![]() ![]() The Investigative Committee published a video in which she, having been detained for threatening security forces with violence, apologizes. According to investigators, she threw a Molotov cocktail at police officers at a rally on February 24th, 2022. The first known person involved in the first known criminal case related to antiwar protests. The use of non-dangerous and non-lethal violence against a representative of the authorities is punishable with up to five years of imprisonment. The use of violence against a representative of the authorities (Article 318 of the Criminal Code) Part 1, Article 318 of the Criminal Code: Non-dangerous violence OVD-Info also believes it is necessary to conduct inspections and initiate appropriate criminal proceedings in all cases of unlawful violence and threats from the security forces and provocateurs. OVD-Info believes it is necessary, in most cases, to put an end to the political persecution of protest participants as well as civil and political activists, the authors of special media posts and all those who oppose the war. At the same time, threats to the antiwar movements as well as aggressive propaganda, often with incorrect information, are not investigated nor prosecuted. In this situation of war, the Russian authorities attack civil society: tightening legislation, banning the free press, virtually imposing military censorship and prosecuting dissenters. ![]() We are well aware of the low investigative quality as well as initial accusatory bias in such proceedings against those who express opinions contrary to the Russian state’s official position. For many years, OVD-Info has been monitoring political prosecutions, including the use of criminal statutes to eliminate political opponents of the Russian authorities. With regard to criminal cases involving various antiwar statements, the situation can be described in similar terms. Penalties are disproportionate even for formal charges. On the contrary, judicial proceedings are characterized by a blatant disregard for procedural norms and evidence for the defense. Experience has shown that unbiased investigations and due process in such cases are not upheld in Russia. Nonetheless, criminal proceedings continue to be brought against protesters for violence against police officers. We see these criminal cases as part of the authorities' fierce struggle against freedom of assembly, freedom of speech, political opposition and activism.ĭespite the numerous instances of violence perpetrated by representatives of the authorities, who unjustifiably detain people at demonstrations, not a single criminal court case has been filed in response to these acts. The details of criminal cases against those opposing the war are not always known, but their overall demeanor and the identities of those persecuted suggest the authorities are using the war as an excuse to crush dissent and totally «cleanse» civil society. A new statute in the criminal code was introduced to criminalize calls to end the war as well as the dissemination of information about the war that does not conform to official reports. As of mid-June 2023, there are more than 19,700 known detentions relating to anti-war protesters. There are mass detentions, and protest participants are being threatened with criminal prosecution for participating in activities of extremist organizations. The authorities are exerting unprecedented pressure on dissenters. Текст на русском OVD-Info’s Position on Mass Criminal Prosecutions Public and antiwar statements are grounds for criminal prosecution, and at the moment OVD-Info is reporting on 647 suspects or convicts. People have spoken out against the war over social media, and protests have taken more aggressive and radical forms. Since the 24th of February, 2022, there have been antiwar protests. The war with Ukraine, which the authorities have demanded be called a «special military operation», has irreversibly changed Russian society. ![]()
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