Prominent Russian anti-war politician Boris Nadezhdin says he has fled to Paris amid a pre-election crackdown on dissent, posting a video in front of the Eiffel Tower.
Key facts
- Boris Nadezhdin, a veteran Russian liberal politician, says he has fled to France.
- He posted a video in front of the Eiffel Tower confirming he is in Paris, according to the BBC.
- Nadezhdin gained prominence during Russia's 2024 presidential election when he stood against Vladimir Putin.
- Electoral authorities barred him from running in the 2024 election.
- He was recently designated as a foreign agent, the BBC reports.
Boris Nadezhdin, a prominent Russian anti-war politician, says he has fled the country as Moscow tightens its grip on dissent ahead of parliamentary elections due later this year. According to the Guardian, Nadezhdin is now in Paris.
Nadezhdin confirmed his departure in a video filmed in front of the Eiffel Tower, the BBC reported. His relocation to France comes as authorities intensify pressure on opposition figures.
The veteran liberal politician rose to international prominence during Russia’s 2024 presidential election. According to the Guardian, his long-shot campaign against Vladimir Putin unexpectedly gathered momentum before electoral authorities barred him from running.
The BBC reports that Nadezhdin was recently designated as a foreign agent, a label Russian authorities have applied to a range of individuals and organisations.
His departure occurs against the backdrop of a pre-election crackdown on dissent, according to the Guardian, as Russia prepares for parliamentary elections later this year.
Why it matters
Nadezhdin's flight highlights the shrinking space for political opposition and anti-war voices inside Russia ahead of key parliamentary elections. The departure of a figure who once openly challenged Putin underscores the pressures faced by dissenting politicians as the government tightens control.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Boris Nadezhdin?
He is a veteran Russian liberal and anti-war politician who gained international prominence during Russia's 2024 presidential election when he stood against Vladimir Putin, according to the Guardian.
Where has Nadezhdin fled to?
He says he is now in Paris, France, and posted a video confirming this in front of the Eiffel Tower, according to the BBC and the Guardian.
Why did he leave Russia?
According to the Guardian, he left as Moscow tightens its grip on dissent ahead of parliamentary elections later this year. The BBC reports he was recently designated as a foreign agent.