Punk activist Maria Alyokhina on detention and escaping from Russia | BBC Ukrainecast

Key Concepts

• Anti-dictatorship Art/Movement: Collective artistic and activist actions aimed at protesting authoritarian regimes.
• Pussy Riot: A Russian feminist punk rock collective known for their provocative performances and activism.
• Hooliganism motivated by religious hatred: The legal charge brought against Pussy Riot members for their performance in a cathedral.
• Penal Colony: A type of labor camp in the Russian prison system, a legacy of the Gulag.
• Stalipin Wagon: A type of railway carriage used for transporting prisoners in Russia.
• Political Girl: The title of the speaker's book, detailing her experiences from release from prison to her escape from Russia.
• Fakes about Russian army: The legal charge related to spreading "false information" about the Russian military, often used to suppress dissent.

Pussy Riot's Origins and Early Activism

The anti-dictatorship art collective and movement, Pussy Riot, emerged in late 2011. This period coincided with Vladimir Putin's announcement of his intention to run for a third presidential term, a moment described as a "point of no return" for Russia and Ukraine. A significant protest movement swept across Russia, with diverse groups of people taking to the streets.

The speaker's first action with Pussy Riot occurred on Red Square, featuring a song titled "Putin pissed his pants." Following the January elections, in March, the group staged another performance. This action was a reaction to Putin's perceived use of the church to legitimize his presidency. They performed a sarcastic song, "Mother Mary banishes Putin," in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, Moscow's most important cathedral and a key venue for Putin's promotion. This performance lasted 40 seconds.

Legal Repercussions and Imprisonment

Following the cathedral performance, a criminal case was opened against the group, which was unexpected. The speaker notes they were the first artists imprisoned for protesting Putin, facing charges of "hooliganism motivated by religious hatred." This resulted in a two-year jail sentence.

The speaker was the first to be apprehended because her documents were not falsified, unlike those of other members. The police arrived at her home the day after the performance, with an officer waiting on the stairs as she returned from kindergarten with her young son. She initially feigned ignorance but later, with her lawyer, was advised to flee as a criminal case had been opened. After a week of evading capture in "conspiracy apartments," they were apprehended.

From the second day of imprisonment, the speaker understood that a real prison term was inevitable unless she signed papers admitting guilt and apologizing, which she refused to do. She initiated her first hunger strike at Petrovka, a notorious and old police building in Moscow. Subsequently, she spent nearly two years in a remote penal colony near the Ural Mountains.

The Russian Prison System and Penal Colony Experience

The Russian prison system is characterized by its post-Gulag legacy, comprising a network of penal colonies that function as labor camps. Pre-trial and trial proceedings take place in jail cells, but after sentencing, prisoners are transferred to penal colonies. This transportation process can take up to a month, covering approximately 1,500 miles east of Moscow. The journey is protracted due to the system's reliance on multiple transfers between police vans and "Stalipin wagons" (transportation jails), with prisoners often unaware of their destination or the duration of the trip. This period is described as the most vulnerable, with no cameras and a risk of violence.

The speaker was sent to Penal Colony No. 28, near Birniki town in the Perm region, known for its harsh winter temperatures (down to -35°C). Within two weeks, she reported the state's failure to provide warm clothing to women. This led to her being placed in solitary confinement for four and a half months, during which authorities searched for "violations of the regime." Her legal team successfully challenged these actions in court. Due to the issues her presence caused, her initial colony faced problems from Moscow, leading to her transfer to Nishkin Penal Colony, from where she was eventually released.

Special Treatment and Conditions in Penal Colony

The speaker experienced a form of "special treatment" in the penal colony, characterized by isolation. Other inmates were prohibited from speaking with her; any violation could lead to a criminal case for "disorganization of the work of the penal colony." A cameraman constantly filmed her movements.

Penal colonies are described as resembling a village divided into living and working zones. The living zone contains barracks where up to 100 women share rooms with limited sanitation (two or three toilets without partitions, no hot water) and a single refrigerator for the kitchen. The working zone is a factory where prisoners produce police and Russian army uniforms, earning approximately two pounds per month. Despite the prohibition on communication, some fellow inmates managed to pass her small notes of thanks.

