More than a hundred doctors, in an open letter addressed to Russian President Vladimir Putin, urged clemency for Sasha Skochilenko, a St. Petersburg artist who had just been convicted and received a seven-year sentence in a general regime colony for an action that involved altering price labels. The letter called for Skochilenko’s release from custody, arguing that the act stemmed from peaceful protest rather than criminal intent. The petition, publicly reported by Kommersant, has since been signed by a growing number of medical professionals, with reports indicating over 150 physicians adding their voices to the plea.
Doctors noted that Skochilenko has several chronic illnesses that require ongoing medical care and a carefully planned diet. They warned that continued confinement could seriously compromise her health, underscoring the need for proper supervision and medical attention while in custody. The letter framed her health risks as a compelling reason to reconsider the sentence or arrange safer, more appropriate alternatives to incarceration. In their view, the health status of a prisoner should be a factor in determining the severity of punishment and the conditions under which it is served.
According to the doctors, the punishment appeared particularly disproportionate given reports that other prisoners who committed serious offenses have received more lenient outcomes, including releases. The open letter emphasized fairness in the application of justice and suggested that Skochilenko’s case may reflect inconsistencies in how sentences are enforced.
To recap the recent developments: in St. Petersburg, at the Vasileostrovsky District Court, Sasha Skochilenko was sentenced to seven years in a general regime colony on charges of disseminating false information about the Russian armed forces. The events date back to March 2022, when Skochilenko, then residing in St. Petersburg, altered five store price tags with stylized pages detailing the Russian military operation in Ukraine, information that did not align with the official stance of the Russian Ministry of Defense. The artist was arrested, detained for more than a year, and later found guilty under Article 207.3 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation for knowingly disseminating false information to the public about the use of the RF Armed Forces. In her postscript, Skochilenko described the case as bizarre and even humorous in its absurdity. The broader context of the case continues to provoke discussion about freedom of expression, press restrictions, and the treatment of political dissent in Russia.
Observers note that the discussion around this case also intersects with broader debates within the State Duma regarding amendments to legislation affecting foreign agencies and external influences on domestic policy. This broader political backdrop contributes to questions about how dissent, information, and art are treated under current laws. The case thus remains a focal point for discussions about civil rights, legal reform, and medical ethics in the context of political charges.