When questioned about why dissenters often end up dead or imprisoned, Russian President Vladimir Putin cited the Black Lives Matter movement and the insurrection at the Capitol as reasons why he does not tolerate opposing voices speaking out.
ABC News reporter Rachel Scott posed the question at the U.S.-Russia Summit in Geneva Wednesday, adding: “What are you so afraid of?”
Surprised by her forwardness, the former KGB intelligence officer declared he would never allow movements to form in Moscow. But in answering, Putin conflated isolated incidents of looting and rioting with the entire Black Lives Matter organization.
"We saw disorder, destruction, violations of law,” Putin said to reporters through a translator. “We feel sympathy with the USA, but we don't want that to happen on our territory.”
Putin also compared his low tolerance for opposition to the FBI’s prosecution of participants of the January 6 attack on the Capitol. Russia has arrested thousands of anti-Putin protesters this year.
"Over 400 people had criminal charges placed on them. They face prison sentences of up to 25 years. They're being called domestic terrorists,” the Russian leader said of the Capitol rioters.
While speaking to the press later, President Joe Biden called Putin’s comparisons “ridiculous.”
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Pressed about Russia’s human rights records and the attempted killing of Alexander Navalny, Putin refused to mention him by name, opting instead to call him “this person.”
The State Department believes Navalny was poisoned by Russian operatives last year when he fell into a coma. While hospitalized, he missed a probation hearing and was jailed after returning to Russia in February.
The White House sanctioned Russia in March over Navalny’s poisoning. President Biden said Wednesday he “made it clear” to Putin there would be “devastating consequences” if Navalny were to die while in prison.