The head of the Investigative Committee, Alexander Bastrykin, instructed to open a criminal case against actor Artur Smolyaninov.
“In an interview with one of the Western publications, Smolyaninov made a series of statements aimed at Russia,” the agency said on the Telegram channel.
At the same time, England did not specify under which clause it plans to sue the player.
The reason for starting the case was the actor’s interview with Novaya Gazeta Europe (blocked by Roskomnadzor), in which Smolyaninov said that he was “emotionally” ready for war on the Ukrainian side.
The actress, who told the stories of her Ukrainian acquaintances who were in a difficult situation due to the attacks of the Russian troops on the infrastructure facilities in Ukraine, said that she “feels nothing but hatred towards the people on the other side of the front.”
“If I were to go to this war, it would be on the side of Ukraine. Of course. Absolutely. Smolyaninov is not even on the “Ukrainian side” for me, but on the side of my brothers who were attacked by other brothers for me,” said Smolyaninov.
He also stated that he remained indifferent to the future fate of Russia, even if only one region remained from the country.
“Honestly, I don’t care what form Russia will stay in. It will disintegrate, it will not disintegrate. The Ural Republic will become the Pelmenskaya or Khakas Republic. Or there will be only one Jewish Autonomous Okrug, and everything else will turn into radioactive ashes, ”said the artist.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov commented on Smolyaninov’s statements at the request of journalists.
“The Kremlin does not think well of this actor. But in this case, it is more important what our relevant departments think about these words.”
Deputies’ reaction
After the publication of the interview, State Duma deputy Sultan Khamzaev, calling the actor a traitor, promised to apply to the Investigative Committee with a request to open a criminal case.
“Such actors should immediately cancel contracts for all state orders – films,” said the deputy of RIA Novosti.
After initiating the case, he thanked Bastrykin for his reaction and expressed the view that Smolyaninov’s remarks fall within the articles of calls for violation of territorial integrity and calls to engage in extremist activities.
Deputy Yana Lantratova said in an interview with the agency that she would invite her colleagues to discuss the measures to be taken against artists who oppose Russia’s actions.
“A person has lost contact with his country, the position of rivals is closer to him. I’m glad you went. This is a very good decision. Not for himself, but for our country,” added Lantratova.
In turn, deputy Yevgeny Popov saw that, in Smolyaninov’s words, “the rights and freedoms of other citizens of the country were violated.” It also called for “protecting our citizens from threats and denying citizens recognized by the criminal court the choices afforded by a Russian passport.” In response, Andriy Klishas, Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Constitutional Legislation, urged “not to compete with Ukraine in a way that violates the rights of its own citizens”.
Fine for discrediting Russia and leaving Russia
Artur Smolyaninov repeatedly opposed military operations after the start of the military operation in Ukraine and left Russia in the autumn. In October 2022, the actor was fined 30 thousand rubles for discrediting the Russian army. It is not known exactly what prompted the preparation of the protocol.
He also said that in April 2022 he had “gradually stopped being hired” after an interview with journalist Ekaterina Gordeeva (recognized as a foreign agent by a Ministry of Justice decision) in which she criticized Russia’s actions in Ukraine. According to the actress, she received offers to work abroad.
“I rejected most of them at the time because I still felt like there was no time I wanted to be here. [в России]while there is an opportunity, ”the artist admitted.
Now the actress lives in Latvia, where she went to various auditions. Smolyaninov admitted that in this country he was not in demand as much as in Russia before, so he had to look for work “in general”.
The 39-year-old Smolyaninov is best known for her role as Lyuty in Fyodor Bondarchuk’s 2005 film “9th Division” and for her roles in the films “Burnt by the Sun 2”, “Kalashnikov”, “Found Alive”, “Maria”. Save Moscow. From 2006 to 2022 he was part of the Sovremennik Theater troupe.