Date of incident: May 23, 2024
Type of violation: sentence in absentia in case of dissemination of fakes
Institution: Russian School of Economics (NES)
Summary: May 23, 2024 The Gagarinsky Court of Moscow sentenced economist, former vice-rector of the Russian School of Economics (NES) Konstantin Sonin (recognized as a foreign agent in the Russian Federation) in absentia to 8.5 years in prison in a case of dissemination of fakes about the Russian Armed Forces, Vedomosti reports, citing court press secretary Anna Zharina.
Details: Sonin was also given an additional punishment in the form of deprivation of the right to engage in activities related to the administration of websites of electronic or information and telecommunications networks, including on the Internet, for a period of 4.5 years.
February 20, 2024 The Gagarinsky Court of Moscow ruled to arrest Sonin in absentia. The investigator then asked for Sonin to be brought to criminal responsibility for publications in the Telegram messenger about the actions of the Russian army in Bucha during a special operation in Ukraine. At the hearing, lawyer Mikhail Biryukov said that his client does not admit his guilt and does not consider the incriminated act proven.
The Ministry of Justice added Sonin to the register of foreign agents in September 2023.
Konstantin Sonin is a professor at the University of Chicago. He left Russia in 2015, RBK reports.