February 2016 6/2016

Veera Laine Research Fellow The Finnish Institute of International Affairs

The spring that never came > One year after Boris Nemtsov’s murder, Russia’s liberal opposition is threatened, repressed and ridiculed

A year has passed since opposition leader Boris Nemtsov was fatally shot in . The murder is now reported to have been solved, but the true motive remains unclear. Meanwhile, the Russian liberal opposition is being repressed by the state, threatened by the Chechen leader and ridiculed by the patriots.

One year ago, Russian opposition the accused men – the ringleader across it that hinted at him being a politician Boris Nemtsov, a leading in particular – have close ties to “US agent”. It seems that Kadyrov’s figure in the extra-parliamentary , the authoritarian brutality has merged with the People’s Freedom Party (PARNAS), president of the Chechen republic. enthusiasm of Russian nationalists in was shot dead near the Kremlin in Like many other political murders the common endeavour of resisting Moscow. It was evident from the in Russian history, this one will the liberal opposition. very beginning that the murder was most likely remain unclear to a large Both Kadyrov and the nationalist politically motivated. As a well- extent, even if officially solved. What activists perceive themselves as true known opposition figure who had is clear, however, is that the liberal patriots, fighting against foreign been conducting his own studies opposition remains in the Chechen influences in their country. Liberal concerning the participation of leader’s sights. opposition representatives are seen Russian regular troops in the war in In late January, after seeing the as pro-Western and thus unpatriotic, Donbas, Nemtsov was not short of Russian liberal opposition ridiculed which then gives rise to various ways potential enemies. for months, Kadyrov’s 1.6 million of ridiculing their personalities and In January 2016, the head of the followers on Instagram were exposed discrediting their political claims. Investigative Committee, Aleksandr to a photo manipulation show- It is noteworthy that these ac- Bastrykin, announced in an inter- ing opposition politicians Mikhail tions appear to be officially endorsed. view that the case had been solved. Kasyanov and Vladimir Kara-Murza Despite widespread allegations that Five men have been arrested and viewed through the scope of a Kadyrov may have gone beyond charged with the murder, whereas sniper’s rifle. Both are leading figures Putin’s control, he remains intact, the man identified by the court as of the PARNAS party and hence have whereas the nationalist activists are the main organizer has not been grown accustomed to threats; last probably merely more outspoken found. All the men are of Northern summer Kara-Murza fell into a coma than the establishment that surely Caucasian origin. for several days after allegedly being shares their views. As long as the The court has not announced poisoned. societal (and juridical) atmosphere the motive, but according to a After Kadyrov’s symbolic threat in the country allows the harassment widespread explanation, the deeply on Instagram, Kasyanov in particular of anyone considered “unpatri- religious men were outraged at has been publicly ridiculed by all otic”, the liberal opposition has no Nemtsov’s comments in support sorts of nationalist activists. He was chance of gaining positive publicity. of the satirical newspaper Charlie attacked in a restaurant in Moscow, Moreover, liberal opposition politi- Hebdo, and therefore planned the where a cake was thrown in his face, cians are rarely permitted to appear killing. Serious doubts have been while some days later, members of on the main information channels, voiced about the explanation as well a pro-Putin movement tossed eggs and are forced into a defensive posi- as the whole investigation. It has at him in a demonstration. They also tion in the public discussion. been pointed out both in the inter- rolled out a red carpet for him to To make matters worse, the national and the Russian press that walk on – with dollar bills scattered liberal opposition is not only being 2

Finnish Institute of ridiculed by the patriots and being that the ruling International Affairs threatened by Kadyrov and his party wanted to make use of the Kruunuvuorenkatu 4 henchmen, but it is also falling under wide support for the top leadership POB 400 intense repression exercised by the among the electorate while it lasts. 00161 Helsinki state. Politically motivated criminal One year ago, the liberal opposi- charges against the opposition are tion was planning a mass protest Telephone by no means rare, but they are not against the economic crisis in the +358 (0)9 432 7000 always needed: demands from the country and the . They state administration to clarify the had labelled the event Vesna, Spring, Fax organizational structure or funding thereby challenging those nationalist +358 (0)9 432 7799 basis of any political organization or segments of society that perceived party consume time and resources, the conflict in as a “Russian www.f iia.f i making them dysfunctional as a spring”, an uprising of the Russia- result. minded population. Even though the forthcoming But that spring never came. Duma elections in September are Boris Nemtsov was murdered on 27 not expected to bring about any February, and the demonstration big changes, the preparations for was turned into a commemorative them are heating up the political march. This year, the opposition has atmosphere. After the latest federal been granted permission to organize election round in 2011–2012 and a new commemorative event on the mass protests that followed, the coming Sunday in several cities the Putin administration imposed across Russia. This is both sadly comprehensive restrictions on ironic and highly symbolic: all that society and the media, which puts the liberal opposition in Russia is the opposition parties in a weaker permitted to do is mourn. starting position compared to four The Finnish Institute of International Affairs is an years ago. independent research institute that produces high-level research to support political decision-making and The extra-parliamentary op- public debate both nationally and internationally. position is being pushed further to the margins by limiting their All manuscripts are reviewed by at least two other possibilities in the electoral contest experts in the field to ensure the high quality well in advance. Last summer, the of the publications. In addition, publications government decided to bring the undergo professional language checking and editing. The responsibility for the views elections forward from December to expressed ultimately rests with the authors. September, a possible explanation