The Investigative Committee did not initiate a fake news case against the doctor who gave an expert comment to Meduza.

The Investigative Committee refused to open a criminal case on dissemination of “knowingly false” information about the coronavirus (Article 207.1 of the Criminal Code) against a doctor who gave an interview to Meduza. this The publication itself reports .

In relation to the anesthesiologist-resuscitator Vladimir Budyansky, a pre-investigation check was carried out in connection with an article for which he gave an expert commentary. The material compared how Russia and Italy are prepared for a pandemic.

During the interview, Budiansky told investigators that in the interview he presented scientific facts and ratings compiled by analysts based on WHO data. The rest of the statements in the material were his value judgment.

The security forces did not see any evidence of a crime. At the same time, the publication published the material that became the reason for the verification on March 20, 2020, and Article 207.1 itself was introduced into the Criminal Code on April 1.

• Across Russia, the police massively drew up protocols, opened criminal cases and demanded that access to content about the coronavirus be restricted in connection with the operation of the law prohibiting the dissemination of “knowingly false information”. According to the Agora international group, as of June 9, 2020, a total of 170 administrative cases were opened in Russia in 53 regions and 42 criminal cases in 24 regions of the country.