Opposition to the Kremlin's current policies remains important to prepare for the next period of governance Putinsaid the Russian dissident and human rights activist Oleg Orlov in an interview with dpa in Moscow.
“As long as he himself is in power, I don't think anyone can hope for any change”said 70-year-old Orlov, who is currently on trial on charges of defaming the Russian military and could be sentenced to a long prison term in a penal colony.
“But (Putin's) departure will undoubtedly lead to changes and a disintegration of the elite. And the opposition, as well as the rest of civil society, will play a huge role at this point in ensuring that the changes are not decorative.”
Orlov is a member of the board of the Memorial organization, an organization that was among the three 2022 Nobel Peace Prize laureates, and which has been outlawed in Russia.
“When that will happen and whether Putin will leave with the natural course of things, we don't know.” Putin, who is now 71, amended the constitution to allow him to run again for the presidency for a fifth time in upcoming elections next year.
Russian authorities have been cracking down on their critics since the start of the invasion of Ukraine nearly two years ago. Orlov has expressed his opposition to this war.
The legal proceedings against Orloff have been ongoing for months. A relatively recent fine was imposed on him in October, but in December the decision was revoked and the trial resumed. Prosecutors have asked for a multi-year sentence.
Source: News Beast
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