for headline stories this hour a russian opposition figurehead. sentenced to 3 years in jail for violating parole conditions. seem gets the seal of approval in one of the world's foremost independent medical journals sit with researchers stating that is over 90 percent effective well tolerated. europol issues a warning of the single face 19 test certificates. to profit from travel restrictions. the restaurant resistance of french business owners defied the government's done by opening their doors and serving.

your couching the program from 10 am hello welcome to r.t. with me you know not even on the entire team here in moscow. a moscow court sentenced russian opposition figure alexina valmy to 3 and a half years in jail for parole violations the kremlin critic will actually serve 2 years and 8 months after time under hosni wrist is taken into consideration. in the wake of the verdict supporters all of a volley have rallied in moscow in fact these are live pictures right now from the russian capital simply also similar some of reportedly being detained in the russian capital security measures have been ramped up a number of city squares cordoned off by police as you're witnessing here artie's

eager to get done off was the moscow city court 1st throughout the day he spoke to me earlier. it took the court the whole day to you know go through all the procedures and to deliver the verdict of and finally it happened in the building right behind me election of ali got his suspended sentence reversed to a real one he got 3 and a half years in prison on the court has decided to deduct the time that he had previously spent under house arrest and now we've seen election of only wife julia go that way down the street and his her and her husband election of ali he was taken down this street to well to the place where he will be serving his sentence his defense has already said that they will be appealing this decision it also has been a cool hearing like well no other at least for russia because right now you can in the building behind me there are embassy there are several embassy cars so several

embassy cause they took representatives of several countries to witness the hearing for instance representatives of the u.k. of switzerland sweden and many other nations in fact for russia this is quite unprecedented now the supporters of election of ali they have already released a cool out there for all election of all these followers to descend on sunday school right outside the kremlin and world to make their voices heard to protest to demand the release of the kremlin critic in fact this whole area has been completely cold and off and well only those who work in the media and those who have hearings here only those people were allowed inside the premises and outside the perimeter about we have reports of about 2 to 300 people detained those some hard khulna valmy fans so we'll have to see how many will show up to central moscow

we have seen 2 consecutive weekends tens of thousands of people are gathered after an election of only himself called them to show up call them to swarm the. greets now tens of thousands of people showed up we saw violence on both sides and thousands of people were detained basically the authorities are saying that the school it was the school to to assemble it was illegal it violated the russian law about well about mass protests and the so they deemed those protests while un sanctioned unauthorized hence the large number of those detained but in fact if you could hear probably in the background a policeman with a mouthpiece basically what he was saying and he still will be saying he's telling us meet the media to clear out because well that's it for today at least well in the aftermath some western governments they've been condemning the court's

ruling on alexey demanding his release as well moscow has described the reaction as a change of political staging we reiterate our call for the russian government to immediately and unconditionally release mr no vani as well as the hundreds of other russian citizens wrongfully detained in recent weeks for exercising their rights including the rights to freedom of expression and of peaceful assembly today's verdict against seen a violent is a bitter blow against fundamental freedoms and the rule of law in russia alexina valley must be released immediately the u.k. calls for the immediate and unconditional release of alexina volley and all of the peaceful protesters and journalists arrested over the last 2 weeks. if any have direct statements there let's get the thoughts of beijing on tell us only who is from germany's left party and a friend of the program let's perhaps get to the reaction just

a minute what's your initial thoughts on the court's verdict regarding the case how far do you think it is. i think it's very i think the court's deliberations are very convincing and what i have to say is that he was not convinced by any political activity he was convicted in 2014 for common criminal acts he embezzled the money of a private enterprise and his sentence was suspended and he violated the conditions of his parole so the course reasoning is completely logical and he did not really put up an argument against it he had the chance but instead he just made a political theater out of this court case and acid lawyer he should have known better as the verdict was announced there was an odd cry there's no really other word for it from countries such as the u.s. u.k.

