Roberto Abraham Scaruffi

RFE/RL Russia Report 10.07.2012 A review of RFE/RL reporting and analysis about domestic and foreign-policy developments in Russia. For more stories on Russia, please visit and bookmark our Russia page .

 

Russian Duma Endorses WTO Deal Russia's State Duma has ratified the agreement under which the country will join the World Trade Organization (WTO). More   Notes From Underground: Russia's Deep Society Three members of Pussy Riot remain in jail. But Pussy Riot-ism - brazen public stunts to shame the authorities - have become a chosen tactic of dissenters. More   For Many, Floods A Fresh Opportunity To Ask Why Kremlin Can't Protect Its Citizens Cleanup continues in southern Russia following a deadly flood that killed more than 170 people and left many citizens angry about what they see as the government's chronic failure to respond to humanitarian crises. More   Interview: Prominent Russian Blogger Says Internet Bill 'Gives Grounds For Abuse Without Limitations' A law establishing a government blacklist of websites containing "illegal" content is working its way through the Russian State Duma. The authorities say the law is necessary to combat pedophilia and child pornography on the Internet, while opponents say it will be used to suppress opposition activity online. More   Russian Wikipedia Suspended In Protest The Russian-language edition of community-sourced online encyclopedia Wikipedia has made itself temporarily unavailable to users to protest proposed amendments to the Russian information law. More   Survivors In Southern Russia Recount Deadly Floods Major floods in Russia's Krasnodar region have claimed at least 171 lives and severely damaged some 5,000 homes. Victims in Krymsk, the worst-affected city in the Black Sea resort region, spoke to RFE/RL's Russian Service about the disaster. More   Rising Fury Over Russian Authorities' 'Negligence' As Floods Devastate South Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered an investigation into a fatal deluge that killed scores of people at the weekend while also promising relief for its victims. But many Russians say authorities are to blame for failing to prevent the tragedy. More   Russian Flood Survivors Recount Deadly 'Wall Of Water' Survivors in Russia's southern Krasnodar region are still recovering from the terror of a deadly nighttime flood that left at least 170 people are dead after heavy rains triggered a massive wave of muddy water that raced through cities like Krymsk with little or no warning. More   Flooding In Southern Russia Russia is holding a day of national mourning for victims of the devastating floods in the south of the country. The death toll in the Krasnodar region now stands at 171. Some 5,000 homes have been flooded, most in Krymsk, the worst-hit town in the Black Sea resort region. More   Russian Duma Backs NGO Bill Russia's lower house of parliament has given its initial backing to a bill forcing internationally funded NGOs to re-register as "foreign agents." More   Q&A: Faith No More Keyboardist Calls Pussy Riot 'Free Speech Pioneers' Keyboardist Roddy Bottom of metal/rock band Faith No More answered some questions from RFE/RL's Russian Service about why his hugely influential American troupe thought it was so vital to support Russian dissident band Pussy Riot at a recent concert in Minsk. More   Anti-Kremlin Punkers' Case Stokes Emotions A supporter of Russia's embattled anti-Kremlin punk band Pussy Riot has filed a police complaint after allegedly being beaten by a Russian Orthodox activist. The attack came the same day three band members launched a hunger strike against their prosecution. More   The Loneliness Of The Autocratic Ruler With his assault on civil society and retribution against former allies, Vladimir Putin is increasingly isolating himself and his shrinking inner circle. More   Russia's Involvement In Syria Long a political ally of Syria, Russia has continued to supply the Syrian government with both weapons and political support. Irina Lagunina of RFE/RL's Russian Service explains Russian arms sales to Syria and why the Kremlin continues to support the Assad regime. More   HRW On Syria: 'Many Of Them Still Bore The Signs Of Torture' The global campaign group Human Rights Watch has accused the Syrian regime of President Bashar al-Assad of committing a crime against humanity through what it calls a state-sanctioned policy of torture. In a new report, the group documents torture methods including electrocution, the pulling of fingernails, and prolonged beatings. Irina Lagunina of RFE/RL's Russian Service spoke to Nadim Houry, Human Rights Watch's deputy director of its Middle East and North Africa division, about the report's findings. More   Faith No More Cares A Lot About Pussy Riot Five women wearing Pussy Riot's signature colorful balaclavas kept the crowd warm in between rock band Faith No More's sets last night in Moscow. More