Press Release, 15.03.2023

Photo: Anatoly Nogovitsyn / Photo by the Yabloko Press Service

On 20 March, a hearing will be held in the Yakutsk City Court at which the last word of the accused will be heard, and the judge will make a decision on the criminal case against Anatoly Nogovitsyn, Chairman of the Yakutia branch of the Yabloko party. Nogovitsyn is accused of “discrediting the army” (Article 280.3, Part 1, of the Criminal Code of Russia) for publishing a video on his Telegram channel expressing an opinion about “partial mobilisation”. The court ended the interrogation of witnesses, some of them admitted that their testimony was distorted at the investigation stage. The decision may take place on 20 March or within several sessions of the court.

The criminal case was filed in September 2022. The court chose a ban on certain actions for Nogovitsyn as a preventive measure. The leader of the regional branch of the party cannot use means of communication and leave the house at the wrong time.

By appointment of the investigation, Anatoly Nogovitsyn underwent a psychiatric examination on 14 October. Forensic experts from the Yakutia Psychoneurological Dispensary confirmed that the politician was healthy and did not need compulsory treatment, but distorted his words about the goals of the party’s work, attributing to Yabloko a desire to seize power in the state. Nogovitsyn also noted that the doctors had repeated the questions of the investigation and tried to provoke him into statements that could be used against him in court.

At the debate of the parties the defense pointed to the violation of a number of norms committed during the initiation of a criminal case and the collection of “evidence”. In particular, during the arrest, police officers put pressure on Anatoly Nogovitsyn, they illegally confiscated his phone without drawing up an act, and did not allow him to call a lawyer. The Investigative Committee did not conduct an audit, sending a submission on the elimination of violations to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The Personnel Inspectorate, in their turn, did not see any violations in the actions of the police. However, the public prosecutor agreed with the fact of violations of Nogovitsyn’s rights. However, the investigator got only a verbal remark.

If Anatoly Nogovitsyn is found guilty of “discrediting the army”, he faces punishment up to three years in prison.

“Whatever the outcome, I would like to say that this segment of my way was not easy, and I could not have gone through it alone. I would like to express my gratitude to my Yabloko party, which was with me all this time and provided all the support and assistance that it could provide, I am also grateful to all those who supported me and worried about me,” the next-of-kin of Anatoly Nogovitsyn convey his words.

Nogovitsin thanks the leaders of the party, his relatives and friends, as well as the lawyer Maya Gromatskaya, who had the courage to take on a political case.

The meeting of the Yakut City Court will be held on 20 March at 16:30 local time. Anatoly Nogovitsyn’s team asks to support him. The address of the city court is Yakutsk, ulitsa Yaroslavskogo 18.