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Media: Kremlin considers establishing special bonds to allow Russian oligarchs to bring their wealth back to Russia
A special refund mechanism for returning money back to Russia may be developed for businessmen who fear new sanctions. The plan envisages special bonds in currencies with high yield.
The idea was initiated on December 5th by a group of wealthy Russians who have assets abroad, Reuters reports. The newspaper cites anonymous sources in the state-owned companies and in the financial markets, one of whom describes the idea as absurd. The refunds would be issued in foreign currency bonds with …
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Human rights activists report on mass kidnapping of Chechnya residents
The human rights society Memorial has reported the mass abduction of Grozny residents by Chechen law enforcement officers. At least seven have been kidnapped, Radio Liberty reports.
According to Memorial, they are being held "in inhumane conditions" by militarized police forces in Grozny, in an unheated room, and have practically not been fed. Chechen law enforcement officers have not admitted any involvement in the disappearances of these individuals.
Memorial intends to submit a request …
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Russian human rights lawyer Feygin appeals to Merkel and Macron for protection from persecution in Russia
Mark Feygin, a Russian lawyer and defender of Ukrainian political prisoners in Russia and the Crimea appealed to European leaders asking them to protect him from persecution in his own country.Feygin wrote an appeal addressed to German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron, which he then handed over to Ukrinform.
"By the will of the circumstances, Germany and France are involved in the settlement of the crisis in Ukraine through the quadripartite ‘Normandy format.’ This …
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Finland summons Russian ambassador over violation of country’s airspace by Russian plane
Russian ambassador Pavel Kuznetsov was summoned to the Finnish Foreign Ministry after the Ministry of Defense of Finland suspected a Russian plane of violating Finnish airspace,as stated in the message of the Finnish Foreign Ministry on Twitter.
"The Russian Ambassador was informed about the alleged incident with a request for clarification," the message says.
According to the Finnish Defense Ministry, the incident refers to a passenger or cargo Tu-154. The Finnish border service launched an …
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Russia accuses U.S. of provoking discontent among Russian populace
The Russian Foreign Ministry said that the U.S. intentionally cut the number of employees of its general consulates in Russia working in the visa field to “provoke public discontent.”
This was stated in a message published on the Ministry’s website.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation believes that the decision to reduce the staff in American consulates was made by Washington. According to the Russian Ministry, this was done “deliberately.” “They intentionally made it …