Russian soccer vlogger faces criminal case over Ukrainian video – RT Sport News
Evgeny Savin traveled to London to speak to Ukrainian players after the dispute broke out
Former Russian professional footballer Evgeny Savin faces criminal charges in his native country after an investigation was opened into a video he filmed with Ukrainian players earlier this year.
Savin, 38, played for teams such as Anzhi Makhachkala and Amkar Perm during his career but later became a broadcaster and started his own football team, ‘FC Krasava’.
In April, Savin traveled to London to speak to Ukrainian players such as Andrey Yarmolenko, then part of Premier League side West Ham, to discuss the conflict with Russia.
Savin then left Russia and moved with his team to Cyprus.
According to State Duma deputy Roman Teryushkov, who is also a board member of Russian Premier League team Khimki, Savin is currently under investigation for defamation of the Russian Armed Forces.
Teryushkov shared a response on his Telegram channel to an appeal he made to the Interior Ministry.
The correspondence cites crimes under Articles 207.3 and 280.3 of the Russian Criminal Code which cover « public dissemination of knowingly false information about the use of the armed forces of the Russian Federation, the execution by state bodies of the powers of the Russian Federation », and « public actions aimed at discrediting the use of the armed forces of the Russian Federation and its citizens ».
The document says the case materials have been sent to the Russian Investigative Committee for further review.
In early March, Russian lawmakers approved legislation that could see people jailed for up to 15 years if found guilty of peddling false information about military actions following Moscow’s military operation in Ukraine. .
Defaming the Russian military could result in a fine of nearly $13,500 or three years in prison. An offender could spend up to 15 years behind bars for intentionally spreading « false » information that causes significant damage to national security, under revisions to the existing law.
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‘I’m proud to be Russian,’ says soccer star after being targeted by Ukrainian players
State Duma deputy Teryushkov has been vocal throughout the Ukraine conflict and its ramifications for sport.
The official suggested last month that any Russian athlete who changes nationality to avoid his country’s bans would be considered guilty of treason.
The Kremlin responded by saying it was not of the same belief.
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