From: CP<swiggydig@gmail.

com>
Senttime: 05/04/201601:57:32PM
To: RobertOtto<robertotto25@gmail.com>
Subject: Re:what'sthestatus

NopublicshowingsofthefilmyetthatI'mawareof.EPleadersarereenergizedonsanctions.AndKen/NBCclaimstostillbe
writingsomethingandmaypublishassoonastomorrow.IexpectAlexeevaandBorshovtopubliclyrubbishNekrasovandNBC
tomorrow,makingNBCthestory.Also,folksarepokingaroundontheVeselnitskayaadoptionangle.

DidyouseetheRohrabacherpiece?

OnWednesday,May4,2016,RobertOtto<robertotto25@gmail.com>wrote:
ofthefilmandtheeuroparliamentand,,,,

theNBCproduction?
 From: RobertOtto<robertotto25@gmail.com>
Senttime: 05/05/201612:18:01AM
To: CP<swiggydig@gmail.com>
Subject: Re:what'sthestatus

http://www.novayagazeta.ru/politics/72940.html

OnMay4,2016,at4:57PM,CP<swiggydig@gmail.com>wrote:

NopublicshowingsofthefilmyetthatI'mawareof.EPleadersarereenergizedonsanctions.AndKen/NBCclaims
tostillbewritingsomethingandmaypublishassoonastomorrow.IexpectAlexeevaandBorshovto
publiclyrubbishNekrasovandNBCtomorrow,makingNBCthestory.Also,folksarepokingaroundonthe
Veselnitskayaadoptionangle.

DidyouseetheRohrabacherpiece?

OnWednesday,May4,2016,RobertOtto<robertotto25@gmail.com>wrote:
ofthefilmandtheeuroparliamentand,,,,

theNBCproduction?
 From: KyleParker<kyle@kyleparker.net>
Senttime: 06/07/201606:04:38AM
To: RobertOtto<robertotto25@gmail.com>
Subject: Fwd:CommentfromNataliaVeselnitskaya

----------Forwardedmessage----------
From:MichaelWeiss<macspaunday@gmail.com>
Date:Wednesday,June1,2016
Subject:CommentfromNataliaVeselnitskaya
To:WilliamFBrowder<William.Browder@hermitagefund.com>,CP<swiggydig@gmail.com>,VadimKleiner
<Vadim.Kleiner@hermitagefund.com>

ShejustmessagedmeonFacebook.Thisishilarious.Enjoy:

!,.,
.,,,
.,--,
,..,
-..
 From: KyleParker<kyle@kyleparker.net>
Senttime: 04/26/201605:25:06PM
To: RobertOtto<robertotto25@gmail.com>
Subject: Fwd:Fw:VeselnitskayaNGOinUStofightMagnitskyActFW:AccreditationforMrBrowder'spressconference

NoteVeselnitskaya'sroleinthestorybelow.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/12/09/russians-stick-u-s-with-50k-plaza-hotel-bar-bill.html

----------Forwardedmessage----------
From:WilliamBrowder<William.Browder@hermitagefund.com>
Date:Tuesday,April26,2016
Subject:Fw:VeselnitskayaNGOinUStofightMagnitskyActFW:AccreditationforMrBrowder'spressconference
To:KyleParker<kyle@kyleparker.net>

Fyi

SentfrommyBlackBerry
From:Vadim.Kleiner@hermitagefund.com
Sent:26April20163:54pm
To:Vladimir.Pastuhov@hermitagefund.comWilliam.Browder@hermitagefund.comIvan.Cherkasov@hermitagefund.com
Maria@mvgroup.co.uk
Subject:VeselnitskayaNGOinUStofightMagnitskyActFW:AccreditationforMrBrowder'spressconference

TheHumanRightsAccountabilityGlobalInitiativeFoundation(HRAGIF),non-governmentalorganization
establishedinWashington,DCtohelpstrengtheningUS-Russiarelations.

Threeyearsago,thefateofabout250childrenwasthrownintouncertaintyafterRussiapassedalawpassed
prohibitingAmericansfromadoptingchildreninRussia.Thechildrenwouldhaveaddedtotheimpressivenumber
morethan60,000ofRussianchildrenadoptedbyAmericanfamiliesfollowingthecollapseofCommunism.
SomeoftheblockedadoptionsweretakenupbyRussianfamilieswhileotherchildrenwereadoptedoverseas.
Butsomegotsickandothersreportedlydied.

OfficiallytheRussianlawwaspassedfollowingoutrageoverthe2008deathofChaseHarrison(originalRussian
nameDimaYakovlev)atoddleradoptedbyaVirginiafamily,lefttodieinacaronaswelteringsummerday.
UnofficiallyinconjunctionwithabarrageofsanctionsRussiapassedthelawinretaliationforthe2012US
MagnitskyAct,whichimposedsanctionsonRussiaandonindividualsblamedforthedeathoflawyercalled
SergeiMagnitsky.

HRAGIFisworkingonanalyzinglegalandlegislativeoptionstohelpoverturnthisadoptionban.Wewouldliketo
presentourfindingstothemembersofUSCongress,AdministrationandUSpublicandisplanningtobriefthem
onpossiblewaysofresolutionofthisstalemateonadoptions.

http://hragi.org/#

From:WilliamBrowder
Sent:Tuesday,April26,20163:40PM
To:MariaIvanCherkasovVladimirPastoukhovVadimKleiner
Subject:FW:AccreditationforMrBrowder'spressconference

From:TomaszKlosowicz[mailto:tomasz.klosowicz@odfoundation.eu]
Sent:Tuesday,April26,20163:30PM
To:WilliamBrowderFlaviaTrevisani
Cc:AnnaKoj
Subject:Fwd:AccreditationforMrBrowder'spressconference

DearBill,

Wesentoutyourinvitation.IforwardtoyourequestsforaccessbadgesIhavereceived(thesearenotourcontactsbutapparently
someonefromourBrusselscontactssentittothemaswell).Uptoyourdecisionwhattodowiththem(particularlythisfromthe
Russiantelevision...).

Bestregards,

Tomasz

----------Forwardedmessage----------
From:Anatoli<avsamo@earthlink.net>
Date:26April2016at13:40
Subject:AccreditationforMrBrowder'spressconference
To:"tomasz.klosowicz@odfoundation.eu"<tomasz.klosowicz@odfoundation.eu>

DearMr.Koloswicz:IwritingtorequestaccreditationtoattendMr.Browder'spressconferenceonthe29thofApril.Myself
andmycolleaguerepresentUSbasesNGOHumanRightsAccountabilityGlobalInitiativeFoundation.ThenamesareAnatoli
SamochornovandNataliaVeselnitskaya.NataliaisaRussianlawyerwhoconductedanextensiveinvestigationoftheMagnitsky
case.Letmeknowifyouhaveanyotherquestionsorrequireanyadditionalinformationfromus.Thankyou.Anatoli

SentfrommyiPhone

--

TomaszKosowicz
AdvocacyOfficer

OpenDialogFoundation

RsidencePalace
155RuedelaLoi
1040Brussels,Belgium

Tel:+32(0)22801115
Mob:+32(0)465925689
Email:tomasz.klosowicz@odfoundation.eu
www.odfoundation.eu

Followuson:|FB:OpenDialogFoundation|Twitter:@ODFoundation&@tklosowicz|

ThisemailhasbeenscannedforemailrelatedthreatsanddeliveredsafelybyMimecast.
Formoreinformationpleasevisithttp://www.mimecast.com
 From: Parker,Kyle(HFAC)<Kyle.Parker@mail.house.gov>
Senttime: 05/02/201612:22:22PM
To: Parker,Kyle(HFAC)<Kyle.Parker@mail.house.gov>
Subject: MoreonVeselnitskaya

http://m.facebook.com/notes/kerkko-paananen/the-nekrasov-act-behind-the-scenes/10154153579103252
 From: KyleParker<kyle@kyleparker.net>
Senttime: 06/07/201606:05:18AM
To: RobertOtto<robertotto25@gmail.com>
Subject: Fwd:FW:veselnitskayahouse

----------Forwardedmessage----------
From:WilliamBrowder<William.Browder@hermitagefund.com>
Date:Monday,June6,2016
Subject:FW:veselnitskayahouse
To:KyleParker<kyle@kyleparker.net>

Subject:veselnitskayahouse

IvanCherkasov
HermitageCapitalManagement
 GraftonHouse
2-3GoldenSquare
3dFloor
LondonW1F9HR

Tel+442074401767
fax+442074401778

ThisemailhasbeenscannedforemailrelatedthreatsanddeliveredsafelybyMimecast.
Formoreinformationpleasevisithttp://www.mimecast.com
 From: JohnBDunlop<jbdunlop@stanford.edu>
Senttime: 06/13/201601:19:35PM
To: martin.dewhirst@gmail.com
Cc: robertotto25@gmail.com
FW:["VLADGOINGREALLYBAD"MEETSTHE"SUNDAYEVENINGRUN"][PB]RU&UKintheEuroCupLondongrad&ASmearThatDidNotWork..[NeilB]RU&Magnitsky[KeithB]100000fleecrimeaasrussiatightens
Subject:
grip[NICMND]FightinginEasternUkraineHist

From:WalterZaryckyj[mailto:waz2102@caa.columbia.edu]
Sent:Sunday,June12,20164:31PM
Subject:["VLADGOINGREALLYBAD"MEETSTHE"SUNDAYEVENINGRUN"][PB]RU&UKintheEuroCupLondongrad&ASmearThatDidNotWork..[NeilB]RU&Magnitsky[KeithB]100000fleecrimeaasrussia
tightensgrip[NICMND]FightinginEasternUkraineHisto...

----------Forwardedmessage----------
From:WalterZaryckyj<waz2102@caa.columbia.edu>
Date:Sun,Jun12,2016at7:13PM
Subject:["VLADGOINGREALLYBAD"MEETSTHE"SUNDAYEVENINGRUN"][PB]RU&UKintheEuroCupLondongrad&ASmearThatDidNotWork..[NeilB]RU&Magnitsky[Keith
B]100000fleecrimeaasrussiatightensgrip[NICMND]
To:RomaHadzewycz<staff@ukrweekly.com>,rl<romashka1@aol.com>

----------Forwardedmessage----------
From:PeterBorisow<ap.borisow@comcast.net>
Date:Sun,Jun12,2016at11:22AM
Subject:Euro2016:EnglandandRussiagivendisqualificationwarning-BBCNews[LONDONGRADATWORK]
To:"Waz(Columbia)"<waz2102@columbia.edu>

OnceagainBBCshowsitsRedRootstogetherwithUEFA'sPocketsFullofMiracles(akaRussianCash).RUthugsandPutinterroristssneakflaresintothegame,thenstorm(asin"troopers")theBritsand
they'rethreatenedwithequalpunishment.

It'snolongerjustafailureofcouragetoidentifytheattackeranddistinguishtheattackerfromthevictim.It'sjustmore"practical",asinnotoffendingthehandthatfeedsyournewsportscar.

ThecancerofRussia'sendemiccorruptionhasfullypenetratednotonlytheBBCbutalsothesportsworldatalmostalllevels.WeknowaboutTennis,theOlympicsandSoccer.It'sonlyamatteroftimebeforeit
spreadstoUSAsportsaswell.DoyouthinkPutin'sgangstershaven'tnoticedthehugecashflowinUSAbettingonfootball?Howlongbeforetheydecidetogetmorethantheirfairshare?

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36510550

ADD:

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jun/12/russian-hooligans-savage-organised-england-fans-marseille-euro-2016

http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/12/world/euro-2016-england-russia-violence/index.html

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/522454/Russia-England-St-George-Stolen-Flags-Gloat-Violence-Euro-2016-Hooligans

----------Forwardedmessage----------
From:PeterBorisow<ap.borisow@comcast.net>
Date:Sun,Jun12,2016at12:45PM
Subject:Ukrainegayrightstensionmirrorspost-Maidanupheaval-BBCNews[LONDONGRADAGAIN][ED:Turnedouttobea(consciousorunconscious)'falseflag'story]
To:"Waz(Columbia)"<waz2102@columbia.edu>

AsBBCturnsitselfinsideouttofindfaultwithanythingandeverythingUkrainian,GayPrideDayinUkrainepassedwithoutincident.Noonewasattacked.Noonewasinjured.Noonewaskilled.

