Freed Russian dissident plans to marry girlfriend in Germany

euronews (in English)

Sasha Skochilenko was released in Moscow's prisoner exchange with Washington after spending more than two years behind bars for protesting against Russia's war in Ukraine.

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00:00A Russian dissident released from prison following the historic prisoner exchange between Moscow

00:06and Washington is planning to marry her girlfriend.

00:12Sasha Skochalenko and Sonia Subotina were not able to wed in their home country of Russia,

00:18but they now live in Germany, a country that recognizes same-sex marriage.

00:24I know many partners of other political prisoners,

00:28most often they are girls who are waiting for their men.

00:32And it's a very common situation when they get married right in the prison or in the colony,

00:38it's possible, and it gives them the right to long-term dates,

00:43it gives them the right to receive calls more often, short-term dates,

00:49because their status is determined by the state, but we never had such an opportunity.

00:56Same-sex marriages were effectively outlawed in Russia in 2020,

01:01when President Putin pushed through a constitutional reform to extend his rule.

01:07One of the clauses of the reform stipulated that marriage could only be officiated between a man and a woman.

01:16But the couple have now begun a new life in Germany,

01:19after Skochalenko spent more than two years behind bars for protesting Russia's war against Ukraine.

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