http://qz.com/429536/the-absurd-trial-of-a-russian-farmer-who-invented-his-o... At the local court in Yegorevsk, a town outside Moscow, the case of local farmer Mikhail Shlyapnikov is being heard. Shlyapnikov is accused of creating his own alternative currency, which he calls “kolions,” in honor of the village of Kolionovo, where his farm is located. Shlyapnikov maintains that kolions simply assist a form of barter between him and his friends. The Central Bank and tax inspectorate both claim that Shlyapnikov has violated the constitution, several tax and civic legal codes, and a host of federal laws. Meduza’s special correspondent, Andrei Kozenko, was present at a rather unusual court hearing. “I don’t understand what’s going on here,” Shlyapnikov complains to the circle of TV journalists assembled, “Where is this all heading? This is my first time in court in my whole life. Clearly something’s gotten the prosecutor worked up and he’s brought this case.” ...