ABSTRACT
Restrictions introduced in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic were officially aimed at tackling the spread of the coronavirus. However, there were also tangible concerns about how they could be used to curb not only the spread of the pandemic, but also undesired political protests, especially in authoritarian countries. But how realistic were these worries? Evidence presented in this research suggests that the worries about repressive uses of pandemic restrictions were not exaggerated in the case of Russia. Based on the data of the watchdog organisation OVD-Info, the Russian authorities largely instrumentalised COVID-19 restrictions to repress undesirable anti-Kremlin political movements. This is showcased in the number of legal charges attached to two of the biggest anti-governmental political protests during the COVID-19 crisis. That is, movements against the imprisonment of popular politicians Sergei Furgal and Alexei Navalny. Findings presented here indicate that while the Kremlin sought to suppress both political movements, legislative responses – including restricting public gatherings during the COVID-19 crisis – were significantly harsher in relation to the Navalny protests. Results presented here suggest that pandemic restrictions were used to complement authoritarian responses to political protest in Russia during the pandemic.
