Nikolai Rybakov’s Telegram post, 16.11.2023

Photos by the Yabloko Press Service

Artist Sasha Skochilenko was sentenced to seven years in prison. Not because she is a criminal and has caused immeasurable harm to someone. Such people, as you know, are now being pardoned. Sasha received such a ridiculous sentence for replacing several price tags in a supermarket with peacekeeping pictures, for her pacifist position, for her convictions and the courage to defend them.

The judge’s decision was expected. But hope for a fair solution still remained. And the belief remains that Sasha will be released much earlier than judge Oksana Demyasheva established.

Today many people came to support Sasha – friends, relatives, ordinary St. Petersburg residents, politicians, and diplomats. Alexander Sokurov, a great film director, was among them.

Sasha’s last word was poignant and touching. She admitted that her investigator had been unable to conduct her case, had resigned from the Investigative Committee and gone to work at the Voentorg (army surplus) store.

“I respect his actions immensely and believe that we are similar – we both acted according to our conscience,” Sasha said.

Sasha also pointed out that the absurdity of the trial was also in the fact that it was not a criminal being tried, but a pacifist.

“Combat is initiated by warriors, but peace comes thanks to pacifists. When you imprison pacifists, you delay the long-awaited day of peace.

Even though I am behind bars, I am freer than you. I can make my own decisions, I can say what I think, I can quit my job if I am forced to do something I don’t want to do. I have no enemies, I am not afraid of being left without money or even without a roof over my head.

I am not afraid of not having a great career, of appearing funny, vulnerable or weird. I am not afraid to be different from others. Perhaps that is why my state is so afraid of me and people like me, and keeps me in a cage like a most dangerous animal,” Sasha added.

The Yabloko party insists that there is no fault in Sasha’s drawings and actions. The artist must be released. We will go on demanding this. And continue to support Sasha. And fight for peace so that they stop killing people.