Resident of Novorossiysk fined for posting flag on social media

The publication of the flag of a Ukrainian paramilitary formation was the reason to impose a fine on a resident of the city of Novorossiysk. He posted the flag image in a social network 10 months before the above formation was banned in Russia.

A Novorossiysk court has fined Pavel Tkachenko for posting the image of the flag of the "Freedom of Russia" Legion*, the human rights project "OVD-Info"** has reported.

Tkachenko has refused to plead guilty and explained that in May 2022 he posted the above image "without any intent," and did not delete it because he does not use the page. The court ruling states that the organization whose flag was posted by Tkachenko was recognized as a terrorist organization, and its activities in Russia were banned by the court 10 months after posting was made – on March 16, 2023. Nevertheless, the Leninsky District Court of Novorossiysk found Pavel Tkachenko guilty and sentenced him to a fine of 2000 roubles.

The "Caucasian Knot" has also reported that Sofia Burger, a woman from Krasnodar, was found guilty of posting extremist symbols and fined for posting the flag of Ukraine in a social network. She had earlier been fined for discrediting Russian militaries.

*On March 16, 2023, on the lawsuit lodged by the Russian General Prosecutor's Office (GPO), the Supreme Court (SC) of the Russian Federation found the "Freedom of Russia" Legion as a terrorist organization and banned its activities in Russia.

**Included by the Russian Ministry of Justice (MoJ) into the register of foreign agents.