germany as well all of them calling for his immediate release what do you make of that reaction. i think that reaction is outrageous and not only should those countries those western countries respect the independence of the russian federation but they should also respect the independence of the russian judicial system and any other democratic country in the world the judicial system of the russian federation is its own branch. of the russian federation and the legislative branch and the executive's branch should not meddle in judicial decisions and so this authority of the russian courts must be respected not all of the by the russian government but also by governments around the world and they cannot ask for a government intervention and at the same time the mon the russian courts have the freedom to decide in judicial mattress and yes

a very interesting point also another aspect during the case germany has been dragged into to the construction of the gas pipeline with russia do you think the future of nord stream too is at stake here we've been heard vocal declarations now from france of course the us before that what's your take on the issue. francis suddenly shifted its position on not seem too and it might be that they have they have discovered that they have their own interests because you may not that another's but france is one of the leading energy export of germany they have their nuclear power plants and they want to keep germany chain's to nuclear power off onto the trying for a century we in germany have to sided by majority votes that we want to get out of nuclear power we want to clean energy future and a decisive part of that is clean natural gas from russia and so the last year to pipeline is really important for the well energy independence of germany and all of

western europe and the meddling of france and the united states will not stop there is something interesting as well from today in moscow it was widely reported that foreign diplomats were present at the court and quite a few of them as you've said develop as a russian national in a russian court why do you think they were there. well 1 diplomats foreign diplomats of the vienna convention do have the right and to to participate in trials as this is it or they usually do so only when it's their own citizens that are at trial and so this is a very unusual to have so many foreign diplomats at this trial and i cannot really think of any other example where that happened if you think it's. and or the sonship for example is hans trial in the u.k. . you know where are the diplomats that try to exert pressure on the court

and the united kingdom they were nowhere to be seen and here it is an obvious a play to try to influence the court's decision obviously they did not succeed john thanks for your time in breaking dawn all those different elements for us a member of the german left party b. john tell us only live in the program thank you very much. moving on mexico has become the latest country to sign up to use russia's covert 19 vaccine with millions of doses set to be delivered in the near future at the same time hungry has received its 1st punch of sputnik we was in fact the 1st nation to earlier approved millions of doses separately. approval by researchers in the lancet medical journal concluded it's over 90 percent effective

and well tolerated the study also stated the vaccine will help people of all age groups. this interim analysis of the phase 3 trial of putting 3 showed 91.6 percent advocacy against the 19 and it was well tolerated in a large cohort our results show that there are 2 components vaccine was able to use a virus neutralizing hue moral response in participants older than 60 years furthermore vax an advocacy in this group of participants did not differ significantly from the africa so of the 18 to 60 years group. there's been a u. turn in attitudes towards the vaccine and this is somewhat surprising given how sustained and you know how big this this attack was was developed too quickly too many short cuts were taken corners cut you know there was not enough proof that it was safe we heard it over and over everywhere seemingly in

the media from from various experts people who dubbed themselves experts and now suddenly now that we have concrete data it turns out the russians were right it's safe it's safe and it's only one of 3 vaccines in the world with an efficacy of above 90 percent that is. now sputnik we saw the test results what the shoot is that there are new severe allergic reactions they haven't been observed such as the ones that have that have battered the publicity regarding the pfizer vaccine people with. a history of severe logic reactions being told to stay away and to weigh the walk. it's also as if he should be new young people those under 60 as it isn't over sixty's which is very important because over sixty's they have a weaker immune systems the ravages of time. so that is very good news for those

over 60 who are perhaps afraid of getting more concerned with side effects for from getting another vaccine. and it is cheaper it is much cheaper than alternatives to 3 times depending on the vaccine and those there was even a journalist who took the vaccine from the new yorker and he route a big article about how it is changed you know it is changed he's sort of view on the panda. mc there's the fears god in late january i took a test for covert 1000 antibodies the results according to an interpretive scale provided by the clinic indicated that my antibody levels were probably sufficient to prevent illness the odds struck me as high but my own personal pandemic was nearing its end and this is you know what we're hearing from more and more

journalists and publications than those saying experts that want to stay away now saying well wait a 2nd this is this is a good alternative why it could be you know any number of reasons but the science the sire to sound sputnik the a safe this is clearly good news as these your formulation vaccine is comparatively easy to manufacture and to deploy i mean the anticipated global shortage of vaccines and logistical problems in vaccination rollout. presently the world needs all the good vaccines that you can get against covered 19 and these are impressive results spawning v. is the 1st dino virus vector vaccine to achieve the 90 percent efficacy seen with the 2 m r n e vaccines so this could be a major contributing factor to them. turning on their attitudes towards the vaccine that is shortages mass shortages of other vaccines such as pfizer there's all

