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The prosecutor has requested a 24-year prison sentence for Irina Izmaylova, an artist and eco-activist from Samara, a major city on the Volga. This was reported by a source familiar with the case.

The verdict is due to be delivered today at 16:30.

On 28 August last year, Izmaylova was charged under the article on high treason for assisting a foreign state in anti-Russian activities (Article 275 of the Criminal Code). In addition to high treason, Izmaylova is also accused of possession and manufacture of explosives (Part 1 Article 222.1 and Part 1 Article 223.1 of the Criminal Code); the case concerns 0.25 grams of acetone peroxide. Since September last year, the artist has been held in custody.

Initially, she was only prosecuted under the article on manufacturing explosives; this charge was brought against her in December 2023. During an interrogation following a search (her lawyer was not present for these investigative actions), Izmaylova confessed, saying she manufactured explosives on the instructions of a “curator from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).”

Those close to the activist do not believe she intended to commit radical acts and suspect that the explosives were planted on her. Izmaylova’s partner, Alexander Kudashev—the founder of the ‘Recyclables for Charity’ movement—joined the “Russian Volunteer Corps” (RDK) a few months before her arrest, but says he did not tell her about it.

During a hearing on extending her pre-trial detention in June this year, it became known that Izmaylova was also being prosecuted for high treason. The eco-activist is alleged to have made contact with a certain Ukrainian intelligence officer named “Vitaly” during a trip to Moldova in autumn 2022, and to have received headphones with a hidden detonator from another “curator” (“Alexander”) in Turkey in March 2023.

“Zone of Solidarity” suggests that the case against Izmaylova may be linked to her anti-war stance.

  • Alexander Kudashev is wanted by the authorities, reportedly on suspicion of participating in an illegal armed group (Article 208 of the Criminal Code). According to him, he and Izmaylova travelled to Moldova to help Ukrainian refugees.