Current:Home > FinanceRussian court convicts a woman for protesting the war in Ukraine in latest crackdown on free speech-LoTradeCoin
Russian court convicts a woman for protesting the war in Ukraine in latest crackdown on free speech
View Date:2024-12-23 18:56:23
TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — A Russian court on Thursday convicted an artist and musician for replacing supermarket price tags with antiwar slogans and sentenced her to seven years in prison, Russian media reported.
Sasha Skochilenko was arrested in her native St. Petersburg in April 2022 on charges of spreading false information about the military.
Her arrest took place about a month after authorities adopted a law effectively criminalizing any public expression about the war in Ukraine that deviates from the Kremlin’s official line. The legislation has been used in a widespread crackdown on opposition politicians, human rights activists and ordinary Russians critical of the Kremlin, with many receiving lengthy prison terms.
The 33-year-old has been held in pre-trial detention for nearly 19 months. She has struggled due to several health problems, including a congenital heart defect, bipolar disorder and celiac disease, requiring a gluten-free diet, her lawyers and her partner argued.
Almost daily court hearings in recent months put additional pressure on Skochilenko — the tight schedule often prevented her from getting meals. At one point, the judge called an ambulance to the courthouse after she fell ill, telling the court it was her second straight day without any food. At another hearing, she burst into tears after the judge rejected a request for a break so that she could eat or at least use the bathroom.
Russia’s most prominent human rights group and 2022 Nobel Peace Prize winner, Memorial, has declared Skochilenko a political prisoner.
According to OVD-Info, another prominent rights group that monitors political arrests and provides legal aid, a total of 19,834 Russians have been arrested between Feb. 24, when the war began, and late October 2023 for speaking out or demonstrating against the war.
Nearly 750 people have faced criminal charges for their antiwar stances, and over 8,100 faced petty charges of discrediting the army, punishable by a fine or a short stint in jail.
___
Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
veryGood! (727)
Related
- The View's Sara Haines Walks Off After Whoopi Goldberg's NSFW Confession
- Maps show states where weed is legal for recreational, medical use in 2024
- Nike plans to lay off 740 employees at its Oregon headquarters before end of June
- What we know about the shooting of an Uber driver in Ohio and the scam surrounding it
- 'He's driving the bus': Jim Harbaugh effect paying dividends for Justin Herbert, Chargers
- How wildlife crossings protect both animals and people
- USMNT defender Sergiño Dest injures knee, status in doubt for Copa América
- Biden is marking Earth Day by announcing $7 billion in federal solar power grants
- Texas’ 90,000 DACA recipients can sign up for Affordable Care Act coverage — for now
- With ugly start, the Houston Astros' AL dynasty is in danger. But they know 'how to fight back'
Ranking
- Katherine Schwarzenegger Gives Birth, Welcomes Baby No. 3 With Chris Pratt
- Israel strikes Iran with a missile, U.S. officials say, as Tehran downplays Netanyahu's apparent retaliation
- How wildlife crossings protect both animals and people
- Arch Manning ends first two Texas football spring game drives with touchdowns
- 13 Skincare Gifts Under $50 That Are Actually Worth It
- Dominic West Details How Wife Catherine FitzGerald Was Affected by Lily James Drama
- With interest rate cuts delayed, experts offer tips on how to maximize your 401(k)
- Damian Lillard sets Bucks’ postseason mark with 35 points in opening half vs Pacers
Recommendation
-
Why Josh O'Connor Calls Sex Scenes Least Sexy Thing After Challengers With Zendaya and Mike Faist
-
Track and field's decision to award prize money to Olympic gold medalists criticized
-
Man United escapes with shootout win after blowing 3-goal lead against Coventry in FA Cup semifinal
-
The Best Reef-Safe & Reef-Friendly Sunscreens to Protect Your Skin & the Environment
-
Stop What You're Doing—Moo Deng Just Dropped Her First Single
-
Jeannie Mai Reveals the Life Lessons She's Already Learning From Her 2-Year-Old Daughter
-
Sen. Mark Warner says possible TikTok sale is complicated, and one-year timeline makes sense
-
Qschaincoin: What Is Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)? How It Works and Example