In Barnaul, the appeal filed by RusNews journalist Maria Ponomarenko against a sentence for assaulting prison staff in the Altai Territory was unsuccessful. This was confirmed by the joint press service of the regional courts.
Ponomarenko was initially sentenced in 2023 to six years in prison for disseminating what authorities deemed “fake news” about the Russian armed forces. This conviction stemmed from information posted on her Telegram channel regarding the strike on the Mariupol drama theater. She is currently serving this sentence at a penal colony in Shipunovo, Altai.
In spring 2025, she faced a new trial, this time accused of attacking colony employees. The Shipunovo District Court had sentenced her to an additional 1 year and 10 months. With this new sentence added to her previous one, her total remaining time in custody was calculated to be three years.
The Altai Regional Court`s appellate instance reviewed the case materials and decided to leave the verdict unchanged. Appeals from both the journalist and her lawyer, as well as a submission from the prosecutor, were dismissed.
According to the court press service, the second conviction relates to an incident that occurred in autumn 2023. While in a disciplinary cell, Ponomarenko refused an order from a duty officer and tied herself to a heating pipe using underwear. When institution staff attempted to apply physical force to subdue her, Ponomarenko bit the left hand of one officer, causing him pain.
Furthermore, during a disciplinary commission meeting in the head of the institution`s office, she kicked the same officer`s foot at least three times and kicked another colony employee`s foot at least five times, inflicting physical pain on both, the statement added.
