Russian Poet Jailed For Poem Condemning Russian Invasion

A poet who recited poetry against the invasion of Ukraine during an anti-mobilization demonstration last year was given a seven-year prison sentence by a Moscow court on Thursday, Dec. 28.

Yegor Shtovba, 23, who also participated in the protest, was sentenced to five years and six months along with Artyom Kamardin, 33.

The two were spotted in a closely watched courtroom behind a glass barrier.

A beaming Kamardin read a poem shortly before he was sentenced, describing poetry as “gut-wrenching” and how “people accustomed to order” generally detest it.

Supporters in the courtroom cried out “Shame!” after the punishment was announced, and some of them were later taken into custody by police outside the courthouse, according to an AFP reporter.

Kamardin claimed that the officers had sexually assaulted him during his arrest and had coerced him into making an apologetic video while threatening to harm his relationship.

He performed his poetry “Kill me, militia man!” on the eve of his arrest in September 2022 in a Moscow square, a gathering place for dissidents since the Soviet era.

Moreover, Kamardin yelled derogatory phrases against the imperialist “New Russia” initiative, which sought to conquer the southern part of Ukraine.

Both were found guilty of “calling for activities threatening state security” and “inciting hatred.”

Kamardin had begged for forgiveness from the court, claiming he was unaware that his conduct had violated the law.

He claimed, “I am not a hero, and going to prison for my beliefs was never in my plans,” in a message sent on the Telegram channel of his fans.

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Yury, his father, exclaimed, “This is a total outrage!” following the punishment.

The parents and spouses of the poets arrived, as did some twenty friends, to offer their support to the defendants.

Alexandra Popova, Kamardin’s wife, was among the spectators.

“It is a very harsh sentence. Seven years for poems, for a non-violent crime,” she told AFP before being taken away by police officers.

She described her then-boyfriend’s detention to AFP in a late 2022 interview. She claimed that the officers had hit her, threatened to “gang rape” her, and put super glue all over her mouth and cheeks.

Kamardin, meanwhile, claimed to his attorney that he was beaten and sexually assaulted with a barbell while being led to a different room.

Kamardin was also made to record a video apology.

Shtovba also maintained that he did not violate any laws.

“What have I done that’s illegal?” he questioned the judge in his final court testimony, which was made public by the independent website Mediazona. Go through some poetry?

He also mentioned his mother, claiming that she was financially dependent on him.

“Mom, I know that you, more than anyone, believe in my innocence… Still, I’m sorry for how things turned out, leaving you and Dad alone.”

According to OVD-info, Nikolai Dayneko, who was also detained at the same time, entered a pre-trial agreement and was sentenced to four years in jail last May.

These are the most recent in a long line of harsh penalties meted out to Russians who opposed the offensive, which critics call ridiculous.

Artist Alexandra Skochilenko was sentenced to seven years in prison by Judge Oksana Demiasheva in mid-November for exchanging price tags with statements denouncing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Five price tags in a Saint Petersburg branch of one of the biggest grocery chains in Russia had been altered by Skochilenko with statements regarding the conflict.