Russian activist Maria Kartasheva, who lives in Canada, has applied for Canadian citizenship. The procedure was suspended because Kartasheva needed to write an explanation regarding the criminal case brought against her in Russia about military “fakes,” for which she was sentenced in absentia to eight years in prison. This is reported by CBC.
Kartasheva learned about her criminal case at the end of 2022, and in April 2023 it became known about her arrest in absentia. At the time, the activist was planning to apply for Canadian citizenship, so she notified Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) of persecution.
In May, Kartasheva was invited to the oath-taking ceremony. The activist felt that the Canadian authorities “understood her situation.” Before the oath, the official asked everyone present whether criminal prosecution was open against them. Kartasheva raised her hand and was asked to step aside.
In December, IRCC informed a Russian activist that a similar article under which she was being prosecuted in Russia was also in Canadian law. As CBC notes, this article is usually used in cases where people spread false information about cheating spouses. The maximum penalty is two years in prison.
The ministry gave Kartasheva 30 days to write an explanation about her criminal case. When contacted by CBC, the department said it carefully reviews all foreign convictions to determine whether the act would be considered a crime if it were committed in Canada. The department added that it will review the documents that Kartasheva provided and decide whether she can obtain Canadian citizenship.
Conversations with diplomats and a post about Butch. A Russian woman is being tried in absentia in Moscow for convincing embassy staff in Ottawa to oppose the war.
30-year-old Maria Kartasheva was sentenced in absentia by the Basmanny District Court of Moscow to eight years in a general regime colony, finding her guilty of spreading military “fakes” (clause “e” of Part 2 of Article 207.3 of the Criminal Code). The reason for the persecution was posts in her telegram channel with 479 subscribers about the killings of civilians in Bucha.
“Mediazona” told in detail the story of an activist who, having moved to Canada five years ago, began going to rallies and observing elections at the Russian embassy.