Aslan Naptugov
Aslan Naptugov, born 1969, Karachay-Cherkessia. Charges: Article 282.1 (part unknown), Russian Criminal Code (The creation and management of a extremist group); “The case of an extremist organisation in Cherkessk”. Sentence (July 14, 2025): 5 years' imprisonment in a general regime penal colony. Status: at large.
In brief
Karachay-Cherkessia · Cherkessk · Bloggers · Extremism cases, Cases related to mass actions
Sentence
5 years
imprisonment in a general regime penal colony
Upheld February 4, 2026
Charges
- Article 282.1 (part unknown), Russian Criminal Code — The creation and management of a extremist group
Full wording of the charges
According to investigators, Aslan Naptugov disseminated information concerning the continued existence of the USSR and the RSFSR, while denying the validity of the Russian Constitution and the legitimacy of both the Russian state and its laws. Furthermore, they claim he attempted to obstruct the activities of the Rospotrebnadzor department by demanding the 'repeal of regulations adopted to combat the coronavirus', and interfered with the work of the regional government by organising rallies outside its building.
Latest event
February 4, 2026 — appeal
The court upheld the verdict.
Timeline
· Appeal ruling
upheld
· Persecution ends
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 5 years
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Persecution begins
The case of an extremist organisation in Cherkessk
· Preventive measure: placement in a temporary detention facility
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
Criminal case
The case of an extremist organisation in Cherkessk
- Case number
- 1-16/2025
Other defendants in the case
- Svetlana Darova — At large, 6 years
- Vladimir Ilichev — At large, 3 years 6 months
- Oleko Kuzhev — Imprisoned, 6 years 1 month
- Adnan Meremshaov — Imprisoned, 6 years 1 month
- Olga Primak — At large, 4 years
- Anita Tukova — At large, 4 years
- Abdulmalik Shoev — At large, 3 years 6 months
- Larisa Yakusheva — At large, 6 years
Details and sources
Full summary
Aslan Naptugov is a resident of Karachay-Cherkessia, an entrepreneur, a member of the Independent Association of Doctors, and a supporter of the "Citizens of the USSR" movement. On 24 May 2022, officers detained him following a search, and the court subsequently remanded him in custody on charges of participating in the activities of an extremist community. On 14 July 2025, Naptugov was sentenced to five years in a general-regime penal colony. He was released in September 2025.
Other people prosecuted under Article 282.1 (part unknown), Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.