Igor Girkin, a prominent Russian pro-war blogger and former KGB officer, was arrested for “extremist activity” after openly criticizing President Vladimir Putin and the Russian military’s operations in Ukraine. His arrest comes after a series of online comments in which he berated the state, Putin, and the military, even co-founding a political group named the Angry Patriots Club and calling for grave internal political changes.
  

Key Points: 

1. Igor Girkin, also known by his nom de guerre Igor Strelkov, is a well-known Russian “milblogger” and former KGB officer who was previously convicted of mass murder for his involvement in the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17.
2. He was arrested on charges of “extremist activity” following his public criticisms of President Putin and Russia’s military operations in Ukraine. Girkin had called Putin a “lowlife” and a “cowardly bum” in a recent online post.
3. Girkin’s criticisms have escalated recently; he co-founded the ultra-nationalist political group the Angry Patriots Club, and suggested Russia was on the verge of “very grave internal political changes of a catastrophic character”.
4. Girkin’s arrest is considered to be a direct outcome of the Wagner mercenary rebellion, which was the most significant challenge to Putin in more than two decades.
5. His arrest has sparked speculation about growing disputes within the Kremlin and raised concerns about Russia’s commitment to freedom of speech.

Source: https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2023/07/21/europe/igor-girkin-arrest-russia-intl/index.html