A protocol has been drawn up against OVD-Info’s press secretary for participation in an “undesirable organisation.”

The prosecutor’s office drew up a protocol against OVD-Info’s press secretary, Dmitry Anisimov, as early as 13 March, according to case materials (available to the editorial team).

The reason for the administrative case was Anisimov’s participation in a discussion about political repression on the YouTube channel ‘Tranzit’—a project of the Free Russia Foundation. The Foundation was declared an “undesirable organisation” in June 2019.

Anisimov spoke about contemporary political persecution in Russia and ways to support political prisoners.

When gathering materials, Centre “E” requested a portrait analysis. An expert from Moscow Main Directorate’s centre compared photos of Anisimov from OVD-Info’s website with footage from the YouTube broadcast and concluded they were the same person.

“My case file contains 33 sheets of documents. Several specially trained people with higher education transcribed my comment, compared my photos, sent each other statements and inspection reports—for the administrative court case, it’s obvious they will need to be even more industrious. What an important reason to spend state resources!

Still, if this helps distract their attention from the political persecution of someone in a more vulnerable position, I don’t mind. It’s only a shame about the wasted paper,” Anisimov commented on his prosecution.

On 13 April, his case was submitted to the Simonovsky District Court (in Moscow). The court hearing is scheduled for 13 May.