The fate of a Russian child who drew a pro-peace sketch at school was unclear, a day after her father escaped from house arrest during his sentencing for criticising Moscow’s offensive in Ukraine.
Single father Alexei Moskalyov fled yesterday as he was handed a two-year sentence for “discrediting” the Russian army in the small town of Yefremov, south of Moscow.
His 13-year-old daughter Maria was taken away from him earlier this month and placed in a local rehabilitation centre, with the pair denied contact.
The case has garnered national attention, as Moscow cracks down on any dissent while troops fight in Ukraine.
The Kremlin defended Moskalyov’s sentencing, saying it had studied the case and that “there really was deplorable parenting”.
Moskalyov’s lawyer Vladimir Biliyenko said he did not know where his client was and that he was denied access to Maria, but was passed drawings from her.
He also confirmed the authenticity of a letter published on social media written by Maria to her father.
“I love you very much and know that you are not guilty of anything,” the letter read.
“Everything will be ok and we will be together. You are my hero,” it said.
She said he was “the bravest person in the world”.
Mr Biliyenko said it was now “difficult to predict” what will happen to Maria, with a court due to decide on 6 April on restricting the 54-year-old father’s parental rights.
“We will do everything possible to defend [Moskalyov] from these charges,” the lawyer said.
He criticised Russia’s children’s rights commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova and rights commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova for not getting involved in the case.
“The fate of a child is being decided here and they are not interested,” he said.
A local rights activist, Yelena Agafonova, has said she was prepared to take the girl in.
“We will apply for custody of Masha (a diminutive of Maria), we are preparing the documents,” she said.
She believed the case was a “show case to demonstrate what will happen with those who do not agree” with Moscow’s Ukraine campaign.
Russia’s top human rights organisation Memorial, which has been closed down by Russian authorities, said it considered Moskalyov a “political prisoner”.
Fate of Russian girl taken over pro-peace art unclear
Source: Viral Trends Report
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