Armenia's Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case against Russian blogger Nadezhda Pirozhkova on allegations of inciting hatred and hostility through public statements, authorities said.
Investigative Committee spokesperson Kima Avdalyan said the case was launched under Article 329, Part 2, Paragraph 3 of Armenia's Criminal Code, which covers public statements made through publicly accessible works, the media or information and communication technologies that are deemed to incite or promote hatred, discrimination, intolerance or enmity, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.
If convicted, Pirozhkova could face between one and four years in prison under the provision. Avdalyan also confirmed that authorities have imposed a travel ban on the blogger as a preventive measure, preventing her from leaving Armenia while the investigation is ongoing.
The investigation follows widespread public criticism of a video posted by Pirozhkova during the Armenian festival of Vardavar, a traditional celebration in which people splash water on one another. In the video, she strongly criticised the custom and made remarks that many Armenians considered offensive.
By Sabina Mammadli
