Recent reports on the news portal describe Vitaly Borodin, head of the Federal Security and Anti-Corruption Project (FPBC), a figure known for raising concerns about cultural personalities, as having his lawyer status revoked. The decision, reportedly made by the Council of the Union of Bar Associations of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, is cited as the basis for the change.
The basis given for the revocation centers on ethical violations, specifically the combination of advocacy activity with human rights advocacy. The material in question was attributed to Eva Merkacheva, a member of the Human Rights Council under the President of Russia.
Borodin confirmed hearing the information in a conversation with a media outlet, noting uncertainty about the outcome and indicating that the person he spoke with could not confirm his status. He stated that no definitive ruling had been issued and that there was no public clarity on the matter yet.
He added that the characterization of the act as a violation does not automatically equate to a loss of status as a lawyer, and he did not provide specifics about the alleged violation.
In a parallel account, Elman Pashayev, a former lawyer involved in notable cases, suggested that the Bar Chamber did decide to strip Borodin of his status. He described the move as improper and asserted that there was no justification for terminating his status as a lawyer.
Pashayev has a history with similar proceedings; in 2020 he was deprived of his powers in the North Ossetian parliament after controversial public statements related to a high-profile accident case. His status was reinstated in September 2022, only to be terminated again a month later by the chamber.
Accusations against public figures
Towards the end of October, Borodin reportedly addressed the Russian Prosecutor General with an initiative aimed at questioning statements made by journalist Yuri Dud, who is designated as a foreign media agent in Russia. The appeal also touched upon comments by a singer and her spouse.
Earlier, Borodin had assumed the role of certain public figures in public discourse, including a widely known singer, a prominent pop star, an actress, a social media content creator, and other cultural personalities.
In April, Borodin filed a complaint with the prosecutor’s office concerning a prominent actor, alleging that he left the country after the military operation in Ukraine commenced. The actor responded with a civil suit for damages, while Borodin signaled plans to appeal a court ruling.
By September, Borodin had labeled a singer as a national traitor and urged a concert cancellation, though he later revised the stance, stating she was legally clean.
Beyond public denouncements, Borodin has called for investigations into tech company employees in the United States on espionage charges and has urged inquiries into a sugar producer linked to financing military efforts in the region.
Attack on a family member
Borodin described a serious incident involving his 13-year-old son, which he says occurred in Barvikha, outside Moscow, on a recent date. The account, shared on a Telegram channel, involves a playground dispute that led to further confrontation and alleged threats.
According to the channel, the teen confronted an individual who had smoked an electronic cigarette, an encounter he reported to his stepfather. Borodin noted that his son was followed and harmed, and he described threats of violence. The other party, identified as a stepfather by Borodin, claimed that there was no beating, only a confrontation during which the child was asked to comply with actions.
Following the incident, Borodin said the FPBC pressed for the attacker to be detained; the local prosecutor reportedly declined, prompting Borodin to file a police report.