Socialist Resurgence is reposting this call for solidarity with socialist militant Anastasia Ponkina, who faces charges of “hooliganism motivated by political hate” in Izhevsk (Udmurt Republic). We are also including a letter sent to the police by one of our national leadership team demanding the dropping of all charges against this comrade. We call on labor, socialist, and democratically-minded organizations and individuals to make solidarity statements.

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“I am writing to demand that all charges against Anastasia Ponkina be dropped immediately and that all political persecution against her cease. The right to protest and express opinions must be protected!

“The use of state repression against those protesting against corruption and social inequality is unacceptable! The whole world is watching!”

— John Leslie, on behalf of the National Committee of Socialist Resurgence – U.S.

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A Russian socialist faces imprisonment! Solidarity needed! 

Anastasia Ponkina, 20-year-old activist of the Russian Socialist Movement in Izhevsk (Udmurt Republic), was charged with “hooliganism motivated by political hate” and could face up to 5 years in prison. On January 23, during mass rallies against corruption and the arrest of Alexei Navalny held across the country, Anastasia actively participated in a demonstration in her home city of Izhevsk and ” drove” the crowd onto the roadway, as the police claim. 

Importantly, it was in Izhevsk that socialists from the RSD not only participated in the January 23 demonstration but actually led it. The criminal case against Anastasia Ponkina is an attempt to intimidate a new generation of youth protesting against social inequality and political powerlessness. 

These days, we are witnessing a real wave of repressions: 90 criminal cases have already been opened across the country as a result of the January 23 and 31 protests, and dozens more political prisoners will be added very soon. We call on the international left to take an active stand against political repression in Russia and to protest the persecution of Anastasia Ponkina. 

Please, distribute this info and send your protest to the Police Department of Udmurt Republic:

e-mail: mvd18@mvd.gov.ru

fax: +7 (3412) 419-24