'Era of Opposition Figures' Persecution'... Russia, Anti-Government Blogger Assaulted by Assailants

Igor Zhukov Beaten Near Home
Previously Attacked in July
Navalny and Other Opposition Figures Face Repeated Attacks

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] The persecution of Russian opposition figures continues. Opposition figure Aleksei Navalny was poisoned with a toxic substance, and a famous blogger who had voiced criticism of the government was beaten by assailants near his home.

According to the Washington Post (WP) on the 31st of last month (local time), Igor Zhukov, a blogger critical of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was beaten on the face and head near his home. The perpetrators fled on a prepared motorcycle after assaulting Zhukov.

Igor Zhukov, a famous Russian blogger who was beaten by assailants.
[Photo by Reuters Yonhap News]

This is not the first time Zhukov has been in danger. He was attacked at the end of July but managed to escape unharmed. He is currently known to have returned home after receiving treatment at a hospital. Last year, he was arrested and detained for one month on charges of leading protests held in Moscow. However, the police dropped the charges due to issues with the collected evidence, and he was released. His arrest at that time increased his notoriety in Russia.

Additionally, after recently announcing on his blog that he had been accepted into the master's program at the Higher School of Economics in Russia, his admission was canceled within 90 minutes. He had enrolled in the film studies department, but the Higher School of Economics claimed that the related department had been closed and canceled his admission.

According to WP, repression against civic activists, bloggers, and journalists has been ongoing in Russia recently.

Earlier, on the 20th of last month, opposition leader Navalny collapsed due to poisoning on a flight from Siberia to Moscow. Navalny's life is not in danger, but he remains unconscious. Medical staff have stated that it is still unknown to what extent aftereffects will remain. Navalny initially received treatment at a Russian hospital, but Germany volunteered to take over his care, and he is currently being treated in Germany.

German medical staff have indicated that Navalny showed symptoms consistent with nerve agents or similar poisons, but they have not identified the specific substance.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.