NYT: Bulk behaved as a dissident to the Internet – BBC

NYT: Bulk behaved as a dissident to the Internet – BBC

The opposition leader Alexei Navalny is a “Russian dissident XXI century”, writes The New York Times . According to the newspaper, Navalny was the first Russian activist, started using the Internet as an effective tool of “political resistance.” In the past, Navalny and his supporters have been able to show that the Russian opposition activists are not simply “virtual”, adds the publication.

Before reported , the participants unauthorized action on Manezh Square agreed among themselves by means of service FireChat. Developer service said that from December 20, when Facebook was blocked page of the group in support of Navalny, was recorded a surge of activity of Russian users.

It was also reported that the court sentenced Oleg Navalny to 3 years and 6 months in prison, his brother Alexei Navalny was 3.5 years probation. They were found guilty of theft by fraud 26.7 million rubles. the company “Yves Rocher Vostok” and 4.4 million rubles. Multidisciplinary processing company.

The American newspaper also writes that about his plans to go on an unsanctioned rally stated on Facebook more than 10 thousand. Russians, but in fact their number was much more modest. However, the newspaper notes, “thousands” of people came to the rally, despite the threat of arrest, and the frost coming New Year.

With regard to the Internet, then for a long period of time, he did not have much importance in Russia at least as an instrument of opposition, stresses the newspaper. According to the publication, not just in social networks began to appear information about where will be this or that action: these platforms began to put on users’ powerful psychological effect “, as people saw how many people have signed up to participate in the demonstrations, and understood that they are not alone. In addition, the Internet has become an alternative to the official television, from which most Russians get their information, according to the material. As a result, the Russian authorities were given more powers to block websites, and from popular bloggers require registration, the newspaper writes.

The opposition expects “a tough fight”: Bulk proved that the power of the Internet is not just a “virtual”, but she has its limits, the newspaper added. The main obstacle remains the opposition public apathy, and with the help of the Internet it is not overcome, stresses in the material.