The Institute of Mass Information sues Shariy

The Institute of Mass Information to sue the pro-Russian propagandist Anatoliy Shariy for defamation.

On November 3 and 4, the pro-Russian blogger and treason suspect posted false information on his Telegram channel, claiming that the Institute of Mass Information has received a prize from a drug cartel.

The posts came shortly after IMI reported that Shariy turned out to be a member of the International Federation of Journalists. The IMI asked the IFJ for a comment on this matter.

"I will not delve into Shariy's so-called 'investigation'. We are going to sue him for defamation. Our partners have assured us of their support; we have also contacted human rights organizations for legal support," said the IMI director, Oksana Romaniuk.

As the IMI reported, unknown persons in Spain hurled several “Molotov cocktails” at the house of the pro-Russian propagandist and treason suspect, Anatoliy Shariy, on the night of October 24, 2023. According to elDiario, the attack followed Shariy’s “investigation” into the supposed drug trafficking business in Ukraine and Europe.

Anatoliy Shariy was detained in Spain on May 4, 2022, but a Spanish court later released him under a recognizance not to leave the country. Iryna Venedictova, who was then Ukraine’s Attorney General, urged Ukrainians to refrain from emotional comments about Shariy so as not to interfere with his extradition.

In 2021, the SBU issued a suspicion notice to Anatoliy Shariy under two articles in the Criminal Code of Ukraine: Article 111 (“High treason”) and Article 161 (“Violation of citizens’ equality based on their race, nationality, religion, disability or other characteristics”). The SBU summoned Shariy for questioning on February 22 and declared him a wanted person on February 25.

On March 1, 2021, SBU submitted to the Kyiv City Attorney’s Office a request for international legal assistance and material necessary for organizing and performing investigative actions in other countries as part of Shariy’s case.

On August 21, 2021, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky signed into effect the National Security and Defense Council's decision to impose sanctions on the Shariy couple – Anatoliy and Olha. On February 16, 2022, Zelensky expanded the sanctions targeting Shariy, which now apply to his websites as well.

On July 6, 2023, the SBU issued another suspicion notice to pro-Kremlin blogger Anatoliy Shariy, who produced staged videos for the Russian FSB of Ukrainian POWs being interrogated. He is suspected under Article 28 Part 2 and Article 111 Part 2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (high treason committed under martial law by a group of persons upon prior conspiracy).