RA’s Daily Russian News Blast – Oct 26, 2010
TODAY: Strategy 31 rally allowed more protesters; Berezovsky back in the news in connection with journalist’s death; Kasyanov on human rights; Economic Development Ministry acknowledges heatwave deaths; Kadyrov on his ‘idol’; Sobyanin holds first session in City Hall, Luzhkov sets sights on England, Nizhny Novgorod Mayor ousted; census dodgers to be blacklisted? Trror in North Caucasus quadruples; Ukraine and Sevastopol.
Contrary to earlier reports, the Moscow Times says that this month’s Strategy 31 rally will be granted permission after all, and that a larger gathering will be permitted, with the initial 200 cap being raised to 1,000. The Other Russia reports that the cap is for 800 protesters, and is related (at least ostensibly) to the amount of space available in Triumfalnaya Square, which is currently under construction. ‘The authorities have surrendered to us, but want to maintain the impression that they are still in charge,‘ commented Eduard Limonov. The Telegraph has video coverage of the weekend’s Moscow opposition gathering – ‘the first anti-Putin protest in years‘. New allegations about Boris Berezovsky’s role in the murder of journalist Vladislav Listyev are making the rounds. RFE/RL has an interview with former Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov on human rights, the ‘major national disaster‘ of corruption and the 2012 elections: ‘under the current circumstances I think it will be Putin who will become president; I think he has already decided so.‘