In Russia, an administrative case was opened due to Meduza’s reposts

A case was opened against the Russian journalist Valery Nechai under the administrative article on participation in the activities of an undesirable organization due to the Meduza reposts. This was reported by “Pervy Otdel”.

Nechaya was released to the district prosecutor’s office of St. Petersburg to hand over a copy of the decision to initiate the case. He himself does not know what exact reposts became the reason for his persecution.

The “First Department” suggested that the prosecutor’s office is counting on the media coverage of the case and the resulting increase in the atmosphere of fear in society.

The Russian authorities declared Meduza an undesirable organization in January 2023. Russians face a fine of up to 15,000 rubles for “participation in the activities of an undesirable organization”, which is also recognized as reposting, and up to five years in prison for financial assistance to an “undesirable” organization.

The case against Nechai is the second known case for Meduza’s reposts. Earlier in Krasnodar, local activist Vitaly Votanovsky was fined for them, “Novaya gazeta Evropa” drew attention. Criminal cases for donations to “undesirable” organizations have not yet been initiated, First Department noted.