A young Belarusian woman was held in a Russian pre-trial detention center for almost 4 years and acquitted. The compensation she received was like a slap in the face
24-year-old Ulyana Markava was told in court that if her fiancé was convicted of drugs (although he was actually acquitted too), it meant she agreed with his lifestyle. Therefore, 2 euros for each day of lost youth was deemed appropriate.
Ulyana Markava. Photo: Belpol
Belarusian Ulyana Markava spent her youth not at all as she would have wished. In January 2019, the 18-year-old girl from Pinsk was arrested in the city of Gubkinsky in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug of Russia on suspicion of drug-related crimes.
In a local hotel, drug control found a packet of prohibited substances – 2.99 grams, which is considered a large amount – with Ulyana and her 21-year-old fiancé Vladislav Palyn.
According to publications in Russian media, the young people admitted that they had acquired the drugs for personal use in Yekaterinburg.
It all started with a criminal case involving two young drug users, but it escalated to the point where ten defendants were in court. The court's website does not have a published decision to understand what united them all – whether they were randomly gathered drug addicts, or if there were drug couriers among them. And if they were couriers, were they acquainted with each other or simply lumped into one group for statistics.
However, we are only interested in the fate of the Belarusian Ulyana Markava. She was tried under four articles:
- Art. 210 Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation — participation in a criminal community (criminal organization).
- Art. 228 Part 1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation — illegal acquisition, storage, transportation, manufacture, or processing of narcotics without intent to sell, in a significant amount.
- Art. 228 Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation — the same, but in a large amount.
- Art. 228.1 Part 4 points "a", "g" of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation — illegal sale of narcotics, committed by an organized group in a large amount.
Possible punishment ranges from 10 years up to 30 years in prison.
Recall that the Belarusian woman was arrested in January 2019. The trial began only in September 2021 and concluded in December 2022. Almost four years behind bars – 1435 days! However, the outcome was unexpected. Markava was found not guilty – "released in the courtroom". Six other defendants received the same verdict. Only three, including her fiancé Vladislav Palyn, received sentences.
It is noteworthy that in 2024, in the same court, a process was underway "on compensation for damages to the rehabilitated Vladislav Palyn". This means that eventually he too was acquitted – either in the appellate instance or at some other stage.
Meanwhile, Ulyana Markava sued for compensation for the four years spent in a Russian pre-trial detention center.
The Belarusian woman calculated her claim as follows: one million Russian rubles for illegal criminal prosecution and 10 thousand Russian rubles for each day in the pre-trial detention center – a total of 15.35 million Russian rubles (about 185 thousand euros). The lawsuit stated that during her years of imprisonment, she developed depression, insomnia, constant headaches, and migraines, and in 2024, she required the help of a psychotherapist. Her parents and friends stopped communicating with her, believing she had indeed committed what she was accused of.
The Salekhard City Court in February 2025 awarded her one million rubles (about 12 thousand euros). Both sides filed appeals: Markava's representative requested an increase in the amount, while the representative of the Russian authorities requested a reduction, as the amount "did not meet the requirements of reasonableness and fairness".
The Court of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug of Russia on March 17, 2026 made a final decision.
The appellate panel recognized that the long imprisonment "significantly disrupted the normal course of the girl's life," interrupted her studies, deprived her of the opportunity to work and see relatives and friends living in Belarus. The court also acknowledged that Markava was young, had no prior convictions, and during her time in the pre-trial detention center, she sought medical attention for severe headaches.
But then the judges found a whole host of reasons why the compensation should be cut.
Firstly, during the investigation, Markava admitted guilt and even wrote a confession – only to retract her testimony in court. This "self-incrimination," they argued, provoked the criminal prosecution and its duration.
Secondly, upon detention, Markava refused a medical examination. The court considered this as confirmation of drug use at the time of detention and negatively characterized the girl.
Thirdly – and this is the most notable passage of the ruling – the court blamed the acquitted woman for her social circle. "Since Palyn was convicted of drug trafficking, it follows that Markava agreed with such a lifestyle, especially considering the fact that she intended to marry Palyn," the panel wrote.
As a result, the compensation was reduced to 250 thousand Russian rubles (about 3000 euros) – approximately 2 euros for each day behind bars.
The court saw no grounds for further reduction, explaining that the amount should nevertheless "not be symbolic."