ACTIVIST IMPRISONED IN STRICT CONDITIONS

Natalya Filonova is an activist and journalist from Ulan-Ude, Russia’s Eastern Siberia. In 2022, she was arrested at a peaceful protest against the conscription of men to fight in the Russian military in the war in Ukraine. She was subsequently sentenced to 2 years and 10 months in prison for allegedly scratching two police officers. In prison, she faced repeated sanctions, including placement in a punishment cell, and recently, the tightening of her detention conditions. Amnesty International believes that Natalya Filonova’s conviction and sentence are unlawful and based on politically motivated charges because of her peaceful activism. Therefore, she should be released immediately.

PLEASE TAKE ACTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE UNTIL: October 20, 2024

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• Write a letter in your own words or using the sample below as a guide to one or both government officials listed. You can also email, fax, call or Tweet them.
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contact information:

sample letter:

Dear Mr. Hanko, or Dear Ambassador Anatoly I. Antonov,

I am deeply concerned by the news that Natalya Filonova has been arbitrarily placed in strict conditions of detention. Natalia is serving her sentence in the IK-11 penal colony in Irkutsk region. The decision to transfer her to strict conditions was made by the administration of this penal colony.

Natalya Filonova, a 62-year-old civic activist and journalist, was convicted of allegedly “using violence against representatives of the authorities”. Her charges are politically motivated, and she is being prosecuted solely for peacefully expressing her opinion. Therefore, she should be immediately released.

I am calling on you to take all necessary steps to ensure the immediate release of Natalya Filonova. While she is still incarcerated, I urge you to ensure that she is not subjected to arbitrary punishment. The alleged ill-treatment of Natalya Filonova in the IK-11 penal colony must be promptly and effectively investigated, and those suspected of responsibility should face fair disciplinary, administrative, or criminal proceedings as appropriate.

Yours sincerely,

[YOUR NAME]

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