Anastasia Ponkina, 20-year-old activist of the Russian Socialist Movement in Izhevsk (Udmurt Republic), was charged with “hooliganism motivated by political hate” and could face up to 5 years in prison.
On 23 January, during mass rallies against corruption and the arrest of Alexei Navalny held across the country, Anastasia actively participated in a demonstration in her home city of Izhevsk and “drove” the crowd onto the roadway, as the police claim. Importantly, it was in Izhevsk that socialists from the RSD not only participated in the 23 January demonstration, but actually led it.
The criminal case against Anastasia Ponkina is an attempt to intimidate a new generation of youth protesting against social inequality and political powerlessness. These days, we are witnessing a real wave of repressions: 90 criminal cases have already been opened across the country as a result of the 23 and 31 January protests, and dozens more political prisoners will be added very soon.