Primorsky deputy of the Legislative Assembly from the Communist Party Andrey Samsonov was sentenced to 13 years for allegedly showing a dildo to an 11-year-old child. The case was conducted under the article on “other acts of a sexual nature” against a minor. The prosecution asked for 15 years in prison for him.
According to Samsonov's lawyers, there are many contradictions in the testimony of prosecution witnesses. The boy himself speaks in constructions that may indicate the memorization of the text. Samsonov did not admit guilt and repeatedly said that he did not see this boy and did not communicate with him.
The statement was written by the boy's mother, Natalya Safonova. In addition, she wrote a complaint addressed to Vladimir Putin, which says that the deputy “persistently and aggressively” campaigned for her to “join Navalny’s movement”, and also repeatedly appeared on vacation without underwear and claimed that in this way he instills “European values." However, there is nothing in the letter about the incident with the teenager.
The case against Samsonov was initiated in November 2021 after he ran for the State Duma and took second place in his constituency. He himself connects the criminal prosecution with the intention to run for the City Duma. His colleagues believe that they “decided to deal with Samsonov” because of his struggle against infill development.
On January 23, 2021, Samsonov took part in a rally in Vladivostok in support of Alexei Navalny. As Vostok Media reported, the deputy has repeatedly taken part in events in support of the founder of the FBK.