#Moscow Helsinki Group

[russianreader]

Everybody Knows Everything

“To be honest, we don’t need to educate anyone. Everyone knows everything. If they don’t know, they have a hunch. We are a country of very experienced people, and this experience has taught most of us to live by choosing ignorance — in order to survive. I’m not talking about physical survival, but about the minimum amount of mental comfort without which life ceases to be life, even if one is…

[writingbyshiloh]

3 Times You Hear People Refer to You as a Team and the 1 Time You Didn't

Berlin x Reader

CW: Reader goes by Vienna and is a medical person (only 2 lines about it!) suggestive content but no smut, sneaking around? no beta

AN: I’m so normal about Berlin I promise (lying). I'm definitely forgetting a CW but nothing too bad or dramatic happens. 

WC: 1.7k

“Wait, what's with team Germany? Two people with city names from the same country?” the dark-haired young man asks. You know his name is an American city, starting with a D. Dallas? Detroit? Denver!

It's obvious who half of the team is. Berlin is the capital of Germany. You don’t know who the second is. You frown while trying to remember the other city names in Europe. Oslo, Helsinki, and Moscow but none of them are in Germany. 

“Vienna?” you ask, pointing a finger at yourself.

His dad, Moscow smacks him on the back of his head. “Vienna’s not in Germany, dumbass.” 

Denver laughs, loud and not caring about his geographical mistake. “Right, it’s in Italy.” 

Others join in laughing at his second mistake. 

“It’s the capital of Austria?” You say bewildered. “They speak German but it's still very much in Austria.” 

Too late for you to interject, the team name had stuck.

The second time is during one of the many drills the professor makes at all hours of the night. You had an advantage, being awake and somewhat alert.

“Any man would forfeit his share of the heist for you to look at him like that,” Berlin says quietly, smoothing his hand down your back. You’re both stretched out on your bed, hardly dressed, with tired and heavy limbs. 

You feel your face heat up at the compliment but try to push it down. Both of you agreed to keep it casual but he has a hard time doing that. You stopped trying to kick him out immediately after sex to avoid his “theories” about how women need to be held. Why let him tell you when he can just do it? 

“Helsinki likes men.” you counter. His words are sweet, but you don’t have much faith in him, seeing as he’s a divorcee of 5. 

“He’s not blind, is he?” Berlin bumps his nose against your jaw, trying to get more space to kiss your neck. 

The buzzing alarm throughout the house saves you from trying to come up with a reply. You both slip out from your bed, rooting around the discarded clothes on your floor and chair. 

“Is this a weapons drill?” You ask quietly slipping a blanket over your shoulders to protect from the night air. Berlin cocks his head to the side listening to the three repeating beeps. 

“Yes.” 

You grab the fake weapons from your dresser specifically for these drills. You pass the fake gun to Berlin hoping it will look similar to his weapon, keeping the knockoff rifle for yourself under your blanket. Berlin kisses the corner of your mouth before opening your door and leaving towards his room. You slip out and go the other way, closer to the outside door.

You arrive at the checkpoint third, beaten by Moscow and Dever. Sometimes you hear them sharing a late-night smoke so they were probably awake. Half a minute after you Berlin arrives and Oslo follows next. The Professor nods his approval and writes down everyone's reaction time. As the rest of the group filters outside, Berlin subtly nudges your arm when Tokyo and Rio arrive together with one fake weapon between them, even though their rooms are in different parts of the house. 

Nairobi is last, her sleep mask pushed to her forehead, lamenting about how early is it, how others need their beauty sleep, not her though. You hold out both of your blanket-covered arms for Nairobi and Tokyo to cozy up against the chill on the night air. You used the same blanket when there was an evening fire a few days ago so the thick smell of smoke covers any hint of your time with Berlin. 

“Moscow, Denver, Team Germany, and Oslo. Congratulations on your fast reaction time and the attention you paid in the lessons, you’re free to back to bed. Nairobi, Tokyo, Rio, Helsinki, please have a coffee or a snack and meet me in the classroom in 10 minutes.” 

You have a warm bed waiting for you, possible company included, so you shrug out of your blanket, letting the other two share it. You shiver in the cold air and pick up the weapon before retreating into the house. 

The sun is hazy and low in the sky, calling to the bugs in the grass to move and flit around. There’s no actual lesson, but the Professor is answering questions anyone may have. Small groups have broken out, Nairobi, Helsinki, and Oslo all bonding while smoking, the Professor and Moscow talking about some negotiating, while Rio, Denver, and Tokyo are playing a card game, one filled with slapping hands on the table, and accusing one another of cheating.

You and Berlin are moving slowly to the song playing out on someone's radio. It’s not out of the ordinary, Tokyo declines every time he offers her a dance, and Moscow has no worries about spinning you around to whatever is on the radio. You even try to dance with Nairobi sometimes, both taking dramatic steps, more focused on making others laugh than the proper form.

There's still a small space between both of your chests trying to show nothing is going on between you both. It's hard though when he had two fingers hooked into the belt loops of your pants to push and pull you with ease. The dance is only a simple box step, step forward, to the side, step back, and then to the other side, but you can feel his charisma and passion in every step.

“Take a look at team Germany.” The professor says, drawing more attention to your little dance. “A negotiation is much like a dance.”

You break out of his hold to sip your drink before moving back into the starting position. With a nod for Berlin, you take a step forward and he gently pulls you in the same direction. You keep dancing, steps more slow and exaggerated for the demonstration, while he counts, a smooth repetition of one, two, three, four so the group can see the movements.

“Now…who is leading?” The Professor asks, the back end of his pen pointed at you both. Answers are overlapped, with no one strongly holding any opinion.

“Why would you say Vienna, Denver?” The Professor prompts, try to get someone to reach the answer before he needs to explain it.

“Vienna moves first, and steps forward. They’re leading.” Denver says. You can see Rio nod in agreement.

“No, it’s Berlin. Watch how he leads, helping Vienna follow.” Moscow points out.

“Yes, exactly. In a negotiation, it will be much the same. On the outside, it will look like the police are leading, and we are following. But actually…” The professor trails off, watching Team Germany dance.

You see Berlin raise his eyebrows, silently gesturing that he wants to spin you. You quickly nod, and at the start of the count, he pulls you close before pushing away. You spin away under his arm before turning back to the original dance position.

“We’re in control.”

You’re not sure if the hoots and claps from the table are for Berlin and you or the plan. You hope it's for both.

The fourth time you’re called Team Germany neither of you are around to see it.

“I think you look hot.” you tell Tokyo, sitting on her bed, watching her and Nairobi as they make last-minute adjustments to their outfits for the festival.

“You should come!” Nairobi begs you, holding out her hands to help you off the bed as if the only thing stopping you from joining is being stuck in place. You accept her help and allow her to pull you to a standing position.

“If I didn’t have a medical lesson with the Professor tomorrow, I would.”

“Oooo, sounds hot, are you going to study anatomy?” Nairobi teases. You know about how sexy she finds the Professor, something you can’t judge her for.

“No, it’s going over every medical misfire that can happen. Berlin and Helsi are going to be there too.”

You can’t tell if the look Tokyo is shooting at you is strange or if she's drunk. You don’t get the chance to ask her before Rio and Denver come crashing in.

“This is pure elegance, my friend.” Denver announces, dancing in his jacket, while everyone crowds around him.

“What the fuck! Is this Berlins?” Nairobi asks. You know it is but you don’t have a good reason to know so you let the others figure it out themselves. “He’s going to fucking kill you.”

Denver's cries of reassurance are drowned out by Tokyo shushing him and encouraging the group to get moving. In the corridor, everyone lowers their volume.

“Have fun! Be safe! Drink lots of water!” you wish Nairobi and Tokyo as they give you an over-friendly kiss fueled with alcohol. You try to wipe off the excess lipstick before giving up. Denver and Nairobi walk you back to your room on their way out, Tokyo and Rio getting something they forgot back in Tokyo's room.

