CIS (ex-USSR)

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife BUDAPEST/KIEV (BosNewsLife)-- Thousands of veterans involved in cleaning up Ukraine's devastated Chernobyl nuclear power plant have demonstrated against cuts in benefits they receive as compensation for their exposure to radiation. The protest in Ukraine's capital, Kiev, comes just before the 25th anniversary of what is considered the worst atomic accident in history.

By BosNewsLife News Center in Budapest ASTANA/BUDAPEST (BosNewsLife)-- Kazakh Christians gathering without government approval were expected to face more punishments after officials said Kazakhstan's long-time President Nursultan Nazarbayev won Sunday's presidential poll.

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent, BosNewsLife MINSK/BUDAPEST (BosNewsLife)-- Belarus has denied allegations of large-scale torture in a secret service jail for political prisoners. The statement comes after a just-released former presidential candidate and a leading activist spoke to reporters about the alleged mistreatment of inmates.

By BosNewsLife News Center TASHKENT/BUDAPEST (BosNewsLife)-- Uzbekistan on Monday, February 28, still refused to release some 15,000 Bibles that were seized earlier by customs authorities and the Bible Society of Uzbekistan said one of its staff members was fined for "violating procedures."

By BosNewsLife News Center in Budapest BUDAPEST/TASHKENT (BosNewsLife)-- A frail Christian pastor who was released from prison in Uzbekistan last month still faced severe restrictions on his freedom Saturday, February 19, and authorities plan to prosecute other believers for involvement in an unregistered local Baptist church, Christians said.

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife BUDAPEST/VILNIUS (BosNewsLife)-- Lithuania is commemorating the 20th anniversary of a deadly clash with Soviet troops that preceded its independence in 1991. The Baltic nation's president, Dalia Grybauskaite, has urged Lithuanians never to forget the freedom battle, which killed 14 people and injured hundreds, adding that those responsible for the crackdown should be brought to justice.

By BosNewsLife News Center with BosNewsLife's Stefan J. Bos in Budapest BAKU/BUDAPEST (BosNewsLife)-- Devoted Christians and foreign missionaries in Azerbaijan have begun 2011 amid concerns about their future after parliament agreed to increase fines up to 16 times for unauthorized worship and evangelism.

By BosNewsLife News Center in Budapest BUDAPEST/ASHGABAT (BosNewsLife)-- A Protestant pastor in Turkmenistan was sentenced to a four-year prison term Thursday, October 21, on what church members said were "fake charges" of swindling to "punish" him for his religious activities.