Ex-Kremlin Loyalist Declared Mentally Fit to Stand Trial for Putin Criticism
Ilya Remeslo faces up to 10 years in prison if found guilty of spreading false information about the Russian military.
A former Kremlin loyalist and blogger, Ilya Remeslo, has been deemed mentally fit to stand trial for spreading false information about the Russian military, according to a psychiatric facility in Moscow. His attorney, Sergei Badamshin, confirmed Remeslo's sanity, stating that he is not suffering from any mental illness. This decision follows Remeslo's transfer to the Serbsky State Scientific Center for Social and Forensic Psychiatry a month ago from a pre-trial detention facility in Moscow.
Remeslo has a history of critical comments about President Vladimir Putin, particularly regarding the Russian military's handling of the invasion of Ukraine. He was initially hospitalized in St. Petersburg this spring for his public denunciation of the president. A judge at the Moscow City Court recently rejected Remeslo's appeal against his criminal charges and extended his pre-trial detention until September 16.
If found guilty, Remeslo could face up to 10 years in prison for spreading false information. Despite the legal challenges, Remeslo remains defiant, expressing hope for a free Russia, a phrase often associated with the late opposition activist Alexei Navalny. The Moscow Times, an independent news outlet, has also faced scrutiny from the Russian authorities, who have designated it as an undesirable organization, further complicating the journalist's ability to operate without fear of prosecution.
Written by urgent.news from The Moscow Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
