The translator from St. Petersburg, Elena Abramova, was sentenced to two years in a colony on charges of «discrediting» the army. She was also banned from administering websites and participating in pickets for 2.5 years, reported a correspondent from Sotavision* from the courtroom. The prosecution requested six years in a colony. The woman was taken into custody in the courtroom.
The criminal prosecution was prompted by solo pickets against the war and in support of Alexei Navalny**, held on April 29 and June 4, 2023, in the center of St. Petersburg. Previously, she had been twice held administratively liable under the article on «discrediting» the army.
In her speech, the activist stated that the article in question could not be applied to her: «I do not deny the fact that I conducted solo pickets with the aim of publicly expressing an anti-war statement. This statement was aimed at expressing my opinion. Why can't I express my opinion if it is that the war should not have been started? This war — is unprovoked aggression by my state. An unjust, aggressive war.
The article under which I am being judged provides for liability for public actions aimed at «discrediting» the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. I believe that this article is not applicable to me because, at the moment, there is no such phenomenon as «using the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation for the purpose of protecting the interests of Russia and its citizens, maintaining peace and security». Maintaining peace and security has nothing to do with the current so-called «special military operation».
Abramova also stated that she will defend the right to live in a «free and peaceful Russia». «We are at a point where the persecution of a person for their rejection of mass deaths no longer seems unacceptable, and the aggression itself does not seem inadmissible. As if this new horrific reality has become a familiar background. But I am convinced that human life is the highest value on earth.
What am I being accused of? What does our state consider a crime? My love for life? Or that we have no business being on foreign soil with weapons in our hands? We have our own land, which can and should be developed.
«Peace without war! Russia without Putin!» — was written on one of my posters. For me, Putin — is synonymous with the word «war». Russia — is not Putin, Russia — is its citizens, in whose interests the government should act. Vladimir Putin, in my opinion, not only sends people to die for nothing but also kills our future. Thirty years in power is not enough — he needs to immortalize himself, to inscribe his name in history with someone else's blood. Astonishingly, in the minds of many people, Russia is unthinkable without Putin.
Upon seeing my poster, law enforcement representatives said «Don't like Russia — leave». How can I interpret this? I want to live in my country. I want to defend my right to live in a free and peaceful Russia.
It seems unthinkable to imprison a person just for their views», — quotes Abramova Sotavision.
* Recognized in Russia as an «foreign agent».
** Included in the list of «terrorists and extremists».