"At least 60 cases have been aroused"

Human rights activist Pavel Chikov-about the beginning of the application of an article on “discrediting the actions of the Russian army” due to rallies against “special operation”

In Russia, they began to apply a new one that entered into force on March 4 this year of the Code of Administrative Offenses - 20.3.3. The Code of Administrative Offenses (“Public actions aimed at discrediting the use of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in order to protect the interests of the Russian Federation and its citizens, maintain international peace and security”). This was announced by Novaya Gazeta by Pavel Chikov, head of the Agora international human rights group. Things, according to him, began to start after yesterday's protests. The maximum amount of the fine for individuals, provided for by the new article, is 100,000 rubles, for officials - 300,000 rubles, for legal entities - a million rubles.

- At the moment, I know about sixty administrative affairs under the new article of the Code of Administrative Offenses, although they probably have already been opened more. We have <in the international "Agora"> there is a project "Network Freedom", in the framework of which in the last year, lawyers protect people in cases related to their statements. We will represent the interests of those sixty people on whom things are instituted under a new article.

- In what cities the largest number of cases under the article on “discrediting the actions of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation”?

- The first thing came to us from Kostroma, the girl came out with the poster “No <continuation of the slogan on the poster is prohibited by Roskomnadzor>.” She was fined 30,000 rubles. In Kemerovo, a man was fined 60,000 rubles. Last night it became known about the case of the abbot of the Church of the Resurrection of Christ in the Kostroma region John Burdin ( for preaching . - Ed. ). In total, we know about the initiation of such cases in 16 cities of Russia. The most active in this sense-Krasnodar, St. Petersburg, Kostroma, Krasnoyarsk. There is not a single case in Moscow-it is obvious that these are some centralized instructions.

We now know about seven fines - that is, about seven court decisions and court decisions - from 30,000 to 60,000 rubles. The total amount of the assigned fines at the moment is 235,000 rubles.

But today the bulk of the affairs is obeying.

- What, according to investigators, is the “discrediting of the actions of the Russian army” specifically? What is it most often manifested?

- posters, posts, statements. Literally: the words "no <word prohibited by Roskomnadzor>." This is the main one. The main thing is for such a wording.

- What is the defense tactics in the case of accusations under a new article?

- The tactics of protection are determined by the client. Someone may admit the blame in exchange for some minimum fine. Another thing is that in this case he is losing the opportunity to contact the ECHR. It is clear that now the relevance of the European Court of Human Rights has become a little more ghostly than before, but appeals to the ECHR are still possible. And it is obvious that for all those who will declare that the persecution for the expression of their opinion on socially significant topics is unacceptable, violating the constitution and basic rights and freedoms, - -

All their affairs will be brought to Strasbourg. And there is no doubt that the court will take the side of the applicants.

- What other risks arise for those who are held accountable under a new article?

- Article 20.3.3. The Code of Administrative Offenses is preuditial, creates the risk of criminal prosecution. And the one who, within a year from the date of payment of the fine, re -“discredit the actions of the Russian Armed Forces” may be brought to criminal liability. At the same time, any conversation on anti -war topics, even in the narrowest company, can “discredit the actions of the military”.

(Article 207.3 of the Criminal Code provides for up to 15 years in prison).