Leonid Gozman and Rovshan Askerov have officially been included on Rosfinmonitoring's list of terrorists and extremists, marking a significant turn of events for both individuals. The update, which surfaced on October 10, 2024, has raised eyebrows as the list is often seen as part of Russia's tightening grip on dissenters.
According to Rosfinmonitoring, Gozman, along with Askerov, received special designations indicated by stars next to their names, signaling active criminal cases against them related to terrorist charges. Gozman’s case has been particularly highlighted due to his previous political involvement and outspoken criticisms of the Russian government.
Gozman is not new to controversy. Following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, he opted to leave the country but returned shortly after, labeling his act as a "moral choice." His return, unfortunately, led to increased scrutiny from the authorities. He was soon labeled as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government and faced multiple charges, including failing to report dual citizenship, which resulted from acquiring Israeli citizenship.
On July 11, 2024, Gozman was found guilty of spreading false information about the Russian army, receiving an 8.5-year prison sentence. The court cited social media posts on platforms like Facebook and Telegram where he allegedly distorted facts about the military’s actions, particularly those related to the atrocities at Bucha. "During posts on Telegram and Facebook, Gozman distorted information about the actions of the Russian armed forces," the court stated.
Similarly, Rovshan Askerov, known for participating in the television quiz show "What? Where? When?" faced legal peril of his own. A former public figure, Askerov was accused of "rehabilitating Nazism" due to internet postings criticizing Soviet General Georgy Zhukov. Authorities alleged his statements desecrated the memory of Zhukov, who is considered one of Russia's greatest military leaders. His history of sharp commentary has now led him to be labeled as involved with extremist activities.
Currently residing outside of Russia, Askerov was also labeled as a "foreign agent" last December. His situation escalated after he received accusations tied to his online presence back as early as May 2022. A court decision from May of the same year led to his being tried in absentia and, like Gozman, he faces complications from being on the extremist list, which typically freezes assets and severely limits personal freedoms.
This decision by Rosfinmonitoring to include Gozman and Askerov is significant when viewed against the backdrop of Russian authorities intensifying their efforts to silence dissenting voices within the country. With over 16,000 individuals currently listed as extremists or terrorists—3152 of whom were added just this year—the environment for political opposition remains perilously hostile.
Gozman, who stated previously his posts were driven by the need for truth and transparency, is now facing monumental obstacles, including being declared wanted and having all his accounts frozen. "Gozman Leonid Yakovlevich, born July 13, 1950, Moscow; Askerov Rovshan Enver Ogly, born May 4, 1972, Baku Azerbaijan SSR," the official list reads.
The impact of Rosfinmonitoring's designations stretches beyond personal ramifications; it serves as yet another measure of how dissent is managed and curtailed within the Russian Federation. The international community continues to express concern over the systematic targeting of individuals for their beliefs and opinions.
These developments underline the precarious state of free speech and expression within Russia. While Gozman and Askerov may have found refuge internationally, their future remains wreathed in uncertainty as the Kremlin's methods of suppression grow more pervasive.
Only time will tell how their respective cases will evolve and whether there will be repercussions for similar intellectual dissenters caught within Russia's tightening noose of political control.