Russian journalist gets 6 years in penal colony over Ukraine war

The Kremlin has banned the unfold of ‘false info’ or any criticism in regards to the Russian military through the ‘particular navy operation’ in Ukraine.

A view of a penal colony in Russia the place authorities typically sentence these vital of the federal government [File: Yulia Morozova/Reuters]

A Russian journalist was sentenced to 6 years in a penal colony after accusing the Russian air power of bombing a theatre within the Ukrainian metropolis of Mariupol final 12 months.

Based on court docket paperwork launched on Wednesday, the Lenin district court docket within the Siberian metropolis of Barnaul additionally banned Maria Ponomarenko, 44, from working as a journalist for 5 years.

The court docket discovered Ponomarenko, who labored for the RusNews portal, responsible of “spreading false details about the Russian armed forces’ actions” along with her posts on a messaging app.

“Patriotism is love for the motherland, and love for one’s motherland shouldn't be expressed by encouraging crime,” Ponоmarenko informed the court docket earlier than her sentencing, based on the RusNews outlet. “Attacking your neighbour is a criminal offense.”

A photo of the outside of the damaged Donetsk Academic Regional Drama Theatre building with three cars in front of it.
Folks stroll previous the Donetsk Educational Regional Drama Theatre in Mariupol, Ukraine, March 16, 2022 [File: Alexei Alexandrov/AP Photo]

The Europe and Central Asia coordinator for the Committee to Shield Journalists, Gulnoza Stated, issued a press release on Ponomarenko’s sentencing.

“Russian authorities ought to be ashamed of the six-year jail sentence given to journalist Maria Ponomarenko, whose sole so-called crime was publishing details about the battle in Ukraine that didn't conform to the official narrative.

“Authorities shouldn't contest Ponomarenko’s attraction, drop all the fees towards her, and cease jailing unbiased voices.”

The decision is the most recent in a collection of rulings in Russia that ban criticism of the battle.

Within the early days of the battle, the Kremlin accredited laws that penalised the unfold of “false info” or criticism in regards to the nation’s navy marketing campaign, which Moscow calls a “particular navy operation”.

Some members of Russia’s political opposition, activists, journalists, and bloggers have beforehand been convicted and imprisoned underneath the regulation.

In December, distinguished opposition politician Ilya Yashin was sentenced to eight and a half years in jail. Earlier final 12 months, Alexei Gorinov, a member of a Moscow municipal council, acquired a seven-year sentence for his vital remarks about the hostilities in Ukraine.

One other main opposition determine, Vladimir Kara-Murza, has been in custody awaiting trial on the identical cost.

Mariupol theatre assault

The Donetsk Educational Regional Drama Theatre in Mariupol was destroyed by an air strike that killed 300 individuals on March 16, 2022, after it was used as a protected haven.

Kyiv has beforehand accused Russia of concentrating on the theatre. Moscow denies the allegation and says Ukrainian nationalists blew it up.

An investigation by human rights group Amnesty Worldwide discovered Russian forces responsible of a battle crime after hanging the theatre. Russia says it goes to nice lengths to keep away from hurting civilians.

Mini map showing Mariupol's location within Ukraine

 

Post a Comment

Previous Post Next Post