Kuban resident fined for his post about May 9 celebrations

The court has sentenced Grigory Belik, a resident of Kuban (Krasnodar Territory), to a fine of 176,000 roubles for his critical assessment of the May 9 celebrations. The man has emphasized that he treats the Victory Day itself a holy holiday.

Grigory Belik, a resident of the Krasnoarmeisky District, was punished for spreading "the information expressing obvious disrespect for the society" about the days of Russia’s military glory, the united press service of the Krasnodar Territorial courts has reported in its Telegram channel today, on June 6.

Grigory was found guilty under Part 4 of Article 354.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, which provides for up to five years of freedom deprivation. "It was established that in May 2023, he posted the text in the page of his social network, the meaning of which boils down to the fact that celebrating May 9 is "absurd, shameful and disgraceful." The text also contained expressions that insulted the people for whom May 9 is the Victory Day – a sacred holiday," the report says.

In court, Grigory Belik stated that he "had posted the text by accident" and that he "treats May 9 as a sacred holiday." "The court found Belik's guilt proven and sentenced him to a fine in the amount of the convict's other income (pension) for a period of one year, that is, in the amount of 176,751 roubles," the above press service has informed.

I ask the court to take into account that May 9 is a sacred holiday for me.

The report is illustrated with a video recorded in the courtroom. There, an elderly man speaks to the participants of the hearing. "I ask the court to take into account that May 9 is a holy holiday for me, and on May 9 I go to cemeteries and to all the war veterans, the guys who fight at the special military operation (SMO); I lay carnations, I buy specially red ribbons – this is a symbol of the red banner – and I lay them.

This was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on June 6, 2025 at 01:54 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.