Artem Konstantinov
Artem Konstantinov, born 2000, Murmansk Oblast. Charges: Article 275, Russian Criminal Code (Treason against the state); “Artem Konstantinov’s case of treason”. Sentence (October 1, 2024): 13 years’ imprisonment in a strict regime colony. Status: imprisoned; deprived of liberty since December 9, 2024; place of detention: Penal colony No. 1, Sakha Republic.
In brief
Murmansk Oblast · Murmansk · Bloggers, Students
Sentence
13 years
imprisonment in a strict regime colony
Upheld December 9, 2024
Charges
- Article 275, Russian Criminal Code — Treason against the state
Full wording of the charges
According to investigators, in a Telegram message, he "established contact with representatives of a Ukrainian armed group and expressed his agreement to join them for subsequent participation in combat operations on Ukrainian territory against the Russian Armed Forces." According to security officials, the student also contacted "a representative of a foreign intelligence service" and carried out tasks for the "foreign party." Specifically, he sent the SBU a voice message compromising the Russian Armed Forces, which was later published online, along with photocopies of documents on the activities of the Murmansk Region military registration and enlistment office.
Latest event
December 9, 2024 — appeal
The court upheld the verdict.
Timeline
· Appeal ruling
upheld
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 13 years
· Persecution begins
Artem Konstantinov’s case of treason
Criminal case
Artem Konstantinov’s case of treason
Write a letter
Facility: Penal colony No. 1, Sakha Republic
Address (in Russian, as written on the envelope)
677004, Республика Саха (Якутия), г. Якутск, ул. Очиченко, 29/1 Б, ФКУ «ИК № 1 УФСИН по Республике Саха (Якутия)», Константинов Артем Юрьевич, 2000 г.р.
Details and sources
Full summary
A Murmansk resident and student, Konstantinov reported in November 2022 that FSB officers threatened to open a criminal case against him for inciting separatism due to several YouTube videos, as well as for discrediting the Russian military and, presumably, inciting hatred. The young man was detained on June 3, 2022, when he arrived at university to take an exam. He claims they put a bag over his head and put him in a minivan, where they forced him to unlock his phone and began beating him, demanding that he confess to working for the SBU. Afterward, security forces conducted a search of his apartment, which was formally an "inspection of the premises," and issued him an "official warning" about the inadmissibility of treason. Konstantinov was then taken to the FSB for questioning, where he was asked about his correspondence with a friend in Ukraine. On March 20, 2023, a friend of Konstantinov's told OVD-Info that Konstantinov had not been in touch for two months. It was later revealed that the student was charged with treason. According to investigators, he had contacted Ukrainian intelligence agencies and carried out their orders. On October 1, 2024, Konstantinov was sentenced to 13 years in a maximum-security penal colony.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
Other people prosecuted under Article 275, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.