27-year-old resident of Elektrostal, Sergey Veselov, is accused of spreading "fakes" about the army, "participation in a terrorist organization" and vandalism motivated by "political hatred", writes SOTAvision**.
According to the investigation, on February 27, 2024, the man made an inscription "losses of the Russian army killed approximately 500 thousand" on a bus stop in his city with a marker. He did this, as he explained in court, on an assignment received in Telegram from a curator of the Legion "Freedom of Russia".
The case materials indicate that Veselov filled out an introductory questionnaire in "LSR" on December 22, 2023, and was supposed to make at least 10 graffiti by March 3. The prosecution believes that the man shared opposition views and anti-war sentiments.
As reported by a SOTAvision correspondent from the courtroom, the defendant's mother, Tatyana Veselova, questioned as a witness, said that her son was against the "SVO", he was concerned about the possibility of full mobilization. Now he regrets his action and believes he underestimated the risks: "He says he would rather have worked than sat here".
The defendant himself partially admitted guilt — only under the article on participation in "terrorist" activities. Veselov disagreed with the accusation of spreading "fakes", as he is sure that many servicemen died, and did not admit vandalism, as the inscription was made on an information stand, not on the stop itself. At the same time, already in court, Veselov said that he initially contacted "LSR" to establish peaceful contact. Now, according to him, he regrets his action and has changed his views.
Lawyer Tsareva attached a response in which the municipal improvement institution refuses compensation for the damage to the stop, as the violations were corrected by third parties, and the amount of damage amounted to 2059 rubles.
* Recognized in Russia as a "terrorist" organization.
** Recognized in Russia as a "foreign agent".