Lida Moniava put under curfew in Russia army case

A Moscow court on Thursday placed Russian charity director Lida Moniava under a curfew and communications restrictions in a case accusing her of spreading “false information” about the army.

Moniava, 38, is the founder and director of a Moscow-based children's hospice charity that provides end-of-life care to children and young adults. Her lawyer, Mikhail Biryukov, said she was arrested on Wednesday over a 2023 Telegram post marking the first anniversary of the war in Ukraine, in which she alluded to UN data pointing to thousands of civilian casualties.

The court ordered Moniava placed under judicial supervision, barring her from leaving home from 8:00 pm to 8:00 am, using the internet or speaking with witnesses in the case, Biryukov said. The capital's judiciary said the restrictions would apply until at least October 30.

Dozens of supporters gathered outside the courthouse during the hearing and cheered when Moniava was released without further pre-trial detention.

“Yesterday, they spent hours trying to convince me to plead guilty,” Moniava said after the hearing, referring to investigators. “But I don't feel guilty. I want the war to end as soon as possible.”

Russia's Investigative Committee has said Moniava was charged with “knowingly spreading false information regarding the use of the Russian Armed Forces”. It said she did not admit guilt during questioning. Biryukov said prosecutors accuse her of being motivated by political hatred.

Moniava faces up to 10 years in prison if found guilty. She is also the founder of a charitable fund for sick children that until recently aided Ukrainian refugees in Russia.

Amnesty International described the arrest as “another brazen attempt by Russia's authorities to crackdown on any expression of anti-war sentiment.”

Since Moscow launched its offensive in Ukraine in February 2022, Russian police have detained thousands of people for speaking out against the war. Prosecutors often accuse people who publish criticism of the Russian army of spreading “fake news”.