Sergei Karelin
Sergei Karelin, born 1983, Moscow. Charges: Article 282.1 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Participation in an extremist community); “The case of journalists' participation in activities of an extremist community”. Sentence (April 15, 2025): 5 years 6 months' imprisonment in a general regime penal colony. Status: imprisoned; deprived of liberty since April 26, 2024; place of detention: Penal colony No. 6, Moscow Oblast. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as a political prisoner, May 13, 2024.
In brief
Moscow, Murmansk Oblast · Moscow, Murmansk · Journalists · Extremism cases, Cases against Navalny/ACF supporters
Sentence
5 years 6 months
imprisonment in a general regime penal colony
Upheld December 4, 2025
Charges
- Article 282.1 part 2, Russian Criminal Code — Participation in an extremist community
Full wording of the charges
According to the investigation, "in the period from November 2022 to April 2024", in accordance with his designated role in the extremist community, he carried out his criminal activities by filming videos that were subsequently posted by unidentified individuals on the Internet, including on the video hosting channel 'Navalny LIVE' on YouTube and on the 'Team Navalny' channel on the social network Telegram (Telegram)". In addition, "in the period from 28 November 2022 to 10 March 2024", "with the aim of discrediting the current government, he interviewed people using video recording, asking provocative questions in public places in Moscow and the Moscow region". In exchange for fulfilling the instructions of Ivan Zhdanov, Nina Volokhonskaya "and other unidentified leaders and participants of the extremist community, as part of this joint extremist activity, as well as for the expenses incurred in supporting it", he received "money and cryptocurrency from unidentified participants of the extremist community and other individuals involved in the activities of the Anti-Corruption Foundation".
Latest event
December 4, 2025 — appeal
The court upheld the verdict.
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as a political prisoner — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners, May 13, 2024
Timeline
· Appeal ruling
upheld
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 5 years 6 months
· Recognised as a political prisoner
Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
Pre-trial Detention Centre №2 (SIZO-2) of the Federal Penitentiary Service of the Russian Federation for the Murmansk Oblast
· Persecution begins
The case of journalists' participation in activities of an extremist community
· Preventive measure: placement in a temporary detention facility
Criminal case
The case of journalists' participation in activities of an extremist community
- Case number
- 01-0934/2024
Other defendants in the case
- Konstantin Gabov — Imprisoned, 5 years 6 months
- Antonina Kravtsova (Favorskaia) — Imprisoned, 5 years 6 months
- Artem Kriger — Imprisoned, 5 years 6 months
Thematic group: The case of the extremist community led by Navalny; The case of journalists of participation in an extremist community
Write a letter
Facility: Penal colony No. 6, Moscow Oblast
Address (in Russian, as written on the envelope)
140405 Московская область, г. Коломна, мкр. Колычево, Колычевский проезд д. 6, ФКУ «ИК № 6 УФСИН по Московской области», Карелин Сергей Валентинович, 1983 г.р.
Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of Moscow, a videographer, co-operated with Associated Press and Deutsche Welle. On 26 April 2024, he was detained in Murmansk on the charges of participation in the activities of an extremist organisation, manifested in participation in the YouTube channel "Navalny LIVE". The next day, Karelin was taken into custody. He was later transferred to Moscow. In October 2024, Karelin reported that when he was transferred to another pre-trial detention centre, he was placed in an overcrowded cell with bedbugs. Later it became known that he was transferred to a cell with better conditions. On 15 April 2025, Karelin was sentenced to five and a half years in a general regime penal colony.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Israel, Russia
Other people prosecuted under Article 282.1 part 2, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.