Politics
Moscow prepared to deploy Spetsnaz troops against demonstrators
Reading Time: 4 minutesThe Special Forces – notorious as the “spetsnaz” — of the Russian Internal Troops which have been most active in suppressing resistance in the North Caucasus are now being readied to put down any challenge to the government in Moscow and other major cities, according to a leading Russian specialist on her country’s security services.
By Paul Goble
The Special Forces – notorious as the “spetsnaz” — of the Russian Internal Troops which have been most active in suppressing resistance in the North Caucasus are now being readied to put down any challenge to the government in Moscow and other major cities, according to a leading Russian specialist on her country’s security services.
In an article in yesterday’s “Yezhednevny zhurnal,” Irina Borogan, an expert at the Agentura.ru portal, says that the presence of spetsnaz forces at the January 31st demonstration in defense of the 31st Paragraph of the Russian Constitution called attention to this new use of these troops (www.ej.ru/?a=note&id=9871).
But in fact, this policy of using spetsnaz forces against demonstrations is not new. Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliyev described it as a logical step given that the spetsnaz had lost some of its functions involved in guarding prisoners and thus could be used “for the preservation of social order.”
Even before that time, Borogan notes, “certain units of the Internal Forces had for many years regularly been called to support public order in the capital.” Indeed, she says, Muscovites “had long been accustomed to seeing soldiers of the Dzerzhinsky Division” and related groups, guarding the metro or in the streets, especially during hotly contested football matches.
“However,” she continues, “only during the last several years” have spetsnaz forces been employed during mass actions in Moscow and other cities, including during the celebrations of the 300th anniversary of St. Petersburg, the 1,000th anniversary of Kazan, and the Russian-European Union summit in Samara.
And when the conflict between the local population and Caucasus migrants broke into violence in Kondopoga in the summer of 2006, Moscow sent in spetsnaz units from Arkhangelsk to restore order. That experience appears to have triggered reconsideration by the powers that be over how the spetsnaz should be configured and used.
At the end of that year, a new detachment of spetsnaz, called ‘Peresvet’ was formed especially for the struggle with mass disorders in Moscow.” That unit, most of whose soldiers had served in “hot spots” like the North Caucasus, is administratively subordinate to the 55th division of the Russian Internal Forces
Russian officials said that they had taken this step because “there ought to be created yet another unit in the capital in order to guarantee security during mass actions and for rapid reaction by force in complicated situations,” bureaucratic language for anti-government demonstrations that might otherwise get out of hand.
This new unit, Borogan notes, has one distinguishing characteristic. Unlike the other 16 spetsnaz detachments, “Peresvet” has not been rotated through Chechnya or other parts of the North Caucasus because the interior ministry believes that it should “always be prepared for putting down street disorders in the capital and St. Petersburg.
Like other units of the internal forces, however, the new detachment has been deployed during football matches. But its primary responsibility has been shown by the training exercises in which it has been involved over the last two years, exercises that leave no doubt that the powers that be intend to use it to suppress any popular rising.
Its most recent exercise, which took place in Balashikha in October 2009, created “a scandal,” Borogan points out. According to documents the media gained access to, the unit was deployed to disperse with the help of water cannon and tear gas a group of “pensioners who were blocking a highway.”
The Interior Ministry felt compelled to deny these stories and to say that the targets of the spetsnaz unit “were not pensioners but extremists” and that the water cannon were “used only” to intimidate rather than to harm, statements that convinced few people in the overheated atmosphere of the time.
The number of personnel in the spetsnaz units of the Internal Forces is “constantly growing,” Borogan says. In 2003, there were approximately 10,000 uniformed personnel in these units, but in 2007, she continues, that number had grown to 17,000, even though the total number of people in uniform in the Russian Federation had declined over that period.
These units, she continues, are equipped with the latest electronic monitoring equipment, allowing them to track protesters in real time within the scope of the Interior Ministry’s “Secure City” program, which has been promoted primarily as a crime-fighting measure but which obviously has other uses as well.
“Like any military structure,” Borogan notes in what may be her most disturbing observation, “the spetsnaz of the [Russian] Internal Forces has its own traditions and special characteristics.” And these include a cultivated “brutality,” in which members of these units feel they are subordinate only to their own.
Meanwhile, three other developments this week suggest that the Russian powers that be increasingly fear the spread of mass protests and are preparing to defend themselves. First, according to a Norwegian group, Moscow is putting ever more pressure on environmentalists who are inclined to protest Russian policies (www.barentsobserver.com/increased-pressure-on-russian-enviro-groups.4744964-116320.html).
Second, the Russian powers that be seem to be working to perfect their control of the media to limit the size of protests, refusing to publish stories about upcoming anti-government actions (news.babr.ru/?IDE=83953) while giving wide publicity to those who plan to assemble to support the government (news.babr.ru/?IDE=83931).
