Press Release, 17.08.2022

Photo: Elena Neronova / Photo from social media

On 16 August, the Petrozavodsk District Court of the Republic of Karelia found Elena Neronova, a civic activist and an assistant to a city council deputy from the Yabloko party Olga Tuzhikova, guilty of “discrediting the Russian army”. The fine under Article 20.3.3 Part 1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the RF amounted to 30,000 roubles (over 500 Euro).

Police officers provided, as evidence of guilt, screenshots of 22 publications posted on Elena Neronova’s page on Vkontakte since the beginning of spring. Police inspector Roman Timichev, who drew up a protocol on an administrative offense, could not answer in court what was regarded as the “discrediting of the armed forces” in Elena Neronova’s publications. “All the information that is posted on the page of Elena Neronova in Vkontakte represents discrediting,” the policeman said.

At the same time, the Judge rejected Elena Neronova’s request for a linguistic expertise of her publications.

Elena Neronova made a speech in her defence at the trial, in particular, she said:

“Someone may find it funny, but I remind you that the Russian Constitution guarantees me freedom of thought and speech, the right to freely seek, receive, transmit, produce and distribute information by any legal means. Also, according to the Constitution, Russia should not issues laws that abolish or diminish the rights and freedoms of man and citizen. Expressing my point of view with the posts mentioned here on my page in Vkontakte, I did not commit any illegal acts. My conscience is unclouded”.

Residents of Petrozavodsk supported Elena Neronova with flowers.

The court decision will be appealed.

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