Outside waiting with a cigarette, Denver reaches into the pocket of Berlin's coat and quickly retracts his hand.

“What's wrong? Cut yourself on one of his five previous wedding rings?” Nairobi asks, setting her cigarette aside to see what hurt Denver. More casually, he reaches into the pocket and pulls out a few items of jewelry. Laying them flat in his palm, he holds them up for Nairobi to examine.

“Holy shit! Those are Vienna’s.”

“Why does Berlin have them?”

“It’s fucking obvious, team Germany is fucking!”

“Who’s fucking?” Tokyo asks, arriving with Rio in tow, a few smears of lipstick around his mouth.

“Vienna and Berlin! Look!”

“What should we do? Tell the Professour?” Rio asks, surprised at the discovery. He missed all the signs from the past months that something was happening right under his nose.

“No! This is the perfect get-out-of-jail-free card.” Tokyo offers

“Tokyo you’re late to class” Nairobi says imitating the professor before using her regular voice “Well, team Germany is sleeping together!”

“No one says a word about this. We need to wait for the right time.” Tokyo says. She knows she and Rio won’t be hidden forever. But the leader and the medical expert sleeping together? That’s ammunition she can’t wait to use.

[agent-grey-fics]

Breaking Point | Part 2 of ‘You don’t belong here’

Who: Denver x reader

Wordcount: 3400

Summary: After a chaotic heist at the Royal Mint, you find yourself shot and fighting for your life. Denver, determined to prioritize saving you over the heist, resorts to extreme measures to ensure your safety. Will you survive this?

Warnings: Violence, sexual tension, injury, trauma, language

Part 2 of You don’t belong here, you can read it here: X

A loud bang echoed through the Royal Mint. Denver and Tokyo exchanged a confused look. ‘Was that a gunshot?’ Without wasting time, they ran toward the entrance hall where they had gathered the hostages. Taking two steps at a time as they ran down the stairs. ‘What the fuck is going on?’ Tokyo yelled towards Berlin when she saw Rio on his knees, hunched over your body. Oslo and Moscow held the hostages at gunpoint, here and there a cry sounded in disbelief. A smug grin hung on Berlin’s lips, a young woman stood trembling on her legs behind him. He was disgusting, using fear to fulfil his own needs. ‘I told her to stay in line, she should not meddle in other people’s business.’ Denver could not grasp the image before his eyes. 

You lay motionless on the ground, Rio pressed his hands hard on your stomach and Nairobi looked in disbelief at Berlin casually holding a revolver in his hand. ‘He fucking shot her.’ When these words reached Denver’s ears he launched himself forward, toward the older gangster. ‘I’m going to fucking kill him!’ Denver was screaming at the top of his lungs. Tokyo did her best to stop her friend, clinging to his waist. But he was too strong. With a simple shove, he pushed her off him and she fell to the ground with a thud. Berlin pointed the gun at the young robber. “I warned her.” Denver seemed unimpressed and continued to run in his direction. Before Berlin had the chance to shoot at him, Denver had worked him to the ground and his fist collided with his jaw. ‘You piece of shit.’ Berlin resisted fiercely, allowing Denver only a few good hits at his face and body. ‘Enough!’ Tokyo crawled upright again and tried to pull Denver off of him with all her strength but it had no effect. ‘Denver stop, she needs you!’ It was Rio screaming over his shoulder to the frantic man. It wasn’t until Helsinki marched towards the two and pulled Denver backwards onto the ground with little effort that the fight stopped. 

‘You need to calm down and help me carry her towards the office space where we stationed Arturo.’ The Serb remained calm and began handing out orders to the other group members. He went into his military mode. ‘You stay the fuck here because if I see you near her again I’ll fucking kill you myself, understood?’ Berlin could only nod irritably when he heard the Serb’s words. ‘Rio and Nairobi, keep a fucking eye on him and if he tries something funny shoot him in the leg.’ ‘Yes sir!’ Nairobi gave him a military salute. ‘Tolyo, Oslo, Moscow stay with the hostages.’ 

Denver quickly crawled back on his feet and ran toward you, still lying on the floor. ‘Baby, come on open your eyes.’ His hands were trembling as he gently placed them on your face. ‘You need to apply pressure where she was shot.’ Rio nodded towards your abdomen, blood flowed down his fingers. ‘Pressure.’ Denver mumbled to himself. As Denver applied pressure onto your stomach, memories of your moments together flooded his mind. The laughter, the shared glances, the intimacy you had discovered amid chaos. Denver, usually calm under pressure, found himself teetering on the edge of despair. ‘Please babe.’

Helsinki sank to his knees next to Rio, pushing his hands away so he could place a makeshift tourniquet onto the gaping hole in your abdomen. ‘Come on sweety let’s get you patched up.’ Denver gently placed you in his arms so he could carry you towards the office space which now served as a makeshift hospital. His heart raced as he carried your limp body, your blood stained his hands, and the gravity of the situation pressed down on him like a heavyweight. Berlin had jeopardised everything, he wasn’t done with him. The heist was already stressful and chaotic since Arturo got shot on the roof. But Denver couldn’t afford to lose you, he was going to do everything in his power to make sure you were going to make it.

‘Do you see the irony of it?’ Helsinki mumbled to him as they placed her body on a table next to Arturo. ‘She was supposed to patch us up, not the other way around.’ Denver gently stroked your hair; he was afraid you were going to break under his touch. ‘I swear to god that I’ll kill Berlin for this. The bastard.’ His eyes became watery and he blinked a few times so his vision was no longer blurred. Helsinki patted him on the back. ‘Come on, your girl needs you.’ A shaky sigh left his lips. ‘Okay, what do you need from me?’ Helsinki listed a series of materials he needed.  In the confined space, he sought any medical supplies he could find. Realizing quickly that they didn’t have everything they needed. Helsinki tried his best to stabilize the girl he learned to love as a sister. ‘We’re going to do everything we can bro.’ Denver just nodded, he already knew what he was going to do. 

Denver’s eyes were fixed on the makeshift hospital room, where Helsinki worked tirelessly to stabilize you. The urgency in the air was palpable, heightened by the earlier chaos of Arturo getting shot on the roof and of Berlin shooting you out of nowhere. Denver’s mind raced, a plan forming like a storm in his thoughts.

As Helsinki barked orders for supplies, Denver’s gaze shifted to the entrance of the Royal Mint. The deal with the police had brought surgeons to attend to Arturo, but Denver couldn’t let them focus solely on him. He had to make a bold move to ensure the surgeons would save you first.

Without a second thought, Denver bolted from the room, gun drawn, his heart pounding in his chest. He reached the entrance hall where the surgeons were setting up to attend to Arturo. Determination etched on his face, Denver intercepted the lead surgeon, a middle-aged man in a white coat. ‘Listen, you’re not working on Arturo first,’ Denver declared, his voice low and intense as he pressed the gun against the doctor’s temple. Nairobi gasped for air as she saw his move. ‘Denver, what the fuck are you doing?’. ‘She’s dying! I cannot let her die, I won’t let her die!’ Tears were welling up in his eyes again. The surgeon, taken aback, stammered, ‘But we’re here to help the hostages, that’s the deal with the police.’ Rio cautiously approached his friend. ‘Bro, think this through. We must be careful here, they are just aid workers doing their jobs.’ Denver shook his head. ‘No, they’re helping her first. Then they can help him.’ Rio raised his hands in surrender. ‘Okay, okay. I’ll go and get her here. Stay calm.’ Denver’s eyes bore into the surgeon’s around the table. “You’re going to help her first,” he pointed back toward the makeshift hospital. ‘She’s dying, and she doesn’t have time to wait for your bureaucratic protocols. Do you understand?!’

The surgeons hesitated, caught between the demand and their professional obligations. Denver, fueled by desperation and love, leaned in closer. ‘If you don’t help her, you’ll have a bloodbath on your hands. I’ll fucking kill them all.’ There was a tense moment of silence, and then they nodded, realizing the severity of the situation. Denver led him back to the room where Helsinki was working. The surgeon assessed the situation quickly, understanding the gravity of your condition.

