Report: “Ukrainian Library Director Goes On Trial In Moscow”

From Radio Free Europe:

The trial of the director of Moscow’s Ukrainian Literature Library kicked off in the Russian capital on November 2.
Natalya Sharina pleaded not guilty to charges of extremism and embezzlement.
Sharina was detained last October and charged with inciting extremism and ethnic hatred because her library’s collection allegedly included books by Ukrainian ultranationalist and author Dmytro Korchynskiy, whose works are banned in Russia.
She was placed under house arrest.

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From the BBC:

First the prosecutor cited a long list of Ukrainian publications that are either prohibited or which she said experts had deemed “degrading” to Russians.
She formally accused Natalia Sharina of acquiring the books and brochures and a CD and making them available to the public.
“I do not understand the charge and so I do not feel any guilt,” replied the library director, dressed in a long cardigan and grey brogues.

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See Also: Director of Ukrainian library in Moscow goes on trial for ‘extremism’ (via Ukraine Today)
Background

• Director of Ukrainian Library in Moscow Faces New Charges (March 31, 2016)

• IFLA-FAIFE Releases Statement on Targeting of the Library of Ukrainian Literature in Moscow (November 12, 2015)

• Russian Librarian Put Under House Arrest as She Awaits Trial (via Human Rights Watch; November 2, 2015)

• Employees of Raided Ukrainian Library in Moscow Say They Were Framed (October 30, 2015)

Filed under: Associations and Organizations, Libraries, News