New Russian Legislation Makes Searching for Pussy Riot Videos a Criminal Offense

Moscow, Russia — Russia’s parliament has enacted a controversial law that criminalizes searching for content classified as “extremist,” a move that significantly impacts access to certain videos by the activist group Pussy Riot. The legislation, passed on July 17, is set to take effect in September and intensifies the government’s control over online content. Under the new law, individuals who intentionally seek out materials designated as extremist will face penalties. The justice ministry has compiled a list exceeding 5,000 entries that defines such content, which includes various forms of media like websites, music, political slogans, … Read more

Big Tech’s Dilemma: The Russian Perspective on Supporting Authoritarian Regimes

Moscow, Russia – In a digital age where global connectivity could champion transparency and freedom, the actions of major tech companies in dealing with authoritarian regimes raise critical ethical questions. Nowhere is this more apparent than in Russia, where the impact of these corporations’ decisions touches directly on the push and pull between repression and resistance. At the heart of these complexities lies the relationship between technology giants and governments, particularly those led by figures like Russia’s Vladimir Putin. These powerful tech entities wield significant influence over public discourse and information flow, sparking debates around … Read more

Kyiv Authorities Arrest Lawyer for Allegedly Assisting Russian Military Intelligence and Recruiting Agents

Kyiv, Ukraine — Ukrainian authorities have arrested a lawyer accused of acting as an agent for Russian military intelligence, the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) announced. The lawyer, who was not named, reportedly recruited operatives and provided legal defense for them while conveying sensitive information to Russia. The SSU detailed how the lawyer first assisted Russian forces by identifying a target spotter for artillery in Ukraine before representing the same individual after their arrest. The association between the lawyer and Russian intelligence began after a meeting in 2015 with GRU officer Vitaliy Naumov on Russian … Read more

U.S. Sanctions Russian Judge in High-Profile Human Rights Clampdown, Citing Unfair Detention of Anti-War Activist Alexei Gorinov

Washington, D.C. — The U.S. has leveled sanctions against Russian judge Olesya Mendeleeva, accusing her of playing a critical role in the imprisonment of activist Alexei Gorinov, who opposed Russia’s military actions in Ukraine. Gorinov, a vocal critic of the Kremlin, received a seven-year prison sentence after he criticized Russia’s involvement in Ukraine during a local council meeting. The sanctions, enforced by the U.S. Treasury Department, involve the freezing of any assets Mendeleeva possesses under U.S. jurisdiction and prohibit any transactions between her and American entities. This measure highlights the U.S. government’s reproach of what … Read more