This article is based on material by Open Democracy: https://www.opendemocracy.net/ru/ovd-info-kak-vlast-presleduet-antivoenniy-protest-rossiya/.

Just five years ago, it would have been unimaginable that holding a sign saying “No to War!” could lead to persecution by law enforcement agencies.

Expressing the belief that peace is better than war and that killing is a crime can now result in imprisonment in modern Russia, destroying one’s life and the lives of loved ones, while erasing hopes for a peaceful and bright future.

I strongly recommend reading this article: https://www.opendemocracy.net/ru/ovd-info-kak-vlast-presleduet-antivoenniy-protest-rossiya/. It highlights the grave situation. Freedom of speech—a cornerstone of any democratic state—does not exist in Russia. Instead, there is propaganda emanating from the Kremlin and state-controlled media, with any dissenting opinion deemed unacceptable.

Fewer and fewer individuals with their own stance and the courage to speak out remain: they are either arrested or forced to leave Russia for countries where freedom of speech is upheld and peaceful expression of one’s position is not a crime.

Articles of the Criminal Code concerning treason, terrorism, extremism, espionage, and other serious offenses are used against those who dare to speak the truth and help those in need. The harsh treatment of citizens with conscience, compassion, and courage to express their stance is inhumane and incomprehensible.