinated in Turkey in 2015. The group has been a vocal critic of the Tajik government and advocates for democratic reforms. Tajik authorities have labeled it "extremist," though Zafar and other members deny any involvement in terrorism, insisting their cause is peaceful. During their final statements, both Zafar and Sharifov expressed no regret, with Zafar maintaining that he had neither harmed anyone nor betrayed his people. Sources suggest the two men are unlikely to appeal, with Zafar indicating he was prepared for prison and even death. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Tajik Service, click here.
- By Current Time
Belarusian Opposition Politician's House To Be To Auctioned Off
City authorities in Minsk have put the home of Valer Tsapkala up for auction as part of a broader crackdown on government critics in exile. Tsapkala’s 418.3-square-meter house, listed at 2.1 million Belarusian rubles ($641,500), follows the earlier sale of his apartment in April. Tsapkala, a businessman and former ambassador to the United States, fled the country fearing arrest after his attempt to run for president in 2020 was denied. His assets were seized after he was sentenced in absentia to 17 years in prison for charges including violating national security and financing terrorism. The seizures were enabled by a 2023 law allowing the confiscation of property from individuals deemed to have committed "unfriendly actions" toward the Belarusian state. Last week, authorities seized the family home of journalist Alyaksey Dzikavitski, the acting director of independent news outlet Belsat TV. Other opposition figures targeted under the law include political prisoner Viktar Babarika and opposition leader in exile Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, as authoritarian ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka’s regime continues its repression of dissidents. To read the original story by Current Time, click here.
Moldovan Police Arrest 'Provocateurs' Trained In Russia, Balkans
Moldovan authorities say they have exposed a network of more than 100 people trained in Russia and the Balkans to provoke post-election unrest in the southeastern European country and have arrested several suspects.
Pro-Western President Maia Sandu is running for a second term on October 20 in an election that takes place simultaneously with a referendum to decide whether Moldovans want their impoverished country of 2.5 million people to pursue integration into the European Union.
Moldovan police chief Viorel Cernauteanu told a news conference in Chisinau on October 17 that the network was financed by Russia-friendly fugitive oligarch Ilan Shor, who is wanted in Moldova for his involvement in the theft of some $1 billion from the impoverished ex-Soviet republic's banking system about a decade ago.
Cernauteanu said four people were arrested and placed in pretrial custody for 30 days following extensive searches by police and Moldova's Intelligence and Security Service (SIS).
Authorities have released hidden-camera videos purporting to depict training sessions in Russia, Serbia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina. In one video, young people standing on a stage in what appears to be a training hall mock a protest and chant slogans such as "Our language is Russian," "No dual citizenship," and "We don't want to be in Europe."
Another video purportedly shows a training camp said to be in the Balkans where young men are appear to be learning how to make explosives and pilot drones.
The investigators said the approximately 100 young people who took part in the alleged training were around 20 years old. They started traveling to Russia in June and some of them underwent additional training at camps in Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina belonging to Russian mercenary groups Ferma and Wagner, authorities said.
Among the coordinators of the action is Konstantin Potyomkin, who has ties with the notorious Wagner group.
SIS chief Alexandru Musteata said Moldovan authorities "have the situation under control," and the degree of risk regarding possible destabilization is now "low."
Under Sandu's government, Moldova secured EU candidate status in 2022 and opened accession talks with the bloc earlier this year after siding with Ukraine following Russia's unprovoked invasion, in a radical U-turn toward the West and away from Moscow's decades-long influence.
The two polls are seen as crucial for the future of the former Soviet republic and come amid a hybrid campaign of disinformation employed by Russia to scare Moldovans away from the European Union and keep them in Moscow's orbit.
Moldovan and several Western governments have warned that Russia and Shor plan to organize mass unrest if the elections and the referendum will have results contrary to the Kremlin's liking.
Most recently, the United States has warned about Moscow's campaign to derail Moldova's path toward integration in the Euro-Atlantic community.
"Russia is working actively to undermine Moldova's election and its European integration," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told journalists on October 15.
"In the last several months, Moscow has dedicated millions of dollars to influencing Moldova's presidential election. We assess that this money has gone toward financing its preferred parties and spreading disinformation on social media in favor of their campaigns," Kirby said.
Kirby has previously said Russia's eventual goal was to bring in a pro-Moscow government in Chisinau.
The revelations came a day after Moldova's Foreign Ministry said it had "taken note" of reported attempts to organize the "illegal" transportation of voters to polling stations opened in Russia for the elections.
The ministry said in a statement on October 16 that the alleged plans would aim to "question the legitimacy of the poll" and artificially induce "the impression of crowds" at the two polling stations due to be opened at the Moldovan Embassy in Moscow -- the only ones available on Russia's territory.
The statement does not indicate the source of the information or say who would make such plans. The Central Electoral Commission (CEC) did not immediately comment on such concerns.
Foreign Minister Mihai Popsoi has separately said he had signals that Moscow "would try to organize the transport of voters" and warned that Moldovan electoral authorities would take "necessary measures," without elaborating.
