Parvina Abuzarova
Exemplary punishment for anti-war statements
Story
A blogger and designer of clothing for Muslim women, she condemned the war through social media. Russian authorities immediately accused her of actions «against the security of the Russian Federation.» She was brought in for questioning in her bathrobe. Parvina has two young children, tens of thousands of followers on Instagram, and her own clothing brand. FSB officers conducted a search of her apartment at 7 a.m. on February 14, 2023: «Almost 10 men from the FSB burst into my apartment under the pretext that I was disturbing neighbors. Without showing identification, they thrust a document in front of me stating that a criminal case had been opened against me. They said they came to search the apartment. I strongly requested that they leave so I could at least change out of my pajamas and wash up!!! But the pressure was incredible!»
Write a letter
A letter is the simplest way to support a person in prison. It is read not only by the addressee: the administration sees that the person is remembered, and that protects.
- How to send By ordinary mail to the colony’s address or through the “FSIN-pismo” service (fsin-pismo.ru): it is paid but faster, and a reply can be prepaid. From abroad the easiest way is through projects supporting political prisoners, such as OVD-Info: they will tell you how to forward a letter.
- What to write about About yourself and what is happening around you: books, films, nature, life in your city. You can enclose a postcard or a photo. Write in Russian — letters in other languages are delayed or not delivered.
- What not to write about The case, the court and the investigation, politics and the war, other detainees. Letters are censored: such letters are simply not delivered and may do harm. Do not promise what you cannot deliver.
- How long to wait A letter takes from two weeks to two months. A reply does not always come — that does not mean the letter was not delivered.
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