Ilja Jaschin: Without protection and full of hope for freedom in Germany

Ilja Jaschin: Without protection and full of hope for freedom in Germany

ilja Jaschin, a prominent critic of the Kremlin, has clearly spoken out against police protection in Germany, even if he is aware of the potential dangers by the Russian secret service. When he arrived in Berlin, after a remarkable prisoner exchange between Russia and the West a month ago, he was offered such protection. Nevertheless, Jaschin explained that he never wanted personal protection. "I didn't even have bodyguards in Moscow, why should I have any here?" he clarifies his conviction to be able to move in freedom.

Jaschin already experienced initial incidents that serve his concerns about his security. In a Berlin café, he noticed that a man suddenly pulled out his cell phone at the next table and filmed him. This was not a random incident for Jaschin. "This man was not a normal café visitor, but spied on us," he said, emphasizing that he now knew well what Russian agents or police officers look like. Such experiences illustrate the persistent threat, which he sees, even abroad.

The reality of the Ukraine War

his commitment as a critic of the Russian regime extends beyond personal security concerns. In his comment on the aggressive offensive of Russia against Ukraine, which lasted for more than two and a half years, Jaschin warned of a dangerous misjudgment. "There must be no illusion that Putin would be satisfied with Ukraine," he said. It is essential for him that both the West and the Russian opposition do everything in their power to support and save Ukraine.

Jaschin himself paid a significant personal price in the past. In 2022, he was sentenced to an eight and a half year imprisonment in Russia after making the atrocities committed by Russian troops in the Kiev suburb of Butcha. These strict measures against critics illustrate the increasingly close environment for different opinions within Russia. "Putin took my people hostage," he said, pointing out the limited opportunities for resistance to the regime.

his case is in a further context: In August, an exceptional prisoner exchange between Russia and Belarus took place, in which Jaschin and 15 other people who were imprisoned due to their work as journalists, artists, oppositioners or activists. In return, ten people were handed over to Russia, including the convicted “Tiergartenmurger” Wadim Krassikow and convicted spies. This exchange not only raises questions about the judiciary and human rights in Russia, but also about how systematically opponents of the Kremlin are pursued.

Jaschin remains optimistic and shows determination to continue to stand up for his beliefs. The more people are ready to raise their voices, the more they can help to raise awareness of the situation in Russia and the continuing conflicts in Ukraine.