The authorities employed other methods of pressure, including invasive searches before visits to her lawyer. These full searches included gynecological examinations without gloves.

Release and Continued Activism

The speaker was released under a special "VIP amnesty" declared by Putin, coinciding with the 2014 Olympic Games in Russia. This amnesty was partly a response to international pressure regarding political prisoners, including Pussy Riot, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, and environmental activists. The amnesty was framed as being for "mothers of children who committed heavy crimes," and the charge of "hooliganism motivated by religious hatred" was categorized as a heavy crime. She was one of five individuals released under this amnesty. She states she did not want to be released under this amnesty, and her book, "Political Girl," begins at this point, detailing her refusal to leave the penal colony.

Second Criminal Case and Escape from Russia

In 2021, a second criminal case was opened against the speaker due to an Instagram post calling for protests following Alexei Navalny's return. She was detained, her passports confiscated, and an electronic ankle monitor was placed on her leg, confining her to house arrest. Subsequently, she was repeatedly detained for 15-day periods. During one of these detentions, she heard the announcement of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Upon her release, she was again placed under house arrest. The initial months of the war were spent in a detention center with other women protesting the war. She felt compelled to support Ukraine but was reluctant to leave Russia permanently, understanding that fleeing a criminal case would likely mean a long absence.

She escaped house arrest by disguising herself in a delivery service uniform. The apartment was surrounded by police, so she had to leave her phone, use a back door, change clothes, and go to a secret location where a car was waiting. Her attempt to cross the border legally was complicated by the absence of her passport, which was necessary for entry into the European Union.

The Futility of Protest and the Role of Political Art

When questioned about the perceived futility of their actions, given Putin's continued control, the speaker argues that the goal of political art is to ask uncomfortable questions, raise awareness, and make existing situations clearer and more visible. She believes their actions made it undeniable that Putin is a dictator, despite the personal cost. She emphasizes that as an artist, her tools are her body, voice, and lived experiences, which she uses to share what is happening and to avoid indifference.

She views the path to a totalitarian state as a gradual process, not an immediate transformation. Her book aims to document this "slow, patient, painful way" of people becoming accustomed to living under such conditions.

"Political Girl" and the Erosion of Freedoms

Her book, "Political Girl," chronicles her life from her release from prison until her escape to Europe. It is a mosaic of their actions intertwined with the context of increasing repression. She describes this period as a "road to hell" that Putin forced people to travel.

She explains the gradual erosion of freedoms and the silencing of dissent. For instance, after their release in 2014, they attempted an action at the Olympic Games and were beaten, with no significant reaction from the West. The annexation of Crimea and the start of the war in Ukraine followed with minimal international response. The downing of MH17 is cited as another example of a major event with insufficient international repercussions.

Disappointment with the West and the State of Russian Opposition

The speaker expresses a nuanced view on the West's response, noting the "jokes about how deeply concerned the European Union is." She attributes this to fear and indifference in the West, contrasting it with the difficult conditions in Russia.

Regarding the state of the Russian opposition after Alexei Navalny's death, she disagrees with the notion that it has ceased to exist. She highlights that over a million people left Russia after the full-scale invasion to speak the truth and support Ukraine, including artists with significant platforms. She believes their actions are important.

Identity and Continued Activism

When asked about her identity, the speaker identifies as a "punk in my heart," viewing it as a way of life rather than a musical genre. She believes everyone is political, even those who choose silence.

Recently, she received a 13-day prison sentence for "fakes about the Russian army" due to an anti-war song and performance. This led to her mother's apartment being searched by security services. Her father died months later, and she was unable to attend his funeral in person, experiencing it via Telegram and Zoom.

Her Son and the Concept of Home

Her son, now 18, supports her activism. Iceland granted him citizenship, and on the same day they collected his passport, her mother sent a photo of a Russian army recruiting point for him, illustrating the proximity of the war.

Regarding home, she still feels Russia is her home, despite being outside the country for over three years. She maintains contact with her family and political prisoners, acknowledging that Russia has changed significantly during her absence. She believes that while Russia will always be a part of her heart, it is not the same as having a physical home, especially when considering the experiences of Ukrainians who have lost their homes due to war or occupation.