Putin releases political prisoners

[Knask]

Pussy Riot's Nadezhda Tolokonnikova freed from Russian prison
Her release follows that of fellow Pussy Riot member Maria Alyokhina, who has dismissed the amnesty as a PR stunt

Pussy Riot member Nadezhda Tolokonnikova has been freed from prison under an amnesty that allowed for her early release from a two-year sentence for a protest in a church against Vladimir Putin.

Tolokonnikova shouted "Russia without Putin" after she was freed from a prison in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk on Monday.

Hours earlier, bandmate Maria Alyokhina was released from a different jail and dismissed the amnesty as a propaganda stunt.

The two women were granted amnesty last week, in what was largely viewed as the Kremlin's attempt to head off criticism of Russia's human rights record ahead of the Winter Olympics in Sochi in February.

The Russian parliament passed an amnesty bill last week, allowing the release of thousands of inmates. Alyokhina and Tolokonnikova qualified for amnesty because they have small children.

Alyokhina's release came days after Putin pardoned Mikhail Khodorkovsky, a former oil tycoon and once Russia's richest man, who spent a decade in prison after challenging Putin's power. Khodorkovsky flew to Germany after his release and has ruled out entering Russian politics. He has pledged, however, to fight for the release of political prisoners in Russia.

Speaking to the Guardian, Alyokhina said her release from jail felt more like "a secret special operation than an act of humanism".

She described her prison sentence as a time of "endless humiliations", including undergoing forced gynaecological examinations almost every day for three weeks.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/23/pussy-riot-nadezhda-tolokonnikova-freed-russian-prison

The last members of Pussy Riot has been freed, only a few days after Putin chose to signal that he has no respect for the European Court of Human Rights by pardoning Mikhail Khodorkovsky, a man kept in prison for almost a decade after being arrested unlawfully and not given a fair trial (as well as suffering multiple other violations of his human rights).

Of course, this is all about the Olympic Games in Sochi, and a reaction to the negative press and pressure Putin has felt in recent days. Now even Netanyahu has decided to stay away.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has turned down an invitation to attend the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia in February, the Hebrew Ma’ariv daily reported Monday morning.

U.S. President Barack Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameron and German President Joachim Gauck are among the Western leaders who have already announced they will not be attending, due to Russia's recent crackdown on gay rights.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/1.565013

To Putin's credit, he will allow demonstrations against the "Gay propaganda" laws to take place during the games... In designated Free Speech-Zones, but nonetheless...

The IOC has also said that Sochi organisers will provide "protest zones", as in Beijing, where demonstrations would be permitted.

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/dec/18/ioc-sochi-protest-rules-anti-gay-winter-olympics

Is anybody really fooled?

As the best known Russian political prisoners are now released, who will hobby activists such as Madonna offer support to now?

[Neoconstantius]

This should be good...let the Russia-bashing commence!

[Aequalitia]

This should be good...let the Russia-bashing commence!

Well, I surely bet that if there was no winter olympics upcoming in Russia that there was no amnesty.

[Hetalian Indie Rio de Janeiro]

This should be good...let the Russia-bashing commence!

Well, I surely bet that if there was no winter olympics upcoming in Russia that there was no amnesty.

This so much.

[Shofercia]

This should be good...let the Russia-bashing commence!

Well, I surely bet that if there was no winter olympics upcoming in Russia that there was no amnesty.

I wouldn't say "no amnesty", but it would probably be less than what it ended up being. Either way, it's a good thing.

[Shofercia]

Now even Netanyahu has decided to stay away.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has turned down an invitation to attend the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia in February, the Hebrew Ma’ariv daily reported Monday morning.

U.S. President Barack Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameron and German President Joachim Gauck are among the Western leaders who have already announced they will not be attending, due to Russia's recent crackdown on gay rights.

Are you saying that Netanyahu was the deal breaker?

Putin's office, according to Knask:

"Netanyahu won't attend the Olympics!"
"Not even him? Oh shit, release the prisoners!"

[Aequalitia]

Well, I surely bet that if there was no winter olympics upcoming in Russia that there was no amnesty.

This so much.

Indeed, with the pressure of more and more leaders of the (western) world to not coming to the winter olympics like Merkel, then Poetin likes to lose his face and honor about the winter olympics. Now he want to make it nice again by give this amnesty. However, don't be surprised if next year at the end of the year most people who are against Putin would become back in jail again.

And even not, then still we should boycott this winter olympics. Think already about the journalists who don't must be critical against the government or else there come in jail or suddenly got a 'accident'. Or think about the laws against homosexuality and how LGBT people in Russia become almost hanged because the hate and the bigoted laws.

