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What's it like to be hated by the Russian internet? What's it like to be hated by the Russian internet?
(35 minutes later)
Facing death threats and streams of abusive messages, some Russians are becoming increasingly targeted by rising levels of online vitriol.Facing death threats and streams of abusive messages, some Russians are becoming increasingly targeted by rising levels of online vitriol.
Trolling and internet abuse is a global problem, but each of these stories reveals how for some people working in Russia the digital sphere has become increasingly pernicious, with some saying it has become particularly bad since the annexation of Crimea.Trolling and internet abuse is a global problem, but each of these stories reveals how for some people working in Russia the digital sphere has become increasingly pernicious, with some saying it has become particularly bad since the annexation of Crimea.
Russian magazine Afisha asked four prominent figures – a lawyer, a former US ambassador to Russia, an activist and a journalist – about how they deal with regular aggression and harassment online.Russian magazine Afisha asked four prominent figures – a lawyer, a former US ambassador to Russia, an activist and a journalist – about how they deal with regular aggression and harassment online.
Related: Salutin' Putin: inside a Russian troll houseRelated: Salutin' Putin: inside a Russian troll house
‘Before Nemtsov I treated the threats like white noise’‘Before Nemtsov I treated the threats like white noise’
Karina Orlov, radio host, Echo of Moscow: Karina Orlova, radio host, Echo of Moscow:
The threats started last January after I recorded a show with journalist Maxim Shevchenko about the terrorist attack on Charlie Hebdo. We discussed Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov’s reaction to a tweet by opposition activist Mikhail Khodorkovsky, where he had called on journalists to reprint the Mohammed cartoons, to show terrorists that western society doesn’t fear them.The threats started last January after I recorded a show with journalist Maxim Shevchenko about the terrorist attack on Charlie Hebdo. We discussed Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov’s reaction to a tweet by opposition activist Mikhail Khodorkovsky, where he had called on journalists to reprint the Mohammed cartoons, to show terrorists that western society doesn’t fear them.
Kadyrov had called Khodorkovsky his “personal enemy”, and had threatened him.Kadyrov had called Khodorkovsky his “personal enemy”, and had threatened him.
I asked Shevchenko how Kadyrov could threaten a public figure with violence, and he said that Kadyrov is one of the finest men around. But I didn’t leave it at that, and I pressed him further.I asked Shevchenko how Kadyrov could threaten a public figure with violence, and he said that Kadyrov is one of the finest men around. But I didn’t leave it at that, and I pressed him further.
The very next day, I got my first threat on Facebook. It was waiting in the folder marked “Other.” I opened the message, read it, and deleted it.The very next day, I got my first threat on Facebook. It was waiting in the folder marked “Other.” I opened the message, read it, and deleted it.
Then I started getting messages regularly – and not just “I’ll get you, bitch”, but detailed, thought-out threats.Then I started getting messages regularly – and not just “I’ll get you, bitch”, but detailed, thought-out threats.
For two months I didn’t dwell on it: I thought it was the cost of working at Echo of Moscow – it’s the liberal media, and there’s such an atmosphere of hatred in Russia these days.For two months I didn’t dwell on it: I thought it was the cost of working at Echo of Moscow – it’s the liberal media, and there’s such an atmosphere of hatred in Russia these days.
Then opposition activist Boris Nemtsov was murdered, and I got another three death threats in early March. Suddenly, I realised that my life could be in real danger.Then opposition activist Boris Nemtsov was murdered, and I got another three death threats in early March. Suddenly, I realised that my life could be in real danger.
Before Nemtsov’s murder, I treated the threats like white noise.Before Nemtsov’s murder, I treated the threats like white noise.
I spent a month in the United States where people would ask what is was like in Russia and I’d say “Oh well, they’re accusing us of being a fifth column, traitors to the nation, and I get threats in the mail.” People were astonished.I spent a month in the United States where people would ask what is was like in Russia and I’d say “Oh well, they’re accusing us of being a fifth column, traitors to the nation, and I get threats in the mail.” People were astonished.
