Showing posts with label Vladimir Putin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vladimir Putin. Show all posts
Thursday, December 6, 2012
On the Pussy Riot Front: Attacks Against Freedom of Speech & Expression; Censorship, & Control of the WEB
The ever freedom loving Vladimir Putin and his happy-go-lucky cronies in the Russian government have taken the idea of “book burning” & censorship and brought it kicking and screaming into the digital age with a Moscow District court labeling four videos by the much under fire punk band “Pussy Riot” as to extreme for viewing, with the court saying that “access to all websites hosting the videos must be limited.” One of the videos in particular was of the performance the band did at Moscow’s main Russian Orthodox Cathedral where the band protested Putin and his re-election along with his ties to the Church itself that of which whose patriarch (Patriarch Kirill) endorsed Putin‘s re-election. The performance lead to the arrest of three of the band’s members (Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, 22, Marina Alyokhina, 24, and Yekaterina Samutsevich, 30) on Hooliganism Charges. The sites that violate the courts ruling face administrative fines up to 100,000 Rubles ($3,000 USD). The court used the vaguely defined “Extremism” Law that is supposed to restrict the Russian Neo-Nazi movement & terrorists groups from posting their rhetoric on the WEB. One such video that was banned was that of “The Innocence of Muslims”, the badly made YOUTUBE video that brought about protests and riots in the Middle East. Opponents of the Kremlin charge that the government of exploiting the law to stifle the freedom of speech.
Yekaterina Samutsevich, one of the members of the band that was arrested for the impromptu concert and who has recently been released from jail upon with a suspended sentence, stated “Just as in old times, we burned books. Now we are deleting video clips which have undoubted historic significance.” Samutsevich went to court appealing their decision on the banning of the “Pussy Riot” material calling it “a clear sign of censorship of art and the culture of protest.” A spokeswomen for the district court (Zamoskvorechye), Yevgenia Pazukhina, said that Samutsevich had no right to appeal the decision since she had not taken part of the hearing. (To note, the court rejected Samutsevich request to take part in the hearing.) Pazukhina also went on to say that the court’s decision will take effect in a month’s time unless it is appealed. Spokesman for the Russian Orthodox Church in Moscow, Vsevolod Chaplin, said they embraced the district court's decision, saying that the “Pussy Riot's” videos offended the feelings of all Orthodox Christians.
All of this comes on the heals during the time that the 12th annual World Conference on Informational Telecommunications (WCIT-12) Summit is taking place in Dubai. The WCIT-12 is where the United Nations advisory is facilitating updates & changes to the global telecommunications regulations that would place the Internet under control of nation states. Russia, along with China, are seeking to impose levies on Internet traffic and adopt standards that would make it much easier to track users and their activities. The measure known as Y.2770 would allow the United Nations’ International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to adopt standards that would allow the inspection of Internet traffic including the inspection of personal emails. The United States House of Representatives -in rare solidarity- voted unanimously against Y.2770 and any other such measure that would give the U.N. or anyone else control of the WEB. Also, Russian lawmakers are also looking into toughening laws for religious offences. The new draft of the law would put in place prison terms for violations that occur, like that of the “Pussy Riot” performance, and other religious offences.
So if the new religious laws go into effect, then what next? Do we see a modern version of the Salem Witch Trails taking place in Russia against anyone who dares to speak out against… well, anything? It sure seems that way already. Apparently the pro-Putin, Kremlin-backed youth movement know as Nashi ("Ours!") seems to have placed a bounty on the other women of “Pussy Riot” that took part in the concert against Putin’s re-election. Pushing the women (the band supposedly numbers 20 members) deeper into hiding to the point of which the band’s own lawyers do not know the whereabouts of the band’s “Headquarters”.
Source Material:
Rolling Stone
The Associated Press
Reuters
The Daily Beast
And other Internet Sites
Friday, August 17, 2012
PUSSY RIOT: The Verdict Is In… The U.S… And What’s Next
To no real surprise by anyone following the case of the Feminist Punk Band, Pussy Riot, and the three members that are on trial (Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, 22, Marina Alyokhina, 24, and Yekaterina Samutsevich, 30) were found guilty on the charge for “Hooliganism”. (The Moscow city court system had only a 0.7 percent acquittal rate in criminal trials in 2011, handing down not-guilty verdicts in just 239 of the 35,626 cases tried in court that year, and with a case this high profile you can see why everyone thought the fix was surely in) and has been sentenced to two (2) years behind bars. Judge, Marina Syrova, stating that the women “committed hooliganism driven by religious hatred and offending religious believers.” when they stormed Moscow’s main Russian Orthodox Church back in February to protest the re-election of Russian President, Vladimir Putin and his close ties with Church leaders whom have called his place in power “miracle of god”.
What the basis for this charge?
1) It is forbidden for video and photo cameras to be switched on inside the Cathedral which the band clearly violated when they filmed the impromptu concert. (GASP!)
