Latest news with #MikhailKhodorkovsky
The Hindu
19-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Russia outlaws Amnesty International in latest crackdown on dissent and activists
The Russian authorities on Monday (May 19, 2025) outlawed Amnesty International as an 'undesirable organization,' a label that under a 2015 law makes involvement with such organizations a criminal offense. The decision by the Russian Prosecutor General's office, announced in an online statement, is the latest in the unrelenting crackdown on Kremlin critics, journalists and activists that intensified to unprecedented levels after Moscow invaded Ukraine in February 2022. The designation means the international human rights group must stop any work in Russia, and it subjects those who cooperate with it or support it to prosecution, including if anyone shares Amnesty International's reports on social media. Amnesty International did not immediately comment on the move. Russia's list of 'undesirable organizations' currently covers 223 entities, including prominent independent news outlets and rights groups. Among those are prominent news organizations like Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty or Russian independent outlet Meduza, think tanks like Chatham House, anti-corruption group Transparency International, and Open Russia, an opposition group founded by Mikhail Khodorkovsky, an exiled tycoon who became an opposition figure. After Open Russia was declared undesirable in 2021 and disbanded to protect its members, its leader, Andrei Pivovarov, was arrested and convicted on charges of carrying out activities of an undesirable organization. He was sentenced to four years in prison and released in 2024 in the largest prisoner exchange with the West since Soviet times. Amnesty International was launched in 1961. The group documents and reports human rights violations around the globe and campaigns for the release of those it deems unjustly imprisoned. It has released reports on Russia's war in Ukraine, accusing Moscow of crimes against humanity, and has spoken out against the Kremlin's crackdown on dissent that has swept up thousands of people in recent years. Amnesty International's recent statements on Russia included decrying a prison sentence handed to prominent election monitoring activists Grigory Melkonyants as a 'brazen and politically motivated clampdown on peaceful activism.' It also spoke out against a series of arrests of publishing professionals in Russia last week over alleged 'LGBTQ+ propaganda' in books. 'This shameless heavy-handed use of state apparatus against literature is as absurd as it is terrifying,' said Natalia Zviagina, Amnesty International's Russia director. In its statement, the Prosecutor General's office accused the group of running 'Russophobic projects" and activities aimed at Russia's 'political and economic isolation.'
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Russia outlaws Amnesty International in latest crackdown on dissent and activists
The Russian authorities on Monday outlawed Amnesty International as an "undesirable organization," a label that under a 2015 law makes involvement with such organizations a criminal offense. The decision by the Russian Prosecutor General's office, announced in an online statement, is the latest in the unrelenting crackdown on Kremlin critics, journalists and activists that intensified to unprecedented levels after Moscow invaded Ukraine in February 2022. The designation means the international human rights group must stop any work in Russia, and it subjects those who cooperate with it or support it to prosecution, including if anyone shares Amnesty International's reports on social media. Continue to video 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Moose Approaches Girl At Bus Stop And Nudges Her To Follow - Watch What Happens Happy in Shape Undo Amnesty International did not immediately comment on the move. Russia's list of "undesirable organizations" currently covers 223 entities, including prominent independent news outlets and rights groups. Among those are prominent news organizations like Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty or Russian independent outlet Meduza, think tanks like Chatham House, anti-corruption group Transparency International, and Open Russia, an opposition group founded by Mikhail Khodorkovsky, an exiled tycoon who became an opposition figure. Live Events After Open Russia was declared undesirable in 2021 and disbanded to protect its members, its leader, Andrei Pivovarov, was arrested and convicted on charges of carrying out activities of an undesirable organization. He was sentenced to four years in prison and released in 2024 in the largest prisoner exchange with the West since Soviet times. Amnesty International was launched in 1961. The group documents and reports human rights violations around the globe and campaigns for the release of those it deems unjustly imprisoned. It has released reports on Russia's war in Ukraine, accusing Moscow of crimes against humanity, and has spoken out against the Kremlin's crackdown on dissent that has swept up thousands of people in recent years. Amnesty International's recent statements on Russia included decrying a prison sentence handed to prominent election monitoring activists Grigory Melkonyants as a "brazen and politically motivated clampdown on peaceful activism." It also spoke out against a series of arrests of publishing professionals in Russia last week over alleged "LGBTQ+ propaganda" in books. "This shameless heavy-handed use of state apparatus against literature is as absurd as it is terrifying," said Natalia Zviagina, Amnesty International's Russia director. In its statement, the Prosecutor General's office accused the group of running "Russophobic projects" and activities aimed at Russia's "political and economic isolation."
