Archive for R J

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Freedom House: Russian Media Environment ‘Repressive and Dangerous’

Freedom House has released its annual report on global press freedom, ranking Russia 175 out of 196 countries and slamming the country for a host of repressive practices.

Apr 29, 2010 | Continued
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Duma Bill Would Expand FSB Powers to Fight ‘Extremism’

Russian legislators are considering a new bill that would allow the Federal Security Services to issue preemptive warnings against individuals or groups for activities they believe may become extremist.

Apr 28, 2010 | Continued
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‘Strategy 31’ Organizers Appeal to Strasbourg Court

Leaders from the Other Russia have officially filed a complaint against the Russian government in the European Court of Human Rights regarding a series of rallies in defense of the right to free assembly.

Apr 27, 2010 | Continued
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Dalai Lama Denied Russian Visa

Buddhist leaders in Kalmytkia say that the Russian Foreign Ministry has turned down their request for a visa to allow the Dalai Lama to visit the country, citing the current anniversary of China and Russia’s shared WWII victory.

Apr 26, 2010 | Continued
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Medvedev ‘Not Ruling Out’ Running in 2012 Presidential Elections

President Medvedev feeds speculation on his possible participation in Russia’s 2012 presidential elections.

Apr 25, 2010 | Continued
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Pamfilova: Kremlin Enables ‘Endemic Corruption’ in North Caucasus

Human rights advocate Ella Pamfilova held a press conference on Friday to discuss an upcoming presidential meeting with rights representatives and to speak about the causes of the recent surge of violence in the North Caucasus.

Apr 23, 2010 | Continued
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Sochi Mayor Orders Residents to Paint Roofs Red

The Mayor of Sochi is ordering residents to paint their roofs red in preparation for the upcoming 2014 Winter Olympics, because “our roofs and fences must be identical.”

Apr 22, 2010 | Continued
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Russia Bans Scientology Writings on Basis of Extremism

Russia has declared a ban on the works of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard on the basis of extremsim, accusing the fantasy writer of instigating social strife and calling for violence against state authorities.

Apr 21, 2010 | Continued
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From the New Times: Putin and His ‘Family’ – Gazprom

The New Times magazine has published a handy chart of some concrete examples of cronyism between Vladimir Putin, Gazprom, and the Russian government.

Apr 20, 2010 | Continued
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Scientist Critical of Olympic Construction Flees Russia

A top geologist working as a consultant for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi has fled to Ukraine, fearing that he may be arrested on trumped-up charges motivated by his warnings about construction for the games.

Apr 19, 2010 | Continued