Press Release 25.05.2023

Photo: Alexander Yefimov / Photo by the Yabloko Press Service

The Volgograd Region Court upheld the decision on a fine for Alexander Yefimov, a member of the Federal Bureau of the Yabloko Party, under the article of “discrediting the army”. Yefimov intends to appeal to a higher court.

It should be noted that that an protocol of an administrative offence under Article 20.3.3 Part 1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses was drawn up against Yefimov on 29 March. On the same day, Yefimov was tried by the Volgograd City Court and fined 30,000 roubles.

Yefimov’s post of 22 January on the VKontakte social media drew the attention of the law enforcement.  Yefimov published official UN data on the number of deaths in Donbass in 2021 and after the start of the “special operation”.

The defence of Alexander Yefimov pointed out to courts of the first and second instances the flagrant violations in the conduct of the investigation and the absurdity of the accusation.

At a court meeting on 11 May when Yefimov’s complaint against a fine was considered, Yefimov’s side petitioned to summon a police officer who had drawn up a protocol on “discrediting the army”. On 25 May, the policeman did not appear. His colleagues in the Ministry of Internal Affairs reported that he was on vacation.

Commenting on the decision of the courts, Alexander Yefimov noted that the UN data, which he published on his page, contained information about the dead from both the sides of the armed conflict.

“I believe that our state considers mentioning of the number of victims in what is ordered to be called a “special military operation” as “discrediting the army”. These are many thousands of people from both the sides,” Alexander Yefimov said.

He intends to appeal the decision to a higher court.

In total, since the beginning of the “special operation”, protocols of offence under the articles of discrediting the army” were drawn up against at least 33 members and supporters of the Yabloko party.  The total amount of fines under administrative protocols exceeded 1.2 million roubles.

Read more about the persecution of Yabloko members after the start of the “special operation”.