Two years of Pablo González out of prison (who is not free): Sex, propaganda and video tapes

Pablo González, once held in Polish custody under accusations of espionage, has spent two years outside prison, though not entirely free, since returning to Moscow. His journey began with his descent from the airplane landing in the Russian capital, where he was born under the name Pavel Rubtsov. The return marked the end of nearly two and a half years of detention in Poland, during which he was accused of passing classified information to Russia’s military intelligence service, the GRU. Upon arrival, he shook hands with President Vladimir Putin, a gesture captured in global media. In the image, he wore a Star Wars t-shirt reading “Your Empire Needs You,” a symbol that would later be replaced by a portrait of Darth Vader in his new role as a Russian propaganda figure. González now operates as a YouTube content creator under the channel name Radio Roja Parda, described as an alternative space for information that does not conform to mainstream media narratives. This platform, aimed at leftist and fascist audiences, features content that aligns with Russian state ideology, despite his past affiliations with more progressive causes. On camera, he often wears anarchist symbols while promoting a regime that enforces strict control over society, including censorship, surveillance, and suppression of dissent. He identifies himself as both Pablo González and Pavel Rubtsov, emphasizing that his dual identity reflects his political evolution. He describes himself as a journalist and political analyst who leans left but rejects the term “liberal” due to its diluted meaning. He resides in a spacious apartment north of Moscow, near the metro, with high ceilings and gray curtains. Despite the hyper-censorship prevalent in Russia, he stays informed through his mobile device, tracking international events such as Spain’s World Cup victory. He expresses personal distress whenever there are prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine, stating that imprisonment is one of life’s worst experiences. He notes that life in Russia is comfortable, though he criticizes foreign portrayals of it as akin to the American Dream, which he calls a falsehood. After two harsh winters in the small Basque town of Nabarniz, where he formed a family, he now finds Moscow familiar, though he refers to his current situation as being a hostage due to ongoing legal proceedings in Poland. In some days, he faced disruptions in live broadcasts due to the government cutting off 3G access in public areas. In Warsaw, where he last lived, his handover to Russia continues to stir public debate and cause collateral damage. During his time in Poland, he allegedly passed information to the GRU and recorded sexual encounters with women he spied on or used for intelligence purposes. These videos, reportedly in possession of Polish authorities, could be leaked, similar to parts of previous investigations. They have sparked a witch hunt, with figures from Polish nationalism accusing journalists from the liberal spectrum, who sometimes even did not meet him personally, of having slept with the Russian spy. The case of illegal foreigners, particularly those with ties to foreign intelligence services, remains a contentious issue in European politics. González's actions have placed him at the center of this controversy, highlighting the complex intersection of espionage, personal relationships, and political activism. As he continues to navigate his new role within Russian media, the implications of his past actions remain under scrutiny, both domestically and internationally.