The defense called the second case against Kharchenko* groundless

The second case against Vadim Kharchenko*, convicted of discrediting the army, is based on the same evidence as the previous one, according to defense representatives. Kharchenko's* parents have reported a significant deterioration in his health.

As reported by the " Caucasian Knot ," Vadim Kharchenko was convicted on March 12, 2025, by the Gelendzhik City Court of Krasnodar Krai and sentenced to seven years' imprisonment in a general regime penal colony. He was found guilty of repeated discrediting of the Russian Armed Forces (Part 1 of Article 280.3 of the Criminal Code), insulting the feelings of believers (Part 1 of Article 148 of the Criminal Code), inciting extremism (Part 2 of Article 280 of the Criminal Code), and defamation (Part 5 of Article 128.1 of the Criminal Code). The court also banned him from administering websites and channels on the internet or posting materials on public telecommunications networks for three years. 

On October 10, the Gelendzhik City Court will begin hearing the second criminal case against Vadim Kharchenko*, presided over by Judge Olga Shutkina. Kharchenko is charged with seven counts: one of insulting religious feelings, one of inciting extremist activity, and five of defamation. The charges include Articles 148, Part 1, 280, Part 2, 128.1, Part 2, and four counts under Article 128.1, Part 5 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. The hearing is scheduled to be closed.

"The defendant was transferred today, October 8, to the Gelendzhik temporary detention facility from Pretrial Detention Center No. 3 in Novorossiysk," said an employee of the Gelendzhik City Court's criminal cases office.

Dissatisfied with the initial verdict, the victim in both cases, Novorossiysk lawyer Yaroslav Krasnoshchekov, filed a cassation appeal, demanding that Kharchenko's sentence be increased by six months. "The victim's cassation appeal will be heard on November 6," the secretary of the cassation court in Krasnodar told a Caucasian Knot correspondent.

According to the defense, the two cases against Kharchenko* involve 16 counts. In 13 of them, attorney Krasnoshchyokov is the plaintiff and victim. The lawyers believe that, combined with his current sentence, Kharchenko* could face up to ten years in prison.

The health condition of the defendant in Novorossiysk's pretrial detention center No. 3 has worsened.

Vadim Kharchenko's* parents report a deterioration in their son's health and believe it is related to his ongoing persecution. "We received news that Vadim's vision has deteriorated significantly. He is being held in solitary confinement in Novorossiysk. We are not allowed to visit him, and we can't even attend his trial," said Vadim's mother, Natalia Kharchenko.

"Vadim has a vision problem; it looks like his cornea is damaged. It could be due to exposure to chemicals. He needs to be examined by a doctor, but since August, he's been restricted from even going to the clinic," his mother said.

"Vadim isn't receiving the necessary medical care in the pretrial detention center," said the defendant's father, Mikhail Kharchenko. He believes both cases against his son were related to "Kharchenko's* civic stance and speaking the truth about corruption." 

The defense sees a systemic problem in the case

"A new criminal case against Vadim Kharchenko* has been registered in the Gelendzhik City Court. An analysis of the indictment shows that it concerns the same offenses for which he was already convicted in the first trial. The same videos were used, for example, "Lawyer Krasnoshchyokov's brother detained," and the same victims—lawyer Krasnoshchyokov and his brother Kashentsev—are involved. This may indicate double prosecution for the same actions," notes one of the defense attorneys.

The Gelendzhik City Court's website states that information on the new case is classified. Lawyers believe this decision is unlawful and excessive for libel and extremism cases not related to state secrets. The defense asserts that the events surrounding Kharchenko's cases form a systemic picture.

"Problems with evidence: the prosecution failed to establish that Kharchenko administered the YouTube channel and personally distributed the videos. All the materials were presented by the victim's lawyer, Krasnoshchekov, and their source has not been established. Ignoring the defense's rights: the courts consistently reject defense motions and refuse to call witnesses and experts. Escalating pressure: initiating a new case on the same counts and the closed nature of the trial appear to be a tool of constant procedural pressure," the defense representative believes.

A Caucasian Knot correspondent attempted to contact lawyer Yaroslav Krasnoshchekov for comment. He answered the call, said he was busy, and did not respond. 

It's also worth noting that in 2023, Andrei Rudomakha, coordinator of the Environmental Watch for the North Caucasus, reported that Kharchenko* had spread false information about him, even though they had never met him. "I even considered suing him, but then decided not to stoop to his level," the ecologist said.

Translated automatically via Google translate from https://www.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/416160