Sami politicians were hanged in Russian propaganda: "Unpleasant"

In recent years, several representatives from indigenous peoples in Russia have fled to both Sweden and Norway.

One of these is Andrei Danilov whom 15 minutes from Sápmi interviewed earlier last fall.

- It was a difficult decision that I had thought about for a long time, but it was necessary to save my life.

There had already been several attempts to silence me, he said then.

Indigenous peoples in Russia have been hit hard, not least after the start of the war last spring.

They have been forcibly recruited as soldiers to a greater extent than the majority population.

"It's 'fake news'"

Now Russian media have reacted to the fact that several have fled the country.

In an article in the magazine Expert, it is claimed that Russia is the only country where the Sami and other northern indigenous peoples can live "authentically".

In the article, among other things, Andrei Danilov is criticized for conducting "anti-Russian rhetoric and trying to make statements as a representative of the Sami in Russia".

According to the article, Silje Karine Muotka, president of the Sami Parliament in Norway, would have criticized it and called people like Danilov "imposters".

- It is "fake news".

I have never given an interview to these media or said what they claim, she tells NRK Sápmi.

She continues:

- We in the Sami Parliament believe that the Russian Sami have a homeland also on the Norwegian side.

We have to find solutions so that they can live here as long as they want.

"A problem for Putin"

Expert newspaper is run by pro-Putin editor Valery Fadeyev.

The newspaper is partly owned by the oligarch Oleg Deripaska, who is one of those who have received severe restrictions after the start of the war.

Andrei Danilov himself sees it as a sign that Russia wants to get a stronger hold on the indigenous peoples and natural resources in northern Russia.

- Indigenous people represented by activists are a problem for Putin's totalitarian regime.

Therefore, the activists are intimidated, threatened and imprisoned.

For that reason I had to leave Russia, he tells NRK Sápmi.