An independent linguistic examination carried out in the criminal case of local Novosibirsk City Council deputy Khelga Pirogova has not found any remarks “pertaining to activities of Russia’s Armed Forces (Russian servicemen) and expressing a negative view of their actions” in her words, Pirogova herself writes on her Facebook page.
“For any sane people, the results are obvious, there was no discreditation. I will remind everyone that aside from pressuring me to leave the country these parasites also conducted searches at my relatives’, went through two flats, showed up at the flat and country house of my husband’s parents,” Pirogova says.
According to the deputy, the investigation has sent the case materials for a re-examination. “We will see how pliable the linguists will be the second time around. Considering that the case went to Moscow, I won’t be surprised if they find some way out, I’m just curious to see how they do it,” she adds.
On 22 July 2022, the Investigative Committee opened a criminal case against Pirogova for spreading “fake news” about Russia’s Armed Forces on request of the head of the committee Alexander Bastrykin due to the comment she made on Twitter about funerals of Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine. Later on, Pirogova’s interview with TV Rain was added to the materials of her case.
On 25 July 2022, Pirogova said that she had left Russia for Georgia.