Moldova will open 228 polling stations in 37 countries for the October 20 elections -- nearly 100 more than for the 2020 presidential election.
During parliamentary elections in July 2021, 17 polling stations were opened in Russia. Reports from the field found few people came to such stations.
- By RFE/RL
Britain Slaps Sanctions On 18 More Russian Tankers, 4 LNG Vessels
Britain has imposed sanctions on 18 more Russian oil tankers and four liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers in what the government said amounted to the largest move against Moscow's "shadow fleet" circumventing restrictive measures by the West following Moscow's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. "18 more shadow fleet ships will be barred from U.K. ports and unable to access world-leading British maritime services, bringing the total number of oil tankers sanctioned to 43," the government said in a statement. It said the oil tankers targeted by the latest sanctions are estimated to have hauled $4.9 billion-worth of oil over the past year. Russian gas company Rusgazdobycha JSC was also placed under sanctions, the statement said. "I have made it my personal mission to constrain the Kremlin, closing the net around [Russian President Vladimir] Putin and his mafia state using every tool at my disposal," the statement quoted Foreign Secretary David Lammy as saying.
Kazakh National Soccer Coach Fined For Language Joke
Kazakh national soccer team coach Stanislav Cherchesov, a Russian national, has been fined by the national federation for making an insensitive comment regarding the Kazakh language. Federation President Adliet Barmenqulov on October 16 announced the disciplinary action over an incident that occurred last weekend, when Cherchesov responded to a reporter's question in Kazakh with a joke comparing the language to French, sparking public outrage. Cherchesov was fined 738,400 tenges ($1,500) and underwent counseling about the importance of respecting the state language. Despite defending Cherchesov's humor as a misunderstanding tied to the reporter's French soccer jersey, critics argue the comment was inappropriate. This marks the latest in a series of language-related controversies surrounding the Russian coach, highlighting the sensitivity of linguistic issues in Kazakhstan, especially in the context of broader geopolitical tensions following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Kazakh Service, click here.
Kyrgyz Government Critic Loses Appeal Against 3-Year Prison Sentence
The Bishkek City Court on October 17 rejected an appeal by Kyrgyz government critic Askat Zhetigen and upheld his three-year prison sentence. Zhetigen was convicted in July of calling for an attempt to seize power, a case he and rights organizations have strongly contested. He was, however, acquitted of a separate charge related to inciting mass unrest. Zhetigen, a poet, composer, and activist, gained attention in 2021 for speaking out on social media on cultural and political issues, including government reforms and the treatment of critics under President Sadyr Japarov. The charges stemmed from a video in which he criticized Japarov's administration. Zhetigen has claimed that he was tortured while in custody, allegations that the New York-based Human Rights Foundation has called for an independent investigation into. It has also condemned the charges as fabricated and demanded Zhetigen's immediate release. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service, click here.
- By RFE/RL
Zelenskiy Presents His Ukraine 'Victory Plan' To EU, NATO Leaders
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on October 17 outlined details of his "victory plan" -- a set of measures he says would turn the tide of the war in Kyiv's favor -- to Ukraine's EU and NATO allies as he seeks to convince them to invite Ukraine to join NATO and secure more military aid ahead of a difficult winter on the battlefield and in its battered cities.
"If we start now and follow the victory plan, we can end this war no later than next year," Zelenskiy told EU leaders.
He told reporters the plan aims "to strengthen Ukraine" and pave the way for a diplomatic solution to end the conflict.
"This plan doesn't depend on Russian will, only on the will of our partners," he said before addressing leaders at an EU summit.
Zelenskiy also warned that his country has intelligence information that 10,000 troops from North Korea are being prepared to join Russian forces fighting against his country, calling any North Korean involvement "the first step to a world war."
Ukraine's Western allies have yet to confirm Kyiv's assertion that Pyongyang is sending troops, though they say they are studying it.
NATO Secretary-General Mark said at a joint press conference with Zelenskiy that NATO had seen no evidence North Korean soldiers are involved in the fight, but added it is known North Korea is supporting Russia with weapons and technology and "that is highly worrying."
As Zelenskiy prepared to pitch his proposed plan in Brussels first to the EU summit and then to a meeting of NATO defense ministers, Ukraine was subjected to a fresh wave of drone strikes that targeted the Kyiv and critical energy infrastructure in the south.
The Ukrainian leader partially unveiled his victory plan measures in a speech to Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, on October 16, after presenting the five-point plan -- which he said has three secret appendices -- to Ukraine's main Western allies, including U.S. President Joe Biden and the leaders of Britain, France, Germany, and Italy.
The plan, which rules out ceding Ukrainian territory, calls for an invitation for Kyiv to join the NATO military alliance and the deployment of a strategic nonnuclear deterrent package in Ukraine.
So far, while declaring that Ukraine will eventually become a member, NATO has not given a clear deadline, and Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Kyiv's intention to join the alliance was one of the reasons for Russia's invasion.
