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Pussy Riot gained exactly what they aimed at - popularity, Medvedev said

"If I start commenting on a judge’s decision, even on problems which arouse public uproar, it would be interference into justice bodies," he said

Photo ITAR-TASS

Photo ITAR-TASS

MOSCOW, April 26 (Itar-Tass) — Art-group Pussy Riot, which demonstrated a punk prayer in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, has gained exactly what they aimed at - popularity, outgoing President Medvedev said in an interview to Russian TV channels on Thursday.

"The participants in what was done have gained exactly what they aimed at - popularity," Medvedev said.

Medvedev, who said during the interview that it was wrong to put citizens behind iron bars for petty offences on the margin of administrative violations and the Criminal Code, declined to comment on remand sanctions against the Pussy Riot administered by the court. "As the head of state I would not comment on the juridical side of the matter because an investigation is going on. I have always refrained from comment until a verdict either of indictment or acquittal was passed," Medvedev said.

Chief of "Dozhd" television Mikhail Zygar addressed the president saying: “You said that dragging a person who poses no threat to society into criminal environment was a systemic mistake. Do you really think that these women pose such a serious threat to society so as to keep them in custody for several months?"

"It was a judge, rather than me who made such a decision," Medvedev replied. "If I start commenting on a judge’s decision, even on problems which arouse public uproar, it would be interference into justice bodies," Medvedev underlined.

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Russian economy positively influences neighboring countries — Deputy PM

In 2023 the Russian economy has demonstrated remarkable resilience and growth, Alexey Overchuk said

Court arrests another man accused of blowing up car of former SBU officer in Moscow

Ivan Paskar is charged with illegally transporting explosive substances, but he does not recognize his guilt

Switzerland does not suit Russia for negotiations on Ukraine — Lavrov

The Foreign Minister pointed to the fact that Switzerland is on board with all Western sanctions

Grossi ignores ‘elephant in the room’ in Zaporozhye nuke plant situation — Russian envoy

Dmitry Polyansky noted that the IAEA chief is being very cautious about the issue of attacks on the nuclear facility

Kremlin declines to comment on alleged assassination attempt on Zelensky in Poland

The Security Service of Ukraine announced earlier that in a joint operation with law enforcement agencies in Ukraine and Poland it thwarted an attempt to assassinate Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky

BRICS’ expansion makes it much stronger — senior Russian diplomat

Egypt, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Ethiopia, became full-fledged members of BRICS from January 1, 2024

Shoigu orders additional tank protection sets for Ukraine operation

The minister also inspected the training process in Omsk Armor Engineering Institute

China’s Russian oil imports rise by 13% in first quarter of 2024 — customs

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Russian defense chief checks implementation of orders to develop drones

All the presented drones and payload were created from domestic composite materials and elements

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Iran threatens to attack Israel's "nuclear centers" in case of aggression on its part

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Construction of the plant in the Atyrau region is planned to be completed by 2029

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"We have not received any external attack, and the discussion leans more towards infiltration than attack," a senior Iranian official reported

Iran may target Israeli nuclear center in Dimona in case of Israel’s attack — TV

Ahmad Haghtalab said on April 18 that Tehran has identified the location of Israel's "nuclear centers" and will be ready to destroy them in case the Jewish state responds to the recent Iranian attack on Israeli military facilities

Russian government increases customs duties on beer from unfriendly countries

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Ukrainian POW exposes poor battlefield performance of NATO-supplied Javelins, NLAWs

He also revealed that some weapon batches contained anti-armor systems whose service life had expired

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Izvestia correspondent Semyon Eremin killed in special operation zone

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The decision was sealed in a meeting between US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell and Niger’s prime minister, Ali Lamine Zeine

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Military commanders of Ukrainian army brigades "lack both personnel and the required amount of equipment" while Russian troops enjoy a considerable superiority, especially in artillery, Sergey Krivonos noted

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Israeli troops continue raids in West Bank — TV

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Vladimir Saldo called on other Ukrainian servicemen to switch to the Russian side and request the corresponding assistance

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FACTBOX: Collective Security Treaty Organization

The Collective Security Treaty came into force on April 20, 1994 to herald the emergence what would eventually become the Collective Security Treaty Organization. The six member-countries are Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan

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Infrastructure is required to implement the investment project, both power transmission lines and the railroad, Andrey Chibis noted

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Russian Cabinet expands list of perfumery, cosmetic products subjected to import duty

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North Korea conducts new anti-aircraft missile test — KCNA

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Ukrainian drone damages energy infrastructure in Russia’s Kaluga Region

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The man set himself on fire

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