Final Word from Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Not since the escape of Russian spy Robert Rachardžo in 2010
have Czech-based Kremlin watchers had so much fun. The Pussy
Riot trial is topping the news, but more pertinent to Czechs is
the feud between political activist Alexey Navalny and Alexander
Bastrykin, who heads the Russian FBI. Navalny labeled Bastrykin a
Czech agent after releasing documents showing he had a
residence permit, company and dwelling in Prague while working
for the Russian state, which would be illegal there. Brian
Whitmore of Radio Free Europe gave one of the best analyses.
For those who read Russian and like Gogolesque comedy,
Bastrykin's interview for Kremlin-friendly Izvestia is worth the
click. Not only does he lie about not having a residence permit
(Czech officials have confirmed he did), but we also learn that
one of Russia's most-powerful men could only afford a 46 sqm
Prague flat, including the glass balcony.[Czech Republic Aleksandr apartment]
Glossary of difficult words
beginnings - the background or origins of something;
Kremlin watcher - a term from the Cold War for a political scientist or analyst who pays special attention to the Russian power structure.