Evgeniya Mayboroda is a political prisoner
A 72-year-old pensioner has been sentenced to five and a half years’ imprisonment for posts on the VK social media platform
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Evgeniya Mayboroda a political prisoner. Mayboroda has been convicted on charges of disseminating ‘fake news’ about the Russian military and incitement of extremism for posts she made on social media. Mayboroda’s prosecution violates her rights to freedom of expression and fair trial.
We demand the immediate release of Evgeniya Mayboroda and that all criminal charges against her be dropped.
Who is Evgeniya Mayboroda and what are the charges against her?
Evgeniya Mayboroda, a pensioner, is a resident of the city of Shakhty in Rostov region in southwest Russia. On her page on the VK social media site, Mayboroda posted anti-war materials and other publications criticising the Russian authorities. As a result, she was repeatedly prosecuted under administrative law: she was fined and twice served short terms in jail.
In March 2023, a criminal investigation was opened against Mayboroda on charges of spreading information known to be false about the Russian army motivated by political hatred (Article 207.3, Part 2, of the Russian Criminal Code) and incitement of extremism on the Internet (Article 280, Part 2). According to media reports, she was charged for reposting an item about the number of Russian servicemen killed and an emotive video clip.
In court, Mayboroda did not deny she had made these posts, but said she had not been motivated by ‘political hatred.’ She explained she had published the video shortly after her brother had been trapped under the rubble of a building destroyed by a Russian missile in Dnipro.
On 29 January 2024, a court in Shakhty sentenced Evgeniya Mayboroda to five and a half years in a general regime penal colony.
Why do we consider Mayboroda a political prisoner?
The article on disseminating ‘fake news’ about the Russian army was adopted into law after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine to enable prosecution of dissidents. The article effectively prohibits any criticism of the war or of the Russian authorities and contradicts the principle of legal certainty. This article should be rescinded, all related criminal convictions quashed, and all ongoing charges dropped.
The article on incitement of extremism is selectively applied by the authorities. It is increasingly being used to punish dissidents, rather than to prevent socially dangerous behaviour. Although we do not know the content of the video Mayboroda reposted, it is most likely her prosecution on this charge is also of a purely political nature.
Having studied Mayboroda’s personal page on the VK social media website, we concluded that it contained no statements dangerous to society and her prosecution is of a political nature.
A detailed description of the case of Evgeniya Mayboroda and our position are 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, their views, statements, or actions.
How can you help?
You can write to Evgeniya Mayboroda at the following address:
In Russian: 346519, Ростовская область, г. Шахты, пос. Кирпичный, ФКУ СИЗО-4 ГУФСИН России по Ростовской области, Майбороде Евгении Николаевне, 1951 г. р.
In English: Evgeniya Nikolaevna Mayboroda (born 1951), Remand Prison No. 4, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Rostov region, Kirpichny Settlement, Shakhty, Rostov region, 346519, Russia.
You can also send Ruben Pogosyan an electronic letter via Zonatelecom (Russian bank cards), PrisonMail (other bank cards), or OVD-Info (free of charge).
Please note that letters in languages other than Russian are highly unlikely to reach the recipient.
You can donate to support all political prisoners in Russia.
