Maria Makhmutova

A resident of Shelekhov, Irkutsk Oblast. On 18 June 2025, the Investigative Committee reported the opening of a criminal case against her for insulting a public official, allegedly after she insulted and swore at a police officer on social media.

The case was opened following complaints from pro-government activists over a video in which Mahmutova criticised the celebration of Russia Day and participants in the war in Ukraine, saying, among other things: “What kind of holiday is this, damn it? A fing great holiday — Russia Day. And what are you proud of, huh? What are you proud of, damn it? That you live — eating the last sht without salt? That you have to kill people to buy cars and apartments, and drink like it’s the last time, and wear fing medals. Today your medals are a mark for life, a brand for life that you are f**ing murderers <…> If all SVO soldiers die tomorrow, I’ll drink wine.”

After the complaints, Mahmutova was detained. She was issued a protocol for discrediting the army, and the Investigative Committee initiated a criminal investigation under the article on discrediting the military.

At the end of June 2025, the blogger was sentenced to 13 days’ detention under a protocol for assault after she allegedly kicked a police officer during investigative actions, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. She was subsequently given an additional 5 days’ detention under a protocol for drug use after taking phenobarbital (initially reported incorrectly as “Corvalol”).

On 10 July 2025, the Investigative Committee reported that Mahmutova was also charged with using violence against a public official, without specifying the exact reason for this accusation. Shortly before that, the regional Ministry of Internal Affairs reported that she faced criminal liability for allegedly biting an operative during investigative actions in the case of insulting a public official. The cases of insulting a public official and using violence were merged into a single proceeding, and Mahmutova was taken into custody.

On 6 November, she was sentenced to two years and seven months in a settlement-type penal colony.