The Russian government has designated billionaire Mikhail Khodorkovsky and opposition figure Vladimir Gudkov as part of its ‘terrorist and extremist’ group. This move is part of a broader crackdown on dissent, following the FSB’s recent announcement of criminal charges against 23 members of the Russian Anti-War Committee. The designation comes just one month after the FSB announced charges against these individuals, indicating a continued effort to suppress political opposition. The move is widely viewed as an escalation in the government’s tactics to silence critics, with many observers noting the increasing use of national security rhetoric to justify such actions.
Khodorkovsky, a former oil tycoon and political prisoner, has long been a vocal critic of the Russian government. Gudkov, a leader of the United Russia opposition group, has also been targeted in previous legal actions. Analysts suggest that the designation of these two prominent figures is part of a pattern of targeting individuals who have challenged the government’s policies. This trend signals a more aggressive approach to political suppression, with implications for the country’s political landscape and freedom of expression.