The Leninsky District Court of Perm on October 30 arrested former regional legislative assembly and Perm City Duma deputy Konstantin Okunev on charges of inciting terrorism, reports Properm. The case against him was initiated due to posts in a certain Telegram channel, although, as the defense claims, the investigation has no evidence of the politician's involvement with the channel.
At the hearing on the choice of preventive measure, the lawyer asked to release his client on bail or place him under house arrest, emphasizing that the FSB has no evidence that the posts were published by Okunev. An FSB officer stated that the case is not currently being considered on its merits, so such evidence is not required. The prosecutor added that the politician is accused of a serious crime, does not admit guilt, and refused to testify, therefore house arrest or bail is not possible.
Okunev told the court that he does not consider himself guilty, and there is no evidence in the case. The court decided otherwise and sent him to a detention center until December 29.
Since the beginning of the war with Ukraine, Okunev has been fined more than 750 thousand rubles in cases of "discrediting" the army, inciting hatred, displaying extremist symbols, and petty hooliganism.
In February 2021, Okunev was arrested for five days for a rally in support of Alexei Navalny*.
* Included in the list of "terrorists and extremists".
Photo: Properm