On April 25, 2024, the 1st District Military Court in a visiting session in Chita sentenced the antifascist Alexander Snezhkov to 6 years, and the antifascist Lyubov Lizunova to 3.5 years in prison. Snezhkov was found guilty under the article on vandalism motivated by political hostility because of a graffiti "Death to the regime". Both were convicted under articles on calls to extremism and terrorism.
Snezhkov and Lizunova were detained in the autumn of 2022 in Chita on suspicion of graffiti and administration of telegram channels "75zlo" and "Shugan-25", which published information about protests against the war in Ukraine, partisan actions and animal protection.
Letter from Alexander Snezhkov's mother:
"Good afternoon. I am the mother of Alexander Snezhkov, convicted under art. 280. part 1, art. 205. part 2, art.214 Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation and sentenced to 6 years in a penal colony. Sasha has been in jail since January 2023.
I raised Sasha alone. My son graduated from 11th grade, did not continue to study, but went to work. He played sports, music and was very good at drawing. Subsequently, he created his own band, where he performed his songs. He is acutely aware of justice. There is an appeal ahead.
I am a group 1 disabled person (I had 2 strokes). All the savings that I had were spent. I owe the lawyer 150 thousand for the appeal. I do postal parcels for my son twice a month. Sasha really needs support right now. I hope for a fair court decision."
Letter from Lyuba Lizunova's mother:
"Hello. I am the mother of Lyuba Lizunova, the first minor convicted under articles 280UK, 205h.2, 214UK. Lyuba has been in jail for 6 months. The court sentenced Lyuba to 3.5 years in a penal colony.
Lyuba grew up a very smart child, like all parents, we wanted our daughter to grow up to be a kind, honest, educated, decent person. Like all parents, we did everything for this, taught, gave all our strength and free time to our daughter, and most importantly loved her and were always there, she did not like dancing, so started figure skating, the same story, then became interested in music (mastered guitar, electric guitar, then drums, played with Sasha Snezhkov in one group) and drawing.
Lyuba started reading early, was an excellent student at school, studied at one of the best schools in the city, with in-depth study in English, an art school, read a lot, became interested in studying history early and loved philosophy, from the age of 13 she read the works of Nietzsche, Aristotle, Sartre, etc.).
Her classmates, teachers loved her, everyone thought that she has a bright and successful future, and now Lyuba is in prison. I will never wish on anyone what we have gone through in these past 2 years. We constantly blame ourselves for what happened, that we overlooked, did not understand our child, and she did not share her feelings with us when all "this" (the war) began in 2022. She took the situation in the country and the world too much to heart. She was only 16 at the time. Teenage maximalism, the desire to make the world a better place. And the shock of the word "war". She created a telegram channel where she published posts that were news about what was happening, and wrote her comments, in which linguistic expertise saw the "justification of terrorism." And then the inscription on the abandoned garages, about disagreement with the state of the country.
And here is the result. The investigation and the courts have been going on for 2 years, (the military court is judging). Lyuba couldn't finish school. The teachers are shocked, the director said: we are waiting for the 11th grade. She holds on, and she is supported, mainly by letters, says: "mom, I have already collected the entire EU in letters, only people did not write from Antarctica and Africa)" and journalists, and public figures, and teachers of schools, universities, and just people. And we are holding on thanks to her strength and courage.
During the investigation and the courts, we have already changed three lawyers. Everyone told us: they won't put the child away! For what? But she's there. We are asking for help. We have an ordinary family: I am a doctor, Luba's dad is a civil engineer. As everyone has a mortgage, a small child, Lyubasha's sister, she is 6 years old. And Lyuba needs our support. When a large sum was needed, Dad changed the car for an old one. We send parcels almost every week. The lawyer is working, we are preparing for the trial, we are waiting for him with hope, it's scary to think about the colony, but we understand that we need to be ready for anything. And Lyuba reads a lot, learns French, draws, and writes that she does not cry and asks us also not to.”
Support group urge you to show solidarity and help the arrested anti-fascists Alexander Snezhkov and Lyubov Lizunova. You can directly transfer money assistance to cards (for Snezhkov) T-bank 2200701024509520 Svetlana P and (for Lizunova) Sber 2202208081653678 Lyubov L.) You can also transfer money to PayPal ABC-Moscow abc-msk@riseup.net (indicate "for Chita" when transferring).
To help Alexander Snezhkov, it is necessary to collect 210 thousand rubles (2100 euro) of which 150 thousand is the payment for the services of a lawyer, 60 thousand is a postal parcels for 4 months, based on 15 thousand per month. Lyubov Lizunova needs to collect 180 thousand (1800 euro ) 120 thousand for the services of a lawyer, 60 thousand for postal parcels.
You can also write letters to Alexander and Lyuba : Snezhkov Alexander Evgenievich, born in 2003, Lizunova Lyubov Vitalievna, born in 2006, 672039, Russian Federation, Zabaikalsky Krai, Chita, Ingodinskaya str., 1, SIZO-1. You can also write through the Prisonmail.online.
News about "Chita case" here.
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