‘Alright,’ the surgeon said, taking charge. "Hook her up to the monitor and prep a sterile field for the equipment. Now, someone assist me.’. Denver, feeling a mix of relief and determination, jumped in to assist. The room buzzed with urgency as the surgeon and the makeshift medical team worked together. Denver stole glances at you, hoping against hope that the medical intervention would be enough to save you.

As the surgeons worked to stabilise you, Denver couldn’t shake off the guilt and anger toward Berlin. He vowed silently to make the older gangster pay for what he had done. The heist had taken an even darker turn, and Denver was willing to break any rule, defy any expectation, to ensure the woman he loved would survive.

‘Clamp!’ The surgeon ordered his colleagues as he poked at you with tweezers. 'I can see the bullet, wait I-’ A clanging sound resounded as the bullet fell into the metal dish. Denver breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the metal ball on the table. ‘Needle and thread, I have to be quick.’. With determination, he began suturing the wound. 'Give her a bag of O- too, she’s going to need it.’ Denver watched with wide eyes as they hooked you up to an IV so you could get enough blood again. "Are you sure she can get O-? The surgeon nodded. 'Universal donor.’ ’ He muttered as he tied the last loop. ‘This is all we can do for her inside here, if you let her go outside with us we can guarantee her safety.’ Denver immediately shook his head. 'No, no if she goes out, she’ll get at least 30 years in prison. Is she stable?’ The surgeon nodded. 'Then she stays here.’

Helsinki moved the table you were lying on to the corner of the room. Denver followed on your heels. As soon as the Serbian led the surgeons toward Arturo, he sank down on his knees. 'We should have left while we still had the chance. I knew it. He dropped the weapon beside him and grasped his hair desperately. ‘You’re going to be okay, you have to be okay. I’m not walking out of here without you’.

You could hear what Denver was saying to you but you weren’t able to respond, you were in a strange twilight zone. You weren’t awake but you weren’t unconscious either, you had felt all the pain, it was burning. It was a strange state you were in.

Denver stormed down the stairs straight to the entrance hall with an assault rifle in hand. ‘Denv-’ Tokyo tried to reason with him but it was to no avail. He put his Dali mask back on and pointed the rifle at Berlin’s face who was sitting on the ground near the hostages. ‘Get up.’ A cocky grin appeared on his lips. ‘What didn’t your girl make it?’ Denver was seeing red. ‘I’m going to ask you one more time and if you don’t listen I’ll blow your brains out.’ He raised his hands in surrender and stood up. He didn’t want to risk it to see if he was bluffing or not. ‘Towards the entrance.’ Denver pointed his gun towards the massive door that was shielding them from the outside. ‘You’re kidding?’ He shook his head. ‘Rio, go open the fucking door.’ Rio didn’t waste a second and ran towards his computer. ‘Everyone up, masks on and weapons at the ready!’ Tokyo yelled towards the hostages. They all obeyed and stood in a V-shape behind Denver, all their weapons pointed at Berlin. Nairobi casually walked toward him and pulled the Dali mask from his hands. ‘Didn’t think so.’ She took her place next to Rio at the door. ‘Rio, now!’. 

Before anyone could object, the young man opened the doors. 'Drive him out. The crowd stepped forward evenly with their weapons drawn so Berlin had no choice but to walk out of the bank.  ‘Adios bastard!’ Nairobi shouted. The police did not understand what was happening, one of them was thrown out of the bank. Without a mask. Within seconds they had his name: Andrés de Fonollosa. The special units marched forward and charged him. His hands were harshly held behind his back and they dragged him into the interrogation tent. As Berlin looked over his shoulder one last time, Denver raised his middle finger at him. One last sign of envy. 

Rio closed the doors before the police fully realized what just happened. When they were fully closed, Tokyo pulled off her mask. 'The professor is going to kill you. How are we ever supposed to get out of here alive?’ 'Calm down, we’ll find a solution to it. Besides, I don’t think I was the only one who wanted him out.’ Denver looked at the other gang members. Rio and Nairobi nodded in agreement; the others shrugged. 'He was just there to perform fear on the hostage takers, he had no real job. I’ll take over his duties. We’ll get out of here, with the money as agreed. Promise.’ Tokyo wearily stroked a hand through her hair. 'I hope you’re right Denver.’

Three days had passed and you still hadn’t awakened. The gang members had planned out a rotation so there was always someone sitting by your side. It was Denver’s turn. He held your hand and absently stroked your knuckles with his thumb. 'We haven’t discussed where we would go when we walk out of here.’ He muttered more to himself than to you. ‘I thought we were going to live on a remote island and party on the beach every night?’ Your voice was hoarse and your throat hurt from days of not speaking. ‘What happened?’ You tried to sit up but a hellish twinge of pain stopped you. Your face twisted in pain. Denver was in shock. ‘You’re awake,’ he muttered to himself, ‘you’re alive.’ He gently pushed you down so that you were back on the table. 'No, don’t move too much. Berlin shot you. Don’t worry I made him pay.’ Confusion was on your face. 'How long was I out for?’ Denver gently stroked hair out of your face. 'Three days, we leave in two hours.’ He stroked a strand of hair behind your ear. 'I’d never have left you behind, Helsinki and I made a stretcher.’ 'What happened to Berlin?’ Denver chuckled irritably, an angry expression crossed his face.  'We handed him over to the police. He crossed the line, we’re a team and he betrayed you.'  Flashes of Berlin forcing a woman into sexual acts moved before your eyes again. 'I couldn’t let him have his way,’ you muttered. 'I know sweetheart, I know.’

You had completely forgotten about the Professor, how would he have reacted? "El Professor? Denver saw the question in your eyes. 'He was angry, but he understood our reaction. We couldn’t trust him anymore.’ You nodded gently, thankfully he wasn’t the most important link you thought to yourself. How could you have been so wrong about someone, he seemed to be a strong leader type when he was just a pervert. 

'Would you like to try standing and walking around a bit?’ You bit the inside of your cheek and nodded. ‘Come on, I’ll help you.’ Denver stood up again and placed a strong arm around your shoulders to gently help you upright so you were in a sitting position. ‘Take a deep breath baby.’ He mumbled when he saw the painful grimace on your face. Air filled your lungs when you did what he said. You resisted the pain and swung your legs over the edge of the table. 'Put your arm around my shoulders so I can support you.’ Obediently, you did as he asked of you and clung to his neck. He gently wrapped one arm around your lower back and the other along the front of your hips. He was careful so he didn’t touch the gunshot wound. ‘On three, one, two, three.’ You got to your feet. It was a strange feeling, they felt very heavy but that was probably because you had been lying on an uncomfortable table for three days. Everything was a little stiff. Cautiously taking some steps, Denver did not leave your side afraid you would fall. ‘And?’ His voice was hoarse. ‘I’m a bit sore and not the good kind.’ His laughter roared through the room. 'I can take care of that in a few days when you’re feeling better.’ Blood rushed to your cheeks. 'Don’t be so vulgar.’ Before he could object, the office door flew open and Helsinki walked in. ‘You’re awake?’ A grin spread across his lips. ‘You’re awake!’ The Serb walked toward you but Denver raised his hand protectively. 'Gunshot wound and haven’t been awake for three days, be careful big boy.’ Helsinki rolled his eyes before gently wrapping his arms around your frame. 'Oh I am so glad you’re okay. I hadn’t doubted my ability for a moment but still.’ You laughed softly. ‘Thank you, I owe you my life.’ He shook his head. 'Well, I did a lot but if Denver hadn’t obliged the surgeons for Arturo to help you I don’t think we would be standing here now.’ You looked at Denver with a raised eyebrow. He had a sheepish expression on his face. ‘I might have held them at gunpoint until they agreed to operate on you,’ he admitted. Your mouth fell open in astonishment. ‘Dude, they’re EMT’s. You gotta show them some respect.’ He nodded. ‘I know, but I was panicking, and we couldn’t do everything because we didn’t have the right equipment. They were our only option. Your only option.’ You nodded. ‘Bring me to the others so we can leave here as soon as possible, please.’ The three of you walked towards the large entrance hall where everyone had gathered. ‘Havana!’ Nairobi exclaimed upon seeing you coming down the stairs. Tokyo and Rio turned around when they heard her scream. Moscow winked at his son, who couldn’t contain a grin. ‘Sorry I couldn’t help more,’ you mumbled as you stood among the others. Everyone expressed relief that you had pulled through and assured you that everything was going smoothly. ‘We’re leaving in 30 minutes.’ Helsinki announced. Everyone nodded. ‘Let’s do this.’ 

