Post #8570

Opinion | A Russian Billionaire Was Fined for Environmental Damage. It’s Fake Accountability. By Arshak Makichyan While activists in the West demand to eat the rich — or at least tax them properly — Russia seems to be taking small steps in that direction. But while some might see it as a good thing, as a Russian-Armenian environmentalist, I know better than to trust the Russian judicial system. It never acts in the interests of ordinary people. Everything is a performance and way to solidify President Vladimir Putin's power. The recent court decision ordering billionaire Konstantin Strukov himself, not just his corporation, to pay $50 million over a mining disaster might look like long-awaited justice. It could even be seen to set a precedent of personal accountability for billionaires in Russia. The views expressed in opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect the position of The Moscow Times. Read more | Subscribe to our channel