In Arkhangelsk, a pensioner will be tried under the article on repeated discrediting of the army

Earlier, Rita Shumaeva was fined for anti-war publications on VKontakte.

On August 2, 2024, the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Arkhangelsk Region and the Nenets Autonomous Okrug announced the completion of the investigation into a case initiated under Part 1 of Article 280.3 of the Criminal Code (repeated discrediting of the use of the Russian armed forces) against a local resident.

According to the Investigative Committee, the accused, who had already been held liable under Part 1 of Article 20.3.3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses on discrediting the army, “from August 2023 to January 2024, again posted information materials and recordings on one of the social networks aimed at discrediting the exercise of powers by state bodies of the Russian Federation outside the territory of Russia.” It is reported that she admitted her guilt and repented.

On the same day, the Lomonosovsky District Court received the case of pensioner Rita Shumaeva, whom the same court fined 15 thousand rubles on June 19, 2023 under Part 1 of Article 20.3.3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses for several anti-war posts that she posted on her VKontakte page.

In our opinion, the introduction of a ban on discrediting the actions of the Russian armed forces and government agencies abroad into legislation was an unjustified restriction of the right to freedom of expression, designed to suppress criticism of the authorities' political course. Therefore, we consider prosecution under the relevant articles for statements that do not contain direct calls for violence to be unlawful.

Sources

• Criminal case file No. 1-447/2024 // Lomonosovsky District Court of Arkhangelsk. 2024. August 5.
• A resident of the regional center will appear in court on charges of discrediting the use of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation during a special military operation // Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Arkhangelsk Region and the Nenets Autonomous Okrug. 2024. August 2.
• Administrative Offence Case Card No. 5-372/2023 // Lomonosovsky District Court of Arkhangelsk. 2024. May 13.