Archive for May, 2009

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Rights Organization Raided in Moscow

An unlawful search has been conducted at the offices of the Justice human rights group in Moscow.

May 28, 2009 | Continued
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Who is Mister Medvedev?

Writing for the Grani.ru online newspaper, commentator Irina Pavlova recaps Russian President Dmitri Medvedev’s first year in office, looking at what he has done rather than what he has said. Exclusive translation by theotherrussia.org.

May 28, 2009 | Continued
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Desperate Residents Seize Town Hall in Russian Town

Residents in the town of Pikalevo, near St. Petersburg, fed up with problems plaguing the city, stormed the offices of the mayor Wednesday.

May 21, 2009 | Continued
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Russian Opposition Leader Hit With Smuggling Charges

Olga Kurnosova, the leader of the St. Petersburg branch of Garry Kasparov’s United Civil Front party, has been charged for a second time for alleged smuggling. Rail police found a can of caviar among the opposition leader’s bags.

May 19, 2009 | Continued
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Russian Industrial Output Continues on a Steep Decline

Russia’s statistical agency, Rosstat, reports that the country saw a sharp 14.9 percent decline in manufacturing output in the first quarter of 2009.

May 19, 2009 | Continued
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What Does the Kremlin Fear?

Journalist Vitaly Portnikov comments on Russia’s new National security strategy, which lays out Russia’s objectives until 2020, and what it shows about Russia’s leadership. Exclusive translation by theotherrussia.org.

May 16, 2009 | Continued
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Russian Police Apprehended in a Series of Widespread Crimes

After a slate of high-profile crimes committed by police officers in Russia, officials are preparing a new training and education program for officers. Rights experts, however, are concerned this will do little in the corrupt world of Russian law enforcement.

May 15, 2009 | Continued
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Kasparov on Putin’s “Ninth Year in Power”

Writing for the Wall Street Journal, Russian opposition leader Garry Kasparov cautions against jumping to quick conclusion on any liberalization taking place under Russian President Dmitri Medvedev.

May 13, 2009 | Continued
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Russian Police Turn a Blind Eye to Threats Against Opposition Leader

Tambov opposition leader Valery Sytkin has been receiving frequent death threats by mail. Local police have refused to launch an investigation.

May 12, 2009 | Continued
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Russia Moves to Prosecute WWII Deniers at Home and Abroad

Most Russians believe that denying the Soviet victory in World War II is a crime, as the Russian government prepares to introduce legislation to aggressively prosecute those who would downplay the Soviet triumph over Germany.

May 10, 2009 | Continued