Lena Patyaeva, a friend of missing Chechen native Seda Suleimanova, was charged with an administrative offense after a solo picket in Grozny. She held the protest on August 23, the third anniversary of Suleimanova's disappearance. Under the charges against her, Patyaeva faces up to 30 days in jail or a fine of up to 300,000 rubles.
Human Rights Center «Memorial» has documented the statistics of administrative and criminal cases about «discrediting of the Russian Army» in the North Caucasus.
In Kabardino-Balkaria at least 44 administrative cases of «discrediting the army» were initiated. In 21 cases administrative fines were imposed. One person was sentenced to two years' probation.
In North Ossetia at least 29 cases were recorded. In 24 cases the court ordered fines. In Dagestan at least 16 administrative cases about «discrediting of the army» were initiated. In 12 cases the defendants were found guilty and fined. At least one criminal case was initiated. In Ingushetia there were 12 administrative enterprises. In 10 sanctions were imposed. In relation to three people criminal cases were initiated about distribution of «fakes» about the army. In addition, one criminal case about «discrediting» was initiated. Similar cases have also been recorded in Chechnya and HRC.