Russian authorities have taken further action against critics of the war in Ukraine, detaining a prominent blogger and preventing a former presidential candidate from taking steps toward a parliamentary campaign.

Blogger Ilya Remeslo, who was once a strong supporter of President Vladimir Putin, was reportedly placed in pre-trial detention for two months on suspicion of spreading false information about the Russian military.

Remeslo dramatically changed his position last year, accusing Putin of serious wrongdoing and calling for his resignation.

In a separate case, politician Boris Nadezhdin was convicted of displaying extremist symbols. The ruling prevents him from collecting signatures required to run in Russia’s parliamentary elections in September.

Nadezhdin, 63, gained national attention after attempting to run for president on an anti-war platform. However, he was ultimately barred from the election after authorities ruled that problems existed with the signatures submitted in support of his candidacy.

The latest cases highlight the continued pressure facing critics of the Kremlin and the war, as Russia’s political space for genuine opposition continues to shrink.

Nadezhdin has presented himself as a pro-peace politician, while authorities continue to use legal and administrative measures against figures who challenge the government’s position.