Moscow / AFP Amnesty International on Thursday condemned Russia for sending migrants and asylum seekers back to its highly repressive ex-Soviet ally Uzbekistan where they face “pervasive” use of torture. The rights group accused Russia in a new report of being “partners in crime” with Uzbekistan, a Central Asian country ruled by dour former Communist strongman Islam Karimov since …

  Belgrade / AFP Ultra-nationalists hope to dent the success of Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic as Serbia votes on Sunday, calling on the Balkan country to embrace big brother Russia instead of the European Union. While pro-European Vucic is widely expected to retain power, pro-Russian forces are set to make a comeback in parliament after several years in the cold, …

  Rome / AFP The Italian government has decided to dissolve the town council of Brescello for fear that its local institutions have been infiltrated by the mafia. The decision was taken following a ministerial meeting on Wednesday. While dozens of other town councils in southern Italy have faced a similar fate in the past, it was the first time …