Nikkei Asia
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Nikkei Asia
In the AI age, excessive data accumulation is a cybersecurity threat
Sergiy Korsunsky is the former ambassador of Ukraine to Japan. He is now a senior adviser at Nihon Cyber Defence Corporation. Mikhail Khodorkovsky, a prominent member of the Russian opposition living in exile, recently made a stunning revelation about the malignant activities of Russia's military intelligence agency, GRU, in Europe. Putin's spies, he says, are building a hit list of journalists, politicians and public figures who influence public opinion against the Kremlin. Khodorkovsky says the urgent orders to gather personal information -- such as home and work addresses, e-mail addresses, phone numbers and even habits and the daily routines -- on possible targets was sent to GRU operatives and agents in early 2025.
Scottish Sun
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Russia's feared killer spy unit GRU building ‘hit list' of Western enemies from MPs to journalists, warns Putin critic
An oligarch turned Putin critic warned the Kremlin uses rent-a-thugs to take out targets SPY FALL Russia's feared killer spy unit GRU building 'hit list' of Western enemies from MPs to journalists, warns Putin critic RUSSIA is compiling a "hit list" of western MPs and journalists, an exiled Russian oligarch has claimed. Mikhail Khodorkovsky said GRU spies had orders to track down Kremlin critics for 'imminent' attacks. 6 Former Russian oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky listens to his guilty verdict - widely considered to be politically motivated Credit: EPA 6 Four GRU officers captured on CCTV as they stride into the Netherlands Credit: PA:Press Association 6 Vladimir Putin pulls up to the roof of the GRU headquarters in Moscow Credit: Getty - Contributor The former Yukos oil baron who spent 10 years in Russian prisons said: 'Putin's spies are building a hit list of journalists, politicians, and public figures across Europe.' He claimed GRU military intelligence officers tasked agents across Europe to find targets' home and and work addresses. He said they were compiliing a 'hit list for future operations'. He added: 'The threat is real and immediate. Those who understand the regime know these intelligence-gathering operations precede direct action.' The Sun understands least two European journalists on a Russian wanted list have been targeted by Russian spies seeking personal information. It comes after MI6 warned Russian spies had gone 'feral' across Europe. Spy chief Sir Richard Moore – who is known as C at the Secret Intelligence Service – said Moscow had unleashed a 'staggeringly reckless campaign' of attacks including putting firebombs on DHL cargo planes. MI5 spy chief Ken McCallum has also warned Russia was hiring thugs to carry out attacks. He accused Moscow of plotting "arson, sabotage and more – dangerous actions conducted with increasing recklessness'. US and German intelligence said Moscow had planned to kill the chief executive of Rheinmetall, the German armaments giant that supplies Ukraine. Putin returns mutilated body of female Ukrainian reporter with eyes & brain MISSING after her torture by Russian captors Khordokovsky, who now lives in London, said attacks on Kremlin critics would be carried out by rent-a-thugs hired on 'anonymous online channels'. He also suggested Russia might use 'far-right groups or outright criminal elements'. A GRU team conducted the deadly Novichok nerve agent attack in Salisbury in 2018 that killed innocent mum-of-three Dawn Sturgess. Khordokovsky's warning comes after six Bulgarians based in Britain were convicted of spying for Russia, including by conducting surveillance and honey trap missions on investigative journalists. 6 Mikhail Khodorkovsky was pardoned and continues to live in exile in London as a Kremlin critic Credit: Reuters 6 Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov in Salisbury, wanted by UK police for the novichok poisonings in 2018 Credit: Metropolitan Police Service 6 The two Russians went public after their arrest warrant to claim they were simply tourists in the UK Credit: AP:Associated Press The spy ring targeted British based journalist Christo Grozev, from the Bellingcat website, and exiled Russian journalist Roman Dobrokhotov, from the investigative website the Insider. Vanya Gaberova, 30, who ran a beauty salon in west London, was ordered to seduce Grozev. She claimed he was"hooked and in love" in WhatsApp messages shared at the Old Bailey. They are due to be sentenced next month.
