Lyubov Sobol has challenged Kasamara, the United Russia candidate, to a debate. For the sake of Kasamara’s comfort and peace of mind, Ilya Yashin was not only barred from the election, but has also been kept in a cell for more than a month, with his detention already extended four times.
Exactly. I’d be glad to be wrong, but it looks like Yashin will not be released before the election. As we have seen, both Kasamara and Sobyanin—who is obsessively trying to get her elected—are afraid not just of Yashin himself, but even of a candidate endorsed by Yashin. Also, read Yudin on this astonishing story.
That is why a Kasamara–Yashin debate would be not just appropriate but actually necessary. Yet in light of the utterly false and hypocritical position taken by the Higher School of Economics vice rector (her interview with Meduza is a quiet horror), we most likely will not see it.
Well then, let Sobol talk to her. On behalf of Yashin, and everyone else as well.
I really like the proposed format. I’d like to see a real debate before a live audience of 200 to 300 people. Broadcast studio debates with a host and two participants are nowhere near as interesting. I’ve taken part in that kind of thing many times myself—it’s nonsense, not a debate, even if it may look like one on the surface. It needs a live audience, and HSE students would be just right for it.