Russia arrests ex-'pro-Putin' opposition figure Remeslo, faces up to 10 years in prison

Ilya Remeslo, a Russian lawyer and blogger who transitioned from being a staunch supporter of President Vladimir Putin to a vocal critic, has been arrested. The charges against him involve spreading "fake news" about the Russian military, an offense that could lead to a prison sentence of up to 10 years if he is convicted.

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Putin will be taken away in handcuffs this autumn.

According to Russian state media outlet TASS, Remeslo was arrested on July 17. This development follows recent social media posts by Remeslo, including one on the eve of his arrest where he allegedly stated, "Putin will be taken away in handcuffs this autumn," and that the president's situation was "rapidly deteriorating." These statements underscore the sharp turn in Remeslo's public stance.

Remeslo's arrest highlights the stringent legal environment in Russia regarding criticism of the government and its military actions, especially concerning the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Shortly after the invasion began in February 2022, Russia enacted a "war censorship" law that criminalizes criticism of the military operation. This law has been used to silence dissent and control the narrative surrounding the war.

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Putin's situation is rapidly deteriorating.

Notably, Remeslo had previously been involved in actions against the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, even providing testimony that contributed to Navalny's imprisonment. Navalny died in an Arctic penal colony in 2024. Remeslo's shift in allegiance and subsequent arrest are particularly striking given his past role. Earlier this year, he was reportedly sent to a psychiatric hospital in St. Petersburg for 30 days, a tactic reminiscent of Soviet-era practices used to detain dissidents. In an April interview, Remeslo expressed some guilt over Navalny's fate, stating that "no one should have died in that situation."

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no one should have died in that situation.