By INTERNATIONAL LABOUR NETWORK OF SOLIDARITY AND STRUGGLE
On the morning of 18 May, Moscow police arrested Mikhail Lobanov, a trade-union activist at Moscow University, a left-wing activist, and a doctor of mathematics. Mikhail Lobanov opposes the invasion of Ukraine, defends political prisoners, and fights for labor and environmental rights.
His arrest is part of a prolonged campaign by the authorities against Mikhail Lobanov. On 7 June 2022, he was arrested by the police for his “No to war” banner and sentenced to 15 days in prison for his antiwar statements. Russian state propaganda media and pro-war Telegram channels launched a smear campaign against him. He and his wife, Alexandra Zapolskaya, were repeatedly harassed. On 29 December 2022, police forcibly entered their flat in Moscow. He was beaten and detained for 15 days on charges of “disobeying the police.” He has just been arrested again, following another nighttime police raid on his flat.
Mikhail Lobanov’s legal representative stated that the raid was carried out by the police on the basis of two formal charges: “spreading false information about the army” and “justification of terrorism.” These charges carry a prison sentence of up to seven years.
The member organizations of the International Trade Union Solidarity and Struggle Network demand the release of Mikhail Lobanov, the end of pressure on him, and Alexandra Zapolskaya, and the release of all political prisoners in Russia.
Reprinted, with edits, from the website of the International Labour Network of Solidarity and Struggle