'Attack on rights': Mikhail Gorbachev denounces Vladimir Putin’s new laws
Your support helps us to tell the story
As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.
Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn't have the resources to challenge those in power.
Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election
Andrew Feinberg
White House Correspondent
Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev has condemned Kremlin-backed laws passed in Russia as an “attack on the rights of citizens”.
The last leader of the USSR before its collapse also called on Russian President Vladimir Putin “not to be afraid of his own people”.
The new laws include fines for unsanctioned demonstrations and measures to force NGOs to register as “foreign agents”.
“The common thread running through all of them is an attack on the rights of citizens,” Mr Gorbachev told the BBC. “For goodness sake, you shouldn’t be afraid of your own people”.
“What people want and expect their President to do is to restore an open, direct dialogue with them. He shouldn’t take offence at this.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments