Freedom News

Russia: thousands sign open letter in solidarity with imprisoned anarchists

On February 10th, seven Russian anarchists accused of participation in “the Network” group were sentenced for terrorist offences to a total of 86 years imprisonment. Freedom News covered the details of the case and the accusations here. The sentences were harsh. Dmitry Pchelintsev received 18 years, Ilya Shakursky 16 years, Arman Sagynbaev 6 years, Andrei

Russia: Bailiff base burns along with debtor files

The building in Krasnoyarsk owned by the Federal Bailiff Service (SSP), a State-run body linked to the Ministry of Justice, was set alight by unknown arsonists on the same night as its previous HQ was also torched. The fire on the night of February 6th destroyed the roof and attic, while the second floor of

Disturbing alliances: The Christian right’s long march

It has been more than two decades since Allan Carlson, a former member of the National Commission on Children during the Reagan administration, first met Russian scholars Anatoly Antonov and Victor Medkov. His visit in 1995 inspired the foundation of the World Congress of Families (WCF), a transnational network of far-right and religious fundamentalist groups

Russia: prosecutor demands prison sentences of 6 to 18 years for anarchist defendants in “Network” case

The prosecutor in charge of the so-called “Network” aka Penza/St Petersburgh case demanded on 26th December prison time between 6 and 18 years for seven defendants. If convicted, all but two will serve their sentences in a high-security prison colony. The Network case had begun in October 2017, when the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB)

Large protest in Moscow demands release of political prisoners

Around 20,000 people gathered last Sunday in central Moscow to demand freedom for political prisoners. The participants, chanting “Let them go”, demanded an end to repression against anti-government activists after some received jail sentences of up to four years. The activists were prosecuted for taking part in “illegal protests” during the Summer with trumped-up charges

Russia: “The Network” trial begins

Amid presence the courtroom of riot police, regular police, court bailiffs and supporters, the trial in the case of the Network begun in St. Petersburg on Tuesday, with a 24-year old programmer Viktor Filinkov and a 27-year- old Yuli Bayarshinov charged with involvement in the “anarchist terrorist community”. Filinkov and Bayarshinov are on trial by

Russia: court extends arrest order against anarchist Azat Miftakhov

The Golovinsky Court of Moscow has extended until 7th April the pre-trial detention of Moscow State University student Azat Miftakhov. The court hearing was held yesterday late afternoon outside the court’s official working hours, with Azat’s supporters and mother forcibly removed from the court room. Azat was detained under suspicion of bomb-making on 1st February.

Russia: Slaver killed during uprising

Reports from the village of Vanzezat, Beloyarsky District say the “local businessman” was shot dead by one of the people he had illegally pressed into work. Six police officers from the regional capital of Beloyarsky showed up on snowmobiles to the tiny village following the clash on Sunday night and have opened an investigation into