Moskovsky Komsomolets
Producer boasts about beating up journalist
Producer and promoter Vladimir Ferapontov beat up an investigative journalist in front of a camera and later flaunted it on his personal website.
Fashion model Galina Nelyubina had turned to an investigative TV show famous for its controversial programs to find out how her nude pictures had got online. Several years ago producer and promoter Ferapontov, who had worked with a few relatively popular rap, R&B and dance bands in Russia, convinced her to pose nude. After a while, they fell out and soon Nelyubina found her nude pictures on the web.
The program’s investigative reporter Anatoly Makarov and a cameraman headed for the promoter’s office to find out how it had happened. But Ferapontov pushed the reporter out of his office and hit him several times on the head, all of which was captured on camera. The reporter was later admitted to hospital with a concussion.
“The journalist presented a medical report of his injuries to the local police station but the police did not want to have anything to do with it,” the reporter’s lawyer Sergei Zhorin explained to Moskovsky Komsomolets. “They made it clear that a criminal case was unlikely to be opened because the producer’s actions could be classified as inflicting light bodily harm. This then would be a case for a magistrate court. But we insist Ferapontov’s actions be classified as inflicting bodily harm through intentional use of violence, which would fall under the police jurisdiction.”
Makarov says he was absolutely appalled by Ferapontov’s actions following the incident. On his personal website the promoter flaunted his beating up the TV reporter, adding that he decided “not to destroy the camera out of respect for technology.”
Izvestia
Russian SWAT shoots around corners
Russian Interior Ministry personnel shared experience with the Austrian Cobra special operations tactical unit. The Austrians were interested in the secret weapons used by the “Russian Rambos.”
Russia reached an agreement on cooperation with Austria during Austrian Interior Minister Maria Fekter's visit late last year. Austria has extensive experience with major sports events – two winter Olympics and European football championship in 2008. This experience can certainly be useful for the Russian police in the run-up to the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi and the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Austria's Cobra is an elite anti-terrorist unit. They need modern and reliable equipment to do their work effectively. That is why the Austrians were closely eyeing the technology used by their Russian colleagues from the Zubr SWAT unit.
Cobra personnel were able to see a miracle weapon in action: a rifle capable of firing from behind a corner. It is combined with a video camera, the signal from which is broadcast on an LCD monitor. The weapon's computer system adjusts the shot by showing the user the best trajectory of fire.
“We have already tested it,” said arms expert Christoph Scherz. “Of course, the opportunity to respond to enemy fire while remaining in shelter is a huge advantage.”
The Austrians emphasized that they are keenly interested in practical knowledge – in particular, the opportunity to try out a rifle about which they had already heard a lot.
“During the bilateral meeting at the command post, Russian officials proudly demonstrated their 'secret weapon',” the Krone newspaper wrote.
Novaya Gazeta
Just Russia to apologize for nominating a candidate named Stalin
The Yugra Assembly of the Small Indigenous Peoples of the North and the Salvation of Yugra public association demand an official apology from Just Russia leader Sergei Mironov for nominating a candidate named Stalin for the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area – Yugra. In the meantime, they have launched an action of protest by sending a mobile reindeer skin tent around the regions that will be electing local legislatures in March. The aim of the political tour is to lobby against the Just Russia party and its members. The final destination is Moscow, where the tent will be set up in front of the State Duma.
The scandal began to unfold last week when the Yugra branch of Just Russia included a namesake of the generalissimo in its party ticket.
Another Just Russia candidate is a namesake of Yugra’s former governor, Alexander Filipenko. The two names so outraged representatives of the Yugra minorities that they addressed an open letter to Just Russia leader Sergei Mironov and President Dmitry Medvedev.
The Yugra Assembly of the Small Indigenous Peoples of the North and the Salvation of Yugra organization have demanded an official apology and resignation of the party’s regional leadership. Activists and deputies have threatened to set up a reindeer tent in front of the State Duma in Okhotny Ryad if they don’t receive an apology.
Konstantin Listratov, spokesperson for the Salvation of Yugra, told Novaya Gazeta that “the campaign’s aim is to draw the attention of parliament members to the dishonest methods of political competition used by Just Russia members in Yugra.”
The protesters chose the State Duma as the venue for their picket, rather than the Federation Council, the source said, because “Sergei Mironov has insulted us as Just Russia leader, not as the Federation Council speaker.” However, the source does not rule out that the tent may be put up in front of the Federation Council as well. “The decision will be made on the spot,” he said.
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