[Shofercia]

This so much.

Indeed, with the pressure of more and more leaders of the (western) world to not coming to the winter olympics like Merkel, then Poetin likes to lose his face and honor about the winter olympics. Now he want to make it nice again by give this amnesty. However, don't be surprised if next year at the end of the year most people who are against Putin would become back in jail again.

And even not, then still we should boycott this winter olympics. Think already about the journalists who don't must be critical against the government or else there come in jail or suddenly got a 'accident'. Or think about the laws against homosexuality and how LGBT people in Russia become almost hanged because the hate and the bigoted laws.

You're not thinking very far ahead. If you boycott the Olympics, what incentive will Putin have to promote Gay Rights? Once the boycott's over, the game's over. But there will still be Gays in Russia, and a lot of pissed off Russians. Next Olympics that Russia can get is 2024. At which time, Putin won't be able to run for presidency. That's why not boycotting the Olympics, but rather, protesting the anti-Gay Law, and holding a successful protest, would be more beneficial than a series of "hurr durr" boycotts.

BTW, Obama's not boycotting the Olympics. He's protesting the Olympics. Huge difference. I agree with his actions.

[Respubliko de Libereco]

Looks like Russia was putin a bad situation, and now they're russian to improve their international image.

[Knask]

Now even Netanyahu has decided to stay away.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has turned down an invitation to attend the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia in February, the Hebrew Ma’ariv daily reported Monday morning.

U.S. President Barack Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameron and German President Joachim Gauck are among the Western leaders who have already announced they will not be attending, due to Russia's recent crackdown on gay rights.

Are you saying that Netanyahu was the deal breaker?

I'm not surprised that I need to explain that to you, but no, I'm not saying that. Since you're probably the only one who fails to understand the context here, I'll leave it at that.

[Shofercia]

Looks like Russia was putin a bad situation, and now they're russian to improve their international image.

Ok, that was funny.

[Shofercia]

Are you saying that Netanyahu was the deal breaker?

I'm not surprised that I need to explain that to you, but no, I'm not saying that. Since you're probably the only one who fails to understand the context here, I'll leave it at that.

Your post made it look like Natanyahu was the straw that broke the camel's back. If that's not the case, why did you place him there?

[Aequalitia]

Indeed, with the pressure of more and more leaders of the (western) world to not coming to the winter olympics like Merkel, then Poetin likes to lose his face and honor about the winter olympics. Now he want to make it nice again by give this amnesty. However, don't be surprised if next year at the end of the year most people who are against Putin would become back in jail again.

And even not, then still we should boycott this winter olympics. Think already about the journalists who don't must be critical against the government or else there come in jail or suddenly got a 'accident'. Or think about the laws against homosexuality and how LGBT people in Russia become almost hanged because the hate and the bigoted laws.

You're not thinking very far ahead. If you boycott the Olympics, what incentive will Putin have to promote Gay Rights? Once the boycott's over, the game's over. But there will still be Gays in Russia, and a lot of pissed off Russians. Next Olympics that Russia can get is 2024. At which time, Putin won't be able to run for presidency. That's why not boycotting the Olympics, but rather, protesting the anti-Gay Law, and holding a successful protest, would be more beneficial than a series of "hurr durr" boycotts.

BTW, Obama's not boycotting the Olympics. He's protesting the Olympics. Huge difference. I agree with his actions.

What would be it even wise to go to the winter olympics and be there like its acceptable what for way Russia goes?

Putin's playtoy is now the winter olympics, if we all coming not to the winter olympics and give a sign that its unacceptable to heading Russia to a more and more awful (conservative) country who harming the freedoms in all ways, then Putin lost his own face and shames a lot of his actions.

Protesting the olympics but going there is just hypocrite, like you say "I'm not support the way how it goes with Russia, but still I come to the winter olympics".

[Geilinor]

Looks like Russia was putin a bad situation, and now they're russian to improve their international image.

Ok, that was funny.

That's good.

[Bulgar Rouge]

Disappointing.

[Knask]

Indeed, with the pressure of more and more leaders of the (western) world to not coming to the winter olympics like Merkel, then Poetin likes to lose his face and honor about the winter olympics. Now he want to make it nice again by give this amnesty. However, don't be surprised if next year at the end of the year most people who are against Putin would become back in jail again.

And even not, then still we should boycott this winter olympics. Think already about the journalists who don't must be critical against the government or else there come in jail or suddenly got a 'accident'. Or think about the laws against homosexuality and how LGBT people in Russia become almost hanged because the hate and the bigoted laws.

