Russia’s parliament, the State Duma, today votes on tougher sentences for military critics. The maximum sentence for that offense is now five years, which will be increased to fifteen years. It might even become a crime to criticize Wagner’s mercenary army. “It is certain that this law will be passed,” says Russia correspondent Joost Bosman.
According to Bosman, this is already the third reading of the bill and after the Duma, the proposal will also go to the Senate and to Putin himself, but it is a purely ceremonial event. That law is coming. “You can only assume that this really comes from higher backgrounds.”
Growing criticism
Bosman sees criticism of the war rising as the battle in Ukraine worsens for the Russians. And the more criticism, the more threatening it becomes to Putin’s position. “And that’s why this law had to be tightened up, because obviously that law already existed. The difference is that volunteers fighting in Ukraine shouldn’t be insulted anymore.” Then you are really talking about Yevgeny Prigozhin’s private army, Wagner.’
“You can only assume that this really comes from higher backgrounds”
Russia has several so-called Mil bloggers or Def bloggers following the struggle in Ukraine and providing commentary and sometimes even harsh criticism. Can these bloggers close their tent now? According to Bosman, these bloggers are protected, either by Wagner himself or by one of the FSB security services or by the GRU military intelligence service. It will become even more dangerous, especially for ordinary Russians, to criticize.
To illustrate: Just last week, a student who voiced criticism was sentenced to 8.5 years in a labor camp.
Follow developments in Ukraine here on our live blog
Source: BNR
Sharon Rock is an author and journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. She has a passion for learning about different cultures and understanding the complexities of the world. With a talent for explaining complex global issues in an accessible and engaging way, Sharon has become a respected voice in the field of world news journalism.
