Lida Monyava's Electronic Ankle Monitor Removed and All Restrictions Lifted

Lida Monyava said that the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia (FSIN) had removed her electronic ankle monitor. According to her, all restrictions were lifted along with the monitor.

"I am still with you," Monyava wrote, according to the independent Russian press.

Lida Monyava is a public figure and co-founder and director of the Moscow-based children's hospice Dom s Mayakom (House with a Lighthouse). For years, she has helped children, young people and their families affected by incurable illnesses. She played a major role in developing pediatric palliative care in Russia and in improving access to painkillers for seriously ill patients.

Monyava openly opposed Russia's war against Ukraine. Because of this position and because of the publication of UN data on those killed in the war, the Russian authorities charged her under the law on spreading so-called "fakes" about the army.

Her hospice is one of the largest and most trusted charitable organizations in Russia and operates on private donations. Due to Monyava's independent and critical stance, her foundation has often been the target of unexpected inspections and pressure from Russian government structures.

According to the TV channel Dozhd, Monyava will remain the founder, a board member and director of the foundation: "I have no reason to leave the governing bodies now, so I am staying as the founder, a board member and director of the foundation," she said.

Monyava noted that in the first days after her arrest, people canceled donations to the hospice, but later began increasing sums and signing new subscriptions. According to her, all major donors said they would continue supporting the foundation.

Monyava thanked her supporters and lawyers, Mikhail Biryukov and Maria Eismont. She backed the release of innocent prisoners and an end to the war:

"More than anything in the world, I want the war to end as soon as possible. So that people no longer die from missiles and drones."

On September 2, a search was carried out at Monyava's home, after which she was detained. She was charged under the military "fakes" law over a post that contained UN data on those killed and wounded in the Russia-Ukraine war. The court later imposed restrictions on certain actions. At that time, Monyava said she would leave the post of hospice director but would remain in Russia.

Source: Netgazeti