Russia stands out for the severity of killings and assaults linked to transnational repression, according to Freedom House research director Yana Gorokhovskaya. China, Iran and Russia are all ranked among the governments most actively targeting critics beyond their borders.

Radio Liberty reported the findings on Sunday, October 11. The tactics described include surveillance, cyberattacks, threats against relatives, administrative pressure and attempts to exploit international law-enforcement systems.

Cases associated with Moscow include the poisonings of former Russian security officers Alexander Litvinenko and Sergei Skripal in Britain and the hammer attack on opposition figure Leonid Volkov in Lithuania. Berlin-based cybersecurity specialist Mikhail Klimarev said phishing attempts, travel risks and uncertainty over his Russian passport have also affected his daily life and mental health.

The report highlighted similar intimidation involving Iran. Iranian opposition activist Milad Pourtalebian said his Canadian apartment was ransacked after he received online threats, with a political message apparently left inside. Freedom House warned that limited and short-lived responses from Western governments risk encouraging states that pursue dissidents abroad.