In Astrakhan, a report was drawn up against a pensioner because of the symbols of “Smart Voting”

In Astrakhan, a protocol was drawn up against 72-year-old pensioner Sergei Shcherbakov on the production of extremist symbols for the purpose of propaganda (Part 2 of Article 20.3 of the Administrative Code). Information about the case appeared in the file cabinet of the Kirov District Court, and the “We Can Explain” telegram channel drew attention to this.

The police drew up a report against Shcherbakov after he went to the administration building of the head of the region on September 3 with a poster “Smart voting, together against United Russia!” The picket was disrupted by police and the poster was confiscated.

Now the court has returned the case materials to the police, since they did not indicate what exactly on the poster was the subject of extremist symbols.

• As the publication notes, Sergei Shcherbakov is called a “poster man” in the region: he regularly holds pickets and actions in support of political prisoners. In June, a pensioner was detained with a poster “Happy Birthday Alexey, freedom for political prisoners,” after which the man was fined ten thousand rubles.
• The Moscow City Court recognized the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), the Foundation for the Defense of Citizens' Rights (FZPG) and the headquarters of Alexei Navalny as extremist organizations on June 9, 2021. In July, Roskomnadzor blocked almost 50 websites associated with Alexei Navalny. In September, Roskomnadzor blocked the website of Smart Voting, an FBK initiative related to recommendations on the expression of will.