An animal rights activist from Krasnodar was fined for discrediting the army after a deputy's denunciation.

A court in Krasnodar fined animal rights activist Elena Nasedkina for discrediting the Russian armed forces. The activist intends to appeal the decision. A denunciation of Nasedkina was filed by a Z-blogger and city council member, who is now threatening her with criminal prosecution.

On November 19, the Leninsky District Court of Krasnodar fined animal rights activist Elena Nasedkina 30,000 rubles, finding her guilty of discrediting the Russian army. The charge was based on a denunciation by blogger Sergei Klimov, a city council member from the New People party. Nasedkina intends to appeal the fine, a colleague of hers, who was present at the court hearing, told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

“A report was drawn up against a 51-year-old woman after Sergei Klimov contacted the FSB, which he himself publicly announced on his Telegram channel,” Nasedkina’s colleagues said. In his posts, Klimov ridiculed and insulted the animal rights activist, and also speculated that she was misusing the collected funds.

“It’s possible that, under the guise of caring for animals, the collected funds are being used to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces! (...) All the screenshots are there, everything is recorded and sent to the authorities (...) at least now she won’t so freely promote her anti-Russian position!” Klimov wrote on September 21.

According to animal rights activists, it was these blogger’s posts that led to Nasedkina being summoned to Center E and the report being drawn up. This protocol, a copy of which is in the possession of the Caucasian Knot, is dated October 21. Nasedkina administered the Telegram channel "Zoologika," where she published "a post aimed at discrediting the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation during the conduct of the Special Military Operations on Ukrainian territory," the document states.

In the post, a screenshot of which is available on Klimov's channel, animal rights activists express concern that a large number of animals and birds are suffering and dying as a result of the fighting, while Ukrainian volunteers are unable to help them. Nasedkina subsequently deleted the post.

The court hearing on November 19 lasted about an hour. Neither Sergei Klimov nor the security officials who drafted the protocol appeared in court. Three animal rights activists came to the courtroom to support Nasedkina. In court, Nasedkina stated that she was forced to accept the report, which she was given in an "almost illegible" form, when summoned to the FSB.

"Since I have a serious illness, and the security forces refused to let me out for a long time, I was forced to admit my guilt in order to go home and take my pills. But I will not admit my guilt in court because I believe everyone has the right to their own opinion—this is enshrined in Article 29 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation," animal rights activist Marina Sokolova quoted her testimony. According to those present, Judge Lavrov "did not deliberate for long" and the decision to fine her "was predetermined."

On the afternoon of November 19, after Nasedkina's trial, Klimov wrote another post threatening the activist that he would have a criminal case opened against her for discrediting the Russian army. "The next similar charge against her will be criminal; by the way, we've already collected the materials. As soon as the decision comes into force, we'll move on to the second act of the play. Russia is no place for traitors!" Klimov wrote in this post.

In the same post, Klimov insulted another animal rights activist who spoke out in defense of Nasedkina, and told another activist to "prepare" for a similar denunciation.

Animal rights activist from the Krasnodar Territory, Denis Dzhalaganiya, who had previously been charged with discrediting the army, expressed regret that persecution of activists under this charge is "becoming the norm." "They also filed a second report against me based on a denunciation. A court date hasn't been scheduled yet, but they've issued a warning: if I open my mouth again, there will be criminal charges. Such orders are contrary to the Russian Constitution, the article on freedom of speech and opinion. This is pressure, and it's becoming the norm," he told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent by phone.