Anastasia Zibrova is a political prisoner
A dog trainer from Moscow Oblast isaccused of spreading ‘fake news’ about the Russian army
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Anastasia Zibrova a political prisoner. She is being prosecuted on a charge of ‘spreading ‘fake news’ about the Russian army’ for a post on the VK social media platform. Zibrova’s criminal prosecution violates her rights to freedom of expression and fair trial. We demand the release of Anastasia Zibrova from house arrest and that all criminal charges against her be dropped.
What are the charges against Anastasia Zibrova?
Anastasia Zibrova is a dog trainer from Kubinka in Moscow Oblast. She raises her daughter alone while caring for her elderly grandmother.
In August 2023, security forces conducted an unlawful search of Zibrova’s home, seizing her laptop, hard drive, and phone. A criminal case against her was opened two months later, on 25 October 2023.
Zibrova was charged with ‘dissemination of information known to be false about the actions of the Russian army motivated by political hatred’ (Article 207.3, Part 2, of the Russian Criminal Code). The charge was based, according to media reports, on a post on the VK social media platform about a missile attack on the Kramatorsk railway station in Donetsk Oblast of Ukraine.
Zibrova was initially placed under travel restrictions. However, in May 2024 she was put under house arrest.
If convicted, Anastasia Zibrova faces up to ten years’ imprisonment.
Why do we consider Zibrova a political prisoner?
The article on dissemination of information known to be false about the Russian army, under which Zibrova is being prosecuted, was introduced into the criminal code immediately after the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine in 2022. The law effectively prohibits any criticism of the Russian authorities or military, in violation of the right to freedom of expression. The law contradicts the Russian Constitution, and therefore any charges brought under it are unlawful.
We do not know the precise content of the publication of which Zibrova stands accused. However, her prosecution under this illegitimate law suggests that the case against her is unfounded and politically motivated.
It would seem the charge against her concerns a post about the Russian military strike on the Kramatorsk railway station on 8 April 2022, one of the gravest missile attacks in terms of civilian casualties since the start of the invasion of Ukraine. The strike is a war crime because, according to the OSCE, Russia intentionally targeted civilians with banned weapons.
A detailed description of Anastasia Zibrova’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 support all political prisoners in Russia.