The police opened a case into the threats against me on 26 March, after I spent a week talking to investigators. In all that time, the authorities never even asked me for my Facebook password.The police opened a case into the threats against me on 26 March, after I spent a week talking to investigators. In all that time, the authorities never even asked me for my Facebook password.
I left a week later and I have no plans to return anytime soon.I left a week later and I have no plans to return anytime soon.
‘We were dead men walking’‘We were dead men walking’
Oleg Khabibrakhmanov, lawyer, Committee Against TortureOleg Khabibrakhmanov, lawyer, Committee Against Torture
When you work in Chechnya and the republic’s chief of police says openly: “Guys, I can no longer guarantee your safety”, this, it seems to me, is an outright threat.When you work in Chechnya and the republic’s chief of police says openly: “Guys, I can no longer guarantee your safety”, this, it seems to me, is an outright threat.
Our joint mobile team started operating there in 2009, after the death of journalist Natalia Estemirova – we took on the cases she had been investigating.Our joint mobile team started operating there in 2009, after the death of journalist Natalia Estemirova – we took on the cases she had been investigating.
But our colleagues in Chechnya immediately made it clear that we were dead men walking. They didn’t want to speak to us publicly. It was a nervous time, to put it mildly.But our colleagues in Chechnya immediately made it clear that we were dead men walking. They didn’t want to speak to us publicly. It was a nervous time, to put it mildly.
Of course, we tried to minimise the risks but no amount of iron doors, armoured vehicles or bulletproof vests will help if they really want to get to you.Of course, we tried to minimise the risks but no amount of iron doors, armoured vehicles or bulletproof vests will help if they really want to get to you.
In December last year, everything came apart.In December last year, everything came apart.
We had written a letter to the attorney general asking him to look into the Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov for illegal activity.We had written a letter to the attorney general asking him to look into the Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov for illegal activity.
Persecution followed: the arson of our office, and attacks in the media – even the local human rights activists who’d called us their colleagues suddenly spoke out sharply against us.Persecution followed: the arson of our office, and attacks in the media – even the local human rights activists who’d called us their colleagues suddenly spoke out sharply against us.
The most insulting thing is when the locals don’t support us.When our office was burned down in Grozny, our neighbours only berated us with demands that we pay them to back for the damage.The most insulting thing is when the locals don’t support us.When our office was burned down in Grozny, our neighbours only berated us with demands that we pay them to back for the damage.
Or, people write to me on Facebook to say things like: “withdraw your troops from independent Chechnya, and we’ll deal with Ramzan ourselves!”Or, people write to me on Facebook to say things like: “withdraw your troops from independent Chechnya, and we’ll deal with Ramzan ourselves!”
How do I find the strength? I don’t know. I’m certain that what I am doing is truly important: refusing to let Russia slip into totalitarianism and waging a war against the violation of human rights.How do I find the strength? I don’t know. I’m certain that what I am doing is truly important: refusing to let Russia slip into totalitarianism and waging a war against the violation of human rights.
So I can say that despite the abuse, I honestly do enjoy my work.So I can say that despite the abuse, I honestly do enjoy my work.
We did investigate threats when I was ambassador, we took it very seriously, as did the Russian government.We did investigate threats when I was ambassador, we took it very seriously, as did the Russian government.
One of the people who follows me confessed that he is paid to say nasty things: he said in a direct message to me – “just so you know I personally admire you, but this is what I am paid to do.” I took a photo of the message, and will release it someday.One of the people who follows me confessed that he is paid to say nasty things: he said in a direct message to me – “just so you know I personally admire you, but this is what I am paid to do.” I took a photo of the message, and will release it someday.
There is no doubt that these attacks induce self-censorship. They want to chase me away from debates on Twitter. They are succeeding.There is no doubt that these attacks induce self-censorship. They want to chase me away from debates on Twitter. They are succeeding.
‘Occasionally they threaten my children’‘Occasionally they threaten my children’
Michael McFaul, professor of political science, former US ambassador to Russia:Michael McFaul, professor of political science, former US ambassador to Russia:
Online abuse has got much worse since the annexation of Crimea: the Russian-language debates on Twitter are much more personal.Online abuse has got much worse since the annexation of Crimea: the Russian-language debates on Twitter are much more personal.
