You think tyrannical regimes only persecute dissidents? They persecute regular people all the time for any or no reason. How many people died in communist China or Stalinist Russia? All dissidents?

The truth is free speech is fatal to autocratic regimes which is why they ban it. The *only* defense is to speak up. Yes, if you go first you might increase your risk. But if no one goes first, everyone is doomed.