November 12, 2024

Punk in Russia, Prisoner in Kazakhstan


Punk in Russia, Prisoner in Kazakhstan
Punk musician Aikhal Ammosov with his luggage in Germany. Publichnye Prisyry, Telegram.

After a year in prison due to a Russian extradition order, Kazakh authorities released Yakut punk musician and anti-war activist Aikhal Ammosov. On November 9, he announced he had arrived in Germany. 

Aikhal Ammosov, whose passport name is Igor Ivanov, was not involved in politics until suspicion arose that Russia might invade Ukraine. The musician betted with a friend that there would be a war. He won two pizzas at the time, but lost far more in the long run.

The punk band Crispy Newspaper's leader began leading anti-war protests in Yakutia. Ammosov graffitied walls with "No to War" in three languages. He put a banner "Yakut Punk Against War" on a swimming pool roof. He distributed pamphlets saying, "Get your hands dirty with paint, not blood."

The anti-colonial activist, wearing all-black attire, sunglasses, and a mask, photographed himself in front of a funerary home with the sign "The grooms have arrived" and a picture of a casket. The stunt referenced the 2007 movie Gruz 200 (Cargo 200), directed by Alexey Balabanov.

In 2022, Ammosov was charged with "discrediting the army." At the start of his trial, he posed in front of the city court of Yakutsk wearing his signature all-black outfit, raising his fist. Shortly after, he fled to Kazakhstan.

After Ammosov arrived in Kazakhstan, authorities refused to grant him refugee status. Back in Russia, authorities opened a case against Ammosov in absentia for "justifying terrorism." Since the Criminal Code of Kazakhstan includes a similar law as the Russian one against "discrediting the army," authorities in Russia filed for his extradition. In October 2022, the punk musician was detained in Almaty. 

Ammosov's letters from custody in Kazakhstan described how his health deteriorated in jail from poor nutrition. He witnessed riots and went on a hunger strike with fellow prisoners. The activist also recalled how guards abandoned prisoners during an earthquake in Almaty. Consequently, a revolt ensued, resulting in many detainees being placed in solitary confinement. Ammosov was spared that fate, thanks to other prisoners defending him.

Upon his release, Ammosov fled to Germany on a humanitarian visa, which he obtained with the assistance of human rights activists.

You Might Also Like

A Pro-War Childhood?
  • October 31, 2024

A Pro-War Childhood?

Russian children are being instilled with militant patriotism through plays, stories, cartoons, and toys.
Forced to Be Sorry
  • September 24, 2024

Forced to Be Sorry

In 2024, Russians publish public video apologies every two days.
Baikal, not Bali
  • July 10, 2024

Baikal, not Bali

The State Duma has banned Russian deputies and senators from traveling abroad without permission.
Small-Town Russia and the War
  • July 02, 2024

Small-Town Russia and the War

Sociologists spent a month living in small-town Russia to understand how Russians feel about the war in Ukraine.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

93 Untranslatable Russian Words
December 01, 2008

93 Untranslatable Russian Words

Every language has concepts, ideas, words and idioms that are nearly impossible to translate into another language. This book looks at nearly 100 such Russian words and offers paths to their understanding and translation by way of examples from literature and everyday life. Difficult to translate words and concepts are introduced with dictionary definitions, then elucidated with citations from literature, speech and prose, helping the student of Russian comprehend the word/concept in context.

Russian Rules
November 16, 2011

Russian Rules

From the shores of the White Sea to Moscow and the Northern Caucasus, Russian Rules is a high-speed thriller based on actual events, terrifying possibilities, and some really stupid decisions.

Moscow and Muscovites
November 26, 2013

Moscow and Muscovites

Vladimir Gilyarovsky's classic portrait of the Russian capital is one of Russians’ most beloved books. Yet it has never before been translated into English. Until now! It is a spectactular verbal pastiche: conversation, from gutter gibberish to the drawing room; oratory, from illiterates to aristocrats; prose, from boilerplate to Tolstoy; poetry, from earthy humor to Pushkin. 

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka
November 01, 2012

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka

In this comprehensive, quixotic and addictive book, Edwin Trommelen explores all facets of the Russian obsession with vodka. Peering chiefly through the lenses of history and literature, Trommelen offers up an appropriately complex, rich and bittersweet portrait, based on great respect for Russian culture.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955