russia introduces a new repressive law
russian dictator vladimir putin has signed a law imposing sweeping restrictions on citizens who have left the country and have been convicted in absentia on politically motivated charges, including «discrediting the army», participating in an «undesirable organisation», and other offences.
▫️ Under the new law, the russian authorities will block these individuals’ access to public services, prohibit them from obtaining new international passports, registering property, using banking services, and more.
✅ In this way, the kremlin is seeking to further intimidate its own citizens so that they do not dare engage in any actions that could be interpreted as a lack of support for the war against Ukraine. Otherwise, they may face not only a choice between imprisonment and exile, but also, with a high degree of probability, the loss of property, businesses, and civil rights while abroad.
▫️ In addition, the law may be intended to restrict russians from leaving the country in order to avoid possible mobilisation and participation in the war against Ukraine.
‼️ putin has no intention of ending the war and continues to establish a regime of fear in the country, one that suppresses any manifestation of disloyalty or defiance toward the authorities.
