Bilega Anna Georgievna

In the urban-type settlement. Residents of Shakhtërsk, Uglegorsk urban district, Sakhalin Oblast, came to search the home of 48-year-old local resident, journalist of the Uglegorsk News newspaper, Anna Bilegi, in February 2023. A criminal case was opened against her for repeated "discrediting of the army. According to the investigation, the woman posted comments on "Odnoklassniki" containing statements "of a discrediting nature." Earlier, in March 2022, the Uglegorsk City Court fined Bilega in a case of an administrative offense under the article "discrediting the army. The reason for the fine was certain information that the woman posted in a WhatsApp group. During the investigation, the defendant in the case was placed under a written undertaking not to leave and to behave properly. On October 6, 2023, the Uglegorsk City Court of the Sakhalin Region found Anna Bilega guilty and sentenced her to two years of probation with a probationary period of two years." "Also, the court banned the journalist from administering websites on the Internet for two years. The verdict was not appealed and entered into legal force. In June 2023, Bilegu was summoned for questioning. Second criminal case was initiated against her for repeated "discrediting" of the Russian army. this time, the reason for criminal prosecution was messages in a WhatsApp group and a link to a YouTube video posted on her page on Odnoklassniki. The journalist was also placed under a travel restriction during the investigation. On October 31, 2023, the Uglegorsk City Court of the Sakhalin Region found Anna Bilega guilty and sentenced her to two years of imprisonment with a probationary period of two years. Also, the court banned the journalist from administering websites on the Internet for two years. The verdict was not appealed and entered into legal force.