MOSCOW. July 5 (Interfax) - Moscow investigators have completed a criminal inquiry into a former Duma deputy, Ilya Ponomaryov (designated a foreign agent in Russia) charged with justifying terrorism and spreading fake stories about the use of Russia's armed forces.
"The criminal case was handed over to be sent to a court," the Investigative Committee said on Friday.
According to the inquiry, in 2022 "while in Ukraine, [Ponomaryov] take part in a broadcast on a channel at one of video hosting sites and also gave an interview where he publicly spread knowingly false information disguised as truthful reports, containing data on actions of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in Ukraine."
"Moreover, the accused made claims justifying terrorism in Russia," the Committee said.
The man was placed on an international wanted list and had a restraining measure chosen for him in absentia. "Investigators have obtained irrefutable evidence exposing Ponomaryov in the alleged crimes," the Committee said.
In February the Federal Security Service said It had opened a treason case against Ponomaryov.
The case was merged into one proceeding with cases under the following Criminal Code articles: participation in the activities of an organization designate terrorist in accordance with Russian laws; public calls for terrorism using the Internet, and public calls for anti-Russian activities using the Internet.
Ponomaryov left Russia in 2014, following the opening of an embezzlement case against him. He was naturalized by Ukraine in 2019.
Russia put Ponomaryov on the international wanted list, and the Russian Justice Ministry designated him as a foreign agent in October 2022.