[Golos, Russia’s only independent election monitor, is the first NGO to succumb to the controversial new law forcing groups that receive foreign funds or engage in “political” activities to register as “foreign agents.” — Ed.] The Ministry of Justice has suspended activities of the “Golos” association for six months. The organization is surprised by this […]
Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved changes to the Russian Federation Criminal Code introducing punishment for offense of the religious beliefs and feelings of citizens. The maximum measure of punishment under the new law will be deprivation of freedom up to three years. A fine of up to 500,000 rubles as well as compulsory and […]
The maxim term of imprisonment for taking part in an extremist association has been increased from two to four years under a draft law that the Russian government has submitted to the State Duma. Furthermore, the fine for this violation of the law is increased from 40,000 to 100,000 rubles. The relevant amendments have been […]
The instruments that Yakemenko used to fight the opposition – drums and girls in bikini, a toilet bowl and sex to fight corruption – have been placed on a back burner. The pro-Kremlin youth swears allegiance to others. There are rumors that the Seliger thing is on its way out, and there is a rift […]
Former NSA employee Edward Snowden, who remains in the transit area at Sheremetyevo Airport, could remain there indefinitely, even as the US attempts to have him extradited for the disclosure of information about government surveillance of electronic communications. This matter is regulated in Russia under Art. 31 of the Law on Entry and Exit. According […]
[This article, written in two parts, analyzes the attempts by Russia’s ruling party to restrict internet privacy, and compares the operations of the Russian Federation to the US PRISM program unveiled by Edward Snowden.—Ed.] The harassment of non-profit organizations, the toughening of the law on public rallies, the teeth-gritting propaganda of the federal television channels, […]
Russian media outlets are reporting that Edward Snowden, the former Booz Allen Hamilton contractor and National Security Agency employee, is spending his third day in Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport. Moskovsky Komsomolets says Snowden is likely staying in a Japanese “capsule” hotel without windows to ensure privacy, and likens him to a legendary Indian who was said […]
[Investigative agencies have filed charges in the final form against Leonid Razvozzhayev, aide to opposition politician and Duma Deputy Ilya Ponomarev. Razvozzhayev, who claims to have been kidnapped by FSB officers and brought back to Russia after seeking political asylum in Ukraine, is charged with organizing and participating in mass disorders and with the unlawful […]
As the saga of fugitive Edward Snowden continues, reports that he has sought refuge in Moscow have caused many to warn of consequences for US-Russian relations. The Interpreter asked Russia expert and author of Deception: Spies, Lies and How Russia Dupes the West, Edward Lucas, for his take on the situation. The Interpreter: What is […]
[Leonid Nevzlin, a former executive of the Yukos oil company, has been tried in absentia and found guilty of misappropriating shares. The proceedings against the former Yukos executives have been widely criticized by international human rights monitors—Ed.] Today [June 24—Ed.] a Moscow district court sentenced Leonid Nevzlin, one of the major Yukos shareholders, to six […]