2 months later 

The two of you lay side by side on the sun-soaked sands of the deserted island, the rhythmic sound of gentle waves providing a soothing backdrop. With the golden sun kissing your skin, you took turns applying sunscreen, laughter dancing in the air as you playfully teased each other. ‘Give me a kiss.’ It wasn’t a question, he ordered you but you didn’t mind. You crawled towards him and straddled his lap, one knee on each side of him. ‘Told you we would end up on an island.’ You mumbled before you pressed your lips softly on his. He hummed in agreement. You placed your arms loosely around his neck and his hands slowly crept up. First over your thighs until they found a spot above the edge of your bikini bottoms. You leaned back a little so you could look at him. 'I could do this forever. Just the two of us on a deserted island.’ He nodded in agreement. ‘I assumed this was forever from now.’ He had that boyish grin on his face that you loved so much. ‘If we’re really going to do this, then-’ You didn’t finish your sentence and kissed him again, more intensely than before. You fought for dominance as your tongues swirled around each other. He didn’t just give in. His hands moved a little higher and he played with the string of your bikini top. Tired of his wait-and-see attitude, you untied the string yourself, followed by the string at your neck, causing the top to fall between you. 'I thought you promised me I was going to be sore? Or am I remembering that wrong?’ He didn’t wait a second and pushed you back into the sand. His lips found the pulse point on your neck. He sucked it gently until the stinging sensation earned a moan from you, then soothed it with his tongue. 'Havana you drive me crazy.’ he mumbled against your neck. ‘Call me y/n, please call me y/n.’ He was stunned for a few seconds and pushed himself up on his arms so he could look at you. ‘Y/n’ he mumbled, a grin appearing on his face. ‘My actual name is Daniel, but everyone calls me Dani.’ You smiled back as you repeated his name. ‘That’s easier to scream when I’m fucking you.’ You laughed out loud. ‘I hope that’s a promise.’  Instead of answering, he pressed his lips hungrily to yours again.

[beardedmrbean]

In early September, the daily Iltalehti opened an election compass on the US presidential election – a series of 12 policy position statements that readers could agree or disagree with to see which of the two candidates most closely align with their own views.

The question presented on the war in Ukraine asked whether the US should focus its policy on continuing armed support for Ukraine or on pursuing a quick peace.

Tallying up the results to date, the paper reported on Thursday that the difference between answers from tens of thousands of respondents was very slight, but a tiny majority (50.83%) of respondents were in favour of pursuing a quick path to peace, a policy espoused by the Republican candidate Donald Trump.

Iltalehti points out that pressuring Ukraine to come to the negotiating table has been seen, at least among Ukrainians, as supporting Russia's aims.

Although opinion polls in the US are extremely even at the moment, a substantial majority of respondents to Iltalehti's poll, just under 85 percent, favoured the election of Democrat (current Vice President) Kamala Harris.

Three-quarters of respondents to a poll published earlier this week by business lobby Eva said that if it was possible, they'd vote for the Democrat candidate in next week's US presidential election, while just one in ten said they would opt for her Republican rival.

Continuing guaranteed care

More than half of Finland's welfare regions plan to continue offering the current primary care guarantee, even though the law will no longer require it from the beginning of next year.

In a survey carried out by the Uutissuomalainen news group, 14 of the wellbeing services counties that provide healthcare and social services in Finland, said they aim to continue to guarantee residents access to non-urgent primary healthcare within a maximum time period of two weeks.

The regions pledging to continue providing the guarantee were those in West-Uusimaa, East-Uusimaa, Vantaa and Kerava, Pirkanmaa, Päijät-Häme, Kainuu, Kymenlaakso, South Karelia, South Savo, North Savo, Central Finland, Ostrobothnia, Lapland and Southwest Finland.

In contrast, in Satakunta and Kanta-Häme, it is estimated that general access to primary care will take longer. Similarly, the City of Helsinki reported that its target is to guarantee access to non-emergency care within 30 days.

Officials in Central Uusimaa, North Ostrobothnia and North Karelia, responded that service levels cannot be determined until next year's budgets are drawn up. The welfare region covering South Ostrobothnia did not take a clear position on whether or not it will continue to provide a care guarantee.

The wellbeing services county of Central Ostrobothnia did not respond to the survey.

Two notes, not one

Ilta-Sanomat carries an STT report that the Russian Embassy in Finland has sent two diplomatic notes to the Finnish Foreign Ministry regarding the confiscation of Russian state property in Finland, rather than the one first reported on Tuesday.

Mikko Kivikoski, Deputy Head of the Foreign Ministry's Department for Asia and Oceania, says that the notes were delivered on Monday and Tuesday. In addition, the Russian Embassy has been in contact with the Foreign Ministry by phone.

On Wednesday, Russia summoned the Finnish Ambassador to Russia, Marja Liivala, for talks in Moscow concerning the seizure of Russian state property in Finland.

According to Kivikoski, Russia raised the same issues in those talks as the Russian Embassy in Finland had previously raised with the Finnish Foreign Ministry and Finland's National Enforcement Authority.

"They have asked for more information about the National Enforcement Authority's actions and presented the protest, which they have also raised publicly in their press releases," Kivikoski told STT.

Hedgehogs under threat

Maaseudun Tulevaisuus tells readers that the global population of hedgehogs, those cute prickly little garden visitors, has declined dramatically and may soon become an endangered species.

The decline in their numbers is due to the deterioration of the their habitats, according to new a report by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The paper quotes University researcher Mervi Kunnasranta of the University of Eastern Finland as saying that no precise information available on the number of hedgehogs in Finland. However, reported road fatalities of hedgehogs and observations of hedgehog numbers by hobbyists suggest that their numbers have also sharply declined in Finland.

According to the IUCN report, hedgehog populations have declined in half of the countries where the animals live. Numbers are estimated to have fallen by between 16 and 33 percent over the last ten years.

The fall is the result of habitats being degraded in particular by intensive farming and increased construction.

The hedgehog is a protected species in Finland. The deliberate disturbance, capture or killing of protected animals and interference with nests, dens and eggs of affected species is a criminal offence.

"Miserable driving"

Snow and sleet, sleet and even "a decent snowstorm" are in the forecast for the rest of the week in Finland, points out Iltalehti.

Snowfall is expected especially in the north and central parts of the country, but may also occur in some areas in the south.

The paper describes potential driving conditions are "miserable" for the rest of the week. The traffic management agency Fintraffic has issued a reminder to those setting out on the roads to be aware of the slippery conditions.

"It is a good idea to change to winter tyres at as soon as possible, and to allow more time than normal for travel. Remember to maintain sufficient safety distances on the road to avoid rear-end collisions," says Sanna Piilinen, Head of Fintraffic's Road Traffic Centre.

[williamkergroach55]

Transnistria, NATO's new war

NATO opens a new front against Russian interests in Transnistria. Since 1991, Transnistria has been a self-proclaimed independent state of Moldova, a European country landlocked between Romania and Ukraine. Transnistria is a flashpoint between Moldova and the Russian Federation. Fighting groups made up of Western mercenaries and Ukrainians have been launching attacks against the Moscow-backed Transnistrian authorities since May 2022.

