A journalist who helped Ukrainian refugees was fined 50,000 rubles

The court in Moscow fined the journalist and volunteer Yulia Starostyna 50,000 rubles for the article on discrediting the army. This is reported by “Mediazona”.

The reason for the administrative case was the journalist’s statements on the air of the “Dozhd” TV channel in December – in particular, the words that she feels responsible for the war and believes that it is necessary to do what will help to end it.

In an interview, Yulia Starostyna also said that she made an anti-war tattoo, which is a reminder to her that “love and friendship are stronger than war.” The police, when drawing up an administrative protocol, also considered this phrase discrediting the Russian army.

The administrative article on the discrediting of the Russian army appeared shortly after its invasion of Ukraine. The use of the word “war” and not “special military operation” is considered discrediting.

The journalist’s lawyer, Yulia Tregubova, requested a linguistic examination of Starostyna’s words, but judge Alesya Orekhova refused. The defense insisted on the journalist’s innocence, as pacifist statements cannot be considered discrediting the armed forces. According to the lawyer, Starostyna only expressed her attitude to the situation, without specific assessments of the actions of the military.

Yulia Starostyna collaborated with “Proekt”, “The Bell”, “RBK” and “Meduzoi” publications.

From the spring of 2022, she used social networks to collect humanitarian aid, which she then took to places of accommodation for Ukrainian refugees in Russia. After the initiation of an administrative case, Starostina left Russia and temporarily suspended volunteer assistance to refugees.

• The administrative article on the discrediting of the Russian army provides for a fine of up to 50,000 rubles, for repeated violations of which a criminal case with a penalty of up to five years in prison is threatened.