On January 19, a court in Makhachkala, the capital of Russia’s Dagestan region, sentenced women’s rights defender and journalist Svetlana Anokhina to five years in prison for allegedly spreading “fake news” about the Russian armed forces. The sentence was handed down in absentia, as Anokhina left Russia in 2021 after a police raid targeted her organization, Marem, which provided shelter for abused women and girls in Makhachkala.
The charges against Anokhina were based on two Instagram posts she published in 2022, shortly after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, in which she documented alleged war crimes by Russian forces. For years, Anokhina was a prominent advocate for women in Dagestan, a region notorious for abuses by law enforcement and security agencies, and she dedicated her life to supporting girls and women in exercising their freedom and autonomy.
After leaving Russia, Anokhina initially intended her departure to be temporary. However, the invasion of Ukraine and her outspoken criticism of the war made her return impossible. The criminal proceedings that culminated in her prison sentence began in 2023, effectively forcing her into long-term exile.
Despite being abroad, Anokhina continued her activism, organizing rescues of women and girls in danger, providing access to safe houses, and helping them rebuild their lives. Her work was internationally recognized in 2024 when the BBC included her in its 100 Women list, highlighting the world’s most inspiring and influential women.
Speaking about the ruling, Anokhina described it as “sick and disgusting,” yet affirmed that it would not deter her from continuing her work. Her situation underscores the challenges faced by exiled activists and journalists, and the ongoing struggle for human rights and freedom of expression in Russia.
