Anti-War Message Lands Russian Activist in Jail: Dmitry Fyodorov Sentenced for Writing 'No to War' on Snowy Turnstile

Dmitry Fyodorov has been sentenced to 10 days in jail by a Moscow court for writing "No to War" with his finger on a snow-covered turnstile at Moscow's Gorky Park. The incident occurred on November 23, and Fyodorov was promptly detained by the police, leading to his sentencing the next day. His actions were considered a potential civil offense under a law aimed at individuals publicly discrediting Russia's armed forces. This offense could have resulted in a fine, but in Fyodorov's case, it led to a jail sentence.

It is worth noting that new laws cracking down on dissent were enacted after President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022, designating it as a special military operation. Speaking out against the war in Ukraine has become increasingly risky in Russia, with critics claiming that nearly 20,000 people have been detained and over 800 criminal cases opened. Fyodorov admitted in court to writing the anti-war slogan and received a 10-day jail sentence for disobeying the police and allegedly refusing to go to a police station, although he denied this according to court documents.

Additionally, Fyodorov was reportedly fined an unknown amount for writing "No to War," as stated by Russian media reports, although this information was not mentioned in the court papers available online. The authorities argue that maximum unity is necessary during Russia's ongoing battle with the West, which President Putin describes as an existential threat. However, critics accuse the authorities of forcefully suppressing and punishing dissenting voices. In another recent case, an artist in St Petersburg was sentenced to seven years in jail for replacing supermarket price tags with messages calling for an end to the war in Ukraine, a verdict that her supporters view as a disgraceful mockery of justice.