Volgograd activist claims violation of his right to defence in court

The Volgograd Regional Court has dismissed the complaint lodged by Evgeny Kochegin, an activist, who is suspected of disseminating deliberately false information about the actions of the Russian Army. Kochegin complained that his advocated was not let to the case materials, and that investigators were deliberately protracting with the familiarization of his defence with the case files.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that in May a Volgograd court ruled to arrest Evgeny Kochegin in absentia. He is on the wanted list, a court official has explained. Evgeny himself treats the criminal case against him as a revenge for his social and political activities.

"I am deprived of the right to a normal defence; my advocate is prevented from studying the case materials for far-fetched reasons," the "Kavkaz.Realii"** quotes the activist as stating.

Let us remind you that earlier Evgeny Kochegin was persecuted for his political activities. Thus, a case was opened against him for distributing the song "Kill the Beggars!" by the "Porn Movies" group in social networks. In February 2022, a court in Volgograd cancelled the decision to treat the song as extremist one.