Russian

Disgraced City Councilor Flees to Russia, Joins Russian Army Before Trial on Child Pornography Charges

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Holyoke, Massachusetts – Wilmer Puello-Mota, a former city councilor, has reportedly evaded his trial on child pornography charges by fleeing the country. Puello-Mota, who had aspirations for a political career, believed that the criminal charges had ruined his life, according to his lawyer David Cicilline. Fearing a bleak future in his hometown, Puello-Mota opted to join the Russian army instead. The case has gained global attention after a video surfaced, showing Puello-Mota signing a contract to join the Russian armed services. Puello-Mota had been facing charges of possession of child pornography after police discovered explicit … Read more

Latvian Broker Arrested for Violating US Export Laws in Connection to Russian Aerospace Equipment Sales: Justice Department Indicts Third Individual in Johnson County Conspiracy

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JOHNSON COUNTY, Kan. – A Latvian broker has been arrested for violating U.S. export laws in connection with a Johnson County company. The U.S. Department of Justice announced that a citizen of the Republic of Latvia is charged with crimes related to a year-long conspiracy to sell avionics equipment to Russian companies, in violation of U.S. export laws. This arrest is the result of a grand jury’s superseding indictment, which also implicates a Johnson County company and two U.S. nationals. The superseding indictment states that Oleg Chistyakov, also known as Olegs Čitsjakovs, conspired with U.S. … Read more

Russian President Putin Implements Stringent Laws to Quash Dissent and Suppress Human Rights

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TALLINN, Estonia — The Russian government, under President Vladimir Putin’s rule, has enacted a series of laws that curtail fundamental human rights and target dissenting voices in the country. These repressive measures restrict freedom of speech and assembly, as well as the rights of minority groups and those critical of the Kremlin’s narratives. In recent years, the Kremlin has put in place legislation aimed at silencing “foreign agents” accused of influencing Russia, individuals from the LGBTQ+ community, and organizations spreading information contrary to official narratives regarding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The implementation of these laws … Read more

Russian Opposition Leader Navalny’s Former Lawyer Arrested in Moscow Amid Rising Tensions Following Navalny’s Death

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MOSCOW, Russia – The arrest of Vasily Dubkov, the former lawyer of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, has sparked concerns over the ongoing crackdown on dissent in the country. Dubkov was detained in Moscow on Tuesday, just a week after accompanying Navalny’s mother in her appeal to authorities for the release of her son’s body. The exact charges Dubkov faces remain unclear, as opponents of President Vladimir Putin have often been detained without explanation or evidence. While Dubkov was eventually released, his arrest highlights the escalating tensions in Russia following Navalny’s mysterious death in a … Read more