sorts of trouble problems and challenges in the supply chain in the production part and scrutiny can be is relatively simple to prove produce and to transport it requires much much worse less cold temperatures it doesn't require the sort of deep freeze that the fires of x.e. for example requires during trial transportation which makes it much more available in developing nations and in poorer nations as well so far dozens of countries have expressed an interest in more than 50 countries have preordered the vaccine already india loon in his pen did agreement to produce more than 100000000 doses of the sputnik that exceed the czech republic for example now in which a good consultations with a hungry hungry was the 1st european nation to greenlight the scrutiny of vaccine

so again a striking striking difference in attitudes towards me from what we saw back in september in november where. seemingly you know scrutiny was part of this this confrontation that is currently taking place between russia and various western countries and if it wasn't spared in the middle of the pandemic it wasn't spared you know being targeted seemingly politically. well a number of medical experts we spoke to think that international relations has had a major influence on how the pandemic has been fought largely in a negative way the are in a vaccine which are so highly efficacious are very difficult to star that to be kept that you know is a minus 20 on minus 8 degrees which makes it close to impossible and lyster but the men are less developed countries they also like spencer. so there is a kid then his 1st book neatly which is said this is not quite as if you cations

change in esther's any government seems it's going to start in the fridge for several months which makes it so much easier to distribute and that's really crucial right now we are facing globally distribution is there supply issues and forestry risk every vaccine right now and what i'm hoping is that we cannot just for politics aside and that logic seen many of factors which at present find some point in. the get involved and start making moves scenes that have shown efficacy i think the whole covert story has been terribly politicized. the various levels of not being clear which with respect to both lockdowns and with regard to vaccines and it's tragic because it has destroyed good scientific data and it's has alleged to allegations against vaccines which are

not scientifically substantiation did the dates of published in the lancet show that sputnik is a good and effective vaccine and likewise i mean last week we saw really while the allegations from some senior european union politicians making the solid assertions about the us through seneca. oxford vaccine which they could not substantiate. and we also spoke to karylle 'd dimitrios director of the russia direct investment fund which is backing the sputnik the vaccine he say is one of the main goals as guaranteeing equal distribution across the globe. this is really very important to call bushland and we are thankful to the lands of that showed it's not driven by politics but it's driven by science it's driven by desire to really do good science and find a solution because there are always 3 big scenes now in the world was at a cost of more than 90 percent sputnik it's one of them it's also

a 100 percent efficient again severe disease we have very much focused on as is being but seen because of mankind so because it's affordable and that doesn't require minus 70 degrees we have lots of countries in latin america in middle east and africa who will be using sport and it could be a vaccine and i think it's very important of most only reach countries get told those over it seems this is really not equitable as a world i think politicians overreach countries will try to do so but there should be a mechanism story really have much more even and much more equal distribution or function the rounds the world and sputnik the is committed those of us weighed it already delivered what seemed bolger real ready delivered what seemed too good in the air so we had delivered what seemed like an america places a very elite mao on there are served by the vaccine of producers already these registered in 16 countries by the end of next week i think it will be registered and 25 countries we do have some production constraints so this year we can

probably supply only around 700000000 people those us so that means 101 point $4000000000.00 of those us of like seeing and countries of the approach and right now we can melissa plight is a big scene in me would june so basically we will not be the only flexing of the world of course with up on one of the best but countries need to have a portfolio of different but seems and reward with us of excellence as well for example work his office and to increase africa so they have a theme and we believe the spirit of partnership and works in cooperation with some board. still ahead on our team this hour they used law enforcement agency issues a warning about the sale of fake. criminal profit from the story and more.

well you know things are gone topsy turvy the markets are undergoing a severe inspection point and those on the periphery are now driving this center. whacko time but much hated let's get into it.

hello again the e.u.'s law enforcement agency europe poll has issued a warning about the illegal production and distribution of fake covert 19 test certificates yet with many countries requiring a negative test to enter the agency believes criminal groups are taking advantage of the situation several cases have already been identified across the continent here's our europe correspondent peter all over the city if it hits are used in order for people to show that they've had a negative test before they get on an airplane or travel anywhere around the european union now what europol the european union's law enforcement agency is

saying is that criminals a looking to exploit that and producing these fake negative test results these fake cove it's a terrific it's they've just posted a forgery ring operating near to show that all airports in france there's also being the forgery rings broken open the united kingdom similar operations in spain in the netherlands as well the city fits changing hands from anywhere between 40 euros and up woods of $300.00 euros europol themselves say that they expect the criminals to keep out they say as long as the certificate so necessary for travel. the detection of feet covered $900.00 tests of the kids confirms the criminal sees profitable of chooses once theorized as long as travel restrictions remain in place due to the covered $1000.00 situation it's highly likely that production and sales of the test if it gets will prevail or vaccines are also a big topic of discussion here in europe right now and angela merkel the german

