The investigator told the hospice founder’s lawyer that the case had been dropped for lack of a criminal offence. Mikhail Biryukov said Moniava remains director of House with a Lighthouse, but is still under restrictions and wearing an electronic bracelet.
The criminal case against Lidia Moniava, founder of the children’s hospice House with a Lighthouse, has been closed for lack of a criminal offence. Her lawyer, Mikhail Biryukov, told RBC Radio that an investigator informed him of the decision on October 6. The written ruling has not yet arrived, so its reasoning is not known.
Moniava continues to serve as the charity’s director. She had earlier said she would step down, but the chair of the hospice’s board of trustees, Marina Meliya, told RBC that a successor had not been selected in time. Biryukov said the hospice remains open and continues to help children.
The closure of the case did not automatically lift the restrictions. Biryukov said the investigator must notify the penal enforcement service. At the time of the interview, Moniava was still wearing an electronic bracelet. She is also barred from going outside between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. and from using the internet or a telephone. The lawyer expected the documents to be sent by post and said he would consider the next steps once he had received the ruling.
The case was opened under the article on knowingly spreading false information about the actions of the Russian armed forces, motivated by political hatred. Investigators said it concerned a Telegram post Moniava published in February 2023. She was detained after a search of her home on September 2; the next day, a court imposed restrictions on certain activities. Moniava denied the accusation.