Beethoven’s music has been inspirational to so many people over the centuries. It’s a spirit that continues to be relevant in today’s world, where it became a form of defiance in the face of authority earlier this week in Moscow.
Anastasia Vasilyeva, head of the Russia’s Doctors Alliance trade union, has come under fire recently as a tight ally of Alexei Navalny, Russian opposition leader, lawyer, and currently incarcerated anti-corruption activist.
He’s being detained for allegedly failing to comply with the terms of his release on a suspended prison sentence. President Vladimir Putin recently made the claim that Navalny is conspiring with foreign agents to brainwash the Russian population.
After thousands of Russians hit the streets in protest recently to demand his release from jail and government reforms, Navalny’s friends and allies have also come under the scrutiny of the law.
On the evening of January 17, the authorities reached Vasilyeva’s apartment in Moscow to do a search before taking her into custory. But, Anastasia, who is an artist and musician as well as a mathematician, decided to show her defiance of the regime she has often criticized with Beethoven. She insisted on finishing the piece even after government agents entered her apartment.
In a video posted by Reuters, investigators search the home as Vasilyeva steadfastly plays on a white piano.
Alexei Navalny recently returned to Russia after spending five months in Germany recovering from a poisoning attack. His appeal of his current 30-day sentence was summarily denied on January 28.
According to TASS news agency, after the search, Anastasia Vasilyeva was detained for 48 hours for violating COVID-related restrictions during the Moscow protests. Other Navalny allies, including his brother Oleg, have also been arrested under the same charges.
Обыск в квартире @DrAnastasy
продолжается. Раз нарушила санитарный режим — изъять технику! С ковидом только так и можно бороться.Анастасия отлично играет и на хамство внимания не обращает. Героическая женщина! ✊🏻 pic.twitter.com/Xif3BGljkI
— zakharova ❌ (@exCheremnova) January 27, 2021
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