Recommended Reading
Russian Authorities Pledge to Transfer Aleksanyan (updated)
Officials at Russia’s Federal Prison Service have promised to move Vasily Aleksanyan to a specialized clinic, although to time-table has been set. The move comes after mounting domestic and international criticism of the inadequate medical treatment provided to the jailed YUKOS executive, who suffers from several deadly illnesses.
Feb 8, 2008 | Continued
Watchdog Group Refuses to Monitor Russian Election
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) will not send electoral monitors to Russia’s March 2nd presidential election. The group cited “severe restrictions” from Moscow as its reason.
Feb 7, 2008 | Continued
Stop the Savage Justice Against Vasily Aleksanyan!
An open letter from prominent Russian human rights activists and opposition leaders in support of Vasily Aleksanyan. Aleksanyan, a former YUKOS executive has been denied medical treatment in prison, and is gravely ill.
Feb 6, 2008 | Continued
Committee to Protect Journalists Calls Russian Media Freedom “Unacceptable”
The Committee to Protect Journalists has released its annual report on conditions for journalists around the world. According to the publication, Russia is the third most dangerous country in the world for press-workers.
Feb 6, 2008 | Continued
Human Rights Watch Blasts Putin’s Russia
The organization Human Rights Watch has released its 2008 World Report and an essay by executive director Kenneth Roth entitled “Despots Masquerading as Democrats” in which Putin’s Russia plays a starring role.
Feb 4, 2008 | Continued
Opposition Activist Held In Psychiatric Hospital
Roman Nikolaychik, an activist from the ARES movement and a State Duma candidate from the Other Russia coalition, has been hospitalized against his will in a mental hospital.
Feb 4, 2008 | Continued
Computers Seized from Independent Newspaper in Togliatti
Law enforcement officers have seized all the computers from the Togliatti Review, an independent Russian newspaper in the Samara oblast. Editors believe the seizure is retribution for a series of articles critical of the United Russia political party.
Feb 3, 2008 | Continued
Conditions Improved for Jailed and Deathly Ill Executive
The administration of Vasily Aleksanyan’s pre-trial detention center has improved living conditions for the jailed Yukos Vice-President. Aleksanyan, who requires constant medical attention, had earlier garnered international attention for the inhumane treatment he was receiving.
Feb 1, 2008 | Continued
The Other Russia Prepares Protests for March 3rd
The Other Russia opposition coalition will lead country-wide demonstrations on March 3rd, 2008, the day after Russia holds presidential elections.
Feb 1, 2008 | Continued
Electoral Body Challenges Candidate’s Income Declarations
Russia’s Central Electoral Commission has challenged the income declarations of three presidential candidates. Dmitri Medvedev, the leading candidate, has been spared, although his stated salary of $71,000 seems surprisingly low for the chairman of the country’s natural gas monopoly.
Jan 31, 2008 | Continued