Arshak Makichyan (born June 2, 1994) is a climate and anti-war activist based in Russia, originally from Armenia. [1] [2] Until he was arrested in December 2019 he staged a solo school strike for the climate every Friday in Pushkin Square, Moscow, [3] [4] for more than 40 weeks. [2] [5] In Russia, individual protests are lawful but anything larger requires police permission. [6] Makichyan has applied to hold a bigger demonstration unsuccessfully more than 10 times. [5]
He has inspired others across Russia to take part in school strike for the climate, including other single person pickets in Moscow. [7] In December 2019 he was jailed for six days, hours after returning from Madrid, Spain, where he spoke at the 2019 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 25). [5] [8]
After Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine he expanded his protests, writing "I'm against the war" on dozens of his climate stickers, since he wasn't able to find a shop that would print the word "war." [2] Makichyan was a social media manager, until his job "ceased to exist" after the Russian invasion of Ukraine led to websites being blocked in Russia. [2] After having to leave the country, he was put on trial while in exile in Germany, losing his Russian citizenship as a result. The Court accuses him of providing false information about himself when applying for his Russian citizenship in 2004, despite being just 10 years old at the time. [9]
He studied violin at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory. [1] [10]
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