Vasily Melnikov
Vasily Melnikov, born 1983, Volgograd 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…); “Vasily Melnikov's case of publishing fake stories about the Russian Armed Forces”, opened on July 1, 2023. Sentence (January 16, 2024): 5 years’ imprisonment in a general regime penal colony, with a prohibition on managing websites for 3 years; previously convicted under Article 280.1 part 2, Russian Criminal Code. Status: at large. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as a political prisoner, August 15, 2023.
In brief
Volgograd Oblast · Kotelnikovo · Bloggers · Anti-war cases
Sentence
5 years
imprisonment in a general regime penal colony, with a prohibition on managing websites for 3 years.
Upheld November 19, 2024
Other verdicts
- August 23, 2017 — 320 hours of community service
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)
- Article 280.1 part 2, Russian Criminal Code
Full wording of the charges
The case was opened following comments made on social media. According to the investigation, Melnikov expressed critical views of the Russian authorities and policies, and was a member of several related online communities and forums.
Latest event
October 20, 2026 — case status changed
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as a political prisoner — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners, August 15, 2023
Timeline
· Cassation ruling
upheld
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 5 years
· Recognised as a political prisoner
Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
· Criminal case opened
Vasily Melnikov's case of publishing fake stories about the Russian Armed Forces
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
Pre-trial Detention Centre №1 (SIZO-1) of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russian Federation for Volgograd Oblast
· Removed from the Rosfinmonitoring list
· Persecution ends
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict
· Persecution begins
Vasily Melnikov's case about calls for the establishment of the Kotelnikovo Republic
Criminal case
Vasily Melnikov's case of publishing fake stories about the Russian Armed Forces
- Case number
- 1-6/2024 (1-92/2023;)
Thematic group: Anti-war case
Vasily Melnikov's case about calls for the establishment of the Kotelnikovo Republic
Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of Kotelnikovsky District in the Volgograd Region, he was prosecuted for public calls to separatism following a post about the potential creation of a “Kotelnikovo Republic.” Melnikov pleaded guilty, and the case was heard under a special procedure. On 23 August 2017, he was sentenced to 320 hours of community service.
In July 2023, it emerged that Melnikov had been detained on charges of spreading false information about the Armed Forces. On 16 January 2024, he was sentenced to five years in a general-regime penal colony.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
- Place of detention
- Penal colony No. 12, Volgograd Oblast
- Persecution episodes
- 2
Other people prosecuted under Article 207.3 part 2 item d, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.