New lawsuit against Ponomarev
The Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation has opened a criminal case against former State Duma deputy Ilya Ponomarev, who is described in Russia as a foreign agent, for disseminating allegedly false information about the Russian military. This development was reported by TASS. Ponomarev left Russia in 2014, has been labeled a foreign agent domestically, and faces separate embezzlement allegations.
The Investigative Committee stated that the case concerns deliberate spreading of misinformation about the use of the Russian Armed Forces. Law enforcement officials began a series of searches on administrators of several Telegram channels in seven Russian cities, as well as on former Moscow city deputies, during the operation conducted on Thursday.
A TASS source noted that searches targeted individuals who attended a gathering called the Congress of People’s Deputies in Poland from November 4 to 7 and who were later nominated in Moscow elections in September 2022 via the Nomination platform.
The editors added that Ponomarev expressed support for the National Republican Army and for Russia’s Freedom Legion. The National Republican Army has been linked to sabotage activities in areas under Russian control, while the Freedom Legion has been involved in projects opposing Russian forces in Ukraine.
Detentions and searches
A law enforcement source told RIA Novosti that searches occurred in seven regions. The agency noted that Ponomarev, while abroad, was placed on a wanted list and was arrested in absentia.
Officials said searches targeted the administrators of Telegram channels and former Moscow deputies who attended the Congress of People’s Deputies in Poland, described as taking place on a February morning.
TASS, citing an unnamed source, reported searches at the homes of former Moscow deputies Sergei Tsukasov and Vladimir Zalishchak. In addition, a Moscow State University mathematics and mechanics faculty member, Assoc. Lobanov, described as a union activist who participated in protests against the demolition of historic buildings, was noted. He ran in the 2021 State Duma elections but did not win a seat.
All computer equipment, mobile phones and documents were confiscated. A source cited by RIA Novosti said authorities are probing possible links between Telegram channel administrators and former lawmakers in foreign intelligence services, including the Security Service of Ukraine and others.
On the Tyumen news site 86.RU there was a report about the detention of Nikita Kiforuk, the editor-in-chief. Editors said he traveled to the regional capital with his family to celebrate the New Year and that tools and phones were taken for examination. Kiforuk was able to contact the 72.RU editorial office to report the detention and was later allowed to return home. The same search tied to the Ponomarev case also targeted 72.RU journalist Artur Galiyev.
Artur Galiyev described an 8 am visit by security forces, who took a computer, a phone and flash drives. The editorial staff suggested the action might relate to Ilya Ponomarev, who was recognized as a foreign agent in 2022, though Galiyev emphasized he did not know of any link between himself and the former deputy.
Who is Ilya Ponomarev?
Ilya Ponomarev, aged 47, served as a State Duma deputy representing the A Just Russia faction during the fifth and sixth convocations. His career included roles at Yukos and a advisory post to Viktor Vekselberg, head of the Skolkovo Foundation. In March 2014 he became the only Duma deputy to oppose Russia’s annexation of Crimea. Later that year, he traveled to the United States in a parliamentary capacity.
In 2015, he faced a criminal case regarding alleged embezzlement connected to the Skolkovo Foundation. On June 10, 2016, the State Duma removed him from several duties due to extended absences from plenary sessions. Since 2016, Ponomarev has resided in Kyiv. In October 2022, the Department of Justice designated him as a foreign agent.