In a Petersburg courtroom, Sasha Skochilenko, a 33-year-old artist, musician, and activist, stands behind bars, clutching a Holter monitor, a device used to measure heart activity. Dressed in a green sweater, Skochilenko faces a deeply troubling ordeal. Detained since April 2022, her health has sharply deteriorated, yet the court’s indifference has only exacerbated her plight.
Skochilenko is accused of replacing price tags in a St Petersburg supermarket with anti-war stickers. The charges against her allege she spread “fake news” about the Russian military, a crime introduced under new repressive laws following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. If convicted, she could face up to 10 years in prison.
A heartbreaking scene in court
Despite her fragile condition, the court proceedings have shown little compassion. During a recent hearing, Skochilenko requested an early adjournment to change her heart monitor’s battery, crucial for a long-awaited medical examination. The judge denied her request, stating she should have prepared in advance. Skochilenko’s plea for a 40-minute break to eat was also rejected, even though she suffers from a severe gluten intolerance and cannot consume the standard rations provided in pre-trial detention.
The artist, who had not eaten for two days during previous hearings, brought her own food this time, yet her request to eat was denied. A desperate appeal for a 15-minute toilet break was met with the same refusal. Overwhelmed, Skochilenko broke down in tears, an unusual display of vulnerability from someone who has remained stoic throughout her trial, which began in December 2022.
The crime: Anti-war stickers
The stickers Skochilenko placed in the supermarket contained messages about the war, including the bombing of a school in Mariupol, the deaths of Russian soldiers, and the lies perpetuated by President Vladimir Putin. One sticker poignantly read: “My great-grandfather fought in the Great Patriotic War not to see Russia become a fascist state and attack Ukraine.”
Her actions are considered criminal under Article 207.3 of the Russian Criminal Code, which penalises the dissemination of information contradicting the official stance of the Russian Ministry of Defence. This law has been a cornerstone of the Kremlin’s efforts to suppress dissent and stifle anti-war sentiment.
A show trial
Observers of the trial, including journalists from independent outlets like Mediazona, have noted glaring contradictions in the prosecution’s case. The court has ignored Skochilenko’s health issues and disregarded significant gaps in the evidence. The trial increasingly appears to be a performative display of repression, designed to silence dissent and intimidate others who might challenge the state’s narrative.
Experts called by the prosecution have proven to be woefully inadequate. In one instance, a political scientist tasked with analysing the stickers was unable to explain their methodology or even basic linguistic rules. By contrast, a defence expert, linguist Svetlana Drugoveiko-Dolzhanskaya, pointed out significant flaws in the prosecution’s analysis, only to face professional retribution after testifying.
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Targeted persecution
Skochilenko’s personal life has also drawn the state’s ire. Her relationship with her girlfriend, Sonya Subbotina, has been openly acknowledged, a stance that defies the Russian government’s vehement hostility towards LGBT+ individuals. This may have further fuelled the state’s determination to prosecute her.
Despite the lack of compelling evidence, a conviction seems all but inevitable. Russia’s justice system is notoriously rigid, with acquittals accounting for a mere 0.3% of cases. Prominent figures like opposition politician Ilya Yashin and activist Dmitry Ivanov have already received severe sentences for similar charges.
A symbol of resistance
Sasha Skochilenko’s trial has become emblematic of the harsh realities of repression in modern Russia. Her story sheds light on how the state manipulates the legal system to silence voices of dissent.
As Skochilenko awaits her next hearing, the artist’s plight is a sobering reminder of the human cost of authoritarianism. Her case has galvanised support from human rights advocates and journalists who continue to document the injustices she faces.
The world watches as Sasha Skochilenko fights not only for her freedom but for the right to express her beliefs in a country increasingly hostile to dissent.
