Russian Blogger Arrested for Criticizing Putin Announces "Running for Next Year's Presidential Election"

Igor Girkin's Letter on Telegram
"Disrupting the Kremlin's 'Fake Election' Attempt"

A famous military blogger who was arrested for criticizing Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced his intention to run in the presidential election next March, drawing attention.

According to foreign media including the BBC on the 19th (local time), Igor Girkin, a military blogger active in Russia, sent a letter to his supporters through the closed social networking service (SNS) 'Telegram' on the same day.

In the letter, he stated, "I will run in the election," and added, "I fully understand that participating in the presidential election in the current situation in Russia is no different from being at a table where fraudsters are playing card games."

Igor Girkin's presidential election campaign poster [Image source=Telegram]

He continued, "Next March's presidential election is already a 'fake election' with a clear winner," but also said, "Can't I disrupt the Kremlin's plan to hold a sham election?" explaining his reason for running.

He also pleaded with his supporters to nominate him as a candidate and gather signatures. He emphasized, "This action will be an opportunity to unite the patriotic forces," and "It is our chance to unite against external and internal threats."

According to Russia's presidential election law, a candidate who receives at least 500 signatures can run as an independent in the presidential election. Oleg Nelzin, who is helping Girkin's presidential bid, recently urged supporters on Telegram to "start working so that Girkin can run in the March election."

Girkin is a former officer of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB). He is also known for his military achievements during Russia's forced annexation of the Crimean Peninsula in Ukraine in 2014.

Since then, he has been active as a military blogger, but after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February last year, he has strongly criticized President Putin and the Russian military's strategy and tactics. He was arrested by investigative authorities in July on charges of extremist remarks. This charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

Meanwhile, the Russian presidential election will be held next March. President Putin has not yet officially declared his candidacy. However, the Kremlin spokesperson stated on the 17th that "we hope President Putin can extend his term."

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