Former municipal deputy Alexei Gorinov, sentenced to almost seven years in prison in the case of military “fakes,” was transferred to pre-trial detention center No. 1 in Vladimir. This was reported by the telegram channel of Gorinov’s support group.
Companions of the opposition politician suggest that the transfer to a pre-trial detention center may be connected with a possible new criminal case against Gorinov. Earlier it was reported that the case could be opened under the article on public justification of terrorism (Part 1 of Article 205.2 of the Criminal Code) - Gorinov, in the presence of other prisoners on the territory of IK-3 in Vladimir, allegedly “personally made statements aimed at justifying terrorist activities.”
The criminal case against Gorinov can also be evidenced by the fact that in early September, FSB officers came to his colony and had a conversation about his attitude towards terrorist and extremist organizations.
Before being transferred to the pre-trial detention center, Alexey Gorinov was in the prison hospital. He was admitted to the institution due to deteriorating health against the backdrop of permanent placement in a punishment cell. Hospital staff refused to allow Gorinov's lawyers to see his client.
For the first time, Gorinov was sent to a punishment cell on September 7 due to the fact that he allegedly refused to present himself as part of the preventive registration; he spent six days there. On September 14, he was again placed in a punishment cell. This happened on the eve of a planned visit with his family; the transfer for him was not accepted. The man complained about poor conditions: according to him, the cell had dim light, cold and damp, dozens of mosquitoes, spiders and mice.
In July 2022, Gorinov was sentenced to seven years in a general regime colony under the article on disseminating “fake news” about the Russian army using his position and motivated by hatred or enmity (clauses “a”, “b” and “e”, part 2 of Art. 207.3 CC). Later, on appeal, the period was reduced by one month. The case was opened due to the fact that the oppositionist, at a meeting of the Council of Deputies on March 15, 2022, called the events in Ukraine a war, and not a “special operation.” He also said that the Russian government wants to seize the territory of this country and that children are dying in Ukraine from the actions of the Russian army. Along with Gorinov, his former colleague from the municipality, Elena Kotenochkina, is involved in the case. She left Russia.
In November 2022, a man fell ill in a pre-trial detention center and was not provided with the necessary medical care. After being transferred to IK-2 in the Vladimir region, Gorinov’s condition worsened. At first, the colony administration ignored the prisoner’s condition, but thanks to publicity, they managed to get him hospitalized. In December 2022, Gorinov was admitted to the hospital at IK-3, Vladimir region.
In March 2023, after the trial, Gorinov was transferred to a medical unit, where he was provided with minimal medical care, and then taken back to the detachment. At the same time, the man still had a persistent cough, shortness of breath and weakness. Earlier, the politician had worsened bronchitis and had a fever.
In addition, the prisoner's support group learned that the letters he wrote were publicly read by an orderly before they were sent to the administration for verification and censorship. In July, he spoke in one of his letters about being tortured by sleep interruption.
On February 14, 2023, the UN called for the immediate release of Gorinov and demanded that the Russian authorities conduct an independent investigation, as well as take action against the people responsible for the illegal prosecution and imprisonment of the former MP.
On October 13, Ex-Mundobe Alexei Gorinov, convicted under the article on military “fakes,” confirmed information about the initiation of a new criminal case against him - under the article on justification of terrorism.
He also said that he was placed in a punishment cell in the Vladimir pre-trial detention center. This happened because the prisoner did not serve his assigned term in the punishment cell while in the colony.
November 13 A new criminal case against Alexey Gorinov for public justification of terrorism was opened because of his conversations with other prisoners about the attack on the Crimean Bridge and about the Azov regiment in the hospital at the colony. This was reported by a political prisoner support group.
The case was opened on September 13, an investigation is now underway, and a psychological and linguistic examination has been ordered.
The news headline has been changed due to confirmation of information about a new criminal case
- 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 750 people have become defendants in criminal cases initiated due to protest against the war with Ukraine. Read more about this in our infographic
- 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.