Israeli-Russian Woman Sentenced to 3.5 Years in Russia for Small Donation
Translated & summarized from Haaretz by baba
Sofia Rosenfeld, an Israeli-Russian dual citizen, has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison in Moscow for donating less than $1 to an organization linked to the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny. The donation occurred in 2021 after the group was outlawed. Rosenfeld sought help from the Israeli Embassy but was informed Israel could not intervene in Russian legal proceedings. A Kremlin advisor recently hinted at using foreign detainees for future negotiations.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Sofia Rosenfeld, an Israeli-Russian citizen, received a 3.5-year prison sentence in Moscow.
- She was convicted for donating approximately $1 to an organization of the late Alexei Navalny.
- The donation was made in 2021 after the Anti-Corruption Foundation was declared extremist.
- Rosenfeld's father stated she contacted the Israeli Embassy for help but was denied intervention.
- A Putin advisor recently suggested Russia might use foreign detainees for future deals.
A 50-year-old researcher with dual Israeli and Russian citizenship was sentenced to three and a half years in prison by a Moscow court last week. Sofia Rosenfeld was convicted of donating 2,000 rubles, less than $1, to an organization founded by the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. The donation was made in 2021, after the organization, the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), was declared "extremist" and outlawed in Russia. Rosenfeld, who has lived in Russia for over 30 years, has been held in a Moscow detention center since her conviction, according to her father. He stated that after charges were filed against his daughter, she approached the Israeli Embassy in Russia for assistance but was told that Israel could not intervene in the Russian legal system. The Foreign Ministry has not yet commented. A Putin advisor recently suggested Russia might increase its number of foreign detainees for future deals.
