Thibaud Hue 10:44 a.m., March 09, 2022

Repression intensifies in Russia during anti-war demonstrations.

On Sunday, 1,100 opponents were arrested in 30 cities across the country according to the NGO OVD-Info.

An increasingly oppressive situation for opponents who no longer have any means of expressing themselves.

Igor Saveliev was arrested during a rally at the start of the conflict, he testifies at the microphone of Europe 1.

Russia serves the screw.

While many demonstrators take to the streets to proclaim their dissatisfaction with the war waged by Moscow in Ukraine, the Russian authorities are using drastic measures.

Last Sunday, 1,100 people were arrested in the capital and since the start of the conflict there have been more than 10,000 people according to the NGO OVD-Info, which specializes in monitoring demonstrations.

The intimidation of the authorities and the threat of heavy prison sentences are very pressing on the opponents.

Accused of administrative delinquency

Igor Saveliev, a Russian journalist and writer, was also arrested on February 27 in Moscow, as part of a demonstration.

At the microphone of Europe 1, he says: "I had seen that the police were chasing meetings on Pushkin Square in Moscow. I wanted to see that with my own eyes. There were a lot of police officers and soldiers who announced with loudspeakers that we were not allowed to stand still in the square.

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Like 1,275 other Muscovites that day, this 39-year-old man was arrested and arrested.

"We were all sent to police stations, accused of administrative offences. In the handbook that was filed against me, I read that I had supposedly shouted: 'No to war', when I didn't I didn't shout anything. This slogan is now prohibited by law in Russia," he said.

"I'm afraid of jail"

After being released, a policeman came to his home to bring him an official paper stipulating that he could be imprisoned in the event of a repeat offense, with a summons to court.

"For the moment it's only going to be a fine. But next time it's the criminal law that will be applied. I'm not going to lie, I'm very scared. I'm scared to go out in the street, I I'm afraid of judgment, I'm afraid of prison, I'm afraid of the repressions that apply today," he sighs.

Today, Igor Saveliev is free, but the police regularly come to his home.

A frightening repression.

The writer notes a considerable flight from the actors of Russian culture: "We all think the same, but our voices are not heard. So many leave. The intelligentsia is afraid. All opposition media have been closed. Moscow's "Echo" radio station, which had been operating continuously for 30 years. The only information comes from the Ministry of Defence."

military censorship

While waiting to be received by the court in Moscow on March 29, Igor Saveliev strongly condemns the abuses of his country.

"This is unacceptable. Everything must stop as soon as possible. Military actions and the government's fight against freedom of expression in Russia. This is military censorship. The law says that you cannot discredit the army and that we cannot disperse defamatory rumors about the operation carried out in Ukraine. I have never seen that and I could not imagine it", he adds.

While casting a worried look at his neighbors: "But everything is infinitely small compared to the suffering experienced today by the people in Ukraine for whom I have great compassion."