Russian court fines Doctors’ Alliance director Anastasia Vasilieva for rally outside Navalny’s prison

A district court in Russia’s Vladimir region has fined Anastasia Vasilieva, the director of the medical workers’ union “Alyans Vrachey” (Doctors’ Alliance), 180,000 rubles (about $2,325) for her involvement in a rally outside the prison where opposition politician Alexey Navalny is being held.

Vasilieva was found guilty of violating the established order for a mass gathering near a penal colony (she was charged under article 20.2.2, section 3 of the Russian Administrative Code). This is punishable by fines ranging from 150,000 to 200,000 rubles (about $1,940 and $2,585), or community service, or up to 10 days in jail.

Vasilieva’s lawyers plan to challenge the court’s ruling.

In the report from the deputy chief of police [for the district], it said that the head of the Doctors’ Alliance [Anastasia Vasilieva] “was wearing a long, white dress that was clearly visible from under her outerwear.” “She and her companions clearly stood out from the general group, they gathered people around them, gave comments, wrote statements to the [prison] facility’s administration, and were on the part of the roadway leading to directly to [Penal Colony No. 2],” the report said. 

On April 6, a demonstration calling for adequate medical treatment for Alexey Navalny took place outside of Penal Colony No. 2 in Pokrov (Vladimir region). Navalny, who is serving a 2.5 year prison sentence, has complained about pain in his back and numbness in his legs for several weeks. On March 31 he announced a hunger strike, seeking access to a trusted doctor. Russia’s Federal Penitentiary Service maintains that Navalny is receiving all necessary medical care.

Police officers arrested nine people at the rally, including members of a CNN news crew and Anastasia Vasilieva. Five of the demonstrators were given jail time ranging from eight to ten days.