June 06, 2024

63-Year-Old Political Prisoner Rejects Putin's Pardon


63-Year-Old Political Prisoner Rejects Putin's Pardon
Natalya Filonova being detained by police in August 2023.  RadioFreeEurope files. 

Natalya Filonova, an opposition activist from Buryatia, has refused a presidential pardon that would have freed her from a three-year prison sentence. 

Filonova was arrested in August 2023 on charges of assaulting police officers at a protest against mobilization orders. She was given the three-year sentence in May, but was offered a presidential pardon alongside 52 other female political prisoners.

In a letter to Holod, Filonova wrote that it is her right to refuse this pardon, as accepting it would require an admission of guilt on her part, and cooperating with the prison and police. "I don't want crumbs from the master's table," Filonova wrote. 

Despite worsening health conditions, Filonova wrote that she has not lost hope and looks on the bright side of her imprisonment, writing that she plans to use this time to lose weight and listen to music from her youth.

She reported that her fellow prisoners also keep her spirits up: "People are people everywhere, even those who have done something terrible. Despite the prohibitions, they help each other survive."

You Might Also Like

Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals
[INVALID]
[INVALID]

Some of our Books

Fearful Majesty
July 01, 2014

Fearful Majesty

This acclaimed biography of one of Russia’s most important and tyrannical rulers is not only a rich, readable biography, it is also surprisingly timely, revealing how many of the issues Russia faces today have their roots in Ivan’s reign.

The Latchkey Murders
July 01, 2015

The Latchkey Murders

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin is back on the case in this prequel to the popular mystery Murder at the Dacha, in which a serial killer is on the loose in Khrushchev’s Moscow...

Stargorod: A Novel in Many Voices
May 01, 2013

Stargorod: A Novel in Many Voices

Stargorod is a mid-sized provincial city that exists only in Russian metaphorical space. It has its roots in Gogol, and Ilf and Petrov, and is a place far from Moscow, but close to Russian hearts. It is a place of mystery and normality, of provincial innocence and Black Earth wisdom. Strange, inexplicable things happen in Stargorod. So do good things. And bad things. A lot like life everywhere, one might say. Only with a heavy dose of vodka, longing and mystery.

Steppe
July 15, 2022

Steppe

This is the work that made Chekhov, launching his career as a writer and playwright of national and international renown. Retranslated and updated, this new bilingual edition is a super way to improve your Russian.

How Russia Got That Way
September 20, 2025

How Russia Got That Way

A fast-paced crash course in Russian history, from Norsemen to Navalny, that explores the ways the Kremlin uses history to achieve its ends.

At the Circus
January 01, 2013

At the Circus

This wonderful novella by Alexander Kuprin tells the story of the wrestler Arbuzov and his battle against a renowned American wrestler. Rich in detail and characterization, At the Circus brims with excitement and life. You can smell the sawdust in the big top, see the vivid and colorful characters, sense the tension build as Arbuzov readies to face off against the American.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955