A criminal case has been opened against 63-year-old Andrey Staroverov from the Novgorod region, involved in a defamation case, for using violence against a police officer and obstructing an investigation, reports the publication «7×7»*.
The transfer of criminal cases to court for using violence against a police officer and obstructing an investigation against a resident of the village of Khvoynaya was previously reported by the Investigative Committee of the Novgorod region. Now the activist himself has confirmed to the publication that he is involved in three criminal cases.
During the search, which was conducted for the first case, Staroverov refused to hand over his phone, which was recording everything happening. When the officer tried to take it, Staroverov moved his hand with the smartphone behind his back. The police officer then claimed that the activist hit him. Additionally, Staroverov refused to sign procedural documents. He tore up the search protocol and threw the pieces in the face of the Ministry of Internal Affairs investigator.
The first defamation case against the man was initiated due to a post about the deputy head of the village administration of Pes, Inna Fedorova, where he wrote that Fedorova «will eventually have to answer for both the illegal occupation of the position and participation in genocide». According to Staroverov, the investigation into the defamation case has stalled and has not yet reached court.
Andrey Staroverov is an engineer by education, was a deputy of the Petrosovet in the 1990s, but moved to the Novgorod region 15 years ago to engage in «preserving Russian folk culture». Staroverov calls the criminal cases revenge by officials - he opposed pension and municipal reforms, as well as amendments to the Constitution.
* Recognized in Russia as a «foreign agent».
Photo: 7x7