On Thursday, a Russian artist was sentenced to seven years in prison for replacing price tags in a supermarket with stickers calling for an end to Moscow’s war in Ukraine. The court’s argument is that Oleksandra Skochylenko deliberately spread “false information” about the Russian military, Reuters reports.

Russian artist Oleksandra Skochylenko was sentenced to 7 years in prison for anti-war messages in supermarketsPhoto: Olga MALTSEVA / AFP / Profimedia

A court in St. Petersburg handed down the sentence hours after the artist, 33-year-old Oleksandra Skochylenko, appealed to the court to show wisdom and compassion and release her.

Skochilenka was banned from using the Internet for the next three years, in addition to seven years of imprisonment. The state prosecutor asked her to be imprisoned for eight years.

Her supporters repeatedly chanted “Shame, shame!” after the verdict was announced, when a smiling Skochylenko made a heart sign with her hands while sitting in her cage in the courtroom.

The artist, who has already spent more than a year and a half in prison, admitted that on March 31, 2022, he replaced price tags in a supermarket with pieces of paper calling for an end to the war and criticizing the government.

But she denied the official accusation of knowingly false information about the military.

Critics say the case is part of a crackdown on anyone who opposes Russia’s “special military operation” in Ukraine, which has led to nearly 20,000 arrests and more than 800 criminal cases.

After sending troops into Ukraine early last year, Russia has tightened its laws on dissent to try to silence critics.

In her closing statement, Skochylenko told the judge that she is a pacifist who values ​​human life above all else.

“Whatever decision you make, you will go down in history,” Skochylenko told the judge, according to a recording of her speech.

“You can show how to resolve conflict with words and compassion.”

Skochylenko’s lawyers stated in court that their client did not commit any crime and will not survive prison due to celiac disease – severe gluten intolerance. Amnesty International declared her a “prisoner of conscience”.

Skochylenko also appealed to the state prosecutor, who asked for a longer prison term for her.

“What will you tell your children? That once for five pieces of paper you locked up your beloved artist, who was seriously ill?” she said.

“I’m not afraid, and maybe that’s why my government is so afraid of me and keeps me in a cage like the most dangerous animal.”