State Duma Deputy Andrei Kolesnik in an interview with the publication “Moscow region today” commented on court decisions that sentenced journalist Alexander Nevzorov (known in the Russian Federation as a foreign agent) and blogger Veronika Belotserkovskaya (known in the Russian Federation as a foreign agent) to eight and nine years in prison, respectively.
“Okay, I just escaped from Russia. A lot of rabbit blood. Let them sit and work. But when one person works against Russia, it’s called information warfare. Sometimes it’s more serious than a gun. “Bad tongues are worse than a gun,” said the MP.
At the same time, he noted that “traitors to the Fatherland” are punished according to the law: there is evidence, publications. Kolesnik himself admitted that he would act more harshly towards these people. He stated that he could express his opinion on this issue in the State Duma.
“If a person has committed some serious crimes against Russia, the penalties may be different,” the politician continued.
According to him, this punishment can be executed in the lands where the “traitor” resides.
“Now the conflict continues. So they need to be more careful,” he said.
The broadcast’s correspondent asked Kolesnik if he was talking about the death penalty. In response, the parliamentarian expressed the view that this exceptional penal measure could be used “for treason”.
He recalled that there is currently a moratorium on the death penalty in the Russian Federation, although it “exists” in Russian legislation.
“The decision to lift the moratorium is made by the court, not the State Duma. Although many in the State Duma are inclined to this, ”the deputy added.
Moscow Basmanny Court February 1 prisoner in absentia Journalist Alexander Nevzorov was sentenced to up to eight years in prison in the forgery case against the Russian Armed Forces. February 6, same court prisoner in absentia blogger Veronika Belotserkovskaya was also sentenced to nine years in prison for forgery of the RF Armed Forces.