Victoria Petrova
Victoria Petrova, born 1994, Saint Petersburg. Charges: Article 207.3 part 2 item d, Russian Criminal Code (Dissemination of false information about the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, government…); “Victoria Petrova's case of "fakes" about the activities of the Russian Armed Forces on the territory of Ukraine in St. Petersburg”. Sentenced on December 25, 2023. Status: at large. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as a political prisoner, July 4, 2022.
In brief
Saint Petersburg · Saint Petersburg · Office workers · Anti-war cases
Sentence
Compulsory medical treatment
Upheld July 19, 2024
Charges
- Article 207.3 part 2 item d, Russian Criminal Code — Dissemination of false information about the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, government agencies, or mercenaries (based on political, ideological, racial, national or religious hatred or enmity, or on grounds of hatred or enmity in relation to any social group)
Full wording of the charges
According to the investigation, she published a post on "VKontakte", where she sharply condemned Russia's military actions in Ukraine, accusing Vladimir Putin personally and his inner circle of the death of civilians and genocide of the Ukrainian people, and the federal media of lying and psychological manipulation. As evidence of Petrova's guilt, the investigation used a message sent to the girl by an anonymous user on "VKontakte". In the indictment, the investigator refers to a message from a user with the nickname "Valday Valdaykin" [non-existent name], who wrote messages to Petrova: "Hello Russophobe and terrorist" and "Have you prepared the crackers yet?" [a hint about the need to take non-perishable food with you to prison]. According to the law enforcers, receiving such messages "indicates a direct intent" by Petrova to post "fakes" about the Russian army. According to the lawyer, they are trying to attribute "anti-war agitation" to Petrova in the pre-trial detention centre. For this purpose, her cellmates are being pressurised.
Latest event
August 12, 2024 — imprisonment ends
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as a political prisoner — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners, July 4, 2022
Timeline
· Imprisonment ends
· Imprisonment begins
· Appeal ruling
upheld
· First-instance verdict
· Preventive measure changed
· Recognised as a political prisoner
Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
· Persecution begins
Victoria Petrova's case of "fakes" about the activities of the Russian Armed Forces on the territory of Ukraine in St. Petersburg
· Preventive measure: placement in a temporary detention facility
Criminal case
Victoria Petrova's case of "fakes" about the activities of the Russian Armed Forces on the territory of Ukraine in St. Petersburg
Thematic group: Anti-war case
Details and sources
Full summary
Resident of St. Petersburg. On 6 May 2022 she was detained in a case of spreading deliberately false information about the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. The next day the court placed her in custody. On 24 August 2023 it became known that according to the results of in-patient forensic psychiatric examination Petrova was appointed a legal representative - it was her uncle. In October, Petrova was transferred to a psychiatric hospital. Later, her lawyer reported that his client was abused by the hospital staff: she was forced to undress for a "bodily examination" in front of men, laughed in response to her request to change her pad before the examination, had her hands clasped when she refused to shower in front of everyone present and asked to be left only with women, as she had been in the pre-trial detention centre, was bound and shaken and promised to be beaten, tied by her hands and feet to a bed and injected with medication that left her unable to speak for two days, and while she was under the influence of the medication, had her clothes thrown over her face. On 25 December 2023, the court ordered Petrova to undergo compulsory treatment in a psychiatric hospital.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
Other people prosecuted under Article 207.3 part 2 item d, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.