After denouncing Proekt, Vitaly Borodin files lawsuit against journalist Roman Badanin and TV Rain

After successfully denouncing Proekt, pro-Kremlin activist Vitaly Borodin is suing the investigative outlet’s editor-in-chief Roman Badanin, as well as the independent television channel Dozhd (TV Rain).

Citing the statement of the claim, the state news agency TASS reported on August 12 that Borodin is demanding 1 million rubles ($13,580) in compensation from Badanin for calling him “insignificant, an empty space, filth” during a Dozhd broadcast on August 7. At the time, Badanin was explaining that Borodin was spotted outside of his family’s home, filming Badanin’s wife and children. 

Borodin told TASS that Dozhd should have “suppressed” Badanin’s remarks.

Moscow’s Ostankinsky District Court registered the lawsuit on August 12. A hearing date has not been scheduled as of yet.  

The Russian Attorney General’s Office declared Project Media Inc. an “undesirable organization” on July 15, outlawing all its operations in Russia, including the publication of Proekt. In addition, the Russian Justice Ministry added five Proekt journalists, including editor-in-chief Roman Badanin, to its “foreign agents” registry. Badanin left Russia shortly after.

The Attorney General’s Office decided to blacklist Proekt following a complaint from Vitaly Borodin — the head of a Kremlin-backed organization called the Federal Security and Anti-Corruption Foundation. Citing information from RT, Borodin claimed that Proekt was financed by the U.S. Congress.