rayfurlong

Senior International Correspondent at Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, ex-BBC (1997-2014), views my own, retweets not endorsements.

[rayfurlong @rayfurlong]

Deal Or No Deal? Nervous Wait Continues Amid Fragile Cease-Fire

https://t.co/PbZVjHvyHd

[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty @RFERL]

“Not all strikes are equal” --analysts say Ukraine’s strike strategy has got smarter in 2026, and Russia is feeling the pinch.

By @rayfurlong

https://t.co/uIzn4ToIDo

[rayfurlong @rayfurlong]

“Not all strikes are equal” – analysts say #Ukraine’s strike strategy has got smarter in 2026, and #Russia is feeling the pinch.

Oil loadings at one major Russian export port are down 91%

Ukraine is hitting "specialized bottlenecks"

https://t.co/gLrWvfj4AD

[RFE/RL Pressroom @RFERLPress]

For 900 days, @RFERL journalist Nika Novak has been unjustly imprisoned by Russia. On December 25, 2023, Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) officers raided her apartment.

Nika’s mother watched as her daughter was violently dragged out of their home.

[rayfurlong @rayfurlong]

Tsikhanouskaya at the Vaclav Havel library in Prague last night -- looks like a full house for one of the last ever events as it faces closure.

Sad but fitting end for the library, hearing from someone who, like Havel, has fought authoritarian rule and paid a huge price for it.

[Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya @Tsihanouskaya]

Yesterday, I spoke at the Václav Havel Library in Prague and reminded our friends not to forget Belarusians.

Our people continue to fight for freedom, dignity, and a European future despite repression and exile.

Havel once said that Belarus belongs to the family of European democracies. Today, this truth is more important than ever.

I spoke about my recent visit to Kyiv. Ukrainians increasingly distinguish between the Belarusian people and Lukashenka’s regime.

This is crucial for our common future, because a safe Ukraine is impossible without a free Belarus, and a democratic Belarus is impossible without a free Ukraine.

More than 90 Belarusians have given their lives defending Ukraine. They fought not only for Ukraine but also for the future of Belarus. They prove to the world that Belarus is not Lukashenka.

More than 800 political prisoners remain behind bars in our country. Their only “crime” was wanting to live in freedom.

I am grateful to the Czech Republic 🇨🇿, the Belarusian diaspora, civil society, diplomats, and experts who continue to stand with us.

[Freedom House @freedomhouse]

The reported conditions facing Reza Valizadeh are deeply alarming.

Wrongfully detained for his journalism with @RFERL, he has reportedly been denied adequate medical care while imprisoned in Iran. Freedom House calls for his immediate release and for Iranian authorities to uphold their obligations to protect the health and rights of those in their custody. #FreeRezaValizadeh #FreeThemAll

[rayfurlong @rayfurlong]

Pashinian Wins In #Armenia, But No Super-Majority

A slap down for Russian efforts to derail his signature pro-Western policy.

But failure to win a two-thirds majority in parliament will complicate the peace process with Azerbaijan.

https://t.co/OeeXquIwFH

[RFE/RL Pressroom @RFERLPress]

Former @RFERL journalist Reza Valizadeh remains wrongfully detained in Iran. He managed to share a new message, featured on @CBSEveningNews, highlighting the brutal conditions of his captivity. #FreeReza @freerezav

[rayfurlong @rayfurlong]

A line of trucks stuck at a border is a further sign of Russia’s heavy-handed efforts to punish #Armenia for looking West, as parliamentary elections loom on June 7.

The EU promises to help. But there was skepticism among drivers.

https://t.co/4M9Urb5Apb

[RFE/RL Pressroom @RFERLPress]

Thank you @SenatorShaheen for continuing to highlight @RFERL journalist Farid Mehralizada’s case and amplifying the call for his freedom. Farid must be released. #FreeFarid

[rayfurlong @rayfurlong]

Iranian Man 'Going To Prison' For Filming Tehran’s Tiananmen Moment

"Here's hoping for better days" he said, a day before starting a 10-year prison sentence...for shooting a video.

#IranWar‌ #IranMassacre‌ #IranRevolution2026‌

https://t.co/h9WXSwmSwe

[RFE/RL Pressroom @RFERLPress]

Farid Mehralizada is a loving father who was forced to miss his child’s birth. A devoted husband, cruelly separated from his wife. A talented journalist and economist, jailed for standing up for the truth.

Tomorrow, he marks two years unjustly imprisoned in Azerbaijan. His @RFERL colleagues have a message for him: We are working every day to bring you home.

[rayfurlong @rayfurlong]

A moving account of life in prison in Azerbaijan from my colleague Farid Mehralizada.

He has been unjustly detained in Azerbaijan since May 30, 2024.

#FreeFarid

https://t.co/ZtTyUkZWDu

[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty @RFERL]

Farid Mehralizada was sentenced to nine years in prison on charges of "illegal entrepreneurship, money laundering, tax evasion, and document forgery."

Human rights activists and journalism advocacy groups say the charges are trumped-up and due to Mehralizada's work.

On the second anniversary of his imprisonment, Mehralizada reflects on life behind bars: https://t.co/32uYDWMFIX

[rayfurlong @rayfurlong]

Armenia has staged a Republic Day military parade showcasing hardware including rocket launchers, drones, and armored vehicles from countries such as France and India -- as well as what appears to be an Iranian air defense system. https://t.co/OkQMHY8iGh

[RFE/RL Pressroom @RFERLPress]

From our @RFERL newsroom in Prague to Baku: Free Farid Mehralizada.

On May 30, Farid marks two years of unjust imprisonment in Azerbaijan simply for doing his job. Journalism is not a crime. He must be released. #FreeFarid

[RFE/RL Pressroom @RFERLPress]

On May 30, @RFERL journalist Farid Mehralizada will mark two years unjustly imprisoned in Azerbaijan.
Two years cruelly separated from his wife and his child, who was born during his detention. Join us in calling for Farid's immediate and unconditional release.

📸 Join our photo action: Take a selfie with the attached poster and share your message of support on social media using the hashtag #FreeFarid.

✍️ Send Farid a message of support: As Farid continues to endure unjust imprisonment, every letter he receives gives him hope. You can send him a letter at the bottom of the page here: https://t.co/IGJluY0955

[rayfurlong @rayfurlong]

According to the statement, US forces struck “missile launch sites and Iranian boats attempting to emplace mines” in southern Iran.

[rayfurlong @rayfurlong]

BREAKING on @rfe_rl Live Blog:

US Says It Carried Out ‘Self-Defense’ Strikes in Southern Iran

https://t.co/m5VoHK52KQ

[rayfurlong @rayfurlong]

Finally, some good news from #Iran

Iranian Nobel Laureate Narges Mohammadi 'Sent Home' From Hospital

#IranWar‌

https://t.co/7h8A4rKwTY