2) The women were wearing short dresses. "When they bowed (before the altar), their dresses rode up." That, and the band members' clothes did not obey the Russian Orthodox church code (headscarf’s, long skirts). (Doubly GASP!! The band was wearing their trade mark look of gaudy brightly colored -ripped to fit- dresses that looked like they had been on the clothes rack since the 1980‘s, knee high boots and balaclavas to cover their faces) & engaged in homosexual propaganda. (Ah, that I have no idea were it came from) All of it occurring at the "address of God."
Yeah, that pretty much sums up the main points of the charge.
The Judge went on to give detailed descriptions of what several of church goers felt about the protest act the band made. Unfortunately, some of the “offended Church” goers weren’t even there at the time of the protest and some didn’t even know about what had happened until they saw it on the evening news.
The Judge also went as far to say that the band members of “Pussy Riot” "imitated demonic attacks." Really? Is this a fucking court case in the 21 century or we back in the days of Inquisition when the church was on the look out for witches and heretics and anyone else that did not think the way they were told to think.
While the Judge Marina Syrova is on the side of the Russian Orthodox Church (we have to remember here that the head of the Church, Patriarch Kirill, sports a $40,000 watch and is reported to live a “lavish lifestyle”) not everyone in the former Communist nation thinks the same. Polls show that the country is split almost down the middle with what is happening and many fear that this a return to the former glory days when leaders shut down any thought of government protest and stifled free speech.
“This extraordinary case is now unquestionably the biggest test of freedom of expression Putin has yet faced.” (Jonathan Rugman, Britain’s Channel 4) The trial of the members of “Pussy Riot” caps off a very tumultuous first 100 days in office for Putin. The Kremlin has been under increasing fire since Putin’s re-election, the once swaggering bravado we saw in his first two terms (& as Prime Minister) has absent this time around; the man who loved to tout himself on Russian television like he the white -better looking- and more important version of Jesse Jackson appeared mostly defensive and downbeat and hasn't even made one of his trademark TV appearances. Instead Putin has been more focused on his opponents, either real or (some even think) imagined, trying to keep them at bay, however, Putin does occasionally make (awkward) attempts to engage them as he did recently while in London for the Olympics when he called for leniency and that court “will come to the right decision”. All of this is in stark contrast to what he has been doing during his first 100 days. One of his [Putin] first acts as President was to appoint Igor Kholmanskikh, a hard-faced tank factory worker, as a as presidential envoy to the Ural Mountains region (who has zero qualifications when it comes to this kind of job). His main selling point is that he [Kholmanskikh] stated on national television that he and his co-workers were ready to go to Moscow “to fight protesters who had started rising up en masse.” Many believe and author Boris Akunin wrote in his blog that Putin thinks that the protesters as a pampered and deluded elite bunch and the move suggests that he [Putin] is trying to exploit class resentments. Rejecting pretensions that he is the leader and president of all of the Russian people, that he [Putin] has started to work exclusively with the “simple people.”
Another thing Putin has done to paint the view that he is trying to return Russia to the former days when the government ruled with an iron fist is that he [Putin] has signed into law a new fine for unauthorized protests that raises it 150 times to 300,000 rubles (about $9,000). However, at the current time the authorities have grant most petitions to protest but many fear that can be reeled in at anytime.
Not long after that, Putin signed into law requiring non-governmental organizations engaging in (what they call as) ill-defined "political activity" and who receive money from abroad to register as foreign agents. The new law reinforces claims by Putin that United States and that of other Western countries are funding efforts against him -again tones in speech that hark back to the days of communism.
Puitn also signed a law that calls for to ban websites that carry content deemed harmful to children. Which can mean anything. Although, said list itself will be kept secret. That part of the law alarms critics saying that it can be used to shut down what they deem as troublesome pro-opposition sites.
The United States government finally came out condemning the proceedings. It was rather odd the U.S. had waited so long in my opinion considering that we are suppose to be the champions of FREE SPEECH. I mean Obama himself doesn’t have to take to the airwaves himself but, fuck, he has staff right? This would be more of a thing that maybe Hillary might want to comment on, right? But since the beginning the government has kept rather quite about it all, along with most of the mainstream NETWORK media. Not to say that is has been all quite of the western front of the “Pussy Riot” trial. Stars like Madonna and Paul McCartney, and Bjork have been more than vocal along with the art and music communities around the world, calling for today to be called “Pussy Riot Action Day”, and calling for their release.
In Ukraine, four feminist activists, one of them topless, used a chainsaw to hack down a wooden cross in Kiev's central square in a show of support.
In Sofia, Bulgaria, supporters of Pussy Riot dressed statues on a Soviet-era monument in colorful balaclavas similar to those worn by demonstrators in Moscow.
In Paris, a protest is planned to coincide with the verdict on Igor Stravinsky Square, near the Centre Pompidou modern art museum. In Washington and capitals around Europe, protests are planned outside Russian embassies.
