Dmitry Gudkov flees to Ukraine, fearing Kremlin persecution

“I’m getting closer to Kiev,” Gudkov wrote in his Facebook post, adding that sources close to the Kremlin told him that if he didn’t leave the country, he would be arrested on a “false” criminal case that would be established.

Dmitry Gudkov, 41, was arrested this week along with another notable opponent, Andrei Pivovarov, who was taken off a plane to fly to Poland.

The former deputy was arrested in 2015 for non-payment of income and risked up to five years in prison. His supporters saw the detention as a form of punishment for his intention to run in September.

Gudkov was released Thursday night without charge, the decision was welcomed by his inner circle, but reportedly received a proposal that he would not be allowed to run for parliament this fall.

In contrast, Andrei Pivovarov remains in jail after a two-month pre-trial detention order was passed at a court hearing last Wednesday.

Pivovarov is the former head of the Open Russia organization founded by exiled oligarch and Kremlin critic Mikhail Khodorkovsky. Open Russia announced its self-dissolution last month, ending its operations in Russia due to fears of harassment from its members.

Critics of Russian President Vladimir Putin have denounced the Kremlin’s desire to “restore order” ahead of the September 19 parliamentary elections, while the ruling United Russia party eludes the ballot box – despite Putin’s popularity – due to economic stagnation. and corruption scandals.

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