The controversial spokeswoman for the Kremlin-backed youth group Nashi announced Wednesday she was leaving the organization to which she had dedicated more than five years.
"Hi. It's time to say what was long overdue. I'm leaving," Kristina Potupchik wrote in LiveJournal in a post accompanied by a picture of herself flashing a two-fingered peace sign.
"The fact that I'm leaving the post of Nashi's spokespersn does not mean that it's time to be my friend. I'm not betraying anyone, not exposing anyone or abandoning anyone — just leaving. Nashi, of course, continues and will continue to live as a huge social structure that has given birth to many new projects," she wrote.
Earlier this year, Potupchik was in the center of a scandal after leaked e-mails between her and former Federal Youth Agency head Vasily Yakemenko linked Nashi to DDoS attacks on Kommersant's website in 2008.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.