You're not thinking very far ahead. If you boycott the Olympics, what incentive will Putin have to promote Gay Rights? Once the boycott's over, the game's over. But there will still be Gays in Russia, and a lot of pissed off Russians. Next Olympics that Russia can get is 2024. At which time, Putin won't be able to run for presidency. That's why not boycotting the Olympics, but rather, protesting the anti-Gay Law, and holding a successful protest, would be more beneficial than a series of "hurr durr" boycotts.

BTW, Obama's not boycotting the Olympics. He's protesting the Olympics. Huge difference. I agree with his actions.

Yeah, because the last time Putin couldn't run for the presidency, he gave up his power and has had no direct influence on Russia ever since... Thank God he didn't install a puppet as President and ran the country from a position of Prime Minister.

And what incentive does Putin have to promote gay rights? Absolutely none, apart from protecting the Russian economy. That's why we should threaten to hit Russia where it hurts beyond just impacting the revenue from the Olympic Games if they continue down the path they're going.

[Shofercia]

You're not thinking very far ahead. If you boycott the Olympics, what incentive will Putin have to promote Gay Rights? Once the boycott's over, the game's over. But there will still be Gays in Russia, and a lot of pissed off Russians. Next Olympics that Russia can get is 2024. At which time, Putin won't be able to run for presidency. That's why not boycotting the Olympics, but rather, protesting the anti-Gay Law, and holding a successful protest, would be more beneficial than a series of "hurr durr" boycotts.

BTW, Obama's not boycotting the Olympics. He's protesting the Olympics. Huge difference. I agree with his actions.

What would be it even wise to go to the winter olympics and be there like its acceptable what for way Russia goes?

Putin's playtoy is now the winter olympics, if we all coming not to the winter olympics and give a sign that its unacceptable to heading Russia to a more and more awful (conservative) country who harming the freedoms in all ways, then Putin lost his own face and shames a lot of his actions.

Protesting the olympics but going there is just hypocrite, like you say "I'm not support the way how it goes with Russia, but still I come to the winter olympics".

Going to the Olympics doesn't mean that you agree with all of the country's policies. That is a piss poor assumption to make. Additionally, do you realize who's next in line for the presidency, after Putin? It's Zyuganov. Want to guess his stance on Gay Rights and Civil Freedoms? Something tells me that it's not going to be even harsher than Putin's. Also, I just realized that, if countries boycott the Olympics, Russia doesn't get more Olympic Games for a while. So if Putin manages to save face in spite of the boycott, what's to stop him from taking it out on the Gays? If countries do boycott the Olympics, in the long run, the Gays in Russia will be worse off, be it under Putin or Zyuganov. You want that?

[Geilinor]

You're not thinking very far ahead. If you boycott the Olympics, what incentive will Putin have to promote Gay Rights? Once the boycott's over, the game's over. But there will still be Gays in Russia, and a lot of pissed off Russians. Next Olympics that Russia can get is 2024. At which time, Putin won't be able to run for presidency. That's why not boycotting the Olympics, but rather, protesting the anti-Gay Law, and holding a successful protest, would be more beneficial than a series of "hurr durr" boycotts.

BTW, Obama's not boycotting the Olympics. He's protesting the Olympics. Huge difference. I agree with his actions.

What would be it even wise to go to the winter olympics and be there like its acceptable what for way Russia goes?

Putin's playtoy is now the winter olympics, if we all coming not to the winter olympics and give a sign that its unacceptable to heading Russia to a more and more awful (conservative) country who harming the freedoms in all ways, then Putin lost his own face and shames a lot of his actions.

Protesting the olympics but going there is just hypocrite, like you say "I'm not support the way how it goes with Russia, but still I come to the winter olympics".

Obama is going there to support the athletes who have been training for four years. Leaders went to the Olympics in China despite not agreeing with all of their policies.

[Shofercia]

You're not thinking very far ahead. If you boycott the Olympics, what incentive will Putin have to promote Gay Rights? Once the boycott's over, the game's over. But there will still be Gays in Russia, and a lot of pissed off Russians. Next Olympics that Russia can get is 2024. At which time, Putin won't be able to run for presidency. That's why not boycotting the Olympics, but rather, protesting the anti-Gay Law, and holding a successful protest, would be more beneficial than a series of "hurr durr" boycotts.

BTW, Obama's not boycotting the Olympics. He's protesting the Olympics. Huge difference. I agree with his actions.

Yeah, because the last time Putin couldn't run for the presidency, he gave up his power and has had no direct influence on Russia ever since... Thank God he didn't install a puppet as President and ran the country from a position of Prime Minister.

And what incentive does Putin have to promote gay rights? Absolutely none, apart from protecting the Russian economy. That's why we should threaten to hit Russia where it hurts beyond just impacting the revenue from the Olympic Games if they continue down the path they're going.

