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Dozens detained in protests across Siberia and Russian Far East

By 0 and 0 and 0
27 March 2017

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In many cities in Siberia, rallies had been agreed in advance. Picture: Valeria Altareva

Protests against corruption were held in many Siberian cities leading to a wave of detentions, as elsewhere in Russia. The actions were based on a film from Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny accusing Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev of controlling a personal property empire through a shadowy network of nonprofit organisations.

Medvedev, who was president between 2008 and 2012, has not specifically replied to the claims, although his spokeswoman dismissed them. In many cities in Siberia, rallies had been agreed in advance, for example in Novosibirsk where there were 2,000 people on the streets. 

Vladivostok


Vladivostok


Vladivostok

But some 30 were detained in Vladivostok, among them pensioners and schoolchildren, at an unofficial rally of around 1,000. Pictures: Maria Borodina, VostokMedia

There were no detentions in Irkutsk, Krasnoyarsk, Tomsk, Barnaul, and Omsk , where the protests had an official go ahead.

But some 30 were detained in Vladivostok, among them pensioners and schoolchildren, at an unofficial rally of around 1,000. In Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk two people were held, but soon released.

At least 10 were detained in Khabarovsk, including the organisers. They were students and were warned they could face problems in university. 

In Chita, the rally was agreed with organisers smeared in brilliant green. 

Svyatogor Buyanin


Svyatogor Buyanin


Evgeny Buyanin

An 8 year old Svyatogor Buyanin records a video bluntly asking prime minister: Are you corrupt? His father Evgeny Buayanin on a single picket. Pictures: Evgeny Buyanin

In Ulan-Ude one man arranged a single picket, Evgeny Buyanin. Earlier his eight year old son Svyatogor had filmed a video appeal to Medvedev.

Little Svyatogor told the premier in his video: 'Recently, my father and me watched a film, it was about you and the title was 'He is not Dimon for you'. It tells how you have palaces, yachts, vineyards. 

'And all it costs 70 billion roubles" - around $1.2 billion. My father said that this is a very large amount, and for this money you could feed Buryatia all year round. I wanted to ask you: is this true?

Chita


Chita

In Chita, the rally was agreed with organisers smeared in brilliant green. Pictures: Ksenia Zimina

'And also I wanted to ask. On the TV we hear that Russia is a very rich country. We have oil, gas and we sell this all. Then why people do not see this money? 

'For example, my grandmother has a pension of 8,000 roubles, it is very little' - $140 a month. 

In Novosibirsk where there were 2,000 people on the streets. About 1,000, including students and pensioners, came to the rally in Krasnoyarsk. Pictures: Dmitry Stein, Andrey Agafonov

Novosibirsk


Krasnoyarsk


Krasnoyarsk

Comments (6)

continuing from my previous comment... Didn't Putin also tell how much his so called "official" salary is, and that he owns "only" and old Lada? I think that alone is a horrible mistake by the leadership and an insult of peoples intelligence as if no one understands that Putins wealth must easily surpass at least a few millions of €$. Also Russia has almost no middle class, but instead a very tiny group of oligarchs which owns roughly half of the country's wealth, while vast majority are quite poor, one of the worst unequal countries in the world, even the free state health care is gone the old Soviet system had.
My honest opinion, Swiss Cheese
31/03/2017 13:21
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For the past few years there has been a lot of tension between West and Russia, and there are also many reasons to like Putin and how he has tackled it, and even I often find myself forgetting he and his oligarch friends excessive wealth built on corruption because he has also done a lot for the country, but some times I am seriously wondering if Putin and his friends aren't putting too much money in their own pockets.
Unfortunately it is a Russian disease, nothing is "enough", Putin and Co. in their blindness and belief think they "earned it", and their out of touch mentality make them keep on also fostering and feeding a mentality among all the citizens that "if Kremlin gang is so corrupt, then why should I be so much better citizen", it is an evil circle, the leadership is simply too blind and are therefore digging their own grave.
My honest opinion, Swiss Cheese
31/03/2017 13:18
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Мирные протесты каждый человек абсолютно правы. Пожалуйста, ответьте на вопросы людей. Здесь, в Соединенных Штатах, наша нынешняя администрация должна ответить на вопросы людей о конфликтах интересов, а также.

Peaceful protests are every persons right absolutely. Please answer the people's questions. Here in the United States, our current Administration has to answer the people's questions about conflicts of interest as well.
Pamela Tetarenko, League City, USA
29/03/2017 09:00
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It is normal for free people to express their opinions. My experience of the Russian people is that they are honest and have no fears of expressing themselves so I support the peaceful demonstrations against corruption which is damaging to society. On the other hand russophobic people in the West gloat and show their true vile character. They actually want the worst for Russia and the Russian people! They are so mean! Here in Denmark (western country) noone really dares to disagree with the ruling class. There are no demonstrations at all here. People a silent.
William McLean, Copenhagen, Denmark
28/03/2017 23:00
5
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Demonstration led by Aleksei A. Navalny's and his expose on power and corruption, in the Russian government, followed by so many young people, in over 100 cities and towns of Russia is an awakening that will gain much more momentum, for a democratic change, of the people I admire so much.
It was always the youth, who has brought about great changes in Russia, in the past and I hope the rest of the Russian people follow, to step into the light and throw away the dogma of being in the third world, for once and for all.
We just impeached our Korean president Park Guen Hye, who had similar relationship, with her own Medev. 17 year ruling by Putin is akin to Mugabe, Mubarak and Kim Jung Un and his friend Trump is not doing so well either.
I hope this movement is a shot across the bow, to all of the Russian big shots in Moscow not to horde the people's opportunity and freedom to hostage.
Yun-Soo Park , Korea
28/03/2017 19:54
7
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At last, ordinary Russian folk all over Russia are waking up...(& Siberia was well represented) led by the brave young people who are now asking questions. What a great sight...hope they keep it up, but that they play it out wisely. Yes, there is corruption in the Kremlin & it's much more than just Medvedev. Wink, wink. Putin's corruption starts from him down the whole way, young people of Russia your country NEEDS you to walk the walk, talk the talk, to get answers from your government. The higher echelons of the Russian Government should be in prison, not Nalvany & fellow protestors even some of those arrested being children & young students now under threat as regards their education at university. These threats are shameful, but not surprising in a country led by a "Law-unto-himself" guy.


As the Bob Dylan song sings, The Times They Are A-Changin'...they certainly are.
Jaker, Dundalk
28/03/2017 10:06
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4
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