Ex-Russian Lawmaker Gives Rare Insight Into Putin’s Paranoia

Ilya Ponomarev is a former Russian lawmaker who was known for his political activism and opposition to the Russian government. He was born on August 10, 1975, in Moscow, Russia.

Ponomarev entered politics in the early 2000s and became a member of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF). He was elected to the State Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament, in 2007, representing the Novosibirsk Oblast constituency. He quickly gained attention for his outspoken criticism of the government and its policies.

In 2011, Ponomarev left the CPRF and became an independent member of the State Duma. He continued to be an active critic of President Vladimir Putin‘s government, often speaking out on issues like corruption, human rights, and political repression. His dissenting stance and vocal opposition to the Kremlin’s actions earned him both support from some segments of the Russian population and condemnation from pro-government circles.

One of the notable events that marked Ponomarev’s political career was his vote against the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014. He was the only member of the Russian parliament who opposed the annexation, and as a result, he faced significant backlash and accusations of “betrayal” from pro-government politicians and media.

Due to his dissenting views and criticism of the government, Ponomarev faced increasing pressure and threats from Russian authorities. In 2015, he left Russia and moved to the United States, where he continued to be involved in political activities from abroad. In 2016, Ponomarev was charged with embezzlement and put on the international wanted list by Russian authorities. He has maintained that the charges against him are politically motivated and intended to silence his opposition to the Russian government.

It’s important to note that political situations and circumstances can change rapidly, and developments may have occurred after my last update. Therefore, I recommend checking more recent sources for the latest information on Ilya Ponomarev and his activities.