Gorinov is the first representative of the opposition, moreover, in an elected position, who received a prison sentence for his anti-war stance, writes the AFP agency. However, other activists are in custody awaiting trial.
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The 60-year-old Gorinov “deliberately committed the crime and knew that it was a public threat that could cause fear and anxiety among citizens,” Novaya Gazeta Evropa quoted the court’s decision as saying. Because of this, according to the judge, Gorinov will spend seven years in a penal colony.
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The police arrested Gorinov on April 26, and a day later the court sent him to custody. According to the investigation, the deputy, together with another deputy, Jelena Kotěnočkinová, made several statements at an official meeting on March 15 this year, which included “false information about the armed forces of the Russian Federation.”
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Official “Truth”
Among other things, Gorinov called the “special operation” a war and talked about the death of Ukrainian children. This information directly contradicts the official information of the Russian Ministry of Defense, the court states in its reasoning.
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The recording of the meeting, where the two deputies speak out against the war, appeared on the official accounts of the administrative office on several social networks. According to the BBC, Gorinov can be heard in the recording debating with another representative about holding a competition for children, arguing that such an event during the war feels like a “feast in the middle of a plague”. Kotěnočkinová also supported him in this.
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Another offense by Gorinov, according to the prosecutor, was the proposal that the meeting of the administrative office should begin with a moment of silence for the victims of the war in Ukraine.
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Punishment probably also awaits Kotěnochkinová, who, however, left Russia. Russian authorities have placed her on the list of internationally wanted persons, according to Novaya Gazeta Evropa.
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When the verdict was announced, Gorinov held a poster with the inscription “Do you still need this war?” writes the BBC. According to AFP, just before the sentence was announced, he was applauded by members of the public present in the courtroom, who were sent out by the court for this.
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Moscow troops invaded Ukraine on February 24 this year. Spreading false news about the operation of Russian armed forces in Ukraine is punishable by up to 15 years in prison in Russia. However, all information that is not exactly in line with Moscow’s official interpretation is considered such news.
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