Missing Pussy Riot Member Found in Western Siberian Hospital

In 2012, Pussy Riot staged an anti-Putin protest imploring Virgin Mary to “throw Putin out”, as they sang in Moscow’s Christ the Savior Cathedral. Following charges of hooliganism motivated by religious hatred, three band members were sentenced to two years in jail. Western governments and activists objected, saying the sentences were disproportionate.

In October 2013, Russian courts released Yekaterina Samutsevich on appeal.

Convicted Pussy Riot band member Nadezhda Tolokonnikova staged a hunger strike when her own appeal failed. Tolokonnikova alleged that Mordovia prison staff forced inmates to work long hours, and denied her drinking water. She demanded a transfer, if not release.

About 26 days ago, Tolokonnikova went missing following a stay in the medical unit of the Mordovia penal colony. On 14 November 2013, her husband, Pyotr Verzilov announced that he finally spoke with her. The next day, Verzilov had a video conversation with his wife. Verzilov learned that Tolokonnikova arrived at a prison hospital in Krasnoyarsk, of western Siberia, where she is undergoing several tests. He hopes to visit her next week in Krasnoyarsk.

While Tolokonnikova’s hospital is known as the “Tuberculosis Hospital No 1”, Verzilov emphasized that she does not have tuberculosis.

“She feels more or less well, she told me yesterday on the phone,” Verzilov said. “It was the first phone call allowed in 26 days, ending this lengthy, almost month-long isolation that started in Mordovia and then continued throughout her lengthy transit, which spanned 4,000 kilometers across the whole of Russia.”

Verzilov added, “She thinks the conditions of this hospital are fairly good. She is surprised by how different it is here compared to Mordovia and other prison facilities she has encountered since her stay in the Moscow detention center. She is in a good mood now.”

While she was treated relatively well, prison authorities kept her in isolation during the trip between penal colonies.

Russian authorities corroborated that “convict Tolokonnikova has arrived to the institution of the Russian prison service in the Krasnoyarsk region.” However, her exact location was given to her lawyer with instructions not to tell anyone else. Russian law required authorities to inform Tolokonnikova’s family about the transfer within 10 days of her arrival at the new facility.

Aleksandr Nazarov, an official of the state agency supervising penitentiaries, stated that Tolokonnikova could potentially stay in the hospital until her sentence is served.

On this path, it seems that Russia is making good efforts to treat prisoner complaints with respect.

For further information, please see:

CNN International – ‘Missing’ Pussy Riot Inmate Tolokonnikova in Siberian Prison – November 15, 2013

RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty – Husband of Jailed Pussy Rioter Hopes to See Her Next Week – November 15, 2013

Telegraph – Pussy Riot’s Nadezhda Tolokonnikova ‘May Serve Rest of Jail Term in Hospital’ – November 15, 2013

BBC News – Jailed Pussy Riot Singer ‘Found in Hospital’ – November 14, 2013

Impunity Watch – Report Says Russian Pussy Riot Prisoner Transferred to New Penal Colony – November 4, 2013

 

Historic meeting in Cairo between Egyptian and Russian officials signals a warming of relations between the two states.

By Kathryn Maureen Ryan Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East CAIRO, Egypt – Egypt’s top military general hailed a visit by Russian officials as the beginning of a new era of defence co-operation between the Egyptian State and the Russian Federation. Russia’s defence and foreign ministers met with Egypt officials in Cairo this week in a trip that has been called historic, though the delegation left Egypt yesterday without announcing a deal for any new defence deals between the Egypt and Russia.

Historic meetings between Egyptian and Russian officials in Cairo marked the first time a Russian Foreign Minister has visited the country since 1971. (Photo Courtesy of The Washington Post)

