Crackdown intensifies in Russia; hundreds of teenagers accused of “terrorism” and “treason”

Crackdown intensifies in Russia; hundreds of teenagers accused of “terrorism” and “treason”

🔸Hundreds of Russian teenagers have faced accusations such as “terrorism,” “sabotage,” “extremism,” and “treason” since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which, according to human rights activists, is part of the crackdown on opponents and critics of the war in Russia.

🔸As reported by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, citing a report by the human rights organization “Department One,” at least 779 individuals under the age of legal responsibility are listed among Russia’s terrorists and extremists, and nearly 97% of them were added to this list after 2022—after the start of the Ukraine war.

🔸The human rights group Memorial also says that at least 124 individuals under the age of legal responsibility in Russia face criminal cases for political reasons.

🔸The cases against these teenagers cover a wide range; from posting anti-war messages and criticizing Vladimir Putin on social media to accusations of collaborating with Ukrainian intelligence services to carry out sabotage on Russian soil.

🔸In some cases, Russian authorities claim that, through social media, the teenagers were recruited by Ukrainian intelligence services and trained to set fire to facilities, destroy property, or carry out other acts of sabotage. Human rights groups, however, say that in many of these cases, because investigations and courts are closed to the public, it is not possible to independently examine the evidence and claims made by security institutions.

🔸Among them, Vitalina Parnin(n)g, a 16-year-old student from Novosibirsk, has recently been accused of planning a terrorist attack, membership in a terrorist organization, and receiving terrorist training. Details of the charges are not clear, but her name was added to Russia’s terrorist list in August.

🔸Read the full version of this report on the Radio Farda website.