Alexander Matkheev
Alexander Matkheev, born 1997, Kemerovo Oblast. Charges: Article 205.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Public incitement to terrorism or justification of terrorism (using media or the internet)); Article 205.5 part 2 applied with Article 30 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Preparation for participation in the activities of a terrorist organization); Article 275 applied with Article 30 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Preparation for treason against the state (preparation for a crime)); “Alexander Matheev's case of preparation for state treason”. Sentence (August 7, 2024): 9 years and 10 months of imprisonment in a high-security penal colony, with a fine of 300,000 rubles (~ 3,250 USD). Status: imprisoned; deprived of liberty since November 1, 2023; place of detention: Prison, Saratov Oblast. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as a political prisoner, April 17, 2025.
In brief
Kemerovo Oblast · Kemerovo · Cooks, Shop assistants · Terrorism cases
Sentence
9 years 10 months
9 years and 10 months of imprisonment in a high-security penal colony, with a fine of 300,000 rubles (~ 3,250 USD).
First instance, April 16, 2024: 10 years
Charges
- Article 205.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code — Public incitement to terrorism or justification of terrorism (using media or the internet)
- Article 205.5 part 2 applied with Article 30 part 1, Russian Criminal Code — Preparation for participation in the activities of a terrorist organization
- Article 275 applied with Article 30 part 1, Russian Criminal Code — Preparation for treason against the state (preparation for a crime)
Full wording of the charges
According to investigators, on February 24, 2023, Matkheev posted an image featuring the flag and emblem of the "Freedom of Russia" Legion, accompanied by the caption: "Victory for Ukraine, Freedom for Russia, Ukraine is the Will of the People, Freedom for Russia." He also entered into discussions about the possibility of joining the "Freedom of Russia" Legion and intended to travel to Ukraine to fight alongside the legion's soldiers.
Latest event
April 17, 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, April 17, 2025
Timeline
· Recognised as a political prisoner
Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Appeal ruling
sentence changed · 9 years 10 months
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 10 years
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
Pre-trial Detention Centre №1 (SIZO-1) of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russian Federation for Novosibirsk Oblast
· Preventive measure: placement in a temporary detention facility
· Persecution begins
Alexander Matheev's case of preparation for state treason
Criminal case
Alexander Matheev's case of preparation for state treason
Write a letter
Facility: Prison, Saratov Oblast
Address (in Russian, as written on the envelope)
412315, ул. Уральская д. 17, Саратовская область, г. Балашов, ФКУ «Тюрьма УФСИН России по Саратовской области», Матхеев Александр Дмитриевич, 1997 г.р.
Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of Buryatia, Alexander Matkheev was registered at a psychiatric dispensary. He worked as a loader, cashier, and cook at a kindergarten. He was strongly opposed to the war, and at some point, he began corresponding with people he believed were connected to the "Freedom of Russia" legion. Following their instructions, he bought equipment and headed to the specified location by train. On 14 November 2023, Matkheev was detained at the Taiga railway station in the Kemerovo region. He was initially arrested for ten days under an administrative charge of petty hooliganism (Part 1 of Article 20.1 of the Code of Administrative Offences). After serving that term, he was given another 15-day arrest for the same offence.
On 22 December 2023, Matkheev was detained again, this time as a suspect in a case of preparing for treason, participating in the activities of a terrorist organisation, and incitement to terrorism. The next day, he was taken into custody. On 16 April 2024, Matkheev was sentenced to ten years in a high-security penal colony. After his detention, Matkheev began expressing support for Russia in the conflict. On 7 August 2024, an appellate court reduced his sentence by two months.
In September 2024, the "First Department" reported that Matkheev had written in a letter that he was being sent to the war as a cook. However, Matkheev's lawyer later denied this information.
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.