Russian prosecutors request seven-year prison sentence for poet who was reportedly raped by police

Russian prosecutors have requested seven years in prison for poet Artem Kamardin and six years for poet Egor Shtovba for their participation in the Mayakovsky Readings, an anti-mobilization event, in September 2022, according to Mediazona.

Additionally, prosecutors have asked the judge to fine the men 500,000 rubles ($5,446) each.

The day after the Mayakovsky Readings, Moscow police raided Artem Kamardin’s apartment. Kamardin’s girlfriend and friend, who were there at the time, said that the officers beat them and made them apologize on camera for saying “Glory to Kievan Rus, Novorossiya - suck it!” According to Kamardin’s lawyer, the officers raped the poet with a dumbbell.

Kamardin and Shtovba are facing charges of “inciting hatred or enmity” and “inciting action against the security of the state.”

Background

‘It was impossible not to hear’ Poet Artem Kamardin was reportedly beaten and raped by Russian police. We spoke to his roommate.

2 years ago

Background

‘It was impossible not to hear’ Poet Artem Kamardin was reportedly beaten and raped by Russian police. We spoke to his roommate.

2 years ago