Social media groups publishing information about the deaths of Russian soldiers continue to be blocked
posted 2 Oct 2014, 12:13 by Rights in Russia [ updated 2 Oct 2014, 12:21 ]
Freedom of expression Ukraine
Groups on social media providing information about Russian military service personnel killed in Ukraine continue to be blocked, Elena Vasilieva wrote on Facebook on 28 September. Elena Vasilieva is the creator of the group "Cargo 200 from Ukraine to Russia".*
"Attention! Our group in Odnokassniki was blocked today. On grounds of 'severe nationalism'", the activist wrote.
On 23 September the Facebook page "Cargo 200 from Ukraine to Russia" was deleted from the social network, and the account of the creator of the group was temporarily blocked. Later, after a great number of complaints from users and demands to reestablish access to the group, the work of the community was renewed.
Kasparov.ru points out that the information collected by the group, that was also provided by the parents of soldiers who had been killed, was quoted by many media outlets covering events in Ukraine.
The group "Cargo 200 from Ukraine to Russia" published information about Russian military service personnel killed in the east of Ukraine, both conscripts and contract soldiers, whose participation in the military conflict the Russian authorities deny, despite the numerous reports in the media.
* "Cargo 200" [Груз 200] is a military term for the body of a dead soldier being transported.