Resident of Kalmykia fined for discrediting Russian Army

A court in Kalmykia has fined Miroslav Genik, a father of many children, by 30,000 roubles based on the testimony of his neighbours, who had accused the man of discrediting the Russian Army.

Miroslav, who is a seller and has five children dependent on him, "had repeatedly spoken negatively" about the actions of the Russian Army in Ukraine in the presence of his neighbours. In July 2024, one of the neighbours heard his statements and turned to the police.

Miroslav Genik refused to plead guilty, stating that the neighbours had slandered him due to hostile relations on domestic grounds. The witnesses questioned in court cited phrases about Ukraine, Putin and Zelensky, which Genik had allegedly spoken out. The court has ruled that their testimonies "raise no doubts," since several witnesses denied the existence of their any hostility towards Miroslav.