Ilya Remeslo, a former member of Russia's Public Chamber, lawyer, and well-known "Z-blogger," published a scathing "manifesto" in March criticizing President Vladimir Putin. In it, he declared that the war against Ukraine was "failing," denounced the lack of freedom of speech, and called Putin a "war criminal and a thief" who must resign and face justice. Shortly after posting these statements on his Telegram channel, Remeslo was reportedly admitted to Psychiatric Hospital No. 3 in St. Petersburg, with all contact lost.
The incident has sparked significant controversy, particularly because Remeslo was previously one of the most vocal pro-government bloggers supporting the war. He played a key role in campaigns against the opposition, including contributing to the arrest of late opposition leader Alexei Navalny and testifying against him in court. His sudden "switch of sides" has raised questions about whether it represents a genuine change of heart or is the result of coercion.
In an interview before his hospitalization, Remeslo attributed his shift in views to personal evolution and a new "mission," citing the 2023 rebellion by mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin as a catalyst. He insisted his actions were voluntary and expressed hope for political change this year, stating he would not flee Russia. However, his current condition and the circumstances of his admission to the psychiatric facility remain unclear, fueling speculation about potential pressure from authorities.
Remeslo's former allies have reacted with sharp criticism. Apti Alaudinov, head of a Chechen special forces unit, expressed being "deeply shocked," suggesting Remeslo was a "completely adequate, pro-Russian, pro-presidential person" who may have been forced to make the unexpected statements. Prominent propagandist Vladimir Solovyov speculated that the blogger might have suffered a "nervous breakdown" due to the war, implying instability.
Analysts view this case as part of broader trends in Russia. Propaganda researcher Ivan Filippov described Remeslo as an "accomplice in the murder of Alexei Navalny" and noted his actions are never "for free." Political scientists like Abbas Gallyamov and Dmitry Oreshkin suggest the hospitalization could be a harsh state response to dissent, reflecting growing war fatigue, economic struggles, and dwindling trust in the government. This incident underscores the tense political climate in Russia, where open criticism of the leadership can lead to severe repercussions, including forced psychiatric treatment—a tactic with historical precedents from the Soviet era.
Source: www.dw.com