WATCH: Ukraine has two options, either nuclear weapons or NATO membership, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said.
The Kremlin reacted to Zelenskiy's "victory plan" on October 17 by saying it would lead to further escalation with the risk of direct conflict between Russia and NATO, Russian state news agency TASS reported.
Rutte, speaking at the joint press conference, said NATO is working to get Ukraine ever closer to the alliance, adding it was essential NATO continued to provide the country with military aid.
"Ukraine will be member of NATO, there is no doubt about it, and until that happens we will make sure that Ukraine has everything it needs to prevail," he said.
Rutte told journalists earlier that the organization is with Ukraine "for the long haul" and wants Kyiv to be in a strong position before it opens negotiations with Moscow.
U.S. Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith told reporters on October 16 that while Kyiv's path toward eventual NATO membership was "irreversible," she said "we are not at the point right now where the alliance is talking about issuing an invitation in the short term."
WATCH: Residents of two Ukrainian cities -- Mykolayiv and Odesa -- shared their thoughts about President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's "victory plan."
Separately, EU Council President Charles Michel told reporters before heading into the summit that the 27-member bloc needs to speed up its support for Ukraine, both militarily and financially.
One of Zelenskiy's main requests is calling for the "lifting by partners of restrictions on the use of long-range weapons on the entire territory of Ukraine occupied by Russia and on Russian territory and on enemy military infrastructure" and help in "equipping our reserve brigades."
Zelenskiy said on October 17 that he had discussed the plan again during a phone call with Biden the previous evening.
"I am grateful to President Biden, both parties in Congress, and the American people for the $425 million defense package announced today, which includes new air defense systems and long-range weapons," Zelenskiy wrote on X.
"We also talked about how our teams will work on the points of the victory plan," he added.
However, ahead of the NATO meeting with Zelenskiy, Smith told reporters on July 16 that Washington's position on the restrictions to use long-range weapons deeper inside Russia remained unchanged.
"I don’t have anything to announce about a change in U.S. policy. I see that we still are at the same place where we’ve been, and that is that we will get Ukraine all the assistance that it needs to defend its territory," she said.
On October 17, Russia attacked Ukraine with 56 drones and one cruise missile, the Ukrainian Air Force reported. The head of Kyiv's military administration, Serhiy Popko, said the capital was attacked by Russian drones, while Vitaliy Kim, the governor of Mykolayiv, said Russian strikes targeted energy infrastructure in the southern region.
Ukrainian air-defense systems shot down 22 Russian drones over the Sumy, Kyiv, Poltava, Chernihiv, Zhytomyr, Mykolayiv, Cherkasy, Odesa, and Ternopil regions, while 27 drones were forced down by electronic jamming, the air force said.
Russia's Defense Ministry, meanwhile, said its air-defense systems shot down 13 Ukrainian drones over three of its regions early on October 17.
With reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP
Another Russian Anti-War Activist Forced To Leave Serbia, NGO Says
Another Russian anti-war activist has been denied a request for a temporary residency permit in Serbia and ordered to leave the country, the Russian Democratic Society announced on October 16.
The organization said in a statement that the decision showed that the "persecution of Russian citizens in Serbia due to their anti-war views unfortunately continues."
The Serbian Interior Ministry (MUP) on September 16 rejected Anton Bobryshev's request for a temporary residency permit based on ownership of real estate and ordered him to leave the country within 30 days.
Three days later, the MUP issued a new decision ordering him to leave the country within 30 days.
Petr Nikitin of the Russian Democratic Society told RFE/RL that Bobryshev filed appeals against both decisions.
Bobryshev's lawyer also submitted a request to the Administrative Court to postpone the order to leave the country, which could not be carried out while the appeal process on the refusal of temporary residence is ongoing.
Nikitin said Bobryshev participated in anti-war rallies in Belgrade and organized a rally in June 2023 in Pancevo, a city northeast of Belgrade, in support of opposition politician and Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny, who died in prison in Russia in February.
RFE/RL asked the MUP to clarify the decision not to allow Bobryshev to stay temporarily in Serbia but did not receive an answer.
Bobryshev and his wife moved to Serbia eight years ago.
The cancellation of the temporary residency permits of certain members of the Russian diaspora who participated in anti-war protests began in the summer of 2023 after the United States imposed sanctions on the then-director of the Security Agency (BIA), Aleksandar Vulin, due to his ties to Russia and other things.
In July 2023, a temporary residency permit was denied to anti-war activist Vladimir Volokhonsky, and then a month later to Yevgeny Irzansky. Both had expressed a clear anti-war attitude toward Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In both cases, the MUP said that there were "security obstacles" to extending their stay.
In March 2024, the MUP refused to issue a permanent residency permit to the three-member Russian family Tereh. The reason for the refusal was also linked to security.
A more recent example is the case of Yelena Koposova, a Russian citizen whose application for permanent residence was rejected for the second time in August. The MUP explained the decision by saying that the security service had data "which is an obstacle to the approval of its request."
