Repression
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
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
‘YouTube Cop’ Gives Medvedev a Deadline and a Warning
Whistleblower cop Aleksei Dymovsky has issued a final video address to the Russian president, giving him a deadline of November 12, 2010, to address police corruption or step down from his post.
Apr 12, 2010 | Continued
Moscow Mayor Hypocritially Discusses Freedom of Assembly
Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov says that Triumfalnaya Square is too small to hold thousands of opposition protesters, despite allowing thousands of pro-Kremlin protesters to use the same space last week.
Apr 7, 2010 | Continued
Duma Bill Would Ban Reproducing ‘Statements by Terrorists’ (updated)
Amidst public criticism of the Kremlin’s failure to prevent terrorist attacks, a new law adopted by the Russian State Duma will ban the media from reproducing any statements whatsoever issued by anyone deemed to be a terrorist.
Apr 5, 2010 | Continued
50 Detained in Moscow Opposition Rally; Alexeyeva Violently Attacked
Approximately 50 activists were detained Wednesday evening on Moscow’s Triumfalnaya Square in the opposition’s most recent rally in defense of the constitutional right to freedom of assembly.
Apr 1, 2010 | Continued
Prosecution Rests in Exhaustive Khodorkovsky Case
After thirteen months and fifty-one witnesses, the prosecution has concluded its presentation of evidence in the second court case against jailed oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky, who will take the stand in his own defense in early April.
Mar 30, 2010 | Continued
Khodorkovsky Calls Putin to Court
Imprisoned oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky, currently in Moscow facing charges in a second case against him, has issued a series of questions that he demands Prime Minister Putin answer directly in court.
Mar 17, 2010 | Continued
Regional Elections Fraught With Allegations of Violations
Independent observers have labeled Sunday’s regional elections in Russia as “the filthiest in all of history,” while the leading United Russia party says that it is satisfied with how the elections were held.
Mar 15, 2010 | Continued
Ekho Moskvy Bans Song Critical of Lukoil VP
Ekho Moskvy, considered to be one of Russia’s only uncensored news sources, has clamped down on a host’s attempt to play a song criticizing a high-level oil executive suspected of killing two women in a car crash last month.
Mar 3, 2010 | Continued