Onecan'tfailtonoticethereisNoGayRightsDayinRussia.Rather,inPutin'sNaziRussia,justlikeinHitler'sNaziGermany,gaysareofficiallypersecuted.

And,mostpainfulofall,thetragedyonGayRightsDayintheUSA,thehorrificslaughterinOrlando.Some300attacked.50dead.53injured.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36503259

----------Forwardedmessage----------
From:VRT
Date:Sun,Jun12,2016at10:35AM
Subject:FT/NEILB:Russia:Magnitskysbitterlegacy[ED:GOODSTORY--LOUSYHEADER]TELEGRAPH/KEITHB:100000fleecrimeaasrussiatightensgrip
To:waz2102@columbia.edu

http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/1eb38914-2ca4-11e6-a18d-a96ab29e3c95.html

Russia:Magnitskysbitterlegacy
MaxSeddonandNeilBuckley

FT

ThestoryofSergeiMagnitskys2009deathbecame,formanyinthewest,anallegoryofVladimirPutinsRussiabrutal,oppressiveandcorrupt.The37-year-
oldaccountantwasfounddead,hisbodybearingbruises,inaMoscowprisoncellhavingbeendetainedfornearlyayearoveraccusationsoftaxevasion.Hisreal
crime,saysupporters,wasexposinga$230mtheftfromtheRussiantreasurybyofficialslinkedtoacriminalgang.
By2012theUSCongresshadpassedtheMagnitskyAct,imposingsanctionsondozensofRussiansimplicatedinthecrime,andsendingrelationsbetweenthe
USandRussiatoathenpost-coldwarlow.Now,amideffortstoextendthatlegislationworldwide,thelateaccountantisagainatthecentreofabattlethatmoves
toWashingtononMondaywiththeairingofafilmthatchallengestheestablishedMagnitskystory.

Thedocumentary,calledTheMagnitskyActBehindtheScenes,isscheduledtopremieretoaninvitedaudience.PreviousattemptstoairitattheEuropean
ParliamentinBrusselsinAprilandafestivalinNorwaylastweekhavebeenhaltedbylegalstepspursuedbyBillBrowder,thefundmanagerwhoemployed
theaccountantandhasledacrusadetohavehisdeathreinvestigated.MrBrowderandtheMagnitskyfamilysaythefilm,byRussian-borndirectorAndrei
Nekrasov,isfalseanddefamatory.

RussianTVcrewsattheBrusselsscreening,however,reportedthecancellationasawesterncover-up.TheHouseForeignAffairsCommitteeinWashingtonwill
soonholdahearingontheissueattheurgingofDanaRohrabacher,aRepublicancongressmanknownasthebiggestofMrPutinsfewsympathisersonCapitol
Hill.

ThefilmscriticssayitispartofthemostdeterminedassaultyetontheMagnitskyActandtheBrowderstorythatinspiredit.RussianstateTVincreasingly
describesMrBrowderasaCIA-linkedbogeymantryingtobringdownthecountry.RussiansfacinglegalactioninNewYorkforallegedlylaunderingpartofthe
fraudproceedsarefightingbackbycallingtheBrowderaccountasham.AfreshlobbyingeffortinWashingtonsomeofwhichcanbetracedbacktoMoscow
isseekingtostopaglobalMagnitskyActthatwouldallowsanctionstobeimposedonhumanrightsabusersfromanycountry.

GunnarEkelove-SlydaloftheNorwegianHelsinkiCommittee,ahumanrightsgroup,suggestsitisprioritynumberoneforRussiatoblockaglobalactorat
leastremovetheMagnitskyname,whichhesayshascometosymbolisealltheproblems...inRussia.ItisalsoanxioustoblockanysimilarmeasuresbyEU
states.

ThisisnotsomethingtheKremlinlikes,hesays.Itcanhaverealconsequencesforpeopleintheelite.

Russianrelations

TheMagnitskymeasures,passedovertheobjectionsofaWhiteHousethenattemptingtoresetrelationswithMoscow,werethebiggestirritantinUS-Russian
relationsuntilthe2014Ukrainecrisis.Theassetfreezesandvisabanspioneeredanewwayoftargetinghumanrightsabusersacrossborders.

ThestoryoftheaccountantsdeathhelpedcementwesternperceptionsofalawlessRussiawherepolicecancolludewithcriminalstodefraudthestate,murder
honestinvestigators,andgetawaywithit.ProsecutorsfiledchargesagainsttwoprisonofficialsformistreatingMagnitsky,butdroppedthemaftertheactgained
tractioninCongress.

MrBrowderscriticssuggestheeithercookeduptheMagnitskystoryasanalibitopreventhisextraditiononRussiantaxevasionchargeswhichhesayswere
politicallymotivatedorthatheandcolleaguescarriedoutthefraudthemselves.Giventhathehasspentyearsurgingmultiplejurisdictionstoinvestigatethe
fraudandfreezeitsproceeds11countrieshaveopenedprobes,andsixhavefrozenassetsMrBrowdersaysthatideaispreposterous.

Thisisasmearcampaign,hesays.Allthesepeopleareconnected.ItsallpartofanFSBoperationtodiscreditme,hesays,referringtoRussiassuccessorto
theKGBsecurityservice.

Thecampaignappearslessco-ordinatedthanMrBrowdersuggestsandmoreofamulti-facetedeffortbygroupswithsharedinterests,someofwhomhavebeen
incontactwithoneanother.ThesegroupsdenybeingbackedordirectedbyMoscow.ButtheyareprovidingammunitionfortheKremlin.

SergeiLavrov,Russiasforeignminister,toldaMoscownewspaperlastweek:Agreatnumberoffactshaveappearedincludingdocumentaryfilmswhich,by
theway,areforbiddenfrombeingshowninEuropeforsomereasonconfirmingthatthedeathofSergeiMagnitskywasalltheresultofenormoustrickeryby
this...Browder,whoisanunscrupulousswindler.

MrBrowderwasforseveralyearsthelargestforeignportfolioinvestorinRussiaandavocalPutinsupporter,untilhewasbarredfromthecountrywithno
formalexplanationin2005.HeandhisassociatesbelievehiscampaignstoimproveRussiancorporategovernancehadangeredpowerfulpeople.

ThefundmanagerallegesacriminalgroupincludingtaxofficialsandpoliceusedcorporatesealsseizedinaraidontheremnantsofhisHermitageinvestment
fundin2007tore-registerthreesubsidiariesofthefundundertheircontrol.Hesaysthegroupbroughtlegalcasestomanufacturehuge,fakeliabilitiesagainst
thesubsidiaries.Thisenabledthemtoclaimfraudulenttaxrefundsworth$230m,whichtheythensquirrelledawaythroughanonymouswesternoffshore
companies.

Magnitsky,anaccountantthoughMrBrowdercallshimhislawyer,ashesometimesrepresentedHermitageincourtgaveevidenceaboutthefraudto
police,butwaslaterarrestedbytheverypeoplehewasinvestigating,andaccusedoftaxevasion.Afterayearinjail,andsufferingfromgallstonesand
pancreatitis,hewasfounddeadinhiscell.Theofficialcauseofdeathwasgivenasaheartattack.

TheBrowdercampaigntopublicisethefraudandseekjusticeforMagnitskyhaslongmadehimahatefigurefortheKremlin.InApril,aRussianstateTV
channelairedthefifthfilm-lengthattackonMrBrowderinthreeyears.ItclaimedtheUS-bornfundmanager,nowaUKcitizen,wasanMI6operative
codenamedAgentSolomon,whohadrecruitedoppositionleaderAlexeiNavalnyinanoperationtodestroyRussia.

Thefilmappearedacrudefake,withmistakesinbasicEnglishinsecretCIAdocumentsshownasevidenceofitsassertions.Italsoseemedtohavebeen
rushedoutinthewakeofarevelationinthePanamaPapersthat$2bnhadpassedthroughanetworkofoffshorecompaniesnominallycontrolledbySergei
Roldugin,acellistfriendofMrPutin.OneofthegroupsinvolvedinthePanamaPapersinvestigationlaterreportedthatsomeMagnitskyfraudmoneyhad
passedthroughpartofthesamenetwork.

MrBrowderandMrNavalnybelievetheyarebeingtargetedbyYuriChaika,Russiasprosecutor-general.Latelastyear,MrChaikaclaimedafilminvestigation
byMrNavalnythatlinkedtheprosecutorsfamilyanddeputiestoRussiasmostnotoriouscriminalganghadbeenproducedbyorderofMrBrowderandthe
CIA,aclaimdismissedasabsurdbybothmen.

TheNewYorkconnection

OutsideRussiathemostvigorousefforttodiscredittheMagnitskystoryhastakenplaceinaNewYorkcourt,whereacompanyownedbya39-year-oldRussian,
DenisKatsyv,isfacingcivilforfeiturechargesforpurchasingrealestatewith$14mallegedlylaunderedfromtheMagnitskyfraud.MrKatsyv,whosefatheris
vice-presidentofthestate-ownedRussianRailways,deniestheallegations,whichdonotincludecriminalcharges.Theprosecutionscaseislargelybasedon
documentationofwiretransfersprovidedbyMrBrowder.

Incourtfilings,lawyersforMrKatsyvscompany,PrevezonHoldings,identifywhattheysayareholesinHermitagesaccountofthefraud.ApingMrBrowders
campaign,theKatsyvcamphashiredlobbyistsandpublicrelationsconsultantstourgemediatoreportonitsclaims.Oneadviser,NataliaVeselnitskaya,a
RussiandefencelawyerandfriendoftheKatsyvfamilyaswellasavocalPutinsupporterclaimsMrBrowdersstoryisasham.

ImtherealinvestigativelawyerthatheistryingtobuildMagnitskyinto,shetoldtheFinancialTimes.Itseasytocheck.Youjusthavetoseeifthedates,
events,andconsequencesmatchup,andalwaysaskyourself:Whobenefitsfromthesethingshappening?
 Initsfilings,PrevezonsuggestsMrBrowdercontrivedandskilfullysoldhisstorytothwarthisarrestinconnectionwiththetaxfraudcaseforwhichhewas
convictedinabsentiain2013,inproceedingsthatalsosawMagnitskyconvictedposthumously.ThecompanyaddsthatitisplausibleBrowderstolethemoney
fromtheRussiantreasuryor,atleast,knewaboutthefraudbeforeitoccurred.

TheUSjusticedepartmentrespondedinacounterfilingthatPrevezonsaccusationsthatHermitagewastheperpetrator,ratherthanthevictim,ofthefraudare
falseandarebasedonanincrediblyselectiveandinaccuratepresentationoftheevidence.

Makingacase

MsVeselnitskayaprovidesacommonlinktootherpartsoftheanti-Browdercampaign.ShehelpedorganisetheBrusselsscreeningofMrNekrasovsfilm.Her
claimsalsodovetailinpartwiththoseofthefilm-maker,whosedocumentaryusessomematerialfromPrevezonsdefence.

MrNekrasovhasareputationasaPutincriticsomuchsothathesaysMsVeselnitskayawasreluctanttospeaktohim.Hesayshesetouttomakea
MagnitskytheherofilmafterinterviewingMrBrowderin2010.Butasfilmingproceededhebegantohavedoubts.

AllIwantistoaskquestions,hesays.IhavereallybeenasolidoppositionguyinRussia...andImstillhavingproblemswiththefactthattheRussianmedia
istryingtoinstrumentaliseme.Imlosingsleepoverit.

AswiththePrevezonfilings,MrNekrasovsfilmpointstoallegedanomaliesintheBrowderstory.HeclaimsMagnitskydidnotdirectlyaccusepoliceofficersof
the$230mfraudasMrBrowderhadalleged,intwopoliceinterviewsin2008,anddidnotevennametheminoneofthoseinterviews.Russiantranscriptsofthe
interviews,however,showMagnitskydidaccusethem,directlyandimplicitly,andhedidsoagaininhandwrittennotesfromprisonlater.

TheNekrasovfilmalsodisputeswhetherMagnitskywasreallybeaten,ordeliberatelymistreated,inprison,ashissupportershaveclaimed.

