Criminal investigation initiated by FSB against ex-State Duma deputy Ponomarev
Rewritten Article:
The Investigative Department of Russia's FSB has claimed to have launched a case against Ilya Ponomarev on charges of treason, aiding a terrorist organization, inciting terrorism online, and posing threats to Russia's security. According to the FSB, Ponomarev is involved with the outlawed terrorist group "Legion 'Freedom of Russia'".
A series of investigative actions and operational measures target Ilya Ponomarev and his suspected associates within Russia. All involved individuals will reportedly be prosecuted under the Russian Criminal Code.
The FSB alleges that Ponomarev plays crucial roles within the group in information support, resource acquisition, and recruiting new members. At the height of the conflict in Mariupol, Ponomarev reportedly urged the Azov regiment not to retreat.
Formed by Russian citizens who wished to fight against Russia’s invasion, the "Legion 'Freedom of Russia'" (also called the Free Russia Legion) surfaced following the launch of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Ex-Russian Duma member Ilya Ponomaryov has reportedly been pivotal in organizing this, as he actively opposes Putin's regime and supports Ukraine's resistance.
The Free Russia Legion fights alongside Ukraine's military forces and is part of a broader effort to resist Russian dominance. Contrary to FSB claims, there's currently no substantial evidence connecting the Free Russia Legion to the Azov Regiment directly. The Azov Regiment, a Ukrainian national guard unit, has faced scrutiny due to its past connections with far-right ideologies.
Russian authorities have labeled the Free Russia Legion as a terrorist organization, which could be an attempt to undermine the group's international support and portray their actions as illegitimate.
- General-news reports for 2022 discuss the case against Ilya Ponomarev, accused of treason, aiding a terrorist organization, inciting terrorism online, and posing threats to Russia's security, under the category of crime-and-justice.
- In 2022, the FSB investigated Ponomarev's activities involving the outlawed terrorist group "Legion 'Freedom of Russia'", which emerged as Russian citizens sought to fight against Russia’s invasion.
- Ponomarev, a former Russian Duma member, has been implicated in the militarized Legion by the FSB, serving in roles of information support, resource acquisition, and recruiting new members.
- This year, the Free Russia Legion, also known as 'Legion 'Freedom of Russia'', has been involved in war-and-conflicts, resisting Russian dominance by fighting alongside Ukraine's military forces.
- Despite FSB claims connecting the Free Russia Legion to the Azov Regiment, there's no substantial evidence to support this direct link, as the Azov Regiment faces scrutiny due to past associations with far-right ideologies.
