Congressman Cohen, Special Rapporteur on Political Prisoners, Calls for Release of Alexandra Skochilenko
Russian artist and musician spoke out against war in Ukraine
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly’s Special Rapporteur for Political Prisoners, issued the following statement regarding the case of the Russian artist and anti-war protestor Alexandra Skochilenko:
“The Putin regime is yet again demonstrating its warmongering, dictatorial character in sentencing Ms. Alexandra Skochilenko to eight years in prison for merely speaking out against Russia’s war against Ukraine.
“In March of 2022, Ms. Skochilenko, who is an artist and musician known by her stage name Sasha, replaced price tags in a supermarket with pieces of paper calling for an end Russia’s war against Ukraine. Now she is being charged with ‘spreading fake information’ about the Russian army and faces a lengthy prison sentence.
“In the Orwellian world of Putin’s Russia, where war is peace and ignorance is strength, Ms. Skochilenko’s truth is a powerful antidote to the viciousness and evil of the regime, which is why Putin and his cohorts are so afraid of it.
“Ms. Skochilenko has done nothing to deserve the harsh treatment. The authorities must release her now.”
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