You think that an Olympic boycott is going to massively hit Russia economically?

Good one! Russian Federal Reserves are at half a trillion dollars. You expect that less than a billion will do some damage? Also, if Europe goes for economic sanctions, Russia could pivot to Asia.

[Knask]

I'm not surprised that I need to explain that to you, but no, I'm not saying that. Since you're probably the only one who fails to understand the context here, I'll leave it at that.

Your post made it look like Natanyahu was the straw that broke the camel's back. If that's not the case, why did you place him there?

I know you like to read things that aren't there, but geez.

I mentioned him as yet another head of state not attending the Sochi games, something which doesn't reflect well on Putin.

[Shofercia]

Your post made it look like Natanyahu was the straw that broke the camel's back. If that's not the case, why did you place him there?

I know you like to read things that aren't there, but geez.

I mentioned him as yet another head of state not attending the Sochi games, something which doesn't reflect well on Putin.

Of course, this is all about the Olympic Games in Sochi, and a reaction to the negative press and pressure Putin has felt in recent days. Now even Netanyahu has decided to stay away.

Does the term "recent days" have a different meaning in Knaskian, than it does in English?

[Knask]

Yeah, because the last time Putin couldn't run for the presidency, he gave up his power and has had no direct influence on Russia ever since... Thank God he didn't install a puppet as President and ran the country from a position of Prime Minister.

And what incentive does Putin have to promote gay rights? Absolutely none, apart from protecting the Russian economy. That's why we should threaten to hit Russia where it hurts beyond just impacting the revenue from the Olympic Games if they continue down the path they're going.

You think that an Olympic boycott is going to massively hit Russia economically?

*sigh*

Seriously?

I am suggesting that a larger boycott of Russia above and beyond the Olympic Games would massively hit Russia economically. I suggest that an Olympic boycott is not enough, that we should go on with punitive actions even after the games themselves are over.

Good one! Russian Federal Reserves are at half a trillion dollars. You expect that less than a billion will do some damage? Also, if Europe goes for economic sanctions, Russia could pivot to Asia.

Good.

[Knask]

I know you like to read things that aren't there, but geez.

I mentioned him as yet another head of state not attending the Sochi games, something which doesn't reflect well on Putin.

Of course, this is all about the Olympic Games in Sochi, and a reaction to the negative press and pressure Putin has felt in recent days. Now even Netanyahu has decided to stay away.

Does the term "recent days" have a different meaning in Knaskian, than it does in English?

It means exactly the same. But since you have trouble with English, should I use a different language?

[Shofercia]

You think that an Olympic boycott is going to massively hit Russia economically?

*sigh*

Seriously?

I am suggesting that a larger boycott of Russia above and beyond the Olympic Games would massively hit Russia economically. I suggest that an Olympic boycott is not enough, that we should go on with punitive actions even after the games themselves are over.

Good one! Russian Federal Reserves are at half a trillion dollars. You expect that less than a billion will do some damage? Also, if Europe goes for economic sanctions, Russia could pivot to Asia.

Good.

And so your bias comes out. You just don't want Russia as part of Europe, and will use whatever tools you can get, whether or not you actually care about the issues, to get Russia away from Europe. As for the earlier comment, such a boycott is unrealistic in the integrated World that we live in, one that's getting more and more integrated every single day.

[Knask]

What would be it even wise to go to the winter olympics and be there like its acceptable what for way Russia goes?

Putin's playtoy is now the winter olympics, if we all coming not to the winter olympics and give a sign that its unacceptable to heading Russia to a more and more awful (conservative) country who harming the freedoms in all ways, then Putin lost his own face and shames a lot of his actions.

Protesting the olympics but going there is just hypocrite, like you say "I'm not support the way how it goes with Russia, but still I come to the winter olympics".

Going to the Olympics doesn't mean that you agree with all of the country's policies. That is a piss poor assumption to make. Additionally, do you realize who's next in line for the presidency, after Putin? It's Zyuganov. Want to guess his stance on Gay Rights and Civil Freedoms? Something tells me that it's not going to be even harsher than Putin's. Also, I just realized that, if countries boycott the Olympics, Russia doesn't get more Olympic Games for a while. So if Putin manages to save face in spite of the boycott, what's to stop him from taking it out on the Gays? If countries do boycott the Olympics, in the long run, the Gays in Russia will be worse off, be it under Putin or Zyuganov. You want that?

Putin will fuck the homosexual community regardless of what happens at the Olympics. He has no love for them, so they (and the immigrants) will be sacrificed in order for Putin to secure the support of extreme elements in Russia.