In Bangkok this week, members of an antiwar Russian-language rock group were fighting deportation to Russia, detained in what supporters described as a cramped, hot, 80-person immigration holding cell.
On Wednesday in Moscow, the lower house of Parliament passed a law that will allow the Russian government to seize the property of Russians living abroad who, in the words of the legislature’s chairman, “besmirch our country.”
The two developments, though thousands of miles apart, reflected the same grim calculus by the Kremlin: Using new legislation and apparent diplomatic pressure on other countries, it is turning the screws on Russia’s sprawling antiwar diaspora.
There’s always a loophole.
If any Russians living abroad have anything they want to get off their chest, lemme know, and I’ll besmirch the daylights out of Russia for you. I’ll have to do it in English or Spanish though since all I know in Russian is that “D” looks like New Hampshire with legs.
I also offer my assistance to besmirch Russia, I’ll also besmirch Putin for you as a bonus.
If any Russians want to give me verified info that hurts Russia by starting a social media presence, I’m looking for a new opportunity…