Furgal files a lawsuit against Soloviev Live and Sheremet

Here's a fresh take on the issue:

Ex-Governor Furgal Takes Innokenty Sheremet and Solovyov Live to Court

In a surprising move, former governor of the Khabarovsk region, Sergei Furgal, has filed a stunning lawsuit against Innokenty Sheremet and Telecompany "Strikhkod" (Solovyov Live) for defamation. The case is under review by the Sokolnichesky District Court of Moscow, as reported by the court's press service on Telegram.

Furgal claims that Sheremet, a journalist on the "Solovyov Live" platform, spread false information that punches below the belt, damaging his reputation and personal integrity. Specifically, Furgal alleges that Sheremet, without providing any evidence, made repeated statements accusing him of involvement in the criminal community "Obshak" and of committing serious and grave crimes. Furthermore, the former governor asserts that Sheremet went as far as accusing him of numerous murders in the 1990s.

ICYMI, Furgal sees Sheremet's statements as offensive and unfounded. Consequently, he demands the court to recognize the spread information as defamatory and inconsistent with reality. Moreover, he wants "Solovyov Live" and Sheremet to publish a rebuttal and compensate him for moral damage.

The court has set the preparation for the judicial hearing for May 26.

On the Flipside, let's take a quick peek at Furgal's past. Prior to his arrest, he served as a deputy of the State Duma from the LDPR from 2007 to 2018. In the 2018 gubernatorial elections of the Khabarovsk region, Furgal emerged victorious in the second round, amassing 69.5% of the votes with a turnout of 47.5%. His arrest in July 2020 and subsequent removal from office triggered massive protests in Khabarovsk, but they failed to yield any results.

Fast forward to February 2023, and Furgal was sentenced to 22 years in prison by the Lyubertsy City Court of the Moscow region. According to the investigation, Furgal was allegedly the mastermind of a criminal group that attempted to eliminate businessman Alexander Smolsky and killed businessmen Oleg Bulatov and Yevgeny Zori in 2004-2005. Furgal maintains his innocence, stating in court that "business, if it's not criminal, isn't resolved through murder." He appealed the verdict to the Supreme Court in December 2024.

As of December 2023, I haven't found up-to-date information on the progress of Furgal's defamation case against Sheremet and Solovyov Live in independent international sources. But here's the gist:

Furgal and Sheremet have a history, with Furgal alleging defamation over statements made during a "Day Z with Innokenty Sheremet" program on "Solovyov Live."
Defamation cases involving political figures in Russia, especially when defendants are pro-government media figures, can be biased.
The outcome of the case is unknown, as it may continue for years without further updates due to the opaque nature of Russian court proceedings, particularly politically sensitive cases.

For the latest updates, keep an eye on outlets like Meduza, Mediazona, or Novaya Gazeta (if accessible) post-2023. Use a VPN for unrestricted access.

In line with the ongoing legal battle, Furgal is preparing for a potential shift in policy-and-legislation regarding defamation, with this lawsuit against Innokenty Sheremet and Solovyov Live serving as a watershed moment in Russian politics.
The Sokolnichesky District Court of Moscow is set to deliberate on the general-news story of Furgal's defamation lawsuit against Sheremet, which is expected to have far-reaching implications for crime-and-justice issues in the Khabarovsk region.
A possible victory for Furgal in his defamation case could mark yet another significant event in the unraveling of politics in the Khabarovsk region, as the case revolves around the accusations made by journalists connected to pro-government media.
As the defamation case against him unfolds, Furgal faces scrutiny not only for his recent statements but also for his controversial past, with his alleged involvement in crime-and-justice issues dating back to the 1990s.
In light of the upcoming hearing on Furgal's defamation case, the independent international sources should closely monitor and report on the progress of the legal proceedings, providing updates on the general-news story that promises to shed light on the inner workings of the Khabarovsk region's policy-and-legislation landscape.