(MENAFN) On April 2, a bomb attack in St. Petersburg, Russia, killed military blogger Vladlen Tatarsky, also known as Maxim Fomin. The Russian authorities charged 26-year-old Darya Trepova with terrorism, accusing her of presenting Tatarsky with an explosive device concealed in a statuette at a public talk he was giving. The Russian prosecutors claimed that Trepova was working on behalf of a pro-Ukrainian group with links to jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. However, these claims have been denied by Navalny's associates and Kyiv.

On Monday, a court in Moscow rejected Trepova's appeal against being held in pre-trial detention until at least June 2. Trepova has denied the charges, and her husband believes that she has been framed, and was unaware that the statuette she had been told to deliver contained explosives.

Tatarsky was a prominent military blogger who was part of a group of bloggers who have been critical of Russia's defense establishment and its conduct of the war in Ukraine. They have been pushing for a more aggressive approach to the conflict. Tatarsky's comments last year, in which he said Russia should "kill everyone" and "rob everyone" in Ukraine, caused controversy.

The case highlights the ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, as well as the importance of ensuring that those accused of crimes are given a fair trial. The denial of bail to Trepova suggests that the Russian authorities believe that she presents a threat to public safety, but it is also important that her rights are respected throughout the legal process.

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