The Krasnogvardeisky District Court of St. Petersburg sentenced Oleg Pronin in the case of graffiti “as a sign of love and respect” for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. On February 16, the man was sentenced to imprisonment for a suspended term of three years with a probationary period of four years, reports the joint press service of the city courts.
According to the prosecution, on October 12, 2023, Pronin, “guided by the motive of political and national hatred, painted inscriptions and a stylized drawing of a heart on the facades of buildings with black paint” and thus “desecrated them.” The St. Petersburg resident was charged with vandalism motivated by political hostility (Part 2 of Article 214 of the Criminal Code) and possession of ammunition (Part 1 of Article 222 of the Criminal Code), which security forces allegedly found at his home the next day, October 13. He admitted guilt, and the case was examined in a special manner. On October 14, Pronin was sent to a pre-trial detention center.
After the verdict, Pronin was released in the courtroom.
- 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 800 people have become defendants in criminal cases initiated due to protest against the war with Ukraine. Read more about this in our infographic .
- 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.