Maryia Aliaksandrauna Rabkova
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Maryia Aliaksandrauna Rabkova
- Associations
- Human rights activists
- Students
Marfa, the coordinator of the Viasna volunteer service, was arrested on September 17, 2020, on charges of financing mass riots (Article 293, Part 3). In February 2021, she was charged with additional charges, including "inciting social discord" and "participation in a criminal organization."
In September 2022, Marfa was convicted on several criminal charges and sentenced to 15 years in prison and a large fine.
In February 2023, during an appeal hearing, her sentence was reduced by three months. Marfa's health deteriorated in prison, in part due to COVID-19.
On March 19, 2026, she was released after another visit to Minsk by US President Donald Trump's special representative, John Cole, and taken to Lithuania.
How to write a letter
✏️ A postcard with words of encouragement (a poem by your favorite author, song lyrics, or a beautiful quote). Trust us, even such simple gestures are very meaningful to a person in jail.
✏️ Your life events. To a person who is in isolation for a long time, any story about your routine endeavors will be a window into normal life. Your day-to-day worries and mundane matters are much more interesting than the daily grind of life behind bars.
✏️ It is important to share news. Mention the most notable and interesting occurrences depending on your pen-pal's interests.
✍️️ Remember that every letter is censored. This means that your letters are read by strangers whose main goal is to limit inmates' access to information or to use it against the prisoners or even you.
So try to avoid:
👉️️ harsh statements regarding ongoing political matters
👉 statements against the authorities and public servants
👉 foul language
👉 discussion of the circumstances of the criminal case
Involved in repression
