Julia Geshakova

Libya Upholds Death Sentences Of Foreign Medics

July 11, 2007 (RFE/RL) -- Libya has upheld the death sentences of six foreign medics convicted of infecting more than 400 children with HIV -- but a deal to free them is still possible.

Serbia And Montenegro: Is The Djindjic Assassination 'Trial Of The Century' At Risk Of Turning Into A Farce?

The case against those accused of killing Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic was to have been Serbia's "trial of the century." But since they opened in December, the proceedings have been plagued by delays and controversies, the most recent being this week's show of defiance from a notorious police unit linked to the suspects.

Macedonia: Vote For New President Begins Amid Fears Of Low Turnout

Branko Crvenkovski leads the race Macedonians are going to the polls today to elect a successor to President Boris Trajkovski, who died in a plane crash in February. Two candidates are competing in the runoff amid fears that low turnout could invalidate the vote and leave a political vacuum in the country.

Macedonia: Political Parties Gear Up For Presidential Election

On 14 April, Macedonians go to the polls to elect a replacement for President Boris Trajkovski, killed in a plane crash last month. RFE/RL reports that although the campaign season has yet to officially open, the race has already begun.

Kosovo: Violence Threatens Prospects For Multiethnic Society

Kosovo this week has been rocked by the worst violence since the end of the war in the province in 1999. The rioting, which began on 17 March and quickly spread to all the major cities in the province, was followed by violent protests in Serbia. It is the latest evidence that interethnic tensions persist in the United Nations protectorate and could jeopardize the UN's vision of a multiethnic Kosovo.

Serbia-Montenegro: Two Years Later, Partnership Remains Uneasy

Two years ago this month, Serbia and Montenegro signed an agreement to set up a state union, which about one year later replaced what was left of federal Yugoslavia following the Balkan wars of the 1990s. But it was a reluctant partnership from the start, forged under intense pressure from the European Union. Does the already fragile union risk further strain now that the new Serbian government of moderate nationalist Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica has been installed in Belgrade?

Serbia-Montenegro: Officials From Belgrade, Pristina Meet As Kostunica Calls For Cantonization

The UN-sponsored direct dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina was launched five months ago when high-level Serbian and Kosovar Albanian officials held their first face-to-face meeting since the end of the 1998-99 conflict. Today, representatives of Belgrade and Pristina are scheduled to hold their first working meeting. The talks may prove difficult, however, as they come two days after new Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica outlined his government's tough policy on Kosovo.

Serbia-Montenegro: Belgrade Gets New Government, Thanks To Milosevic's Socialists

After weeks of political deadlock, incoming Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica today presented his government to Serbia's new parliament. The minority government is an eclectic coalition of conservatives, liberals, and monarchists that will have to rely on the support in parliament of former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic's Socialists.

Macedonia: Skopje Unlikely To Depart From The Path Of Trajkovski

Macedonia today is mourning the death of President Boris Trajkovski, killed when his plane crashed in southern Bosnia yesterday. Trajkovski was widely seen as a key peacemaker between Macedonia's ethnic communities. RFE/RL examines the possible repercussions of his death.

Yugoslavia: Prosecution Wrapping Up Its Case, But Milosevic Trial Expected To Last Many Years Longer

The trial of Slobodan Milosevic, the first former head of state to face international justice, began in February 2002. Two years later, prosecutors are set to wrap up their case against the former Yugoslav president, who stands accused of masterminding the bloody wars in the Balkans in the 1990s. RFE/RL looks at how the trial has proceeded -- and the long way it has to go before it is completed.

Balkans: New NATO Chief Says Alliance Remains Committed To Regional Security

Prague, 16 January 2004 (RFE/RL) -- NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer chose the Balkans for his first trip abroad since taking over as chief of the alliance less than two weeks ago.

Bulgaria: As New OSCE Chair, Sofia To Focus On Fight Against Terrorism

Bulgaria, which today formally takes over the rotating chair of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, says the fight against international terrorism will top its agenda. RFE/RL looks at the priorities of the security organization and its readiness to face new challenges.

Serbia And Montenegro: Phantom Internet Message Causes Public Stir

A previously unknown group, the "Albanian National Army," has threatened to carry out attacks in Montenegro to counter what it says is discrimination against ethnic Albanians. The warning came in a statement posted on the Internet. It's not clear yet whether the message is a hoax, but RFE/RL reports it has put the spotlight on interethnic relations.

Bosnia-Herzegovina: SFOR Still Searching For Wartime Serbian Leaders

The NATO-led Stabilization Force (SFOR) in Bosnia continues an intensive search today for war crimes suspect Radovan Karadzic in the eastern Bosnian town of Pale. Since the end of the Bosnian war in 1995, the Bosnian Serb wartime leader and his military commander Ratko Mladic have managed to slip through repeated nets set for them. RFE/RL reports that people are asking why it is that the two fugitives remain at large.

Iraq: Bulgarians Ask Uneasy Questions Following Deadly Karbala Attack

Bulgarians were stunned when Iraqi insurgents killed five Bulgarian soldiers and wounded dozens of others in a car bomb attack in late December 2003. Two weeks later, grief has been pushed aside by a heated debate about whether the tragedy in the southern city of Karbala could have been averted -- and if so, who should bear responsibility?

Serbia: Whom Should Ultranationalists Thank For Electoral Gains?

When the ultranationalist Serbian Radical Party emerged as the leader by far in Serbia's recent presidential and parliamentary elections, some politicians in Belgrade blamed pressure from the UN war crimes tribunal for the apparent resurgence of nationalism. Experts say such claims are baseless -- and that the problem was, at least in part, due to the government's own lack of political will to deal with the past.

Serbia: All Options Open In Talks On New Government In Belgrade

More than a week after early parliamentary elections, no clear majority has emerged in Serbia. Political parties have opened talks on forming a new government, but the bargaining is likely to be difficult and prolonged, with some party leaders warning that all options -- including another general election -- remain open.

Serbia & Montenegro: Djindjic Murder Trial Begins In Belgrade Amid Controversy

Bosnia: Clark Says Milosevic Knew In Advance Of Srebrenica Massacre

Macedonia: Weapons Amnesty A Success, But Many Stick To Their Guns