
Albert Pchelintsev
First it was Natalia Estemirova.
The came Andrei Kulagin.
And now we can add yet a third vicious assault on human rights activists in Russia in just the past few weeks: Albert Pchelintsev.
Other Russia reports that Pchelintsev is the regional director of the “Against Corruption, Deception and Dishonor” movement and states that according to the Moskovsky Komsomolets newspaper, Pchelintsev was attacked on Saturday evening as he returned home and was shot in the mouth with a stun gun. After undergoing reconstructive surgery, he remains in serious condition and cannot speak. The gang of attackers allegedly shouted at him: “You won’t be able to speak out now for a long time!” Other Russia adds: “The rights leader had taken an active role in recent municipal election in Khimki, and strongly criticized town officials during the campaign. Pchelintsev also wrote a column dedicated to corruption in a local newspaper. In 2008, the activist helped to open a community office where citizens could report and document cases of corruption. He is one of many activists from Khimki to be attacked in recent years.”
Russia’s streets flow red with the blood of its patriots, struck down by their own countrymen and indeed their own government. And perhaps the most apalling of all is the craven silence of the American White House. Shame on you, Mr. Obama! How many heros must perish before Obama will know it is too many are deign to speak up?