On 31 October 2022, a court in Russia’s Chuvashiya region fined local journalist Eduard Mochalov 30,000 rubles for allegedly “discrediting” the Russian army. Mochalov, who writes for local newspaper Vzyatka, was sentenced for appearing in a video published online, in which he called upon people not to take part in Russia’s mobilization effort and in the war in Ukraine. The journalist confirmed he had made anti-war appeals. At the same time, Mochalov is awaiting a trial date in a parallel case, in which he is also suspected of “discrediting” the Russian army, for a critical post he published on his blog.
UPDATE: On 11 February 2023, a court in Chuvashiya decided not to fine Mochalov for his blog post. The fine earlier handed to him for his anti-mobilization video, however, was not cancelled.
UPDATE: On 16 March 2023, the Supreme Court of Chuvashiya overturned the lower court’s decision not to fine Mochalov for his anti-war blog post. At the same time, the Supreme Court judge closed the case on the basis that the limitation period for holding the journalist responsible had passed.
UPDATE: On 11 April 2023, a forensic examinations unit affiliated to a local court in Chuvashiya launched proceedings to recover funds spent to conduct an expertise into Mochalov’s blog post, which served as the basis to accuse him of “discrediting” the Russian army. The journalist said he would contest this decision in court if a new case was opened.