Category Eastern Europe

Three Russian fencers have requested US citizenship

According to USA Today, they are Sergei and Violetta Bida, as well as Konstantin Lokhanov. Sergei Bida, as a Dynamo athlete, was formally a member of the Russian Federal Guard, while Violetta, from CSKA, was a member of the Ministry of Defense. Both left Russia in the summer of 2023, after which they were charged with abandonment of military unit.

Navalny spoke from prison via video link: «A tear runs down my cheek»

Alexei Navalny, a prominent opposition leader in Russia who has been jailed, appeared in a public video call with a court on Wednesday. This was his first appearance since he ended his hunger strike. During the call, Navalny displayed sarcasm and defiance towards the judge and officials present at the Kovrov City Court. He was challenging his detention in a punishment cell.