Arina Ivanova is a political prisoner
An animal rights activist from Novokuznetsk was sentenced to five years in a penal colony on a charge of spreading ‘fake news’ about the Russian army for a post about Bucha
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Arina Ivanova a political prisoner. Ivanova was convicted on a criminal charge of ‘intentionally spreading information known to be false about the Russian army’ for an anti-war post on VK. Arina Ivanova’s criminal prosecution and conviction violated her rights to freedom of expression and a fair trial. We demand that Arina Ivanova be released and that all criminal charges against her be dropped.
What were the charges against Arina Ivanova?
Arina Ivanova, from Novokuznetsk, worked as a manager at a flower shop and in her free time helped stray animals. After Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, she spoke out against the war on social media. In 2023, she was fined three times on various charges under administrative law.
In 2024, a criminal case was opened against Ivanova on a charge of spreading ‘fake news’ about the Russian army on grounds of political hatred, for a post written in April 2022 on the VK social media site about Russian war crimes in Bucha. In the post, Ivanova argued you could feel sorry for people forcibly sent to war, but ‘not after these “soldiers” left Bucha and the whole world saw their “feats” in all their glory! Hundreds killed, 90% of whom were shot, not killed by shrapnel wounds or other injuries. Just think about it! People had their hands tied behind them and were shot in the back of the head! Dozens of women were raped! The city was completely looted! They took everything — from washing machines to, excuse me, women’s underwear!!!’
After a warrant was issued for Arina Ivanova’s arrest, she moved in with a friend, but in December 2024 she was detained and remanded in custody. At the time of her arrest, she was caring for 16 sick cats and dogs that needed looking after.
On 13 August 2025, Ivanova was sentenced to five years in a general regime penal colony.
Why do we consider Arina Ivanova a political prisoner?
The article on ‘fake news about the Russian army’ violates the right to freedom of expression, fails to comply with the principle of legal certainty, and contradicts the Russian Constitution. This article should be repealed, all related convictions quashed, and ongoing prosecutions dropped. You can read more about our opinion on this law here.
Information about crimes committed by Russian military personnel in Bucha is not ‘information known to be false,’ but a series of facts documented by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, among other sources. Dissemination of information about these crimes is in the public interest.
A five-year sentence of imprisonment for expressing anti-war views is intended by the Russian authorities to intimidate all domestic opponents of the war against Ukraine.
A detailed description of Arina Ivanova’s case and of our position is available on our website.
How can you help?
You can write to Arina Ivanova at the following address:
RU:
Российская Федерация, 652050, Кемеровская область, г. Юрга, ул. Шоссейная, д. 2, ФКУ ИК-50 ГУФСИН России по Кемеровской области, Иванова Арина Сергеевна, 1989 г. р.
EN:
Arina Sergeevna Ivanova (born 1989), Penal Colony No. 50, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Kemerovo Oblast, 2 Shosseinaya Street, Yurga, Kemerovo Oblast, 652050, Russian Federation.
You can also send emails via ZT (for payment with all bank cards) and Memorial-France (free of charge).
Please note that letters in languages other than Russian are highly unlikely to reach the intended recipient.
You can donate to help all political prisoners in Russia.
