Source: HRO.org (info), 16/02/12 

· Freedom of expression 

The Ministry of Culture canceled its decision to permit distribution of the film “Assassination of Russia,” a documentary about the 1999 Moscow apartment bombings, and four other films made by independent documentary filmmakers. 

The BBC Russian service was told of the decision by Vadim Korovin, general director of the Lancelot video company, which in December acquired the rights to distribute the films within Russia. 

According to Korovin, the Ministry suspended his distribution license on 2 February. A letter signed by Deputy Minister of Culture Ekaterina Chukovskaya states that Korovin does not have contracts with the production companies authorizing the transfer of rights to screen their films. His license will remain suspended until such contracts are provided, reports Grani.ru, quoting BBC Russian Service. [Read more]