"I consider myself completely innocent." Garbage dump guards who beat journalists hear their verdict.

Two security guards who beat journalists from the "By the Way" program at an illegal landfill in Arzamas were given suspended sentences of up to two years, and one was sentenced to forced labor. They were convicted under the article 144 of the Criminal Code — obstructing the legitimate professional activities of journalists. This is one of the first criminal cases to reach court. 

The defendants pleaded not guilty, citing the fact that they were guarding inviolable private property, and that those who came to the landfill site allegedly did not identify themselves as journalists.

"I ask that the charges against me be dropped due to the lack of evidence of a crime." said one of the defendants in court Vitaly TerskyHis "colleagues" Alexander Grushin и Andrey Martynov were in solidarity with him.

In 2023, a Kstati film crew visited a garbage sorting site that had become an illegal dump. Security guards attacked them with their fists: a cameraman's nose was broken, and an environmental organization representative's lip was cut, requiring stitches. A journalist was also injured.

After the story aired, Alexander Bastrykin ordered the regional Investigative Committee to open a criminal case, which—surprisingly—went to court.

Photo: screenshot from the program "By the Way"