Russia’s music icon has spoken out in London ahead of the controversial Eurovision Song Contest. Tena Prelec reports
Video: Rock star Yuri Shevchuk supports free expression in Azerbaijan
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CATEGORY: Europe and Central Asia
Azerbaijan: Musicians tortured
Two Azerbaijani musicians who insulted the country's president during a concert in Baku are said to have been tortured by police while in detention. Jamal Ali of the band Bulustan criticised President Ilham Aliyev and his late mother during a...
United Russia deputy threatens to sue Madonna for supporting Russian gay community
Saint Petersburg authorities have surpassed their colleagues throughout Russia in persecuting gay community by passing a local law that actually forbids any LGBT activities, including pride parades and human rights activism, and by planning to make...
Opposition fury over NTV documentary
Opposition activists have sued Russian television station NTV after the channel aired the documentary “Anatomy of Protest”, which claimed people were paid to participate in recent mass protest rallies. Eleven years ago thousands of people gathered...
UK: Teenager denies making ‘grossly offensive’ comments on Facebook
The teenager accused of making "grossly offensive" comments about the deaths of six British soldiers in Afghanistan has denied charges against him. Azhar Ahmed, of West Yorkshire, appeared before Dewsbury Magistrates’ Court today. Ahmed is charged...
Azerbaijan: Musicians arrested and beatings reported at youth rally in Baku
Two musicians and the leader of a youth organisation were detained by police during a sanctioned rally in Azerbaijan. On Saturday, Camal Ali, the front-man of popular band Bulustan, used profane language to criticise Azerbaijani President Ilham...
Azerbaijan: Four journalists arrested over Quba riots
Three senior employees of a TV station in Azerbaijan were arrested on 13 March. Vugar Gonagov, executive director; Zaur Guliyev, editor, and Zaur Mustafayev, head of public relations at Khayal TV were arrested along with Jamil Mammadli, a reporter...
Belarus bans journalists and activists from travelling
Despite official denials, it seems clear that the Lukashenko regime has blacklisted key media and opposition figures, preventing them from leaving the country. Andrei Aliaksandrau reports
Convictions send message: Putin is back
A Moscow court has sentenced businessman Alexey Kozlov to five years in prison for fraud. The verdict is seen as a slap in the face to civil society, which demanded justice and freedom for Kozlov on the latest mass rally for fair elections in...
Russian authorities ramp up political prosecutions
Moscow city court has refused to release two members of punk feminist group Pussy Riot. Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alekhina were arrested after having performed a protest song “Mother of God, send Putin away” in Moscow’s Christ the Saviour...