Georgii Zykov
Georgii Zykov, born 1963, Krasnoyarsk Krai. Charges: Article 280.3 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Discrediting the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, government agencies, or mercenaries); Article 298.1 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Slander of a person participating in the administration of justice); “Georgii Zykov's case of repeated discreditation of the Russian Armed Forces and defamation of a judge”. Sentence (April 9, 2025): A fine of 250 thousand rubles, exempt from punishment. Status: at large.
In brief
Krasnoyarsk Krai · Balakhta settlement · Anti-war cases
Sentence
A fine of 250 thousand rubles, exempt from punishment
First instance, August 30, 2024: A fine of 350 thousand rubles
Charges
- Article 280.3 part 1, Russian Criminal Code — Discrediting the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, government agencies, or mercenaries
- Article 298.1 part 1, Russian Criminal Code — Slander of a person participating in the administration of justice
Full wording of the charges
On May 30, the Balakhta District Court fined Zykov 30,000 rubles under the administrative article on discrediting the army (Article 20.3.3 of the Administrative Code) based on a publication on "VKontakte" (Russian social media platform), in which he condemned the war and those he called "Russian patriots" and apologized to the people of Ukraine. The decision entered into force. After that, according to the investigation, he changed his name on "VKontakte" to "Roman Varygin", which is the name of the prosecutor of the Balakhta district. Law enforcement officers believe that Zykov then continued to publish materials discrediting the Russian army. There are two episodes in this case.
Latest event
April 9, 2025 — cassation
The court changed the sentence.
Timeline
· Cassation ruling
sentence changed, released from serving the sentence
· Persecution ends
· First-instance verdict
· Preventive measure: ban on certain activities
· Preventive measure: travel ban (written undertaking)
· Persecution begins
Georgii Zykov's case of repeated discreditation of the Russian Armed Forces and defamation of a judge
Criminal case
Georgii Zykov's case of repeated discreditation of the Russian Armed Forces and defamation of a judge
- Case number
- 1-114/2023
Thematic group: Anti-war case
Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of Balakhty (Krasnoyarsk region). On 3 October 2022, law enforcers came to his house with a search, seizing equipment and personal weapons. Most likely, the search took place because of his posts on social networks, but Zykov did not know what case the police came to him as he was not present during the search. On 31 October, Zykov was searched again, after which he was taken to a temporary detention centre. He stayed there, as his acquaintance Marina said, "for two or three days". It became known that a case of discrediting the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation was opened against him.
In addition, a case of insulting a judge (part 1 of article 298.1 of the Criminal Code) was opened against Zykov in connection with a video in "VKontakte". The video claims that Justice of the Peace Privalikhina "is a member of an organised criminal group and takes illegal decisions when considering civil cases". By publishing the video, according to the investigation, Zykov "defamed the honour and dignity of the justice of the peace and undermined her reputation". The cases were merged.
On 1 February 2024, Zykov was issued a preventive measure in the form of a ban on certain actions and deprived of the ability to use the Internet.
On 30 August 2024, Zykov was sentenced to a fine of 350,000 roubles. On 22 October 2024, the court of appeal left the decision unchanged, but released Zykov from execution of the sentence due to the expiration of the statute of limitations. On 9 April 2025, the court of cassation reduced the fine to 250,000 roubles and upheld the decision in terms of exemption from execution of the sentence.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
Other people prosecuted under Article 280.3 part 1, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.