Koposova, a literary translator from St. Petersburg, moved to Serbia with her husband and two children in 2019 and purchased a house.
The police and the BIA have not responded to RFE/RL's inquiries since the banning of Russian citizens who oppose the war began in the summer of 2023.
Serbia has refused to join Western sanctions against Russia for 2 1/2 years, and Serbian officials are among the few in Europe who meet with Kremlin officials.
- By RFE/RL
Ethnic Serb Who Concealed War Crimes Charges Sentenced To 3 Years In U.S.
A 56-year-old ethnic Serb has been sentenced in the United States to three years in prison for possessing a residency permit obtained illegally by concealing his actions during the Yugoslav civil war more than 30 years ago.
Jugoslav Vidic falsely stated that he had never been charged with breaking any law when he applied to become a permanent resident of the United States, the U.S. Justice Department said in a news release on October 16.
He had in fact been charged in Croatia with a war crime against the civilian population before emigrating to the United States as a refugee in 1999.
"I never had any intent to do harm," Vidic told the court through an interpreter when he was sentenced on October 15. "I wanted to come here for the sake of my family."
Defense attorney Daniel Misiewicz said during the hearing that his client built a life as a sausage-maker in Parma Heights, a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. He was also a devout member of his church and a dedicated father of two, Misiewicz told the court, according to the local news outlet Cleveland.com.
"This is an extremely sad and difficult day," Misiewicz said. "He'll face the ultimate punishment of being deported after he built a life here."
In addition to concealing the war crimes charges, Vidic also made false statements about his past military service, saying he was in the Yugoslav Army from 1988 to 1989 when in fact he fought with the Serbian Army of Krajina and its predecessors during the civil war in the former Yugoslavia from 1991 to 1995.
Vidic pleaded guilty to one count of possessing an alien registration-receipt card -- known as a Green Card -- knowing it had been procured through materially false statements, the Justice Department said. As part of the plea agreement, Vidic agreed to be deported after he serves his three-year sentence in the United States.
Vidic admitted in his plea agreement that he was charged with a war crime in Croatia in 1994 and convicted in absentia in 1998 and admitted that he knew about the charges when he immigrated to the United States.
The Croatian court found that during an attack by ethnic Serbian forces in Petrinja, Croatia, on September 16, 1991, Vidic cut off the arm of civilian Stjepan Komes and let him bleed to death.
"Jugoslav Vidic lied about war crimes charged against him in an attempt to escape his past and live in the United States unlawfully," said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole Argentieri, head of the Justice Department's Criminal Division.
"His sentence demonstrates that human rights violators will not be allowed to hide from their crimes in the United States," Argentieri added.
Katrina Berger, executive associate director of Homeland Security Investigations, said she hoped the sentencing of Vidic "provides some measure of solace to the victims' families with the knowledge that despite the passage of time, the United States will seek justice."
- By RFE/RL
Biden Announces $425 Million In Security Aid For Ukraine
U.S. President Joe Biden announced a $425 million security assistance package for Ukraine as he updated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on his efforts to "surge" security assistance to Ukraine over the remainder of his term in office, the White House said on October 16.
The package includes additional air-defense capability, air-to-ground munitions, armored vehicles, and critical munitions to meet Ukraine's urgent needs, according to a White House statement that said Biden spoke by phone with Zelenskiy about addition U.S. aid to the country as it battles Russia's full-scale invasion.
Ukraine Briefing: News & Analysis Of Russia's Invasion
RFE/RL's Ukraine Live Briefing gives you the latest developments on Russia's invasion, Western military aid, the plight of civilians, and territorial control maps. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here.
"In the coming months, the United States will provide Ukraine with a range of additional capabilities, including hundreds of air-defense interceptors, dozens of tactical air-defense systems, additional artillery systems, significant quantities of ammunition, hundreds of armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles, and thousands of additional armored vehicles, all of which will help to equip Ukraine's armed forces," the statement said.
During the phone call, Zelenskiy updated Biden on his plan to achieve victory over Russia, and the two leaders "tasked their teams to engage in further consultations on next steps," the statement said.
Biden aims to shore up U.S. military support for Ukraine ahead of the November 5 election, which could return President Donald Trump to the White House in January. Trump has indicated he would seek to end the war quickly through negotiations, and many Republicans in Congress, including Trump's running mate, Senator J.D. Vance (Republican-Ohio), have opposed sending more military aid to Ukraine.
Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for president, have criticized Trump for saying he could quickly end the war, saying this would only allow Moscow to hold on to the parts of Ukraine that it currently occupies and seek further gains.
The White House statement said Biden and Zelenskiy committed to intensify security-assistance planning alongside Ukraine's international partners in order to ensure that Kyiv has the equipment it needs to prevail.
As part of this effort, Biden will host a virtual meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in November to coordinate their additional assistance, the statements said.
White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said earlier on October 16 that U.S. support for Ukraine will be a big part of Biden's trip to Germany later this week.