While journalists in Moscow have spotted downtown statues wearing brightly colored balaclavas, a Pussy Riot trademark.
Prominent Putin critic and opposition leader Alexei Navalny caused a stir when her arrived at the courthouse to show support. And Leftist politician Sergei Udaltsov, another key opposition figure who also came to show support for Pussy Riot, along with two demonstrators -one hooded, the other holding a placard calling for the women's release -where arrested near the court, as dozens of police had been deployed around the court building and metal barricades placed on both sides of the street, preventing any large-scale gathering.
John Dalhuisen, director of Amnesty International's Europe and Central Asia Program, urged Russian authorities to overturn the sentence and release the trio unconditionally. Stating that the verdict was "a bitter blow for freedom of expression in the country." Amnesty as saying that the women's conduct "was politically motivated, and that they were wrongfully prosecuted for what was a legitimate -if potentially offensive- protest action. The organization considers all three activists to be prisoners of conscience, detained solely for the peaceful expression of their beliefs."
What the basis for this charge?
1) It is forbidden for video and photo cameras to be switched on inside the Cathedral which the band clearly violated when they filmed the impromptu concert. (GASP!)
2) The women were wearing short dresses. "When they bowed (before the altar), their dresses rode up." That, and the band members' clothes did not obey the Russian Orthodox church code (headscarf’s, long skirts). (Doubly GASP!! The band was wearing their trade mark look of gaudy brightly colored -ripped to fit- dresses that looked like they had been on the clothes rack since the 1980‘s, knee high boots and balaclavas to cover their faces) & engaged in homosexual propaganda. (Ah, that I have no idea were it came from) All of it occurring at the "address of God."
Yeah, that pretty much sums up the main points of the charge.
The Judge went on to give detailed descriptions of what several of church goers felt about the protest act the band made. Unfortunately, some of the “offended Church” goers weren’t even there at the time of the protest and some didn’t even know about what had happened until they saw it on the evening news.
The Judge also went as far to say that the band members of “Pussy Riot” "imitated demonic attacks." Really? Is this a fucking court case in the 21 century or we back in the days of Inquisition when the church was on the look out for witches and heretics and anyone else that did not think the way they were told to think.
While the Judge Marina Syrova is on the side of the Russian Orthodox Church (we have to remember here that the head of the Church, Patriarch Kirill, sports a $40,000 watch and is reported to live a “lavish lifestyle”) not everyone in the former Communist nation thinks the same. Polls show that the country is split almost down the middle with what is happening and many fear that this a return to the former glory days when leaders shut down any thought of government protest and stifled free speech.
“This extraordinary case is now unquestionably the biggest test of freedom of expression Putin has yet faced.” (Jonathan Rugman, Britain’s Channel 4) The trial of the members of “Pussy Riot” caps off a very tumultuous first 100 days in office for Putin. The Kremlin has been under increasing fire since Putin’s re-election, the once swaggering bravado we saw in his first two terms (& as Prime Minister) has absent this time around; the man who loved to tout himself on Russian television like he the white -better looking- and more important version of Jesse Jackson appeared mostly defensive and downbeat and hasn't even made one of his trademark TV appearances. Instead Putin has been more focused on his opponents, either real or (some even think) imagined, trying to keep them at bay, however, Putin does occasionally make (awkward) attempts to engage them as he did recently while in London for the Olympics when he called for leniency and that court “will come to the right decision”. All of this is in stark contrast to what he has been doing during his first 100 days. One of his [Putin] first acts as President was to appoint Igor Kholmanskikh, a hard-faced tank factory worker, as a as presidential envoy to the Ural Mountains region (who has zero qualifications when it comes to this kind of job). His main selling point is that he [Kholmanskikh] stated on national television that he and his co-workers were ready to go to Moscow “to fight protesters who had started rising up en masse.” Many believe and author Boris Akunin wrote in his blog that Putin thinks that the protesters as a pampered and deluded elite bunch and the move suggests that he [Putin] is trying to exploit class resentments. Rejecting pretensions that he is the leader and president of all of the Russian people, that he [Putin] has started to work exclusively with the “simple people.”
Another thing Putin has done to paint the view that he is trying to return Russia to the former days when the government ruled with an iron fist is that he [Putin] has signed into law a new fine for unauthorized protests that raises it 150 times to 300,000 rubles (about $9,000). However, at the current time the authorities have grant most petitions to protest but many fear that can be reeled in at anytime.
Not long after that, Putin signed into law requiring non-governmental organizations engaging in (what they call as) ill-defined "political activity" and who receive money from abroad to register as foreign agents. The new law reinforces claims by Putin that United States and that of other Western countries are funding efforts against him -again tones in speech that hark back to the days of communism.
Puitn also signed a law that calls for to ban websites that carry content deemed harmful to children. Which can mean anything. Although, said list itself will be kept secret. That part of the law alarms critics saying that it can be used to shut down what they deem as troublesome pro-opposition sites.
