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The Simonovsky District Court in Moscow has fined OVD-Info press secretary Dmitry Anisimov 10,000 roubles (approximately US$110) under the article on “participation in the activities of an undesirable organisation” (Article 20.33 of the Code of Administrative Offences). Anisimov himself informed OVD-Info about this.
The case was prompted by Anisimov’s involvement in a discussion about political repression in Russia on the YouTube channel “Transit.” This channel is linked to the Free Russia Foundation project, which was declared an “undesirable organisation” in 2019.
Anisimov rejected the legitimacy of the prosecution and said he intends to appeal the court’s decision:
“I consider my administrative prosecution unlawful. Not because it contradicts the letter of the law. In fact, it is the freedom of interpretation of ‘participation in the activities of an undesirable organisation,’ enshrined in law, that allows law enforcement officials to label anything as such and arbitrarily persecute Russians.
My prosecution is unlawful because the decision itself has nothing to do with the legal field. I am planning to appeal it. Of course, I harbour no illusions about the outcome, but for me it is important to defend freedom of speech by all available means. That is precisely why I left Russia—so that, despite the repression, I can continue to speak out about what matters and people inside Russia, who are often deprived of this opportunity, can hear alternative perspectives and know they are not alone.
So I reserve the right to say what I consider important, how I see fit, and with those who need it. I dedicate my first political fine to my wife!”