The 2nd Western District Military Court found Anastasia Berezhinskaya guilty under articles on 'fakes', 'discrediting' the army, and 'justification of terrorism', and sentenced her to 8 years in a general regime colony, as well as a 3-year ban on administering websites, reported a SOTAvision* correspondent from the courtroom. Berezhinskaya was taken into custody in the courtroom; before the sentence, she was under a travel ban.
The prosecution requested 10 years in a colony, although it recognized the presence of two minor children dependent on her, the defendant's health condition, and her difficult financial situation as mitigating circumstances. According to the case materials, she was diagnosed with 'mixed personality disorder', but the commission concluded that she does not require compulsory treatment.
Berezhinskaya refused to participate in the debates. In her final statement, the defendant said: 'Your honor, I have nothing to say or add. I will accept any of your decisions.' She also reported chronic illnesses in herself and epilepsy in her husband, with whom they are raising two children.
Berezhinskaya is accused of spreading military 'fakes' and 'discrediting' the Russian army due to four anti-war posts and comments on 'VKontakte' about events in Bucha and Kramatorsk.
Under the article on 'justification of terrorism', she is charged with three comments under her own post from May 13, 2022, 'inciting actions related to murder, including with firearms, of the president'.
Berezhinskaya's page is blocked in Russia at the request of the prosecutor's office.
In court, testimony from witness Parkhomenko from Krasnodar was read — she, 'offended' by the defendant's posts, contacted Rospotrebnadzor. The investigation also provided an expert examination that confirmed the presence of 'calls for terrorism' in the publications.
* Recognized in Russia as a 'foreign agent' and 'undesirable' organization.
Photo: SOTAvision