A criminal case has been initiated against the Karelian journalist and regionalist Vadim Shtepa under the article «Organization of the activities of a terrorist organization and participation in the activities of such an organization», he reported this on his Telegram channel. According to Shtepa, he learned about the criminal case when he applied to the State Services portal for a certificate of the presence or absence of a criminal record. It is unknown which «terrorist community» is being referred to.
«I thought for a long time — what «terrorist communities» did I create? Well, perhaps in my youth — a gang of music and film enthusiasts. Then — the magazine «INACHE». Then — the project «Region.Expert», — wrote Shtepa, noting that Russia itself is conducting a «terrorist war» against a neighboring country, but accuses citizens of «terrorism».
Under this article, the Karelian journalist, who moved to Estonia in 2015, faces up to 20 years in prison.
On April 8, the Russian authorities included Shtepa in the list of «terrorists and extremists». Last year, the Petrozavodsk City Court fined the political emigrant 5 thousand rubles in absentia for a video recording on YouTube of his speech at the press conference of the «Forum of Free Peoples of Post-Russia», which is recognized in the Russian Federation as an «undesirable organization».
* Included in the list of «terrorists and extremists».
Photo: TG Vadim Shtepa