The “Important Stories” investigator was fined under the article on “undesirable” organizations

The Kalininsky District Court of St. Petersburg fined the investigator of “Important” stories, Maria Zholobova, five thousand rubles under the article on participation in the activities of an “undesirable” organization (Article 20.33 of the Administrative Code). This was reported by Mediazona with reference to the press service of the city courts.

At the meeting on May 16, Zholobova was given the minimum sentence under this article. A report was drawn up against the journalist because in November 2022 she sent a letter to the Russian military-industrial enterprise “Special Technology Center”, introducing herself as a correspondent for the publication “Important Stories”.

took place According to Mediazona, the protocol indicates that Zholobova requested information about “products produced by the enterprise” and the implementation of the state defense order. The court found that in this way she violated Federal Law No. 272 ​​“On measures of influence on persons involved in violations of fundamental human rights and freedoms, the rights and freedoms of citizens of the Russian Federation,” concerning the activities of “undesirable” organizations.

Apparently, this is the first such case of prosecution under the law on “undesirable” organizations due to work in media that have received such status. Prior to this, the corresponding protocols were repeatedly drawn up due to reposts of publications of “undesirable” publications. So, on May 26, about drawing up such a protocol against the former editor-in-chief of Echo of Petersburg Valery Nechai because he reposted a Meduza article.

it became known - the media “Important Stories” registered in Latvia was recognized as an “undesirable” organization in March 2022. Prior to this, the Latvian legal entity “Important Stories” and six of its employees were added to the register of “foreign agents”. included - “Undesirable” in accordance with Russian legislation can be recognized as foreign or international organizations that, in the opinion of the authorities, pose “a threat to the foundations of the constitutional system of the Russian Federation, the defense capability of the country or the security of the state.” Such organizations are prohibited from operating in the country, and a number of other restrictions are also imposed on them - for example, they are not allowed to distribute information materials in Russia. - For participation in the activities of an “undesirable” organization, administrative liability is provided (Article 20.33 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, the maximum penalty is a fine of up to 15 thousand rubles for citizens), and then criminal liability (Part 1 of Article 284.1 of the Criminal Code, the maximum penalty is imprisonment for a term up to four years). Article 284.1 also applies to financing or organizing the activities of an “undesirable” organization, in which case the punishment can be up to five and six years in prison, respectively.