FSS expert finds signs of extremism in Markelov's article

FSS criminal expert has found signs of extremism in the article by the murdered lawyer Stanislav Markelov "Patriotism as a Diagnosis", published in autumn 2009 in the "Avtonom" magazine.

Svetlana Mochalova, expert of criminalistic laboratory at the Russian FSS department for Sverdlovsk oblast, makes a conclusion in her forensic expert opinion that "the magazine contains information of extremist character, specifically: violent change of the constitutional regime and disruption of integrity of the Russian Federation; incitement of social discord; violation of freedoms and legitimate interests of persons and citizens, depending on their social affiliation".

The Inter-regional human rights association "AGORA" reports that the following phrase is recognized as extremist:

"One should not draw any difference between patriotism and nationalism. Great-power calls from the top turn into nationalistic pogroms in the streets, while the former Communists standing in the church porch with candles in hand provoke obscurantism and medievalism. One should not think that this is the stupidity of power. People deprived of their future are acerbated and ready to pour their anger on everyone straight away. It is advantageous for the authorities when this hatred is directed against down-and-out Gastarbeiters, rather than against thievish Mercedes cars stuffed with fat new Russians. Our authorities are afraid of burning Mercedes cars because they drive such cars themselves, and it is easier for them to lament about regular nationalistic pogroms, while simultaneously pushing discontented people towards them. They are minions, their task is to get rich and retain their power. They sacrifice people as a small change by offering the narcotic of patriotism in exchange of their own well-being and safety".

"This opinion is obviously ungrounded. In addition, the expert has gone beyond her frame of competence by answering the question on the presence or absence of extremism. The courts have repeatedly noted that experts are not entitled to give answers on the point of law, this is an exclusive competence of the court. Linguists are entitled to make conclusions about the presence or absence of appeals, expressions of pejorative or insulting character, but not about extremism", notes lawyer Ramil Akhmetgaliev, legal analyst of the AGORA Association.

It is noted that AGORA has initiated an independent comprehensive study at a state university of Russia, "the name of the university is not disclosed in order to avoid pressure of the FSS on experts".