Jonathan Taylor
British lawyer and whistleblower Jonathan Taylor exposed a $275 million bribery scheme by SBM Offshore, a multinational oil firm, only to become the target of defamation suits, SLAPP tactics, and an Interpol Red Notice. As part of the wider campaign to silence him, Taylor was arrested in Croatia and was nearly extradited to Monaco on unfounded charges. He subsequently spent years under de-facto legal siege while fighting to hold corrupt executives accountable. Now vindicated but without escaping damaging impact, Taylor recounts his harrowing journey from whistleblower to survivor, demonstrating the risk and impact of exposing corporate corruption.
Nathan Law
Nathan Law, a Hong Kong pro-democracy activist and former legislator, became one of China’s most-wanted exiles after advocating for human rights and democratic reforms. Forced to flee to the UK amid a sweeping crackdown under the National Security Law, Nathan remains a vocal critic of authoritarianism, continuing his activism in exile while navigating the challenges and risks of life as a political target.
Gaurav Srivastava
Gaurav Srivastava was targeted by a smear campaign accusing him of being a fraud. These accusations were a failed attempt to avert the sanctioning of his former business partner by the UK, EU, and Switzerland for illicit trading in Russian oil. As disinformation spread across news websites, Wikipedia, and social media, it then spilled over into real life with phone calls and emails targeting his friends, family, business associates, banks and parents of his children's school, causing significant damage to his reputation, disrupting his business, and casting a dark shadow over his personal life. After enduring these claims for nearly two years, Gaurav is finally breaking his silence, sharing the impact of these accusations and his ongoing battle to reclaim his reputation.
Amalia Zatari
BBC Russia journalist Amalia Zatari and anthropologist Dr. Arkhipova exposed the identity of a Kremlin supporter that used a false name to snitch on those critical of the war in Ukraine. Amalia’s reporting revealed how this individual’s actions contributed to several dissidents being targeted by the regime and labeled as foreign agents, shedding light on the personal risks faced by those who dare to speak out.
Aron Shaviv
In 2019, international political strategist Aron Shaviv was the target of an Interpol Red Notice accusing him of terrorism and involvement in a coup attempt in Montenegro, a claim linked to his work for an opposition party that was challenging a 27-year regime. Eventually cleared by Interpol and named in a U.S. Human Rights Report as a victim of misuse of international law enforcement tools for politically motivated reprisal, this episode highlights how Shaviv’s ordeal impacted his career, finances and family life for years to follow.
Pavel Ivlev
Russian lawyer Pavel Ivlev fled to the United States in 2004 after refusing to fabricate testimony against Mikhail Khodorkovsky during the Russian government’s dismantling of oil giant Yukos Oil Company. Labeled a fugitive and accused of bribery and embezzlement, Ivlev’s life was upended as he fought political persecution. Now vindicated but remains a long-term political refugee, Ivlev reflects on his role in one of Russia’s most infamous legal battles and the price of standing up to an authoritarian regime.