October 7, 2006
Journalist Anna Politkovskaya, known for her opposition to Russia's invasion of Chechnya, is shot dead in a contract killing on Vladimir Putin's birthday.
2006
Since 2006, there are 63 violent attacks and 20 killings of Russian journalists on record.
2008
March 2, 2008
As he was then constitutionally limited to two consecutive presidential terms, Putin is elected as prime minister under president Dmitry Medvedev.
2009
December, 2009
Independent, international, and Islamic Chechen internet agency kavkazcenter.ru is blocked.
2012
July, 2012
Libel, or written defamation, re-criminalized.
November, 2012
The foreign agent law, which applies to non-government organizations that receive international funds or donations, takes effect. It demonizes public advocacy groups, especially those that challenge the government.
November, 2012
The internet blacklist law takes effect. It is abused to block criticism of the federal government and local administrations.
March, 2012
Vladimir Putin is re-elected. Evidence of manipulated elections, erasable ballot pens, and ballot stuffing is filmed and uploaded to the internet.
The government quickly cracks
down on election protesters
and dissidents, launching persecutions against mass media and individual Russians.