Evgeniya Mandrygina (Shelkovnikova) is a political prisoner

A journalist from Krasnoyarsk has been given a custodial sentence of three years with compulsory work for ‘attacking’ a military recruitment officer

The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Evgeniya Mandrygina (Shelkovnikova) a political prisoner. Mandrygina has been convicted on a charge of using violence that did not pose a threat to health against a representative of the authorities. Mandrygina’s criminal prosecution and conviction violate her rights to freedom of expression and fair trial. We demand the immediate release of Evgeniya Mandrygina and that all criminal charges against her be dropped.

What were the charges against Evgeniya Mandrygina?

On 22 September 2022, the day after mobilisation was announced in Russia, Evgeniya Mandrygina, a journalist with the Krasnoyarsk publication NGS24 (where she publishes under the name Shelkovnikova), went to one of the military recruitment centres in Krasnoyarsk to talk to people there. The officer in charge, Viktor Nechiporenko, attempted to prevent her from filming. According to a witness, he behaved aggressively and tried to seize her camera.

Soon after, on the basis of a complaint by Nechiporenko, the investigative authorities opened a case against Mandrygina on a charge of using violence that did not endanger life or health against a representative of the authorities (Article 318, Part 1 of the Russian Criminal Code). According to the investigative authorities, the journalist allegedly struck the military officer ‘at least once with a microphone on his left temple and once with her right hand on his left arm, causing him physical pain and bodily harm in the form of a bruise’.

On 5 June 2024, a court in Krasnoyarsk found Mandrygina guilty and gave her a custodial sentence of three years’ compulsory work. On 17 October 2024, the appeal court upheld the sentence.

Why do we consider Mandrygina a political prisoner?

The journalist Evgeniya Mandrygina was carrying out her professional duties in accordance with the law ‘On Mass Media.’ The officer in charge at the military recruitment centre claimed he had prohibited filming inside the centre on the basis of a certain secret letter and instructions marked ‘for official use’. However, secret letters, internal instructions, and even orders of the defence minister carry less legal weight than federal law and therefore cannot restrict a journalist’s work.

Furthermore, we doubt that the charges were proven. The witnesses for the prosecution were Nechiporenko’s subordinates, that is, persons clearly dependent on him. At the same time, the court ignored the testimony of an independent witness and documents showing that Mandrygina herself sustained physical injuries.

In our view, it is most likely that it was the military recruitment officer who first showed aggression, and that the journalist was merely trying to protect herself and continue carrying out her professional duties. Mandrygina’s prosecution is yet another example of the authorities’ hostility towards independent journalism.

A more detailed description of Evgeniya Mandrygina’s case and of our position is available on our website.

Recognition of an individual as a political prisoner does not imply the ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project agrees with, or approves, their views, statements, or actions.

How can you help?

You can donate to help all political prisoners in Russia.