A criminal case for state treason has been initiated against volunteer Alexander Demidenko, according to the Telegram channel “Mozhem Obyyasnit’” (“We Can Explain”). In October, security forces abducted Demidenko on the border with Ukraine and accused him of illegal weapon possession. The volunteer's lawyer, Elena Palymova, stated to 7x7 on November 22 that she is unaware of the new case.
In her conversation with 7x7, Elena Palymova could not confirm or deny that law enforcers initiated a criminal case for state treason (Article 275 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) against Alexander Demidenko.
“We do not have such information. It's explosive there,” said Palymova.
On November 20, “Mozhem Obyyasnit’” reported new accusations against the former rocket engineer Alexander Demidenko. This information was conveyed to journalists by Demidenko's son, Oleg, who referred to a letter his father had sent from the detention center. The letter indicated that Demidenko allegedly could have been providing secret information to Ukrainian refugees.
After the publication saw light, Oleg Demidenko stated that he rushed to give the interview. When speaking to 7x7, he neither confirmed nor denied the information about his father's treason charges. Oleg Demidenko wrote that his father believes in the FSB’s (The Federal Security Service) efforts to protect his family from new reprisals by the Rosgvardiya (The National Guard of Russia).
The online magazine 7x7 submitted inquiries to the FSB and Investigative Committee departments in the Belgorod region concerning the recent charges against Demidenko. We have also sought information about any potential violence committed by security forces during Alexander Demidenko’s arrest. Journalists from “Mozhem Obyyasnit’” published photos displaying signs of torture. According to Oleg Demidenko, his father himself has not yet dared to report the abduction and torture.
Volunteer Alexander Demidenko was detained on October 17. He criticized the conditions at the border crossing where Ukrainians waited in a line. Three days later, his apartment in Belgorod was searched. Law enforcers placed Demidenko in an isolation ward, charging him with drinking alcohol due to his refusal to undergo a medical examination (Part 2 of Article 20.20 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation). On November 9, news of Demidenko’s arrest on charges of unlawful possession of ammunition (Part 1 of Article 222.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) spread, as security forces found a hand grenade at the volunteer’s home.
