Legal system criticized as closed

A lawyer with over ten years of experience in cases involving state secrets has described the legal system handling such matters as a closed world where justice has been subordinated to the realization of "state objectives."

Security as a tool of control

The lawyer claims that the concept of security has evolved into an instrument of total control over state mechanisms and citizens, suggesting that security is no longer just about protection but about maintaining power.

FSB's growing power

The Federal Security Service (FSB) is often regarded as the direct successor of the KGB, but the lawyer argues that the FSB has become more powerful than any previous intelligence service, with greater autonomy and influence.

No counter-power for the FSB

Unlike the KGB, which was subject to the authority of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU), the FSB is described as being subject to no counter-power, functioning as its own patron, investigator, and judge, which raises concerns about accountability.

FSB's historical roots

The FSB sees itself as the heir of the Tcheka, established in 1917, and the lawyer notes that political prosecutions, the repression of dissent, and the pursuit of "enemies" are the original sin of all Russian intelligence services, pointing to a long history of such practices.

Continuity in Russian intelligence

While regimes and names have changed—from the NKVD to the KGB—the spirit has remained the same, indicating a consistent approach to intelligence and security across different eras in Russian history.

Exiled media outlet labeled as foreign agent

The article, published by Republic, a Russian exiled media outlet founded in 2009, was added to the register of "foreign agents" by Russian authorities in May 2024, reflecting the government's stance on such media.

Limited access to critical analysis

The outlet, which publishes analyses and editorials on Russian and international news, is accessible only through subscription, limiting the reach of its critical perspectives on domestic and global issues.