Doing research fieldwork in Russia on a sensitive topic: Researching terrorism Michael Vishnevetsky

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Doing research fieldwork in Russia on a sensitive
topicResearching terrorismMichael
VishnevetskyKeele University, UKCentre for
Criminological ResearchResearch Institute for
Law, Politics and JusticeSchool of Criminology,
Education, Sociology Social Work
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Why terrorism research is a sensitive topic in
Russia

• What is a sensitive topic?
• circumstances in which the research entails a
  compiling of information that has the potential
  to prove damaging to certain interests.
  (Belousov et al, 2007 pp. 158-159).
• What are the interests?
• Political interests
• Security interests

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Security interests
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Why Russia is a sensitive environment for
terrorism research

• Tradition of secrecy and secret service in Russia
• Controversy around the Chechen war
• Human rights violations
• Crackdown on journalists
• Environment with no regulations for research

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Tradition of secrecy and secret service in Russia

• The Soviet secret police developed and changed
  over time, but its aims and methods did not
  change significantly.
• Counterintelligence State in the Soviet Union,
  and contemporary Russia
• the presence of a large, elite force acting as
  the watchdog of a security defined broadly and
  arbitrarily (Waller, 1994 p. 13 )
• Consequence Soviet and Russian people have been
  taught to be careful in their contacts and
  expression of their thoughts (Waller, 1994
  Belousov et al, 2007)

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Controversy around the wars in Chechnya

• The political background
• 1st War
• Invasion of Dagestan
• 2nd War
• The disagreement on Chechnyas political status
  inside and outside Chechnya
• Terrorism in Chechnya

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Human rights violations in Chechnya

• War crimes by Chechens and Russians
  indiscriminate killing, arrests, torture,
  executions of captive soldiers and civilians
• Taking hostages for ransom committed by Chechens
  and Russians
• Lack of basic human rights (political freedom,
  security)
• Lack of opportunities - jobs, education, medical
  care

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Crackdown on journalists

• Mr Andrej Babitskiy, journalist of Radio Free
  Europe/Radio Liberty abducted arrested
• Mr Uriy Shekochikhin, former Deputy Editor of
  Novaya Gazeta, Member of the Russian Parliament
  murdered?
• Mrs Anna Politkovskaya, a former journalist of
  Novaya Gazeta murdered
• Mr Vyacheslav Izmailov, Military Commentator of
  the Novaya Gazeta, a closely associated colleague
  of the late Anna Politkovskaya threatened

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Environment with no regulations for research

• My research
• Insecurity and behaviour of the interview
  partners
• Chechnya-based psychologist withdrew
• Writer on Chechen female terrorists thought I
  was a spy
• 2 former senior officers wanted to remain
  anonymous

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What is important for doing fieldwork in Russia?

• Keep in mind the sensitivity of research in
  Russia
• Gain an official status in the country
• Contact gatekeepers
• Say who you are and what you are doing
• Ensure your personal safety