Dmitry Gudkov, a Russian politician living in exile, has been warned by British police that he is in danger. Last summer, plain-clothed officers approached him as he arrived at London’s Luton Airport, where he was flying to attend a friend’s birthday party. The officers were not there to arrest him, but rather to inform him that he is on a list of people at risk. Gudkov, co-founder of the Anti-War Committee, is wanted in Russia for allegedly spreading false information about the Russian army.
In response to Russia’s crackdown on dissent following the invasion of Ukraine, many activists and journalists have fled the country. Those living in Europe have reported increased efforts by Russia to threaten and silence them. Analysts believe that the Kremlin’s paranoia is driving this campaign against its perceived enemies abroad. The UK has implemented new legislation to combat threats from hostile states like Russia, and police have been actively increasing resources to address these challenges.
Alesya Marokhovskaya, an investigative journalist, received threatening messages last year that revealed personal information, including details about her dog. She moved houses to evade potential threats, but the messages became increasingly sinister, prompting her to notify the Czech police. Subsequent threats included specific details about her travel plans, leading Marokhovskaya to suspect the involvement of Russian intelligence services.
Leonid Volkov, a Russia critic, was attacked with a hammer in Lithuania in April, with Polish officials alleging that the assault was orchestrated by Russian intelligence. Experts suggest that the Russian security services have ramped up operations abroad following a period of turmoil and expulsion of Russian diplomats believed to be intelligence agents. The authorities are reportedly using criminal gangs as proxies to carry out attacks on perceived enemies, with the intent to intimidate and silence dissent. La BBC Es una forma de disuadir la emergencia de algún tipo de oposición política coherente [al Kremlin]. Olesya Krivtsova tuvo que salir de Rusia después de ser amenazada con tiempo en la cárcel por publicar mensajes anti-guerra. Las autoridades rusas también intentan hacer la vida cotidiana lo más difícil posible para los opositores en el extranjero. La activista Olesya Krivtsova, de 21 años, escapó de Rusia después de ser arrestada y amenazada con la cárcel por publicaciones anti-guerra en redes sociales. Ahora vive en Noruega, pero recientemente descubrió que su pasaporte ruso había sido cancelado, lo que significa que no puede solicitar documentos de viaje. “Creo que esto es un nuevo [método] de represión”, dice Olesya. “Siempre están pensando, ¿cómo podemos hacer más, cómo podemos presionarlos?”. Varios otros activistas que viven en el extranjero también han tenido sus pasaportes cancelados sin previo aviso. Muchos tienen casos criminales abiertos en su contra en Rusia – sin un pasaporte válido, no pueden contratar abogados o hacer pagos en su país. La única forma de resolver el problema es regresar a Rusia. Para Olesya, regresar significaría arresto y prisión. Ahora ha solicitado una identificación noruega temporal para refugiados. “En Rusia, ahora solo tengo un derecho: el derecho de ir a la cárcel. Mi pasaporte está cancelado. Esto muestra la esencia de su crueldad”, dice la joven activista. “Ya han destruido por completo mi vida y la vida de mi familia… Nunca van a parar”.