The fine for Khabarovsk journalist Sergey Mingazov has been increased on appeal in the case concerning alleged “military fakes.”

The sentence against Khabarovsk journalist Sergey Mingazov has been toughened in the case concerning alleged “military fakes” (part 1, article 207.3 of the Russian Criminal Code). This was reported by the Telegram channel Govorit NeMoskva (“NotMoscow Speaks”).

The fine imposed on him has been raised from 700,000 roubles (about US$7,600) to 3.2 million roubles (about US$35,000). In practice, he will have to pay 2.5 million roubles (about US$27,000), taking into account the time spent under house arrest. Mingazov has also been banned from administering websites, though the publication does not specify for how long. The court ruled to confiscate his phone and laptop, which had been seized during a search.

The prosecution insisted that the convicted person was motivated by hatred and enmity, demanded that the verdict be overturned and the case re-heard by a different panel of judges. This motive had initially featured in the charges but was omitted from the final verdict. Mingazov noted that as a journalist, he publishes various opinions, including official statements by the Russian authorities.

In February, Mingazov was sentenced to a fine of 700,000 roubles (about US$7,600) due to reposts about Bucha. The prosecutor had requested a six-year prison term. After the verdict, the journalist raised the money to pay the fine. The prosecution did not appeal within the legally prescribed two weeks, but submitted an appeal late, at the start of May. Later, the court restored their right to appeal without inviting either Mingazov or his lawyer to the hearing.

Mingazov, a Forbes journalist from Khabarovsk—a large city in Russia’s Far East—who has also worked with other outlets, was prosecuted for reposting three publications about the killings of civilians in Bucha. He posted them in his Telegram channel “Khabarovskaya Mingazeta” between 3 April and 10 May 2022. According to Govorit NeMoskva, one repost was from the Faridaily channel, another from the journalist Dmitry Kolezev’s channel, and the third from the outlet Sibir.Realii (“Siberia.Reality”).