Help save 16-year-old Anya Zhuravlyova

This is Anya Zhuravlyova. She is now 16 years old. She was taken into pre-trial detention at the age of 14. The investigation into her case has dragged on for more than a year and a half — 19 months of which the girl has spent in custody. In the detention centre she was subjected to severe abuse: after a suicide attempt, to which she was driven by her cellmates, Anya spent four months in a psychiatric hospital and was then returned to the same detention centre.

According to her mother, in November 2023 Anya came across a TikTok video about the shooting in America at Columbine High School. Unable to find an explanation online as to why the teenagers had done it, she began searching for answers herself. This led her to Telegram channels containing detailed information about the shooters. In one of them, access and so-called “secret information” required filling out a questionnaire with a disturbing text about plans to carry out a mass murder and then commit suicide. Anya submitted the form, but never received any “secret information” in return.

Later she bought a firecracker, set off part of it in a vacant lot, filmed it, and posted the video in one of the channels. According to her, it was meant as a joke — other teenagers were sharing similar photos and videos. Two weeks later the police came to her school, and Anya was arrested.

Anya had no problems or conflicts at school. She danced, was learning to play the electric guitar, and dreamed of becoming a psychologist. Teachers and friends describe her as a kind and calm girl.

Anya is now accused of involvement in the non-existent “Columbine” movement, which has been designated a terrorist organisation, and of preparing an attack on a school. A forensic explosives examination found that the firecracker Anya set off was not an explosive device. Despite this, Anya spent 19 months in pre-trial detention awaiting trial.

During this time, Anya endured severe abuse. She was tortured by her cellmates: raped, beaten, humiliated, and driven to attempt suicide.

Staff at corrective penal colony No. 1 (IK-1) in the Dmitrov district, which houses the pre-trial detention centre for minors, did nothing to stop this abuse. Anya’s mother repeatedly appealed to the investigator handling her daughter’s case, Dmitry Tarakanov, asking him to respond to the torture. In response, he only banned the mother from visiting her daughter and refused to allow a medical examination of Anya.

In March 2025, two girls who had abused Anya confessed to what they had done. However, no criminal case has yet been opened into the torture of Anya.

Together, we sent 7,143 appeals to the Investigative Committee demanding an investigation and urgent measures to protect Anya’s rights as a minor — to legal protection, medical care, education, and safety.

And it worked. On 17 June 2025, Anya was released and allowed to return home to her mother under a travel restriction. What else we managed to achieve together:

• ● Anya’s case was transferred from the Balashikha branch of the Investigative Committee to the central office;
• ● investigators launched an internal review and have already uncovered numerous serious violations;
• ● the Investigative Committee paid particular attention to the fact that a child spent 19 months in pre-trial detention centre without ever being brought to trial;
• ● finally, after a year, a criminal case has been opened into the violence committed against Anya in prison.

All this only became possible because of you — your support, involvement, and compassion. You stood by Anya and helped ensure she was not left alone to face the system. You showed that even in the most hopeless situation, it is possible to fight — and to be heard.

How Anya is doing now

Anya is only just beginning to adjust to being home again. She is afraid to go outside on her own, and she still has lingering effects of the trauma — for example, skin itching, which she struggled with throughout this time. It has now become less severe.

Anya has already seen a psychotherapist, started taking antidepressants, and has even signed up for a summer job, helping to improve a forest near her home. She is also looking for places where she can study design.

After all the horrors and violence she endured, Anya faces a long road to recovery — but now her mother and loved ones are by her side.

What happens next?

We are very glad that Anya is finally home. But it is important to remember that her story is not over yet.

The criminal case is still under investigation. A court hearing lies ahead, and most likely a long and difficult road. Despite the fact that the case concerns a firecracker Anya set off on a vacant lot, she faces extremely serious charges — carrying a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison.

We are closely monitoring the situation and will be sure to share all important updates. If you would like to support Anya and stay informed about her case, you can subscribe to her support group’s Telegram channel.

How else can you help?

Thank you for standing in solidarity. Please support the work of OVD-Info so that we can continue to report on cases of persecution, demand justice, and take action — together with you.

It is thanks to your donations that this campaign, and many other efforts to help, have been possible.