Moscow councillor faces jail for ‘false information’ on Russian army

Moscow councillor faces jail for ‘false information’ on Russian army

Moscow councillor faces jail for ‘false information’ on Russian army

Moscow councillor faces jail for ‘false information’ on Russian army

Advertisement
  • Alexei Gorinov was arrested in late April for disseminating “knowingly false information” about Russian army.
  • Accused of acting “in a group” with another Moscow deputy, Yelena Kotyonochkina, who has fled Russia.
  • Charges come under new legislation that allows prison time for discrediting Russian military.
Advertisement

 

Moscow court on Tuesday began hearing the case of a councillor who faces up to ten years in prison for criticizing Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine.

Alexei Gorinov, a trained lawyer, was arrested in late April for disseminating “knowingly false information” about the Russian army.

Gorinov is accused of acting “in a group” with another Moscow deputy, Yelena Kotyonochkina, who has fled Russia and is being charged in her absence.

Read More: Moscow will summon the EU ambassador to Russia about the transit of Kaliningrad

He faces up to 10 years in jail.

Advertisement

The charges come under new legislation that allows prison time for discrediting the Russian military and is part of Moscow’s growing efforts to silence dissent.

Gorinov appeared in court Tuesday wearing jeans and a blue checked shirt, carrying a piece of paper that said “No to war”, an AFP journalist reported.

Gorinov spoke up against Moscow’s military operation in Ukraine during a work meeting in March that was recorded on video and is available on YouTube.

During his speech, he questioned plans for an art competition for children in his constituency while “every day children are dying” in Ukraine.

Read More: In Russia, Ukrainians support Moscow but regret the refugee camps

“Children are becoming orphans while the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of World War II participants are thrown into the midst of fighting in Ukraine,” he said.

Advertisement

“I believe that all efforts of civil society must only serve to end the war and lead to the withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukrainian territory,” he added.

According to Amnesty International, Gorinov’s case is part of a “ruthless campaign by Russian authorities to stamp out any criticism of their actions in Ukraine.”

 

Advertisement
Advertisement
Read More News On

Catch all the World News, Breaking News Event and Latest News Updates on The BOL News


Download The BOL News App to get the Daily News Update & Follow us on Google News.


End of Article
Advertisement
In The Spotlight Popular from Pakistan Entertainment
Advertisement

Next Story