Anna Bazhutova (Russian: Анна Бажутова; c. 1993), known on Twitch as YokoBovich, is a Russian streamer. Bazhutova was arrested in 2023 and subsequently sentenced to five and a half years in prison for sharing testimonies of the Bucha massacre in Ukraine on her Twitch channel. The Memorial human rights organization has classified her as a political prisoner.
Anna Bazhutova | |
|---|---|
Анна Бажутова | |
| Born | c. 1993 |
| Nationality | Russian |
| Other names | YokoBovich |
| Occupation | Streamer |
Detention
editIn April 2022, Bazhutova made a live stream on Twitch that included witnesses to the Bucha massacre, which occurred during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and residents of the city. In June 2023, pro-war Russian bloggers republished the stream and filed complaints with the police. Two months after the complaint, police searched Buzhutova's home and confiscated her personal electronic devices.[1][2][3][4]
On 5 June 2024, the Ostankinsky District Court found Anna guilty of “spreading false information” about the Russian military and sentenced her to five and a half years in prison. Bazhutova's defense stated that it would appeal the decision.[1][2][3] The Memorial human rights organization has classified her as a political prisoner, stating that her case violates the right to freedom of expression and seeks to silence critics of the war in Russia.[2][5]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Russian Twitch Streamer Jailed 5.5 Years for Bucha Testimonies". The Moscow Times. 5 June 2024. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
- ^ a b c Chalk, Andy (5 June 2024). "Russian Twitch streamer sentenced to more than 5 years in prison for criticizing the invasion of Ukraine". PC Gamer. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
- ^ a b "Russian Internet Streamer Jailed For War Reports". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 5 June 2024. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
- ^ "Russian blogger jailed for over 5 years for Bucha livestream". Space War. 5 June 2024. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
- ^ Lloria, Alberto (6 June 2024). "Condenada a más de 5 años de cárcel por criticar la guerra en Ucrania. Una streamer se ha convertido en presa política en Rusia". 3DJuegos. Retrieved 8 June 2024.