Afanasev Mikhail Vyacheslavovich

Case Summary

Mikhail Afanasev, chief editor of "New Focus," was sentenced to 5.5 years in prison for spreading false information about the Russian Armed Forces. The case stems from an article he published about OMON officers refusing to participate in the "special operation" in Ukraine.

Charges (1)

1. Public dissemination of knowingly false information about the use of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation by a group of persons using their official position

Criminal Code Articles (1)

Key Facts (4)

• Awarded the Andrei Sakharov Prize 'For Journalism as an Act'
• Article claimed OMON officers refused to fight due to heavy losses
• Authorities claim the article contained false information about the number of casualties and the level of supply
• Article was removed from the website but a copy remains in the web archive

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