Russian Human Rights Defender Orlov on Trial Amidst Putin’s Continued Grip on Power
Oleg Orlov, a notable Russian dissident and human rights defender, is currently on trial, accused of discrediting the Russian military, as President Vladimir Putin confirms his intention to seek a fifth term.
Alex Carter
- 2023-12-27
- Updated 10:18 AM ET
(NewsNibs) - Amidst a crackdown on dissent following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, human rights defender Oleg Orlov faces the possibility of long-term imprisonment, charged with discrediting the Russian army. Orlov, a vocal critic of the Kremlin, has conveyed his scepticism about any major political changes in Russia while Putin remains in power. His trial comes at a tense period of increasing pressures on government critics and is seen as emblematic of the broader suppression of opposition voices in the country.
Post-Putin Era Speculations and Memorial's Nobel Recognition
Orlov, known for his staunch opposition to Putin's policies, expressed that meaningful political shift could occur in the wake of Putin's eventual departure, predicting an eventual division among Russian elites. He underscored the critical part that the remaining fragments of Russia's civil society and opposition will play during such a transition. Orlov's affiliation with the now-dissolved Memorial organization, a past co-chair role that garnered the group the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize, amplifies the significance of his trial in the context of civil liberties within Russia.
Additionally, Orlov is noted for his condemnation of the war against Ukraine, aligning him with a sector of Russian society critical of the government's offensive. The legal struggles he's encountered, including a fine in October that was overturned in December just to restart the trial with calls for a stricter sentence, mirror the broader repressive environment for Kremlin critics since the war’s onset nearly two years ago.
Putin’s Candidacy and Electoral Challenges
In the political backdrop, Putin, aged 71, has made use of constitutional amendments to announce, through a heavily criticized “masquerade,” his intent to run for a fifth presidential term in the 2024 elections. State agency TASS relayed that Putin had agreed to participate, with confirmation coming from individuals who spoke with him following a Kremlin event. In contrast, other potential candidates like former TV journalist Ekaterina Dunțova and Igor Ghirkin have faced barriers, with Dunțova being disqualified due to registration issues and Ghirkin’s attempts to submit his candidacy stymied by the apparent avoidance of electoral commission representatives. These occurrences signify the tightening controls over Russia's political arena and the challenges faced by anyone opposing Putin's extensive tenure.
