The Investigative Committee announced the completion of the investigation into the case of “fake news” about the Russian army against a Colombian

The Investigative Committee announced the completion of the investigation into the criminal case against Colombian citizen Saraya Alberto Enrique Giraldo - he is accused under the article on “fakes” about the Russian army (clause “b”, part 2 of article 207.3 of the Criminal Code).

According to investigators, Giraldo, “as part of an organized group,” placed mobile devices in one of the Moscow shopping centers, from which “mass mailings were carried out remotely” with “fakes” about the actions of the Russian army.

The “criminals,” investigators believe, acted in the interests of the American organization Digital Humanity.

The same people, according to the prosecution, previously sent messages in a similar way “with the goal of compromising the 2020 US presidential election and simulating Russian interference in the process of the said election campaign.”

On April 11, the court took Giraldo into custody, despite the defense's request for house arrest. The remaining defendants in the case are being sought.

“Mediazona” noticed that on his Facebook page the man also talked about Russia’s interactions with the West and the European Union. He also expressed the opinion that the United States is using Ukraine as a “puppet” to “economically weaken Russia.”

• According to Interfax, Giraldo was engaged in individual entrepreneurship in Russia, but in the fall of 2021 he stopped his activities by his own decision.
• Article 207.3 was included 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. For spreading “fake news” you can get up to 15 years in prison.
• Since February 24—the first day of the “special operation” in Ukraine—residents of Russian cities have been going out to anti-war rallies every day and talking about the tragedy online. Anti-war speeches and statements become grounds for criminal prosecution. At the moment, more than 360 people have become defendants in criminal cases initiated due to protest against the war with Ukraine. Read more about this in our guide .