LyudmilaAlexeyeva,an88-year-oldhumanrightsveteran,tookpartinanindependentinquirythatfoundevidencetheaccountantsufferedaviolentdeathand
sheremainsconvincedinthejudgment.

Thosebehindthefilm,MsAlexeyevatoldaRussiannewspaper,wantedtoshowthateverythingthatwassaidfirstbyMagnitsky,thenthePanamaPapers,is
nonsense.Youseetheyneedtogetsanctionslifted.TheydecidedtostartbyrepudiatingtheMagnitskylist.

ThePrevezoncaseandtheNekrasovfilmhavebeguntoinfluencelobbyingactivityintheUSCongress.MrRohrabacher,whochairstheHousesubcommittee
onEurope,Eurasiaandemergingthreats,ledadelegationtotheRussiancapitalinApril.AspeechwriterforRonaldReagan,MrRohrabacherhasembraced
whattheformerpresidentoncecalledtheevilempire.

FundmanagerseeksinquiryintoinflowofallegedRussiandirtymoney

MrRohrabachertoldtheFTthatwhilehewasinMoscow,KonstantinKosachev,aseniormemberofRussiasupperhouse,askedifhewouldatleasttakea
lookatsomethingthatourprosecutorswouldliketheAmericanstoknowabout,relatedtotheMagnitskycase.Thecongressmanmetprosecutorsworkingfor
MrChaikawhohandedhimadossierthatreferredtomaterialsfromtheNewYorklegalcase.MrRohrabacherbecameawareoftheNekrasovdocumentarysoon
afterwards.

IdonttakeanythingourprosecutorsintheUSsayastruewithoutquestion,muchlessprosecutorsinRussia,hesays.ButIamopentobothsides.Iwantto
heartheothersideaswell.

Arguingthatnewinformationshouldbetakenintoconsideration,MrRohrabachersoughttodelaytheglobalMagnitskyActandthenattempted,
unsuccessfully,toremoveMagnitskyfromitsname.ThebillwasultimatelypassedbytheHouseForeignAffairscommitteeinMay.

MrEkelove-SlydalwarnsthatiflobbyingeffortsagainsttheMagnitskyActsucceedingeneratingconfusionaroundit,thatcouldaccentuatedivisionsinEurope
overwhethertorenewsanctionsonRussiarelatedtoUkraine.

IfyoucanconfusetheMagnitskycase,youcanmaybemakeanargumentthatsanctionsarenotthebestwaytoaddresspoliticalissues,hesays.

RELATEDTOPICS

UnitedStatesofAmerica,

VladimirPutin

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/06/11/100000-flee-crimea-as-russia-tightens-grip/

100,000flee'worseningoppression'asRussiatightensgriponCrimea

MaskedmenactinginthenameofRussiatakeoveranadministrativebuildinginCrimea'scapital,Simferopol,in2014.CREDIT:AFP

DavidBlair,chiefforeigncorrespondent,kiev

11JUNE20167:29PM

Russia'soccupationofCrimeahascausedabout100,000peopletofleetheterritory-twiceasmanyashadbeenthought-accordingtonewfigurescompiledbyaUkrainiancharity.

Thenumberoffugitiveshasjumpedinthelasttwomonthsbecauseof"worseningrepression".

FromthemomentthatRussiantroopsfannedoutacrossCrimeaandseizedtheregionfromUkraineinMarch2014,thosewhowereunwillingtoaccepttheKremlin'srulebeganto
leave.MostsettledelsewhereinUkraine,includingthecapital,Kiev.

Newevidencesuggeststhisexoduswassignificantlylargerthanhadbeenthought.About21,000peoplefromCrimeaareofficiallyregisteredinUkraineas"internallydisplaced",but
manymoreareknowntobeundocumented.

ThetotalnumberoffugitivesfromCrimeawasprobablybetween50,000and60,000,accordingtotheInternalDisplacementMonitoringCentre,aGeneva-basedgroup.

RussianSukhoijetsconductaerobaticdisplaysoverCrimeaCREDIT:TASS

ButTamilaTasheva,theco-founderandcoordinatorofCrimeaSOS,aUkrainiancharity,saidtherealfigurewasashighas100,000."Therearemoreandmorepeopleleaving
Crimeaastherepressionbecomesworse,"shesaid."Ourofficesarefullofrequestsandapplicationsforhelpforpeopleandtheirchildren."

ThenewestimateisbasedondatadisclosedbyUkraine'sauthorities.BetweenJanuary2015andAprilthisyear,therewasanetmovementof73,100peopleoutofCrimeaandinto
theadjacentregionofUkraine,accordingtotheNationalBorderGuardService.

ThatperioddoesnotincludethefirstninemonthsofRussia'soccupation,northerenewedoutflowthathasoccurredsinceApril.HenceMsTashevaplacestherealtotaloffugitives
ataround100,000.

Asforwhythisistakingplace,campaignerspointtoRussia'sescalatingcampaignagainstdissent.ArrestsandunexplaineddisappearanceshavebecomeroutineinCrimea.No-oneis
regardedwithgreatersuspicionthantheTatarminority,a230,000-strongcommunityviewedastheoriginalinhabitantsoftheterritory.

PresidentVladimirPutin,whoorderedtheoccupationofCrimeain2014CREDIT:AP

In1944,theTatarsweredeportedfromCrimeaandresettledinSovietCentralAsia.Theylivedinexileuntilthe1980s,whenMikhailGorbachevallowedthemtoreturn.Having
sufferedsogrievouslyatthehandsoftheKremlin,TatarsarepresumedtoopposethereturnofRussianrule.

Alim,a17-year-oldTatar,isoneofthefugitivesfromCrimea.Alongwithhisfamily,heleftforthesafetyofKievayearago."ItwasuncomfortablebeinginCrimea-Iwasafraidto
saysomethingwrong,"heexplained."IwasstudyinginaUkrainianschoolandtheyconverteditintoaRussianschoolwiththeRussianlanguage."

Alimadded:"IwasafraidbecauseIhadpro-Ukrainianviews.TheRussiansecurityforceswereeverywhere.Iftheyhearyousayingsomethingwrongthen,Idon'tknow,there
couldbeabadreaction."

ItwasuncomfortablebeinginCrimea-Iwasafraidtosaysomethingwrong/Alim,a17-year-oldTatar

Alim,whodidnotwishhisfullnametobedisclosed,saidthathewasafraidtoreturn."MostofthepeopleIknowmovedhere[toKiev]aftertheannexation-notjustTatarsbut
Ukrainiansaswell.ImissCrimea,butI'mnotgoingtogoback."

Theevidencesuggeststhatthepaceofdeparturesisquickeningagain.LastNovember,theKievofficeofCrimeaSOSreceivedonly14requestsforhelpfromdisplacedpeople.The
followingmonth,December2015,itrecordednorequestsatall.
ButinAprilthisyear,bycontrast,183peoplecontactedthecharitytoaskforassistance.Another97didsoinMay."ThereisanatmosphereoffearinCrimea-that'swhycitizens
feelforcedtoleave,"saidMsTasheva.

Lastyear,RussiapreventedtheOrganisationforSecurityandCooperationinEurope(OSCE)fromsendingahumanrightsassessmentmissiontoCrimea.Thegroupgathered
evidenceelsewhereinUkraineandinterviewedpeopleremotelyinsideCrimea.TheyconcludedthatRussianrulehad"dramaticallyimpacted"onthe"humanrightsand
fundamentalfreedoms"ofallresidentsofCrimea,particularlythose"whowereopposedtotheannexation".

However,RussiapointstoUkraine'sownbehaviourtoexplainanyhardships.LastNovember,Ukraine'sgovernmentcutoffCrimea'selectricity,leavingtheregionindarknessfor
overtwoweeks.RussiahassincebeenabletoguaranteeCrimea'spowersupply.

ButMsTashevapointedoutthatRussia,astheoccupyingpower,haslegalresponsibilityforthewelfareoftheregion'speople."OfcoursewemightnameUkraineasresponsible
becausetheydon'tmakelifeeasierforthepeopleofCrimea,"shesaid."ButRussiaisultimatelyresponsiblebecausetheyareoccupyingtheterritory."

----------Forwardedmessage----------
From:SeanachieHolodonika<seanachie_holodonika@icloud.com>
Date:Sun,Jun12,2016at5:41PM
Subject:Don'tlettherusskiisgetcockyabouthowtheywonthewar
To:WEMAIL<lemistefan@gmail.com>,RomanKarpishkaEmail<karpishka@yahoo.com>,MYKOLAKOTCHERHA<cambat@earthlink.net>,LesiaChernihivska<lesiachernihivska@gmail.com>,Wyatt
Email<vegasuclawrma@earthlink.net>,AlexMotyl<ajmotyl@andromeda.rutgers.edu>,"AndrijBaran,MD"<LITZARS@msn.com>,Yaromyr@aol.com,AlexanderKuzma,40MORE

Hi,

AsfollowuptooneofmypoemsofrecentweeksrehowLend-LeasehelpedtheSovskickalotofNazibuttduringthewar,IhavebeenreadingoneofthesurprisinglyfewbooksabouttheLend-Leaseprogram:
_Lend-Lease:weaponforvictory_byEdwardR.Stettinius,Jr.(NY:TheMacmillanCo.,1944):OCLC:394271.

Bysummer1942,hewrites,"...Wehadshippedmorethan2000lightandmediumtanksand1300planes.TheBritishsentevenmore--over2400tanksandover1800planes.

"TheplanesthatwenttoRussiaMoscowprotocolwereCurtissP-40fighters,NorthAmerican-B-25Mitchell's,andDouglasDB-7divebombersandthelaterA-20attackbombers.TheRussiansare
enormouslyimpressedwiththeperformanceofourA-20s(207-208).

InterestingregardingtheexpansionoftheGulagcampsthatcoexistedwithrigorsofthewar,"Asecondmilitaryitemisbarbedwire,ofwhichwehavesent216,000milesofit"(209).

SolzhenitsynwroteaboutheandLevKopelevworkedinaspecialprisononvoiceprintanalysis,asawayauthenticatingwhosaidwhattowhominwartimecommunications,butwhichtechnologyStalinalso
madeuseofininterceptingandidentifyingwhosaidwhattowhominciviliantelephonecommunications,thenusedasevidenceinvariousarrests."Asidefromtheseitems--planes,tanks,trucks,andjeeps--we
havesentrelativelylittlefightingequipmenttotheSoviet,withthreeimportantexceptions.Thefirstisfieldtelephoneequipmentandtelephonewire.OnereasontheSovietforceshavebeenabletomaintaingood
communicationsallalonglive2000milesfrontisthefactthatwehavesent189,000fieldtelephonesandover670,000Milesofwire--enoughtogoaroundtheworld27times"(209).Thatkindofbigquestion
whyastheyadvancedback-and-forthacrossoccupiedareasincludingtheirshareofGermany,whydidtheytearupeverythingthatwasn'tnaileddownandalotthatwas,bywayoftelephonepolesandwire,
railroadties,etc.DidtheyNeedthiswireandstuff,orweretheyjustbeingdestructivelycovetous?

AsNapoleonandHitlerbothlearned,GeneralsMudandSnowcausedendlesssufferingandverymanydeathsamongtheforcesill-cladforthesevereweather."thebootswhichwehavesenttoRussiahave
madeupanessentialpartoftheredArmy'sequipment.AnyonewhoiseverseenphotographsofcapturedNazisoldiersontheRussianfront,withtheirfrozenorgangrenousfeetwrappedinbloodycloths,can
understandhowimportantgoodfootwearisinthefightingthere.TheRedArmymusthavebootscapableofwithstandingtheheavysnowintheextremecoldofRussianwintersinthedeepmudofspringandfall.
Livestocklossesduring1941campaignresultedinacriticalshortageofleatherinRussia,andwesent10,500tonsofshoeloatherundertheMoscowProtocol[Acopyofwhichisintheappendixofthisbook]

ButRussia'sfactories,evenwiththishelp,couldnotkeepupwiththeRedArmy'sneedsandwesentatthesametime1,500,000pairsofAmerican-madearmyboots.Sincethenourshipmentshaverisento4
millionpairs.AndGreatBritainhassentanother3millionpairs.

