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On 30 June, the Dmitrovsky City Court of Moscow Region received a case on repeated discrediting of the army (part 1, Article 280.3 of the Criminal Code) against Alexandra Byzova. The SOVA research centre drew attention to this.
It is not yet known what the Moscow region resident is accused of. However, in May last year the same court fined her under administrative articles for insulting the state and authorities (part 3, Article 20.1 of the Code of Administrative Offences) and for public actions aimed at discrediting the use of the Russian Armed Forces (part 1, Article 20.3.3 of the Code of Administrative Offences).
The woman was ordered to pay the first fine of 30,000 roubles (about US$340) over posts on VKontakte. According to the court, the Dmitrov resident published photos and videos insulting Vladimir Putin and Russian state authorities.
In court, Alexandra Byzova pleaded guilty, but noted that since the start of the war she “has become negative towards the current government and president of the Russian Federation.”
“Moreover, personally towards the president <…> (here and in the following omissions, the court removed Putin’s full name—Ed.) she feels hatred, as she believes that he alone is to blame for the war on the territory of Ukraine and the deaths of soldiers and civilians,” the court judgement says.
Byzova also explained that on her page on VK she “highlighted socio-political and military-political issues,” posting news backed up by photos and videos.
“In the comments she actively encouraged people to speak out against <…> (Vladimir Putin), against the special military operation, posted videos and posts supporting Ukraine openly on her page, and also about how <…> (Vladimir Putin) ‘kills civilians with the Russian armed forces.’ Moreover, discussions broke out with other users under some posts, some condemned her statements and asked her to correct or delete her posts, but she did not do this, as she believed she was completely right and was expressing her opinion,” the document states.
The second fine, also of 30,000 roubles (about US$340), was again imposed because of photos and videos in social media. In court, Alexandra Byzova agreed with the protocol but stated: “I do not believe that my words in any way constitute discrediting of the Russian Armed Forces.”