Nina Slobodchikova and her cat. Photo: Instagram
A Russian programmer who was sentenced to 12 years in prison in June for “treason” after she was found guilty of transferring 5,000 rubles (€50) to a Ukrainian blogger has accused the Russian security forces of stealing her cat in an interview with independent news outlet Mediazona on Tuesday.
According to Nina Slobodchikova, her arresting officers in Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) promised to take care of her pedigree Scottish Fold cat while she was taken into detention, but ended up stealing him instead.
“They said they could not leave him alone in an empty apartment, and promised to hand him over to my relatives or friends at my request. But they didn’t keep their word,” Slobodchikova told Mediazona.
The 37-year-old programmer also said that the security forces had prevented a lawyer from visiting her in detention, did not allow her to send letters to friends and family, and illegally sealed off her apartment, forbidding her parents from entering it.
Explaining her decision to transfer the money, Slobodchikova told Mediazona that she had “transferred the money because I couldn’t not transfer it. At that moment, it seemed the only thing I could do to cope with the helplessness and guilt.”
“I saw this transfer as humanitarian aid. I understood there could be consequences if the situation worsened. But I thought it would be limited to a fine. Of course, I didn’t expect a treason case and a 12-year prison sentence.”
