Varvara Lemann
Varvara Lemann, born 1990, Saint Petersburg. Charges: Article 205.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Public incitement to terrorism or justification of terrorism (using media or the internet)); “Varvara Lemann's case of incitement to terrorism”. Sentence (January 23, 2025): 3 years' imprisonment in a general regime penal colony, with a prohibition on engaging in activities related to… Status: imprisoned; place of detention: Penal colony No. 2, Saint Petersburg and Leningrad Oblast. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as a political prisoner, July 25, 2025.
In brief
Saint Petersburg · Saint Petersburg · Shop assistants · Anti-war cases, Terrorism cases
Sentence
3 years
imprisonment in a general regime penal colony, with a prohibition on engaging in activities related to administering websites and channels using electronic or information and telecommunication networks, including the Internet, for a period of 2 years.
No information about an appeal ruling.
Charges
- Article 205.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code — Public incitement to terrorism or justification of terrorism (using media or the internet)
Full wording of the charges
According to the investigation, she posted in the Telegram group “Satire Without Positivity” a video containing calls for the overthrow of the Russian authorities and for the “execution of the highest echelon of military personnel”, including the words: “Soldiers and officers of Russia <…> liberate Russia from Putin.”
Latest event
July 25, 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 25, 2025
Timeline
· Recognised as a political prisoner
Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 3 years
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
Criminal case
Varvara Lemann's case of incitement to terrorism
Thematic group: Anti-war case
Write a letter
Facility: Penal colony No. 2, Saint Petersburg and Leningrad Oblast
Address (in Russian, as written on the envelope)
187010, Ленинградская область, Тосненcкий район, п. Ульяновка, Ульяновское шоссе, д. 76, ФКУ «ИК № 2 УФСИН России по Санкт-Петербургу и Ленинградской области», Леманн Варвара Викторовна, 1990 г.р.
Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of St. Petersburg. A case was opened against her on charges of incitement to terrorism for calling for the overthrow of the Russian authorities and for the “execution of the highest echelon of military personnel”. In December 2024, the case was transferred to the court. At the trial, Lemann stated that after a visit from FSB officers she had changed her attitude towards the war and now supported the actions of the Russian Federation. On 23 January 2025 she was sentenced to three years in a general-regime penal colony.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
Other people prosecuted under Article 205.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.