Russian court fines Moscow resident for anti-war comments made at church

A Moscow court has fined a local resident 30,000 rubles (about $300) for “discrediting” the Russian army over comments he made opposing the war in Ukraine while at church, reports Mediazona.

According to the court’s ruling, Alexey Sevastyanenko made anti-war statements on the grounds of the Church of the Life-Giving Trinity in Khokhly, accusing Vladimir Putin and Patriarch Kirill of killing Ukrainian civilians. Witness testimonies and a video recording were cited as evidence in the decision.

Sevastyanenko’s lawyer stated that his client holds an anti-war stance and addressed the issue “within the context of religious commandments.” Sevastyanenko has denied any wrongdoing.