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.
Canada Sanctions Iranian Security Chiefs Citing Death Of Mahsa Amini.
Mahsa Amini died last month while she was in custody for breaking a rule on the wearing of the Islamic head scarf, or hijab.
Citing the death of a young woman while in police custody, Canada has slapped a new round of sanctions on several high-ranking Iranian security officials for alleged human rights abuses.
Melanie Joly, the minister of Foreign Affairs, said in a statement on October 3 that the sanctions "in response to gross human rights violations that have been committed in Iran, including its systematic persecution of women and in particular, the egregious actions committed by Iran’s so-called ‘Morality Police,’ which led to the death of Mahsa Amini while under their custody."
"Iran’s continued grave and ongoing breaches of international law are well known and documented, including its blatant disregard for human life," she added. The list of those added to the sanctions regime includes 25 individuals and nine entities, including officials in Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and the country's ministry of intelligence and security. Among those named are Mohammed-Hossein Bagheri, a major general in the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and the chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces; Major General Hossein Salami, commander-in-chief of the IRGC; Esmail Qaani, commander of the Quds Force of the IRGC; the Evin Prison, which houses political prisoners; and Iran’s morality police and its head, Mohammad Rostami Cheshmeh Gachi. Iran's state-run Press TV and its "morality police," which enforces the Islamic Republic's strict dress code, were also sanctioned by Canada. Amini, 22, was taken into custody by the morality police before she died. She was detained for allegedly wearing a head scarf, or hijab, improperly. Officials have said Amini died of a heart attack on September 16, but her relatives and supporters reject the claim, saying there are eyewitness accounts reporting she was beaten by police. Amini's death has sparked widespread anger and daily protests in Iran, which the country's leadership has vowed to put down harshly. "Our message to Iran is clear: the continued and systemic persecution of Iranian women must stop and they will be held accountable for human rights violations and blatant disregard for human life," Joly said in the statement. "Canada applauds the courage and actions of Iranians and will stand by them as they fight for their rights and dignity.”
Russian Defense Ministry Contractor Arrested In Bribery Case.
The Basmanny district court in Moscow on April 25 sent Aleksandr Fomin, one of the co-founders of the construction company Olympcitystroy, to pretrial detention until at least June 23 on a charge of giving a bribe to Deputy Defense Minister Timur ...
Several Injured In Russian Shelling Of Ukrainian Infrastructure.
Several civilians were wounded and infrastructure was damaged by Russian shelling of several Ukrainian regions early on April 25, regional officials said.
Russia Announces Deal On Exchange Of Children With Ukraine.
Russia's children's rights commissioner on April 24 announced a deal with Ukraine to exchange almost 50 children displaced by Moscow's invasion, but a Ukrainian official declined to confirm the agreement.
U.S. Confirms It Sent Missiles With 300-Kilometer Range To Ukraine
The U.S. State Department confirmed on April 24 that the United States sent long-range missile systems known as ATACMS to Ukraine for use inside its territory, and the weapons arrived in the country this month.
Russia Vetoes UN Resolution Calling For Prevention Of Nuclear Arms Race In Space.
Russia on April 24 vetoed a UN resolution sponsored by the United States and Japan calling on all nations to prevent a dangerous nuclear arms race in outer space.
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Stay Tuned NOW with Gadi Schwartz - April 22 - NBC News NOW.
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New allegations in deadly bridge collapse
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Every student involved in antisemitic activity should be expelled: Newt Gingrich.
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Could an Israeli military unit face sanctions for human rights abuses? - Israel-Hamas war.
Sky's Yalda Hakim asks if the Netzah Yehuda battalion will face sanctions for alleged human rights abuses and assesses the accusations against them. Created in 1999, the IDF unit was made to accommodate the religious beliefs of the ultra-Orthodox ...
Are migrants planning to cross Channel worried about the Rwanda bill?.
The government's Rwanda bill will finally become law after the Lords decided they would no longer oppose it. However, what do migrants planning to cross from France to England make of it all - will it deter them? Sky's Adam Parsons reports from Fr...