In the middle of the news program of the first channel on Russian state TV, Maria Ovsiannikova stormed on Monday evening with a protest poster, chanting several times: “No to war, no to war, no to war!” Her poster read: “Don’t believe the propaganda . Here you will be lied to”. And in English: “No war! Russians against war!”
Now she is apparently in police custody – somewhere in Russia! Lawyers are not allowed to see her – neither she nor journalists have heard from her for more than 12 hours, and no one knows where she is.
The concern: Is Kremlin despot Vladimir Putin (69) setting a brutal example of imprisonment to deter possible imitators? Where is she?
The fact is that Russia has recently dramatically tightened its penalties for demonstrations and the use of the forbidden words “war” and “invasion” – Putin is trying with all his might to sweep the truth under the carpet, to suppress free opinion and the press.
ANYONE allegedly spreading “false information” about the military faces up to 15 years in prison. The Kremlin decides what is wrong.
The legal basis: Article 20.3.3. of the Administrative Code, “public measures aimed at discrediting the use of the armed forces”.
“They can’t put us all in jail”
In her pre-recorded video, Ovsiannikova stated: “What is happening in Ukraine is a crime and Russia is the aggressor. The responsibility for this aggression rests with one man: Vladimir Putin. My father is Ukrainian, my mother is Russian and they were never enemies.”
She points to her necklace in the colors of both countries – Russia and Ukraine. But for them it is clear: “Russia must end this fratricidal war.”
Owsiannikova continues: “Unfortunately, I’ve been working for the First Channel for the last few years. I did Kremlin propaganda and I am very ashamed of it – letting people lie from TV screens and allowing the Russian people to be zombified.
We didn’t say anything in 2014 when it was just beginning. We didn’t protest when the Kremlin poisoned Navalny. We just watched this inhumane regime in silence. Now the whole world has turned its back on us, and ten generations of our descendants will not be able to wash away this fratricidal war.”
And further: “Only we, thoughtful and intelligent Russians, have the power to stop this madness.” Her request: “Go to the protests, don’t be afraid!” Because: “You can’t put us all in jail.”
According to the civil rights organization OWD-Info, around 14,900 people have been arrested in Russia since the beginning of the war for protesting against the war in Ukraine.