Russian Doctors Demand Release of Imprisoned Artists and Protesters

Over 100 Russian doctors have signed an open letter calling for the immediate release of artist and musician Sasha Skochilenko, who was sentenced to seven years in prison for replacing supermarket price tags with antiwar messages. The letter, addressed to Russian President Vladimir Putin, highlights Skochilenko's deteriorating health and the injustice of the verdict. Skochilenko's arrest came after a law criminalizing public expression about the war in Ukraine was adopted, leading to a widespread crackdown on opposition figures and citizens critical of the Kremlin. Human rights groups have declared Skochilenko a political prisoner, and thousands of Russians have been arrested for speaking out against the war.