Krasnodar woman accused of discrediting army for destroying propaganda leaflets*

A woman from Krasnodar torn down propaganda leaflets with the motto reading: “We don’t leave our people in trouble.” The police considered that the woman’s actions discredited the Russian Armed Forces.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that on March 4, administrative liability was introduced for discrediting the Russian Armed Forces. Users leaving their comments on social media and participants of pacifist actions face danger of being brough to liability for expressing their views. For example, on November 13, a court fined Gennady Komutkov under the article on discrediting the Russian Armed Forces, taking into account the testimonies of eight persons.

In Krasnodar, the police detained Vitalina Zh. after she torn  down the leaflets reading: “We don’t leave our people in trouble” from a bulletin board, the human rights project “OVD-Info”** reported.

Let us remind you that the article on discrediting the Armed Forces of Russia provides for a fine of 50,000 roubles for individuals. A repeated violation under the article within a year implies criminal prosecution, emphasizes advocate Mikhail Benyash***.

*The headline has been changed.

**Included by the Russian Ministry of Justice (MoJ) in the register of unregistered public associations, acting as foreign agents.

***Included in the register of individuals-foreign agents.