The Moscow City assembly voted to remove Yevgeny Stupin, an exiled anti-war deputy who was designated as a “foreign agent” by the Russian authorities. Stupin, a member of the Communist Party, was elected in 2019 and was expelled from the party last year due to his anti-war stance. He left Russia in September over threats of criminal prosecution and settled in Armenia.
The Moscow City Duma voted 28-5 to strip Stupin of his mandate for failing to attend sessions for more than six months without a valid reason. Stupin and his supporters claim that pro-Kremlin members prevented him from attending sessions remotely. Stupin stated that the six-month absence was artificially created due to not being allowed to connect to the sessions. A ruling party member claimed that Stupin’s inability to connect was due to actions by providers in foreign countries restricting access to Russian internet resources.
Stupin believes that the vote to unseat him was a form of revenge by the pro-Kremlin United Russia ruling party for his critical views on the war. He was among the signatories of a letter titled “Communists and Socialists Against Fratricidal War” that condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The Russian government has increasingly tightened restrictions against individuals considered “foreign agents” who are accused of working in the interests of Western governments.
Recently, Russia’s lower-house State Duma passed a bill banning “foreign agents” from running for political office in the country. This is part of a broader crackdown on individuals and organizations that are perceived as working against Russia’s interests. Stupin’s case highlights the challenges faced by those who express dissenting views in Russia and are subject to government pressure and restrictions. Despite being removed from the Moscow City Duma, Stupin continues to advocate for peace and against the war in Ukraine from his place of exile in Armenia.
The expulsion of Stupin from the Moscow City Duma reflects the ongoing political climate in Russia, where dissenting voices are increasingly marginalized and targeted by the government. Stupin’s case also sheds light on the challenges faced by opposition members who are critical of the Kremlin’s policies, particularly in relation to the war in Ukraine. As Russia’s government tightens restrictions on those it deems as “foreign agents,” the space for political opposition and civil society to operate freely continues to shrink, raising concerns about the state of democracy and freedom of expression in the country.
Despite being removed from his position in the Moscow City Duma, Stupin remains committed to advocating for peace and opposing the war in Ukraine. His case serves as a reminder of the importance of defending freedom of expression and the rights of individuals to speak out against government policies, even when facing significant obstacles and risks. Stupin’s continued activism from exile highlights the resilience of individuals who refuse to be silenced by government repression, even as they face increasing pressure and restrictions on their ability to participate in public life and express their views.
