A married couple from Konakovo was extended their detention in a pre-trial detention center for three months in the case of “fake news” about the army.

The Konakovsky District Court of the Tver Region extended until June 1 the detention in the pre-trial detention center of the spouses Alexander Martynov and Lyudmila Razumova, who are being prosecuted under articles of vandalism (Part 2 of Article 214 of the Criminal Code) and “fakes” about the Russian army (clause “d” of Part. 2 art. 207.3 of the Criminal Code). This was reported by OVD-Info lawyer Maria Varaeva, who represents Martynov’s interests. Razumova’s interests are also represented by a lawyer from OVD-Info, Andrey Donskoy.

A case of fake news against the spouses was opened in March 2022, at which time they were placed under arrest. According to investigators, the couple posted videos on one of the social networks about “the use of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation to destroy cities and the civilian population of Ukraine.”

Later they were charged with vandalism. According to the official version, Martynov and Razumova, using paint and stencils, “committed desecration of buildings and other structures,” as well as “damage to property” in the villages of Mokshino, Varaksino, Teshilova, and in the villages of Mirny and Novozavidovsky. In particular, the investigation believes that the couple left the inscription “Ukraine, forgive us” on the wall of the store.

In January 2023, the prosecutor requested seven and a half years in prison for each of the spouses. However, already in February the court resumed the judicial investigation in the case. This happened due to the fact that Razumova, who had previously admitted guilt, stated that she did not consider the videos she published about the deaths of civilians in Ukraine to be “fake”.

15:35 Lyudmila Razumova is still being kept in a pre-trial detention center cell alone without neighbors, said lawyer Andrei Donskoy. In January, OVD-Info reported that the administration of the detention center refuses to place the accused with other women, explaining this by the article that was charged against her.

• Since February 24, 2022—the first day of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine—residents of Russian cities have been holding anti-war protests every day and talking about the tragedy online. Anti-war speeches and statements become grounds for criminal prosecution. At the moment, more than 450 people have become defendants in criminal cases initiated due to protest against the war with Ukraine. Read more about this in our guide .
• Article 207.3 (Public dissemination of knowingly false information about the use of the armed forces of the Russian Federation) was included in the Criminal Code in March 2022 - in this way the authorities responded to anti-war speeches and statements, as well as the dissemination of information about the war that does not come from official Russian sources. The maximum penalty under this article is 15 years in prison.