The historic meeting came just weeks after the Obama administration announced that the United States would cut military aid to Egypt in response to growing concerns about the actions taken the military government against supporters of ousted President Morsi. While the United States did not cut all of the annual aid to Egypt, the cuts represented a significant shift in relations with Egypt’s interim government, the United States cut aid not connected with the promotion of democratization or counterterrorism efforts carried out by the Egyptian military. The meetings may have been meant as a sign to the United States. Yasser El-Shimy an Egypt analyst with the International Crisis Group said  the meetings were “meant to send a message to say Egypt has options, and that if the United States wishes to maintain its strategic alliance with Egypt, it will have to drop the conditions it attaches to the military aid.” The United States has said it will consider renewing feign aid if the Egyptian states shows signs of progress towards democratization. However, Egypt’s warming relations with Russia may be a sign that the United States has lost some of the coercive power its funding of the Egyptian military once held. As the United States cut funding to Egypt the Egyptian state showed that it is willing to look elsewhere to fill the vacuum left by aid cuts. Egypt has downplayed suggestions that the meetings with Russian officials signify a further cooling of relations between Egypt and the United States.  “We are not replacing one party with another,” said Badr Abdel­atty, an Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman. “We want to strengthen the independence of our foreign policy. We want to diversify. And Russia is a very important global power.” While support for the United States by the public, which perceived the United States as supporters of a military dictatorship though its support of former President Hosni Mubarak, and the military, which now sees the United States as an unreliable ally, has fallen in Egypt Russia and Vladimir Putin have become increasingly popular. The state-run Al-Ahram newspaper has published posters on Thursday reading “Thanks, Putin.” These developments came as the Egyptian military government continues to crack down on Islamist supporters across the country. Earlier this week an Egyptian court sentenced twelve protesters who demonstrated in support of ousted President Mohamed Morsi to 17 years in prison for taking part in a violent student-led protest. For more information please see: Al Jazeera – Egypt Hails Renewed Military Ties with Russia – 14 November 2013 The Washington Post – Egypt Hosts Top Russian Officials, A Sign it is Turning Further Away from Alliance With U.S. – 14 November 2013 Al Jazeera – Egypt Warms to Russia as US Ties Cool – 15 November 2013 Al Jazeera – Pro-Morsi Protesters Sentenced to 17 Years – 13 November 2013

Secret Service Supervisor Reassigned After Hotel Sex Scandal

by Michael Yoakum
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

WASHINGTON, D.C., United States – Two members of President Obama’s Secret Service protective detail are under investigation for sexual misconduct by federal law enforcement agencies. This news come just 18 months after a prostitution scandal came to light involving Secret Service agents in South America.

Scrutiny into the procedures of the Secret Service began after the scandal in Cartagena last spring, which prompted an investigation and inspectors general report. (Photo courtesy of the Washington Post)

The most recent incident began in the spring of this year when a call from the Hay-Adams hotel to authorities described Secret Service agents attempting to break in to a woman’s room.  Just a month prior to that event, the service named its first female director, Julia Pierson, in an attempt to dispel the the perception of a male-dominated culture within the agency.

According to the Washington Post, the hotel incident started when a Secret Service agent began removing bullets from his service weapon and left a round in the room of a woman whom he met at the hotel bar.  The agent later tried to reenter the room in order to recover the bullet, identifying himself to the hotel staff as a member of the Secret Service.

The agent was identified by the Post as Ignacio Zamora, Jr. a supervisor of at least two dozen agents on the President’s personal protective detail.  Since news of the incident went public Wednesday, Zamora has been reassigned off the President’s detail.

A government source reported that the internal investigation into this incident was started because of the inquiries made by the Post. Representatives of the Secret Service were quick in telling the press that they would investigate the matter fully, taking necessary steps to correct the actions of that agent.

“Any misconduct is regrettable, but when it is identified, appropriate action is always taken based on established rules and regulations,” said Edwin Donovan, deputy assistant director of the Secret Service.

The inspector general report on this incident is expected to be available within the next few weeks.

For more information, please see:

ABC News – Report: 2 Secret Service Supervisors Under Probe – 14 November 2013

CNN – 2 Secret Service supervisors under investigation in misconduct probe – 14 November 2013

NBC News – Secret service agent removed after leaving bullet in woman’s hotel room – 14 November 2013

USA Today – 2 Secret Service supervisors axed from Obama detail – 14 November 2013

Washington Post – Two Secret Service agents cut from Obama’s detail after alleged misconduct – 13 November 2013

 

Suicide Bombings Killing Worshipers on Iraqi Religious Holiday

By Darrin Simmons
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

BAGHDAD, Iraq-Heightened security could not prevent an explosion in a town south of Baghdad during the Ashura commemoration rituals.  The attacks hit in the town of Hafriya, in the Wasit province, on early Thursday.

The reenactment of the Battle of Karbala (photo courtesy of CNN)

The near-simultaneous bombings targeted a Shiite religious procession killed at least eight people while wounding dozens of others.  Worshippers were gathered inside a tent performing rituals to commemorate the death of Inmam al-Hussein when the attack struck.

During the religious event, regional authorities expect two million pilgrims, at least 200,000 from outside Iraq, will visit the city of Karbala for the ten days leading up to Ashura.  In an attempt to be prepared, 35,000 soldiers and policemen have been deployed to Karbala.

However, late Thursday another suicide bombing ripped through Karbala during the religious process, killing 43 people.  The bomber was disguised in a police uniform, as he made his way through the crowd.

Iraq suffered a third attack on its holiest day when a bombing targeting an army patrol in a predominantly Sunni town north of Baghdad killed two soldiers.

The commemoration of Inmam al-Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed, is held to show remorse for not defending him during his death.  Tradition holds that he was decapitated and his body mutilated.  Worshipers display remorse by beating their heads and chests with some making incisions on their scalps as an act of self-flagellation.

