Anna Aleksandrova is a political prisoner

A hairdresser from St Petersburg is facing up to 10 years in prison for anti-war posts on social media

The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Anna Aleksandrova a political prisoner. She is being prosecuted under the article on spreading ‘fake news’ about the Russian military because of her publications on social media. Aleksandrova’s criminal prosecution violates her right to freedom of expression and fair trial.

We demand the immediate release of Anna Aleksandrova and an end to her criminal prosecution.

Who is Anna Aleksandrova and what is the case against her?

Anna Aleksandrova is a hairdresser from St. Petersburg.

In 2022, after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Aleksandrova repeatedly spoke out against the war on her social media pages on VK and Instagram. She also wrote about how to avoid mobilisation, talked about political prisoners who were arrested for anti-war statements, and posted texts written by opposition politicians as well as publications on Aleksei Navalny.

The Centre for Combating Extremism opened a criminal case against Aleksandrova under the article on public dissemination of false information about the Russian military on the grounds of political hatred (Article 207.3, Part 2, of the Russian Criminal Code).

Although Aleksandrova is a single parent raising her 10-year-old son, a court in St Petersburg sent her to a remand centre. The woman is facing up to 10 years in prison.

Why do we consider Aleksandrova a political prisoner?

Article 207.3, under which Aleksandrova is being prosecuted, was added to the Russian Criminal Code immediately after the start of Russia’s big war against Ukraine. It effectively prohibits any criticism of the Russian authorities and military actions, which violates the right of citizens to freedom of expression.

We believe this article contradicts Russia’s Constitution, its international obligations as well as basic principles of law, particularly the principle of legal certainty. A citizen cannot know in advance what statements or information may be considered false in a given context. Moreover, it is impossible to establish an intent to disseminate false information.

We do not know which publication has been the reason for Aleksandrova’s criminal prosecution. Nevertheless, we consider any prosecution under Article 207.3 of the Russian Criminal Code to be unlawful.

Article 207.3 of the Russian Criminal Code is evidently a tool for carrying out military censorship and political repression against critics of the Russian authorities. This article should be rescinded and all criminal cases under it closed.

Further information about this case and the position of the ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project is available on our website.

Recognition of an individual as a political prisoner does not imply the ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project agrees with or approves of their views, statements, or actions.

How can you help?

You can send a letter to the following address:

In Russian: 195009, г. Санкт-Петербург, ул. Арсенальная, д. 11, ФКУ СИЗО-5 УФСИН России по Санкт-Петербургу и Ленинградской области, Александровой Анне Вячеславовне 1978 г. р.

In English: Anna Vyacheslavovna Aleksandrova (born 1978), Remand Prison No. 5, Russian Federal Penitentiary Service for Saint Petersburg and Leningrad region, 11 Arsenalnaya Street, Saint Petersburg 195009, Russia

You can also send an electronic letter via Zonatelecom and F-Pismo if you use Russian bank services and via PrisonMail if you use other banks.

Please note that letters in languages other than Russian are highly unlikely to reach the recipient.

You can donate to support all political prisoners to supp