The representative of the Russian Federation at the ECHR called the complaints of Russians "arrogant, cynical, shameless"

Earlier, the ECHR received 19 complaints from 17 Russians about the punishment they received under the article for "disrespect for the authorities".

Among the complaints sent to the ECHR, in particular, is the complaint of a journalist from Nizhny Novgorod, Irina Slavina, who was fined 70 thousand in 2019 for publishing about the installation of a memorial plaque to Stalin in Shakhunya. Last year, the journalist committed an act of self-immolation at the Interior Ministry building, explaining her act as persecution by the state.

In their statements to the ECHR, Russians claim that the Russian authorities violated Articles 6 and 10 of the European Convention on the Right of Everyone to Express Their Opinions, as well as the right to a fair trial.

In response to these complaints, Halperin wrote that the country does not prohibit expressing personal opinions, including criticizing the authorities. Moreover, a "certain degree of exaggeration" is allowed when criticizing the authorities, but not to the point of "clearly offensive statements or unfounded personal attacks". The use of profanity is also unacceptable. "Such statements should not be expressed in an indecent form that offends human dignity and public morality", - says Halperin's letter to the ECHR, referred to by RBC.

He noted that the insults of the authorities were "dictated by the desire of the culprit to oppose himself to those around him, to demonstrate a disdainful attitude towards society and the state". "These actions are manifested in the form of arrogance, cynicism, shamelessness and offensiveness of the acts committed", - he added.

At the time of sending the letter, Halperin was still holding the post of Commissioner at the ECHR. On May 26, Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed him from office.

It's worth reminding that an article on disrespect for the authorities appeared in the administrative code in 2019. According to it, for violation of a representative of the authorities, the Russians face a fine of up to 100 thousand. For repeated insult, the fine will increase to 200 thousand. For repeated insults, they can also be arrested for five days. If disrespect for the authorities is shown for the third time, the Russian will face a fine of 300 thousand or arrest for 15 days.