Anti-War Activist In Russia's Tatarstan Flees Country

Raushan Valiullin (left) says that he and his family are currently in an unspecified former Soviet republic that is now an independent state.

A teacher and activist who openly protested Russia's ongoing unprovoked invasion of Ukraine has left his native Republic of Tatarstan in Russia for another country.

Raushan Valiullin told RFE/RL on September 13 that he, his wife, and their three children are currently in an unspecified former Soviet republic that is now an independent state.

Valiullin said that it was not easy for him to make the decision to leave the country with the whole family.

"We consider this current place of residence to be a temporary one. How long will we stay here? It will depend on how fast we will be able to find an opportunity to move to a country with the rule of law and democracy, as well as where human rights are respected," he said.

Valiullin also said that he was tired of living in "an atmosphere of permanent fear, total control, and persecution for freely expressed thoughts."

"It would be great to have a chance to live in a free environment, with freedom of expression, and without fearing for my children’s future," Valiullin said.

Valiullin was fired from his position as a teacher at a secondary school in the city of Naberezhnye Chelny on September 1 following a long standoff between him and the school's administration that he attributes to his rights activities.

Valiullin has openly protested Russia's invasion of Ukraine since it was launched in late February.

He also previously led Tatarstan’s branch of the Alliance of Teachers labor union, which was established by jailed opposition politician Aleksei Navalny’s team.

Since launching the invasion of Ukraine on February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin has clamped down hard on any dissent against the war.

In March, he signed bills into law that effectively criminalize any criticism of the war or actions of Russian soldiers.

Russian citizens face up to 10 years in prison for distributing "false news" about military operations and up to 15 years for “discrediting” the nation’s armed forces.