Oppression and Propaganda

One thing about Russia is how deep it already is in a dystopia—one where emotion and deep propaganda are ingrained. One where opposing the state is dangerous for your health. They don’t care if you are a minor.

Incidentally, this is a massive violation of human rights. But Russia wants to destroy the rules-based liberal order. This includes the concept of human rights.

So this came across in the last few days. This post has the most details. And yes, sending teens to prison for freedom of thought is exactly what you expect in a dystopia:

A 15-year-old teenager was sentenced to 5 years in prison for “terrorism.” The accusation was based on the fact that the boy distributed anti-Putin leaflets, ran a Telegram channel with five subscribers, and took a selfie with a white-blue-white flag.

Arseny Turbin was fond of mathematics and physics, but dreamed of entering MGIMO and studying political science. He hoped to understand what was happening in the country and understand how to make Russia better. However, his hopes were dashed last summer.

Then FSB officers came to see the boy who had completed eighth grade. According to investigators, Arseny was going to join the Legion “Freedom of Russia”, printed about a hundred copies of leaflets criticizing Putin, and ran a telegram channel for an unlimited circle of people (in fact there were five), in which he gave a negative assessment of the authorities.

The court took into account that the “terrorist” had no criminal record and that he grew up without a father, but could not ignore the “degree of public danger” of the crime.

So, an older teen is considered to be a danger to the state for the distribution of anti-war leaphets. This is terrorism for the Russian state. As bad, I suppose, as taking up arms and killing people in Dagestan or Moscow.

Don’t get me wrong. In an authoritarian space, a free thinker is dangerous. One as young as 15 could be infectious to his classmates attending courses with the Youth Army in preparation for the actual army. People who have a certain level of stunted emotional development as they become unthinking cogs in the machine.