Russian authorities opened at least four criminal cases over online posts in occupied Crimea over a two-week period

Over the past two weeks, Russian security forces have announced at least four new criminal cases against residents of temporarily occupied Crimea over posts, comments and other online content. The detentions were announced by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) and other Russian security agencies.

Illustrative photo. Source: Russian media

Russian security forces detained a citizen of Ukraine born in 1961 in the city of Sudak. The FSB alleged that she had posted calls on Telegram to kill Russians. A criminal case was opened against her, and she could face up to five years in prison. The court imposed a travel restriction, requiring her to remain in the area.

Another case was opened against a man born in 1999 from Saky district. Russian security forces allege that he publicly supported the Ukrainian Azov unit, which Russia has designated a terrorist organisation. He could face up to seven years in prison. 

The FSB also reported detaining another man born in 1992 from Saky district. Russian security forces allege that he posted comments on Telegram calling for terrorist attacks. He too could face up to seven years in prison. 

In Kerch, Russian security forces detained a local man born in 1973 who had previously been prosecuted. They alleged that he had used Telegram to endorse strikes on Russian military facilities, express support for the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) and call for Russians to be killed. They also alleged that he had sent Ukrainian channels footage of Russian air defences in operation. A criminal case was opened against him under Article 205.2 of Russia’s Criminal Code, which covers “public calls for terrorist activity, public justification of terrorism or propaganda of terrorism”. He could face up to seven years in prison under this article. In 2023, he was convicted of publicly calling for extremist activity. 

None of the four detainees have been named. 

ZMINA previously reported that a man in occupied Melitopol was on trial over an online comment he had posted four years earlier. 

In occupied Melitopol, Russian security forces are prosecuting a 38-year-old local resident for allegedly “using the internet to publicly call for activities that undermine Russia’s security”.

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