And third, the Interior Ministry reportedly is drafting legislation equating traumatic pistols with firearms, thus allowing the powers that be to arrest anyone carrying the former but also ensuring that spetsnaz units will not have to worry about encountering any armed resistance (www.stoletie.ru/lenta/travmaticheskoje_oruzhije_priravnajut_k_ognestrelnomu_2010-02-11.htm).
A new football club has earned a leading place in the UEFA Champions League groups and starred in the headlines of worldwide football news yesterday. The Football Club Sheriff Tiraspol claimed a win with the score 2-1 against Real Madrid on the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid. That made Sheriff Tiraspol the leader in Group D of the Champions League, including the football club in the groups of the most important European interclub competition for the first time ever.
International media outlets called it a miracle, a shock and a historic event, while strongly emphasizing the origin of the team and the existing political conflict between the two banks of the Dniester. “Football club from a pro-Russian separatist enclave in Moldova pulls off one of the greatest upsets in Champions League history,” claimed the news portals. “Sheriff crushed Real!” they said.
Moldovans made a big fuss out of it on social media, splitting into two groups: those who praised the team and the Republic of Moldova for making history and those who declared that the football club and their merits belong to Transnistria – a problematic breakaway region that claims to be a separate country.
Both groups are right and not right at the same time, as there is a bunch of ethical, political, social and practical matters that need to be considered.
Is it Moldova?
First of all, every Moldovan either from the right or left bank of Dniester (Transnistria) is free to identify himself with this achievement or not to do so, said Vitalie Spranceana, a sociologist, blogger, journalist and urban activist. According to him, boycotting the football club for being a separatist team is wrong.
At the same time, “it’s an illusion to think that territory matters when it comes to football clubs,” Spranceana claimed. “Big teams, the ones included in the Champions League, have long lost their connection both with the countries in which they operate, and with the cities in which they appeared and to which they linked their history. […] In the age of globalized commercial football, teams, including the so-called local ones, are nothing more than global traveling commercial circuses, incidentally linked to cities, but more closely linked to all sorts of dirty, semi-dirty and cleaner cash flows.”
What is more important in this case is the consistency, not so much of citizens, as of politicians from the government who have “no right to celebrate the success of separatism,” as they represent “the national interests, not the personal or collective pleasures of certain segments of the population,” believes the political expert Dionis Cenusa. The victory of FC Sheriff encourages Transnistrian separatism, which receives validation now, he also stated.
“I don’t know how it happens that the “proud Moldovans who chose democracy”, in their enthusiasm for Sheriff Tiraspol’s victory over Real Madrid, forget the need for total and unconditional withdrawal of Russian troops from Transnistria!” declared the journalist Vitalie Ciobanu.
Nowadays, FC Sheriff Tiraspol has no other choice than to represent Moldova internationally. For many years, the team used the Moldovan Football Federation in order to be able to participate in championships, including international ones. That is because the region remains unrecognised by the international community. However, the club’s victory is presented as that of Transnistria within the region, without any reference to the Republic of Moldova, its separatist character being applied in this case especially.
Is it a victory?
In fact, FC Sheriff Tiraspol joining the Champions League is a huge image breakthrough for the Transnistrian region, as the journalist Madalin Necsutu claimed. It is the success of the Tiraspol Club oligarchic patrons. From the practical point of view, FC Sheriff Tiraspol is a sports entity that serves its own interests and the interests of its owners, being dependent on the money invested by Tiraspol (but not only) oligarchs.
Here comes the real dilemma: the Transnistrian team, which is generously funded by money received from corruption schemes and money laundering, is waging an unequal fight with the rest of the Moldovan football clubs, the journalist also declared. The Tiraspol team is about to raise 15.6 million euro for reaching the Champions League groups and the amounts increase depending on their future performance. According to Necsutu, these money will go directly on the account of the club, not to the Moldovan Football Federation, creating an even bigger gab between FC Sheriff and other football clubs from Moldova who have much more modest financial possibilities.
“I do not see anything useful for Moldovan football, not a single Moldovan player is part of FC Sheriff Tiraspol. I do not see anything beneficial for the Moldovan Football Federation or any national team.”
Is it only about football?
FC Sheriff Tiraspol, with a total estimated value of 12.8 million euros, is controlled by Victor Gusan and Ilya Kazmala, being part of Sheriff Holding – a company that controls the trade of wholesale, retail food, fuels and medicine by having monopolies on these markets in Transnistria. The holding carries out car trading activities, but also operates in the field of construction and real estate. Gusan’s people also hold all of the main leadership offices in the breakaway region, from Parliament to the Prime Minister’s seat or the Presidency.
The football club is supported by a holding alleged of smuggling, corruption, money laundering and organised crime. Moldovan media outlets published investigations about the signals regarding the Sheriff’s holding involvement in the vote mobilization and remuneration of citizens on the left bank of the Dniester who participated in the snap parliamentary elections this summer and who were eager to vote for the pro-Russian socialist-communist bloc.
Considering the above, there is a great probability that the Republic of Moldova will still be represented by a football club that is not identified as being Moldovan, being funded from obscure money, growing in power and promoting the Transnistrian conflict in the future as well.
