Yury Fedotov, Russia’s ambassador to Britain, has resigned to become head of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Interfax reported Tuesday.
President Dmitry Medvedev approved the resignation of Fedotov, who will start his new job Sept. 13, the report said. Fedotov, who will also head the UN’s Vienna branch, will be the first Russian head of the anti-drug watchdog, established in 1997.
Fedotov’s UN appointment, announced in July, has been criticized by European nongovernmental organizations, who cited Russia’s abysmal record on fighting drug-related cases of HIV as a reason not to give the post to Russia.
(MT)
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
