Translated material
A human rights activist from Blagoveshchensk, who is suspected of discrediting the army, went on a hunger strike in a pre-trial detention center
The Blagoveshchensk City Court extended the arrest of human rights activist Vladislav Nikitenko in the case of repeated discrediting of the Russian Army (Part 1 of Article 280.3 of the Criminal Code) until October 17. After the decision was announced, Nikitenko went on a hunger strike, “Sibir.Realii.”
reported The defense insisted on Nikitenko's release from custody, since he has no intention of hiding from the investigation and has a permanent place of residence. In addition, he lives with his elderly mother, who needs care.
The human rights activist’s mother, Lydia Nikitenko, told the publication that the judge refused to allow her to appear in court as a defense attorney along with a lawyer, citing the fact that this was not necessary. According to the woman, the investigator is not conducting any procedural actions with Nikitenko. Thus, the son is not shown publications on Facebook that became the reason for initiating a criminal case - because of this, the man does not know what exactly he is charged with.
A criminal case against Nikitenko in May. In March, the man was fined under an administrative article for discrediting the Russian Army (Article 20.3.3 of the Administrative Code). According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, after this he posted 10 posts on social networks that also “discredited” the Russian army. This became the reason for initiating a criminal case.
Initially, the human rights activist was placed under house arrest, but later, on July 9, the court found that the man had violated the conditions of house arrest and the preventive measure against him.
sent tightened Added a comment from Nikitenko's mother Lydia.
- On February 24, Nikitenko made a statement to all regional investigative departments of the Investigative Committee and the military prosecutor's office of the Russian Federation against Vladimir Putin and members of the Security Council, accusing them of starting a war in Ukraine. On March 17, the activist was fined for filing a statement with the police demanding that a case be opened against the governor of the Amur region for supporting the “special operation.” On May 6, Nikitenko was sentenced to 15 days under the article of demonstrating extremist symbols (Part 1 of Article 20.3 of the Administrative Code) because of a video on YouTube published five years ago. filed and arrested - In June, the project “Support for Political Prisoners. Memorial" of Vladislav Nikitenko to political prisoners. recognized - Article 280.3 in the Criminal Code in March 2022 - in this way the government responded to anti-war speeches and statements, as well as the dissemination of information about the war that did not come from official Russian sources. The maximum penalty under the article is five years in prison. Dissenters are being persecuted not only under the new article of the criminal code: at the moment, more than 230 people are involved in criminal cases initiated due to protest against the war with Ukraine. Read more about this in our.