Editorial Bear

A new Russian law, adopted earlier in the year, formally permits the extra-judicial killings abroad of those Moscow accuses of "extremism".

In the wake of the death of ex-spy Alexander Litvinenko in London, the Sunday Telegraph has alleged that Russian spy agencies - "emboldened" by the new law - have carried out a number of such targeted killings.

In July, the upper chamber of the Russian parliament - the Federation Council - approved a law which permits the Russian president to use the country's armed forces and special services outside Russia's borders to combat terrorism and extremism.

At the same time, amendments to several other laws, governing the security services, mass media and communications, were adopted.

The overall result was to dramatically expand those defined as terrorist or extremist.
Along with those seeking to overthrow the Russian government, the term is also applied to "those causing mass disturbances, committing hooliganism or acts of vandalism".

Much more controversially, the law also defines "those slandering the individual occupying the post of president of the Russian Federation" as extremists.

So basically the Russian Secret Service have a licence to kill. And they're doing so. First the shooting of Anna Politkovskaya. Then the poisoning of Alexander Litvenenko. And those are only the ones that have hit the headlines. It appears a string of politically unpopular Russian Emigres are being bumped off. Seriously, it's like something out of John Le Carre.

And who's behind it all?

Vladamir Putin. It's obvious.

Okay, okay. So I have none of that 'evidence' people get so het up on these days. But consider this.

Is first name is Vladamir. Like Vlad the Impaler. A.K.A. Dracula.

And secondly, look at the following. Isn't Putin just THE SPITTING IMAGE of lethal S.P.E.C.T.R.E. operative Kronsteen? It's uncanny...


On the left, the mastermind Kronsteen, who thought up the plot to steal the Lektor Decoder in From Russia With Love.

And on the right, Vladamir Putin, ex K.G.B. agent who runs the Kremlin with murderous efficiency.