Evgeny Nikiforov
Evgeny Nikiforov, born 1979, Rostov Oblast. Charges: Article 275 applied with Article 30 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Preparation for treason against the state (preparation for a crime)); “Case of Evgeny Nikiforov on preparation for high treason”. Sentence (April 4, 2023): 6 years 6 months' deprivation of liberty in a strict regime colony. Status: imprisoned; deprived of liberty since April 25, 2023; place of detention: Pre-trial detention centre No. 1, Rostov Oblast. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as a political prisoner, December 25, 2025.
In brief
Rostov Oblast · Rostov-on-Don
Sentence
6 years 6 months
deprivation of liberty in a strict regime colony
No information about an appeal ruling.
Charges
- 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 the investigation, he intended to go to Ukraine and join the AFU. When he was detained, they allegedly found a questionnaire and an application for a contract with the AFU.
Latest event
December 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, December 25, 2025
Timeline
· Recognised as a political prisoner
Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
· Imprisonment begins
Pre-trial Detention Centre №1 (SIZO-1) of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russian Federation for the Rostov Region
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 6 years 6 months
Criminal case
Case of Evgeny Nikiforov on preparation for high treason
Write a letter
Facility: Pre-trial detention centre No. 1, Rostov Oblast
Address (in Russian, as written on the envelope)
344022 г. Ростов-на-Дону, ул. Максима Горького, 219, ФКУ СИЗО-1 УФСИН России по Ростовской области, Никифоров Евгений Александрович, 1979 г.р.
Details and sources
Full summary
Resident of the Volgograd region. Detained in Rostov region, where he was taken into custody. According to Igor Paskar, who was in the same pre-trial detention centre with him, Nikiforov wanted to join the Freedom of Russia legion and discussed such a possibility in a chat room under a YouTube video. Paskar says that Nikiforov was contacted by some "right people" who gave him detailed instructions on how to buy ammunition, sign a contract and enter Ukraine, among other things. Apparently, the negotiations with him were conducted by members of the special services. On 4 April 2023, Nikiforov was sentenced to six and a half years in a strict regime colony on charges of preparation for high treason.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
Other people prosecuted under Article 275 applied with Article 30 part 1, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.