Memorial head warns of Russian crackdown after elections

Elena Zhemkova, the executive director of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning human rights group Memorial, has warned of a sharp deterioration in Russia following the upcoming September legislative elections. Speaking from exile in Berlin, Zhemkova expressed concerns that the Russian government will increase arrests for minor offenses to funnel more individuals into the war in Ukraine.

Memorial, which was founded to document Soviet-era political repression, was recently labeled an “extremist” organization by a Russian court, effectively outlawing cooperation with the group. Zhemkova noted that the political landscape is tightening, highlighting that the Supreme Court recently banned the Yabloko party, the country’s only anti-war political party, from participating in the elections.

Despite being forced into exile, Zhemkova vowed to continue the organization’s mission to defend human rights within Russia.