Lawyers discuss damage of patriotic banners in Novocherkassk

The suspect of damaging banners in Novocherkassk can be prosecuted under a criminal article on discrediting the actions of Russian militaries, especially if his relevant statements are found on the Internet, Evgeny Chernousov, a lawyer, is sure. Other lawyers, Galina Tarasova and Kirill Koroteev, object, noting that in this case, criminal prosecution is possible under the article on inflicting damage to property or under an administrative article on discrediting the army.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that in September, law enforcement bodies opened criminal cases on discrediting the Russian Army after the banners with portraits of participants in the special operation in Ukraine were damaged in Rostov-on-Don and Novocherkassk. On October 16, it became known that a local resident had been detained within the case of damaging banners in the above cities. He said that a friend from another country had advised him to pour paint on the banners.

Galina Tarasova, a lawyer, believes that criminal prosecution under the article on discrediting the army for the damaged banners is unlikely.

However, Evgeny Chernousov, her colleague, finds it possible to initiate a criminal case. "It all depends on the directedness and intent. If they were in place, then a person may face criminal liability. If a person declares that he is against the military operation in Ukraine, he is subject to examination, as well as his correspondence on the Internet" the lawyer has noted.

It should be noted here that that the "Donnews.ru" outlet has informed, citing the press service of the Chief Department of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) for the Rostov Region, that a number of criminal cases had been opened under the article on discrediting the army. On October 16, the "Rostov-Gazeta" reported that a criminal case had been initiated against the detainee for damaging banners under the article on vandalism.