“Network Freedoms” predicted the return of the death penalty and tougher repression in Russia after the elections

The Network Freedoms Project described a possible increase in repression in Russia after the 2024 presidential elections. Human rights activists call one of the most terrible scenarios the lifting of the moratorium on the death penalty and the use of executions against those convicted under “anti-state” articles. their “necrofuturistic” forecast for 2024-2025 Human rights activists shared with Kholod.

According to Network Freedoms, freedom on the Internet will be further limited. VPNs will be blocked, popular public pages may be recognized as “extremist”, and you will be fined for subscribing to them and for information about bypassing blocking. VK will be made an analogue of the only messenger allowed in China, WeChat.

Human rights activists note that the authorities are striving for complete isolation of the RuNet, creating a national network similar to the North Korean one and exit visas to the Internet. It will most likely not be possible to completely isolate the network in the coming years, Network Freedoms notes, but the Russian authorities may tighten state control over Internet resources and users.

Repressions against Russians who disagree with the authorities will also intensify. Criminal cases will be initiated against journalists, scientists and teachers under “political” articles. In addition, human rights activists admit that the authorities will introduce exit visas, and Russians abroad will be monitored. Relatives of emigrants risk being persecuted and searched.

“Network Freedoms” suggests that suspended sentences for defendants in “political” criminal cases will be prohibited. Those convicted under them will be limited in their ability to be released on parole and their sentences will be increased to life. Ultimately, the Russian authorities may lift the moratorium on the death penalty for those convicted of “anti-state” articles.

Some scenarios predicted by human rights activists are already coming true. For example, Roskomnadzor is actively blocking VPN protocols, the authorities are tightening censorship and introducing penalties for helping “foreign agents,” and Russian emigrants face pressure from security forces even abroad.

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