Nearly a decade without Mom and Dad: How officials used dubious evidence to imprison two Russian activists for a combined 21.5 years on charges of drug trafficking and arson

Liya Milushkina and Artyom Milushkin are a well-known pair in the Pskov region. Liya managed the local branch of the opposition movement "Open Russia," and Artyom attended and organized protests, too. In January 2019, SWAT police raided their home, terrifying the couple's two small children. The authorities arrested Liya and Artyom on suspicion of felony drug trafficking and later charged Milushkin with organizing a series of arson attacks, as well. The Milushkins maintain their innocence and argue that the case against them is politically motivated. On August 12, 2021, a judge sentenced Artyom to 11 years in a maximum-security prison and sentenced Liya to 10.5 years in prison, which she won't begin until 2024, while she cares for their children. After the court's decision was announced, Artyom Milushkin ripped a bench from the courtroom floor and threw it in a fit of rage. He won't be home with his kids again until they're in their 20s. Meduza examines what we know about this controversial case. Original Article: https://meduza.io/en/feature/2021/08/13/nearly-a-decade-without-mom-and-dad