In St. Petersburg, Center "E" officers detained a 28-year-old local resident for pacifist graffiti and an inscription "insulting the president" written in a passageway near Victory Square. This was reported by Fontanka.
A criminal case of vandalism (Article 214 of the Criminal Code) was opened against the man. Law enforcement officers found six cans of paint at his home. The defendant has now been released on bail.
- After the war in Ukraine began, the Russian authorities began to react sharply to protest sentiments. The list of articles under which those speaking out against the war are prosecuted is quite broad. The defendants in “anti-war cases” are often charged with hooliganism, vandalism, violence against government officials, and other violations. Articles introduced into the Criminal Code after the start of military operations also became a significant element of pressure: the dissemination of “fakes” about the Russian army and discrediting the armed forces.
- At the moment, more than 950 people have become defendants in criminal cases initiated due to protests against the war with Ukraine. Read more about this in our infographic .