Before becoming President of Transnistria, Vadim Krasnoselsky held several positions in the regional administration. He worked in the field of economics and was a member of the Transnistrian parliament. In 2016, he won the Transnistrian presidential elections, succeeding Yevgeny Shevchuk. As head of Transnistria, Krasnoselsky was involved in negotiations with Moldova concerning the region's political and territorial status. Today, Krasnoselsky points the finger at the stalled negotiations involving Moldova (opposed to Transnistria's secession), Transnistria, Russia, Ukraine and the OSCE. The OSCE, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, is an international organization working for security and stability in Europe. Founded in 1975 under the Helsinki Accords, the OSCE currently has 57 member states, covering a vast territory from North America to Central Asia.

Russian peacekeeping force against NATO sabotage groups

An international peacekeeping force is currently deployed in the region. This force is made up of Russian, Moldovan and Transnistrian troops. Ukraine has withdrawn its peacekeeping troops since the Russian military operation of February 2022. Kiev is now sending clandestine combat groups to carry out sabotage operations, in the hope of opening up a new front. Indeed, there are reports of sabotage groups operating in Moldova, made up of Ukrainian citizens and Western mercenaries. These groups engage in terrorist acts and sabotage of military installations in the Transnistrian region, adding to tensions in this region where supporters and opponents of secession are pitted against each other.

Terrorist attacks since May 2022

Since May 2022, Transnistria has been the scene of a series of terrorist attacks, targeting government and military buildings. These attacks are obviously intended to destabilize the region and open up a new front against Russia, following NATO's defeat in Ukraine.

Contact: worldnewsdigest@protonmail.com Source : https://sputnikglobe.com/20240224/transnistria-may-face-conflict-escalation-risk-amid-negotiation-process-stagnation-1116949248.html

[mariacallous]

As the former chairman of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee and during more than 30 years in the House of Representatives, I closely followed United States policy toward the Balkans and have been pleased by Washington’s support for democracy, the rule of law, and anti-corruption efforts there. But although I generally back what President Joe Biden’s administration is doing at home and abroad, I have concerns with the State Department’s handling of the ongoing dispute between Kosovo and Serbia.

The United States and most of Europe recognized the Republic of Kosovo in 2008, when the small country declared independence from Serbia. Less than a decade earlier, the United States and NATO halted former Yugoslav strongman Slobodan Milosevic’s vicious ethnic cleansing of Kosovo’s ethnic Albanian population. It was a major foreign-policy success for the West, and it was followed by years of robust U.S. support for Kosovo. But since then, Serbia and Russia have blocked Kosovo’s effort to join the United Nations and gain full recognition around the world, and the U.S. State Department has recently seemed less willing to support Kosovo’s exertion of sovereignty throughout its own territory.

Within the past year, Kosovo has sought to carry out the normal functions of government within its borders only to be faced with condemnation and even punishment by the United States. When Kosovo tried to have all of its citizens, including ethnic Serbs in the north, use its license plates rather than those of Serbia, the State Department firmly criticized Kosovo. When Kosovo sought to have duly elected mayors, who happened to be ethnic Albanian because ethnic Serbs boycotted the vote, begin work in their northern Kosovo offices—a basic and normal function of a democratic government—U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken “strongly condemned” the young republic and slapped punishments on the country.

Did Washington condemn Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic for pressuring Kosovo Serbs to boycott the election? No. Did it condemn the small group of Serbs who attacked NATO’s Kosovo Force, wounding 30 peacekeepers? Barely—it condemned the violence but did not call out the attackers. Did it condemn Serbia for stoking ethnic Serb citizens of northern Kosovo to aggressively reject using license plates of the country where they live? No. Has it condemned Serbia’s actions against ethnic Albanians in south Serbia, which, according to the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Serbia, amount to “ethnic cleansing through administrative means”? Again, barely, if at all.

I have reluctantly reached the conclusion that in the dispute between Kosovo and Serbia, Washington has been appeasing a semi-autocratic bully—Vucic—and has become a bit of a bully itself, pushing around and intimidating the smaller, more vulnerable Kosovo. It’s behavior that’s beneath the United States, and it’s time to reset the approach.

Serbia has been drifting away from democracy and the West ever since Vucic’s Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) came to power in Belgrade more than a decade ago. According to Freedom House, a nongovernmental organization that tracks human rights and civil liberties around the world, the ruling SNS “has steadily eroded political rights and civil liberties, putting pressure on independent media, the political opposition, and civil society organizations.” In addition, the U.S. Defense Department reported in 2019 that “[f]ollowing Serbia’s 2012 election, the SNS took steps to increase its military relationship with Russia.” Since then, the Moscow-Belgrade connection has persisted. Indeed, Serbia has still not imposed sanctions on Russia for invading Ukraine—which every other country in Europe (except Belarus) has done.

So what’s going on? Why is the United States so quick to condemn Kosovo and so averse to calling out Serbia? And how do we end this downward spiral and restore some good sense to U.S. policy?

I believe that in light of the war in Ukraine, Washington’s desire for stability in the Balkans has overtaken its support for democracy, the rule of law, and anti-corruption. The U.S. president deserves enormous credit for how his administration is leading the West in support of Ukraine. But his fervent desire to maintain stability in Europe has skewed his administration’s view of the long-standing conflict between Serbia and Kosovo. Washington is now placating Vucic in an attempt to tamp down his incendiary tendencies.

Of course, the United States wants to see both Serbia and Kosovo join the key Euro-Atlantic institutions, including the European Union and NATO, as peaceful and democratic states. But right now, the Biden administration should be backing Kosovo as it strengthens its democracy and consolidates sovereignty. Instead, its blocking Pristina out of fear that semi-autocratic Belgrade could stoke nationalist flames and set fire to the powder keg it has cultivated in northern Kosovo.

U.S. diplomats argue that if only Kosovo would implement the Association of Serb Majority Municipalities (ASMM)—a proposed community association with some ability to coordinate local activities—in its north, then all could move forward. Yes, Kosovo promised to set up the ASMM in the 2013 Brussels Agreement, and it should do so. But the ASMM won’t solve the basic problem—Serbia’s aggressive opposition to an independent Kosovo—which is only bolstered as Washington indulges Vucic’s misdeeds. At the end of the day, whether the ASMM is created, the same parties will have the same interests and will pull the same levers to achieve the same goals. And Vucic will keep stoking separatism and inciting violence.

Of course, it’s good that the United States and the European Union have been trying to advance normalization between Serbia and Kosovo through the EU-facilitated dialogue. Still, normalization means rather different things to each side.

In the meantime, appeasement of Serbia is not working, and it’s time to change course. The Biden administration took the first step in that direction last week, when the Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Serbia’s spy chief, Aleksandar Vulin, for having “advanced corruption … including involvement in a drug trafficking ring” and using “his public positions to support Russia, facilitating Russia’s malign activities that degrade the security and stability of the Western Balkans.” But those activities have been going on across the Serbian government for years, and it’s time to make a real break with the past.

The United States needs to support democracy, the rule of law, and the free press, as well as oppose corruption. Those features are in decline in Serbia, but they are in the ascendance in Kosovo. I urge the Biden administration to return to basics: Refocus on U.S. values and stop bullying Kosovo. And it needs to rebalance its policy in the Balkans to support those who embrace those priorities and stand up to those who don’t.

