11 November 2023, 18:23
Sochi activist Vladimir Atamanchuk accused of libel
Investigators have stopped the case of discrediting the Russian Armed Forces initiated against Vladimir Atamanchuk, a Sochi activist, but opened a criminal case of libel. He has refused to plead guilty.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on June 26, 2023, the prosecutor's office refused to drop the case of discrediting the Russian Army, initiated against Vladimir Atamanchuk.
On October 24, Atamanchuk said that law enforcers had promised to open a criminal case of libel to against him based on the complaints from two residents, with whom he took part in elections in the Krasnodar Territory a year ago. Law enforcers offered him to admit his guilt in exchange for stopping the cases of discrediting the Russian Army.
"I ... discredited or slandered nobody, but expressed my opinion; and this right is granted to me by the Constitution of the Russian Federation," Mr Atamanchuk has stated.
The criminal case of libel raises doubts about the legality and validity, Irina Zheltukhina, an advocate, has noted.
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on November 11, 2023 at 12:04 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
Author: Kristina Romanova Source: СK correspondent