Biden will not be able to meet with Zelenskiy while he is in Europe, but Jean-Pierre said that the United States wants to "be there for the Ukrainians" as they continue to battle Russian forces.
Biden rescheduled his visit to Germany after his original travel plan had to be scrapped last week because of Hurricane Milton.
Tashkent Denies Taliban Demanded Music Ban At Border Trade Center
The Uzbek Foreign Ministry has rejected Afghan media reports saying that the Taliban-led government of Afghanistan requested the cancellation of concerts or other musical events at a trade center located on the shared border.
The statement comes after the Afghan outlet Atlaspress reported on October 14 that the Taliban had requested the Uzbek government stop hosting musical performances at the Termiz International Trade Center.
WATCH: The Taliban announced in August that it had destroyed over 20,000 musical instruments in Afghanistan in the past year. The extremist group considers instruments un-Islamic and permits only unaccompanied singing.
According to the publication, the Taliban allegedly warned that if this request was not fulfilled, Afghan citizens might be barred from visiting the facility.
The Taliban, who follow their own interpretation of Islamic law, have been known to oppose music and public musical performances, which they consider contrary to their religious principles. This could explain why such a request may have been made to Uzbekistan, as musical events are held regularly at the center.
In a statement to Gazeta.uz on October 15, the Uzbek Foreign Ministry clarified that no such request had been made.
"We have not received any formal communication from the Afghan side regarding the cancellation of any concerts or music-related events at the Termiz International Trade Center," the ministry's press service confirmed.
The Termiz International Trade Center, which opened in late August, serves as a free-trade zone where visitors, including Afghans, can trade for up to 15 days using multiple currencies without needing a visa.
The center regularly hosts entertainment events, including musical performances and concerts by Uzbek artists.
Despite the claims from Afghan media, the Uzbek government continues to operate the center as usual, with no disruptions to the planned entertainment and cultural programs.
The center remains a key hub for cross-border trade and interaction, further strengthening ties between the two neighboring countries.
With reporting by Atlaspress and Gazeta.ru
- By RFE/RL
U.S. Targets Sanctions Evasion Network That Funnels Money To Hezbollah
The United States imposed sanctions on October 16 on individuals and companies that it said are part of a sanctions evasion network that funnels millions of dollars to Hezbollah in part through sales of illegal amphetamines.
The action targets three individuals and four Lebanon-based companies linked to Hezbollah's "finance team." The individuals have registered companies in their own names in order to conceal Hezbollah's interest in the activities, the Treasury Department said in a statement.
"The companies in turn provide Hezbollah potentially lucrative business opportunities while also providing them access the formal financial system," according to the department.
The sanctions build on designations imposed in September on other individuals and entities linked to Hezbollah's corporate network. Those sanctions targeted Hezbollah finance officials who the department said masquerade as ordinary Lebanese business owners, as well as several of their companies.
The Treasury also placed sanctions on three individuals involved in the production and sale of the amphetamine known as captagon, who it said have funded the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and its allies, including Hezbollah.
"Today's action underscores [Hezbollah's] destabilizing influence within Lebanon and on the wider region, as the group, its affiliates, and its supporters continue to finance their operations through covert involvement in commercial trade and the illicit trafficking of captagon," Bradley Smith, acting undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, said in the statement.
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement that the sanctions were imposed in support of the objectives of the Illicit Captagon Trafficking Suppression Act passed by Congress last year and signed by President Joe Biden in April.
The law requires the president to impose sanctions on foreign persons "determined to engage in activities or transactions to contribute to the illicit production and proliferation of captagon."
Miller said the "dangerous and highly addictive amphetamine harms communities and countries across the region and beyond and is a source of funding for the Syrian regime and its backers, including Hezbollah."
He said Hezbollah continues to launch rockets into Israel, further destabilizing both Lebanon and the region, and the United States remains steadfast in its commitment to "disrupt Hezbollah's access to the international financial system and its various methods of generating revenue, which the Iran-backed group uses to fund its violence."
"We will also continue to target the illicit captagon trade in the region, which has become an illicit billion-dollar enterprise operated in part by senior members of the Syrian regime," he said.
The sanctions freeze any assets held by the individuals and companies in U.S. jurisdiction and bar U.S. persons from conducting business with them.
Experts Dispute Official Cause Of Activist's Death In Russia's Bashkortostan
Forensic evidence from an independent examination and seen by RFE/RL shows that activist Rifat Dautov died in January from internal bleeding due to multiple blows sustained after his arrest in Russia's Bashkortostan region. The evidence from independent experts determined Dautov suffered at least 48 blows from a blunt object, with injuries covering 30 percent of his body. He died in a police car shortly after being detained following protests demanding the release of opposition figure Fail Alsynov. Dautov had denied participating in the protests. Officials attributed his death to acute heart failure. Police officers admitted to interrogating Dautov in the police car but denied any physical violence. In June, the Investigative Committee refused to launch a criminal investigation against the officers, citing a "lack of criminal activity." However, Dautov's lawyer, Pavel Vasilyev, told RFE/RL that he continued to push for justice, with the investigation still ongoing. To read the original story by RFE/RL’s Idel.Realities, click here.
