Actor Alexei Panin was charged with justifying terrorism

The Investigative Committee of Russia opened a criminal case on the justification of terrorism against the actor Alexei Panin. The reason was his statements about the explosion on the Krymsky Bridge, TASS reports. The actor may face up to five years in prison.

The Investigative Committee indicated that Panin approved the detonation of the bridge in social networks. It is not specified what exact statements he made.

Alexey Panin is a Russian theater and film actor, laureate of the State Prize of the Russian Federation in 2003. Lives in Spain since 2020.

• The explosion on the Krymsky Bridge occurred in October 2022, a few hours after the anniversary of Vladimir Putin. As a result of the explosion, five people died, about 250 meters of the highway collapsed, and seven tanks of a freight train burned.
• The Russian authorities regarded the destruction of the bridge as a terrorist act carried out by the Ukrainian special services. It has not been established who committed the detonation. Accordingly, any statements approving the actions of unknown people are considered justification for terrorism.
• After the beginning of Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine, criminal cases under the article “Justification of terrorism” are regularly initiated against people who expressed disagreement with the actions of the Russian authorities or support for Ukraine. Oral statements or posts and comments on the Internet may be the reason for initiating a case. According to this article, for example, former history teacher Nikita Tushkanov and Arkhangelsk student Olesya Kryvtsova are being prosecuted.