A Moscow State University student who renamed his Wi-Fi network with a pro-Ukrainian motto was given a 10-day prison term in the Russian capital. The teenager was found guilty on Thursday of exhibiting “symbols of extremist organizations” by a Moscow court.
The article also stated that the student had named the Wi-Fi network “Slava Ukraine!”—which translates to “Glory to Ukraine!” Following the reporting of the network name to authorities by a police officer, the student was taken into custody early on Wednesday morning.
How a Russian student was jailed because of this Wi-Fi name?
Court filings state that when officers searched his university dorm room, they found a personal computer and a wireless network router. The network name was changed to Slava Ukraine, which is the Ukrainian troops’ rallying cry and translates to “Glory to Ukraine,” by students at Moscow State University. The court heard that he had used the network to “promote the slogan “Slavi Ukraine!” to an unlimited number of users within the wi-fi range.”
Since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine, dissent has been effectively outlawed in Russia. Over 260 people are currently serving jail terms in the country for crimes related to taking an anti-war stance, according to Russian human rights group OVD-Info.
A climate of repression has been made more apparent in recent weeks, following the death of Kremlin critic Alexey Navalny at a Russian penal colony north of the Arctic Circle in mid-February. Russian state media largely ignored his death, while hundreds of people were reportedly detained for turning out at makeshift memorials in the largest wave of arrests at political events in the country in two years.
Jailed for ten days for backing the Ukrainian Wi-Fi name
According to RIA Novosti, a student who rebranded his Wi-Fi network with a pro-Kyiv slogan during the military incursion in Ukraine was sentenced to 10 days in jail by a Moscow court on Saturday. He was convicted by the court of “public demonstration of Nazi symbolics… or symbols of extremist organizations,” according to RIA Novosti.
It further stated that authorities had been notified of the network name by a police officer. Officials have sentenced hundreds of individuals to prison sentences or penalties for openly opposing the Russian invasion or expressing support for Ukrainian soldiers since it began in February 2022. the student was found guilty of “public demonstration of Nazi symbolism” or symbols of extremist organizations in Russia, highlighting the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has made baseless claims about a “neo-Nazi regime” in Ukraine, justifying his invasion. This student is among many ordinary Russians who have been punished for their comments or actions about the war. The conflict is not allowed to be called a “war” in Russia, but a “special military operation.” Amnesty International reports that over 21,000 people were targeted by Russia’s “repressive laws” last year, with unfair trials used to impose prison sentences and fines on critics.
