The event will highlight the cases of those persecuted by the Russian authorities for their civil, political and anti-war stance. The stories of these people need to be heard, and the political prisoners themselves and their families need to be supported.

According to estimates by human rights organisations, more than 1,000 people in Russia are currently being prosecuted for political reasons. Hundreds of them are already behind bars — some in prison and others awaiting trial. Some are under house arrest, while others still have been sent for compulsory psychiatric treatment.

Participants in today’s event include Novaya Gazeta Europe, Meduza, Dozhd, Mediazona, The Insider, Helpdesk, OVD-Info, Prodolzhenie Sleduet, Khodorkovsky Live, Dmitry Kolezev, Masha Borzunova and Yevgenia Albats. Alexey Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation has helped organise the event.

The telethon will be hosted by Insider journalist Marfa Smirnova, Novaya Gazeta Europe special correspondent Ilya Azar, writer and journalist Viktor Shenderovich and others.

All money raised will go towards helping political prisoners and their families. Last year, a similar event raised more than €400,000. While the campaign will not accept donations from Russian bank cards for security reasons, those in Russia wishing to contribute can ask a friend based abroad to donate on their behalf.

The campaign will help Russian political prisoners and their families. The money is needed for a variety of reasons: food, medicine, lawyers, prison visits. In some cases, former political prisoners can also apply for help. One-off assistance can be provided to those facing persecution who were forced to flee Russia.