Artist Sasha Skochilenko's detention in a pre-trial detention center was extended until April 10

The Vasileostrovsky District Court of St. Petersburg extended the term of detention in a pre-trial detention center for artist Sasha Skochilenko until April 10. This was reported by SOTAvision.

On September 24, the Investigative Committee brought charges against the girl in the case of disseminating “fakes” about the Russian army based on political hatred (clause “d”, part 2 of article 207.3 of the Criminal Code). According to investigators, Skochilenko replaced the price tags in the Perekrestok store with leaflets with information about the shelling of the Mariupol drama theater and the death of civilians.

On April 11, the artist was detained , and two days later she was sent into custody. The girl admitted distributing the leaflets, but does not consider herself guilty and denies that she disseminated false information.

Skochilenko has been diagnosed with celiac disease, a gluten intolerance that prevents her from eating many common foods. Due to her illness, at first it was difficult for her to eat in the pre-trial detention center: the detention center staff refused to provide suitable food. Because of this, the artist's health deteriorated . In addition, she was subjected to bullying from fellow inmates. In May, Skochilenko was provided with hot, gluten-free meals.

On December 12, the St. Petersburg City Court approved the extension of the pre-trial detention center until April 10 for Sasha Skochilenko, writes SOTAvision.

• Since February 24—the first day of the “special operation” in Ukraine—residents of Russian cities have been going out to anti-war rallies every day and talking about the tragedy online. Anti-war speeches and statements become grounds for criminal prosecution. At the moment, more than 310 people have become defendants in criminal cases initiated due to protest against the war with Ukraine. Read more about this in our guide .
• Article 207.3 (Public dissemination of knowingly false information about the use of the armed forces of the Russian Federation) was included in the Criminal Code in March 2022 - in this way the authorities responded to anti-war speeches and statements, as well as the dissemination of information about the war that does not come from official Russian sources. The maximum penalty under this article is 15 years in prison.