RA’s Daily Russian News Blast – Jan 14, 2010
In the city of Krasnodar, a criminal case has been opened against human rights activist Anastasia Denisova, for use of unlicensed computer software, which carries up to a six-year jail term. A deputy of the Omsk City Council has been detained for his support of corruption-blasting ex-policeman Aleksei Dymovsky. Activists are apparently determined that their march in commemoration of Stanislav Markelov and Anastasia Baburova will take place, despite a city authority ban. A piece by the President of the International Federation of Journalists in the Guardian highlights the toll paid by Russian journalists for freedom of expression. The criminal case against former A Just Russia leader and Stavropol Mayor Dmitry Kuzmin, who was charged with embezzlement and libel but a few months after a party victory in 2006, has been dropped. The State Duma has given preliminary support to a bill designed to offer state assistance to socially oriented nonprofit organizations. The last of RFE/RL’s three parter on the political leanings of the Eurasian middle classes examines the influence of Putinism.