Israeli-Russian Researcher Sentenced to 3.5 Years in Prison for Small Donations
Translated & summarized from Cursorinfo by baba
Sofya Rosenfeld, a dual Israeli-Russian citizen and researcher, was sentenced to three and a half years in a Russian prison for donating approximately $23 to the Anti-Corruption Foundation in 2021. Her father is urging Israeli authorities to intervene for her release and return to Israel. The Israeli Foreign Ministry is providing consular support while her lawyers prepare an appeal against the early October verdict.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Sofya Rosenfeld, a dual Israeli-Russian citizen, received a 3.5-year prison sentence in Russia for donations.
- The donations, totaling about $23, were made to the Anti-Corruption Foundation in 2021.
- Rosenfeld's father is asking Israeli authorities to help secure her release and return.
- The Israeli Foreign Ministry is in contact with her family and providing consular support.
- Her defense team is preparing an appeal against the early October court verdict.
Sofya Rosenfeld, a 50-year-old researcher with dual Israeli-Russian citizenship, has been sentenced to three and a half years in a Russian penal colony for making small financial contributions to the Anti-Corruption Foundation. The verdict was handed down in early October by a Russian court, which found her guilty of two transfers totaling approximately $23, made in the fall of 2021. Prosecutors had sought a five-year sentence.
Rosenfeld, a biologist and specialist in Arctic birds who repatriated to Israel in the late 1980s before continuing her research in Moscow, is currently being held in a pre-trial detention center in Moscow. Her defense team is preparing an appeal. According to reports, Rosenfeld was on an isolated Arctic expedition and unable to access communications during the period when the organization's activities were banned, and she ceased payments immediately upon regaining contact.
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed it is in contact with Rosenfeld's relatives and is coordinating with Russian officials to provide consular support. However, the ministry did not respond to inquiries about whether a direct meeting with Rosenfeld had occurred or how many other Israeli citizens are currently facing political charges in Russia.
Rosenfeld's father, who resides in Israel, has appealed to the Israeli authorities to intervene and secure his daughter's release and return to Israel. A human rights center has designated Rosenfeld as a political prisoner, noting the unusual severity of the sentence for a woman in connection with such civic actions.
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