Crimean journalist Semyon was handed an indictment

On January 20, journalist Nikolai Semena was served an indictment in the case of separatism (Article 280.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, the maximum sanction is up to five years in prison). It is reported by the portal "Crimea. Realities".

According to the investigation, the journalist “prepared an article entitled ‘The blockade is a necessary first step towards the liberation of Crimea’, in which calls were found to violate the territorial integrity of the Russian Federation.”

The conclusion cites passages from the article that contain, in the opinion of the investigation, separatist statements, and describes how Semyon sent the text of the article to the editor by e-mail. The journalist denies his guilt. Semena's motive, according to investigators, was "political enmity towards the Russian Federation."

Prosecution evidence includes the testimony of the journalist and the text of his email to the editor, which he deleted immediately after sending. The testimony of witnesses for the prosecution, including FSB operatives, is also given. The witness for the prosecution is also the Crimean journalist Sergei Meshkovoy, who, according to preliminary information of the publication, works in the press service of the "LNR". Meshkova claims that "the materials prepared by Semena have always insufficiently objectively characterized the socio-political situation in the Republic of Crimea, and Semyon adhered to clear pro-Ukrainian and anti-Russian views."

The materials of the case also include expert examinations initiated by the FSB - linguistic and author's criticism, as well as political science expertise by Russian expert Mikhail Savva, who points out that "the territory of the Republic of Crimea is part of Ukraine and the legislation of the Russian Federation does not apply to its territory." Savva is listed in the document as a defense witness. In addition to him, the defense plans to interrogate the editor-in-chief of Krym. Realities" by Vladimir Pritulu.

Semena's lawyer, Emil Kurbedinov, stressed that the indictment was served in violation of the criminal procedure code: the document was supposed to be handed over by a representative of the prosecutor's office, and Semena was handed the indictment by FSB investigator Alexander Parshutin in the administration building.