Detention: On May 27, 2025, Russian security forces detained Marina Henrikhivna Bilousova, a resident of Prymorsk, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, living in the temporarily occupied territory. According to the Russian investigation, in January 2024, she allegedly made a monetary transfer to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine. A criminal case was initiated against her under Article 275 of the Russian Criminal Code ('treason'). Human rights defenders emphasize that Russia unlawfully applies its criminal law to Ukrainian citizens residing in occupied territories, and the case is politically motivated.

Sentence: In December 2025, an illegally established Russian court in the temporarily occupied territory of Zaporizhzhia Oblast found Marina Bilousova guilty of 'treason' and sentenced her to 12 years and 6 months in a general regime colony.

Marina Henrikhivna Bilousova was born on October 10, 1964. Before her detention, she lived in Prymorsk, Zaporizhzhia Oblast. There is little information available in open sources about her professional activities or public engagement prior to the criminal prosecution. It is known that she is a civilian resident of the occupied territory and did not hold any government positions or participate in military formations. Therefore, human rights defenders view her case as an example of the persecution of ordinary Ukrainian citizens for supporting their own state.

After her detention, Marina Bilousova was placed in custody. The Russian prosecution claimed she transferred funds for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, interpreting this as activity 'against the security of the Russian Federation.' Ukrainian human rights organizations emphasize that the occupying authorities systematically use charges of 'treason' to criminally prosecute residents of occupied Ukrainian territories.

During the trial, the accusation was based on the claim of a monetary transfer in favor of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Human rights defenders note that Russia has no legal grounds to apply the article on 'treason' to Ukrainian citizens residing in temporarily occupied territories. Furthermore, international humanitarian law prohibits the occupying state from imposing its criminal law on the population of the occupied territory, except in narrow circumstances not applicable to this case.

In December 2025, a court illegally established by the occupying authorities sentenced Marina Bilousova to 12 years and 6 months in a general regime colony. After the verdict, she remained in custody for further transfer. Human rights defenders stress that the case was considered without guarantees of independent and fair trial, and the sentence is politically motivated.

The case of Marina Bilousova illustrates a trend that has intensified since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion: increasingly, ordinary civilian residents of occupied territories, rather than public activists or journalists, are becoming targets of criminal prosecution. Russian authorities use charges of 'treason' as a tool to intimidate the population and suppress any expressions of support for Ukraine.

As of July 5, 2026, Marina Bilousova continues to be unlawfully held in detention.

Information used from open sources: ZMINA, CrimeaSOS, Office of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Radio Liberty, Ukrinform, Gefangen in Russland.

Photo: Suspilne Zaporizhzhia.

Last updated: 07.06.2026.