The dissemination of “false information about the use of the Russian armed forces” is punishable in Russia by 15 years in prison, under a new article of the penal code adopted in early March by the Russian authorities.
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A new imprisoned opponent. After Alexeï Navalny, the former journalist Vladimir Kara-Mourza, another fierce detractor of the Kremlin, was placed in pre-trial detention on Friday April 22 “until June 12”, lawyer Vadim Prokhorov said in a statement posted on Facebook. This arrest is part of an investigation for “false information” on the activities of the army in Ukraine. The spread of “false information about the use of the Russian armed forces” is liable in Russia to 15 years in prison, under a new article of the penal code adopted in early March by the Russian authorities.
The authorities have strengthened their legal arsenal to control communication on the military operation in Ukraine. Other similar investigations have been opened against critics of the conflict. Using the words “war” or “invasion” to describe the intervention in Ukraine is enough to get you sued. Vladimir Kara-Murza, 40, has repeatedly criticized the military intervention in recent weeks, especially on social networks. Even before his placement in pre-trial detention, he was behind bars after being sentenced on April 12 to 15 days in prison for “disobedience to the police”. He also claimed to have been poisoned twice, in 2015 and 2017, as a result of his political activities.