Russian Journalist Sergei Mingazov Detained on Charges of Spreading False Information About Military

Sergei Mingazov, a journalist for the Russian edition of Forbes magazine, has been detained in the city of Khabarovsk on charges of spreading false information about the Russian military. Mingazov's lawyer, Konstantin Bubon, stated that his client was detained due to social media posts he made about the Ukrainian city of Bucha, where over 400 bodies of civilians were found, many bearing signs of torture, after Russian forces withdrew in April 2022.

Mingazov will appear in court on Saturday, facing a charge that could send him to prison for up to 10 years if he is convicted. The journalist was detained under a law passed shortly after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which prescribes long jail sentences for people convicted of deliberately spreading false news about the Russian armed forces.

The arrest of Mingazov is part of a broader crackdown on criticism of Russia's military offensive in Ukraine. Numerous journalists and opposition figures have been arrested, fined, or jailed for their reporting or comments on the conflict, including the alleged atrocities committed by Russian troops in Bucha. The Kremlin has denied that its forces executed civilians in the town, accusing the West of staging the scenes of dead civilians and testimonies of torture.

Since the start of the invasion, Russia has cracked down severely on dissent, passing laws that criminalize allegedly false information about the military or statements seen as discrediting the armed forces. Journalists, opposition figures, and regular citizens have been swept up in the crackdown, with some receiving long prison sentences, including the prominent activist Vladimir Kara-Murza, who was recently sentenced to 25 years in prison.

According to Mingazov's lawyer, the journalist has been held in a temporary detention center since his arrest. The Forbes Russia magazine has reported that there has been no contact with Mingazov since his detention. The Khabarovsk district court will consider placing him under formal arrest during the hearing on Saturday.

Key Takeaways

• Russian journalist Sergei Mingazov detained for criticizing military on social media.
• Mingazov faces up to 10 years in prison for allegedly spreading false information.
• Arrest part of broader crackdown on dissent and criticism of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
• Russia has criminalized "false information" about military, jailing journalists and activists.
• Mingazov's lawyer says he has been held in detention since his arrest, awaiting court hearing.