The United States government finally came out condemning the proceedings. It was rather odd the U.S. had waited so long in my opinion considering that we are suppose to be the champions of FREE SPEECH. I mean Obama himself doesn’t have to take to the airwaves himself but, fuck, he has staff right? This would be more of a thing that maybe Hillary might want to comment on, right? But since the beginning the government has kept rather quite about it all, along with most of the mainstream NETWORK media. Not to say that is has been all quite of the western front of the “Pussy Riot” trial. Stars like Madonna and Paul McCartney, and Bjork have been more than vocal along with the art and music communities around the world, calling for today to be called “Pussy Riot Action Day”, and calling for their release.
In Ukraine, four feminist activists, one of them topless, used a chainsaw to hack down a wooden cross in Kiev's central square in a show of support.
In Sofia, Bulgaria, supporters of Pussy Riot dressed statues on a Soviet-era monument in colorful balaclavas similar to those worn by demonstrators in Moscow.
In Paris, a protest is planned to coincide with the verdict on Igor Stravinsky Square, near the Centre Pompidou modern art museum. In Washington and capitals around Europe, protests are planned outside Russian embassies.
While journalists in Moscow have spotted downtown statues wearing brightly colored balaclavas, a Pussy Riot trademark.
Prominent Putin critic and opposition leader Alexei Navalny caused a stir when her arrived at the courthouse to show support. And Leftist politician Sergei Udaltsov, another key opposition figure who also came to show support for Pussy Riot, along with two demonstrators -one hooded, the other holding a placard calling for the women's release -where arrested near the court, as dozens of police had been deployed around the court building and metal barricades placed on both sides of the street, preventing any large-scale gathering.
John Dalhuisen, director of Amnesty International's Europe and Central Asia Program, urged Russian authorities to overturn the sentence and release the trio unconditionally. Stating that the verdict was "a bitter blow for freedom of expression in the country." Amnesty as saying that the women's conduct "was politically motivated, and that they were wrongfully prosecuted for what was a legitimate -if potentially offensive- protest action. The organization considers all three activists to be prisoners of conscience, detained solely for the peaceful expression of their beliefs."
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Pussy Riot Trial Ends and Goes To the Judge
Well, what seems to be rapidly becoming the trial of the century in Russia has officially come to an end. And the fate of Samutsevich, 29, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, 22, and Maria Alyokhina, 24, of -and now probably the most famous band in the world- PUSSY RIOT is now in the hands of the judge presiding over the case, and she has said that she will have a verdict on August 17th.
Not long, but more-than-likely can’t come soon enough to the families of the jailed musicians who have been behind bars since March when they were arrested for their impromptu performance that took place in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior.
Russian Orthodox Christians see the band as doing the devil’s work but they are seen as heroes to those that view what the Russian government seems to have been doing since the return of Vladimir Putin to the presidency, who seems to be cracking down on any one that speaks out against the Kremlin.
Putin severed as President from 2000-2008, served four years as the county’s Prime Minister and now has once again become president unit 2018, and as opposition grows for what has become a job for life for Putin, a former KGB head, he seems to be trying to silence those that oppose the fact that he has shaped Russian policy for -what will be- almost two decades, and many think that this is the return to the old days of the Kremlin and their communist ways, although the Russian Orthodox Church has fared very well under the rule of Putin. Church officials praising god for the man as being a "miracle of God" for his leadership.
However, Pussy Riot's supporters, friends and family say that the judiciary is not independent and fear the worst for the three women with Stanislav Samutsevich, father of Yekaterina Samutsevich, saying, "There is no hope in this court. It is an especially organized tribunal to put pressure on the any manifestation of opposition in the country."
Not long, but more-than-likely can’t come soon enough to the families of the jailed musicians who have been behind bars since March when they were arrested for their impromptu performance that took place in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior.
Russian Orthodox Christians see the band as doing the devil’s work but they are seen as heroes to those that view what the Russian government seems to have been doing since the return of Vladimir Putin to the presidency, who seems to be cracking down on any one that speaks out against the Kremlin.
Putin severed as President from 2000-2008, served four years as the county’s Prime Minister and now has once again become president unit 2018, and as opposition grows for what has become a job for life for Putin, a former KGB head, he seems to be trying to silence those that oppose the fact that he has shaped Russian policy for -what will be- almost two decades, and many think that this is the return to the old days of the Kremlin and their communist ways, although the Russian Orthodox Church has fared very well under the rule of Putin. Church officials praising god for the man as being a "miracle of God" for his leadership.
However, Pussy Riot's supporters, friends and family say that the judiciary is not independent and fear the worst for the three women with Stanislav Samutsevich, father of Yekaterina Samutsevich, saying, "There is no hope in this court. It is an especially organized tribunal to put pressure on the any manifestation of opposition in the country."
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Pussy Riot Trial: The Beginning of the End Of the Trail & The Irony Of It All
Like in the United States dissent is a legitimate and essential right in Russia, hell, it’s the corner stone to any democracy, however, I guess in Russia just don’t do it in church. Especially, and the case can be made, that the Orthodox Church in Russia has enjoyed a revival since the fall of communism and their atheist beliefs.
