Moscow resident Yuri Kokhovets now faces up to ten years behind bars after a linguistic examination found “motives of hate or hostility” in a comment he gave to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) about the war in Ukraine, OVD-Info reports.
Photo: social media
The previous charges against Kokhovets, who has been accused of spreading “fake news” about the Russian army, carried a punishment of up to five years in prison.
Last July, RFE/RL Russia published a video where Moscow residents gave their opinion on whether de-escalation between Russia and NATO countries is needed. Kokhovets, who was among those surveyed, was shown on video saying that Russia is “bombing shopping malls” and that Russian soldiers have executed civilians.
The criminal case against Kokhovets was opened on 23 March. He was released on his own recognizance.
Two of the experts responsible for requalifying Kokhovets’ case — maths teacher Natalia Kryukova and translator Alexander Tarasov — had previously participated in cases against Memorial.
