A Russian man was sentenced to two-years in a penal colony for discrediting the Armed Forces. He fled from house arrest, a court ruled.
After his daughter had drawn an anti-war photograph at school, Alexei Moskalyov was investigated by police. He was also convicted for posting social media comments that criticised the war.
Moskalyov (54), fled from house arrest just before his verdict in Yefremov’s Russian was rendered, according to court officials.
Maria, his 13-year old daughter, was taken by authorities from him. According to his lawyer, Maria wrote him a supportive letter from the orphanage she lives in, telling him: “Daddy! You’re my hero.”
Since he was placed under house arrest this month, he has been living apart from his wife.
Vladimir Biliyenko was Moskalyov’s lawyer. He stated that he hadn’t seen his client since Monday.
He said, “At the moment to be honest, i’m in shock.”
He stated that the defense would appeal against the verdict.
Moskalyov was arrested after his 12-year-old daughter drew a picture of Russian missiles falling on a Ukrainian child and mother. The school head called the police.
The drawing included a Ukrainian flag bearing the words “Glory To Ukraine” and a Russian tricolour bearing the slogan “No to War”.
Moskalyov claims he is against the Kremlin’s “special military operation”
Moskalyov was charged with a series social media posts discussing Russian atrocities in Ukraine, and referencing the terrorist regime of Moscow. However, he insists that he didn’t make those posts.
Moskalyov concluded by saying that he was against what the Kremlin calls a “special military operations”.
“How can you feel about death and people who are dying?” Children are dying as well as adults. … Only positively – how can you feel about a conflict? Russia’s independent news website Mediazona quoted him as saying these words.
Soon after its invasion of Ukraine last year, Russia banned discrediting the armed forces.
Officials from the court said that Moskalyov had fled his Yefremov apartment, 300km (186 mi) south of Moscow and taken off a bracelet that would track his movements.
Some in the audience shouted “Bravo!” when an official declared that he had fled to court.
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