November 16 – Mrs. Skochilenko with tears of disbelief, hearing the verdict for peaceful protest against the war in Ukraine.
A St. Petersburg court found 33-year-old artist Sasha Skochilenko guilty of spreading “disinformation” about the Russian military on Thursday. The charges stem from a protest Skochilenko staged in March 2022 by replacing price tags in a grocery store with information about Moscow’s full-scale war against Ukraine, including statistics about civilian deaths. After spending more than a year in half in pre-trial detention, during which she was deprived of the medications she needs to treat her multiple chronic illnesses, Skochilenko has been sentenced to seven years in prison — a staggering penalty even by the standards of modern Russia.
Final Word of Sascha
In her final speech to the court before her sentence was announced, Skochilenko reflected on the absurdity of her case, called on her prosecutors to consider the message they’re sending to the Russian people, and reaffirmed her belief in the injustice of the war against Ukraine. In English, Meduza shares excerpts from her statement.
Read key excerpts from Sasha Skochilenko’s final statement in court.
Judge Oksana Demyasheva received a promotion the day after her judgment.
Photo Report on Sascha’s Journey
The St. Petersburg news outlet Bumaga and photographer Andrey Bok followed Sasha Skochilenko’s 19-month case closely, attending hearings, chronicling Sasha Skochilenko’s story, and speaking to the people around her. With permission, Meduza is translating and republishing his photo report in full.