She said she would also like to help others and added that recruitment in activist circles is a “mass phenomenon.” She said at least one person in her own circle had informed on her before she agreed to cooperate—something she discovered when it turned out the FSB had a sex tape of her that the person had secretly filmed. Earlier this year, Poland jailed an exiled Russian activist for seven years after it emerged he had passed information about fellow exiles to an FSB handler who had recruited him back in Russia. Flores’s video confession at the end of last month drew praise from some in the exiled Russian opposition, who commended her bravery for speaking out and explaining how the FSB operates, but also skepticism from those who criticized her decision to cooperate for so long. Since then, Flores has been calling people she informed on, as well as other old friends, to explain herself, and said everyone had been supportive in these conversations. “It’s no big secret that working for the FSB is not great, but fear can change a person,” said Alekhina. “It’s important that she’s now out of the country and that she said out loud what happened to her. Nobody was killed and nobody went to prison [because of her], so that is good news.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of frequently asked questions about the case of the Pussy Riot member recruited by Russian spies
Beginner Questions
Who is the Pussy Riot member recruited by Russian spies
Her name is Nadezhda Tolokonnikova She was a member of the punk protest group Pussy Riot
What did she do
According to her own public statement she agreed to inform on fellow activists to Russian security services
Which Russian spy agency recruited her
The FSB which is the main successor to the KGB
When did this happen
She says she was recruited around 2018 while she was living in Russia after being released from prison
Why did she do it
She says she was afraid Her exact words were My fear was too great
Did she actually give information to the spies
She says she did not give them useful information She claims she only pretended to cooperate
Was she arrested or punished
No She left Russia and now lives abroad
Advanced Questions
What exactly did the FSB ask her to do
She says they wanted her to report on other activists especially those involved in protests or political organizing
How did she describe the recruitment process
She said they used pressure and intimidation They reminded her of her past prison time and suggested she could be arrested again
Why did she wait years to reveal this
She said she was ashamed and scared She only spoke publicly after leaving Russia for good
Did other Pussy Riot members know about this
It appears they did not know at the time Her statement came as a surprise to many
What does informing on fellow activists mean
It means telling the secret police what other protesters or political groups are doing so the police can stop or arrest them
Is there proof that she informed
There is no public proof that she gave real information Her story is based on her own admission
What are the common problems with this kind of case
It is hard to verify what someone told the secret police
People under pressure may say anything to