“I have been coming since I was young, every year, even during the time of the tyrant Saddam,” said Abu Ali, a 35-year-old pilgrim who visits from Basra, a southern port city.  “I challenge anyone not to cry,” said Ali, in referring to the strong emotions emanating from the ritual.

Imam al-Hussein’s death is one of the events that created the division between the Sunni and Shiite Islam, which dates back to a battle in 680 A.D.

Shiites are the majority in Iraq, Iran, and Bahrain, making up about 15 percent of Muslims worldwide.  Sunni militants that are linked to Al-Qaeda, regard Shiites as apostates and typically target them during religious holidays like Ashura and Arbaeen.

The increased violence against Shiites is the latest in Iraq’s deadliest unrest since 2008.  Prime Minister Nuri-al-Maliki, a Shiite, has appeadled to the United States for help by way of intelligence sharing and the supplying of new weapons systems.

For more information, please see the following: 

Al Jazeera-Deadly blasts hit Iraqi religious procession-14 November 2013

Al Arabiya-Blasts hit Iraq as millions mark Ashura-14 November 2013

CNN-36 killed in blasts targeting Iraqi Shiite Muslims on holy day-14 November 2013

Global Post-Iraq bombers kill 43 as millions mark Shiite holiday-14 November 2013

China Criticized for Meager Aid Efforts in Phillippines

By Brian Lanciault
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

BEIJING, China–China responded to criticism Thursday, and announced that it would increase its aid to the Philippines in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan. Some Chinese bloggers have called for no help at all. 

Survivors erected a sign begging for help and food after Typhoon Haiyan ripped through the Phillippines earlier this month. (Photo Courtesy of Reuters)

The two countries remain knotted in a longstanding dispute over islands in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost in its entirety. Manila has accused Beijing of aggressively asserting its claims and says Chinese vessels have occupied the Scarborough Shoal, which Manila has claimed as its own since last year. 

China, enjoying an almost decade long economic boom, announced a $100,000 cash donation on Monday. The donation was to be matched by the Chinese Red Cross. The sum of $200,000 is far less than other countries, and sparked intense criticism overseas. It also stands in sharp contrast to China’s other recent donations: over $10 million for Japan in the wake of its tsunami two years ago and almost $40 million for countries affected by the 2004 Asian tsunami. 

The amount would be low even if China, the world’s second largest and fastest growing economy, were a much smaller or poorer nation: Malaysia, population 29 million, has pledged $1 million in cash, as well as food aid; New Zealand, population 4.4 million, has pledged another $1 million.  

The US magazine Time reported Wednesday under the headline “The world’s second largest economy off-loads insultingly small change on a storm-battered Philippines”. 

“The Chinese government has been made to look mean-spirited in front of the world community,” said the article.

Foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang said Thursday that the country decided “just days ago” to provide an additional 10 million yuan ($1.6 million) for relief efforts in the form of blankets, tents and other materials. 

“There will be thousands of tents and tens of thousands of blankets,” he told reporters. 

“We hope that these supplies will be delivered to the disaster-stricken areas as soon as possible to show our sympathies with the Philippines.” 

Typhoon Haiyan swept through the central islands of the Philippines Friday, leave mass destruction in its wake. 

Chinese media and Internet users — many of whom are intensely nationalistic — were divided on how the country should respond to the disaster. 

“If (the Chinese government) was generous to the Philippines, it would hurt the Chinese people completely,” wrote a user of Old Beijing on Sina Weibo, the Chinese equivalent of Twitter. 

Another user said: “I think what China has done was rational — facts have long showed the wickedness of the Philippine regime. It will not be grateful even if we hand them much money. Instead, it could use the cash to buy weapons from the US to attack us.” 

Others argued that China was a victim of the storm itself, and had its own disaster relief needs at to be concerned with. 

The typhoon brushed three provinces and regions in south China this week, leaving at least 13 dead or missing and 252,000 people displaced, according to the latest data.

Nevertheless some experts warned that it was not in China’s best interests to minimize its humanitarian aid to the Philippines, particularly with the international community heavily scrutinizing every move the economic giant takes.  

“A country’s status on the world stage does not only rely on its economic and military strength. It is also determined by how much soft power it can master, which includes its approach to humanitarianism,” said a commentary in the state-run Global Times. 

Qin attempted to diminish the value of the online nationalist sentiment, saying that an “overwhelming majority” of Chinese people “understand and sympathize with the sufferings of the Philippines”.

For more information, please see:

BBC News– China’s Phillippine aid controversy — 14 November 2013

ABC News– In Phillippine Relief Effort, China Beat by Ikea — 14 November 2013

Reuters– China says people sympathetic about Phillippines, online criticsm unrepresentative — 14 November 2013

Quartz– China’s paltry response to Typhoon Haiyan illustrates the limits of its soft power — 13 November 2013

Global Post– China to step up aid to Phillippines amid controversy — 14 November 2013