Now, in my eyes anyway, Russia is starting to look and act more like a fundamentalist Arab country like Iran. Which is strange because I was always told that President Putin was old school hard liner, a throw back to the days of the communist party.
In closing arguments this week, Prosecutor Alexei Nikiforov said, "The actions of the accomplices clearly show religious hatred and enmity. Using swear words in a church is an abuse of God. And given the "severity" of the crime, "requisite punishment” must be a real deprivation of freedom.” (Alexei Nikiforov is looking to get a three (3) year sentence.)
Ah, yeah, NO.
Now here is the thing: Maria Alyokhina, 24, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, 22, and Yekaterina Samutsevich, 29, all face charges of Article 13 for Hooliganism, and in that charge there says nothing about speaking out against the church or their beliefs. Actually the charge is as follows:
Article 213. Hooliganism
1. Hooliganism, that is, a gross violation of the public order which expresses patent contempt for society, attended by violence against private persons or by the threat of its use, and likewise by the destruction or damage of other people's property,
shall be punishable by compulsory works for a term of 120 to 180 hours, or by corrective labor for a term of six to twelve months, or by arrest for a term of four to six months, or by deprivation of liberty for a term of up to two years.
2. The same act, if it is:
a) committed by a group of persons, a group of persons in a preliminary conspiracy, or an organized group;
b) connected with resistance to a representative of authority or to any other person who fulfills the duty of protecting the public order or who prevents violation of the public order;
c) committed by a person who was earlier convicted of hooliganism-
shall be punishable by compulsory works for a term of 180 to 240 hours, or by corrective labor for a term of one to two years, or by deprivation of liberty for a term of up to five years.
3. Hooliganism committed with the use of arms or objects used as arms
shall be punishable by deprivation of liberty for a term of four to eight years.
And from my understanding of what happened “Pussy Riot” did none of these things except express a “patent contempt” for the re-election Vladimir Putin and his ties with Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church, and is what is a clearly lined out in the Russian Constitution committed a clear violation of it by publicly backing Putin in elections. No violence occurred as well no property was damaged during the performance.
This is starting to look more as a show boat of a trial (think Kangaroo court which I have already written about in this case), Putin, using the church to further new laws when it comes to demonstrations against the Kremlin in the wake of the biggest anti-government protests in modern Russian history. And what better way to do it than with fear and outrage, a little slight of hand if you will.
And now slight of hand and misdirection is being used against those from abroad that are speaking out in this case. Namely Madonna who has a planned concert in Moscow coming up on Tuesday. Madonna has told reporters that it would be "a tragedy" if the women were sentenced to prison. Stating: "I am against censorship and in my whole career I have always promoted freedom of expression, freedom of speech, so obviously I think what's happening to them is unfair."
As you might have thought, her words have angered many on the other side of this case who are now accusing Madonna of interfering in the country's internal affairs. Laughable by us, yes, but with the growing divide between Russians over the matter it becomes a concern especially now with religious figures vowing to stage protests outside Madonna's Moscow concert and another performance this week in Saint Petersburg. Ah, the irony in all that. I love the fact that they feel no qualms at all about protesting Madonna with Kirill Frolov, of the Orthodox Experts Association, saying, "We will drop by to say 'no' to blasphemy... and to explain our position to those who plan to attend her concert.” And also telling Interfax news agency: "A woman calling herself Madonna who intends to desecrate the cross, we will not stand for that.”
Now if that isn’t the pot calling the kettle black!
Guess we all now have to sit and wait for is surely going to be a conviction of the three women. But how long that sentence will be is anybody’s best guess.
Now, in my eyes anyway, Russia is starting to look and act more like a fundamentalist Arab country like Iran. Which is strange because I was always told that President Putin was old school hard liner, a throw back to the days of the communist party.
In closing arguments this week, Prosecutor Alexei Nikiforov said, "The actions of the accomplices clearly show religious hatred and enmity. Using swear words in a church is an abuse of God. And given the "severity" of the crime, "requisite punishment” must be a real deprivation of freedom.” (Alexei Nikiforov is looking to get a three (3) year sentence.)
Ah, yeah, NO.
Now here is the thing: Maria Alyokhina, 24, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, 22, and Yekaterina Samutsevich, 29, all face charges of Article 13 for Hooliganism, and in that charge there says nothing about speaking out against the church or their beliefs. Actually the charge is as follows:
Article 213. Hooliganism
1. Hooliganism, that is, a gross violation of the public order which expresses patent contempt for society, attended by violence against private persons or by the threat of its use, and likewise by the destruction or damage of other people's property,
shall be punishable by compulsory works for a term of 120 to 180 hours, or by corrective labor for a term of six to twelve months, or by arrest for a term of four to six months, or by deprivation of liberty for a term of up to two years.
