Moscow Yabloko asks the Public Prosecutor’s Office to initiate an immediate investigation into the detention conditions of journalist Maria Ponomarenko in a pretrial detention facility
Press Release, 18.03.2025
Photo: Maria Ponomarenko / Photo by RusNews
Mass media have reported, citing a lawyer, that Maria Ponomarenko attempted suicide “due to constant bullying by the administration” of the detention facility and is currently on a dry hunger strike. Moscow Yabloko representative Maxim Kruglov is asking the Public Prosecutor of the Altiai Territory, Anton German, to immediately and thoroughly investigate the conditions of Maria Ponomarenko’s detention.
It should be noted that in February 2023, RusNews journalist Maria Ponomarenko received six years in prison for disseminating “fakes” about the army. Another criminal case was opened against Ponomarenko in the penal colony, she was accused of violence against the prison employees.
As reported by RusNews, on March 24, Maria Ponomarenko is scheduled to give her final statement in court, where she plans to talk about the treatment of her by the prison staff.
It should be noted that Yabloko considers the punishment under the articles on the “discreditation” and “fakes” about the army an act of state repression against its citizens and calls for the release of all political prisoners.
Posted: April 1st, 2025 under Freedom of Speech, Governance, Human Rights, Judiciary, Yabloko's Regional Branches, Без рубрики.