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As Sochi Election Heats Up, No Breaks for Opposition Candidate

Boris Nemtsov, an opposition politician running for mayor in the Black Sea resort town of Sochi, is facing stiff resistance on the campaign trail, and not from the other candidates.

Mar 23, 2009 | Continued
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Number of Bureaucrats in Russia Doubled over 10 years

The number of civil servants in Russia has nearly doubled over the last 10 years, according to recent figures from the Federal State Statistics Service.

Mar 20, 2009 | Continued
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Russia May Close Domestic Market to Imports

In an apparent swing toward economic protectionism, the Russian government is considering a proposal to restrict the import of a wide range of goods.

Mar 17, 2009 | Continued
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Russian Activist Forced into Psychiatric Confinement

Vadim Charushev, an opposition activist in St. Petersburg, has been held against his will and confined to a psychiatric clinic.

Mar 15, 2009 | Continued
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Russian Opposition Marks ‘Day of Dissent’ in Dozens of Cities

Small peaceful demonstrations took place in dozens of Russian cities Thursday, as opposition groups protested the way Russian authorities have handled the economic crisis.

Mar 12, 2009 | Continued
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Russian Police Back Proposal for Public Militias

Russia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs has backed draft legislation which would create sanctioned civilian militias. The Ministry did not object to arming the so-called “community defense volunteer squads.”

Mar 12, 2009 | Continued
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Russian Voters Defrauded With Invisible Ink

The Just Russia party has alleged that widespread voter fraud took place in recent regional elections, where it claims voters were given pens with disappearing ink. Russia’s Central Electoral Commission, meanwhile, has said the allegation is not technically illegal.

Mar 11, 2009 | Continued
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Russian Soldiers Protest Army Reforms

Over 1000 demonstrators protested army reforms that would disband a local special forces brigade in the city of Berdsk.

Mar 10, 2009 | Continued
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Russian Journalist in Grave Condition After Attack

Vadim Rogozhin, the managing director of a media holding company in the south-Russian city of Saratov, is in critical condition after being attacked on the evening of March 5th.

Mar 7, 2009 | Continued
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Beware of Doing Deals With Putin – Kasparov

In his latest editorial for the Wall Street Journal, Russian opposition leader Garry Kasparov argues that the West should not prop up or “bail out” Russia’s authoritarian regime.

Mar 6, 2009 | Continued