A renowned Russian journalist and opponent, Ilia Azar, announced on Friday May 6 that he was being prosecuted for having criticized Moscow's offensive in Ukraine, a new example of the repression aimed at critics of this military intervention.
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Ilia Azar indicated on his Telegram channel that he was the subject of administrative proceedings for having "
discredited the use of Russian armed forces to protect the interests of Russia and its citizens, and to maintain international peace
", adding that this accusation was based on a message he had posted on Facebook.
The authorities "
do not specify which one, but I was beginning to think with concern that I had been forgotten or that I was not opposing the war clearly enough
", he quipped.
Ilia Azar, who is not currently in Russia, risks, according to him, a fine of up to 100,000 rubles (1,400 euros at the current rate).
Since the launch of the offensive in Ukraine at the end of February, the Russian authorities have multiplied the proceedings against the detractors of this military intervention which has caused thousands of deaths and caused a serious humanitarian crisis.
In particular, Russia has strengthened its legislative arsenal which makes it possible to punish with heavy fines or prison sentences anyone found guilty of having "
discredited
" the army or published "
false information
" about it.
Calling this military offensive a “
war
” is in theory enough to be prosecuted.
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Ilia Azar, 37, is a journalist who works for several media, including the independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta, which suspended its publication in Russia at the end of March in the face of the repressive climate.
He is also a political opponent in the municipal assembly of a district of Moscow.
This is not the first time that he has been worried by the Russian authorities.
In 2020, he had spent 10 days in prison after demonstrating alone in Moscow.
His detention had provoked protests.