It comes as no surprise that political and civic activists in Russia experience harassment from police.  Members of the opposition have long complained that they have been followed, detained as they travel by train, or even threatened by the militsiya.  Yet the scope and systematic nature of such activities is just beginning to come to light.

As it turns out, the Russian police are creating databases used to the track the movements of law-abiding citizens.  The project is overseen by a new department for countering extremism within the Russian police, but often targeted at individuals for no reason other than their political views or activism.

Journalist Irina Borogan documents these “black lists” in the third in a series of articles documenting the government campaign to battle extremism and strengthen control over the public.  The series is a joint project between the Yezhednevny Zhurnal ...

A car belonging to Russian opposition leader Eduard Limonov exploded in flames Saturday morning in Moscow, the politician reported on his blog.  Limonov, a leader of the Other Russia coalition and the banned National Bolshevik Party, was preparing for a protest set to take place the next day.

The explosion took place outside Limonov’s residence, as a driver turned the key in the ignition.  Limonov, who was inside his apartment at the time, said his driver managed to escape with only slight burns on his face.

Limonov told the Kasparov.ru online newspaper that he received a threatening phone call ten minutes after the explosion.

“When I picked up the phone,” Limonov said, “an unknown person asked me: ‘Well how are you, Eddie?  Still aren’t afraid of engaging in opposition activities?’”

Police are investigating the crime, but have downplayed a connection to Limonov.  A spokesman said the car was ...