Andrey Kotov
Andrey Kotov, born 2000, Vladimir Oblast. Charges: Article 207.3 part 2 item d, Russian Criminal Code (Dissemination of false information about the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, government…); “The case of "fake information" about the Russian Armed Forces in Kovrov”. Sentence (April 9, 2025): 3 years' deprivation of liberty in a general regime colony, with deprivation of the right to engage in activities… Status: imprisoned; deprived of liberty since September 1, 2024; place of detention: Penal colony No. 4, Vladimir Oblast. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as a political prisoner, July 7, 2025.
In brief
Vladimir Oblast · Kovrov · Teachers · Anti-war cases
Sentence
3 years
deprivation of liberty in a general regime colony, with deprivation of the right to engage in activities related to the administration of websites using electronic or information and telecommunications networks, including the Internet, for a period of 3 years
Upheld July 2, 2025
Charges
- Article 207.3 part 2 item d, Russian Criminal Code — Dissemination of false information about the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, government agencies, or mercenaries (based on political, ideological, racial, national or religious hatred or enmity, or on grounds of hatred or enmity in relation to any social group)
Full wording of the charges
According to the investigation, while on the territory of Kovrov, he deliberately posted on social networks at least 13 public messages that were accessible to an unlimited number of people and contained false information about the use of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation to protect the interests of the Russian Federation.
Latest event
July 7, 2025 — recognised as a political prisoner
Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as a political prisoner — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners, July 7, 2025
Timeline
· Recognised as a political prisoner
Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
· Appeal ruling
upheld
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 3 years
· Persecution begins
The case of "fake information" about the Russian Armed Forces in Kovrov
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
Criminal case
The case of "fake information" about the Russian Armed Forces in Kovrov
- Case number
- 1-125/2025
Thematic group: Anti-war case
Write a letter
Facility: Penal colony No. 4, Vladimir Oblast
Address (in Russian, as written on the envelope)
601443, Владимирская область, г. Вязники, ул. Железнодорожная, д. 37, ФКУ «ИК № 4 УФСИН по Владимирской области», Котов Андрей Алексеевич, 2000 г.р.
Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of Kovrov (Vladimir region). On September 5, 2024, the press service of the local branch of the Investigative Committee announced that he had been taken into custody in a case concerning the dissemination of deliberately false information about the Russian Armed Forces. On April 9, 2025, Kotov was sentenced to three years in a general-regime penal colony.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
Other people prosecuted under Article 207.3 part 2 item d, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.