Moscow court jails Russian-Israeli ornithologist Sofia Rosenfeld over Navalny foundation donations

Mixed · 2Moscow's Gagarinsky District Court sentenced Dr. Sofia Rosenfeld (transliterated Sofya Rozenfeld by Meduza), a 50-year-old Russian scientist who also holds Israeli citizenship, to three and a half years in a penal colony. The hearing was on 7 October, and the news emerged publicly on 12 October. 1 2 Mixed · 2She was convicted of financing an "extremist organization". The charges concerned two donations of 1,000 rubles each (about NIS 30-35 each, according to the Jerusalem Post) to the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), made in August and September 2021. 1 2 Right · 1The foundation was set up by the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who was a critic of President Vladimir Putin and died in a Russian prison in February 2024. Russian authorities designated it an "extremist organization" in 2021. 1

Mixed · 2In court, Rosenfeld said she did not share extremist views or have criminal intent and that she wanted to help fight corruption. She said she was on an Arctic expedition, out of contact, when the foundation was outlawed, and that she cancelled her recurring payments once she learned of it. Meduza says she admitted guilt only in part and that her lawyers submitted a letter she had sent to FBK asking to cancel the donations. 1 2 Mixed · 2According to Mediazona, as cited by the Jerusalem Post, she is the third woman known to receive a prison sentence for small donations to the foundation. Her father, Boris Rozenfeld, made a similar remark to T-invariant, as relayed by Meduza. 1 2 Mixed · 2Rosenfeld was taken into custody in the courtroom and is held in Moscow, at the Pechatniki pretrial detention center according to Meduza, pending a decision on transfer to a penal colony. Her lawyers intend to appeal, but a hearing is not expected for several weeks at the earliest. 1 2

Left · 1Meduza, translating a T-invariant report, says she learned of the investigation on 5 December 2025, shortly after a visit to her father in Israel, and that her home was searched and she agreed in writing not to leave town. It also reports that friends said the judge and prosecutor were unhappy with her partial admission of guilt, and that the court ignored her evidence that she was away on an expedition. These are friends' accounts, not independently verified findings. 2 Mixed · 2Rosenfeld expected a fine or forced labour, as did her lawyers, according to her father. He told the Jerusalem Post he doubts she will be acquitted and hopes public attention helps. 1 2 Mixed · 2Rosenfeld holds a doctorate in biology and is a senior researcher at the Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences, specialising in Arctic waterfowl such as geese. She moved to Israel with her family around 1990 but returned to Moscow after about a year and a half, and she has kept her Israeli citizenship and visited Israel regularly. 1 2

Right · 1After the indictment she contacted the Israeli Embassy in Moscow for help. Her father, who lives in Israel, has since contacted the Foreign Ministry and was told a consular official could visit if she submits a formal request. He said he wants Israel to help her leave Russia. 1