Veteran of Chechen war fined for sticker with a crossed-out Z letter

A court in Tambov has fined a combatant in Chechnya by 30,000 roubles, treating a sticker with a crossed-out Z sign as discrediting militaries. He refused to plead guilty.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that since March 4, 2022, an article has been in force in Russia that provides for a fine for discrediting the Russian Armed Forces. According to This article, participants in pacifist actions and authors of publications in social networks are held accountable. A repeated violation within a year threatens criminal prosecution.

Oleg Borisenko, a 57-year-old veteran of the Chechen campaign, was fined by 30,000 roubles for a sticker on his car, the human rights project "OVD-Info"* reports in its Telegram channel.

According to the court ruling, Borisenko has discredited the Russian Army with this sticker, since "the crossed out letter Z expresses a negative attitude towards the special military operation (SMO) conducted by the Russian Armed Forces."

Oleg refused to plead guilty, stating that the Z sign is not among the symbols of the Russian Armed Forces. He also said that he had taken part in hostilities in Chechnya and Syria.

Let us remind you that the first Chechen campaign lasted from December 11, 1994, to December 31, 1996. The second Chechen campaign began on September 30, 1999, and lasted until August 2009.