"Besidesthestandardboots,theRedArmyaskedifwecouldsupply'Vitiajnye'boots,ahighleather,felt-linedtypeofRussianbootwhichiswonderfullywatertight.Suchbootshavebeenmadebyhandfor
centuriesinRussiaforuseinmeltingsnowandicenowwesoughttomaketheminquantitiesbymodernfactorymethods.Itwasadifficultjob,butwefinallydiscoveredamanintheUnitedStateswhoknewall
aboutthesubject.[andhere'sthewrypart]HewastheformerheadoftheTsar'sbootfactory.WeaskedhishelpinmakingbootsfortheSoviet.Hewenttowork,andamachineprocessformakingtheboots
wasquicklyperfected.RedArmymenarewearingthemtoday"(210).

Howwrythatsomeonewhoprobablyhadtofleethecountrytosavehisownlifeandthatofhislovedones(nodoubt),endedupbeingtheveryfellowabletoprovidewhat"thegreatStalin"andhisminions
couldn't--orwouldn't.

Justsaying!

Cher

CherylA.Madden,

OrderofPrincessOlha

Letusdaretoread,
Think,write,
Andspeak."

~JohnAdams~
(1735-1826)

----------Forwardedmessage----------
From:NicMarsh<nic@prio.no>
Date:Sun,Jun12,2016at5:51PM
Subject:FW:FightinginEasternUkraineHistoryofthewarTalksSanctionsUkraineforcesUkrainepolityRussiansocietyRussianpolityNATONuclearBelarusKazakhstanGeorgiaSport
To:

FightinginEasternUkraine

LatestfromOSCESpecialMonitoringMission(SMM)toUkraine,basedoninformationreceivedasof19:30,10June2016

TheSMMobservedmoreceasefireviolationsinbothDonetskandLuhanskregionscomparedtothepreviousday.SeveralexplosionsoccurredinthevicinityoftheSMMnearStanytsiaLuhanskabridge.The
Missioncontinuedtomonitorthewithdrawalofheavyweaponsitalsonotedarmouredcombatvehicles,ananti-aircraftgunandanunmannedaerialvehicleinthesecurityzone.

http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/246251

TwoUkrainiansoldierskilled,tenwoundedasmilitantslaunchdozensofattacksalongthefrontline

http://uatoday.tv/politics/two-ukrainian-soldiers-killed-ten-wounded-as-militants-launch-dozens-of-attacks-along-the-frontline-670981.html

ATOHQ:RussianproxiesattackUkraine49timesinlastday

http://www.unian.info/war/1372996-ato-hq-russian-proxies-attack-ukraine-49-times-in-last-day.html

Russiadeploystanks,infantryfightingvehicles,self-propelledartilleryunitsinKhartsyzk

http://www.unian.info/war/1372680-russia-deploys-tanks-infantry-fighting-vehicles-self-propelled-artillery-units-in-khartsyzk.html

Historyofthewar

RemainsofRussianarmyservicemenfoundinUkraine'seast

http://uatoday.tv/society/remains-of-russian-army-servicemen-found-in-ukraine-s-east-670822.html

Talks

Ukraine'sSavchenko:WithoutPeace,TheWar'WillLastForever'

Butafterherexperienceonthefrontlineofthewar,inRussiancaptivity,andvisitingeasternUkrainerecently,shesayssuchdirecttalksarecrucial,asareconciliatorystepslikeanamnestyforlocalswhotookup
armsagainstKyivbutdidnotcommitseriouscrimes.

http://www.rferl.org/content/ukraine-savchenko-interview-conflict-elections-sanctions-russia/27791997.html

WhiteHouseAideSaysDealToEndUkraineConflictPossibleByYear'sEnd

TheWhiteHouseispushingforimplementationofadealtoendtheconflictineasternUkrainebeforePresidentBarackObamaleavesoffice,national-securityadviserSusanRicehassaid.

http://www.rferl.org/content/white-house-aide-rice-says-russia-ukraine-peace-possible-by-yearend-implement-minsk-deal/27789793.html

Sanctions

PutinIsTryingToBullyEuropeIntoDroppingSanctions

AtopgoalofRussianforeignpolicyistoerodeWesternoppositiontoitsaggressioninUkraine.ButmanyofMoscowstacticsareclumsyandself-defeating.Notsurprisingly,theEuropeanUnionislikelyonce
againtorenewsanctions.

[]

ButRussiasoveralleffortisweakenedbyinternalcontradictions.

HowhasMoscowerred?SeeingEuropeansasweak,unprincipledandgullible,theKremlinangersanddismaysthembyitswaronUkraineandassociatedpropaganda.Asimilarerrorintheearly1980scaused
MoscowtofailtoachieveitstopforeignpolicygoaldissuadingNATOfromdeployingIntermediate-RangeNuclearForces(INF)missilesinEuropeasacountertocomparableSovietSS-20missiles.

http://europe.newsweek.com/putin-trying-bully-europe-dropping-sanctions-468479

[SentbyStefanForss]

Ukraine,RussiaandtheEU:BreakingthedeadlockintheMinskprocess

GiventhepersistentdeadlockintheUkrainecrisis,theleadersoftheEUoughttoagreetoprolongthesanctionsagainstRussia,pushfortherenegotiationoftheMinskIIagreementandwidentheNormandy
formattoincludetheUSandbolsterreformsinUkraine.

http://www.ceps.eu/publications/ukraine-russia-and-eu-breaking-deadlock-minsk-process

WhyEUSanctionsonRussiaAreOverratedbutStillNeeded

http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/why-eu-sanctions-on-russia-and-their-possible-cancellation-are-overrated-but-still-needed#.V1vnhvQP_pk.twitter

Ukraineforces

ForeignersallowedtoserveinUkraine'sarmy

http://uatoday.tv/society/foreigners-allowed-to-serve-in-ukraine-s-army-670559.html

Ukrainepolity

APInterview:SavchenkoCallsForEarlyElectionsInUkraine

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_UKRAINE_SAVCHENKO?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Russiansociety

WhenRussiaglimpsedfreedomforamoment

ByDavidE.Hoffman

WhenprotestsbytheyoungandmiddleclassbrokeoutinMoscowagainstPutinin2011,hewasangryandrattled.HissubsequentwarinUkrainewasaccompaniedbyanever-more-destructivepropaganda
campaignontelevisionandelsewhereinwhichanti-AmericanismwasdrilledintothemindsoftheRussianpeople.Thishellcannotendpeacefully,thereformerBorisNemtsov,whoopposedthewar,wroteon
FacebookinMay2014.Tenmonthslaterhewasmurdered,shotintheback,justbeyondtheKremlinwalls.

ItisaterriblysadendingtotheepochofRussianfreedom,butOstrovskyassertsthatthiscannotbethelastturnofevents.HequotesthelateeconomistYegorGaidar,whooncesaidthatbigchangeshappen
laterthanwethinkbutearlierthanweexpect.InRussia,certainly.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/when-russia-glimpsed-freedom-for-a-moment/2016/06/09/0ba58d8c-0192-11e6-b823-707c79ce3504_story.html

[SentbyMiltonLeitenberg]

RussiaFacingBiggestBrainDraininTwoDecades

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/russia-facing-biggest-brain-drain-in-two-decades/571758.html

TVlistingsinRussiannewspaperswarnaboutgovernmentpropaganda

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/06/10/tv-listings-in-russian-newspapers-warn-about-government-propaganda/#

[SentbyMiltonLeitenberg]


Russianpolity

RussianEliteNotOnlyBelievesItsOwnPropagandaButisBasingItsActionsonIt,NewRussianDocumentShows

http://windowoneurasia2.blogspot.no/2016/06/russian-elite-not-only-believes-its-own.html

NATO

ASchengenZoneforNATO

WhytheAllianceNeedsOpenBordersforTroops

http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/russian-federation/2016-06-06/schengen-zone-nato

Nuclear

WhatExactlyWouldItMeantoHaveTrumpsFingerontheNuclearButton?

Anuclearlaunchexpertplaysoutthevariousscenarios.

http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/06/2016-donald-trump-nuclear-weapons-missiles-nukes-button-launch-foreign-policy-213955#ixzz4BNCl3O5T

Belarus

U.S.extendssanctionsagainstBelarus

http://uatoday.tv/politics/u-s-extends-sanctions-against-belarus-670954.html

Kazakhstan

NazarbayevontheRocks:'Terror,''Coup'ClaimsShakeKazakhstan

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/article/571550.html

Georgia

GeorgianNATOCooperationLaidLowByChickenPox

http://www.eurasianet.org/node/79196

Sport

'Disgusted'UEFAinvestigatesRussianfanviolenceatEuro2016

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-soccer-euro-security-idUSKCN0YY0D9

[TherewasalotofviolencebyEnglishsupportersoutsidethegroundaswell]

____________________________

NicholasMarsh

 From: Bob<robertotto25@gmail.com>
Senttime: 04/29/201606:01:19AM
To: JohnWilliams<willijp1@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re:EUparliamenthostsRussianpropagandacircus

Pavlovisthelawyer.IfinteresteddoanintegrumsearchonAninandPavlov.Iusedoneofthearticlesinaninbrief.

SentfrommyiPad

OnApr29,2016,at5:58AM,JohnWilliams<willijp1@yahoo.com>wrote:

whatafarce...

OnFriday,April29,20168:29AM,Bob<robertotto25@gmail.com>wrote:

ThetrailofstolenRussiantaxpayers'moneygoestothehighestlevelsoftheKremlin(Photo:
kremlin.ru)
TwoRussianofficials-PavelKarpovand
AndreyPavlov-attendedtheevent.
TheycamedespitethefacttheEUparliament,
in2014,putthemonalistof32peopleitholds
responsibleforMagnitskyskilling.TheUS
blacklistedthemforthesamereason.
MEPsandcongressmensaidtheyandtheir
associatesstole$230millionfromtheRussian
taxpayerandlaunderedthemoneyvia
Europeanbanksandoffshoreentities.
NataliaVeselnitskaya,alawyer-lobbyistfor
Prevezon,afirmontrialintheUSforlaundering
thefunds,alsocametotheEUpremiere.
ThefilmaccusesMagnitskyandhisformer
employer,BillBrowder,ofstealingthemoney
andabsolvesKarpovandPavlov.
KarpovandPavlovhurledaccusationsatMagnitsky(pictured)
ZDF,theGermanpublicbroadcasterbehindthe intheEUparliamentonWednesday(Photo:HermitageCapital)
movie,cancelledtheshowingatthelastminute
citingtechnicalandlegalconcerns.
ButRussianTVgaveprimetimecoveragetoKarpovandPavlovsstatements.TheysaidZDFs
decisionmeantthattheresnofreespeechintheEU.
ThatthefilmwassoeasilyremovedfromtheEuropeanParliamentdemonstratesthattherightto
freedomofspeechhereisonlyprovidedtooneside,VeselnitskayatoldTass,apro-Kremlinnews
agency.
FTIConsulting,alobbyfirmintheEUcapital,circulatedherstatementtomedia.
FTIConsultingsAledWilliams,aformerBritishdiplomatwhowasuntillastDecembertheUKs
spokesmaninBrussels,fixedmeetingsbetweenthePrevezonlawyerandjournalists.
FTIConsultingsentryintheEuropeanCommissiontransparencyregisterdoesnotlistPrevezon.

KarpovandPavlov
HeidiHautala,aFinnishGreenMEPwhoorganisedthepremiere,defendedherdecisiontoinvite
KarpovandPavlov.
TheyrenotonanytravelbanlistSowhyshouldwelimittheirrighttotravelwhentheyhavetheright
totravel?,shetoldthiswebsite.TheEUparliamentlistof32peopleisnotlegallybindingonEU
states.
HerinvitationpromptedcomplaintsfromotherMEPs.
PetrasAustrevicius,aLithuanianliberalMEP,toldaplenarydebateinBrusselsonThursdaythefact
thetwomenwerenotonlyletintothishouse,buthadapossibilitytomaketheirinterventionsisan
issueoftheintegrityofourowndecisions.
EUstatesandtheEUforeignserviceinthepastdeclinedtoimposevisabansonthegroup-of-32.
ButMEPsfromleadinggroups-theEPP,theS&D,ECR,AldeandtheGreens-aretowritetoEU
foreignrelationschiefFedericaMogheriniurginghertotakeaction.
Ironically,theefforttodiscreditmehadtheoppositeeffect,BrowdertoldEUobserver.
ManypeopleintheEuropeanParliamenthavetakenanewinterest[intheissue]andplantoput
pressureontheEUCouncil[wherememberstatesmeet]toimplementthe32-personMagnitsky
sanctionslist.
BrowderandaGermanGreenBundestagmember,MarieluiseBeck,hadwarnedZDFthatthefilm
containslibellousaccusations.
EUobserveraskedZDFwhytheypulleditandiftheystillplannedtoshowiton3MayonnationalTV.
Thebroadcasterdeclinedtocomment.
AndreiNekrasov,theRussianfilm-makerwhodirectedthemovieandwhostarsinitasitsnarrator,told
thiswebsitehesconfidenttheyrestillbehindme.

