The mass media reported on the case of rehabilitation of Nazism against the ex-associate professor of St. Petersburg State University

A criminal case under the article on the rehabilitation of Nazism was initiated against the former professor of the history faculty of St. Petersburg State University, Mikhail Belousov, who was fired for his anti-war statements. In particular, the Baza Telegram channel, the 78.ru website and the Fontanka publication reported this on Tuesday without citing sources.

According to 78.ru, the investigation believes that during a speech at the student council meeting on February 22, Mikhail Belousov “denied the connection between Hitler’s racial theory and the course of the Great Patriotic War and declared that he saw signs of falsification of history.” There is no official confirmation of the information, notes Sever.Realii.

According to “Fontanka”, the case was initiated on June 26. Mikhail Belousov faces a fine, restriction or imprisonment for 3 years.

Mikhail Belousov was dismissed from St. Petersburg State University on June 2. Before that, when discussing the death of university student Fyodor Solomonov during the war in Ukraine, the historian wrote in a chat that “direct and open approval of racism is disgusting.” The correspondence was published in pro-government telegram channels. The management of the university considered the teacher’s actions “immoral” and removed him from his post.

At the meeting of the Ethics Commission, Belousov claimed that the Telegram account with his name and photo that appeared on the screenshots was created without his knowledge.

A report on the “discrediting” of the army was drawn up against Belousov, which stated that he “expressed to the students his opinion about the participation of the Russian Armed Forces in the war, and not in a special military operation.” After the dismissal, the “discrediting” case against Belousov was closed due to the expiration of the statute of limitations.

• After the scandal with the dismissal of Belousov, students of the history faculty of St. Petersburg State University reported that they received threats on social networks because of their anti-war comments.
• The commission on ethics of St. Petersburg University stated that the statements of students of the historical faculty against the war in Ukraine violate the university code and are “incompatible with the status of students of St. Petersburg State University.” The website published the decisions of the commission regarding 10 students who could be expelled on the basis of violating the code of ethics. As a result, seven students were expelled.