2. The same act, if it is:
a) committed by a group of persons, a group of persons in a preliminary conspiracy, or an organized group;
b) connected with resistance to a representative of authority or to any other person who fulfills the duty of protecting the public order or who prevents violation of the public order;
c) committed by a person who was earlier convicted of hooliganism-
shall be punishable by compulsory works for a term of 180 to 240 hours, or by corrective labor for a term of one to two years, or by deprivation of liberty for a term of up to five years.
3. Hooliganism committed with the use of arms or objects used as arms
shall be punishable by deprivation of liberty for a term of four to eight years.
And from my understanding of what happened “Pussy Riot” did none of these things except express a “patent contempt” for the re-election Vladimir Putin and his ties with Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church, and is what is a clearly lined out in the Russian Constitution committed a clear violation of it by publicly backing Putin in elections. No violence occurred as well no property was damaged during the performance.
This is starting to look more as a show boat of a trial (think Kangaroo court which I have already written about in this case), Putin, using the church to further new laws when it comes to demonstrations against the Kremlin in the wake of the biggest anti-government protests in modern Russian history. And what better way to do it than with fear and outrage, a little slight of hand if you will.
And now slight of hand and misdirection is being used against those from abroad that are speaking out in this case. Namely Madonna who has a planned concert in Moscow coming up on Tuesday. Madonna has told reporters that it would be "a tragedy" if the women were sentenced to prison. Stating: "I am against censorship and in my whole career I have always promoted freedom of expression, freedom of speech, so obviously I think what's happening to them is unfair."
As you might have thought, her words have angered many on the other side of this case who are now accusing Madonna of interfering in the country's internal affairs. Laughable by us, yes, but with the growing divide between Russians over the matter it becomes a concern especially now with religious figures vowing to stage protests outside Madonna's Moscow concert and another performance this week in Saint Petersburg. Ah, the irony in all that. I love the fact that they feel no qualms at all about protesting Madonna with Kirill Frolov, of the Orthodox Experts Association, saying, "We will drop by to say 'no' to blasphemy... and to explain our position to those who plan to attend her concert.” And also telling Interfax news agency: "A woman calling herself Madonna who intends to desecrate the cross, we will not stand for that.”
Now if that isn’t the pot calling the kettle black!
Guess we all now have to sit and wait for is surely going to be a conviction of the three women. But how long that sentence will be is anybody’s best guess.
Friday, August 3, 2012
Pussy Riot, Kangaroo Courts & Putin
In a strange twist of fate in the trial of the activist punk band, Pussy Riot, in which three of it’s members face a 7-year prison sentence on “Hooligan Charges” for speaking out against not only the Russian Orthodox Church but the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin. Putin himself, however, has called on the court for leniency saying that he [Putin] did not think that they should be judge too harshly and added that he hoped the court comes to the “right decision”.
Putin’s comments come as the prosecution called it’s first witnesses, and if these first witnesses are any indication of how the trail is going to go, it harks back to a time when the Russian court system was considered just another extension to KGB where if you found yourself facing charges as thus you basically just went to jail, in what is usually termed as a “Kangaroo Court”. Why do you ask? Well that’s simple: the prosecution’s first witness, a one Oleg Ugrik, wasn’t even there at the time the band performed inside Christ Savior Cathedral. No, he [Ugrik], a construction worker, saw it on the internet, and was reportedly “so disturbed” by the “black energy that swept over him” after viewing the video that he [Ugrik] immediately called the police offering his help, who [the Investigators] of course called on him to testify. Ugrik told the court: “These girls lowered themselves into hell of their own volition. The rot that they have released into society, thanks to the Internet has spread to millions of people.” Ugrik also accused the girls of representing a satanic cult that has “declared war against God and the Orthodox Church. Even while the girls have been in jail this tumor has continued to grow.”
Which takes us to witness number two, Eteri Ivanishvili, who works at another church in Moscow as a bursar. She also wasn’t there. Ivanishvili made her connection to the “crime” (I say that as loosely as I can) via television as it was reported by the news. But since she “supposedly” had witness a similar incident at sometime at her own church the prosecution also thought she’d [Ivanishvili] would make an excellent witness. In her statement to the court, Ivanishvili said, “All the TV channels reported it,” she said. “It was horrible, all those baffled faces of the parishioners. I saw everything.” Although, when she was crossed examined by the defense Ivanishvili could not remember which of multitude of programming of the incident that she actually had seen it on. However, during the cross examination of Ivanishvili, the judge struck down any all questions that were related to politics or, indeed, criminal law. Leaving most of their [The Defense] questions to about the “rules of etiquette that apply in an Orthodox church”. The judge in the case also struck down the question: “If a cell phone starts playing loud music, is it’s owner punished for the disturbance?”
