The Moscow City Court arrested Tolokonnikova in absentia in the case of insulting the feelings of believers

The Moscow City Court arrested Pussy Riot group member Nadezhda Tolokonnikova (recognized by the Ministry of Justice as a foreign agent) in absentia for two months in the case of insulting the feelings of believers (Part 1 of Article 148 of the Criminal Code), Interfax reported, citing the court’s press service. According to the agency, the preventive measure will begin to take effect from the moment of her detention on Russian territory or extradition to Russia.

According to card case, the court overturned the resolution of the Babushkinsky court dated November 1, according to which it was rejected petition from the investigation for arrest in absentia. Prosecutor’s office appealed decision of the Babushkinsky court on November 2.

This article provides for punishment in the form of a fine of up to 300 thousand rubles, or compulsory or forced labor, or imprisonment for up to 1 year.

In March 2023, the Ministry of Internal Affairs put Nadezhda Tolokonnikova on the federal wanted list under an article of the Criminal Code, which one was not specified. March 1 became it is known that a case was opened against her for insulting the feelings of believers. Then human rights activist Pavel Chikov (recognized as a foreign agent) reported that the reason for initiating the case was her publications on social networks.

In 2012, members of Pussy Riot, including Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, were sentenced to two years in prison for hooliganism (Part 2 of Article 213 of the Criminal Code) due to an action in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. In 2013, she was released under an amnesty. Currently, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova lives in the USA.

Polina Motyzlevskaya