Latest News
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.
29Apr2010 | R J | Comments Off on Freedom House: Russian Media Environment ‘Repressive and Dangerous’ | Continued
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.
28Apr2010 | R J | Comments Off on Duma Bill Would Expand FSB Powers to Fight ‘Extremism’ | Continued
‘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.
27Apr2010 | R J | Comments Off on ‘Strategy 31’ Organizers Appeal to Strasbourg Court | Continued
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.
26Apr2010 | R J | Comments Off on Dalai Lama Denied Russian Visa | Continued
Medvedev ‘Not Ruling Out’ Running in 2012 Presidential Elections
President Medvedev feeds speculation on his possible participation in Russia’s 2012 presidential elections.
25Apr2010 | R J | Comments Off on Medvedev ‘Not Ruling Out’ Running in 2012 Presidential Elections | Continued
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.
23Apr2010 | R J | Comments Off on Pamfilova: Kremlin Enables ‘Endemic Corruption’ in North Caucasus | Continued
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.”
22Apr2010 | R J | Comments Off on Sochi Mayor Orders Residents to Paint Roofs Red | 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.
21Apr2010 | R J | Comments Off on Russia Bans Scientology Writings on Basis of Extremism | Continued
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.
20Apr2010 | R J | Comments Off on From the New Times: Putin and His ‘Family’ – Gazprom | Continued
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.
19Apr2010 | R J | Comments Off on Scientist Critical of Olympic Construction Flees Russia | Continued