Moscow court opens second case against retired Russian military intelligence officer for ‘discrediting’ army

A Moscow district court has registered an administrative case against retired Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) colonel Vladimir Kvachkov, according to independent outlet Mediazona, which found the case in the Moscow courts’ database.

Kvachkov is accused of “discrediting” the Russian army. A court hearing has not yet been scheduled. It’s not clear what prompted the case.

In August, Kvachkov was fined 40,000 thousand rubles (around $440) for “discrediting” the Russian army. Later, he was also placed under administrative review until February 19, 2029, which prohibits from participating in public events, including rallies. The reason for the fine was three posts on the Russian social media network Odnoklassniki, including one calling for “a transition from the special military operation to a full-scale war with the Ukrainian army.” Kvachkov claimed that he had nothing to do with the group where the posts were published.

• Vladimir Kvachkov is a veteran of the Soviet-Afghan War, as well as the conflicts in Azerbaijan and Tajikistan. In 2005, Kvachkov was accused of attempting to assassinate Anatoly Chubais, an influential member of the Yeltsin government, holding the position of Chief of the Presidential Administration in 1996-7. After three years of arrest, a jury acquitted Kvachkov.