Special correspondent of "Novaya-Evropa" Ilya Azar and three other representatives of the "Deputies of Peaceful Russia" association were sentenced in absentia to four years in a penal colony on charges of organizing the activities of an "undesirable organization." This was reported by "Novaya Gazeta Europe" citing the journalist's statement. Additionally, the court prohibited the defendants from administering internet resources for five years.
The criminal case against Azar, Sergei Vlasov, Igor Glek, and Elena Rusakova was initiated due to two publications posted on the "Deputies of Peaceful Russia" website in 2024. The investigation claims these texts were created for "recruiting and attracting new participants" to the association's work. Earlier that same day, the state prosecutor had demanded a similar prison term for them.
All defendants in this case disagreed with the charges and characterized the criminal prosecution as politically motivated, according to "Mediazona."
In August 2024, the Russian General Prosecutor's Office designated the "Deputies of Peaceful Russia" association as an "undesirable" organization.
At the end of February this year, the Russian Ministry of Justice included Ilya Azar in the list of "foreign agents."