Propaganda
Nekrasovsaidhedidnotknowthepro-KremlinTVcrewswouldcometotheEUpremiere.
InevertoldthemthatthereswasnofreedomofspeechintheWest.Ofcourse,thatsnottrue,he
said.
IdontthinkIsaidthat.Ofcourse,youcancutfilmincertainwaysandaddavoiceoverandmakeit
lookasifthesearemythoughts.
AustreviciussaidWednesdayseventsdidntbringanyprestigetotheEUassembly.
AndrewStroehleinfromHumanRightsWatch,aNewYork-basedNGO,saidonTwitter:WhyisGreen
PartyinEuroParliamenthostingfilmattackingMagnitsky,whowastorturedtodeathinRussian
custody?.

Greengroup
TheGreengroupsaidithadnothingtodowithHautalaspremiere.
IthinkIwillsurvivethis,Hautalasaid.
Nekrasov,herpersonalfriend,saidnoRussianmoneywasinvolvedinhisMagnitskyfilm.
TheOCCRP,aclubofinvestigativereportersinEurope,thisweeklinkedthestolen$230millionof
RussiantaxmoneytothehighestlevelsoftheKremlin.
DocumentsobtainedinthePanamaPapersleakshowedthatRussianleaderVladimirPutin'sclose
friend,SergeiRudolgin,took$800,000fromoneofthefirmsusedtolaunderthefunds.

SentfrommyiPad
 From: JohnWilliams<willijp1@yahoo.com>
Senttime: 04/29/201605:58:41AM
To: Bob<robertotto25@gmail.com>
Subject: Re:EUparliamenthostsRussianpropagandacircus

whatafarce...

OnFriday,April29,20168:29AM,Bob<robertotto25@gmail.com>wrote:

ThetrailofstolenRussiantaxpayers'moneygoestothehighestlevelsoftheKremlin(Photo:kremlin.ru)
TwoRussianofficials-PavelKarpovandAndrey KarpovandPavlovhurledaccusationsatMagnitsky(pictured)intheEU
Pavlov-attendedtheevent. parliamentonWednesday(Photo:HermitageCapital)
TheycamedespitethefacttheEUparliament,in
2014,putthemonalistof32peopleitholdsresponsibleforMagnitskyskilling.TheUSblacklistedthemforthe
samereason.
MEPsandcongressmensaidtheyandtheirassociatesstole$230millionfromtheRussiantaxpayerand
launderedthemoneyviaEuropeanbanksandoffshoreentities.
NataliaVeselnitskaya,alawyer-lobbyistforPrevezon,afirmontrialintheUSforlaunderingthefunds,alsocame
totheEUpremiere.
ThefilmaccusesMagnitskyandhisformeremployer,BillBrowder,ofstealingthemoneyandabsolvesKarpov
andPavlov.
ZDF,theGermanpublicbroadcasterbehindthemovie,cancelledtheshowingatthelastminutecitingtechnical
andlegalconcerns.
ButRussianTVgaveprimetimecoveragetoKarpovandPavlovsstatements.TheysaidZDFsdecisionmeant
thattheresnofreespeechintheEU.
ThatthefilmwassoeasilyremovedfromtheEuropeanParliamentdemonstratesthattherighttofreedomof
speechhereisonlyprovidedtooneside,VeselnitskayatoldTass,apro-Kremlinnewsagency.
FTIConsulting,alobbyfirmintheEUcapital,circulatedherstatementtomedia.
FTIConsultingsAledWilliams,aformerBritishdiplomatwhowasuntillastDecembertheUKsspokesmanin
Brussels,fixedmeetingsbetweenthePrevezonlawyerandjournalists.
FTIConsultingsentryintheEuropeanCommissiontransparencyregisterdoesnotlistPrevezon.

KarpovandPavlov
HeidiHautala,aFinnishGreenMEPwhoorganisedthepremiere,defendedherdecisiontoinviteKarpovand
Pavlov.
TheyrenotonanytravelbanlistSowhyshouldwelimittheirrighttotravelwhentheyhavetherighttotravel?,
shetoldthiswebsite.TheEUparliamentlistof32peopleisnotlegallybindingonEUstates.
HerinvitationpromptedcomplaintsfromotherMEPs.
PetrasAustrevicius,aLithuanianliberalMEP,toldaplenarydebateinBrusselsonThursdaythefactthetwomen
werenotonlyletintothishouse,buthadapossibilitytomaketheirinterventionsisanissueoftheintegrityofour
owndecisions.
EUstatesandtheEUforeignserviceinthepastdeclinedtoimposevisabansonthegroup-of-32.
ButMEPsfromleadinggroups-theEPP,theS&D,ECR,AldeandtheGreens-aretowritetoEUforeign
relationschiefFedericaMogheriniurginghertotakeaction.
Ironically,theefforttodiscreditmehadtheoppositeeffect,BrowdertoldEUobserver.
ManypeopleintheEuropeanParliamenthavetakenanewinterest[intheissue]andplantoputpressureonthe
EUCouncil[wherememberstatesmeet]toimplementthe32-personMagnitskysanctionslist.
BrowderandaGermanGreenBundestagmember,MarieluiseBeck,hadwarnedZDFthatthefilmcontains
libellousaccusations.
EUobserveraskedZDFwhytheypulleditandiftheystillplannedtoshowiton3MayonnationalTV.The
broadcasterdeclinedtocomment.
AndreiNekrasov,theRussianfilm-makerwhodirectedthemovieandwhostarsinitasitsnarrator,toldthis
websitehesconfidenttheyrestillbehindme.

Propaganda
Nekrasovsaidhedidnotknowthepro-KremlinTVcrewswouldcometotheEUpremiere.
InevertoldthemthatthereswasnofreedomofspeechintheWest.Ofcourse,thatsnottrue,hesaid.
IdontthinkIsaidthat.Ofcourse,youcancutfilmincertainwaysandaddavoiceoverandmakeitlookasifthese
aremythoughts.
AustreviciussaidWednesdayseventsdidntbringanyprestigetotheEUassembly.
AndrewStroehleinfromHumanRightsWatch,aNewYork-basedNGO,saidonTwitter:WhyisGreenPartyin
EuroParliamenthostingfilmattackingMagnitsky,whowastorturedtodeathinRussiancustody?.

Greengroup
TheGreengroupsaidithadnothingtodowithHautalaspremiere.
IthinkIwillsurvivethis,Hautalasaid.
Nekrasov,herpersonalfriend,saidnoRussianmoneywasinvolvedinhisMagnitskyfilm.
TheOCCRP,aclubofinvestigativereportersinEurope,thisweeklinkedthestolen$230millionofRussiantax
moneytothehighestlevelsoftheKremlin.
DocumentsobtainedinthePanamaPapersleakshowedthatRussianleaderVladimirPutin'sclosefriend,Sergei
Rudolgin,took$800,000fromoneofthefirmsusedtolaunderthefunds.

SentfrommyiPad
 From: WayneAllensworth<swallen@1scom.net>
Senttime: 04/29/201601:36:23PM
To: WayneandStacyAllensworth<swallen@1scom.net>
Subject: InternetNotes29April2016
Attachments: IN29April16.docx

InternetNotes29April2016

MorefromRosbaltontheNemtsovmurderinvestigation(Khatayev)

EuropeanTVchannelholdsupairingNekrasovsfilmonMagnitskiy

KashinontheMagnitskiyaffair/Rolduginconnection

ZolotovandKudrin:WhatstheKremlinupto?

NovayaGazetaontheendofthedemocraticcoalition

AcrisisintheRussianopposition?(Kasyanov)

BelkovskiyonNavalniy/Yashinvs.Kasyanov

Consumerconfidenceatalowpoint

NODactivistsattackparticipantsatMemorialevent

LavrovonRussiasaimingforselfsufficiency

MorefromRosbaltontheNemtsovmurderinvestigation(Khatayev)

http://www.rosbalt.ru/moscow/2016/04/27/1510020.html

TheInvestigativeCommittee(SK)islookingforaChechenMVDofficer,AslambekKhatayev,whovisitedtheapartmentinMoscowwhereRuslanGeremeyevwasstayingandmetwithothersuspectsinMoscowhotelsKhatayevwasinMoscowonassignmentaspartofa
securitydetailforChechenofficials(Comment:Whichiswhatweheardaboutsomeoftheothersuspects),thoughitisnotclearwhotheofficialorofficialswere.InvestigatorsbelieveKhatayevleftMoscowforChechnyaInvestigatorsnowsaythatallofthesuspects
wereinvolvedindebtcollectingtheyreceivedhalfofrecovereddebts.Whenthedebtcollectorsencounteredadebtowedbysomeonewithconnections,theycalledinGeremeyevastheirheavyartilleryComment:Recalltheitemwesawbackinthe19February
notesonthebrutaltacticsemployedbydebtcollectorsandcomplaintsagainstthem.

Heresmore:
http://www.interpretermag.com/russia-update-april-27-2016/

AttorneysVadimProkhorovandOlgaMikhailovawhorepresentstheinterestsofZhannaNemtsova,daughterofslainoppositionleaderBorisNemtsovsayseveralmoreindividualswereinvolvedinNemtsov'smurderwhohavenotbeenindicted,RBC.rureports.

TheattorneyssubmittedastatementtodaytoNikolaiTutevich,theseniorspecialcasesinvestigatorassignedtoNemtsov'scase.NemtsovwasassassinatedFebruary27,2015andthecasehasnotyetcometotrial,althoughfoursuspectsareincustodyonchargesofperpetratingor
assistinginthemurder.

ThestatementreferencescasefilesthatindicatethatRussia'sInvestigativeCommitteebelievesthatRuslanGeremeyev,anofficeroftheSeverBattalionwithintheInteriorMinistryInternalTroposinChechnya,organizedthemurder,alongwithhisbrotherArtur.Thesetroopswererecently
reorganizedintotheNationalGuard,andsomehavespeculatedthatthisrestructuringwasmeanttoreininarmedforcesthathadcometoberegardedas"thepersonalarmy"ofChechenleaderRamzanKadyrov.

AccordingtotheRussianregistryofbusinesses,ArturGeremeyevistheownerofoneoftheapartmentsthatfiguresinthecase,no.46VeyernayaStreet.(Forourcompleteanalysisofthesuspects'movementsandlocations,seehereseealsoourtranslationofNovayaGazeta's"How
BorisNemtsovWasMurdered."

Theattorneys'petitionalsomentionsAlibekDelimkhanov,commanderoftheSovetBattalionandrelativeofthepowerfulChechenStateDumamemberAdamDelimkhanov,aswellastwoothersnotpreviouslymentioned:AslanbekKhatayev,anofficeroftheChechenInteriorMinistryand
ShamkhanTazabayev--apersonwiththisnameholdsapostasdeputydirectoroftheLeninDistrictCenterforPublicSocialServicesinChechnya).Finally,SuleymanGeremeyev,apowerfulChechensenatorrelatedtoRuslanGeremeyev,andVakhaGeremekhev,headoftheDistrict
DepartmentofInteriorAffairs[thepolice]forShelkovskyDistrictinChechnyaareindicatedinthestatementaswell.TheattorneyshaverepeatedlyaskedforSuleymanandVakhaGeremeyevtobeinterrogated.Investigatorshaverefused.

