14 April 2024, 16:57
Sochi activist Vladimir Atamanchuk sentenced to forced labour
A court in Sochi has sentenced the 72-year-old Vladimir Atamanchuk to 200 hours of compulsory labour, finding him guilty of libel. Besides, he must pay 40,000 roubles in compensation to one of the victims. The activist intends to appeal against the court's ruling.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on November 11, 2023, investigators closed the case of discrediting the Russian Armed Forces initiated against Atamanchuk, but opened a libel criminal case against him. One of the victims claimed 100,000 roubles from Atamanchuk as compensation for the suffered moral harm. Vladimir treated the case as fabricated and stated the forgery in the protocols of court sessions.
On October 24, 2023, Atamanchuk reported that law enforcers promised to open a criminal case against him for libel based on a complaint lodged from two residents with whom Atamanchuk had earlier took part in elections in the Krasnodar Territory. He has noted that law enforcers had offered him to admit guilt in libel in exchange for dropping the case of discrediting the Russian Army.
"The judge was not impartial. It was felt that she was aimed at a guilty verdict," Atamanchuk has noted.
He was outraged by the court's ruling. "I, a 72-year-old pensioner, will be forced to work for 200 hours for free. Will my age and health allow me to do this?" Vladimir has asked.
He has also treated the volume of the fine imposed as too high, noting that it is not easy to pay 40,000 roubles from the pension of just over 10,000 roubles. "I have to eat and drink nothing for four months to pay the fine off," he has stated.
Irina Zheltukhina, Atamanchuk's advocate, treats the court's ruling as unfair.
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on April 13, 2024 at 00:45 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
Author: Kristina Romanova Source: СK correspondent
