In case of Sochi resident Schus, court agrees to interrogate a linguist

The defence has convinced the court to interrogate an expert linguist at a hearing of the case of Alexei Schus, a Sochi engineer, accused of spreading fakes about the Russian Army. Alexei has complained to his advocate about the custody conditions at the SIZO (pre-trial prison).

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that this April, Alexei Schus became a defendant in a criminal case on fake news about the Russian Army due to his reposts in a social network made more than two years ago. On August 15, 2024, investigators toughened the charges, adding an article on illegal manufacture of weapons, and Schus, who was under a recognizance not to leave the place, was arrested.

Schus has deleted the posts from the social network, which law enforcers had treated as the spread of fakes about the Russian Army, while the weapon he was accused of making was a modification of a slingshot, his advocate has claimed. Relatives are confident in his innocence, Alexei's father has stated.

The advocate has added that Schus is kept at the SIZO in Krasnodar and is in a depressed state. He said that it is "very difficult for him to endure the custody conditions."

"There are a lot of people in the cell; everyone smokes; and he has never even tried a cigarette. He is rarely and for little allowed out for a walk. Alexei also has a hard time enduring the transfers," his advocate has explained.