Stories about Eastern & Central Europe from August, 2013
Don't Be Fooled by His Smile: Yekaterinburg's Evgeny Roizman Is Mad As Hell
It seems likely that Russia’s fourth largest city, Yekaterinburg, will soon have as its mayor Evgeny Roizman, one of Russia’s most peculiar public figures.
The Politics of Moscow's Migrant Crime Statistics
Moscow's next mayor will have little influence over domestic immigration policy, but that doesn't stop candidates from weighing in on the topic.
“Me & My Shadow”: Protecting Data on the Net
The Internet, mobile phones, and other such achievements of progress have become essential aspects of human existence, and have simplified communication between people and integrated them into a new space.
A Historian's Pessimistic Farewell to Macedonia
Historian, analyst and blogger Harald Schenker, who has lived in Macedonia since 1999 and is now moving to Switzerland, created social network buzz with his farewell post, addressed to a “failing Macedonia”, in which he provides a diagnosis for the country's demise and a plea for rebuilding Macedonian society. The...
Serbian National Parachuter Ejected from Team for Disgruntled Facebook Comments
Aleksandar Cvetković described on his Facebook how the Serbian parachuting team traveled to Russia to participate in the European championships only to find that Serbian officials hadn't paid for anything.
Russia's Unpopular but “Necessary” Illegal Immigrant Camps
At the end of July, Moscow's Governor proposed a new detention center for illegal immigrants on a former military base near the Yegoryevsky district. Not everyone is thrilled.
Russia's Political Firebrand: What Makes Navalny Tick?
Russia's best-known political blogger earned his fame fighting corruption in the private sector, but may now face five years' jail time on (possibly trumped-up) embezzlement charges. In the meantime, he's running for mayor of Moscow.
Russian Political Prisoners Ignored by Everyone
Twelve men and women currently on trial for their involvement in the May 6, 2012 riots appear to have been largely forgotten.
Navalny's Montenegrin Kryptonite or Russia's Invulnerable Candidate?
Information has emerged showing Navalny’s ownership of an active real estate company in Montenegro, established in 2007 and undeclared when he registered as a candidate for Moscow's mayor’s race.
Regional Elections Offer Russian Opposition No Escape from Internecine Conflict
As regional races heat up with less than a month to go before the September 8, 2013 election day, Russia's opposition parties are engaging in their usual tactics of attacking each other.
Amina Leaves Femen Because of “Islamophobia”
Amina, the Tunisian activist released from jail early August, left the Femen movement. She accused Femen of “Islamophobia”. Femen confirmed online that: FEMEN confirms its break with the Tunisian activist Amina Tyler because of differences of opinion on tactics in the Islamic countries (…) FEMEN calls for new heroines who are able to...
The Moscow Mayor's Mischievous Viral Marketing
Alexey Navalny turns the tables on those harassing him about financing, nationalism, and transparency.
Bodies Pile in Egypt, But Birds Still Singing for Russian Vacationers
Russians living in Egypt to potential tourists: "Don't be afraid."
Romania to Open Communist Leader Ceausescu's Execution Site to Tourists
Nicolae Ceausescu and his wife were killed by firing squad on Christmas Day in 1989 on a former military base.
Bucharest, Not Budapest: A Chocolate Bar Explains the Difference
The capitals of Romania and Hungary, Bucharest and Budapest, respectively, are so often confused that those unfamiliar with the region often book airplane tickets to Bucharest, when their intention is to get to Budapest and vice-versa. In fact, 400 soccer fans from Spain chartered a flight last year to the...
Accused Nazi Concentration Camp Leader Dies Before Trial in Hungary
László Csizsik-Csatáry was the head of an internment camp for Jews in the city of Kosice, where he allegedly beat inmates with his bare hands.
Russian Police: Now Raiding Opposition Activists Without Warrants
Moscow police forced entry into a flat used by pro-Navalny activists, cutting down their reinforced door after they refused to let anyone in without a search warrant.
Serbians Fight for Government Funds to Treat Sick Children
Officials have killed a proposal that would have the government pay for Serbian children with terminal or rare diseases to get treatment outside of Serbia. Proponents continue the fight.
Russia's Soviet Assault on Navalny's Online Fundraising
Russia's Attorney General announced that it has partly corroborated a complaint against Alexey Navalny’s online fundraising methods, claiming they violate the country's campaign finance laws.
Vladimir Putin's Solitary PR Stunt
Over the past months the Kremlin has given Russian bloggers more than the usual amount of fodder to ridicule the government and President Vladimir Putin.
A Game of Torrents: Russians Struggle with Piracy-free Internet
RuNet Echo continues to cover attempts to regulate the Russian internet.
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