Pro-Kremlin Blogger Ilya Remeslo Publicly Denounces Putin, Calls for Trial
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) — A prominent Russian lawyer and blogger known for his staunch support of the Kremlin has unexpectedly turned against President Vladimir Putin, accusing him of leading Russia into a “dead-end war” and demanding his resignation and prosecution. Ilya Remeslo, 42, published a scathing manifesto Tuesday night on his Telegram channel, a move that has sent shockwaves through Russia’s political landscape.
In the post, titled “Five reasons why I stopped supporting Vladimir Putin,” Remeslo details a litany of grievances, including the economic fallout of the war in Ukraine, the erosion of civil liberties, and rampant corruption. He concludes by stating that Putin “is not a legitimate president” and “must resign and be put on trial as a war criminal and thief.”
Remeslo’s dramatic shift is particularly striking given his past role as a vocal critic of Putin’s opponents. He was a key figure in efforts to discredit the late Alexei Navalny, using his legal expertise to file complaints against activists and opposition figures. He was described as “the main driving force behind jailing Navalny.”
The sudden denunciation has sparked intense speculation about Remeslo’s motives. Some, like pro-Kremlin television host Vladimir Solovyov, have suggested he may have suffered a breakdown or defected to the opposition. Others, including Apti Alaudinov, commander of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov’s Akhmat special forces, have raised the possibility that Remeslo may have been kidnapped, stating he “always seemed completely level-headed.”
Exiled opposition figure Leonid Volkov, who headed Navalny’s 2018 presidential campaign, expressed astonishment at the reversal, calling it “the fastest mid-air flip I’ve ever seen.” He questioned whether the Kremlin would have authorized such a direct attack on Putin, warning it “crosses every red line.”
In an interview with the exiled news outlet Agentstvo on Wednesday, Remeslo doubled down on his criticism, stating that life in Russia has continued to worsen despite his earlier hopes for improvement. He expressed confidence that his manifesto would reach Putin’s attention. Remeslo, who resides in St. Petersburg, stated he plans to remain in Russia “unless my family is threatened” and is prepared to face any criminal charges that may arise. “They can’t really jail everyone for criticizing Putin,” he told Agentstvo.
The case highlights the growing discontent within Russia over the war in Ukraine and the increasingly authoritarian nature of Putin’s government. While criticism of the Kremlin is often muted or expressed anonymously, Remeslo’s public condemnation is a rare and significant event. The Guardian and The Moscow Times have also reported on the story.
