Writer and femme activist Daria Serenko said that Russian authorities refused to issue her a new passport because of the criminal case.
According to Serenko, now because of this she is forced to leave Georgia, where she lived for several years, “so as not to be trapped and without documents.” «InSakartvelo It is almost impossible for Russians to obtain refugee,” she added.
In Russia, a case was opened against Serenko for failure to comply with the duties of a “foreign agent” (Part 2 of Article 330.1 of the Criminal Code). The criminal prosecution became known in April, when the writer was put on the wanted list. Later, information appeared about what specific article she was accused of.
According to the activist, the case was opened just when she applied for a new international passport, since the old one was expiring. Serenko said that earlier, “spurred telegram trash” wrote that she would be denied a document.
Daria Serenko was declared a “foreign agent” in January 2023. The Ministry of Justice justified this by saying that the writer collected money in support of “unfriendly” Ukraine, “promoted the public promotion of individuals participating in protest movements,” and also “promoted LGBT relations.” Later, the activist was fined several times under protocols for violating “foreign agency” legislation (Article 19.34 of the Administrative Code).
After the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Serenko founded the “Feminist Anti-War Resistance.” In April of this year, the Prosecutor General's Office recognized the movement as an “undesirable” organization.