On July 3, eleven political prisoners, including notable figures like Boris Kagarlitsky and Darya Kozyreva, called for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine that entails releasing political prisoners and Ukrainian hostages. They estimate at least 10,000 individuals are imprisoned for exercising civic rights. The existing judicial framework in Russia is geared towards punishing dissenters rather than safeguarding justice. This repression has intensified since the Ukraine invasion, accompanied by extensive legal reforms that target criticism and reinforce state obedience, creating a pervasive atmosphere of fear and control over political expression.
The plea from inside a Russian prison by 11 political prisoners emphasizes the need for a ceasefire or peace agreement with the mass release of political prisoners and Ukrainian hostages.
The Russian justice system imposes long sentences for oppositional expression, where advancing charges like 'justifying terrorism' serve to suppress dissent rather than prosecute real crimes.
Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, more than 60 new repressive laws have been enacted under President Putin, reflecting the government's increasingly authoritarian stance.
The repression in Russia today echoes the historical legacy of Stalin, where the primary motive remains the suppression of critical thought and opposition.
Collection
[
|
...
]