Photo: unknown
Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, Natalia Gavrilita, together with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nicu Popescu, pay an official visit to Brussels, between September 27-28, being invited by High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell Fontelles.
Today, Prime Minister had a meeting with Charles Michel, President of the European Council. The Moldovan PM thanked the senior European official for the support of the institution in strengthening democratic processes, reforming the judiciary and state institutions, economic recovery and job creation, as well as increasing citizens’ welfare. Natalia Gavrilita expressed her confidence that the current visit laid the foundations for boosting relations between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union, so that, in the next period, it would be possible to advance high-level dialogues on security, justice and energy. Officials also exchanged views on priorities for the Eastern Partnership Summit, to be held in December.
“The EU is open to continue to support the Republic of Moldova and the ambitious reform agenda it proposes. Moldova is an important and priority partner for us,” said Charles Michel.
Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita also met with Paolo Gentiloni, European Commissioner for Economy, expressing her gratitude for the support received through the OMNIBUS macro-financial assistance program. The two officials discussed the need to advance the recovery of money from bank fraud, to strengthen sustainable mechanisms for supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in Moldova, and to standardize the customs and taxes as one of the main conditions for deepening cooperation with the EU in this field.
Additionally, Prime Minister spoke about the importance of the Eastern Partnership and the Deep Free Trade Agreement, noting that the Government’s policies are aimed at developing an economic model aligned with the European economic model, focused on digitalization, energy efficiency and the green economy.
A common press release of the Moldovan Prime Minister with High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the Commission, Josep Borrell Fontelles, took place today, where the agenda of Moldova’s reforms and the main priorities to focus on in the coming months were presented: judiciary reform; fighting COVID-19 pandemic; promoting economic recovery and conditions for growth and job creation; strengthening state institutions and resilience of the country.
“I am here to relaunch the dialogue between my country and the European Union. Our partnership is strong, but I believe there is room for even deeper cooperation and stronger political, economic and sectoral ties. I am convinced that this partnership is the key to the prosperity of our country and I hope that we will continue to strengthen cooperation.”
The Moldovan delegation met Didier Reynders, European Commissioner for Justice. Tomorrow, there are scheduled common meetings with Oliver Varhelyi, European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, Adina Valean, European Commissioner for Transport and Kadri Simson, European Commissioner for Energy.
Prime Minister will also attend a public event, along with Katarina Mathernova, Deputy Director-General for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations.
Photo: gov.md
Politics
Promo-LEX about Maia Sandu’s UN speech: The president must insist on appointing a rapporteur to monitor the situation of human rights in Transnistria
The President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, pays an official visit to New York, USA, between September 21-22. There, she participates in the work of the United Nations General Assembly. According to a press release of the President’s Office, the official will deliver a speech at the tribune of the United Nations.
In this context, the Promo-LEX Association suggested the president to request the appointment of a special rapporteur in order to monitor the situation of human rights in the Transnistrian region. According to Promo-LEX, the responsibility for human rights violations in the Transnistrian region arises as a result of the Russian Federation’s military, economic and political control over the Tiraspol regime.
“We consider it imperative to insist on the observance of the international commitments assumed by the Russian Federation regarding the withdrawal of the armed forces and ammunition from the territory of the country,” the representatives of Promo-LEX stated. They consider the speech before the UN an opportunity “to demand the observance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the Russian Federation with reference to this territory which is in its full control.”
“It is important to remember about the numerous cases of murder, torture, ill-treatment, forced enlistment in illegal military structures, the application of pseudo-justice in the Transnistrian region, all carried out under the tacit agreement of the Russian Federation. These findings stem from dozens of rulings and decisions issued by the European Court of Human Rights, which found that Russia is responsible for human rights violations in the region.”
The association representatives expressed their hope that the president of the country would give priority to issues related to the human rights situation in the Transnistrian region and would call on relevant international actors to contribute to guaranteeing fundamental human rights and freedoms throughout Moldova.
They asked Maia Sandu to insist on the observance of the obligation to evacuate the ammunition and the military units of the Russian Federation from the territory of the Republic of Moldova, to publicly support the need for the Russian Federation to implement the ECtHR rulings on human rights violations in the Transnistrian region, and to request the appointment of an UN Human Rights Council special rapporteur to monitor the human rights situation in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova.
**
The Promo-LEX Association concluded that 14 out of 25 actions planned within the National Action Plan for the years 2018–2022 concerning respecting human rights in Transnistria were not carried out by the responsible authorities.
The association expressed its concern and mentioned that there are a large number of delays in the planned results. “There is a lack of communication and coordination between the designated institutions, which do not yet have a common vision of interaction for the implementation of the plan.”
Promo-LEX requested the Government of the Republic of Moldova to re-assess the reported activities and to take urgent measures, “which would exclude superficial implementation of future activities and increase the level of accountability of the authorities.”
Photo: peacekeeping.un.org
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