While Russia has denied any such scheme, Dr. Rodchenkov’s claims were independently verified and led to the ban on Russia at the 2018 Winter Olympics. “I worry about him, and I know that all of us who worked so hard to protect him worry,” Mr. Fogel said. PhotoThe White Helmets group “does serve in opposition areas and its work inherently benefits the forces that Russia opposes,” Mr. Cordesman wrote in an email. Mr. Fayyad was arrested — he was accused of spreading false news, he said — imprisoned and tortured. It would be something if another film about the White Helmets won, though the lighthearted “Faces Places” is currently the favorite.

Source: New York Times February 21, 2018 19:18 UTC