Georgia Warns Of Fake Video, Audio Designed To Sow Unrest Before Elections
Georgian security officials have issued a warning about an alleged plan to distribute fake video and audio recordings to spark unrest ahead of key parliamentary elections later this month.
According to the State Security Service of Georgia (SUS), unspecified politically affiliated groups are preparing to release fake recordings of Georgian government representatives that were created through artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies.
The warning comes amid heightened political tensions in Georgia, especially following the adoption of the controversial “foreign agent” law earlier this year and underscores the high stakes surrounding the elections, which are scheduled for October 26.
The SUS statement, issued on October 16, claims the purpose of the falsified recordings is to "provoke a confrontation between branches of the government and worsen its relations with the Orthodox Church and Western partners.”
SUS warns that those behind the plan intend to present the falsified recordings as leaked information from the SUS itself, aiming to discredit the agency and sow discord within Georgia’s political structure.
“This provocation is designed to incite protest and destabilize the country for political gains,” the SUS stated, adding it is closely monitoring the activities of the groups involved and will take legal action if necessary.
Georgian authorities have repeatedly voiced concerns about potential attempts to trigger a “color revolution” in the country similar to the one known as Euromaidan in Ukraine in 2014 that toppled Russia-friendly President Viktor Yanukovych and overthrow the current government of the South Caucasus nation, although no concrete evidence has been provided to support these claims.
Meanwhile, Tbilisi has been criticized recently for its increasingly close ties to Moscow, with the European Union and the United States expressing concerns over Georgia's democratic backsliding.
The "foreign agent" law, for example, has been widely criticized for being similar to a Russian law used to muzzle free press and dissent.
Exacerbating tensions, Georgian parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili on October 3 signed into law a bill that rights groups, the opposition, and the international community say drastically curbs the rights of the country's LGBT community.
The ruling Georgian Dream party, founded by Russian-friendly Georgian tycoon and ex-Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili, the party's top candidate for the upcoming elections, has insisted it remains committed to joining Western institutions.
Georgia's civil society has for years sought to move the country away from the influence of Russia, which still maintains thousands of troops in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, two breakaway Georgian regions that Moscow recognized as independent states following a five-day war with Tbilisi in 2008.
Former Belarusian Police Officer-Turned-Blogger On Trial For Treason
Former Belarusian police captain and blogger Andrey Parotnikau went on trial on October 16 in Minsk. He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted on charges including treason, conspiracy to seize power, and facilitating extremist activities. According to the human rights group Vyasna, the trial is being held behind closed doors. Parotnikau, who once ran the Belarus Security blog, was detained in Moscow in March 2023 and extradited to Minsk. A source close to the case suggests that Parotnikau’s health has deteriorated significantly during his detention in harsh prison conditions. Parotnikau is one of hundreds of bloggers, journalists, and activists imprisoned in Belarus amid an ongoing crackdown on democratic institutions and dissent. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Belarus Service, click here.
Russia Slashes Quotas For Residence Permits, Despite Labor Shortage
The Russian government has approved a measure that cuts the quota for residence permits for foreigners in 2025 by almost half even as the number of workers entering the country has fallen to a 10-year low, exacerbating an acute labor shortage.
The government said on October 16 that the new quota was set at 5,500 permits, compared with 10,600 in 2023. The quotas are distributed across the country based on the applications.
The move comes as public sentiment toward migrants grows increasingly negative, with some 80 percent of Russians surveyed expressing concerns about the high number of migrants, particularly from Central Asia and the Caucasus.
Hundreds of thousands of labor migrants from those areas legally reside in Russia on working visas allowing them to stay and work in the country for a limited period, while residence permits allow stays in Russia for years.
But many Russians have turned against migrants from Central Asia after a terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall entertainment center near Moscow in March that claimed 140 lives.
Several Central Asian men, mostly from Tajikistan, were arrested on suspicion of taking part in the attack. Since then, law enforcement agencies have ramped up raids targeting migrant communities.
Earlier in the week, Tajikistan's human rights commissioner, Umed Bobozoda, voiced concerns over the mistreatment of Tajik migrants in Russia since the terrorist attack, accusing Russian law enforcement of using illegal methods, including physical abuse and unjustified detentions.
Some Central Asian migrant workers have been forced to join Russian armed forces involved in the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
The number of residence permits issued in Russia has been decreasing since 2021, when the quota was 39,000. According to the Interior Ministry, only 20 percent of the 2024 quota had been used by mid-year.
In Moscow, the quota for permits dropped from 1,500 to 1,000, while the Moscow region’s allocation went from 750 to 350. St. Petersburg’s allocation fell from 300 to 200 permits, while Tatarstan and Bashkortostan saw a dramatic reduction from 500 to 100 over the past two years.
