Russian President Vladimir Putin has fired the defense minister to clear the way for an investigation into a corruption scandal. Mr. Putin said Tuesday that he has dismissed Anatoly Serdyukov from the powerful position and replaced him with former emergency minister and regional governor Sergei Shoigu, a staunch Putin ally. The move comes just weeks […]
Putin Replaces Defense Minister Amid Corruption Scandal
Posted November 6th, 2012 at 8:10 am (UTC-5)
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Russian PM: Pussy Riot Should be Freed
Posted November 2nd, 2012 at 9:50 am (UTC-5)
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev says he believes the two members of the punk band Pussy Riot should be released from prison. RIA Novosti news agency quotes Mr. Medvedev Friday as saying it was not “right” for Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyoknina to serve prison sentences, adding that they had “already been in jail long […]
Russia’s Upper House Passes Treason Bill
Posted October 31st, 2012 at 10:40 am (UTC-5)
Russia’s upper house of parliament has approved a controversial new draft law on treason that would make it a crime to give harmful information to foreign-based nongovernmental organizations. The Federation Council passed the measure Wednesday. That move clears the way for President Vladimir Putin to sign it into law, as he is expected to do. […]
Russia’s Upper House Passes Treason Bill
Posted October 31st, 2012 at 5:20 am (UTC-5)
Russia’s upper house of parliament has approved a controversial new draft law on treason that would make it a crime to give harmful information to foreign-based nongovernmental organizations. The Federation Council passed the measure Wednesday. That move clears the way for President Vladimir Putin to sign it into law, as he is expected to do. […]
Rights Group: Russia Using Stalin-Era Tactics Against Opposition
Posted October 30th, 2012 at 12:05 pm (UTC-5)
A Russian human rights group says the country’s leaders are using tactics against the opposition that are reminiscent of those used under Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin during the 1920s and 30s. In a statement Tuesday, rights group Memorial condemned a growing crackdown on opponents of President Vladimir Putin that has seen a growing protest movement […]
Imam Shot to Death in Russia’s Dagestan
Posted October 30th, 2012 at 11:00 am (UTC-5)
A Muslim cleric has been shot dead in the Russian republic of Dagestan, amid what experts say are rising tensions between moderate Muslims and radical Islamists in the volatile region. Russian police say two unidentified gunmen opened fire on Kalimulla Ibragimov early Tuesday morning in the city of Derbent as he was on his way […]
Russian Imam Shot to Death in Dagestan
Posted October 30th, 2012 at 4:25 am (UTC-5)
A Muslim cleric in the Russian region of Dagestan has been shot dead on his way to morning prayers. His father and brother were also killed. Russian police say Kalimulla Ibragimov and his relatives were killed in their car Tuesday in the city of Derbent. It is the latest in a series of attacks on […]
Russian Activist Udaltsov Charged in Plotting Riots
Posted October 26th, 2012 at 12:50 pm (UTC-5)
Russian investigators have charged another opposition activist with plotting riots as part of an apparent Kremlin crackdown on the anti-Putin protest movement. Russia’s State Investigations Committee filed charges Friday against Sergei Udaltsov, who faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted. He was not detained but has been ordered to stay in Moscow pending […]
EU Expresses Concern About Russia Treason Law
Posted October 25th, 2012 at 3:45 pm (UTC-5)
European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton has expressed concern about Russia’s new legislation which broadens the definition of treason. Ashton’s office issued a statement Thursday, saying that “the new law would expand the scope for prosecution of and reduce the burden of proof for charges of treason and espionage.” Current law describes high treason […]
Ukraine Blames ‘Foreign’ Security Forces in Russian Activist’s Disappearance
Posted October 25th, 2012 at 3:10 pm (UTC-5)
Ukrainian officials say foreign security agencies are responsible for the disappearance of a Russian opposition activist, who said he was kidnapped and forcibly taken to Moscow. An Interior Ministry spokesman said Thursday it is clear that criminal elements were not involved in last week’s disappearance of Leonid Razvozzhayev, an assistant deputy of the opposition Just […]
