Julian Assange has kind words for Donald Trump, says Russia has “vibrant” criticism of Vladimir Putin’s government

“Although the constitution provides for freedom of speech, vague laws on extremism grant the authorities great discretion to crack down on any speech, organization, or activity that lacks official support,” the report stated. “The government controls, directly or through state-owned companies and friendly business magnates, all of the national television networks and many radio and print outlets, as well as most of the media advertising market.”

Since 2000, when Putin took power, at least 34 journalists have been murdered, according to PolitiFact. At that time, Freedom House ranked Russia 180 out of 199 countries in terms of press freedom, behind Iraq and Sudan.

The report also pointed out that, unlike what Assange said, there is “little transparency and accountability in the day-to-day workings of government.”

Decisions are adopted behind closed doors by a small group of individuals — led by Putin — whose identities are not often clear, and announced to the population after the fact. Corruption in the government and business world is pervasive, and a growing lack of accountability enables bureaucrats to act with impunity. Many analysts have argued that the political system is essentially a kleptocracy, in which ruling elites plunder public wealth to enrich themselves.

Assange’s connections to Russia have predated his leaking of Democratic National Committee emails that were allegedly garnered by Russian hacking. He has also sought Russian protection during his stay in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, appeared on Russian state-owned television, and by his own admission convinced whistleblower Edward Snowden to seek asylum in Russia instead of Latin America.