Political Imprisonment

Russian Opposition Leader Sentenced: Concerns of Dictatorship and Political Repression

A Russian court sentenced pro-war activist Sergei Udaltsov to six years in prison on charges of justifying terrorism. The charges stemmed from an online article supporting other Russian activists previously convicted of forming a terrorist organization. Udaltsov, leader of the Left Front movement, rejected the accusations, calling the verdict “shameful,” and has announced a hunger strike. This sentence marks another instance of the Russian government’s intensified crackdown on dissent, a trend that has significantly escalated since the invasion of Ukraine.

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DOJ Defies Court Order, Refuses to Release Detained Palestinian

The Department of Justice (DOJ) will not release Mahmoud Khalil from detention, despite a court ruling prohibiting his detention based solely on Secretary of State Rubio’s assertion that his pro-Palestinian activism contravenes U.S. foreign policy. The DOJ cites the court’s failure to order unconditional release and maintains the right to detain Khalil on other grounds, specifically alleging fraud in his green card application. Khalil’s lawyers contend he meets the conditions for release and have requested his immediate freedom. The DOJ counters that Khalil should pursue release through standard immigration procedures.

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