Konstantin Podoshvelev
Konstantin Podoshvelev, born 1967, Saint Petersburg. Charges: Article 205.5 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Participation in the activities of a terrorist organization); Article 214 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Vandalism committed by a group of people, or motivated by hatred or animosity); Article 243 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Destruction or damage to cultural heritage objects); “Konstantin Podoshvelev's case of vandalism, damage to cultural heritage objects and farticipation if a terrorist organisation's activities”. Sentence (June 10, 2025): A sentence of 14 years' imprisonment, the first three years to be served in prison and the remainder in a strict-regime… Status: imprisoned. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as a political prisoner, June 5, 2025.
In brief
Saint Petersburg · Saint Petersburg · Former security officers · Anti-war cases, Terrorism cases
Sentence
14 years
A sentence of 14 years' imprisonment, the first three years to be served in prison and the remainder in a strict-regime penal colony, along with a fine of 250,000 roubles.
No information about an appeal ruling.
Charges
- Article 205.5 part 2, Russian Criminal Code — Participation in the activities of a terrorist organization
- Article 214 part 2, Russian Criminal Code — Vandalism committed by a group of people, or motivated by hatred or animosity
- Article 243 part 1, Russian Criminal Code — Destruction or damage to cultural heritage objects
Full wording of the charges
According to the investigation, in 2023 he contacted a handler from the Freedom of Russia Legion by email with the intention of joining the group. He then allegedly acted on this handler’s instructions by painting the slogan “Russian Orthodox Church FOR KILLERS” on the walls of a church on Gzhatskaia Street and on a church affiliated with the Polytechnic University, as well as the slogan “POLYTECH FOR KILLERS” on the university building itself.
Latest event
October 5, 2026 — added to the rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as a political prisoner — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners, June 5, 2025
Timeline
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 14 years
· Recognised as a political prisoner
Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
· Preventive measure: house arrest
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
· Persecution begins
Konstantin Podoshvelev's case of vandalism, damage to cultural heritage objects and farticipation if a terrorist organisation's activities
· Preventive measure: placement in a temporary detention facility
Criminal case
Konstantin Podoshvelev's case of vandalism, damage to cultural heritage objects and farticipation if a terrorist organisation's activities
Thematic group: Anti-war case
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Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of St Petersburg and formerly an employee of the Interior Ministry in Khabarovsk Krai, Podoshvelev was detained on 14 February 2024 on suspicion of painting anti-war slogans. According to the St Petersburg police, he had “been in contact with handlers from Ukraine for some time and was preparing to join a terrorist organisation”. On 19 February 2024, he was remanded in custody. His pre-trial measure was changed to house arrest on 13 March.
In June 2024, it became known that Podoshvelev had also been charged with attempted participation in a terrorist community: investigators alleged that he had planned to join the “Legion of Freedom of Russia”. He was again taken into custody. The case was subsequently brought to court on charges of participation in a terrorist organisation, rather than attempted participation in a terrorist community.
In June 2025, the court sentenced Podoshvelev to fourteen years’ imprisonment, the first three years to be served in prison and the remainder in a high-security penal colony. He was also fined 250,000 roubles.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
Other people prosecuted under Article 205.5 part 2, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.