TODAY: Kremlin pushing for nationwide homosexuality ban; cartoonist’s Putin jibe wins applause; Razvozzhayev fears for his life; election commissions in formation; Shevchuk interview; Russians to be evacuated from Syria; Putin wants FSB cyber defense; Magnit, Lenin, 1917.

The Kremlin wants to introduce a nationwide ban on ‘homosexual propaganda’ which, if it passes, could impose fines of up to $16,000 for acts such as kissing in public.  The founder of gay rights group the Rainbow Association says it’s part of a Kremlin crackdown on all minorities, whether political, religious, or sexual. Cartoonist Yury Norshtein’s speed at an awards ceremony was ‘drowned out by applause and shouts of ‘Bravo!’’ after he said that President Vladimir Putin held shared responsibility for the death of Sergei Magnitsky.  Moscow’s City Court has upheld the decision to keep opposition activist Leonid Razvozzhayev in a Siberian pretrial jail until April 1, where he is complaining of a decline in his health and says he fears for his life.  Local elections commissions are being formed nationwide, five years ahead of the next election, in what watchdogs are calling a measure to protect the ruling party.  Rock frontman Yury Shevchuk is interviewed by RFE/RL on the politicisation of Russia’s youth.