Back to the list
Country: Russian Federation
City / Location: Barnaul, Russia
Period / Date: 17/03/2025
Subject: Information received concerning 1) the arbitrary deprivation of liberty of Maria Ponomarenko, merely because she has exercised her right to freedom of expression guaranteed under international human rights treaties binding upon the Russian Federation, 2) her poor conditions of detention, amounting to torture and ill-treatment, including arbitrary compulsory psychiatric treatment and beatings by prison and medical officers, and 3) her rapidly deteriorating health, due to a lack of access to timely and adequate medical care and appropriate monitoring of her health while in detention, which is placing her life at risk. Her detention conditions have led to severe mental health decline, resulting in multiple suicide attempts, with the most recent attempt occurring on 9 August 2025, when she cut open her wrists. She remains at high risk of suicide due to ongoing violations of her rights.
Number of identified alleged victims: 1

First name last nameagesexaffiliation
Maria Ponomarenkoadultfemale Media-related activity

Total number of unidentified alleged victims: -

Status or occupationNumber and gender

General concerns:

Total number of alleged victims: 1
Related communications:
Previous communications:
Follow up communications: