Radio Free Europe

RFE/RL journalists report the news in 22 countries where a free press is banned by the government or not fully established, including Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Russia.

More news

Azerbaijan Reportedly Detains Dozens Suspected Of Spying For Iran.

Law enforcement bodies have neither confirmed nor rejected the reports. (file photo)

Law enforcement bodies have neither confirmed nor rejected the reports. (file photo)

Azerbaijan's Interior Ministry has detained around 40 people it suspects of being part of an Iranian spy network that used religion to push pro-Iranian propaganda.

Local media reported on February 1 that the suspects were arrested in Baku and other regions of the country as a result of the operation conducted by the ministry. Some reports a day earlier put the number of people detained at seven.
Law enforcement bodies have neither confirmed nor rejected the reports. Lawmaker Elman Mammadov, a member of the parliamentary Defense, Security, and Anti-Corruption Committee, accused Iran of being "quite active" in defending Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for many years. "I can't say whether it is a network or not, but there are such people. Even in certain media organizations and social networks, there are such people who from time to time speak in favor of Iran and against us express their opinions," he said. Tehran has not commented on the reports. Azer Qasimli, the director of the Baku-based Political Management Institute, said that while Iranian spies were most likely operating in the country, Russia has a bigger undercover network in the country. Still, he said Azerbaijani authorities had to be careful, as "Iran is a state that has used terrorism in different countries and is characterized by very aggressive actions." "It can be dangerous from this point of view," he added. Relations between Iran and Azerbaijan appeared relatively calm until recent days. Baku ordered the evacuation of staff and family members from its embassy in Iran on January 29, two days after a gunman shot dead a security guard and wounded two other people at the embassy in an attack Baku branded an "act of terrorism."

Police arrested a suspect and Iranian authorities have condemned the January 27 incident. They have said the suspect appeared to have had a personal, not a political, motive for the attack.

Sean  «Diddy»  Combs' lawyer slams raids at Los Angeles, Miami homes.

Sean «Diddy» Combs' lawyer slams raids at Los Angeles, Miami homes.

A lawyer representing Sean "Diddy" Combs called the raids at the musician's Los Angeles and Miami homes a "gross overuse of military-level force." The raids were part of a possible ongoing sex trafficking investigation, U.S. officials confirmed Mo...

CBS News -

Drone Footage Shows Collapsed Baltimore Bridge After Cargo Ship Collision #shorts - VOA News.

Drone Footage Shows Collapsed Baltimore Bridge After Cargo Ship Collision #shorts - VOA News.

Drone footage showed the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, after a cargo vessel collided into it. The search for the bodies of six workers presumed killed after the collapse of a major bridge in the easter...

VOA News -

NFL approves new kickoff rules to boost returns and improve safety.

NFL approves new kickoff rules to boost returns and improve safety.

The NFL approved a major rule change that will revamp how kickoffs are structured. The move is intended to last one year before the league can decide wether to keep the new rules, change them or get rid of them altogether. » Subscribe to NBC News:...

NBC News -

How the Baltimore bridge collapse could impact the economy.

How the Baltimore bridge collapse could impact the economy.

The bridge collapse is also disrupting transportation and shipping. What does that mean for the economy? Business reporter Alexis Christoforous has the details. Subscribe to ABC News on YouTube: Watch 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events...

ABC News -

Video shows aftermath of raids on 'Diddy' Combs' homes.

Video shows aftermath of raids on 'Diddy' Combs' homes.

Attorney Mark Geragos gives his perspective on the raids of Sean 'Diddy' Combs' Los Angeles and Miami properties and discusses a new Fox Nation special on the Menendez brothers. #FoxNews Subscribe to Fox News! Watch more Fox News Video: Watch Fox ...

Fox News -

How Baltimore bridge collapse will impact economy, supply chain.

How Baltimore bridge collapse will impact economy, supply chain.

The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse will have an enormous economic impact on the Port of Baltimore. CBS News' Ramy Inocencio reports on the potential financial losses. CBS News Streaming Network is the premier 24/7 anchored streaming news servic...

CBS News -