Israeli-Russian Researcher Sentenced to 3.5 Years in Russian Prison
Translated & summarized from Behadrei Haredim by baba
A Moscow court sentenced Sofia Rosenfeld, a dual Israeli-Russian citizen and researcher, to three and a half years in prison for donating to Alexei Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation. The donation was made after the organization was declared extremist in Russia. Rosenfeld, who denied the charges, was arrested in December after returning from a visit to Israel. Her family stated that Israel informed her it could not intervene in Russian legal proceedings due to her Russian citizenship, though a consul may visit her.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Sofia Rosenfeld, an Israeli-Russian researcher, was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison in Moscow.
- She was convicted for a 2021 donation to Alexei Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation, deemed extremist.
- Rosenfeld denied the charges, stating her work exposed corruption.
- Her family claims Israel told her it could not intervene in Russian legal matters.
- This is the second case of an Israeli citizen imprisoned in Russia on political charges.
- The sentencing occurs amid specific tensions between Russia and Israel.
A Moscow court has sentenced Sofia Rosenfeld, a 50-year-old researcher with dual Israeli and Russian citizenship, to three and a half years in prison. Rosenfeld was convicted for a donation of 2,000 rubles (less than $30) made in 2021 to the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. The organization had been outlawed and designated as "extremist" in Russia at the time of the donation. Rosenfeld has been held in custody in Moscow since her conviction.
Russian authorities searched Rosenfeld's home last December, one day after her return from a visit to Israel. Her equipment was confiscated, she was barred from leaving the country, and heavy financial restrictions were imposed. Rosenfeld, who researches Arctic geese, denied the accusations of supporting extremism. "I saw in my work, which is related to scientific research and nature conservation, what monstrous forms corruption takes," she stated in court, explaining her motivations. Her family and lawyer did not anticipate a prison sentence.
According to reports, Rosenfeld approached the Israeli Embassy in Moscow for assistance after the indictment. Her father, Boris, stated that she was told Israel could not intervene in Russian law enforcement decisions as she is a Russian citizen. Following her arrest, the Israeli Foreign Ministry assured her father that an Israeli consul could visit her if a formal request was submitted.
Rosenfeld initially immigrated to Israel in 1990 but returned to Moscow two years later. Her father, a mathematician who worked on the "Iron Dome" and "Arrow" missile defense systems, remained in Israel with the rest of the family. Relatives said she refused to flee Russia after the charges to avoid jeopardizing her scientific research and to stay with her partner.
This is reportedly the third case in Russia where a woman has been imprisoned for donating to Navalny's organization, and the second instance of an Israeli citizen being sentenced to prison in Russia on political charges. Previously, Yegor Grapov, an Israeli-Russian youth, received a 12-year sentence in May for throwing a Molotov cocktail at the FSB headquarters in Moscow.
The case occurs amid specific tensions between the countries. It was recently revealed that Russian-Israeli citizen Artyom Kirpichenok was arrested in Israel and charged with security offenses, allegedly after being activated by foreign intelligence. Concurrently, Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of Russia's Security Council, suggested that Russia might expand its "pool of foreign prisoners" for future deals.
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