In a shocking turn of events, two Russian poets, Artyom Kamardin and Yegor Shtovba, have been sentenced to seven years and five and a half years in jail respectively for participating in a reading of anti-war poems in Moscow. The Moscow court charged them with “inciting hatred” against Russian troops and making “appeals against state security.” This case marks another alarming instance of the crackdown on dissent in Russia, as various rights groups condemn the unprecedented suppression of opposing voices.
The poetry event, known as the Mayakovsky Readings, took place on September 25, 2022, at Triumfalnaya Square in central Moscow. Dissidents and activists have been gathering at this historical event since the 1950s. Kamardin, 33, recited a poem that harshly criticized Russian imperialism in southern Ukraine, even referencing the 9th-Century Slavonic state, Kievan Rus. This recital came shortly after President Vladimir Putin’s announcement of a “partial mobilization” campaign for the war in Ukraine.
The consequences of these poets’ participation in the Mayakovsky Readings have been devastating. Kamardin was subjected to physical abuse, with his wife, Alexandra Popova, describing the police dragging her across the floor by her hair and threatening her. She also reported hearing her husband being beaten in another room while the police discussed committing further violence against him. Kamardin’s lawyer alleged that his client was raped by the police using a dumbbell before being coerced into recording an apology video.
During the trial, both Kamardin and Shtovba pleaded not guilty. Shtovba, 23, claimed that attending the Mayakovsky Readings was his first such experience, and he had only applauded the performances without reciting a poem. He argued that there was no evidence to prove his guilt in inciting hatred against troops involved in the Ukraine war. Kamardin, on the other hand, implored the judge to consider a suspended sentence, highlighting that judging individuals for their opinions has become a distressingly familiar practice in contemporary Russia.
As the sentences were announced, outrage filled the Moscow courtroom. Supporters of the poets shouted “Shame!” in protest against the decision. This incident follows a pattern of increasing repression of dissenting voices under President Putin’s leadership, particularly since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Activists, artists, and opposition figures have faced severe punishments for expressing their opposition to the war in Ukraine or criticizing Putin’s rule.
The Mayakovsky Readings, which began in 1958, have been a platform for civil dissent throughout Russian history. In the 1960s, people would gather at the statue of poet Vladimir Mayakovsky to recite poems that often criticized the Soviet Union. However, many organizers of these readings were accused of anti-Soviet propaganda and sentenced to years in the gulags. The event was revived in 2009 but suspended its activities in October 2022 due to concerns about military censorship and mobilization, which made it unsafe for participants to continue gathering.
This distressing case amplifies the severe restrictions on freedom of expression in Russia. It serves as a stark reminder of the state’s oppressive tactics to stifle dissent and maintain control over public opinion. The international community must take notice of these violations and condemn Russia’s increasing suppression of civil liberties and human rights.
