On the eve of Russia’s 2021 parliamentary elections, the Investigative Committee launched a criminal case for “inducing mass riots” using Telegram. According to investigators, “at least eleven people from seven regions of Russia” are considered suspects. But the authorities have only named one of them so far — 44-year-old Dmitry Chebanov, a Moscow resident who created a Telegram channel called “Chto-Delat!” (“What to Do!”). In turn, human rights activists and journalists identified several other people who are facing felony charges for allegedly trying to instigate mass riots during September’s vote. If convicted, they will face a maximum punishment of ten years in prison. As Meduza uncovered, these defendants are also associated with Chebanov’s little-known Telegram network. To piece together the story behind this criminal case, Meduza’s special correspondent Kristina Safonova spoke with the lawyers, family members, and friends of the accused.
Meduza: 11 members of a Telegram network became suspects in a case for ‘instigating riots’ in Russia
Young men use their smartphones walking past a poster announcing the upcoming Russian parliamentary election in Moscow on Aug. 31, 2021.
