November 26, 2012 By Citizen M

RA’s Daily Russia News Blast – Nov 26, 2012

TODAY: Chelyabinsk prison demonstration; Internet providers under censorship pressures; U.N. report slams Russia over rights failures; ships sent to Gaza; former official charged with fraud; Lebedev fears prison, contracted killing; Medvedev critiques France’s Syria position.

Over 250 inmates at the prison in Kopeysk, Chelyabinsk have been on strike since the weekend, demanding more relaxed conditions and protesting against beatings.  Reports indicate that eight policeman were injured in their attempts to disperse a crowd that had gathered at the prison to witness the inmates’ roof-top protest.  Under a recent Supreme Court decision, Internet providers are facing increased competition to block websites without direct state interference through emphasis on the implementation of new content restrictions.  A new report by the United Nations’ Committee Against Torture criticises Russia for failing to investigate widespread allegations of torture and of intimidation against human rights advocates and journalists.  Russia is apparently taking precautions in Gaza by sending warships to wait off its coastlines, in case violence erupts and its Russian citizens need to be evacuated.