The latest: Beslan School Siege Suspect Found Guilty of Terrorism

16.05.2006
Beslan School Siege Suspect Found Guilty of Terrorism
A Russian judge said on Tuesday the only surviving member of the group that seized a school and 1,300 hostages in the town of Beslan in 2004 had committed an act of terrorism, as he began reading his verdict in the trial. Prosecutors have requested the death penalty for Chechen Nurpashi Kulayev.

16.05.2006
Putin, Blair Discuss Iran, Middle East, G8 Summit
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and British Prime Minister Tony Blair discussed Iran and the Middle East peace process during a telephone conversation Tuesday, the Kremlin press service said.

16.05.2006
2 Terror Suspects, 1 Police Officer Killed in Southern Russia Clash
A policeman and two rebels were killed on Tuesday in a gun battle in the southern Russian region of Dagestan. At least nine other people including a civilian were injured, they said.

16.05.2006
Russia, China Will Not Back Use of Force Against Iran
China said on Tuesday it backed a European plan to resolve the Iranian nuclear stand-off and urged Iran to respond positively while Russia insisted the threat of force on Tehran was not an option. “Russia and China will not vote for any resolution that is an excuse for the use of force,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

16.05.2006
Russian Emigre Tycoon Berezovsky Files Slander Suit Against Alfa Group’s Fridman
A court in London has begun hearings into a slander suit filed by Russian tycoon Boris Berezovsky against Alfa Group CEO Mikhail Fridman. The plaintiff seeks protection of his honor and dignity and demands refutation of an allegedly slanderous statement made by his opponent.

16.05.2006
First Corvette Low Detectable for Radar Launched in Russia
A new corvette with special technology for low detectability for radar has been launched in Russia.

16.05.2006
Russia Asks Extradition of Former Yukos Executive Held in Italy
Russian Prosecutor General’s office has sent documents to Italy asking for the extradition of a former executive, in charge of strategic planning and corporate finance, of Yukos oil company.

16.05.2006
Klebnikov’s Family Appeals Acquittal of Murder Suspects, Sides With Prosecutors
The family of Forbes Russia editor-in-chief Paul Klebnikov has supported the decision by the Prosecutor General’s Office to challenge the acquittal of those charged with murdering the journalist and has filed its own complaint with the Supreme Court.

16.05.2006
Council of Europe Urges Russia to Step Up Fight Against Racism
The Council of Europe’s expert body combating racism has released a report on racism, xenophobia, antisemitism and intolerance in Russia.

16.05.2006
U.S.-Russian Forum on Cooperation Opens in Washington
A U.S.-Russian forum on cooperation in various spheres, including the oil sector, opens Tuesday to address pressing issues in current bilateral relations, the president of the American University in Moscow said.

16.05.2006
Security Forces Clash With Gunmen in Southern Russia, Injuries Reported
Security forces battled two gunmen holed up in an apartment building in southern Russia’s Dagestan region on Tuesday, and four police and a civilian were injured in the latest violence in the restive North Caucasus, law enforcement authorities said.

16.05.2006
China, Russia Foreign Ministers Discuss Iran in Beijing
The foreign ministers of Russia and China met in Beijing Tuesday where how to resolve the standoff over Iran’s nuclear program is likely to be high on the agenda. Both nations hold veto power on the U.N. Security Council and have resisted efforts by Western powers to pass a resolution that would oblige Iran to halt uranium enrichment work or face possible sanctions.

16.05.2006
Russians More Optimistic About Future — Poll
Thirty percent of Russians hope for a better life, according to a survey held by the All-Russian Center for Public Opinion Studies (VTsIOM) in 46 cities and towns across the country.

16.05.2006
Belarus’ Lukashenko Barred From Entering U.S.
President George W. Bush barred President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus from entering the United States, because of alleged human rights and election fraud violations. The measure also applies to other members of the Belarus government.

16.05.2006
Russia’s Former Top Nuclear Official to Remain in Custody Pending Trial
A Moscow court has rejected an appeal by the defense team of Russia’s former top nuclear official Yevgeny Adamov, charged with fraud and abuse of office, and ordered him to remain in custody. Adamov was extradited to Russia last year from Switzerland, despite a rival extradition request by the U.S. where he had been accused of defrauding the state of $110 million.

16.05.2006
Kremlin to Sponsor International Orchestra Festival in Russian Capital
The Kremlin is sponsoring an international orchestra festival in Moscow next month to celebrate Russia’s Independence Day. The Festival of the World’s Symphony Orchestras has booked five ensembles so far, including the Israel Philharmonic with Zubin Mehta and the Filarmonica Arturo Toscanini led by Lorin Maazel.

16.05.2006
Smoking Kills 300,000 Russians Each Year
More than 300,000 Russians die each year from tobacco-related diseases, yet the Russian government does little to discourage smoking and the country remains one of the world’s leading consumers of cigarettes. More than 40 percent of Russia’s high school graduates smoke, according to Russian health experts.