Russia hawks take advantage of the death of the blogger to call for executions and a more severe crackdown on dissent

The killing of Russian military journalist Vladlen Tatarsky has set off angry demands among politicians and commentators in Russia for the return of the death penalty and for a merciless crackdown on dissent through greater use of terrorism and treason charges. A 26-year old suspect, Daria Trepova, is now in custody in Moscow and charged in connection with his death. One of Russia’s most popular television hosts, Vladimir Soloviev, said that Trepova should be shot, along with her husband, who is living abroad. On another popular Russian show, Andrey Gurulev said he longed for the “days of Stalin” when the enemies of the people would get a pick and an axe and have fun waving it at a Siberian prison camp. The head of the Wagner private military company, Yevgeny Prigozhin, visited the café where the explosion occurred on Tuesday and joined the chorus demanding a return of the death penalty.

Hardliners in Russia are demanding a return to the death penalty and toughest measures in relation to those who participate in internal squabbling. Dozens of NGOs and independent media outlets have been declared 'foreign agents', and hundreds and likely thousands of civic activists have left the country since the invasion began. Dmitry Medvedev, former president and current security council head, has also called for draconian punishment for dissent and opposition. He recalled how traitors were dealt with during World War II, and suggested that the legal positions of the Constitutional Court of Russia can be changed. After the killing of Tatarsky, Medvedev blamed those championed in the west as 'fearless knights of justice and anti-corruption', and blamed those championed in the west as 'fearless knights of justice and anti-corruption'. He also blamed those championed in the west as 'fearless knights of justice and anti-corruption'.