The October 16 reduction came a day after the Russian parliament’s lower chamber, the State Duma, passed a law tightening the process for obtaining residence permits.
Foreigners married to Russian citizens will now have to wait three years after their marriage to apply, a significant change from the previous rule that allowed immediate application.
With reporting by RBK and TASS
First Migrants Under Controversial Deal With Italy Arrive In Albania
An Italian ship with 16 migrants aboard arrived in the Albanian port of Shengjin on October 16, the first that Albanian authorities have agreed to accept under a controversial deal agreed with Rome in November.
The ship, the Libra, is said to be carrying 10 migrants from Bangladesh and six from Egypt who were rescued at sea after leaving Libya for the Italian island of Lampedusa. All 16 are males who have been deemed "safe" by Italian authorities.
Under the agreement, Tirana will accept migrants rescued while still at sea in international waters that fall within Italy's search-and-rescue area as their asylum requests are processed in two centers -- or reception camps -- in Albania. Both facilities will be staffed by Italian personnel and will operate under Italian jurisdiction, though security outside of the centers will be provided by Albanian guards.
As part of the process, the migrants retain their rights under international and EU law to apply for asylum in Italy. Judges will hear their asylum cases by video from Rome.
The plan, which Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described earlier this week as "bold" and "unprecedented," envisages the processing of up to 36,000 migrants a year in an attempt to ease a major issue that has plagued Italy and the European Union in general, with hundreds of thousands of migrants trying to enter the bloc via boats that set sail from northern Africa.
Some critics have warned the plan is flawed because the process for administering asylum cases is drawn out and those rejected are often not allowed back in their own countries because governments there restrict the number of repatriations.
Instead, those who do not qualify, the critics say, end up "leaking out" of detention centers and fan out across Europe illegally, forcing them to live under the radar.
Others question the cost of the program and whether its scope will make a difference in a country where 160,000 migrants arrived in 2023.
"In the last three days, more than 1,600 migrants have landed in Italy. An Italian ship is transporting 16 of them to Albania," Matteo Villa, a researcher at the researcher at the ISPI think tank, said in a post on X.
For Albania, the plan is a chance to bolster its case to join the European Union -- one of its main foreign policy goals -- by showing support and help for one of the bloc's most pressing problems.
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said on October 15 that his country had rejected many requests from European countries to accept refugees but made an exception for Italy, which has long-standing ties with Tirana.
Zelenskiy Unveils 'Victory Plan' That Includes NATO Invite
KYIV -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has outlined a set of measures that he says would turn the tide of the war in Kyiv's favor and possibly end the conflict with Russia no later than next year, even as his embattled country struggles to stave off a slow but relentless advance by Russian forces and the decimation of energy infrastructure ahead of the coming winter.
In his speech to parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, on October 16, Zelenskiy called for the "lifting by partners of restrictions on the use of long-range weapons on the entire territory of Ukraine occupied by Russia and on Russian territory and on enemy military infrastructure" and help in "equipping our reserve brigades."
WATCH: Ukrainians shared their thoughts about Zelenskiy's plan to make Russia stop its war against Ukraine.
His five-point "victory plan," in which he ruled out ceding Ukrainian territory, also called for an unconditional invitation for Kyiv to join the NATO military alliance and the deployment of a strategic nonnuclear deterrent package in Ukraine.
Mykhaylo Podolyak, a senior adviser to Zelenskiy, told RFE/RL that Russia had built its "entire propaganda campaign" on Ukraine not joining NATO and used that point to justify attacks or provocations against Ukraine.
"The president (Zelenskiy) says let's send a clear political signal to Russia that it can no longer make an ultimatum...saying this is my region of influence and Ukraine cannot be a member of NATO," Podolyak told RFE/RL in Brussels.
Ukraine Briefing: News & Analysis Of Russia's Invasion
RFE/RL's Ukraine Live Briefing gives you the latest developments on Russia's invasion, Western military aid, the plight of civilians, and territorial control maps. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here.
Another point of the victory plan addresses Ukraine's competence after the war, which he said would have "great experience" and would be able to replace certain contingents -- primarily American -- that are in Europe now.
"Our partners are investing in security today. They should understand that there is already a specific competence of Ukraine, which will be realized later in this form," he said.
In his speech to parliament, the Ukrainian leader said he would present the plan on October 17 at a European Union summit in Brussel, adding that the plan had been discussed with leaders from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Germany.
European Council President Charles Michel said on X that he had invited Zelenskiy to the European Council summit on October 17 "to take stock of the latest developments of Russia’s war against Ukraine and present his victory plan."
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told RFE/RL in Brussels on October 16 that he wanted to hear from Zelenskiy directly before commenting on the plan, but said Ukraine must receive better and stronger security guarantees because the security of Ukraine is Europe's security.
"People in Europe have to understand, I think, that we have been hesitating too much in the past in order to provide the required military capabilities to Ukraine," Borrell said. "And now we don't have to hesitate.... The only way to making [Russian President Vladimir] Putin...go to a negotiation table is to have victory on the battlefield. Otherwise, it would not happen."
