A Perm ex-deputy was sent to a pre-trial detention center on charges of “calls for terrorism” due to posts in a telegram channel

On October 30, the Leninsky District Court of Perm arrested ex-deputy of the regional legislative assembly and Perm City Duma Konstantin Okunev in the case of “calls for terrorism,” reports Properm . The case was brought against him due to posts in a certain telegram channel, although, according to the defense, the investigation has no evidence of the politician’s involvement in the channel.

At the meeting to select a preventive measure, the lawyer asked to release his client on bail or place him under house arrest, emphasizing that the FSB had no evidence that Okunev published the posts. An FSB officer said that the case is not currently being considered on its merits, so it is not necessary to provide such evidence. The prosecutor added that the politician is accused of a serious crime, does not admit guilt, and refused to testify, so house arrest or bail is impossible.

Okunev told the court that he does not consider himself guilty, and there is no evidence in the case. The court decided otherwise and sent him to pre-trial detention until December 29.

Since the beginning of the war with Ukraine, Okunev has been fined more than 750 thousand rubles in cases of “discrediting” the army, “inciting hatred,” demonstrating “extremist symbols” and “petty hooliganism.”

In February 2021, Okunev was arrested for five days for a rally in support of Alexei Navalny * .

* Listed as “terrorists and extremists.”
Photo: Properm