Mother of North Ossetian soldier convicted of desertion stages pickets in Vladikavkaz
In Vladikavkaz, the capital of North Ossetia, the mother of a soldier convicted of military desertion has been holding pickets for five days outside the republic’s government headquarters.
Maira Babayan demands the annulment of the five-and-a-half-year sentence handed to her son for desertion.
Babayan claims that her son, whose name she has not disclosed, was wounded while fighting in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. She says that after being evacuated, he did not receive necessary medical care for several days and later sought treatment at a military hospital in Vladikavkaz after complaining of severe pain. There, doctors discharged him saying he was fit for duty.
Later her son went to a municipal hospital in Beslan, where, Babayan claims, he was diagnosed with a complex hip joint fracture. She also says he underwent surgery during which his tailbone was removed. Babayan claims that her son was criminally charged with desertion after his surgery.
After he was sentenced, Babayan appealed to North Ossetian Head Sergei Menyaylo for her son’s release. She claims he had listened to her arguments but said that he could not influence judicial decisions.
After an appeals court upheld the verdict, Babayan began an indefinite picket at Freedom Square, located in front of the government headquarters, demanding that the case be reviewed.
She says she intends to continue the protest until her demands are met. She has also addressed Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating that only he can influence the situation. Babayan has now been at the square for five days. According to local Telegram channels, passersby have been bringing her food and water, which she has refused. It is also reported that an ambulance crew is on duty nearby around the clock.
The situation has drawn attention from Ossetian singer Gabo Nayfonti, who emigrated to the US in 2022. He shared information about the picket on his social media, after which local online communities also began discussing the case.
An MP from North Ossetia’s Parliament representing the Liberal-Democratic party (LDPR), Soslan Bestaev, published a video statement urging people not to respond to ‘videos from abroad’. He said that Nayfonti’s statements were provocative in nature and called on the public not to give in to what he described as ‘destructive’ appeals.
Babayan responded to this statement by asking whether the MP considered her actions extremist.
At the time of publication, Babayan’s phone was switched off. She was last active online on 19 March.