[libertariantaoist]

News Roundup 8/14/2023 | The Libertarian Institute

Here is your daily roundup of today's news:

News Roundup 8/14/2023

by Kyle Anzalone

US News

On Thursday, government lawyers went to court to defend federal meddling in content moderation decisions on social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook. AWC

Russia

Delays have caused the North Atlantic alliance to push back the expected arrival of F-16s in Ukraine until next summer. AWC

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that he was firing dozens of officials responsible for overseeing military recruitment in each region of the country. The leader claimed the officials were engaging in “revolting” abuses of power. AWC

The White House on Thursday asked Congress to approve a $40 billion bill that includes nearly $24 billion for additional spending on the war in Ukraine. AWC

According to the Washington Post, many citizens of Ukraine are adopting a darker mood about the war with Russia, and national unity is beginning to fray. The change in sentiment comes as Kiev’s spring counteroffensive fails to retake significant territory despite surging casualties. The Institute

Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said Thursday that Warsaw plans to deploy 10,000 troops to its border with Belarus as part of a buildup that began after Wagner fighters traveled to Belarus. AWC

Washington and Helsinki are working on a new deal to govern the military relationship between the two nations. Finland recently became the thirty-first member of NATO, doubling the alliance’s border with Russia. AWC

Moscow says Ukrainian forces have launched several drone attacks over the past week targeting Moscow and Crimea. After the sensitive Kertch bridge was targeted, the Kremlin denounced the strikes as “terror attacks” and vowed a response. AWC

Kyiv is now appealing to its allies for more demining equipment. Ukrainians assigned to be deminers – known as sappers have taken heavy losses in the counter offensive. AWC

Middle East

The US and Iran have reached a deal that will free five Americans in exchange for the US releasing some Iranians and granting Tehran limited access to $6 billion in frozen Iranian funds, The New York Times reported Thursday. AWC

Per Syrian state media, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani condemned a Friday Islamic State attack on a Syrian military bus (other sources claim the target consisted of two trucks), which resulted in the deaths of at least 20 government soldiers. AWC

Niger

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Thursday ordered the activation and deployment of a reserve force to “restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger” while also saying it would seek peaceful means to restore Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum. AWC

The Associated Press reported Thursday that the Niger junta told Acting Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland that they would kill deposed President Mohamed Bazoum if neighboring countries launched a military intervention to reinstate him. AWC

A delegation of Nigerian Islamic scholars traveled to Niamey for meetings with the leaders of the military junta who took power last month. The group says the coup leaders expressed an openness to diplomacy, Reuters reported on Sunday. However, this account has been sharply contradicted by a media spokesperson representing the junta who claimed negotiations with regional countries are impossible unless Niger’s new leadership is recognized. AWC

Read More

[head-post]

New law comes into force to stop migrants at Russia border

A controversial law allowing Finland to reject asylum seekers on its eastern border with Russia came into force on Monday, despite widespread criticism from human rights organisations who said it violates international migration law and sets a dangerous precedent, POLITICO reports.

The new law, proposed by the right-wing government and passed overwhelmingly by lawmakers, is aimed at combating what Prime Minister Petteri Orpo called Russia’s “weaponisation” of migration.

Finnish authorities have said they are facing an increase in asylum seekers from the Middle East and Africa and accuse Moscow of encouraging the influx, which the Kremlin has repeatedly denied. In April, Finland indefinitely closed its 1,340-kilometre border with Russia. The Finnish interior ministry told POLITICO:

Instrumentalised migration is one way that Russia can put pressure on and affect the security and social stability of Finland and the EU. This new act prepares Finland for the possibility that Russia may continue to exert pressure for a long time and in more serious and larger-scale ways.

The Deportation in Case of National Emergency Act would allow a temporary exception to the constitution under which border guards could block asylum seekers from entering the country and deny them the right to appeal.

Human rights groups have criticised the deportation bill, saying it contradicts the Finnish constitution, Helsinki’s international obligations and EU law. Pia Lindfors, director of the Finnish Refugee Advice Center, told POLITICO:

The rule of law in Finland has been shaken.

Read more HERE

[torillatavataan]

A tribunal in The Hague in April 2023 ordered Russia to pay Naftogaz $4.22 billion plus interest and legal costs to compensate for assets it seized in Crimea, but Moscow has not done so. Naftogaz has been pursuing legal action against Russia since 2016 to seek compensation for Moscow's expropriation of Naftogaz property when Russia annexed Crimea in 2014.

The District Court of Helsinki on Aug. 13 ordered Russian Federation assets in Finland worth up to $4.25 billion to be confiscated to secure Naftogaz Group's receivables. Finland's National Enforcement Authority said it had executed the court order by confiscating and freezing Russian assets, without immediately providing detail on the assets.

Full article by Reuters

Finland seizes Russian state-owned property

Finland's National Enforcement Authority has begun seizing properties in Helsinki that belong to the Russian state. The agency operates under the remit of the Justice Ministry and is responsible for undertaking the state's statutory enforcement duties.

The seizure of the property is related to compensation claims made by the Ukrainian state-owned gas firm Naftogaz. Naftogaz has demanded more than five billion euros in compensation from Russia following the Kremlin's invasion of Crimea in 2014 and the firm's subsequent loss of gas reserves, pipelines, and warehouses in the Crimea region.

Full article by YLE

According to Helsingin Sanomat, 44 properties have been seized, most of them located in Helsinki. The seized properties include the Russian Centre of Science and Culture, an office building, four waterfront properties, and several limited liability housing shares.

According to Iltalehti, in Finland, Naftogaz are represented HPP Attorneys, pro bono.

"This is something that we feel is important and we want to play our part in helping Ukraine. We felt that this is a meaningful way for us to help."

Images via Iltalehti

[thxnews]

Global Outcry: Russia's Human Rights Violations

  A Year After Moscow Mechanism Report, Human Rights Situation Worsens

Clear Link Between Repression and Aggression In a united front, 47 participating states, including Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, and more, have come together to issue a resounding condemnation of Russia's ongoing human rights violations and military aggression. This joint speech, delivered in Vienna on behalf of these nations, highlights the alarming situation in Russia and its repercussions not only within its borders but also on the international stage.  

Moscow Mechanism Report Echoes Today's Reality

One year ago, a report released under the Moscow Mechanism on September 22, 2022, revealed a disturbing connection between Russia's internal repression of human rights and its external aggression. The report stated that the Russian elite believed that to initiate a war with another nation, they must ensure there was no internal dissent. This belief led to severe restrictions on fundamental freedoms.   Escalating Aggression and Repression Sadly, today, Professor Nußberger's report remains shockingly relevant. Russia's aggression against Ukraine persists, and the human rights situation within Russia has deteriorated further. The Russian government continues to systematically curtail human rights and suppress civic space by cracking down on independent media, harassing lawyers, and imprisoning civic activists and human rights defenders. Notable organizations, such as Memorial, Moscow Helsinki Group, and the Sakharov Center, have been forced to close their doors.   A Generalized Repression The wave of repression is widespread, affecting anyone who dares to express dissent. While specific groups like ethnic and religious minorities, journalists, and opposition politicians were previously targets, the oppression has now become a generalized phenomenon. Authorities subject citizens who exercise their right to freedom of expression or peaceful assembly to unjust and arbitrary sentences under restrictive penal codes.  

Voices of Dissent Persist

Despite the increasing repression, some individuals in Russia continue to stand up against the Kremlin's authoritarian regime. However, their efforts are met with severe punishment. Prominent figures like Vladimir Kara-Murza (sentenced to 25 years), Alexey Navalny (sentenced to 19 years), Ilya Yashin (sentenced to 8.5 years), and many more face imprisonment for merely expressing their opinions contrary to government propaganda.   Orwellian Dystopia Unfolding The situation in Russia is rapidly approaching an Orwellian dystopia. Citizens face suppression and persecution for daring to voice their opinions, challenging government narratives, and advocating for change.  

