'It was either exile or prison': An interview with Boris Nadezhdin, Kremlin opponent prosecuted in Moscow and now in Paris
- Posted on August 13, 2026
- By Le Monde
- 1 Views
- 1 min read
In brief
A prominent Russian dissident and seasoned politician fled Moscow after facing legal persecution for opposing Putin's administration and criticizing the Ukrainian invasion. At 63, Boris Nadezhdin exhausted democratic avenues seeking political change but ultimately chose exile over imprisonment. This exclusive French interview marks his first public statement since escaping to Paris, providing crucial insights into the repressive climate facing opposition figures in contemporary Russia.
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'It was either exile or prison': An interview with Boris Nadezhdin, Kremlin opponent prosecuted in Moscow and now in Paris
The veteran Russian politician, 63, tried to challenge Vladimir Putin's regime and its war in Ukraine through legal and electoral means. He failed. Facing the threat of arrest, he decided to leave Russia. His interview with Le Monde is his first since arriving in France.
