The founder of the Noviy Fokus media Mikhail Afanasyev is accused of extremism for exposing different abuses by the interior
Press Release, 9.11.2022
Photo: A screenshot of the main page of the online media Noviy Fukus ( The New Focus) khakasia.info
An administrative case was filed under Article 20.3.1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses (inciting hatred or enmity) against the legal entity of the Internet media Noviy Fokus in Abakan. The Public Prosecutor’s Office in Abakan sees violations in the publications of the media, the editor-in-chief of which is Mikhail Afanasyev, a member of the Yabloko party. He is also the founder of the legal entity – the founder of the media.
According to the public prosecutors, the articles of the independent media in 2018-2021 demonstrate the signs of “insulting public morality” and “humiliation of human dignity” of employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The case will be considered by the Abakan City Court, which will also make a decision on the criminal case against Mikhail Afanasyev, editor-in-chief of Noviy Focus. Afanasyev is charged under Article 207.3 Part 2 paragraph “a” of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, allegedly for disseminating false information about the armed forces of the Russian Federation using his official position (https://eng.yabloko.ru/a-criminal-case-for-fakes-filed-in-abakan-khakassia-against-mikhail-afanasyev-journalist-and-a-yabloko-member/ ).
Mikhail Afanasyev has been in jail since April. He can face up to ten years in prison. Yabloko announced fundraising for his family (https://eng.yabloko.ru/29470-2/ ).
Posted: November 9th, 2022 under Freedom of Assembly, Freedom of Speech, Governance, Human Rights, Judiciary, Russia-Ukraine relations, Yabloko's Regional Branches.