The ex-coordinator of Navalny's Kostroma headquarters faces increased charges in the case of military “fakes”

The Investigative Committee in Kostroma has increased the charge in the case of disseminating “fake stories” about the army against the ex-coordinator of Navalny’s local headquarters, Alexander Zykov. This is what the human rights project “Network Freedoms” is about.

reports A political motive was added to the article about the dissemination of false information about the actions of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (clause “d”, part 2 of article 207.3 of the Criminal Code). Previously, Zykov was charged with the first part of this article, and he was threatened with a sentence of up to three years in prison, now this period is increased to 10 years.

The reason for initiating a criminal case was the activist’s publications on VKontakte: in them, in particular, he talked about the dead servicemen from the Kostroma Airborne Regiment, about the tragedy in Bucha and about the anti-war rally in Amsterdam and The Hague. Network Freedoms provides part of the indictment in the Zykov case.

became “The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation do not use prohibited means and methods of warfare, as well as the destruction of civilian infrastructure on the territory of Ukraine, including in the Sumy region and the city of Bucha, Kiev region,” says the resolution of the Investigative Committee. “The information about the destruction (complete death) of the 331st Guards Parachute Regiment of the Kostroma Airborne Forces of Russia does not correspond to reality.”

At the moment, Zykov is outside Russia; he was put on the wanted list in September. In October, Investigative Committee officers visited his mother’s home to serve a summons in a criminal case. At the same time, the summons was issued to the activist’s grandmother, who died ten years ago. In a conversation, the investigator spoke with the head of the jewelry production where the activist’s mother works, and hinted at her possible dismissal.

announced came mentioned In January it became known that employees of the FSB and Center “E” seven Kostroma residents in the case of Alexander Zykov. He is unfamiliar with some of them and has never met.

interrogated - After the start of the war in Ukraine, the Russian authorities began to react sharply to protest sentiments. The list of articles under which those who oppose the war are prosecuted is quite wide. Those involved in “anti-war cases” are often charged with hooliganism, vandalism, violence against government officials, and other violations. A significant element of pressure was also the articles introduced into the Criminal Code after the outbreak of hostilities - dissemination about the Russian army and armed forces. “fake” discrediting - Article 207.3 (Public dissemination of knowingly false information about the use of the armed forces of the Russian Federation) 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. turned on