Simeon Boikov, Aussie Cossack: Pro-Putin activist accuses police of ‘co-ordinated campaign’ over drug test

An infamous pro-Putin activist and self-labelled ‘freedom fighter’ has fronted court after refusing to do a roadside drug test, claiming he was targeted as part of a “co-ordinated police campaign”.

An infamous pro-Putin YouTube activist has accused the police of a “co-ordinated campaign” against him as he fronted court after he allegedly refused to do a roadside drug test.

Simeon Boikov, known online as Aussie Cossack, allegedly refused to give an oral sample in Pyrmont in August 2021 after officers pulled him over for a large Eureka flag protruding from his vehicle, which they first thought to be a traffic infringement but was later cleared by Highway Patrol.

Boikov, of Breakfast Point, is charged both with failing to submit to an oral fluid test and for not providing a sample. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.

At Downing Centre Local Court, Boikov represented himself and, during cross examination of the witnesses, argued the police had unlawfully pulled him over, targeting him as part of an alleged “co-ordinated police campaign” due to his YouTube persona and views.

Bodycam footage played in court showed when police officers attempted to get Boikov to provide an oral sample for random testing, he said “you’re not putting anything in my mouth, mate” and claimed they were trying to take his DNA.

The 32-year-old was recently arrested for gatecrashing an event for incumbent Reid MP Fiona Martin at Drummoyne Sailing Club in February. No charges as of yet have been laid.

In the footage shown in court, Constable Alexander Cox – who was called as a prosecution witness – can be seen helping colleagues at the scene after Boikov was pulled over.

Boikov was asked to provide an oral sample for testing, which he refused, calling it “illegal” and claiming the police wanted his DNA.

“I don’t care about your DNA,” Cons Cox can be heard saying to Boikov in the video.

“I just want to know if you’re on drugs or not.”

Simeon Boikov pictured outside the Downing Centre with the Eureka flag in 2021. Picture: Damian Shaw

Boikov also alleged that he was pulled over in part because he filed a complaint against an officer at Glebe police station. In the footage shown to court, upon being pulled over, Cons Cox asked Boikov if he “had been hanging around Glebe police station”.

Cons Cox denied knowing Boikov had made this complaint: “I had no idea about that”, he said under oath.

Boikov, both in the footage and in court, was adamant he had been targeted.

Simeon Boikov at the pro-Russia rally held outside the Consulate General of the Russian Federation building in Sydney in March. Picture: Jeremy Piper

“This is the harassment I get,” Boikov said in the footage. He said in court it was a “targeted test and a campaign against me”.

However, the officer who initially pulled over Boikov can be heard saying in the video “I don’t know who you are, this is random testing,” she said. “Why would I risk my job on this?”

Footage showed Boikov refusing to give the oral swab and stating “Australia is a police state, under attack from the police and army”.

The hearing will continue at Downing Centre Local Court in November.