RBCsitessourcesthatsayinvestigatorsdidtrytoissuechargesinabsentiaagainstRuslanGeremeyev,butbothtimesAleksandrBastrykin,headoftheInvestigativeCommittee,turneddowntherequest,sayingtherewasinsufficientevidence.

NovayaGazetaobtainedascreenshotofasurveillancecameraatthePresidentHotelinMoscow,whereChechenassassinswithcontractsaresaidtogather,showingRuslanGeremeyevl,whoreportedlyfledRussiabutmayhavereturnednow,andasuspectwhoisalreadyincustody,
TamerlanEskerkhanov.

RBCiscurrentlyseekingclarificationfromtheInvestigativeCommittee.

AsRBCreportedearlier,inJanuary,Tutevichdecidedtoseparateoutfromthemainmurdercasethecaseofthesupposedorganizersoftheassassination,RuslanGeremeyevandhisdriver,RuslanMukhudinov,alongwithsixothersnotnamedwhoweresaidtoproposetoZaurDadayev,a
Severofficerdesignatedasthemainperpetrator,tokillNemtsovfor15millionrubles(about$229,000).

TheNemtsovfamilyattorneyshavecalledforkeepingthecasestogetherbecauseotherwiseitisnotclearwhytheperpetratorshadamotivationtokillNemtsov.Astheirstatementindictates(translationbyTheInterpreter):

"FromthematerialsofthecriminalcaseitfollowsthattheinvestigationavoidedaproperinvestigationofNemtsov'smurder,anddidnotestablishthemotivesforhismurderwhichguidedtheorganizers.Moreover,adecisionswasartificiallyandunlawfullymadebytheinvestigationtoend
thepreliminaryinvestigationonthemain,so-called"parentcase."

TheattorneysbelievetheinvestigatorsshouldhavekeptthecasesunitedandpursuedtheleadsmorevigorouslyinsteadofclosingacasethatpointstopowerfulindividualsintheentourageofChechenleaderRamzanKadyrov.

Basically,topintheorganizationofthemurderonanofficer'sdriverinaseparatecasethatwon'tbetried(becausehehasfledabroad),thenonlyfocusingontheimmediatefactsoftheperpetrationofthemurder--astheyhavedonewithsomanycasesinvolvingpubliccriticsbefore--the
InvestigativeCommitteeisindicatingonceagainthatitcan'ttakeonKadyrov.

ThusspeculationthattheNationalGuardreorganizationhas"reinedin"KadyrovmaynothavemeritunlesstheKremlinbelievesitcancontrolKadyrovgoingforwardbyclosingthebookonhispastcrimes.

--CatherineA.Fitzpatrick

EuropeanTVchannelholdsupairingNekrasovsfilmonMagnitskiy

Seeyesterdaysnotes.

http://www.rferl.mobi/a/magnitsky-film-on-hold-european-tv-channel-arte/27704772.html

BRUSSELS--AEuropeantelevisionchannelwillnotairacontroversialnewdocumentarynextweekonSergeiMagnitsky,thelawyerwhohelpeduncoveramassivetaxfraudcaseinRussiaandlaterdiedinaRussianjail,aspreviouslyplanned.

Claude-AnneSavin,aspokeswomanforARTEEuropean,saidtheFranco-Germanchannelisreviewingthefilminresponsetocomplaintsaboutitsaccuracyto"makesurethefilmisclean."

DespitethecancellationoftheMay3airingofthefilm,titledTheMagnitskyAct--BehindTheScenes,Savinsaidthechannelstillmightairit"inafewweeks."

ARTEpulledthepromotionalteaseforthefilmfromitswebsite.

LawyerSergeiMagnitsky

Thefilm,whichwasshotbyRussiandocumentaryfilmmakerAndreiNekrasov,wasscheduledtopremiereattheEuropeanParliamentonApril27.ThatshowingwascanceledfollowingcomplaintsfromMagnitsky'srelativesandformercolleagues.GermanparliamentarianMarieluiseBeckalsocomplainedthat
footageofherstaffwasusedwithoutpermission.
Magnitskyblewthewhistleona$230milliontax-fraudschemeanddiedin2009whilebeingheldonfraudchargesinaMoscowpretrialdetentionfacility.Hisfamilyandfriendssaythat,priortohisdeath,hewasbeaten,tortured,anddeniedmedicalcare.

WilliamBrowder,aU.S.-bornBritishinvestorwhoemployedMagnitskyandhasledtheinternationalcampaigntoholdMoscowaccountableforhisdeath,sayshesentARTEalistof"factualerrors"inthefilmandwarnedthemtheywouldbelegallyaccountableforknowinglybroadcastingfalsestatements.

"Itisonethingtohavefreespeech,butitisanotherthingtotrytomanipulateandtouselies,innuendo,andfabricationstomakeapointwhichisn'ttrue,"BrowdertoldRFE/RL."That'swhytherearelibellawsouttheretoprotectpeoplefromthistypeofthing."

WilliamBrowder

"Themovieisjustacollectionofliesandfabrications,whichdesecratesthememoryofSergeiMagnitskyandchangesthewholestoryofhowhedied,"Browderadded.

BrowderscampaignonbehalfofMagnitskyresultedintheU.S.Congresspassingalawin2012sanctioningseveralRussianofficialsfortheirallegedinvolvementinthelawyersdeath.ThelawdeeplyangeredMoscow.

NekrasovhasproducedseveralfilmshighlycriticalofRussianPresidentVladimirPutin.HewasafriendofformerRussianFederalSecurityServiceofficerAleksandrLitvinenko,whowaskilledbyaradioactivesubstanceinLondonin2006.His2007documentaryaboutthatcasepremieredattheCannesFilm
FestivalandwasshowninMoscowattheSakharovCenterhumanrightsorganization.

His2010film,RussianLessons,aboutthe2008warbetweenRussiaandGeorgia,exposedfalsificationsandmanipulationsundertakenbyRussianstatetelevisionincoveringeventsbefore,during,andafterthatconflict.

ButhisMagnitskyfilmisdecidedlydifferent.NekrasovwroteanApril27blogpostthatthefilmchangedhis"consciousnessand,probably,mylife."

ThefilmassertsthatMagnitskywasnotbeatenwhileinpolicecustodyandthathedidnotmakeanyspecificallegationsagainstindividualsinhistestimonytoRussianauthorities,Nekrasovwrites.

InaninterviewwithRFE/RLonApril27,NekrasovsaidhebeganthefilmwiththeintentionoftellingthestoryofhowMagnitskyuncoveredthetaxfraudandwaskilledinordertosilencehim.

ThissequenceofeventshasbeenthoroughlydocumentedbyBrowderandothers--including,inpart,bytheKremlin'sownhumanrightscouncil.

Nekrasov,however,saysthatmakingthefilmchangedhismind.

"Ididn'tabandonthatnarrativeeasilybecauseIwasideologicallyveryclosetoBrowder,"hesaid."Iwasalsoaregimecritic,honestly,onalotofcounts.Butifwearenottellingthetruth,thenitmakesiteasierforthebadguystocarryondoingtheirbadthings."

TheabortedApril27screeningattheEuropeanParliamentwasorganizedbyFinnishlawmakerHeidiHautala,amemberoftheGreenParty.RebeccaHarms,presidentoftheGreensattheEuropeanParliament,wroteonTwitterthattheplannedscreeningwas"notaneventoftheGreens"groupinthelegislative
chamber.

Hautala,likeNekrasov,hasalongrecordofdefendinghumanrightsandofcriticizingRussia.Shewasasponsoroftheoriginal2010EuropeanParliamentresolutioncallingforEUmemberstatestoimposesanctionsagainstRussianofficialsinvolvedintheMagnitskycase,similartotheU.S.sanctions.

AccordingtoFinnishmedia,shehasalsobeenromanticallylinkedtoNekrasov.ShetoldtheEUObserverwebsiteonApril27that"weareclosefriendsI'veknownhim[for]manyyears."

"Itisveryimportanttoverifythefactsandlistentodifferentparties,"shesaidinaninterviewwithRFE/RL."I'mveryinterestedtoseewhattheconsequencesofthefilmofAndreiNekrasovwillbewhentheywillbeopenlydiscussed,openlyavailable,whenonedaytherewillbenoharassmentagainstthe
screeningofthisfilm."

AnotherorganizerofthecanceledBrusselspremierewasRussianlawyerNatalyaVeselnitskaya.SheisadefenselawyerforRussianbusinessmanDenisKatsyv,(Seethe28Aprilnotes)whoisthetargetofaU.S.federalcivilforfeiturecaseinNewYorkconcerningallegedmoneylaunderinglinkedtotheMagnitsky
case.

InNovember,aU.S.federalprosecutorsubmittedalettertothejudgeinthecasesayingthatVeselnitskaya,Katsyv,andothersinvolvedintheactionrackedupmorethan$50,000inexpensesontheU.S.governmentsdimeduringafour-daydepositioninNewYork.

Thecostsincludedatwo-nightstayatthePlazaHotel"ina$995/nightroomforNataliaVeselnitskaya,whowasnotdeposedanddidnotevenattendthedepositionsinperson,fortheweekendafterthedepositionshadconcluded,"U.S.AttorneyPreetBhararawroteintheletter.

"Ms.Veselnitskayaappearstohavestayedatalessexpensivehotelduringthedepositions,butmovedtothePlazaafterthedepositionsconcludedandonlyaftertheCourtorallystatedthattheGovernmentwouldberesponsibleforreimbursingDefendants'expenses,"Bhararaadded.

GermanlawmakerElmarBrok,chairmanoftheForeignAffairsCommitteeintheEuropeanParliament,toldRFE/RLtheefforttoshowthefilmattheparliamentwas"awrongidea."

"Thisisapieceofpropagandathatshouldnotbepartofourparliamentarywork,"hesaid.

Headdedthatheis"lookinginto"thematterofwhetherARTEshouldhavebeeninvolvedintheproject.Thechannelrelieson"financialsupportfromtheEuropeanUnion,"accordingtothechannel'swebsite,withthegoalto"producetelevisionprogramswhichareconducivetopromotingunderstandingand
cooperationbetweenEurope'snations."

PetrasAustrevicius,aLithuanianmemberoftheEuropeanParliamentwhoalsoservesontheForeignAffairsCommittee,toldRFE/RLthatthepushtoscreenthefilmforthechamberwasoneofseveralmoves"bytheRussianauthorities"inorder"toweakenWesternconfidenceinitspolicyline"andsecurea
reviewofEUsanctionsagainstRussialaterthisyear.

"AndIexpectmoreandmoreactionslikethisinthemonthstocome,"Austreviciusadded."Andprobablyinaverycreativeway."

KashinontheMagnitskiyaffair/Rolduginconnection

Seeyesterdaysnotes.

http://rus2web.ru/mneniya/gotovyi-li-myi-poverit-novoj-versii-ubijstva-magnitskog.html

ArewereadytobelievethatthemoneystolenintheMagnitskiyaffairwoundupinPutinspurse?TakeitastepfurtherarewereadytobelievethatthemoneywasstolenbyPutin?Thatsaquestionrightupthereinimportancewith,say,thequestionarewereadyto
believethattheFSBcarriedoutthe1999apartmentbombings?Insituationslikethisinthepast,RussianpublicopinionhassidedwithPutinjusttryandfindarespectablecriticofvlastwhoiswillingto,forinstance,saythatPutinblewuptheapartments.EkhoMoskvy,for
instance,maintainsapresumptionofinnocenceforPutinTheanswertothequestionabouttheMagnitskiyaffairmoneyandPutinwillbegivenbypeoplelikeSobchakandVenediktovAbetterquestionisarewereadytobelievethosewhowilldefendPutin?

ZolotovandKudrin:WhatstheKremlinupto?

http://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/the-kremlin-entrenching-itself?
mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiWldZME0yWTNNVFpqWmpjMiIsInQiOiJ2bUVUTWg2UnhEd0FcL0RaZkJWdERvaStuWnpKREwrZzBpNVl4SlwvS3RDaFlJQjI2djU0UFlyMGt3WGFXQlhXcXowQ1czTklqaXQ1K2d1NHB5YkFFcDY2aFV0MldpZ0FCdExoR2VZdEM1aVJzPSJ9

TheKremlinIsEntrenchingItself
ByMaximTrudolyubov

TraditionaloppositioninRussia,negligiblysmallandweak,isnolongeratargetoftheKremlinsdesigns.Putinisnowdealingwithchallengesthatareinvisibletothenakedeye.Theyear2017willmarkthecentennialoftheRussianRevolutionanoccasiontoosymbolictoignore.Theyear2018willsee
presidentialelections,andPutinwillannouncewhetherornothewilltrytoremainintheKremlinforyetanotherterm.

