Skip to main content

Russian military recruiters ask 70-year-old jailed human rights activist Oleg Orlov to join war against Ukraine

Source: Meduza

Leading Russian human rights activist Oleg Orlov, who is serving a 2.5-year prison term for criticizing the Putin regime, was asked to join the war “almost immediately” upon arriving at the detention center where he was sent after his sentencing, the human rights group Memorial reported on Friday.

When Orlov told his recruiters that he is 70 years old, they said that his age would not be a problem. Orlov refused the offer.

In late February, a Moscow court convicted Oleg Orlov of “discrediting” the Russian army for writing an essay in which he condemned the war against Ukraine and said that Russia is sliding into fascism. According to Memorial, Orlov is “feeling good” and is “settling in” in his new 10-person cell.

Context

‘A change in moral priorities’ New Russian bill would allow criminal suspects, defendants, and convicts to sign army contracts to avoid prison time

Context

‘A change in moral priorities’ New Russian bill would allow criminal suspects, defendants, and convicts to sign army contracts to avoid prison time

Sign up for Meduza’s daily newsletter

A digest of Russia’s investigative reports and news analysis. If it matters, we summarize it.

Protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.