“What all this comes down too really is that people are upset, even angry about the relationship between the Russian government and the Orthodox Church“, according to the band's manager, who is married to one of the suspects. “Under the constitution, there is a clear divide between church and state, so Orthodox leader Patriarch Kyril isn’t really supposed to interfere in politics. But eventually they softened up, and Kirill called Putin’s time in office nothing less than a “godly miracle,” thanking him for saving Russia from the “catastrophe” of the 1990s.”
Back on February 8th of this year, Vladimir Putin, then running for a third term as President, paid a visit to the St. Daniel Monastery where he received the of endorsement from Patriarch Kyril. The endorsement (and the statement by Putin: “We must move away from the primitive notion of separation between church and state. On the contrary, we must devote ourselves to the totally different idea of cooperation.” Then there was the 120 million for the construction of Orthodox churches) brought many thinking that that meeting marked a blatant affront to the constitution. It seemed to conflate religious and political authority when the church worked in the service of the Emperor. Prompting “Pussy Riot” to pull their activist stunt at the holiest site in Russian Orthodoxy, Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow.
So are we seeing a return to old style politics in Russia? It just might be the case according to Masha Lipman, a political analyst in Moscow. She states: “We are seeing a concerted effort to instill fear, to let everyone know that dissent will no longer be tolerated.” Lipman points out that since his inauguration on May 7th, Putin has used every branch of power as a bludgeon. The Parliament, for instance, has passed new laws restricting street protests. Special forces have raided the homes of activists involved in demonstrations. Courts are also preparing to hear felony charges against other demonstrators later this year. Even some top officials have started advocating censorship of Internet content. And it seems that their first target of these new censorship laws is anticorruption blogger Alexei Navalny, who is said to be the the unofficial leader of the Russian protest movement. Reportedly, Navalny is facing ten years allegedly embezzling half a million dollars worth of timber back in 2009. Although, the charges are woolly that prosecutors have dropped them twice before for lack of evidence. But now it seems the embezzled funds have “somehow” increased by 10x making the charges much more severe.
So it is beginning to seem that the “Pussy Riot” trial is just the first in what is looking like a Russia returning back to it’s former self. And that in fact what happens at this trail will have a long standing effect on the Russian people.
Sources for this are CNN and TIMEWORLD
Putin’s comments come as the prosecution called it’s first witnesses, and if these first witnesses are any indication of how the trail is going to go, it harks back to a time when the Russian court system was considered just another extension to KGB where if you found yourself facing charges as thus you basically just went to jail, in what is usually termed as a “Kangaroo Court”. Why do you ask? Well that’s simple: the prosecution’s first witness, a one Oleg Ugrik, wasn’t even there at the time the band performed inside Christ Savior Cathedral. No, he [Ugrik], a construction worker, saw it on the internet, and was reportedly “so disturbed” by the “black energy that swept over him” after viewing the video that he [Ugrik] immediately called the police offering his help, who [the Investigators] of course called on him to testify. Ugrik told the court: “These girls lowered themselves into hell of their own volition. The rot that they have released into society, thanks to the Internet has spread to millions of people.” Ugrik also accused the girls of representing a satanic cult that has “declared war against God and the Orthodox Church. Even while the girls have been in jail this tumor has continued to grow.”
Which takes us to witness number two, Eteri Ivanishvili, who works at another church in Moscow as a bursar. She also wasn’t there. Ivanishvili made her connection to the “crime” (I say that as loosely as I can) via television as it was reported by the news. But since she “supposedly” had witness a similar incident at sometime at her own church the prosecution also thought she’d [Ivanishvili] would make an excellent witness. In her statement to the court, Ivanishvili said, “All the TV channels reported it,” she said. “It was horrible, all those baffled faces of the parishioners. I saw everything.” Although, when she was crossed examined by the defense Ivanishvili could not remember which of multitude of programming of the incident that she actually had seen it on. However, during the cross examination of Ivanishvili, the judge struck down any all questions that were related to politics or, indeed, criminal law. Leaving most of their [The Defense] questions to about the “rules of etiquette that apply in an Orthodox church”. The judge in the case also struck down the question: “If a cell phone starts playing loud music, is it’s owner punished for the disturbance?”
“What all this comes down too really is that people are upset, even angry about the relationship between the Russian government and the Orthodox Church“, according to the band's manager, who is married to one of the suspects. “Under the constitution, there is a clear divide between church and state, so Orthodox leader Patriarch Kyril isn’t really supposed to interfere in politics. But eventually they softened up, and Kirill called Putin’s time in office nothing less than a “godly miracle,” thanking him for saving Russia from the “catastrophe” of the 1990s.”
Back on February 8th of this year, Vladimir Putin, then running for a third term as President, paid a visit to the St. Daniel Monastery where he received the of endorsement from Patriarch Kyril. The endorsement (and the statement by Putin: “We must move away from the primitive notion of separation between church and state. On the contrary, we must devote ourselves to the totally different idea of cooperation.” Then there was the 120 million for the construction of Orthodox churches) brought many thinking that that meeting marked a blatant affront to the constitution. It seemed to conflate religious and political authority when the church worked in the service of the Emperor. Prompting “Pussy Riot” to pull their activist stunt at the holiest site in Russian Orthodoxy, Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow.
