Alexei Gorinov was accused of "justifying terrorism"

Investigators have charged Alexei Gorinov, who is serving a prison sentence in a colony in Vladimir Region, in a criminal case on "justification of terrorism". This is stated in a statement of the politician, published by his support group.

In the letter, the politician publicly rejects all the charges against him. In particular, he states that he has never supported the ideology of nationalism or terrorism, does not accept violence and has never been a supporter of a violent seizure of power.

Text of Alexey Gorinov's statement

Friends!

The circumstances again force me to make the following public statement.

On 02 May, senior investigator of the Oktyabrsky inter-district investigative department of Vladimir of the Investigative Committee of the Investigative Committee of Russia for Vladimir region, senior lieutenant of justice Polezhaev E.M. issued a Resolution on bringing me as an accused in a criminal case on justification of terrorism.

It would seem to be an ordinary ordinary event in modern Russia - initiation of a criminal case under one of the repressive articles against its citizens - opponents of war, who have their own beliefs and are not afraid to express their opinions.

However, the unusual thing about my case is that in the said Resolution it is written in black and white without any grounds that I:

- I am a supporter of nationalist ideology;

- I have a negative attitude towards the residents of Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk regions;

- I support the forcible return of Crimea to Ukraine;

- I form the ideology of terrorism, conviction in its attractiveness and the idea that it is permissible to carry out terrorist activities among the convicts serving their sentences with me, and I declare to these persons that I recognise the ideology and practice of terrorism as correct, in need of support and imitation.

In addition, according to the investigator, I support the ideas of seizing power through a coup d'état.

As the young investigator Polezhaev E.M. explained, without these formulations it is not possible to bring me under the article on justification of terrorism.

In this connection I consider it necessary to state that:

1. Having been born in the Soviet Union, I was brought up from small years in the spirit of internationalism and I am a convinced internationalist in my views. In my genes there are traces of representatives of different nationalities. I reject and have never supported the ideology of nationalism, because I believe that all people are born equal regardless of their belonging to one or another race and nationality, and the state should ensure and guarantee equality of inalienable fundamental and social rights for all its citizens of any nationality.

2. During my life I have been to Ukraine many times and have not met any dislike on the part of its inhabitants. Therefore, I have no reason to treat negatively the population of any regions of this country. And I am grateful to the Crimeans who express their support to me in letters.

3. I do not accept any violence, aggression, war and I am also in favour of a peaceful life in Crimea.

4. I have never been a supporter of seizing power by force - through a coup d'état, and in August 1991 I was among the defenders of the building of the legislative body of the Russian government, opposing the attempt to carry out such a coup d'état.

As a democrat, I am in favour of a change of power and the formation of its bodies on the basis of free elections. During my life I have participated in election processes as a member of election commissions, as an observer, as a candidate for deputy, and as a deputy chairman of a territorial election commission.

I have state and public awards for these activities: from the Moscow City Election Commission and the medal of the defender of free elections, established by a number of public organisations.

5. I have never had any relation to the ideology of terrorism, I have never considered this ideology and its practice attractive, I have never propagandised its attractiveness and admissibility.

All my life I have been engaged exclusively in peaceful activities: scientific, teaching, educational, managerial, - including in the civil service, legal, and also twice was a deputy.

I believe that people who know me well will confirm my commitment to peace, the values of democracy, freedom, equality of all citizens in their rights regardless of their nationality.

Just in case, I inform you that I am not a spy of any state.

I hope to be heard not only in Russia.

Please help me, if possible, to disseminate this statement.