Vadim Kotov
Vadim Kotov, Moscow. Charges: Article 354.1 part 4, Russian Criminal Code (Insulting the memory, symbols, and veterans of the Great Patriotic War (committed by a group of…); “Vadim Kotov's case of lighting a cigarette from the Eternal Flame”. Sentence (December 29, 2022): 2 years' suspended prison sentence with a fine of 300,000 roubles. Status: at large.
In brief
Moscow · Moscow · Drivers
Sentence
2 years
suspended prison sentence with a fine of 300,000 roubles
No information about an appeal ruling.
Charges
- Article 354.1 part 4, Russian Criminal Code — Insulting the memory, symbols, and veterans of the Great Patriotic War (committed by a group of individuals or using mass media or the Internet)
Full wording of the charges
According to the investigation, on 19 November 2021, Kotov posted a video on VKontakte, in which he approached the memorial complex "Rubezh Slavy" in Istra and lit a cigarette from the Eternal Flame. According to the Investigative Committee, he held "biased beliefs and distorted views on the events of the Second World War".
Latest event
December 29, 2022 — first-instance verdict
The court delivered a guilty verdict: 2 years.
Criminal case
Vadim Kotov's case of lighting a cigarette from the Eternal Flame
Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of Rumyantsevo, a forklift driver. According to Beware the News, employees of the Center for Combating Extremism of the Moscow Region found his VK page and saw there "radical memes, provocative videos, as well as footage from 2011, where Kotov lights his cigarette from the Eternal Flame". On 29 December 2022, he was sentenced to two years' suspended sentence.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
Other people prosecuted under Article 354.1 part 4, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.