Experts did not find a call for separatism in the words of the Karelian deputy

Statements of the deputy of the Suojärvi urban settlement Vladimir Zavarkin, uttered at a rally for the resignation of the head of Karelia, do not contain calls for separatism. Experts came to this conclusion after conducting a psychological and linguistic analysis of the deputy's speech.

According to Dmitry Dinze, Zavarkin's lawyer, linguists came to the unanimous conclusion that the deputy's statements are not capable of inducing anyone to take actions related to the separation of the Republic of Karelia from the Russian Federation. In addition, as experts have established, Zavarkin spoke about the independence of the region “provided that Karelia is not needed as part of the Russian Federation”, and the statements themselves are presented in the form of opinions and value judgments.

“Thus, independent experts, unlike those invited by the local department of the FSB, only strengthened the arguments of the defense about the illegality and groundlessness of bringing deputy Zavarkin to criminal responsibility for allegedly calling for separatism,” the lawyer said.

in Karelia began At the end of October , the trial of Vladimir Zavarkin . He is accused of publicly calling for separatism at a rally held on May 20, 2015. Later, the Petrozavodsk City Court recognized as extremist a video with a speech by Deputy Zavarkin at a rally in Petrozavodsk for the resignation of Governor Alexander Khudilainen. Experts considered that Zavarkin's words were a call for the separation of Karelia from Russia.

Vladimir Zavarkin faces up to 4 years in prison. He does not admit his guilt.