Anti-Putin protesters get a smart phone app to help get out of jail

[techbeck]

Anti-Kremlin protesters who run the regular risk of being detained by the police are being given a helping hand: A smart phone app that allows them to instantly inform others where and when they have been arrested.

 

Russia faces a presidential election next year, which Vladimir Putin is expected to contest, and was last month shaken by large anti-government protests. More are planned.

 

The result of a collaboration between a Russian firm, a human rights group and an opposition movement, the notification system, called Red Button, automatically transmits the location and emergency contact details of a detained protester.

 

That, says its St Petersburg-based developer Alexander Litreev, should allow others to act quickly to help free them as it will include details of the police station where the individual is being held.

 

"Using this information, human rights defenders can help this person in some way, like sending him a lawyer," Litreev told Reuters in an interview.

 

"When I see that people are being detained and experiencing violence at the hands of the authorities, and people can't do anything about it, I think this must be fought against," he said.

 

Litreev said he sympathized with the country's liberal opposition and sometimes attended protests himself.

 

President Vladimir Putin remains by far the most popular politician in Russia, but opponents argue he keeps a check on dissent through control of the media, especially television, and limiting protest.

 

More.....

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-protests-app-idUSKBN17S259?il=0

[+Mirumir Subscriber¹]

Good for them.

 

Or, they could just not break the law on protests in order to avoid getting arrested in the first place.

[FunkyMike]

Cute.... another Soros / Rothschild backed smear campaign.

 

App is backed by the "Open Russia" foundation.

 

This first incarnation of Open Russia has been described by The Guardian as a charitable organization.[2] Its board included Henry Kissinger and Lord Jacob Rothschild.[3][4] According to the Moscow Times, the earlier incarnation of Open Russia funded “many philanthropic projects, including educational projects for young people, the Federation of Internet Education, the Club of Regional Journalism and projects of human rights NGOs.”[5]

 

Looks like the Rothchilds are still mad at Putin because he didn't allow their pet Mikhail Khodorkovsky to sell the largest oil producer to Exxon and Chevron.

 

 

[Astra.Xtreme]

How would somebody use this app while they're handcuffed?  Or don't people get cuffed when in Russian custody?

[techbeck]

Just now, Astra.Xtreme said:

How would somebody use this app while they're handcuffed?  Or don't people get cuffed when in Russian custody?

They probably couldnt use it...but protesters are not alone so someone else could activate it to notify others.

[+Mirumir Subscriber¹]

15 hours ago, Astra.Xtreme said:

How would somebody use this app while they're handcuffed?  Or don't people get cuffed when in Russian custody?

It's because the Russian Police is the most humane police force in the world. All is situational, but if you behave normally while being arrested and ask politely, they may let you talk on the phone without handcuffs during the whole drive to the station.

 

Many drunk Russians try to beat them up on daily basis and don't get shot in return. Think about it.