Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny found in remote prison colony weeks after last contact
USA TodayDec 30, 2023
Russian Protesters Imprisoned Over Anti-War Poetry
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Image copyright:Â Contributor/Getty Images News via Getty Images (Sept. 24, 2022)
The Facts
A Moscow court on Thursday sentenced two protesters to prison for reciting poetry against the Ukraine war and attending a protest in a city square. Artyom Kamardin, 33, was sentenced to seven years for reciting the poem, with Yegor Shtovba, 23, given 5.5 years for attending the protest.
Both men were convicted of "undermining national security" and "inciting hatred" for their role in the September 2022 demonstration against Putin's mobilization of 300K reserve troops. During the protest, Kamardin read "Kill me, militia man!"
The Spin
Anti-Russia narrative
Russia, especially during the war, has continued to ignore the right to free expression and protest. Tens of thousands of street protesters have been detained, fined, or imprisoned due to their opposition to troop mobilization against Ukraine. Those not sent to jail are still branded as spies or traitors, thus ruining their public reputation and limiting their access to employment. The Russian people are against Putin's invasion, which is why he is dangerously resorting to criminalizing dissent.
Pro-Russia narrative
The West has no leg to stand on regarding freedom of expression. For example, the US regime has used the exact same tactics against its political opponents regarding the Jan. 6 Capitol protests. After left-wing activists friendly to Washington stormed federal buildings and injured officers, there were few legal consequences. But when hundreds of Trump fans waved flags at the Capitol, they were labeled 'domestic terrorists,' kept in solitary confinement without trial, and physically abused by jail guards. US-backed hegemony should not throw stones when it comes to freedom of expression.
