Woman in occupied Ukraine jailed 14 years for buying Kyiv war bonds

This report from The Jerusalem Post details a harsh sentence handed down by a Russian-controlled court in Ukraine, where a woman has been imprisoned for 14 years on treason charges for purchasing Ukrainian war bonds. The article identifies the woman as Larisa Belyayeva, a 66-year-old doctor, and notes that the purchase was made through a Ukrainian mobile app for bonds valued at approximately $3,600.

“

A woman living in a Russian-controlled part of southern Ukraine has been found guilty of treason and sentenced to 14 years in prison for buying war bonds to support the Ukrainian military, the court that convicted her said on Thursday.

The incident highlights the severe legal and political climate in Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine. The FSB's apprehension of Belyayeva underscores the stringent surveillance and control exerted by Russian authorities. The article also touches upon the difficult choices faced by residents in these areas, who may feel compelled to accept Russian citizenship to maintain access to essential services like healthcare and pensions, a situation that complicates notions of loyalty and citizenship.

“

The Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia District Court said the woman had used a Ukrainian mobile app to purchase bonds worth 270,080 roubles ($3,600), and had been caught by the FSB security service.

From a Ukrainian perspective, such actions by Russian-controlled courts are seen as politically motivated persecution and a violation of international law. The purchase of war bonds is a legitimate means for citizens to support their country's defense efforts. Sentencing a civilian to 14 years for such an act would be viewed as an egregious overreach and an attempt to suppress any form of support for Ukraine within occupied territories.

“

It identified her only by the initial B, and said she was a Russian citizen.

This case, reported by The Jerusalem Post, brings to light the ongoing human rights concerns and the application of Russian law in territories Ukraine considers its own. It illustrates the deep divisions and the severe consequences for individuals caught in the conflict, particularly those perceived as disloyal to the occupying power. The article, while factual, implicitly conveys the gravity of the situation for civilians living under occupation.

“

People living in parts of Ukraine that Russian forces have captured in more than four years of war have effectively been forced to take Russian citizenship if they want to retain access to healthcare, pensions, and property rights.