RFE/RL: The head of Russia’s Central Election Commission has denied reports that the country’s upcoming State Duma elections could be postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. “There have been no discussions about a possible postponement of the election,” Ella Pamfilova told the state news agency TASS on July 10. “The elections will be held in accordance with the presidential decree and voting will take place on September 17, 18, and 19. There is no doubt that the elections will be held on time.”
RFE/RL: The United Nations said torture and ill-treatment of detainees in territory controlled by Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine is happening every day. Deputy UN rights chief Nada al-Nashif said on July 9 that there are “egregious violations” committed in the Izolyatsia prison in Donetsk and other places of detention in separatist-controlled parts of eastern Ukraine.
