Челябинск

War in Ukraine has already increased the level of repressions in Russia, but there are not yet any new criminal proceedings against anarchist or anti-fascist activists. In this new exceptional situation, we are channeling some of our resources to humanitarian needs which go beyond our usual narrow focus of supporting repressed anarchists and anti-fascists. 

In picture: action of Left Bloc activists against FSB.

This time around there's both good news and bad news, so lets start with the good ones.

Maxim ”Hadad” Smolnikov released from remand in custody

On March 18, 2018, as part of an international solidarity campaign with Russian antifascists and anarchists, there was a protest in Helsinki near the embassy of the Russian Federation.

A call of comrades from Chelyabinsk:

«We, Chelyabinsk anarchists, need international support and solidarity.

On the night of 20 February, Chelyabinsk anarchists were arrested and their homes searched in relation to the banner put on the Chelyabinsk FSB (Russian security service) building. Five persons were arrested, the homes of three of them were searched, three people became suspects under Article 213 part 1 of the Russian criminal code (Hooliganism). During the investigation, FSB officers freely tortured the detained, including the witnesses.

March 18 – act in solidarity with Russian anarchists!

Moscow Anarchist Black Cross released the review of repression of anarchists by Russian state in 2017 and early 2018. During this period, the authorities continue to frame and persecute the Russian comrades. Anarchists are also a subject of repressions in prisons. Here is the extract of recently published list of repression in Russia.

In late January, news that Viktor Filinkov, a left-wing activist and computer programmer, had disappeared (24 January) at St Petersburg’s Pulkovo airport was followed by arrests and searches (26 January) at the apartments of anti-fascist activists in the city.

January 16, the eve of a two-year anniversary of the death of a lawyer Markelov and Anastasia Baburova, in Chelyabinsk rally memory. The action took place at the Al field (near the monument Orlenko) from 14 to 15 hours.

The rally was held at the call of the Committee on January 19 and is dedicated to the memory of Stas and Nastia, as well as hundreds of other victims of Nazi terror in Russia.

The tragedy happened during a performance of "Cockroaches!". Says group leader Dmitry "Sid" Spirin, who from the scene saw what was happening on the field.

- We performed a second song - "Men with electric guitars. And then he saw a crowd of thugs, naked to the waist.