The Yekaterinburg Oktyabrsky District Court issued a ruling against the former mayor Yevgeny Roizman, fined for discrediting the Russian army in a repeated civil case. The amount specified was 260 thousand rubles in one report, with subsequent updates noting the fine was set at 280 thousand rubles, reflecting a short deduction for the period of pre-trial detention from August 24 to August 25, 2022.
The court noted that Roizman faced a reduction in the fine by 20 thousand rubles due to this brief detention. The sanction was framed as a punitive measure connected to comments judged as discrediting the military, and the proceedings considered extenuating circumstances such as Roizman’s charitable activities, his role as a father to two young children, and his positive personal qualities.
The charge centers on the alleged discrediting of the armed forces. The current framework threatens potential imprisonment of up to five years under the cited provision, although the version of Part 1 of the relevant article in force at the time of the case’s opening primarily anticipated fines.
Following the verdict, Roizman faced a preventive restriction that limited certain activities pending the formal imposition of the penalty. This meant a temporary ban on public speaking and extensive internet use, particularly in public spaces.
Roizman described the decision as an acquittal under the circumstances and signaled that he did not plan to appeal. He remarked that his obligations remained to avoid stepping down and to continue serving in his position if possible, claiming these aims had been achieved overall.
Supporters lined the courtroom as Roizman exited, including a notable reception from attendees. He indicated that residents of Yekaterinburg would still be able to receive personal consultations and engage with his social media presence in a controlled manner, even while some restrictions remained in effect.
Attendance at the courtroom featured prominent figures who offered public support. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dmitry Muratov, formerly editor-in-chief of Novaya Gazeta, attended in a show of solidarity. A defense witness from the medical field and a renowned artist also contributed statements to the court. These appearances underscored the broader interest in Roizman’s case and its implications for public discourse.
The heart of the matter traces to a September 2022 search of Roizman’s residence in Yekaterinburg, the Nevyansk Icon Museum he opened from a private collection, and the Roizman Charitable Foundation’s offices. Investigators contended that Roizman, in a July 2022 broadcast on his YouTube channel, made remarks that were interpreted as undermining the authority of the Russian armed forces.
The former mayor denied guilt, stating that he never targeted the armed forces in his remarks. Earlier proceedings had produced administrative offense protocols under Article 20.3.3 of the Administrative Offenses Code, tied to Roizman’s statements on social media and other platforms that were alleged to discredit the armed forces.
As the case moved forward, the court’s decision reflected a balance of punitive measures with considerations of Roizman’s social contributions and personal circumstances. It highlighted the ongoing tension between free expression in public forums and the legal boundaries governing respect for state institutions in the country.