Aleksandr Savelev
Aleksandr Savelev, born 1996, Krasnodar Krai. Charges: Article 330.1 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Violation of the procedure for activities of a foreign agent, committed by a person after being…); “Aleksandr Savelev's second case”, opened on January 1, 2025. Sentenced on May 14, 2026. Status: not in Russia.
In brief
Krasnodar Krai · Krasnodar, NULL · Journalists · Cases against "foreign agents"
Sentence
Compulsory labour
No information about an appeal ruling.
Charges
- Article 284.1, Russian Criminal Code — Implementation, organization, or financing of activities of an undesirable organization
- Article 330.1 part 2, Russian Criminal Code — Violation of the procedure for activities of a foreign agent, committed by a person after being persecuted for an administrative offence
Full wording of the charges
is a project officer of the previously recognised undesirable organisation Open Russia
Latest event
May 14, 2026 — first-instance verdict
The court delivered a guilty verdict.
Timeline
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict
· Criminal case opened
Aleksandr Savelev's second case
· Added to the register of “foreign agents”
· Persecution begins
Aleksandr Saveliev's case
Criminal case
Aleksandr Saveliev's case
Aleksandr Savelev's second case
- Case number
- 1-4/2026
Details and sources
Full summary
On 30 July 2019, in Ust-Labinsk, southern Russia, Savelev’s parents’ home was searched, during which it emerged that a case had been opened against him for involvement in an undesirable organisation due to his work with the "MBKh Media" portal. On the same day, searches took place in Krasnodar at the homes of Marina and Leonid Zaprudin, witnesses in this criminal case, as well as at the building housing the "Environmental Watch on the North Caucasus" — where Savelev was at the time. This search involved the use of force: activist Andrei Rudomakha of "EcoWatch" was thrown to the floor and sprayed in the face with pepper spray. Witnesses went through the house looking for phones and flash drives, which were then handed to the investigator. Lawyer Aleksei Avanesyan, who arrived on the scene, was not allowed into the house. After the search, Savelev was taken for questioning by the Investigative Committee and then released.
On the same day, almost simultaneously with the start of the search, an anonymous Telegram channel, "Kuban Central", published a link to a text titled "Opposition Figures: Aleksandr Savelev". The text began by noting that Aleksandr Savelev had become the subject of a criminal case (at that time, probably known only to law enforcement). The anonymous author mentioned Savelev’s cooperation with "EcoWatch" and accused him of pedophilia, drug use, working for the American Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and for the "Russophobic" Polish channel "Belsat" 'to make easy and quick money'.
The following day, Savelev noticed he was being followed.
On 24 December, it became known that the criminal case had been closed. Investigators concluded that Savelev ceased participating in the undesirable organisation. No charges were filed against him. The journalist himself stated that he has never been a member of an "undesirable organisation".
On 15 October 2021, it was reported that the case had been reopened in connection with an interview Savelev conducted with Yana Antonova, the former coordinator of "Open Russia" in Krasnodar Region, who has been convicted under a similar case.
In December 2025, it became known that Savelev had been declared wanted; the details of the case are unknown.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
- Persecution episodes
- 2
Other people prosecuted under Article 284.1, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.