Twomajorpoliticalprojects,bothlaunchedinAprilandbothinvolvingmenclosetoVladimirPutin,mayhelpusunderstandtheKremlinsthinkingaboutitsfuture.Oneprojecthastodowithdomesticsecuritytheotherisaboutstrategicpolicyplanning.BothwerelonginthemakingandaretheKremlins
responsestomountingeconomicandpoliticalpressures.

ThefirstprojectisPutinsdecision,announcedinearlyApril,tocreateanewsecurityagency,theNationalGuardofRussia.PutinchoseViktorZolotov,thelong-timeheadofthepresidentspersonalsecurityunitwhoservedasCommanderoftheRussianInteriorTroopsforthepasttwoyears,toleadthenew
force.TheInteriorTroops,InteriorAviation,OMON(riotpolice),SOBR(theRussianequivalentofSWATforce),asecuritycorporationformerlyrunbytheInteriorMinistry,theweaponslicensingdepartmentoftheInteriorMinistryallofthesestructures,numberingupto400,000members(roughly200,000of
themprofessionalmilitaryservicepersonnel)havenowbecomepartoftheNationalGuardremit.

Thebodyguard-in-chief,Zolotov,hasthusbeenelevatedtoaSecurityTsarofRussia.Allweapon-wieldingforces,withtheexceptionoftheFederalGuardServicetaskedwithprotectingtopofficials,andFSBssmallspecialforces,willnowreporttoZolotov,whowillinturnreportdirectlytoPutin.Throughthe
weaponlicensingservicehewillalsohaveeffectivecontroloverallprivatemilitaryandsecurityfirmsinRussia.

AnewcorpsofgendarmesisbeingcreatedattheexpenseoftheInteriorMinistry.Twoformersecurityagencies,adrugenforcementadministrationandanimmigrationagencyarebeingcutinsizeandputunderthecommandoftheInteriorMinister.Grom,aspecialforceforanti-drugspecialoperations,willalso
likelymovefromtheInteriortotheNationalGuard.TheSpecialCorpsofGendarmessecuritypolicethatexistedinRussiainthe19t handearly20t hcenturies,maybeseenasaprecursortothenewlycreatedforce.ItalsomaybecomparedtotheFrenchgendarmerieortheItaliancarabinieriratherthantheU.S.
NationalGuard,whichisareservemilitaryforce.NovisibledomesticthreatsseemtowarrantsuchamassivesecuritycentralizationinRussia.

ThesecondtellingdecisionisthatofgivingAlexeiKudrin,whoservedasFinanceMinisterfor11yearsandwasalsothefirstDeputyPrimeMinister,aleadingroleinthedraftingofafuturereformprogram.JustlikeZolotov,KudrinworkedwithPutinforalongtime.BothKudrinandPutinmovedfromSt.
PetersburgtoMoscowin1996attheinvitationofAnatolyChubais,thenBorisYeltsinschiefofstaff.KudrinwillnowchairtheCenterforStrategicResearch,athinktankonceclosetotheKremlin.

Kudrinistreadingcarefully.Headvocatesinstitutionalreform,placingjudiciaryandlawenforcementreformsattheforefrontofhisagenda,butstopsshortofcallingthecurrentsystemaccountableformismanagementandcorruption.Heevenletslipthewordperestroika,ataboointheKremlin,butonlyin
passing.ThisiscomfortablepoliticsfortheKremlin,aswellasformostpro-modernizationforceswithinRussiansociety.LittleseemedtoprecludePutinfromelevatingKudrintotheroleofareformtsarbutthepresidentdecidednotto.Kudrinsnewpositionfeelsunderwhelming.

Kudrinwasforcedtoleavethegovernmentin2011afterapublicrowwithPrimeMinisterDmitryMedvedevovermilitaryspending.In2012,KudrincreatedtheCommitteeofCivicInitiatives,anNGOwithamissiontohelpsocietyinfluencegovernmentdecisions.Between2012and2016,Kudrinretainedhis
influencewiththeKremlinwhileacquiringrespectasacivilsocietyplayer.HesponsoredanumberofresearchprojectsandpolicyproposalsthatweremetwithmuchinterestonbothsidesoftheKremlinwalls.AdraftoftheInteriorMinistryreformthatKudrinsponsoredandpresentedin2013wasbasedonanin-
depthstudyofRussianpolice,conductedoriginallybytheEuropeanUniversityinSt.Petersburg.NotraceoftheseproposalsisfoundinthereformsthatcreatedtheNationalGuard.

AsimilarfatemightawaittheeffortthatKudrinisexpectedtoleadattheCenterforStrategicResearch.Threemajorreform-draftingprojectswereundertakenunderPutinandnoneofthemeverbecameabindingdocument.IncontrasttoZolotov,Kudrinhasnotbeengivenanyauthority,onlyvaguepromises.
[Kudrin]wasinvitedtodraftaneconomicprogramthathasnoofficialstatusorfunding,thepoliticalanalystKirillRogovwroteinaMoscowTimesop-ed.HewasofferedundefinedpowersonthepresidentsEconomicCouncil,astrangeandpracticallynon-functioningbodythatPutinhasnotconsultedeven
oncethroughout18monthsofeconomiccrisis.

Eventhesemi-independentrolethatKudrinwasplayingbetween2011and2016seemstohavebecometoofraughtfromtheKremlinviewpoint.PutinclearlypreferstohaveKudrininamoredependentpositionthatwouldsymbolizetheKremlinscontrolofthereformistdiscourse.PutinwillownwhateverKudrins
teamproduces,andwillbefreetouseitortoshelveit.WhatKudrinwillnolongerbeabletodoinhisnewcapacityismoreimportantthanwhathemighthavedoneasStrategist-in-Chief.TheappointmentofKudrinisadefensivemove,ratherthanapolicyplanninginitiative.

BothcreatingaRussiangendarmerieandplacingKudrinatthedrawingboardofahypotheticalreformplan,areforward-lookingmeasures.Theyarenotmeantforjustoneelectoralseason,whichisaparliamentaryelectioncominglaterthisyear.TheNationalGuardisunlikelytobefullyoperationalbySeptember,
andKudrinsmaingoalispost-2018Russia(2018istheyearofapresidentialelection).Thesearemeasuresofentrenchmentandseemtobeaimedatmakingthingsclearerbetweentherulinggroupandallothergroups,includingelitesandthebroadersociety.
Putinisaddressingissuesthathavenotbecomeapparentyet,andistryingtoanticipateproblemsemanatingfrompreviouslyloyalquarters.Hehasjustcreatedasuper-strongmantodealwithallsecuritystrongmenwhomightgorogue.Hehasjustappointedareformer-designatetomakesurenoonewouldbe
abletoteamupwithAlexeiKudrinforpolicyprojectsalternativetothoseoftheKremlin.

NovayaGazetaontheendofthedemocraticcoalition

Fromthe14Aprilnotes:

[AcrisisintheRussianopposition?(Kasyanov)
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/crisisinrussianoppositionastwowithdrawfromelectionprimaries/565739.html

TwoofRussiasleadingoppositionpoliticiansannouncedWednesday13ApriltheirwithdrawalfromelectionprimariesbeingorganisedbythePARNASdemocraticcoalition.

IvanZhdanov.HeadofLawatAlexeyNavalny'sAnti-CorruptionFoundation(FBK)andIlyaYashin,PARNASpoliticalpartydeputychairman,announcedtheywouldnotbestandingwithinthespaceof24hours.

TheirreactioncomesafterPARNASleader,MikhailKasyanov,announcedhisrefusaltowithdrawfromthelistofproposedcandidates,despiterecentinvolvementinawell-publicisedscandal.

KasyanovwastheonlypoliticiantobeincludedonthelistofpotentialcandidatessincelastDecemberwhenthecoalitionwasformed.

IthinkthatKasyanov'spositiondestroysvoters'trustandscrapsusfromtheabilitytobeaneffectiveoppositioncoalition,Yashinsaid.

Zhdanov'scitedsimilarreasonstoYashin,butaddedthathewastoobusywithotherpoliticalprojects.

Thelistwouldhavebeenmuchmorerespectableifitsleaderwaselectedatprimaries.Opennessisthecorevalueoftheopposition,ZhdanovtoldTheMoscowTimes.Hestressedthatthewithdrawalwashispersonaldecisionandthathehadn'theardofanybodyelseplanningtoquittheircandidacy.

ThedecisiontogiveKasyanovtheprivilegeofheadingthelistofcandidateshadbeencontroversial.Thecoalitionwascriticisedforbeingnon-democraticandforgivingtheKremlinachancetoconcentrateanti-oppositionsmearsonasinglefigure.

Thatchancewasusedwhenstate-controlledtelevisionchannelNTVairedgrainyvideofootageofMikhailKasyanovandacolleague,NataliaPelevina,inbedtogether.Theyareheardcriticizingtheiroppositioncolleagues.

Givensuchcircumstances,wewouldbeansweringidioticquestionsaboutwhosleptwithwhomandwhocalledsomeonenamesinbedthroughoutthecourseofthewhole[StateDumaelection]campaign,Yashinexplained.

KasyanovtoldKommersantFMradiothathesawnoproblemswithYashin'schoice.It'shisdecisionandhehastherightforanydecisionandit'shisopinion,hesaid.

UnlikeYashin,Zhdanovhassaidthathisdecisionhadnothingtodowiththepublicationofthefilm.ThelawyerbelievethatPARNASstillhavegoodchancesattheparliamentaryelections,becausethere'snoalternative.

Democraticcoalitionmembersnowhavetochoosebetweenbadandworse,thepoliticalexpertAlexeyMakarkintoldTheMoscowTimes.

MakarkinbelievesthefilmscandalwillpushoppositionmembersawayfromKasyanov.Healsosaidthatvoteractivityattheprimariesappearedtobelow,andthatcancellingthemcouldbeanoption.

Atthesametime,Makarkinalsobelievesthatthescandalwillnotresultinanydramaticchanges:PARNASwillsurvive,andYashinwillprobablyentertheelectoralcampaigninasingle-memberdistrict.

Thesituationingeneralisaplustoeveryone,notaminus,GrigoryMelkonyants,co-chairofGolos,anindependentelectionsmonitor,toldTheMoscowTimes.Itisgoodwhensuchthingspassbeforetheelectioncampaign.Whenitstarts,nothingwilldistractthem.Itseemslikethey[theopposition]areat

astagewhentheyneedtoclarifytherelationship. ]

Fromthe15Aprilnotes:

[BelkovskiyonNavalniy/Yashinvs.Kasyanov

http://echo.msk.ru/programs/beseda/1747696-echo/

KasyanovsaysheplansonkeepingthefirstspotonthePARNASpartylistforhimself,scandalornoscandal,andregardlessoftheresultsoftheprimaries.SoYashinhasrefusedtotakepartinthepartyprimaries.Belkovskiy:whatweareseeingshowsthecontradictionsandconflictswithinthenon-systemic
opposition.ButthiswontmeanthetotalcollapseofthedemocraticcoalitionitsoftoomuchvaluetopeoplelikeKasyanovandNavalniy.YashinrepresentsNavalniysteam,whichwantstoseizecontroloftheoppositionandtakechargeofitandthereisareasontheythinkthatway.Acertainpartof
PARNASsassets,regionalstructures,considerNavalniytheirleadermorethanKasyanovandviewNavalniyashavingbetterpoliticalprospects.ThestruggleforpowerbetweenKasyanovandNavalniyiscertainlydamagingtothenon-systemicoppositionandcouldcauseasplitatatimetheoppositionneeds
toconsolidateWeunderstandthattheKremlinwilllikelynotallowalargemajorityofoppositioncandidatesintotheDumaandundersuchconditions,consolidationbecomesevenmoreimportant.Theresalsoabattlegoingonforthepolitical-morallegacyofBorisNemtsov.AlotofPARNASactivistsstill
considerhimasamoreauthoritativefigurethanKasyanov.IfNavalniyandYashincanconvinceactiviststhattheyrepresentNemtsovslegacybetterthanKasyanov,thenthatwouldbeatrumpcardinthestruggleovertheparty.

