Saturday, October 28, 2023

Russian Jailed for Anti-War Drawing by Child, Flees

Date:

A Russian man has been sentenced to two years in a penal colony for discrediting the armed forces after his 13-year-old daughter drew an anti-war picture at school. Alexei Moskalyov, a single father, was accused of repeatedly discrediting the Russian army, an act that was outlawed shortly after Russia’s President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine. The investigation began after Moskalyov’s daughter, Masha, drew a picture last April showing Russian missiles raining down on a Ukrainian mother and child. The drawing, which featured a Ukrainian flag with the words “Glory to Ukraine” and a Russian tricolour with the slogan “No to war”, prompted the head of her school to call the police. Russian authorities began examining Moskalyov’s social media activity and he was initially fined 35,000 roubles ($460) for comments critical of the Russian army. His apartment was raided in December and a criminal case was opened against him this month. He was placed under house arrest and his daughter was taken away from him and put in an orphanage.

Moskalyov rejected the accusations and insisted that he had nothing to do with the social media posts in question. His lawyer, Vladimir Biliyenko, said he had not seen his client since Monday and did not know whether he had fled. Court officials said that Moskalyov was not present for the sentencing on Tuesday as he had fled from house arrest overnight. The 54-year-old had been wearing a bracelet that tracked his movements but apparently had taken it off, and his whereabouts remained unclear. Moskalyov was scheduled to appear in court again next week at a hearing on a petition to strip him of his parental rights.

Since Moskalyov’s daughter was moved to a children’s home in their hometown of Yefremov, south of Moscow, the case has provoked an outcry among Russian human rights activists and sparked an online campaign to reunite father and daughter. Biliyenko visited Masha on Tuesday in the children’s home, officially named “Social Rehabilitation Centre For Minors Number 5”. He came away with drawings she had made for her father and was allowed to photograph a letter she had written him that read: “Dad, you are my hero”.

The case highlights the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which began in 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea. Since then, fighting between Ukrainian government forces and Russian-backed separatists has killed more than 13,000 people. The conflict has also led to a crackdown on dissent in Russia, with critics of Putin facing increasing pressure and persecution. The case of Moskalyov and his daughter is just one example of the lengths to which the Russian authorities will go to silence opposition and maintain control.

The international community has condemned Russia’s actions in Ukraine and called for an end to the conflict. The US and EU have imposed sanctions on Russia, while NATO has increased its presence in Eastern Europe. However, Putin shows no signs of backing down and continues to assert Russia’s dominance in the region. The situation remains tense and unpredictable, with the potential for further escalation always present.

In the meantime, Moskalyov’s daughter remains in a children’s home, separated from her father and caught up in a political conflict that she cannot fully understand. Her drawing may have been a simple expression of her feelings about war, but it has had far-reaching consequences for her and her family. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of freedom of expression and the need to protect those who speak out against injustice. It also highlights the devastating impact that war can have on innocent civilians, especially children who are often the most vulnerable. As the conflict in Ukraine continues, it is vital that we remember the human cost of war and work towards a peaceful resolution that respects the rights and dignity of all involved.

Latest stories