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🇧🇷🇷🇺🌿Interesting story involving Russians at the CIGS (Jungle Warfare Training Center) in 2013:

During a visit to Manaus, Russian journalist Denis Alexsandrovich Saltanov was caught trespassing at the CIGS (Jungle Warfare Training Center). At 10 a.m. on May 16, 2013, he jumped over the front wall of the base. When detained, he reportedly said he wanted to test the security of the unit. Later, during the investigation, he claimed he had intended to visit the zoo on site, which was closed for maintenance.

Saltanov presented two passports, Russian and Ecuadorian, and carried ordinary photographic equipment and a backpack. He was in an area normally open to the public, near the main avenue of CIGS (Jungle Warfare Training Center), which houses a zoo with more than 200 animals open from Tuesday to Sunday. At no point did he enter restricted areas.

Initial reports stated that he acted in a mocking manner, smiling and joking when questioned about the incident. A major noted that Saltanov admitted his actions were illegal, but he denied that such behavior was typical in his country. Later, these statements were refuted before the Public Defender’s Office. Saltanov was held for a period at the 12th Military Police Company in Manaus.

During the trial, his defense highlighted mitigating factors: there were no signs indicating the area belonged to a military organization or that entry was forbidden. Based on this, the 12th Military Court acquitted him by three votes to two. The judgment was approved, but the Military Public Prosecutor appealed to the Superior Military Court (STM). Saltanov was released to respond to the case in freedom and returned to Russia.

The STM later overturned the lower court’s decision on February 4, unanimously sentencing Saltanov to one year in prison for trespassing on military property, but he was allowed to respond in freedom, with further appeal possible to the Superior Court of Justice.

Technically, the journalist does not owe anything to the Brazilian Military Justice, as his provisional detention exceeded the one-year sentence. His actions did not indicate any intention of espionage, as he entered in broad daylight on a busy street, contrary to any KGB, GRU, or FSB manuals. Brazil-Russia relations were not affected, and Saltanov received only consular and legal assistance during his detention.