Ilya Yashin: Exiled Russian Opposition Leader Now on Wanted List
Ilya Yashin, the exiled Russian opposition figure who was released in a historic prisoner swap between Moscow and the West in August, has been placed on Russia's "wanted" list, according to data from the Interior Ministry. This development was reported by AFP on December 25, 2024. The ministry's website lists Yashin as wanted under an unspecified article of the Criminal Code, alongside his photograph and personal details.
Yashin, a former Moscow municipal deputy and a prominent activist in the liberal opposition since the early 2000s, was previously sentenced to eight and a half years in prison for his outspoken criticism of the Russian military's actions in Ukraine, particularly regarding the civilian casualties in Bucha. His designation as a "foreign agent" adds further restrictions to his activities, a label often used against opponents of President Vladimir Putin.
Released against his will, Yashin expressed concerns about the implications of such prisoner exchanges, suggesting they might encourage the Russian government to take more hostages. He stated, "I understood my imprisonment not only as a struggle against war but also as a struggle for my right to live in my country, to pursue an independent policy there," during a press conference in Germany following his release. Since then, he has actively participated in the Russian opposition movement in exile, including a demonstration in Berlin against the war in Ukraine and Putin's regime.
The list of individuals wanted by Russia is extensive, including both domestic and international figures, such as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