So are we seeing a return to old style politics in Russia? It just might be the case according to Masha Lipman, a political analyst in Moscow. She states: “We are seeing a concerted effort to instill fear, to let everyone know that dissent will no longer be tolerated.” Lipman points out that since his inauguration on May 7th, Putin has used every branch of power as a bludgeon. The Parliament, for instance, has passed new laws restricting street protests. Special forces have raided the homes of activists involved in demonstrations. Courts are also preparing to hear felony charges against other demonstrators later this year. Even some top officials have started advocating censorship of Internet content. And it seems that their first target of these new censorship laws is anticorruption blogger Alexei Navalny, who is said to be the the unofficial leader of the Russian protest movement. Reportedly, Navalny is facing ten years allegedly embezzling half a million dollars worth of timber back in 2009. Although, the charges are woolly that prosecutors have dropped them twice before for lack of evidence. But now it seems the embezzled funds have “somehow” increased by 10x making the charges much more severe.
So it is beginning to seem that the “Pussy Riot” trial is just the first in what is looking like a Russia returning back to it’s former self. And that in fact what happens at this trail will have a long standing effect on the Russian people.
Sources for this are CNN and TIMEWORLD
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Pussy Riot: On the Moscow Front…
However, more than 100 prominent cultural figures have come to the aid to the jailed Pussy Riot rockers, calling for their release. Among the signatories are Chulpan Khamatova, a popular actress and co-founder of the Gift of Life Charity, and actor and theater director Yevgeny Mironov. In all, the list of supporters includes 103 musicians, actors, filmmakers, singers and other cultural figures. In a copy letter that was published Wednesday in Moskovsky Komsomolets, the supporters state that the actions of Pussy Riot do not constitute a criminal offense and for the women, two of whom are young mothers, to be freed from custody.
Alertwill be on display until July 20.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
No Love for the Pussy [Riot] in Mother Russia
Their tight, skimpy dresses clash with the brightly colored balaclavas that adorn their heads and mask their faces like armor as they charge head first into an arena where anything can and will happen. They see themselves as defenders and even, possibly, martyrs for their cause.
PUSSY RIOT may be an all female Russian punk rock band modeled after 90’s acts such as Bikini Kill and Riot Grrrl but their message is loud and clear. Pussy Riot takes to the cold Russian streets staging impromptu concerts on such subjects as the status of women in Russia and the importance of feminist discourse and a non-standard female image usually with politically loaded lyrics. And most recently they have set their angry eyes upon the recent election, namely their dislike of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. Joining the growing protest of the fact that he [Putin] is once again re-elected to the top office of the country [Russia]. Staging a show at the at Russia Orthodox Church, The Cathedral of Christ the Savior, where the Maidens preformed a controversial punk prayer that contained lyrics saying “Holy Mother, Blessed Virgin” to “chase Putin out and mocks Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church back on February 21st.
Alleged band members (the reason for the balaclavas is to keep their identities concealed for fear of prosecution) Maria Alekhina and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova were arrested on March 3rd. Both women have denied being in the punk group or taking part in the performance. A third woman, Yekaterina Samutsevich, was arrested on March 15th. All three women are facing up to seven years behind bars for the charge of Hooliganism. Police are saying that Tolokonnikova had committed an illegal act “in a cynical way in a holy place, setting herself against society.”
The arrests have set off protests around world including Australia and the United Kingdom, and just last Thursday some 20 protesters were detained when the Moscow court ruled that the women were to be held until their hearing which has now been pushed back until June 24th of this year after the court had previously ordered the women held until April 24th. Investigators arguing that Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alekhina, and Yekaterina Samutsevich “could become the targets of criminal acts” if they were released. Investigators also saying that they needed more time to search for witnesses and other participants in the unauthorized concert. Tolokonnikova asked the court to be released do to that she has suffered head pain while in jail and has not been given access to medical care at the detention facility and wanted to obtain a diagnosis before the possibility of being subjected to prison time. Also she argued that her 4-year-old daughter was suffering psychologically because of their separation due to her arrest. Mark Feigin, Tolokonnikova’s lawyer presented statements at the hearing Thursday from federal human rights watchdog the Public Oversight Commission and from members of the Moscow police's public chamber requesting that Tolokonnikova be freed.
Hundreds of demonstrators and members of the media converged on the Tagansky Court building in Moscow ahead of the 3 p.m. hearing, brandishing signs and wearing a T-shirt with slogans expressing support for the group. The jailing of the purported Pussy Riot members, who see themselves as political prisoners, has provoked outrage among human rights defenders and opposition activists such as Amnesty International and have held rallies in recent weeks to protest the detentions.
Although, representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church have criticized the women and Pussy Riot's performance but have said they do not want them to receive prison time.
Although, representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church have criticized the women and Pussy Riot's performance but have said they do not want them to receive prison time.
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