A decision to detain the well-known Russian political analyst Yekaterina Shulman in absentia was issued by a court in Moscow. This was reported by Zamin.uz.
This decision once again drew public attention to the political situation in the country, particularly regarding the issue of "foreign agents." According to the court ruling, Shulman is accused of failing to fulfill the legal and administrative obligations set by the state.
The Meshchanskiy court determined that she should be detained upon her return to Russia and held in custody for two months. According to reports, Shulman is currently not in Russian territory.
She left for Germany in April 2022 on a scholarship from the Robert Bosch Foundation. She has stated in her speeches that political reasons influenced her decision to leave the country.
The Russian Ministry of Justice declared her a "foreign agent" after her departure. To date, it has not been officially announced that a criminal case has been opened against her, only a short-term search card appeared in the Ministry of Internal Affairs database in March 2024.
Yekaterina Shulman is known for her in-depth analyses of political and economic issues in Russia. She has taught at the Moscow Higher School of Social and Economic Sciences and the Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, and has also been a member of the Human Rights Council under the President of Russia.
In an interview with the German publication Die Zeit in May 2022, Shulman openly stated that her status as a "foreign agent" was hindering her return to Russia and her ability to engage in teaching activities. This situation indicates an increase in pressure on independent thought and opposition in Russia.
In particular, the legislation regarding "foreign agents" restricts opportunities for free expression. The detention order issued against Shulman is being closely monitored by the international community, human rights organizations, and independent media.
This situation requires a deeper examination of attitudes towards specialists engaged in independent thought and critical analysis.
