Nemtsov in Rostov

The leader of Civic Platform party speaks about the possible ban of YouTube, the Church’s interference in the school curriculum, and the Church’s tax-exempt commercial activities — all of which pose a fundamental threat to the country’s unity.

Nemtsov shows Yashin the proper way to plunge into the ice hole for Epiphany: don’t dry off right away — get out, look at the stars, and wait until you feel warm. Yashin takes the plunge and exclaims, “Mother of God, drive Putin away!”

In February 2013, Sergei Udaltsov, coordinator of the "Left Front", was placed under house arrest by Moscow’s Basmanny Court on charges on the preparation of mass riots. He petitioned to serve his house arrest in a 13-room apartment, arguing that he had such a need. The court rejected the request, assigning his regular place of residence instead. In his appeal, Udaltsov cited the precedent of Yevgenia Vasilyeva, a defendant in the Oboronservis case, who was already under house arrest in a 13-room apartment on Molochny Lane. After the verdict was announced, the courtroom erupted in chants of “Freedom for Udaltsov!” The politician’s preventive measure of restraint was changed from a travel ban to house arrest on the grounds that he allegedly posed a threat to his wife: “He threatened his wife, so he’ll stay home. With his wife!” — his wife said, laughing.

On March 13, the Presidium of the Central Council of Socialist Political Party A Just Russia decided to expel Gennady Gudkov and his son Dmitry from the party. Party members were displeased with the Gudkovs’ involvement in the work of the Opposition Coordination Council. Dmitry Gudkov was also condemned for his recent trip to the United States — during a human rights conference there, the State Duma deputy criticized the Russian parliament, calling it a “mad/runaway printer.” The party leadership decided that Dmitry had not written the speech himself. Listening to the accusations leveled against his son, Gennady Gudkov could not hold back his laughter. After the bureau voted to expel both Gudkovs from A Just Russia, Dmitry remarked: “For some reason, everyone is congratulating me.”

Writer Dmitry Bykov falls asleep, feels bored, reads and debates with Tikhon Dzyadko, and says that the opposition's decisions will not always please their followers — and that trying to please everyone is not a goal at all: “If you say something, someone will always be unhappy with you; if you stay silent, then your colleague Piontkovsky will be unhappy.” The Opposition Coordination Council votes on the group’s working regulations.

Signature collection for Sobyanin during the election campaign.