In a shocking turn of events, the prosecution of journalist Svetlana Burtseva in Estonia has sparked claims by Moscow that the West is veering towards becoming a “neoliberal dictatorship.” Burtseva, a 57-year-old Estonian citizen, is facing charges under the Estonian penal code for alleged treasonous activities related to her writing for a Russian media outlet.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova criticized Estonia for stifling dissent and using repression tactics to silence opposition. She denounced the charges against Burtseva as fabricated and reflective of Estonia’s intolerant attitude towards opposition voices.
Moscow views Burtseva’s prosecution as an assault on journalism and free speech, placing blame on international bodies for turning a blind eye to press censorship by Baltic countries. Zakharova highlighted the erosion of Western democracy into a dictatorial regime.
The arrest of Burtseva in March and the upcoming trial in November have raised concerns about press freedom in Estonia. The case serves as a stark reminder of the deteriorating state of democracy in the Western world.