Volgograd activist fined for discrediting army

In Volgograd, a court imposed a fine of 30,000 roubles on pensioner Tamara Grodnikova. Her solo picket against the blocking of independent media and in defence of Marina Ovsyannikova, an employee of the “Channel One”, was recognized as discrediting the Russian army.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that on March 15, the police detained Tamara Grodnikova, who came out to a solo picket in the centre of Volgograd against the blocking of independent media and in defence of Marina Ovsyannikova, who had appeared on air of the "Vremya" (Time) programme of Channel One in the evening on March 14 with a poster against the military operation of Russian troops in Ukraine and an appeal not to believe the propaganda.

The Central District Court of Volgograd fined Tamara Grodnikova 30,000 roubles under Article 20.3.3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, the activist herself has informed the “Caucasian Knot” correspondent today. “They have told me that if I don’t pay, the fine will be increased, or I will be arrested for 15 days. I told the court that I got a minimum pension. I also said that I did not agree with the charge, that I did not violate the mentioned article, and that the text on my posters does not contain any elements of the offense,” Tamara Grodnikova said. The pensioner also announced her intention to appeal against the court’s decision.

The country “actually introduced a ban on freedom of speech,” believes Tamara Grodnikova. “I have a desire to come to pickets, but I understand how difficult it is,” said the pensioner.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on March 17, 2022 at 02:49 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.