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said on October 16 that the victory plan was a "strong signal" from Zelenskiy but he said he could not say that he supported it.
"That would be a bit difficult because there are many issues that we have to understand better," he said.
In addition to the EU Council summit, Zelenskiy will attend a NATO defense ministers meeting on October 17, also in Brussels, according to NATO's revised agenda.
Rutte said that there was "no doubt" the victory plan would be discussed during that meeting. Responding to Zelenskiy's call for an unconditional invitation to join NATO, Rutte said Ukraine was closer than ever to joining the alliance and that it will happen when the time is right.
WATCH: Ukrainian children as young as 12 are burning cars and other government property to earn some quick money, an exclusive RFE/RL investigation has found.
The Kremlin immediately dismissed Zelenskiy's plan, calling it a "diktat" from the United States.
"The only peace plan there can be is for the Kyiv regime to realize the futility of the policy it is pursuing and understand the need to sober up," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
The Foreign Ministry said the plan meant "trouble for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people." Zelenskiy "is pushing NATO members toward a direct conflict with our country," spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.
Zelenskiy has said he expects a response to the plan before the November 5 presidential election in the United States -- Ukraine's main ally and provider of financial and military help -- where a victory by Republican candidate and former President Donald Trump could cast doubt about Washington's continued support for Kyiv.
Zelenskiy's presentation came as Russia continued to keep up the pressure on Ukraine's cities and infrastructure while Russian forces are advancing in the east toward the crucial logistics hub of Pokrovsk.
LISTEN: Ruth Deyermond, senior lecturer in the Department of War Studies at King's College London, joins host Steve Gutterman to discuss the situation on the battlefield and the latest wave of talk about talks.
On October 16, Russia attacked Ukraine with 136 drones and two guided missiles. Most of them were neutralized by Ukraine's air defenses, the air force reported on Telegram.
A total of 51 drones were shot down over the Sumy, Cherkasy, Kirovohrad, Ternopil, Kherson, Kharkiv, Zhytomyr, Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolayiv, Kyiv, Poltava, Chernihiv, and Chernivtsiy regions, the air force said, adding that another 60 Russian drones were neutralized as a result of electronic-warfare measures.
In the western region of Ternopil, some 50 firefighters worked to extinguish a large fire caused by a falling drone, regional Governor Vyacheslav Nehoda wrote on Telegram, saying there had been no injuries.
Russia's Defense Ministry, meanwhile, said its air defenses had downed three Ukrainian drones -- two over the Belgorod and one over the Voronezh region.
Russia Launches Drone Attack On Kyiv
Russia launched a drone attack on Kyiv late on October 15, prompting the mayor to tell people to stay in shelters. Mayor Vitali Klitschko wrote on Telegram that drones were headed toward the large Troieshchyna neighborhood on the outskirts of Kyiv. Serhiy Popko, head of Kyiv's military administration, said on Telegram that air-defense units were engaged in repelling the attack. There was no immediate information about potential damage or injuries. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said earlier that since the beginning of the day, 164 combat clashes had taken place at the front. The largest number of battles took place in the areas of Pokrovsk and Kharkiv.
- By Reuters
Deadly Fire Erupts At Refinery In Iran's Khuzestan Province
At least one person was killed in a fire at the Pars Petro Shushtar refinery in Iran's Khuzestan Province, state media reported on October 15, as efforts to control the fire are ongoing. A local authority attributed the cause of the incident "to a tanker collision with gasoline tanks" and said the incident is under investigation. IRNA quoted a local official in the province as saying that several people were also injured. "Firefighters on the scene are trying to bring the fire under control," the official added.
Former RFE/RL Journalist And Dual U.S.-Iranian Citizen Arrested In Tehran
A former journalist for RFE/RL who returned to Iran after many years abroad has been arrested in Tehran, a source told RFE/RL on October 15.
Reza Valizadeh, a dual Iranian-U.S. national, was arrested about three weeks ago and is facing charges, including cooperation with Farsi-language media abroad, one of his relatives told RFE/RL.
Iranian officials have not yet commented on Valizadeh's arrest.
Valizadeh left his job as a staff member at RFE/RL’s Radio Farda in November 2022 and stayed abroad for some time.
In his last post on X on August 13, Valizadeh said he had traveled to Tehran on March 16.
The post says that he had "half-finished" negotiations with the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps’ intelligence organization, but in the end he returned to Iran after 14 years on his own responsibility and "without a letter of trust, even verbally."
It is not clear under what circumstances he wrote this post.
A large number of Iranians with dual citizenships have been arrested by the security agencies and charged with committing various crimes. Many of their properties have been seized or blocked, and in some cases their family members inside Iran have been pressured to force these people to return to the country.
Iran is accused of putting pressure on foreign governments to implement its demands by illegally arresting or "taking hostage" foreign nationals, including dual citizens.
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