cross-posted from: lemmy.sdf.org/post/42881594

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Lidia Yegorova, whose son was called up in Russia’s fall 2022 draft, lasted less than five minutes with her protest sign before police moved in. “Senior Lieutenant Shesterkin warned me that if I hold even a legal solo protest about mobilization, I’ll be detained,” she said moments before her arrest. “That proves it — the mobilized are off-limits. You can’t talk about them.”

Her fellow protester, Paulina Safonova, recalled how eleven officers surrounded Yegorova, twisting her arms and tearing her jacket as she refused to go. When Paulina tried to film, she was shoved aside. Another woman, Anastasia, said Lidia tried to explain herself to the police, but to no avail: “I want him to come home. It’s been three years. This isn’t World War II — the whole nation isn’t rising up to fight. As you can see, you’re not either. Well, shoot me while you’re at it.”

Relatives of other mobilized soldiers who came to support Lidia weren’t allowed inside the station. Her phone was seized, and even the lawyer they quickly hired was barred from seeing her. She now faces charges of disobeying police orders.

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