Pogosyan Ruben Razmikovich

In Petrozavodsk, at the end of August 2022, a criminal case was opened against local resident Ruben Poghosyan for "fakes" about the Russian army." They conducted a search of him and detained him for 24 hours before choosing a preventive measure. The reason for the criminal prosecution was reposts of publications about events in Bucha, Mariupol, and Kramatorsk on VKontakte. Pogosyan himself did not plead guilty, claiming that he was sure of the reliability of the reports. On August 30, the Petrozavodsk City Court chose Pogosyan a measure of restraint in the form of a prohibition of certain actions. Internet and communication devices were prohibited for him, as well as communicating with other participants in the criminal case, except for the investigation and defense, attending mass events, and leaving Petrozavodsk. The investigator also requested to limit the time when Poghosyan could leave his home, but the court denied this request. Charges were toughened on January 13, 2023. Charges were supplemented with a "motive of political hatred. On February 29, 2024, Judge Roman Paramonov of the Petrozavodsk City Court of the Republic of Karelia found Ruben Poghosyan guilty and sentenced him to six years in a general regime penal colony. On July 15, 2024, the Supreme Court of the Republic of Karelia left the verdict in force.