Support The Moscow Times!
Contribute today

Articles with tag "political prisoner"

opinion Sasha Skolichenko

Children Are Political Prisoners in Putin's Russia

The Kremlin refuses to release child political prisoners because they know it would cause ordinary people to question the regime.

Moscow Politician Jailed for Denouncing War Sentenced to 3 More Years

Alexei Gorinov, a former Moscow councilor, is the first known Russian to be jailed under wartime censorship laws that criminalize anti-war protests.
2 Min read

In Photos: Artist Pavel Krisevich's Prison Drawings Go On Display in Amsterdam

The performance artist and activist, who is recognized as a political prisoner by Memorial, continues to create art from prison that reflects his bleak...
1 Min read

Russia Begins Second Trial Against Ukraine War Denouncer

Alexei Gorinov has been brought for a new trial on accusations of "justifying terrorism," a move that will likely see his seven-year sentence extended...
2 Min read

Punitive Psychiatry: An Increasingly Common Tool in Russia's Crackdown on Activists

Dozens of people are believed to have been sent to forced psychiatric treatment for political reasons.
3 Min read

49 Russians Targeted in Soviet-Style Punitive Psychiatry – Memorial

The practice was so widespread during the Soviet period that one-fourth of dissidents accused of political crimes were declared “mentally ill.”
1 Min read

Russia’s Youngest Political Prisoner, 16, Says Beaten by Cellmate

Arseny Turbin is serving five years in a juvenile colony for allegedly attempting to join the Freedom of Russia Legion.
2 Min read

Health of Kadyrov Critic’s Jailed Mother ‘Close to Critical,’ Lawyer Says

Zarema Musaeva’s lawyer said her blood sugar levels “are approaching a critical mark” after weeks of increasing.
1 Min read

Jailed Anti-War Journalist Ponomarenko Declares Hunger Strike

Maria Ponomarenko faces a new trial for allegedly assaulting prison guards — charges she denies, accusing prison staff of abuse instead.
1 Min read

‘I Never Believed I Could Get on That Plane’: Freed Political Prisoner Sasha Skochilenko

The Moscow Times spoke with Skochilenko and her girlfriend, Sofia Subbotina, about this month's prisoner exchange and their future plans.
5 Min read

'I Still Can't Imagine Life Outside Russia': Oleg Orlov on Prisoner Exchange and Rights Work in Exile

The veteran human rights defender was one of 16 prisoners freed by Russia on Aug. 1 in a historic exchange between Russia and the West.
5 Min read
opinion William Browder

What We Need To Do After the Historic Prisoner Swap

Now Kara-Murza and other dissidents are free, we need to strengthen Magnitsky sanctions and redouble our efforts for Russia’s democratic future.
4 Min read

Freed Political Prisoner Pivovarov Talks Exchange, Future Plans

The former head of the pro-democracy group Open Russia was one of the 16 prisoners freed from Russia in last week's major prisoner exchange.
4 Min read

‘If You Talk, You’ll Go in a Bag’: Freed Russian Political Prisoners Recount Harrowing, Surprising Prison Swap

Prisoners’ friends and relatives have recounted the uncertain, frightening time before their release in one of the largest and most complex prisoner...
4 Min read

What Makes the Largest U.S.-Russia Prisoner Swap Since the Cold War Unique?

It is not just the scale of the prisoner exchange that is historic, but the kinds of people involved.
3 Min read

Some Freed Russian Prisoners ‘Feared for Their Lives’ – German Chancellor

Scholz insisted the swap was "the right decision, and if you had any doubts, you will lose them after talking to those who are now free."
1 Min read
opinion Dan Storyev

This Prisoner Swap Should Only Be the Beginning of Russia’s Future

That 16 political prisoners are free is wonderful news. But we must keep up the pressure to release more and help them build a truly free Russia.
3 Min read

Russia Frees Political Prisoners, Journalists in Landmark Exchange With West

Evan Gershkovich, a former Moscow Times reporter, is among over a dozen journalists and political prisoners released from Russian prison.
6 Min read

What We Know About the Prisoner Exchange Between Russia and the West

The unprecedented exchange is expected to involve dozens of prisoners.
4 Min read

Kremlin Declines to Comment on Possible Prisoner Exchange

A growing number of prisoners have reportedly been transferred in recent days, fuelling speculation of an imminent exchange.
1 Min read
View more articles