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The Kirovsky District Court in Irkutsk has sentenced blogger Maria Makhmutova to two years and seven months in an open prison colony in a case over violence against a police officer and their public insult. This was reported by the court’s press service.

According to the court, on 9 June 2025, Makhmutova publicly insulted a traffic police inspector in Shelekhovsky District, and on 24 June, while in the corridor of the police duty station, she bit an investigator, causing them physical pain. She was found guilty under the article for using violence against a public official (Part 1, Article 318 of the Criminal Code) and for publicly insulting a public official (Article 319 of the Criminal Code). Makhmutova pleaded guilty, and the case was heard in a special procedure.

The blogger was detained on 13 June—the day after she posted a story video sharply criticising the war in Ukraine and the celebration of Russia Day. In the video that triggered the prosecution, Makhmutova said, among other things: “If all the ‘special military operation’ people die tomorrow, I’ll have a glass of wine.” After the post, she received threats, called the police herself, but was detained instead.

At the end of June, Makhmutova was sentenced to 13 days’ arrest under the article on battery (Article 6.1.1 of the Administrative Code)—according to the Interior Ministry, she kicked a female police officer. She was later given a further five days’ arrest for using a psychotropic substance without a doctor’s prescription (Part 1, Article 6.9 of the Administrative Code).

On 18 June, the Investigative Committee announced a case had been opened on insulting a public official. On 10 July, the Investigative Committee opened a second criminal case—over the use of violence. According to the Interior Ministry, Makhmutova bit an investigator during investigative actions. The two cases were combined, and the court imposed pre-trial detention—she remained in a remand centre the whole time until sentencing.

In July, there was also a court hearing on the “discrediting the army” case over the video (Article 20.3.3 of the Administrative Code)—Makhmutova was fined 45,000 roubles (approximately US$500).