for attending protests and similar

Emphasis added.

I remember reading warnings about having laptops and devices checked at airports a decade ago. As a matter of fact I think that's why I was looking into having hidden, encrypted partitions: because getting caught with some pirate TV series on my laptop might have meant having to pay a bribe or whatever.

Regardless, it doesn't really change my point - if there's a chance you're going to interact with a government official and they might want to look at your device, wiping it is going to attract attention.