Kozyreva, a 19-year-old student and activist, was sentenced to a year of harsh confinement. A St. Petersburg court convicted her for the organization of anti-war protest activity, sentencing her to two years and eight months in a Russian penal colony. The Joint Press Service of Courts reported the important ruling immediately after her trial. It highlighted her courageous rebuke of the war in Ukraine.
Kozyreva’s legal troubles started when she was arrested in December 2022, while still a high school senior. She faced charges for publicly expressing her dissent against the war, including writing “Murderers, you bombed it. Judases” on an installation. This declaration highlighted her determination not to be silenced about what she called a “monstrous” and “criminal” war.
The young activist gained further attention when she glued a quotation from the renowned Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko onto a statue dedicated to him. The quote was drawn from Shevchenko’s poem “My Testament,” which reflects themes of oppression and the struggle for freedom:
“Oh bury me, then rise ye up / And break your heavy chains / And water with the tyrants’ blood / The freedom you have gained.”
Many legal battles followed Kozyreva for a decade of activism. Authorities charged her with repeatedly “discrediting” the Russian military, a charge often leveled against dissenters in the country. In August 2024, they put her on trial once more for her actions. Her work didn’t stop there, but kept bringing attention to the plight of those who stood up against the war.
Kozyreva’s lawyer intends to appeal the sentence. They claim that what she did was protected free speech. In a legal world otherwise rife with technicality, the case has gripped the public imagination. International human rights group Memorial has declared Kozyreva a political prisoner, emphasizing the chilling effect her conviction may have on freedom of expression within Russia.