Sometimes it’s just a few very unpleasant tweets. Sometimes it’s hundreds of Twitter messages saying the same thing, as if they are coordinated.Sometimes it’s just a few very unpleasant tweets. Sometimes it’s hundreds of Twitter messages saying the same thing, as if they are coordinated.
Occasionally people send threatening tweets to me about my physical security, they even threaten my children.Occasionally people send threatening tweets to me about my physical security, they even threaten my children.
I’ve moved back to the US to teach at Stanford University and it’s only got worse.I’ve moved back to the US to teach at Stanford University and it’s only got worse.
Now I have a policy that if someone insults me personally, I block them. If they say “you’re against free speech” my response is “you have the right to say whatever you want, but I have the right to read whatever I want.”Now I have a policy that if someone insults me personally, I block them. If they say “you’re against free speech” my response is “you have the right to say whatever you want, but I have the right to read whatever I want.”
If the Russian president wanted to reduce the hatred on Twitter, it would take him five minutes. I believe if he said something critical about this kind of activity it would have a giant effect.If the Russian president wanted to reduce the hatred on Twitter, it would take him five minutes. I believe if he said something critical about this kind of activity it would have a giant effect.
‘The hatred and pain will pass’‘The hatred and pain will pass’
Lena Klimova, LGBT activist, Children-404:Lena Klimova, LGBT activist, Children-404:
I can’t remember the first time someone wrote to insult me. It was probably in early 2013, when I was writing for [the news agency] Rosbalt. Readers commented beneath the article, or they found me on social networks: they told me I was a “smart girl” or “dumb whore” – I remember feeling hurt and confused.I can’t remember the first time someone wrote to insult me. It was probably in early 2013, when I was writing for [the news agency] Rosbalt. Readers commented beneath the article, or they found me on social networks: they told me I was a “smart girl” or “dumb whore” – I remember feeling hurt and confused.
But after I started running Children-404, an LGBT campaign group, I had to get used to it. After hearing the same words over and over for several years, they lose their meaning. Right now, I’m “attacked” up to three times a day.But after I started running Children-404, an LGBT campaign group, I had to get used to it. After hearing the same words over and over for several years, they lose their meaning. Right now, I’m “attacked” up to three times a day.
I’ve been attacked by my “own” people too.I’ve been attacked by my “own” people too.
A lesbian once approached me and claimed that the authorities approved the “anti-gay” law (in 2013) because of my awareness-raising project Children-404. She said it used to be OK before, but now she can’t even hold her girlfriend’s hand while walking down the street – and she blames me and other activists for this.A lesbian once approached me and claimed that the authorities approved the “anti-gay” law (in 2013) because of my awareness-raising project Children-404. She said it used to be OK before, but now she can’t even hold her girlfriend’s hand while walking down the street – and she blames me and other activists for this.
Recently I created a photo album – “beautiful people and what they say about me” – collecting threats I received online.Recently I created a photo album – “beautiful people and what they say about me” – collecting threats I received online.
I would look at the photos of the people who had written terrible things about me, marvelling at the disparity between their appearance and their words. I made the album so others could enjoy the contrast.I would look at the photos of the people who had written terrible things about me, marvelling at the disparity between their appearance and their words. I made the album so others could enjoy the contrast.
If you find yourself confronted by hatred and in pain, it’s vital to remember that it will pass. It hurts at first, but then you move on. The main thing is not to become too cold. Just take the abuse and the praise as it comes. Do your thing and don’t listen to anyone.If you find yourself confronted by hatred and in pain, it’s vital to remember that it will pass. It hurts at first, but then you move on. The main thing is not to become too cold. Just take the abuse and the praise as it comes. Do your thing and don’t listen to anyone.
A longer version of this article first appeared in Russian magazine Afisha, and was republished by RuNet EchoA longer version of this article first appeared in Russian magazine Afisha, and was republished by RuNet Echo