Sergei Udaltsov: “A few more fines and I’ll go with my hand outstretched”

Instead of 240 hours of compulsory work, Sergei Udaltsov will have to pay a fine of 35 thousand rubles. This decision was made by judge of the Leninsky District Court of Ulyanovsk Sergei Kochetov, having considered the oppositionist’s appeal. Earlier, on June 27, he was found guilty of beating Anna Pozdnyakova, a Young Guard activist who posed as a journalist. Under Article 116 of the Criminal Code, Udaltsov faced up to two years in prison. In any case, he does not consider himself guilty, calling Pozdnyakov’s complaint a provocation. Indeed, there is no evidence that the oppositionist beat the girl, apart from her words. But a video was posted on YouTube in which Pozdnyakova screams with poorly concealed joy: “Just think, Udaltsov hit me!” In a conversation with PublicPost, the oppositionist complained that he was still not happy with the commutation of the sentence.

— Were you satisfied with the court's decision?

No, I'm not satisfied. I sought to have the sentence overturned. But in fact, the verdict remains in force, and I was found guilty of allegedly beating Pozdnyakova. So there is nothing to be happy about - I now have a criminal record and a reputation as a person who beats up young supporters of United Russia. Although for some this may be a plus. But I didn’t expect a miracle to be overturned, although I found a very decent judge. He is still a man of the system, and if my sentence were overturned, I would have to prosecute Pozdnyakova for false denunciation.

— Why then was the work replaced with a fine?

Maybe they were afraid that I would turn them into a rally.

- Do you have money for a fine?

I will also consult with lawyers when I need to pay. I won't run to pay tomorrow. But I’ll tell you straight, the day before I was given 30 thousand rubles for an administrative case; I was detained at a rally in support of prisoners in the May 6 case. Previously, it was a thousand rubles under Article 20.2 of the Administrative Code, but now it’s like this. And then 35 thousand. I can't afford it anymore. A few more fines and I’ll go with my hand outstretched. So let's think about it.

- What are the options?

Apparently, it is necessary to create a fund to help those oppressed in such cases, political prisoners. There will be more and more of these cases, with fines. We either need to boycott, but then they will start jailing us, or everyone will chip in. Personally, I might throw out a cry. People have a lot of small change in their hands, at home, in their pockets that they don’t need. We will open a collection point and pay. But I’m still going to appeal the verdict in all instances.