The parents of the 13-year-old girl who drew cartoons with pro-Ukraine messages are allowed to retain custody. That according to the imprisoned father’s lawyer, who calls the announcement a moral victory, AP reports. It all started a year ago, when the now 13-year-old Masha was arrested by police in Yefremov, Russia, after drawing drawings with “anti-war messages” at school. The father, Alexei Moskalyov, was sentenced last month to two years in a penal colony for “discrediting” the Russian military in comments on social media. Authorities also threatened that the parents would lose custody of Masja, who had been taken into care in the meantime. Dropping the case Now, the AP news agency reports, citing the independent Russian media and rights group OVD-info, that a Russian court is dropping the lawsuit to deprive the parents of custody. According to a statement, Masja is now with her mother and has returned to school. Before the incident, she lived with her father. Moskalyov’s lawyer calls it an important moral victory, and at the same time thanks everyone who worried about the family. Attracted a lot of attention The case has attracted attention both internationally and in Russia. Among other things, the Kremlin’s spokesperson has called Moskalyov a “bad father”. At the same time, the family received unexpected support from the head of the Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, who believed that the family had been treated unfairly. In connection with Moskalyovs being sentenced, he fled the country, but is said to have been extradited by Belarus a few weeks ago. AP writes that, on the other hand, it is unknown where Moskaljov is.
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