A Stavropol resident was fined for failure to report.

The Industrial District Court of Stavropol fined Alexander Kornilov 40,000 rubles for failing to report a friend who was sentenced to 20 years for his ties to the "Freedom of Russia"* legion.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot," the 23-year-old resident of Stavropol Krai was suspected of attempting to recruit several acquaintances to join a banned terrorist organization. Paul Lukashevich, a barista at a café, was charged with two criminal offenses: aiding terrorist activity and public calls against the territorial integrity of the Russian Federation. In March, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison. According to the investigation and the court, he also laced poison into drinks for the military and passed on data on the locations of military units and administrative facilities in Stavropol to his handlers.

Alexander Kornilov is a former salesman at the MVideo store, and the friend he was accused of failing to report was a former colleague. After their dismissal, they continued to communicate: "they saw each other, went for walks, communicated in person, by phone, in messengers, and on Telegram."

According to the prosecution, in March 2023, Kornilov's friend began sending him political jokes, caricatures of Putin, and talked about his "negative attitude toward the SVO." From April to October, he directly urged him to join the "Freedom of Russia" Legion. In October, Kornilov learned that he himself had joined this organization, according to a verdict posted on the Promyshlenny District Court's website. Mediazona (listed as a foreign agent) drew attention to the document's publication on April 8.

Kornilov explained his silence by saying that the accused was his only friend, whom he was afraid of losing. He also feared retaliation from his friend if he reported him.

In July 2024, Alexander Kornilov's home was searched. The verdict states that Kornilov's friend was listed in his phone contacts as "Polyushko" and on Telegram as Pawel Lukaszewicz.

"During the court hearing, the defendant Kornilov admitted guilt in the crime with which he was charged, expressed remorse for his actions, and refused to testify in accordance with Article 51 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation," the verdict states. The court found Kornilov guilty of failing to report a crime and ordered him to pay a fine of 40,000 rubles to the state.

* The "Freedom of Russia Legion" (also referred to as the "Freedom of Russia Legion") is designated a terrorist organization and its activities are prohibited in Russia by a decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation.

** Meta (owner of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp) is banned in Russia.