At the end of June 2012, widely known as the anti-corruption fighter, blogger Alexei Navalny announced the fact of illegal hacking of his electronic post and account on Twitter. In his statement, which was sent to the Investigative Committee, he expressed the opinion that the hacking was carried out through those computers and iPads that were seized from him during a search conducted as part of the riot case on Bolotnaya Square on May 6.
The Investigative Committee did not examine the issue of hacking Navalny’s email, he submitted a statement in accordance with the criminal procedure law “for jurisdiction” to the police and the Central Internal Affairs Directorate in Moscow.
According to the norms of the law in force in Russia, hacking e-mails and accounts on social networks is an illegal action, since this is personal correspondence, not intended for outsiders. Article 23 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation still provides for a citizen’s right to privacy, confidentiality of correspondence, telephone conversations, mail and other messages. This right may be limited only on the basis of a court decision, which was not.
Therefore, it does not make sense to say that the police found in Navalny’s mail - no matter what was written in a personal mail and whatever facts were stated in it, discussing these issues and taking any measures would be unlawful. At least, before a case is brought against Navalny and an official decision of the judicial authorities to monitor his personal mail is followed.
Meanwhile, the hacker, who claimed responsibility for the illegal hack, working under the pseudonym "Hell, " began to post fragments of Navalny’s correspondence on the Internet. At first, his epistolary dialogue with the current governor of the Kirov region Nikita Belykh made a lot of noise, then information was posted about a certain offshore company, which, judging by the correspondence, is related to Navalny.
The desire of the authorities to silence and get rid of the person who systematically puts to the public the facts of undisguised corruption by government officials is understandable. Fortunately, Navalny has a legal education and acts strictly in accordance with the law - all charges against him are confirmed by documents.
The discussion of a citizen’s personal correspondence, in any case, contradicts not only the law, but the moral standards of a civilized society. However, today, when in Russia these norms are violated at the highest level, it is simply ridiculous to refer to them.
