Documentaries @ SBS

Murder by Numbers in Putinland

17 July 2008 | 11:47 - By Documentaries @ SBS

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Tuesday 8th July 8:30pm
A documentary that examines the Putin Administration and the emergence of the Russian Secret Service as a powerful government led force that will not only protect, but if required, silence opposition to the president and his office.

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Eight years after the former KGB officer Vladimir Putin took over as president, Russia has been riddled with a spate of bloody murders and poisonings unlike anything seen since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The documentary looks at the current Russian administration and claims around 60% of its employees have previously worked within military and/or intelligence agencies in the country. As a result many Russians believe that the Secret Service have infiltrated every sector of society much like the KGB had in previous years, only now they are armed with laws that give them the power to legally eliminate anyone the “state deems to be a terrorist inside and outside of Russia”.

However the definition of a terrorist or an extremist act, remains so broad that by twisting the circumstance an individual or group could potentially liquidate the lives of others whilst still operating within the law.

Two Russians believed to be an example of this fatal policy were Anna Politkovskaya, a journalist and human rights activist and expat Alexander Litvinenko, an ex-KGB security officer and author. Both Anna and Alexander fiercely opposed Putin’s regime and publicly questioned the circumstances in which he rose to power in the Kremlin.

The Litvinenko and Politkovskaya families believe that Anna and Alexander were murdered by individuals who were following orders from the Russian government to silence the dissidents. To this day, those responsible for the deaths of the two political activists have not been brought to justice.

Murder by Numbers in Putinland features interviews with Russian journalists, Kremlin advisors, former FSB colonel Mikhail Trepashkin and families who believe they have lost loved ones to a regime determined to rule Russia with an iron fist.

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Comments (4)

31 Jul 2008 11:20 AEST

Nastya

From: Chita

Russian pro-Kremlin media propaganda = best in the world

Propaganda STS? U observe Russian media? Doesn't matter what SBS is, or isn't. All that matters is that Lugovoy is able the disprove the damning evidence that is mounted against him regarding the death of Litvenenko. He would never be able to handle such in the UK, so best he remain a pseudo-politician to maintain an immunity. Russia's leaders should stop playing the "everyone-is-against us" card, media-whipping up national pride, in order to legitimise or get away with anything they want.

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29 Jul 2008 22:01 AEST

Simon

From: Bronte

Dont be naive

Serg & Sam, now whilst economic measures are important to measure part of a country's worth and the prosperity of its people, its exactly the thing a corrupt government want you to focus on rather than it's compromising of human rights and free speech which may threaten its own existence. SBS's report is commendable because it stands up for those poor advocates of free speech murdered by the state.

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29 Jul 2008 15:46 AEST

Serg

From: IKEA

How is Putin Bad if...

Levels of GDP per capita in Moscow are around nearly $30,000USD the same as in many parts of Europe already. GDP per capita in the country as a whole at $14,700 USD per capita but growing at a much faster rate than in Moscow. If everything is stable the GDP per Capita by 2013 is estimated at being 25,000USD.By the end of 2008 Russia will be the third largest economy in Europe, overtaking France and reaching a GDP in PPP terms of over $2 trln. Two years thereafter will overtake U.K

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29 Jul 2008 13:15 AEST

Sam

From: Kangaroo Point

SPS-Special Propoganda Service

Am sick of the Propaganda shown by SBS against Putin and Russia.. I traveled there earlier this year and its completely different to what i see on Television. A huge majority of people are happy and living well. Putin has restored the nation and it appears that when Russia is weak there is no problem but when Russia is strong and rich the Western World spreads Propaganda against it. I am sick of SBS i realize only now how biased this channel is in terms of negativity to Putin and Russia.

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Documentaries portray powerful themes and critically engage with the SBS Charter, a principal function of which is to provide broadcast programs which reflect Australia's wonderfully diverse multicultural society.