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Russian poets get jail sentences for anti-war poetry reading

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In Moscow, two Russian poets, Artyom Kamardin and Yegor Shtovba, have been handed lengthy prison sentences for their involvement in a poetry reading featuring anti-war poems. Kamardin received a seven-year sentence, while Shtovba was given five and a half years. Both poets faced charges of “inciting hatred” against Russian troops and making “appeals against state security,” despite pleading not guilty. This harsh punishment is part of a broader crackdown on dissent in Russia, where individuals expressing opposition to the government’s actions face severe consequences.

The sentencing of Kamardin and Shtovba is emblematic of a disturbing trend in Russia, where the government has intensified its efforts to stifle dissent and criticism. The poets participated in the Mayakovsky Readings, an event that took place on September 25, 2022, in Moscow, shortly after President Vladimir Putin announced a “partial mobilization” campaign for the war in Ukraine. The charges against them are part of an alarming pattern of using state security as a pretext to suppress voices critical of the government’s actions, reflecting a broader erosion of free expression and civil liberties in the country.

The Mayakovsky Readings, a historical poetry event that has taken place since the 1950s, has become a symbol of resistance to oppressive regimes. However, in the current climate of heightened political tensions and military actions, such gatherings are increasingly deemed unsafe. The group had previously faced persecution during the Soviet era, with participants accused of anti-Soviet propaganda and sentenced to gulags. The recent suspension of the Mayakovsky Readings in October 2022 underscores the growing challenges faced by those who seek to express dissent in an increasingly restrictive environment.

The crackdown on dissent in Russia has reached alarming levels, with activists, poets, and opposition figures facing imprisonment for expressing criticism of the government’s actions, particularly in the context of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The sentences handed to Kamardin and Shtovba are part of a broader pattern of silencing voices that challenge the official narrative, raising concerns about the state of democracy and human rights in Russia.

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Samuel Paty: Six French teenagers on trial over teacher’s murder

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Six teenagers in France, aged between 13 and 15 at the time, are currently on trial for their alleged complicity in the murder of teacher Samuel Paty in 2020. The tragic incident occurred when Paty, who had shown cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad during a class on freedom of expression, was killed by a Chechen refugee. The teenagers are accused of slander and of guiding the murderer to Paty at the school.

The youngest among them, a 13-year-old girl, had been suspended from school just days before the murder, for reasons unrelated to the case. However, she falsely claimed to her father that she confronted Paty over an alleged request for Muslim students to leave the class, leading to social media posts that prosecutors believe influenced the killer’s actions.

These teenagers face serious charges, and if convicted, they could be sentenced to a maximum of 2.5 years in prison. The case has sparked significant public attention and highlights the complex dynamics surrounding the events leading up to Paty’s murder. The teenagers are not accused of directly committing the murder but rather of playing a role in facilitating the tragic incident.

In addition to the ongoing trial of these six teenagers, a second trial is scheduled for next year. It involves eight adults, including the father of the 13-year-old girl currently on trial. The second trial will further explore allegations of complicity in the murder, bringing to light the broader network and individuals who may have contributed to the events leading up to Paty’s death.

The broader context of this case includes accusations against two friends of the Chechen refugee who carried out the murder. They are facing charges of “complicity in a terrorist murder,” the most severe crime in this case. One is accused of accompanying the murderer to buy weapons, while the other is accused of driving him to the school where Paty taught on the day of the murder. These accusations underscore the serious nature of the events surrounding the teacher’s death and the varied roles individuals are alleged to have played in its execution.

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Denmark intends to impose prison sentence for publicly incinerating the Quran

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In response to a series of Quran burnings that sparked outrage in Muslim countries, the Danish government has introduced a proposal to prohibit the public burning of religious texts, including the Quran. Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard emphasized that such acts not only harmed Denmark’s reputation but also posed a risk to its citizens’ safety. The new legislation aims to classify improper treatment of the Quran or Bible as a criminal offense, carrying penalties of fines and potential imprisonment for up to two years.

The Danish government, which holds a center-right stance, aims to convey a message to the international community through this move. Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen highlighted that recent weeks have witnessed around 170 demonstrations, some involving the burning of Quran copies near foreign embassies. Denmark’s intelligence agency, PET, has cautioned that these incidents have escalated the terrorist threat.

Denmark’s neighboring country, Sweden, has also experienced similar Quran burnings, leading to concerns about worsening security. However, both Denmark and Sweden had been cautious in their response due to their strong tradition of freedom of expression. Sweden abolished its blasphemy laws in the 1970s.

Denmark’s decision to address this issue gained momentum after further Quran burnings occurred in both countries in July. The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) urged its member nations to take appropriate action against countries where such desecration occurred.

The Danish justice minister clarified that the proposed change in the law wasn’t directed at verbal, written, or satirical expressions. Rather, the focus was on curbing actions that only fueled division and hatred. Deputy Prime Minister Jakob Ellemann-Jensen stressed the importance of responsible behavior even while exercising freedom of expression.

Denmark acknowledged that it couldn’t ignore the negative implications of these actions on its security. Meanwhile, Sweden’s Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson, noted that his country wouldn’t follow Denmark’s approach, citing the need for potential constitutional amendments.

The Danish government plans to present the proposed legal changes on September 1st, with the aim of passing them in parliament by year-end. The prohibition is expected to be included within a section of the criminal code that addresses public insults toward foreign states, flags, or symbols.

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