On January 29, the Central District Court of Omsk sentenced local resident Artem Lazarenko to 240 hours of compulsory labor in a case of hooliganism committed based on hatred of a social group (clause “b” of Part 1 of Article 213 of the Criminal Code). This was reported by the press service of the courts of the Omsk region, drew attention. and the SOVA research center
According to the prosecution, on the night of September 9, 2023, Lazarenko “took off all his clothes” and “began to demonstrate his naked body,” while standing in front of the FSB building. According to security officials, the man “acted out of hatred against law enforcement officers,” because he knew that the FSB headquarters was located in that building.
According to SOVA, the prosecution of Lazarenko is unlawful for two reasons. Firstly, FSB officers and government officials cannot be considered vulnerable social groups that require special protection from manifestations of hatred. Secondly, the man’s actions cannot be assessed as a gross violation of public order, since they did not lead to disruption of the working and rest conditions of citizens, as well as the work of institutions.