BelkovskiysaysheagreesthatNavalniyhasbetterprospectsasaleaderthanKasyanov,butmorallyhesupportsKasyanovonecantuseKremlinprovocationsasabasisforinfightingintheopposition]

NovayaGazeta(http://www.novayagazeta.ru/politics/72887.html)reportsthatNavalniysProgressPartyandVladimirMilovsDemocraticChoicepartyhaveannouncedtheirwithdrawalfromacoalitionwithKasyanovsPARNAS.Thepartiescouldnotreachagreement
onproceduresfortheprimaries,onformingapartylist,oronwhetherKasyanovshouldhavethe#1spotonthepartyelectorallist.Apartfromthat,KasyanovhasbeenaccusedoffailingtofinancepreparationsfortheelectionsElectorally,thissignifiescollapse.Without
Navalniyandhispeople,PARNASdoesntevenhaveatheoreticalchanceofbreakingthe5%barrierintheDumaelection.ButitsevenworseforNavalniyandcompanyandtheirunregisteredparty,whichcanttakepartinelectionswithoutcollectingsignaturesItfollowsthat
NavalniywilllikelysoondeclarethattheelectionsareashamandtheoppositionshouldboycottthemWhatthisallmeansisthatNavalniysteamisnotreadytotakepartinpolitics.ItshighpointwastheMoscowmayorselectionin2013WecanonlyhopethatYabloko,
whichistryingtoformitsowncoalition,doesnotrepeatthemistakesofPARNASLeonidVolkovoftheProgressPartysayshewouldbesurprisedifPARNASgarners1%ofthevoteinSeptemberLyubovSobol,alsooftheProgressParty,saysthateventhoughherparty
haswithdrawnfromthecoalition,candidatescanstillrunforindividualmandatesandshewillruninaMoscowdistrictDemocraticChoicesMilovsaysthemainargumentwasaboutKasyanovas#1onthepartylistwithouthavingtotakepartinprimaries.Kasyanovwas
namedpartychairmanbecauseofadesiretoholdthecoalitiontogether,buthehasnotbeenfulfillinghisobligationsasleaderbuthe(Kasyanov)couldstillcomearoundandchangehismindaboutcooperation.DemocraticChoicecandidatescanstillcompeteforsingle
mandatedistricts

Consumerconfidenceatalowpoint

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/russian-consumer-confidence-falls-to-historic-lows/567532.html

ConsumerconfidenceinRussiafellto63pointsinthefirstquarterofthisyearonNielsen'sConsumerConfidenceIndex,thelowestlevelsincerecordsbeganin2005,theKommersantnewspaperreportedFriday.

Inthesameperiodlastyear,theindexstoodat72points,thenewspaperreported.

AccordingtoNielsen,arecordlownumberofpeoplenowhaveanyextramoneyaftercoveringbasicneedsandbills.

Atthesametime,theshareofRussiansforcedtoslashtheirspendingroseto76percentinthefirstquarteroftheyear.

Fifty-ninepercentofRussiancitizensnowhavetoabstainfromentertainmentexpensesand61percentputoffthepurchaseofnewclothes.Fifty-twopercentofRussiansswitchedtocheaperfoodproducts,accordingtodatafromNielsen.

AsRussiacontinuestoexperienceeconomicrecession,therealwagesofRussiansshrank9.5percentin2015.Thisyear,thetrendcontinuedwith3.9percentinrealwagesyear-on-yearinthefirstquarterof2016,accordingtotheRosstatstatestatisticsservice.

ThecontinuingdeclineinrealincomesmeansthatRussians'consumeractivitywillremainlowinthenearfuture,DilyaraIbragimova,anassociateprofessorattheHigherSchoolofEconomics'sociologydepartment,toldthenewspaper.

DeputyPrimeMinisterOlgaGolodetssaidFridaythatRussiahasbeenhitbyaconsumercrisis.Fifty-onepercentofpurchaseditemsinFebruarywerefoodproductswhiletheconsumptionofcertaintypesoflightindustryhasfallenby20percent,accordingtoGolodets.

NODactivistsattackparticipantsatMemorialevent

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/human-rights-event-attacked-in-moscow/567472.html

GuestsataneventorganizedbyRussia'sleadinghumanrightsgroupMemorialhavebeenattackedbynationalistactivists,theorganization'sexecutivedirectortoldtheMoscowTimesThursday.

Participantsattheawardceremonyforhigh-schoolstudentswerepeltedwithdisinfectantandammonia,saidexecutivedirectorYelenaZhemkova.

"MemorialwasholdingaveryimportanteventatDomKinoincentralMoscow,buttheguestsandtheparticipantswereattackedbyagroupofaggressiveprotesterswhothrewgreendisinfectantandammoniaatthemastheytriedtoenterthebuilding,"Zhemkovasaid.

TheprotestsinfrontoftheDomKinobuildingwereorganizedbythePeople'sLiberationFrontnationalistmovement(NOD),localmediasourcesreported.

Roughly20NODactivistscongregatedoutsideDomKino,holdingbannersreading"wedon'tneedalternativehistory,"andshouting"fascists."

AmongthoseattackedwasacclaimedRussiannovelistLyudmilaUlitskaya.Thewriter,whoheadedthejuryatthecompetition,wassprayedinthefacewithgreendisinfectant.

Anumberofinternationalguestswerealsopresent,includingtheGermanambassadortoRussiaRdigervonFritsch,theNovayaGazetanewspaperreported.Theactivistsalsoattackedtherepresentativefromthesimilarschool'shistorycontestinNorway.

TheNOD'syouthwingcoordinatorMariaKatasonovadeniedtheattackonUlitskayaintheinterviewwiththeGovoritMoskvaradiostation"Wedon'tknowwhosprayedUlitskaya,"shesaid."Ionlysawherturnaroundandshewasalreadycoveredingreendisinfectant.

Thehigh-schoolcompetition,"Apersoninthehistory:RussiaintheXXcentury"isanannualeventbyMemorial.Studentsfromaroundthecountryareencouragedtoresearchlocalhistorybystudyinghistoricalarchives,interviewingwitnessesandexaminingnewspapersandother
sources.

WinningstudentsaretheninvitedtoMoscowwheretheyattendanumberofplacesandeventsorganizedbyMemorial.TheculminationoftheirMoscowprogramistheawardsceremony.

Policearrivingonthescenesaidthattheprotestwasaone-manpicketandtooknoaction.

"Usually,evenit'sarealone-manprotest,thepolicewillcomeandputseverybodyinthebackofavan.Thistimenothinghappened,eventhoughourcollegehadaneyeinjury,"Zhemkovasaid.

TheexecutivedirectorsaidthatalthoughtherehadbeenpreviouslyprotestscarriedoutduringpreviousMemorialevents,itwasthefirsttimecounter-activistshadbeensoaggressive.

TherewasapickethadbeencarriedoutinfrontoftheSakharovCenterwhereMemorialheldanexhibitiondedicatedtothefirstChechenwarlastmonth,butnoonehadbeenattacked,shesaid.

Contacttheauthorata.bazenkova@imedia.ru.FollowtheauthoronTwitterat@a_bazenkova.

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/kremlin-calls-attack-on-human-rights-event-hooliganism/567490.html
TheKremlin'sspokesmanDmitryPeskovhascalledanattackonahumanrightseventbynationalistactivistshooliganism,theTASSnewsagencyreportedFriday.

Itishooliganism,itisadisgrace,Peskovsaid.Those,whohidebehindtheSt.Georgeribbon,discreditit.Hestressedthatitwasabsolutelyunacceptable,PeskovwasquotedassayingbyTASS.

OnThursday,activistsfromthePro-KremlinPeople'sLiberationFrontnationalistmovement(NOD)attackedtheawardceremonyforhigh-schoolstudentswhohadparticipatedinahistorycontest,organizedbytheprominenthumanrightsgroupMemorial.

TheNODactivistsgatheredinfrontoftheDomKino,wheretheMemorialceremonywasbeingheld,shoutinginsultsandsprayinggreendisinfectantandammoniaattheeventattendeesastheytriedtoenterthebuilding.

Amongthoseattackedwerethecompetitionparticipants,organizers,foreignandRussianguestsandacclaimedRussianwriterLyudmilaUlitskaya,theheadofthecompetition'sjury.

AccordingtorepresentativesofMemorial,whenpolicearrivedatthescene,theyfailedtotakeanyactionagainsttheNODactivists.

LateronThursday,Moscowpoliceannouncedthatoneoftheattackershadbeendetained,theInterfaxnewsagencyreported.Hehasbeenchargedwithpettyhooliganismandmayfaceupto15daysinprison.

Comment:Recalltheitemwesawinthe25AprilnotesondynamicandhermeticauthoritarianregimesandtheKremlinbeinguncomfortablewithanyspontaneousactions,evenbygroupsthatarepro-vlast.

LavrovonRussiasaimingforselfsufficiency

LavrovalsohadsomecommentsonNATOandSweden,NATOandRussia

http://www.rt.com/news/341378-lavrov-sweden-nato-russia/

NATO expansion to the East enables the alliance to deploy forces next to Russias borders and then accuse Moscow of carrying out dangerous maneuvers near the alliances bases, the Russian foreign minister told a Swedish media outlet.

This is a meanspirited attempt to turn the issue on its ears, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told Swedens Dagens Nyheter daily.
NATO military infrastructure is inching closer and closer to Russias borders. But when Russia takes action to ensure its security, we are told that Russia is engaging in dangerous manoeuvres near NATO borders. In fact, NATO borders are getting closer to Russia, not the opposite, the Russian FM
pointed out.
Speaking about NATO as the EUs principal military alliance, Lavrov said its existence is an objective reality and therefore Moscow is ready for dialogue.

NATO deployments of AMD bases and troops near Russian borders have already violated the basic 1997 NATORussia Founding Act, the foreign minister noted. Today, NATO is different from what it used to be and Russia pays no attention to its soothing words, but instead reacts to
the alliances military potential massed near Russias borders, Lavrov added.

Russia is not interested in neutral Sweden entering NATO, yet If Sweden decides to join NATO, we (Russians) wont think that it intends to attack Russia, Lavrov said. However, he also mentioned that alliance infrastructure in Sweden would definitely arouse a reaction from the Russian
military.

Every state is free to choose its selfdefense strategy in consideration of its national interests, and its better to ask the people before making this decision, according to the Russian foreign minister.

The answer [why NATO needs new member states] is simple NATO seeks to cover as much geopolitical space as possible and surround the countries that somehow disagree with NATO, such as, for example, Russia and Serbia."
Selfreliance is Russias strategic course now
Russian foreign policy is subject to change because sanctions against Moscow have made business as usual absolutely impossible. Russia will have to rely on its own resources first and foremost, the minister told the Dagens Nyheter daily.
From now on we have to look to ourselves. We have everything we need for that. We are a selfsufficient country, Sergey Lavrov said, adding that Russians are prepared to work hard to avoid having to buy anything abroad.
This is a strategic course. It has nothing to do with selfisolation, Lavrov said. He expressed hope that when and ifWestern partners opt to revert to normal behavior, this would only mean additional opportunity for development and cooperation. But in basic things were going to paddle
our own canoe.
The EU will mature and come to an equitable respectful dialogue without ultimatums, Lavrov said, expressing hope that the ongoing situation in RussiaEU relations wont last long, because the European Union and Russia are not capable of competing in the modern world on their own.
Were destined to live and cooperate together, the Russian foreign minister stated.
Lavrov added that Moscow will speak with other European capitals as equal partners and defy any ideas prescribed by the EU to be taken for granted.

He went on to say that not everyone in Europe is happy with the outcome of the antiRussian sanctions, and it is no secret Brussels will have to discuss the issue.

Lets hope that common sense prevails, Lavrov said, noting that the European Union, of course, will head in the direction that Germany wishes to go.

Sergey Lavrov reiterated that Russia would rely on generating internal resources to avoid being dependent on Europe, which is currently putting politics ahead of economic expediency.