Nadeshdin arrested: Opposition under pressure ahead of Duma election

Allegations by the authorities

Moscow's Ministry of Justice had additionally accused Nadeshdin of spreading false information about decisions by Russian authorities and of calling for unauthorized demonstrations and vigils. The precise circumstances of his arrest remained initially unclear.

Despite the classification as a "foreign agent," Nadeshdin announced that he would seek a mandate in the State Duma election in September and collect the necessary signatures. "Ungeachtet der Einstufung als ausländischer Agent wolle er seinen politischen Kampf fortsetzen und weiter Unterstützerunterschriften für seine Duma-Kandidatur sammeln", Nadeshdin had stated.

Background: Nadeshdin and the war

The Russian parliamentary election, the so-called Duma election, is scheduled for September 18 to 20. The Kremlin party United Russia aims to maintain its position of power in the vote despite the widespread dissatisfaction of many Russians in the context of the war.

Boris Nadeshdin is regarded as a popular opposition politician and opponent of the war. He openly takes a stance against the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine. In the 2024 presidential election, long queues had formed in Moscow as supporters collected the necessary signatures for him. The Russian election commission did not allow him to run at that time.

Assessment by experts

Russian political scientist Alexander Kynev said that the action against Nadeshdin was a signal from the power apparatus. It was intended to deter politically active people in the country with a differing opinion from taking part in the Duma election.

The few opposition figures still at liberty in Russia are lamenting an increase in the already ubiquitous repression ahead of the election. Nadeshdin's arrest fits into this development and underscores the growing pressure on government-critical forces in the run-up to the vote.