TODAY: Decline of Russian democracy; independent mayor of Irkutsk turns to United Russia; Investigative Committee rejects charges against investigators in Magnitsky death; Nashi youth disrupt Limonov reading; Foreign Ministry softens reaction to spy ring scandal; Clinton seeks to ease abandonment fears in Russia’s backyard with 5-day trip; Russia in tit for tat with Moldova; conservation; ecology

The Other Russia examines the Freedom House report on the decline of democracy in Russia, which it apparently blames on the diminishing space for dissent, and an increase in corruption.  The Moscow Times reports on the mysterious case of Viktor Kondrashov: he was elected mayor of Irkutsk three months ago as an independent candidate and praised for cracking United Russian hegemony; now the ruling party has claimed him as one of their own.  He will apparently join the party within six months.  The Investigative Committee has reportedly refused to file charges of abuse of office and corruption against investigators involved in the case of Hermitage Capital lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, who died in pretrial detention after being held there at their behest.  Two activists have been detained in a protest in Moscow against the new bill which would increase the powers of the FSB.  RFE/RL reports that pro-Kremlin Nashi youth activists have crashed a book presentation by opposition politician Eduard Limonov and hurled abuses at the Other Russia leader.  A group of United Russia deputies have proffered new legislation which proposes banning jury trials for criminal cases involving state secrets.  Yevgeny Bazhanov in a Moscow Times op-ed explains why democracy is the only viable path for Russia.