Building a State of Fear in “Extremist” Groups
- The case of artist Sasha Skochilenko highlights the escalating repression of dissent in Russia following the invasion of Ukraine, transforming a simple act of protest into a symbol...
- On March 11, 2022, just weeks after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Sasha Skochilenko, a 33-year-old artist, poet, and musician, engaged in a quiet act of defiance.
- The act, a form of guerrilla performance art, was reported to police by galina Baranova, a 76-year-old shopper.
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Sasha Skochilenko: Art, Protest, and a Seven-Year Sentence in Putin’s Russia
Table of Contents
The case of artist Sasha Skochilenko highlights the escalating repression of dissent in Russia following the invasion of Ukraine, transforming a simple act of protest into a symbol of resistance and state control.
The Protest and the Arrest
On March 11, 2022, just weeks after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Sasha Skochilenko, a 33-year-old artist, poet, and musician, engaged in a quiet act of defiance. She replaced price tags in a Perekrestok supermarket in St. Petersburg with anti-war messages. These weren’t grand pronouncements,but stark statements of fact: “The Russian Army bombed an art school in Mariupol where about 400 people were seeking shelter,” and “Putin has been lying to you from the television screen for 20 years. The result of these lies is our willingness to accept war and senseless deaths.”
The act, a form of guerrilla performance art, was reported to police by galina Baranova, a 76-year-old shopper. Baranova, in an interview with Fontanka.ru, stated she felt compelled to act due to the messages’ perceived negativity and potential to disrupt public order. This seemingly minor incident quickly escalated into a criminal case.
The Charge: Discrediting the Russian Armed forces
Skochilenko was initially charged with “discrediting the Russian Armed forces” under Article 20.3.3 of the Administrative Code, a law passed shortly after the invasion specifically targeting criticism of the military. However, the charges were later upgraded to a more serious offense under Article 280.3 of the Criminal Code – disseminating knowingly false information about the actions of the Russian Armed Forces. This shift meant potential imprisonment rather than a fine.
The prosecution argued that Skochilenko’s actions were premeditated and intended to incite public unrest. They presented Baranova’s testimony as key evidence, framing Skochilenko’s protest as a purposeful attempt to spread misinformation and undermine support for the war. Skochilenko maintained her innocence, arguing that she was simply expressing her opposition to the conflict and sharing information already available in the public domain.
The Trial and the verdict
The trial, held in St. Petersburg, was widely criticized by human rights organizations and international observers as politically motivated. Skochilenko was held in pre-trial detention for over a year,a period her supporters say was deliberately harsh to pressure her into a confession. During the trial, Skochilenko repeatedly emphasized the peaceful nature of her protest and her commitment to truth.
On November 16, 2023, the court delivered its verdict: seven years in a penal colony. The sentence was