Feminist Artist Yulia Tsvetkova Faces Six-Year Prison Sentence in Russia for 'Pornographic' Drawings
On trial in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, Russia, is Yulia Tsvetkova, a 27-year-old feminist and LGBTQ+ artist, charged under Article 242 for 'creating and distributing pornographic materials.' Since April 12, her trial has been closed to the public, centering on her 2018 artwork series 'A Woman is not a Doll,' which includes line drawings of nude women. Tsvetkova could face a maximum of six years in prison. Her mother, Anna Khodyreva, highlighted the court's decision to limit media access. Amnesty International condemned the prosecution as an infringement on free expression. Previously, Tsvetkova endured house arrest and fines due to Russia's 'gay propaganda' law, with ongoing support from artists like Daria Apakhonchich and Victoria Lomasko. Her next court appearance is scheduled for early May.
Key facts
- Yulia Tsvetkova is a 27-year-old feminist and LGBTQ+ artist on trial in Russia.
- She faces up to six years in prison under Article 242 for 'creating and distributing pornographic materials.'
- The trial is in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, closed to the public since 12 April.
- The artworks in question are from her 2018 series 'A Woman is not a Doll,' featuring line drawings of women.
- Amnesty International and Memorial have criticized the prosecution as an attack on free expression.
- Tsvetkova was first summoned in early 2019 and has faced house arrest and fines under 'gay propaganda' laws.
- Daria Apakhonchich staged a supportive 'Vulva Ballet' in St. Petersburg and was later labeled a 'foreign agent.'
- Tsvetkova's next court date is in early May.
Entities
Artists
- Yulia Tsvetkova
- Anna Khodyreva
- Daria Apakhonchich
- Victoria Lomasko
- Galina Rymbu
- Alexei Navalny
Institutions
- Amnesty International
- Memorial
- Mariinsky Theatre
- Red Cross
- VKontakte
Locations
- Komsomolsk-on-Amur
- Russia
- Vladivostok
- St. Petersburg
- Moscow