The Basmanny District Court of Moscow arrested politician Maxim Katz in absentia in the case of «fake news» about the army (Article 207.3 of the Criminal Code). Information «Mediazona» found in the database of Moscow courts.
The meeting took place today, March 23, it was scheduled for 9:30. However, information about this appeared in the database after the materials were considered. The decision was made by judge Natalia Dudar.
The court soon published a decision on the election of Katsu a measure of restraint. It follows from it that Katz was arrested for two months — this period will be counted from the moment the politician is detained. The criminal case, judging by the document, was opened on April 7, 2022. Initially, Katz was charged with part 1 of article 207.3 of the Criminal Code, but on February 20, 2023, the politician was charged in absentia under clause “d” of part 2 of article 207.3 of the Criminal Code (dissemination of “fakes” about the army based on political , ideological, racial, national or religious hatred or enmity, or motivated by hatred or enmity against any social group).
In October 2022, the Ministry of Internal Affairs put Maxim Katz on the wanted list. Katz himself then said that he had known about the criminal case for several months — he ordered a certificate of no criminal record, and it said that he was being prosecuted under Article 207.3 of the Criminal Code. What became the reason for the criminal case against the politician was not specified.
Maxim Katz daily talks on YouTube about the war in Ukraine. His channel has 1.7 million subscribers and his videos have over 586 million views. In July 2022, the Ministry of Justice entered Maxim Katz into the register of «foreign agents». The agency indicated Ukraine as the source of funding.
Updated at 17:31. Added information from the court order.