chancellor hosted a virtual vaccine summit from here in berlin on monday evening the message coming out from that meeting is that things will take time put her on the right track as far as she's concerned now there's still recriminations coming out from the spot last week that's really continued into this week between the european union and vaccine manufacturer astra zeneca and the united kingdom basically the e.u. upset that it's not going to get the amount of vaccines or masters anika that it thought it was going to get and it's going to take longer for them to get those in the whole discussion angle of merkel is pretty much set a self up as the good cop saying things will take time we're on the right track bad cop in this case has been a money on the french president he's not happy that the united kingdom has continued to receive the supplies of the vaccine while in countries like france like portugal and like spain vaccine programs have had to be suspended because there aren't enough jobs emanuel micron saying london needs to pick its friends

imagine the british finish their vaccine campaign successfully what will they do stop european lorries from entering when there is a total dependence on the continent good luck half pregnant is not a concept what policy does great britain wish to choose it cannot be the closest ally of the us the closest ally of the e.u. and the new singapore it has to choose a model of the plan when it comes to vaccinating the e.u. isn't going to be short work it would seem following that summit on monday night also set to come this month is the european medicines agencies view on whether the russian sputnik v. vaccine can be used inside the european union the german health minister yen spahn has said that he'd be willing to use that as part of germany's vaccination program once it gets that rubber stamp at some point in february. well health policy analyst roy lee explained to us how the situation could damage efforts to fight the pandemic i just think it's

a stupid crazy thing to do and i think the people that are printing these documents criminals crooks and we should throw them in jail the issue for me is the damage that it might do if someone who knows that they have it and they don't get either a test the negative all they can they know it's too late for a vaccine if they're going to use the force document to travel knowing the they are all covert positive then these are the people that could do the damage if they turn up in the united kingdom bought from someone from the united kingdom drugs from germany or anywhere across across europe then they could bring the infection with them and cools all kinds of drugs a number of restaurants and fronts open their doors on monday in defiance of the stricter coronavirus measures that have been in place in the nation for 3 months although some restrictions have been lifted since october slumped on cafes restaurants are still not able to host diners charlotte dubinsky reports.

push a pair on and we'll see. since october this is been the extent of service available at restaurants and cafes in france takeaway only but as the memphis have tried get on with the new reopening dating site same owners have decided to welcome customers inside in defiance of the couvade 19 regulations. i'm doing this for liberty and for. the frenchman that is no longer respected i am not able to work so i have no freedom and open he did sue. when it came to the crunch he settled on a compromise. so we will serve food to people it says restaurant today i won't be able to reopen food if i did i would lose my compensation for loss is over and see my restaurant closed or go to prison his cool has spread across the country in

other restaurants have followed suit since now at the end of january 1 christoph wilson i'm bringing his establishment in nice to around 50 customers yet. christoph 7 wilson's protest was sure lived on the doors to poppies were once closed again but his lawyer is now taking his petition directly to president michael. i wrote an open email to say stop to self isolation rooms are secession received over 100000 messages in 48 hours french people can no longer do this mr president here in paris too there have also been raids on so-called destroying restaurants now there were reports of this one behind me lenox over the weekend was uncovered with many others now amongst the clientele were allegedly french magistrates with no being fined 135

year. yes but as you can see it's still open now there were no wouldn't give an interview but told me off camera that diners had only eaten under cover as it was raining and he also disputed that some were not just straight but support full believe business is has been growing on social media now many of the restaurants and said that they too would be opening service for customers at the start of february however with very little support from unions and a warning from the government if you did and where does joe public fall in all of this do they want that favorite interest to reopen or do they think it's better to keep the shutters down and those of us i don't find it normal that stories are open and restaurants are not so many if we maintain social distancing and respect the rules the risk for restaurants will be the same as for a stool suddenly we don't have

a choice i would like very much for them to open but i think for the safety of everyone we need to make some sacrifices to stop the virus and live normally a reminder for up to the minute news and views give our twitter page a follow on why not leave a comment or 2 as well i'm you know little saying bye for now or stay close though more problems begin in moments. of the. village shalom. a surprise. to see. the good.