The case of a resident of Yekaterinburg, who insulted a child wearing a hat with Z, was returned to the SC

The court in Yekaterinburg returned to the Investigative Committee the case of Alexander Neustroev, who was accused of hooliganism after he insulted an 11-year-old schoolboy wearing a hat with the letter Z. This is reported by the local publication It’s My City.

The incident, which was caught on video, happened in April. Later it turned out that the boy’s father was fighting in Ukraine. An administrative report was first drawn up against Neustroev, but after the story attracted the attention of pro-war bloggers, a criminal case of hooliganism was opened.

In June, the court dismissed the case and fined Neustroev 7,000 rubles. This decision caused indignation of the so-called patriotic telegram channels. They began to threaten Neustroeva with lynching.

The Prosecutor General’s Office of Russia needed to appeal the court’s decision in the Neustroev case, noting that it could not be stopped because “it is directed not only against the schoolboy, but also causes damage to the social and moral education of the younger generation and the interests of the Russian Federation.”

At the end of September, the court canceled the decision to terminate the case and sent it for a new review by a new set of judges.

At today’s court session, the investigation again asked to close the case and impose a fine, and the prosecutor’s office demanded to send materials for a new investigation.

• The symbol Z is considered an unofficial symbol of Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine. Ego is applied to Russian equipment, which is involved in the invasion of Ukraine. The symbol was repeatedly used at Russian actions in support of the war, including with the participation of children. In Russia, there is a threat of a fine for defacing Z. For example, fines have already been imposed for throwing paint at Z and spitting on Z.