Dmitry Martyshenko: “Now it’s a matter of small things. Find a customer"

“On May 5, 2014, a criminal case was opened against me in connection with the video I posted on the Internet, “Artamonov - patron or bungler.” The case was initiated on the basis of a statement from five citizens who considered that the published material infringed on their honor, dignity and business reputation and who saw extremist statements in the video.

The content of the video was aimed at drawing public attention to the actions of a group of Kaluga residents, including the applicants in the case, which in a number of ways are reminiscent of the actions of the Ukrainian nationalist organization Right Sector. Of particular concern was the fact that some of the characters in the video at various protests held in Kaluga and Moscow in 2013–2014 expressed active support for Governor Artamonov. One of them, the leader of the unregistered political party Right for European Development, even went to Kyiv to participate in the Maidan, regularly published reports about his stay there and even called on Russians to support the actions of the Right Sector.

On May 5, searches were carried out in my apartment and in the Lutheran church, of which I am the pastor, during which the police seized all information media - from computers to USB drives . The reason is the need to study the information contained in it for the presence of extremist materials. During a search in the temple, where from this point of view there was nothing to look for, since there was not a single computer there, in a chair standing in the refectory, investigators found a plastic box, which, as it later turned out, contained a package with a narcotic substance.

Another criminal case was opened on this fact.

The press service of the regional Ministry of Internal Affairs hastened to inform citizens about my detention by the police. Which was not true. Then it was stated that I had escaped and was put on the wanted list. Which was also a lie. However, negative information about me as a defendant in two criminal cases was immediately circulated by the newspapers “Vest”, “Kaluzhskaya Nedelya”, and ended up in the feeds of federal news agencies and in “Novaya Gazeta”.

For six months, law enforcement agencies carried out all kinds of checks, examinations, and interrogations. Six months of hassle for me, my family and friends. Six months of expenses for lawyers, independent examinations, and the purchase of office equipment to replace those seized during searches. Six months of dirt in budget media.

And then on November 7, 2014 it all ended. By letter No. 4/9779, the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs for the Kaluga Region notified me of the termination of criminal prosecution against me and my right to rehabilitation. Including in the media, which, at my request, are obliged to make a report about this.

Even before the initiation of the criminal case, I received various signals that some kind of provocation was being prepared against me. And not just signals. More than once, the words of certain officials sounded “friendly warnings” addressed to me in connection with my active civic position. Regarding this kind of “warning” from the governor of the Kaluga region, Anatoly Artamonov, I even sent a statement to the police. The verification of the application did not reveal any malicious intent in the actions and words of citizen Artamonov.

However, a criminal case was nevertheless opened under a completely flimsy pretext. I cannot say with complete certainty whether this was a personal order from the governor or whether his zealous subordinates were overzealous.

We must pay tribute to law enforcement officials who were able to understand the situation and make the only correct decision, despite possible dissatisfaction on the part of the regional leadership. I understand perfectly well how difficult it was for them. In the eyes of ordinary citizens, such a principled position can only inspire respect.

Many media outlets helped publicize my situation. I think this played a role. The chairman of the State Duma Committee on Public Associations and Religious Organizations, Yaroslav Nilov, helped. He sent requests to the Prosecutor General's Office and the Investigative Committee.

Now it's a matter of small things. Find the person who ordered the case and bring him to light.”