The Prokhladnensky court of Kabardino-Balkaria fined local resident Shakarbay Pashshaliev 30,000 rubles for «discrediting» the army, reported the channel «We Can Explain»*. The reason was a video clip with the word «war» in his WhatsApp status.
The court's decision does not reference the video, but it is stated that it contained footage with «negative comments» about the «SVO». Among other things, the video included the word «war», which Pashshaliev physically could not hear.
«According to Ozhegov's explanatory dictionary, „war“ — is an armed struggle between states or peoples, between classes within a state, and „military operation“ — is coordinated military actions united by a common goal of solving operational or strategic tasks. Thus, a military operation differs from war in its objectives», — stated Judge Shabatukova in the ruling.
Pashshaliev — a third-group disabled person, deaf since childhood, and in court, he was questioned with the help of a sign language interpreter. At the hearing, he explained that the video was sent to him, after which he set it as his status on his phone, but did not expect it could «discredit» the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.
As stated in the court ruling, «he has a positive attitude towards the country's policy regarding the special military operation».
Meanwhile, the word «war» has long been used by both government members and Vladimir Putin and propagandists.
* Recognized as a «foreign agent» in Russia.