Observations of bystanders at Kiev protests

Attentive observers will notice that all totalitarian regimes adopt the same repressive techniques.  In this case consider the experiences of protesters in Kiev before the corrupt pro-Russian prez fled:  Cell-phone users in the vicinity of protests say they got messages saying, “Dear subscriber, you are registered as a participant in a mass disturbance.”

The three cell phone providers in the city all deny having sent the messages (which you'd expect regardless).  Some analysts say the likely explanation is portable cell "towers" (actually just antenna/receiver sets) set up by security forces on the site of prior demonstrations.  Apparently these can be set up in 30 minutes or so, and would enable security forces to both intercept text and voice from protesters *and* allow the government to send "We know who you are" messages to everyone in the area.

Presumably the idea is that those who weren't particularly committed to the protests but merely bystanders would be intimidated enough to leave the area--reducing both target clutter and the number of potential witnesses to any lethal activity.

If such capability exists it's virtually certain the Ogabe regime has the same ability.

Conclusion:  If you're trying to gin up a demonstration, don't use your cell phone.  Second, be aware that this ability exists, and that your mere presence at the site isn't enough to enable the government to prosecute you. So you can safely ignore "We know who and where you are" texts if you wish.

Remember this.