Memorial Report Sheds Light on Repression

In August of this year, Memorial, a 2022 Nobel Peace Prize laureate and a prominent human rights organization, published a 200-page report on political repression in Russia in 2022. This report paints a grim picture of continuing repression and confirms the trends outlined in Prof. Nußberger's report. It highlights that Russian laws frequently contradict the rule of law and serve as a pretext for targeting opposition voices.   OSCE and International Appeal The joint statement concludes with a strong appeal to Russia to honor its international commitments and obligations regarding human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as OSCE principles and commitments. The coalition calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners.   OSCE's Role in Promoting Human Rights Furthermore, the participating states call on the OSCE to prioritize addressing critical human rights and fundamental freedom issues within Russia. They emphasize that these issues not only threaten democratic stability but also peace and security across the OSCE region and could have unpredictable consequences at national and international levels.   A Reminder of the Helsinki Final Act The statement serves as a reminder of the Helsinki Final Act of 1975, which underscores the universal significance of human rights and fundamental freedoms as essential factors for peace, justice, and well-being. The coalition pledges to support civil society actors whose work aligns with the values on which the OSCE was founded, reaffirming their commitment to defend these fundamental principles.   Sources: THX News, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office & Irish Ambassador Anne-Marie Callagan. Read the full article

[unfogging]

Karinna Moskalenko: "Vogliono costringere gli avvocati russi a fare la spia sui propri clienti e tra di loro"

A rischio il diritto costituzionalmente garantito alla difesa e i principi fondamentali delle Nazioni Unite sulla professione forense. #humanrights #dirittiumani #prigionieripolitici

Karinna Moskalenko è un avvocato russo per i diritti umani che nel 2001 è diventato il primo a perorare, con successo, una causa contro la Federazione Russa presso la Corte europea dei diritti dell’Uomo. Dal 1999 è membro del Moscow Helsinki Group.  Cosa c’è che non va nell’Information System of the Russian Bar e perché tendo a vederlo come un “campo di concentramento digitale”. Alcuni pensano…

[humanrightsupdates]

Russia: Human Rights Defender Oleg Orlov faces criminal charges on “discreditation of the Russian army”

On 21 March 2023, Russian law enforcement authorities launched a criminal case against human rights defender Oleg Orlov for repeated “public actions aimed at discrediting the use of Russian Federation armed forces to protect the interests of the Russian Federation” a criminal offence, envisioned by the Article 280.3, Part 1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. The latest targetting of the human rights defender is in relation to his Facebook post from November 2022. The maximum penalty for a repeated offence is a prison sentence up to 3 years. The authorities placed the human rights defender under a travel restriction for unidentified period of time.

Oleg Orlov is a human rights defender and council member of Human Rights Defence Centre “Memorial” (HRDC “Memorial”) that was established after the Russian authorities shut down Human Rights Centre “Memorial.” The human rights defender is also the head of the HRDC "Memorial" "Hot Spots" programme, that was established by the Human Rights Centre “Memorial” in 1990, which works in zones of mass conflict that may escalate into armed conflict, as well as in post-conflict situations, researching the observance of human rights and international humanitarian law. In 2009, he was awarded the Sakharov Prize in the category of “For Freedom of Thought” and in 2012, the award of the Moscow Helsinki Group in the category “For historical contribution into the protection of human rights and human rights movement.”

On 23 March 2023 at approximately 7am Moscow time, Oleg Orlov’s apartment was raided by law enforcement, and he was brought in for questioning. The raids and questionings are sanctioned in the framework of an investigation against “unidentified staff members” of “Memorial” – concerning the “revival of Nazism” a criminal offence envisioned under Article 354.1 Part 2.B of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. At least eight other former representatives of International “Memorial” and Human Rights Centre “Memorial” were targeted with raids and questionings. During the raid, the law enforcement authorities seized Oleg Orlov’s laptop, 3 hard drives, a number of falsh drives, a phone, “Memorial” branded stickers, a pin badge with “No War” sign, and a book on Crimes committed during the first Chechen War.

On the same day, after the raid, the representatives of the Investigative Committee brought human rights defender Oleg Orlov the Investigative Department in the Tverskoy District in Moscow. Russian law enforcement authorities launched a criminal case against human rights defender Oleg Orlov for repeated “public actions aimed at discreditation of the use of Russian Federation armed forces to protect the interests of the Russian Federation” a criminal offence envisioned by the Article 280.3, Part 1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. The human rights defender is being charged for his Facebook post dated 14 November 2022, for a translation of an article titled “They Wanted Facism – They Got It” published in the French media outlet “Mediapart.” The article discussed Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Oleg Orlov’s colleagues reported that he was released from the interrogation but he will remain a witness in the investigation concerning the “revival of Nazism” – which was the initial reason why he was brought into questioning on 21 March 2023.

The investigation stated that the human rights defender had a “criminal intent” when he published the Facebook post. Moreover, according to the study made by the Forensic Expertise Centre (ECC) of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs on 9 December 2022, Oleg Orlov in his Facebook post described the activities of Russian military forces as “related to genocide, killings, destruction of economy and infrastructure” and “directed at existing Constitutional order.” During the questioning, the human rights defender stated that he published his own opinion about the events in the Russian Federation and the world. He refused to provide further details to the investigation, citing Article 51 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, which sets out that no one shall be forced to testify against themselves.

Since the introduction of the discreditation laws, Oleg Orlov has been charged two times. On 30 March 2022, the Tverskoy City Court charged Oleg Orlov with “discreditation” for protesting against the war. The human rights defender held a picket in Moscow city centre with a poster saying “Crazy Putin pushes the world into a nuclear war.” He was convicted on 17 May 2022, after Oleg Orlov appealed it in the Moscow City Court. On 12 May 2022, the Tverskoy City Court once again charged Oleg Orlov with “discreditation” for his anti-war protests; this time the human rights defender was arreasted with a poster saying “USSR 1945 – a country that combated facism. Russia 2022 – a country where facism won.” Oleg Orlov was charged under Article 20.3.3 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Russian Federation. He was officially convicted on 28 June 2022, after Oleg Orlov appealed it in the Moscow City Court.

Front Line Defenders condemns the continued persecution of human rights defender Oleg Orlov, for his peaceful and legitimate human rights work. Front Line Defenders urges that the expansion of the Russian Federation's Criminal Code with a set of articles against “discreditation” and “fakes” against the Russian military fosters censorship in the country and is being disproportionately used to target human rights defenders and journalists.

Front Line Defenders calls upon the Russian authorities to:

Cease all persecution of human rights defender Oleg Orlov for his legitimate and peaceful human rights work;

Repeal the set of Articles of the Criminal Code and the Code of Administrative Offences of the Russian Federattion that are designed to target so-called “discreditation” and “fakes” against the actions of the Russian military as they limit freedom of speech and are being used by the authorities to disproportionately target human rights defenders and journalists;

Cease targeting all human rights defenders in Russia and guarantee in all circumstances that they can carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals.

[college-girl199328]

Gov. Gen. Mary Simon says Canada needs to find a way to continue cross-polar collaboration while holding Russia accountable for its invasion of Ukraine.

“In terms of Indigenous Peoples and research and climate change, these are issues that transcend boundaries, really,” Simon said in an interview following her state visit to Finland.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sent Simon to Helsinki in early February to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Canada and Finland. This was alongside a delegation of Arctic research and government officials.

Finland has been actively seeking closer military ties with other western countries following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

That is until last year, when both Sweden and Finland applied to join NATO, with Canada being the first country to vote in support of both joining the group.

Last October, the Finnish government tweaked the Arctic strategy it had released a year prior, saying that the Ukraine invasion meant that the Cold War was underway.

The report calls for Finland to try to keep a “functioning relationship” with neighbouring Russia on matters like climate change and Indigenous Peoples, but little else.

“There will be no return to the prewar reality,” reads the report's English summary, which urged Finland to examine everything with Russia through a security lens. “Even chaos is possible.”

In an interview, Simon said it's clear Canada will need to still collaborate with people within Russia and all Arctic countries on issues like climate change and Indigenous Peoples.

“Something to do in each of the countries is to figure out how you can continue working together when a terrible war is going on (which is) contradictory to the rules-based international order,” she said.

Before becoming vice-regal, Simon did the heavy lifting on Canada's Arctic and Northern Policy Framework, leading dozens of consultations throughout Northern Canada.

Before that, she was Canada's ambassador to Denmark, a role with a large focus on collaborating with the Inuit of Greenland.

Simon noted that the Far North has generally avoided geopolitical conflicts through the decades, but is facing increasing attention as a venue for resource extraction and shipping routes.

