Professor from the Mining University Escapes Military Cult Scandal Penalty
Ural Federal University Professor Convicted for Discrediting the Russian Armed Forces
The Leninsky District Court of Yekaterinburg has found Sergey Abramov, a former professor at the Ural Federal University (UFU), guilty of spreading false information about the Russian army. According to the United Press Service of the Courts of Sverdловsk Region, Abramov was sentenced to ten months of corrective labor with a 15% salary deduction in favor of the state.
Abramov was initially detained at the university premises in the autumn of 2024. The investigators alleged that he had been criticizing a special operation and the Russian government's policies during his lectures to the students. Subsequently, he was dismissed from his position.
Abramov had been an instructor at the university since 2006. In 2014, the administration of Leninsky District of Yekaterinburg honored him with the "For Long Years of Faithful and Conscientious Work, High Professionalism, and Personal Contribution to the Preparation of Highly Qualified Specialists" award. He is the author of over a dozen textbooks, monographs, and scientific articles.
In recent years, Russia has imposed stricter laws against propagating what it deems as false information about its military, particularly with regard to military operations and state security. Academics, journalists, and activists have often been subject to prosecution under these laws. The convictions often result in fines, forced labor, or imprisonment. These cases have sparked concerns for academic freedom and freedom of expression in the country.
The news of Abramov's conviction for discrediting the Russian Armed Forces has raised questions about academic freedom and freedom of expression, as this incident adds to the increasing number of academics facing prosecution in Russia. This case follows the trend of stricter laws against spreading false information, especially concerning military operations and state security, which is a vital topic under education-and-self-development and politics.
