Russia Cracks Down on 'Anti-War' Voices...Mass Prosecution of Politicians and Journalists for 'False Information Leaks'

On the 3rd (local time), The New York Times (NYT) reported that Russia has filed numerous charges against social activists, politicians, and journalists who oppose or question the war. The photo shows Russian troops marching during the Victory Day parade rehearsal. [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] Foreign media reports have emerged that Russia, which invaded Ukraine, has moved to block anti-war public opinion. It is reported that a large number of social activists, politicians, and journalists who opposed or questioned the war have been prosecuted.

According to a report by The New York Times (NYT) on the 3rd (local time), more than 2,000 people have recently been prosecuted in Russia on charges such as defaming the military or spreading false information following the invasion of Ukraine. Among them, at least 50 have been sentenced to several years in prison.

People who posted war photos on social networking services (SNS) or wore sportswear reminiscent of the Ukrainian flag were also brought to trial.

In fact, a politician was prosecuted after posting photos of Mariupol, a Ukrainian port city reduced to ruins by Russian military bombings, on SNS. He was ordered to pay a $500 fine three times.

A resident of Prokopievsk, a small town in southwestern Siberia, faced the same fate. He was prosecuted for posting a photo of a maternity hospital in Mariupol taken by a famous photographer on SNS. Afterwards, he was banned by a judge from using the internet and telephone.

An editor of the online magazine New Focus was detained in jail for writing articles related to the war. It is reported that the editor wrote that the refusal of 11 Russian soldiers to participate in the Ukraine war was related to a drunken commander, insufficient food, and poor war preparations.

The NYT analyzed that prosecutions suppressing anti-war voices in Russia have surged as the war enters a prolonged phase.

Meanwhile, earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin passed a law that calls the invasion of Ukraine a special military operation and restricts free speech or criticism about the war.

This law includes provisions that anyone who disseminates information other than the government's official announcements can be prosecuted for spreading false information. It also stipulates penalties of up to 15 years in prison or fines up to $80,000. Human rights organizations view these measures as intended to discourage critical voices, including anti-war public opinion.

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