The author of the poem "To Ukrainian patriots", Alexander Byvshev, was charged with inciting hatred and enmity.

On 27 January 2015, the TFR of the Oryol region accused Alexander Byvshev of "incitement to hatred and enmity" according to the 1, Art. 282.

In spring 2014 Byvshev posted on his page on the social network "VKontakte" a poem of his own composition entitled "To Ukrainian patriots", about the events in Crimea. Its content is mainly about his call addressed to Ukrainians to meet with weapons the "gang of Moscovites" that came to their land.

The Kromy District Court condemned the poem as extremist twice: the first decision was issued on 16 May 2014, then contested and re-issued on 3 October 2014. In November 2014, the Oryol regional court confirmed the decision of the Kromy Court.

“We believe that because Ukraine is facing a major crisis, many are pushed to formulate extreme statements that would, otherwise, not be formulated. In such a situation, it is thus wiser not to resort to criminal prosecution, even for the harshest words, if it cannot be clearly said that they are criminal. This should be taken into consideration above all things when it comes to calls addressed to the citizens or authorities of another country. Otherwise, the decisions of the authorities might intensify the tensions within a society that already struggles with them.”

Translation Russian-English by Irina Loutfoullina (HRWF Int’l)