20 October 2023, 23:58
At trial, activist Darya Polyudova claims political nature of her persecution
The courts and investigators have failed to provide proofs of the creation of an extremist community; the persecution was caused by her political views, Darya Polyudova, an activist from Kuban (Krasnodar Territory), sentenced to nine years of freedom deprivation, has stated at the Russian Supreme Court (SC). Via a video link, she has complained to the session visitors about the obstacles to correspondence, the cold and the lack of medicines in the Kabardino-Balkarian colony, where she is in strict custody conditions.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the Russian SC refused to change Polyudova's sentence within the case of creating an extremist community and publicly justifying terrorism. She remains in strict custody conditions at the above colony.
Leonid Solovyov, an advocate, has pointed out that Polyudova had exercised her right to express her own opinion; and her leadership role in the imputed organization was not confirmed by any documents.
He has also recalled that Polyudova has elderly parents whom she had supported financially before her arrest and who, due to her imprisonment, found themselves in a difficult situation.
Polyudova said that letters do not reach her; and her letters fail to reach their recipients. Thus, she wrote eight letters to her mother, but received no answer.
Darya Polyudova has also reported that in the building where she is kept, there is only cold water in the shower. The medical unit lacks many medications. She has also complained that one of her two cellmates had fixed a portrait of Putin above Polyudova's bed.
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on October 19, 2023 at 11:31 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
Author: Alexander Stepanov Source: СK correspondent
