Valery Nikolaevich Kotovich

Case Summary

Valery Kotovich, a colonel in the National Guard, was sentenced to 6 years in a general regime colony for spreading false information about the Russian Armed Forces. The case was based on testimonies from his colleagues who reported his negative comments about the war in Ukraine.

Charges (1)

1. Public dissemination of deliberately false information containing data on the use of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in order to protect the interests of the Russian Federation and its citizens, maintain international peace and security using his official position, motivated by political hatred

Criminal Code Articles (1)

Key Facts (4)

• Accused of criticizing the Russian army in conversations with colleagues
• Colleagues testified against him
• Denied guilt throughout the investigation and trial
• Deprived of the rank of colonel

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