“The Arctic has historically been a region of cooperation. Safety and security challenges have recently emerged as the region's strategic importance grows,” she said.

The tension has been particularly notable at the intergovernmental Arctic Council forum, which has been largely on hiatus since Russia's invasion.

The body, which Simon helped found, coordinates circumpolar research, shipping routes and search-and-rescue services among eight countries as well as Indigenous nations.

But all members except Russia have pulled out and started side projects involving things like fisheries without any input from Moscow.

While in Helsinki, Simon met with Finnish President Sauli Niinist to discuss security and climate change.

Simon then headed up to the Arctic Circle to meet with officials working in education and those representing the Indigenous people of the region, the Sami.

She noted Finland's moves toward truth and reconciliation with the Sami people, which she described as being “at the beginning stages,” while also holding lessons for Canada on engaging Indigenous youth.

Finland's coalition government recently attempted to incorporate an existing Sami legislative assembly as part of the country's governance. However, the legislation collapsed this week over the uncertainty of what role the council would hold.

Simon also said Finland's renowned education system might hold lessons for Canada, in reaching higher graduation levels across the country.

Meanwhile, Simon said she wanted to maintain a frank discussion with Canadians. This is a few weeks after Rideau Hall closed down the comment section of all social media accounts, citing harmful vitriol.

“We support constructive criticism; I've always been very supportive of that. If people don't agree with me, I like to hear about it. But it should be done in a very respectful way; it's critical to do that.”

Simon declined to elaborate on how the comments affected her personally but said her staff had coped for “a long time” with a deluge of inappropriate comments.

“We're not trying to block anything here, but I think it's imperative to realize that we also can't let abuse, harassment and misogyny that is harmful in our space continue.”

[beardedmrbean]

According to Helsingin Sanomat, the government intends to make a decision Thursday on an extension of the closure of crossing points on Finland's eastern border.

If the government does not decide to extend the closure, it will automatically end on 11 February.

The Finnish government has justified the closure of border crossing points on grounds of national security.

The paper writes that Finland's Border Guard estimates that there are still hundreds, perhaps thousands, of third-country nationals on the Russian side, including in St Petersburg, Vyborg, Murmansk, Kostomuksha and Kandalaksha waiting to enter Finland.

Most of those who entered from Russia during the autumn were men aged between 20 and 30 from Syria, Somalia or Yemen. According to the Finnish Immigration Service, no positive asylum decisions have been made in the cases of third-country nationals who have arrived in Finland via the eastern border since the autumn.

Russian response

Ilta-Sanomat reports that Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova again commented on the border situation on Wednesday.

In a statement to the news agency Ria Novosti, Zakharova accused Helsinki of "not wanting to discuss with Moscow the threat allegedly posed to Finland from across the Russian border".

According to Zakharova, Finland is also avoiding direct contact between the two countries' border authorities.

"Helsinki stubbornly refuses to discuss with us the threats allegedly posed to Finland's security from Russia's side of the border", Zakharova told Ria Novosti.

Ilta-Sanomat notes that Finland's Border Guard has said it has held talks with Russian border authorities, for example last month after four people illegally crossed the land border.

Zakharova claimed Finland's decision to close the eastern border was solely due to the "politicised attitude" of the Finnish authorities towards the eastern border.

Dissatisfied with mail-in voting

Sunday's second round of the presidential election will be a problem for Finns voting abroad, especially if the only realistic way to vote is by mail, says Iltalehti.

The paper spoke with Italian resident Marjo Kaislasuo who pointed out that the two weeks between the first and second rounds of the presidential election is not enough time to ensure that a postal vote reaches Finland by the deadline.

She says that letters she sends to Finland can take more than a month to arrive, and that a letter sent from outside Europe can take even longer. Kaislasuo suspects that her first-round ballot paper was lost in the post.

The total number of Finns living abroad who are entitled to vote in these presidential elections is just over 264,000. A total of 42,630 — or 16.1 percent— of all expatriate Finns entitled to vote cast a ballot in the first round of the presidential elections.

This is the best turnout in years, but there is room for improvement. Kaislasuo would now like to see a move to digital voting, at least for Finns living abroad.

Estonia could be taken as a model, where electronic voting has been possible since 2005. In the 2019 Estonian parliamentary elections, up to 43.7 percent of voters cast an e-vote.

Women top men in job market

Last year saw a historic change in the annual employment rate, with the rate for women rising above the rate for men for the first time, according to a report carried by several papers, including Keskisuomalainen.

In 2023, the overall employment rate for people aged 20-64 was 77.9 percent. Last year, 78 percent of women were employed.

The employment rate for women has long been higher in all age groups except for those in the so-called "family transition" age group, 25-44.

Eurostat statistics are not yet available for last year, but in 2022, the employment rate for men was higher than for women in all European countries. Finland had the second smallest difference in employment rates between women and men. Only Lithuania was ahead of Finland. Estonia and Latvia were close behind.

Sweets and traffic jams

Helsingin Uutiset says that it's worth heading into the capital's centre on Thursday afternoon, or then again, maybe not.

It depends on whether you want to see high school students celebrating, or if you want a smooth drive through town.

It is the time of year for a tradition known as "penkkarit" when upper secondary school seniors celebrate the end of formal classes by dressing in costumes, riding through towns and cities in open trucks, throwing sweets to passers-by.

This is happening Thursday 8 February in Helsinki with over 100 trucks and more than 4,000 students in the convoy.

Lasting for about an hour, beginning at 1pm, the string of vehicles will be spaced out to ease interruptions to other traffic.

However, congestion is expected near the route, so Helsingin Uutiset advises avoiding a drive through the citry centre around that time, if possible.

The convoy route will be : Eteläranta-Pohjoisesplanadi-Lönnrotinkatu-Abrahaminkatu-Bulevardi-Eteläesplanadi – Fabianinkatu-Pohjoisesplanadi-Lönnrotinkatu-Abrahaminkatu-Bulevardi-Eteläesplanadi-Eteläranta-Pohjoisesplanadi-Päävartiontori/Meritullintori-Pohjoisranta.

Dress warmly

Ilta-Sanomat says not to forget a heavy coat and a fur hat for the rest of this week.

The Finnish Meteorological Institute has issued a cold temperature warning for the whole country for three days from Thursday to Saturday.

The cold is expected to intensify, with Thursday night and Friday night being the coldest.

"In Lapland, North Ostrobothnia and Kainuu, temperatures of more than minus 30 degrees Celsius will be widespread, " FMI meteorologist on duty Tuukka Keränen told the paper.

In central Finland, the thermometer will hover at minus 20-25 degrees during the day and in the south, minus 15-20 degrees.

"Will the 40-degree mark be broken at a single station? That is also possible but unlikely. Minus 35 degrees is possible in many places," Keränen adds.

[mariacallous]

The Russian Justice Ministry has filed a lawsuit seeking to dissolve the human rights organization Moscow Helsinki Group (MHG), Interfax reported on Tuesday, citing the Moscow City Court.

Eva Merkacheva, a member of Russia's Presidential Council for Human Rights, told Interfax that the suit was filed on a “technicality” after MHG allegedly took part in activities (such as trial monitoring) outside of the Moscow region despite officially being a “Moscow regional organization.”

The NGO also reported the lawsuit on its own website, explaining that:

The Justice Ministry points to the fact that the MHG conducted activities outside of the Moscow region, that the organization’s charter doesn’t match the relevant legislative requirements, and that the full package of required documents weren’t provided during the Justice Ministry’s unscheduled audit.

The ministry considers these violations flagrant and “not correctable by legal means,” according to the MHG website, and considers it necessary to dissolve the organization and ban its activities on Russian territory.

The Moscow Helsinki Group, which was created in 1976, is Russia’s oldest human rights organization. One of its co-founders was famous historian and human rights advocate Lyudmila Alexeyeva, who headed the group from 1996 until her death in 2018.

In 2012, after Russia’s “foreign agents” law was passed, MHG stopped accepting grants from abroad.