Ilia Kholopov
Ilia Kholopov, born 2005, Saint Petersburg. Charges: Article 205.5 part 2 applied with Article 30 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Preparation for participation in the activities of a terrorist organization); Article 275 applied with Article 30 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Preparation for treason against the state (preparation for a crime)); “Ilia Kholopov's case on preparation to participate in the activities of a terrorist organisation and high treason”. Sentence (April 8, 2025): 7 years' imprisonment, with the first 3 years in prison and the rest in a strict regime penal colony. Status: imprisoned; deprived of liberty since March 1, 2024; place of detention: Prison No. 2, Lipetsk Oblast. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as a political prisoner, January 14, 2026.
In brief
Saint Petersburg · Saint Petersburg · Students · Terrorism cases
Sentence
7 years
imprisonment, with the first 3 years in prison and the rest in a strict regime penal colony
Upheld July 28, 2025
Charges
- Article 205.5 part 2 applied with Article 30 part 1, Russian Criminal Code — Preparation for participation in the activities of a terrorist organization
- Article 275 applied with Article 30 part 1, Russian Criminal Code — Preparation for treason against the state (preparation for a crime)
Full wording of the charges
According to the investigation, he communicated with a bot of the Freedom of Russia Legion, sent his questionnaire to the organization's email, and sent a form to the Russian Volunteer Corps. On 4 March 2024, having received no response, he travelled to St Petersburg in order to reach Bryansk Region and cross the border there.
Latest event
January 14, 2026 — recognised as a political prisoner
Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as a political prisoner — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners, January 14, 2026
Timeline
· Recognised as a political prisoner
Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
· Appeal ruling
upheld
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 7 years
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Persecution begins
Ilia Kholopov's case on preparation to participate in the activities of a terrorist organisation and high treason
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
Criminal case
Ilia Kholopov's case on preparation to participate in the activities of a terrorist organisation and high treason
- Case number
- 2-20/2025
Write a letter
Facility: Prison No. 2, Lipetsk Oblast
Address (in Russian, as written on the envelope)
399783, ул. Пролетарская д. 1Б, Липецкая область, г. Елец, ФКУ «Тюрьма № 2 УФСИН по Липецкой области», Холопов Илья Владимирович, 2005 г.р.
Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of Novgorod Oblast, a technical college student. After an argument with his classmates, during which Kholopov expressed his intention to fight on the side of Ukraine, FSB officers came to his home and issued a warning that a case for high treason could be opened against him. In March 2024, he was detained on a train in St Petersburg, from where, according to the investigation, he intended to travel to Bryansk Oblast to cross the border there. At the trial, he claimed that he had changed his mind at the last moment but did not have time to return his ticket. Kholopov was charged with preparation to participate in the activities of a terrorist organisation and high treason and was taken into custody. On 8 April 2025, he was sentenced to seven years in a strict regime penal colony.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
Other people prosecuted under Article 205.5 part 2 applied with Article 30 part 1, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.