Ivan Kryukov
Ivan Kryukov, born 1976, Leningrad Oblast. Charges: Article 205.5 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Participation in the activities of a terrorist organization); “Ivan Kryukov's case of correspondence with the Freedom of Russia Legion”. Sentence (February 7, 2025): 11 years' imprisonment, of which the first 3 in prison, the rest in a strict regime penal colony, a fine of 200,000… Status: imprisoned; deprived of liberty since April 23, 2025; place of detention: Prison, Chelyabinsk Oblast. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as a political prisoner, December 4, 2025.
In brief
Leningrad Oblast · Shop assistants · Terrorism cases
Sentence
11 years
imprisonment, of which the first 3 in prison, the rest in a strict regime penal colony, a fine of 200,000 roubles
Upheld April 23, 2025
Charges
- Article 205.5 part 2, Russian Criminal Code — Participation in the activities of a terrorist organization
Full wording of the charges
According to the investigation, he joined a chat of the "Freedom of Russia" legion in Telegram and filled out a questionnaire, where he wrote: "I wish to join your movement against Putinism. I am against war. I have a desire to be involved in the overthrow of the regime. Filled out the questionnaire. Give feedback." After that he fulfilled two tasks of this organisation: at the presidential elections he wrote on the ballot paper "RDK is near" and sent to the "curators" photos and schemes of a certain power line. In addition, he continued to proactively maintain contact with his interlocutors and "expressed a desire to be useful in the attack on Belgorod".
Latest event
December 4, 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, December 4, 2025
Timeline
· Recognised as a political prisoner
Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Appeal ruling
upheld
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 11 years
Criminal case
Ivan Kryukov's case of correspondence with the Freedom of Russia Legion
Write a letter
Facility: Prison, Chelyabinsk Oblast
Address (in Russian, as written on the envelope)
457670, ул. Северная д.1, Челябинская область, г. Верхнеуральск, ФКУ «Тюрьма ГУФСИН России по Челябинской области», Крюков Иван Александрович, 1976 г.р.
Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of the Leningrad Region. A case was opened against him for participation in the activities of a terrorist organisation because of his correspondence with the Russian Freedom Legion. According to the investigation, he joined the legion's chat room in Telegram, filled out a questionnaire, wrote "RDK near" on a ballot paper during the presidential election on the organisation's instructions, and sent photos and diagrams of a certain power line to the "curators", as well as "expressed a desire to be useful in the offensive in Belgorod". On 7 February 2025, Kryukov was sentenced to 11 years in a strict regime penal colony.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
Other people prosecuted under Article 205.5 part 2, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.