Caught in the Jail 'Carousel': The Persecution of Russia's War Critics
Critics of Russia's war in Ukraine are being caught in a "carousel" of arrests, with individuals being detained multiple times for minor offenses. This practice, known as carousel arrests, is used by Russian authorities to curb dissent and buy time to build more serious criminal cases against war critics. The crackdown on criticism of the conflict in Ukraine has intensified, with laws tightened to punish public dissent. Critics can face imprisonment for crimes such as discrediting the army or spreading fake news about alleged Russian atrocities. Human rights lawyers and rights groups have raised concerns about the growing pressure on opposition-minded and anti-war activists in Russia.