TODAY: Canada mulls sanctions on Magnitsky suspects; Mironov defends direct elections; Medvedev praises the economic advantages of democracy. Outcry over Kashin beating continues; journalist to face slander charges; Russia, nation of smokers

The US, Britain and Poland are already considering them: Canada can now be added to the list of countries currently contemplating legislation that would ban Russian officials suspected of involvement in the death of Hermitage Capital lawyer Sergei Magnitsky from visiting the country.  Federation Council Speaker Sergei Mironov may have provoked the ire of United Russia after vociferously supporting the practice of electing senators, contrary to the ruling party’s preferences.  President Medvedev has been seen linking democracy to economic progress, telling journalists at a news conference that development can only be undertaken ‘by free people, people who are free in their actions and in their thoughts’.  Brian Whitmore sees these comments ‘as consistent with where I think Russia is heading as it moves ever closer to the crucial 2011-12 election cycle’.