Authors

Discussion

During recent years, political repressions in Russia have intensified. This includes hundreds of criminal cases, enormous pressure on independent media and politics, “foreign agent” labels, and much more. In these circumstances, the question immediately arises - how can the citizens influence the decisions such a regime makes? Is public opinion even considered when such decisions are made? The main hypothesis is this: the hybrid regimes are afraid of the publicity being generated by their repressions. In Russia’s case, there is no open publication of data on detainees or the number of open cases, so the admission of lawyers and provision of legal aid become more difficult. We have examined the cases of unlawful concealment of data, including prosecution for data dissemination. 

Moreover, we have analysed the correlation between the public reaction and reduction in the severity of prosecution. We have examined cases where the outcome of the criminal case was not as severe as originally expected and what may have influenced this. 

In addition, we have analysed the Russian authorities’ interactions with international bodies and their requests. One of the few mechanisms that influenced regime’s decisions apart from civil society’s reaction are the international bodies’ requirements of publicity and compliance. How effective are they?