A doctor has been sentenced to five and a half years in prison for spreading false information about the Russian military, after the mother of one of her patients reported her to authorities. Dr. Nadezhda Buyanova, 68, found herself on the wrong side of the law amid increasing state repression of dissenters as tensions surrounding the war in Ukraine persist.
Her arrest took place back in February when Anastasia Akinshina accused Buyanova of telling her and her young son—in the midst of a pediatric consultation—that his father, who had reportedly died fighting for Russia, was effectively a legitimate target for Ukrainian forces. Akinshina also alleged the paediatrician voiced blame on Moscow for the conflict.
The case quickly gained traction, resulting in widespread public attention after Akinshina's outraged video comments circulated widely. Alexander Bastrykin, head of Russia’s Investigative Committee, took it upon himself to insist upon criminal prosecution against Buyanova.
Throughout the hearings, Buyanova firmly denied Akinshina's claims. Prior to the court verdict, the doctor delivered a heartfelt closing statement, asking for acquittal as the weight of the accusations took their toll. She expressed anguish over the situation, stating, "It is painful to read the accusations against me. A doctor, especially a pediatrician, is not capable of wishing harm to a child, his mother, or traumatizing the child's psyche. Only a monster is capable of this—of the words I allegedly said to them."
Buyanova’s defense team argued the prosecution lacked concrete evidence to substantiate the alleged conversation, highlighting the absence of recordings and maintaining the story was fabricated out of personal bias. Reports from the hearings, as relayed by the independent news outlet Mediazona, suggested animosity drove Akinshina to falsely accuse Buyanova, possibly stemming from the broader national devastated relationship with Ukraine.
Surprisingly, Buyanova’s case garnered considerable public support, catalyzing more than 6,500 signatures on petitions for her release. Supporters rallied at her court appearances, some shouting “Disgrace!” as the judge read the verdict, clearly expressing their discontent. Her attorney, Oscar Cherdzhyev, characterized the court's decision as "unexpectedly harsh" and even "monstrously cruel."
This incident takes place within the broader canvas of legal changes initiated by Russian authorities aimed at suppressing dissent and regulating public discourse surrounding the war. Since March 2022, laws have prohibited the dissemination of information deviated from the government’s narrative, branding such expressions as spreading false information. The tremendous weight of these laws has led to over 1,000 individuals being ensnared by related criminal cases as they voiced opposition to the war, signaling the alarming state of free expression within Russia today.
Buyanova's case occurred alongside other instances of political repression, including the case of Russian artist Sasha Skochilenko, who was sentenced to seven years for pasting anti-war slogans on supermarket price tags. Such actions speak volumes about the extreme measures being leveraged by the Kremlin against those who dare to voice dissent.
The sustained crackdown on dissent highlights just how perilous the climate has grown for individuals who challenge the government narrative, particularly when the stakes are so high. With Dr. Buyanova now facing years behind bars, her situation becomes emblematic of the risks many face when attempting to speak out against the governmental stance on the war.
This episode resonates not only within Russia but echoes through broader conversations on human rights and the continuous struggle for free speech across the globe. The ramifications of such imprisonments weigh heavily on the hearts of families affected, on communities torn apart by conflict, and inevitably contribute to the discourse surrounding individual liberties.