The Irish Sun
30-04-2025
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Russia's feared killer spy unit GRU building ‘hit list' of Western enemies from MPs to journalists, warns Putin critic
RUSSIA is compiling a "hit list" of western MPs and journalists, an exiled Russian oligarch has claimed. Mikhail Khodorkovsky said GRU spies had orders to track down Kremlin critics for 'imminent' attacks. 6 Former Russian oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky listens to his guilty verdict - widely considered to be politically motivated Credit: EPA 6 Four GRU officers captured on CCTV as they stride into the Netherlands Credit: PA:Press Association 6 Vladimir Putin pulls up to the roof of the GRU headquarters in Moscow Credit: Getty - Contributor The former Yukos oil baron who spent 10 years in Russian prisons said: 'Putin's spies are building a hit list of journalists, politicians, and public figures across Europe.' He claimed GRU military intelligence officers tasked agents across Europe to find targets' home and and work addresses. He said they were compiliing a 'hit list for future operations'. He added: 'The threat is real and immediate. Those who understand the regime know these intelligence-gathering operations precede direct action.' READ MORE ON RUSSIA The Sun understands least two European journalists on a Russian wanted list have been targeted by Russian spies seeking personal information. It comes after MI6 warned Russian spies had gone 'feral' across Europe. Spy chief Sir Richard Moore – who is known as C at the Secret Intelligence Service – said Moscow had unleashed a 'staggeringly reckless campaign' of attacks including putting firebombs on DHL cargo planes. MI5 spy chief Ken McCallum has also warned Russia was hiring thugs to carry out attacks. Most read in The Sun He accused Moscow of plotting "arson, sabotage and more – dangerous actions conducted with increasing recklessness'. US and German intelligence said Moscow had planned to kill the chief executive of Rheinmetall, the German armaments giant that supplies Ukraine. Putin returns mutilated body of female Ukrainian reporter with eyes & brain MISSING after her torture by Russian captors Khordokovsky, who now lives in London, said attacks on Kremlin critics would be carried out by rent-a-thugs hired on 'anonymous online channels'. He also suggested Russia might use 'far-right groups or outright criminal elements'. A GRU team conducted the deadly Novichok nerve agent attack in Salisbury in 2018 that killed innocent mum-of-three Dawn Sturgess. Khordokovsky's warning comes after six Bulgarians based in Britain were convicted of spying for Russia, including by conducting surveillance and honey trap missions on investigative journalists. 6 Mikhail Khodorkovsky was pardoned and continues to live in exile in London as a Kremlin critic Credit: Reuters 6 Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov in Salisbury, wanted by UK police for the novichok poisonings in 2018 Credit: Metropolitan Police Service 6 The two Russians went public after their arrest warrant to claim they were simply tourists in the UK Credit: AP:Associated Press The spy ring targeted British based journalist Christo Grozev, from the Bellingcat website, and exiled Russian journalist Roman Dobrokhotov, from the investigative website the Insider. Vanya Gaberova, 30, who ran a beauty salon in west London, was ordered to seduce Grozev. She claimed he was" hooked and in love" in WhatsApp messages shared at the Old Bailey. They are due to be sentenced next month.
