In Nizhny Novgorod, a cocaine-fueled 24-year-old businessman shot dead a 51-year-old cardiac surgeon. Because of an argument in a parking lot. At first, the shooter was actually released under a travel restriction order, and only later placed under house arrest. Quite right: the court must be humane toward the owner of a local gas station chain. Now here is another example.
Half an hour ago, Sergei Udaltsov was placed under house arrest. He is an आरोपी in the "case" over "mass" "riots" — the Bolotnaya Case (the prosecution over the 2012 Bolotnaya Square protest in Moscow). Investigators demanded that Udaltsov’s travel restriction order be replaced with house arrest and a complete communications blackout because, as they put it (quoting), "his mobile phones are often switched off." In court, investigator Gabdullin also reported other shocking facts: Udaltsov’s wife lives in Ukraine Udaltsov and his wife are in conflict, as established through phone surveillance. Udaltsov’s wife was right there in the courtroom. But the judge refused to question her, despite a motion requesting it. As the ruling was being announced, everyone present, looking at Sergei’s wife, laughed loudly when the words "Udaltsov’s wife is in Ukraine" were read out. Nevertheless, Judge Karpov, without batting an eye, ordered house arrest. Why the Nizhny Novgorod shooter is being treated this way is clear. Why Udaltsov is being treated this way is also clear. The only thing that is unclear is why any of this is called a "court."