In Russia under Vladimir Putin, dissent is not tolerated. Kremlin critics have long faced a range of laws that can be used against them, and since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, this arsenal of measures has only grown.
These laws infringe on basic rights such as freedom of speech and assembly, despite being protected by Russia’s constitution. The harsh punishments, often disproportionate to the offense, hearken back to the tactics of the Soviet era.
Spreading ‘false information’
One of the most widely used laws against critics of the war in Ukraine is the criminal offense of spreading “deliberately false information” about the Russian army. This law was hastily passed after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, with the Kremlin justifying it as a response to the information war against the country.
According to the human rights group OVD-Info, over 300 people have been charged or convicted under this law. Even though it targets “false” information, it has been applied to individuals who expose well-documented crimes denied by Russia.
High-profile figures like Ilya Yashin and Vladimir Kara-Murza have been imprisoned for allegedly spreading false information about the army, despite their efforts to shed light on atrocities in Ukraine.
‘Discrediting’ the Russian army
Another law penalizes actions deemed to “discredit” the Russian army, leading to absurd cases like penalizing those wearing Ukrainian colors or expressing anti-war sentiments in creative ways.
Targeting ‘foreign agents’
Russia’s “foreign agents” law enables restrictions on critics without the need for conviction, labeling individuals or organizations as such if they are perceived to have received foreign funding or influence. This has been used to silence dissent and undermine trust in critical voices.
Books written by labeled “foreign agents” are disappearing from circulation, and organizations like Golos, Levada Centre, and OVD-Info have been targeted.
‘Undesirable organizations’ and ‘extremists’
Being marked as “undesirable” results in a ban, effectively erasing organizations like Greenpeace and media outlets from Russia. Labels of extremism have also been used to suppress opposition figures like Alexei Navalny and his foundation.
Rallies and protests
Organizing demonstrations critical of the government is nearly impossible in Russia, with strict regulations on public gatherings. Even individual protests are often shut down, and actions like wearing certain colors or expressing dissent can lead to fines or legal action.
Laws as a tool to ‘legitimize repression’
Amnesty International’s Natalia Prilutskaya notes that the vague wording of Russian laws allows authorities to interpret any activity as forbidden, legitimizing repression. Laws play a crucial role in the Kremlin’s use of legal norms to control and suppress dissent, with the security apparatus relying on these regulations for their actions.
La legislación utilizada por los servicios de seguridad había sido “deliberadamente diseñada de manera que hace que su aplicación sea simple y generalizada”, agregó.
La Sra. Prilutskaya dice que todo esto se suma a un clima general de represión, que ella culpa al presidente Vladimir Putin.
“Las ambiciones de una persona han llevado a Rusia al borde de un abismo realmente profundo”, dijo.