On 7 September 2023, a court in Abakan sentenced journalist Mikhail Afanasyev to five years and six months of prison on charges of disseminating what the Russian government claims is “fake news” about the war in Ukraine. Afanasyev, who is the editor-in-chief of local online media Novy Fokus, was initially detained on 14 April 2022 in Abakan, the capital of Russia’s Khakasiya region. A court later placed him under arrest on charges of publishing “fake” news aimed at discrediting the Russian Armed Forces. Police also searched the journalist’s home, confiscating his computers, phones and other electronic devices.

According to the Russian service of RFE/RL, a media corporation financed by the US Congress, Afanasyev was arrested after publishing an interview with anonymous members of the Russian National Guard in Khakasiya, who said that they had been deployed to Ukraine, where some were wounded. Other members of the National Guard interviewed by Afanasyev said they had refused to go to Ukraine.

UPDATE: on 17 November, a court in Abakan refused to open proceedings against Afanasyev, demanding a new examination of the case. However, the journalist’s period of arrest was prolonged for another two months.

UPDATE: On 12 January 2023, a court in Abakan extended Afanasyev’s arrest period for another two months.

UPDATE: On 22 August 2023, a prosecutor in the case demanded six years of prison for Afanasyev on charges of disseminating “fake news” about the Russian army, also demanding he be banned from journalistic and online activities for a period of three years.