General, World

Mikhail is in prison

Posted on by Bobby Henderson

Bad news — our friend Mikhail Iosilevich has been arrested and has been taken to prison.

Mikhail founded the first Church of FSM in Russia. The group he organized is very active, and by all measures a positive influence in the community. I remember many times seeing photos of their activities and being impressed with what he had put together.

You may remember Mikhail had been under investigation by the Russian government for some time. After Mikhail hosted a training session for election observers in October 2020, his apartment was raided and his devices confiscated. He was charged with ties to the banned political group Open Russia (something Mikhail denies). The criminal case has been moving along since that time.

Police opening the apartment by force

Mikhail is now in prison on political charges.

I don’t know what we can do, but for a start we’re asking people to help spread the word. The more attention we can bring to the case, the better his chances for justice.

Below are some news articles about the case. Some are in Russian but can be translated through the browser.

Please let me know if you can offer any help or suggestions and I will pass them on to Mikhail’s team.

https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/russias-flying-spaghetti-monster-chief-22837053

https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/4671899

Here are some google news listings for this topic:

https://bit.ly/3tLTX59

Photos of Mikhail:

General, International

Russian FSM Leader Arrested

Posted on by Bobby Henderson

I need to share some sad and disturbing news: the Russian government is persecuting some of our fellow Pastafarians.

The head of Russia’s Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, Mikhail Iosilevich, has been arrested. His computers, phones, and passport have been seized, and access to his bank accounts have been blocked.

Mikhail fought for – and won – the right to wear a Colander in his license photo

Mikhail has been charged with working with a democratic opposition group, Open Russia, that was outlawed by Putin’s government. He is being investigated for allegedly hosting lectures for independent election monitors, held at the premises of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, last month.

A number of “witnesses to these activities” have been targeted for investigation by the State. They have been questioned, and have had their homes searched.

One of the associates who was targeted was Mikhail’s friend Irina Slavina, a journalist and activist. Her home was raided by government investigators and armed police in the early morning a few weeks ago. Tragically, it was the last straw for Irina. She had felt bullied by the oppressive authoritarian government for years. The day after her home was raided, she died after settting herself on fire in front of the headquarters of the Interior Ministry, a final act of protest. She was 47 years old.

Flowers and rememberances of Irina, at the Interior Ministry

I am in contact with Mikhail’s people in Russia. They have asked for our fellow Pastafarians to spread the word of these events. With international attention, it will be more difficult for the authoritarian government to unjustly imprison Mikhail and subject Pastafarians and free-thinkers to intimidation and persecution.

Irina Slavina and Mikhail Iosilevich at the Temple of the Macaroni Monster

Below are a few articles that explain what has been happening.

  • This BBC article is about Irina’s last few days and the events that caused her to take her own life. Here.
  • This The Times article explains about Mikhail’s recent arrest. Here

Please spread the word if you can, and let’s figure out what we can do to help.

The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster strongly condemns the intimidation and persecution of Pastafarians and free-thinkers.