Vadim Saltykovsky, a Russian academic and former Kremlin adviser, has been arrested on treason charges. This follows a trend of increasing arrests of academics, scientists and former officials on similar charges in recent years.
The arrest underscores the growing authoritarian tendencies in Russia’s political landscape, as the government continues to target perceived threats to its power. With the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the crackdown on dissent, such arrests are seen as part of a broader effort to suppress opposition and consolidate control.
Human rights organizations have expressed concern over the case, noting that the charges against Saltykovsky lack clear evidence and that the political motivations behind the arrest are evident. They warn that the case sets a dangerous precedent for the use of treason charges to silence critics and opponents of the government.