It became apparent in November that internet filtering introduced in Russia under the pretext of protecting children is actually for a different reason. Six videos of feminist punk group Pussy Riot were banned by the Moscow court in November, and...
CATEGORY: Russia

Russia’s anti-gay laws no laughing matter
The gay community is one of the most vulnerable minorities in Russia, and homophobia is one of the country’s most rampant prejudices. According to Levada centre research, around 74 per cent of Russian citizens consider members of the Lesbian, Gay,...

What Russia censored in October
In October a wave of censorship swept the Russian internet prior to the official introduction of a new federal internet blacklist law on 1 November. Regional authorities targeted internet service providers to block access to websites featuring...
“Journalists will be persecuted until power in Russia changes”
Mikhail Afanasyev is a veteran of the libel courts. As one of the few independent journalists in Russia’s Urals he has faced 13 defamation suits in 15 years, and won every one. Afanasyev edits an online newspaper, New Focus, and reports to Glasnost...

INDEX INTERVIEW: “Punk prayer is not a crime,” says released Pussy Riot member
MOSCOW. 29 October 2012 (INDEX). Earlier this month a Moscow court freed Ekaterina Samutsevich, one of three imprisoned women from Russian punk band Pussy Riot but upheld the two-year jail term handed down to her bandmates. Samutsevich, Maria...

INDEX INTERVIEW: “Punk prayer is not a crime,” says released Pussy Riot member
Ekaterina Samutsevich told Index on Censorship’s Russia correspondent that Pussy Riot is here to stay.

What does Russia censor?
In July the Russian parliament approved a bill designed to increase the Kremlin's control of the internet. The new laws grant the government sweeping powers to block access to internet resources. Russian Wikipedia blacked out to protest the law...

Legendary radio service kicked off airwaves
Last week was a painful one for free speech in Russia. Tens of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Moscow bureau journalists were fired within two days. First an entire internet department, then radio hosts, reporters and producers --- around 90 per...

Iconic Radio Free Europe Moscow bureau shot by both sides
The last week was a painful one for free speech in Russia. Tens of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Moscow bureau journalists were fired within two days. First an entire internet department, then radio hosts, reporters and producers — around 90 per...

Pussy Riot father: “Putin is a symbol of a sick system”
Stanislav Samutsevich, 73, is the father of the imprisoned Pussy Riot member, Ekaterina Samutsevich. She, together with Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alekhina, was sentenced to two years in the women's prison colony on charges of hooliganism...