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The magistrate of the 25th judicial district in the Leninsky district of Irkutsk has sentenced blogger Maria Makhmutova to five days’ detention under the article on drug use because of “Corvalol” (Article 6.9.1 of the Code of Administrative Offences). This was reported by the regional courts’ press service.
After Makhmutova was detained and brought to the police on 13 June, an officer sent her for a medical assessment. The results showed the woman had used phenobarbital. At the court hearing, Makhmutova explained that she takes “Corvalol” when she has episodes.
Pressure on Makhmutova began after, on 12 June, she posted a video on Instagram criticising Russia Day celebrations and condemning participants in the war in Ukraine.
“What kind of holiday is this, fuck? An amazing holiday—Russia Day. And what, are you really proud of something, fuck? What are you proud of, really? That you’re living, barely scraping by? That you have to kill people just to buy yourself cars and flats, and drink like it’s your last day, and wear fucking medals. Today your medals are for life—a mark for life, meaning you’re fucking murderers. …> If all the SVO soldiers die tomorrow, I’ll drink wine,” she said.
After this, activists from the pro-government “Call of the People” movement reported the blogger to the Investigative Committee and the Prosecutor General’s Office. Makhmutova then posted an apology video, in which she said she was not ready to be separated from her child, cried, and tried to cut her arms.
On 13 June, security officers came to the woman’s home. She did not open the door and threatened to harm herself. Eventually, Emergency Ministry employees forced the door, and Makhmutova was detained. According to the officers, on the way to the police station she attempted to escape several times. After her detention, when asked by a female investigator if she was prepared to apologise, the woman replied “No, I have nothing to apologise for.” Makhmutova was placed in a psychiatric hospital but was soon discharged.
A criminal case was brought against Makhmutova for insulting a police officer (Article 319 of the Criminal Code), and she was also written up for discrediting the Russian army (Article 20.3.3 of the Administrative Code) and for assault (Article 6.1.1 of the Administrative Code). For the second protocol, she was sentenced to 13 days’ detention; according to the court, the woman bit an officer during her arrest.
The Investigative Committee also announced that she is being investigated under the criminal article on discrediting the army (Article 280.3 of the Criminal Code).