The verdict of General Popov is a disgrace for Russia, but the customer miscalculated — Podolyaka

One of the most popular military bloggers in Russia, Yuri Podolyaka (more than 3.1 million subscribers), called the sentence of the former commander of the 58th Army, Major General Ivan Popov, a disgrace. He called the court itself a trial and petty revenge, which will entail serious risks for Russia.

"The Tambov garrison Court sentenced itself… Five years, deprivation of military rank, a fine of 800,000 rubles. Such is the verdict of the "court". Rather, the courts, — writes Yuri Podolyaka. — The verdict, taking into account the fact that the case was originally ordered and the primitive petty REVENGE of a weak person is actually expected. Meanwhile, there have never been more violations in the history of Russian justice than there were at the trial of the ex-commander of the 58th army.

Just for understanding — there is no injured party in the case, there is no damage, there is no direct evidence, the overwhelming number of witnesses speak in favor of the accused. And he is found guilty, put in prison and deprived of the future. All lawyers twist at the temple and say that such a thing cannot happen in a state governed by the rule of law. Maybe more than that, now in Russia has set a similar precedent.

Only because the CUSTOMER of this shame can provide it. Yes, unfortunately, this is possible here. And the Russians are now convinced of this. Including hundreds of thousands of soldiers at the front, who (I haven't heard any exceptions yet) were waiting for an acquittal. And first of all, the former subordinates of Ivan Ivanovich, who say that it is better for a soldier than Ivan Ivanovich, no ONE cared about them and the result.

If anyone doubts — I recommend to go and check. And the conclusion on the outcome of this verdict suggests itself: "In Everyone can be sued in Russia, even if there is nothing of what I have listed above.“ I hate to write this, but it's a FACT.

But I am in a hurry to upset the CUSTOMER (although he already understands this himself). He has not achieved and will never achieve the main thing for himself. Russia will always remember Ivan Ivanovich Popov as the winner who repelled the most powerful blow of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in this war. And he will always be a HERO for Russia. And now, after this sentence, he has also made him a MARTYR. That's all he has achieved at this stage. And his …

And of course, Ivan Ivanovich will seek justice to the end. All the way to the Supreme Court. And this very Supreme Court will now have to legalize this, as I believe, lawlessness. And this will carry very big risks for the country. After all, this is a precedent. And the precedent is very dangerous. And anyway, I believe in justice. And I will do everything so that she triumphs in this matter."

As EADaily reported, according to investigators, Ivan Popov was involved in the theft in 2023 of more than 1,700 tons of rolled metal products purchased by the administration of the Zaporozhye region. The investigation claims that he acted as part of an organized group together with Lieutenant General Oleg Tsokov and businessman Sergei Moiseev. However, Tsokov died in the SMO zone in the summer of 2023 and was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Russia, the case against him was terminated. Moiseev was kept in jail, later the court changed his measure of restraint to house arrest. For Ivan Popov, the prosecutor asked to appoint 6 years in a penal colony with a fine of 800 thousand rubles, as well as to deprive him of his military rank, which the Tambov garrison Military Court did today.

Recall that since the initiation of the criminal case, the general rejected all charges and addressed an open letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin with a request to send him to the front, but there was no public reaction. One way or another, the story with General Popov (as well as with General Surovikin and the former Minister of Defense of the DPR Strelkov) has already acquired a media trail, which in SMO conditions is unlikely to benefit.