Valery is a videographer and local historian, well known in his region as a researcher of local history. A few months before his detention, his home was searched and all his equipment was seized.
On March 24, 2022, Valery was summoned to the district police department and detained for 72 hours, and the next day he was remanded in custody pending trial. He was accused of inciting hatred over Instagram comments on the Zeltser case: according to the prosecution, in September 2021 he called for violence against security officers, officials and representatives of the authorities.
In August 2022, Valery was found guilty in a criminal case initiated under the article "Inciting racial, national, religious or other social hatred or discord" and sentenced to imprisonment in a penal colony.
Released in July 2023 after fully serving the sentence imposed by the court.
