Vadim Selin
Vadim Selin, born 1989, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast. Charges: Article 205.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Public incitement to terrorism or justification of terrorism (using media or the internet)); Article 205.5 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Participation in the activities of a terrorist organization); Article 207.3 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Dissemination of false information about the RF Armed Forces, government agencies or mercenaries…); “Vadim Selin's case”. Sentence (August 29, 2025): 18 years' imprisonment: 4 years in prison and the remaining term in a strict-regime penal colony. Status: imprisoned; deprived of liberty since July 1, 2024; place of detention: Prison No. 2, Lipetsk Oblast. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as a political prisoner, November 26, 2025.
In brief
Nizhny Novgorod Oblast · Service workers, Manual workers · Terrorism cases
Sentence
18 years
imprisonment: 4 years in prison and the remaining term in a strict-regime penal colony
Upheld January 19, 2026
Charges
- Article 205.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code — Public incitement to terrorism or justification of terrorism (using media or the internet)
- Article 205.5 part 2, Russian Criminal Code — Participation in the activities of a terrorist organization
- Article 207.3 part 2, Russian Criminal Code — Dissemination of false information about the RF Armed Forces, government agencies or mercenaries (using official position, by a group of people, falsifying evidence, for selfish reasons or motivated by hatred)
Full wording of the charges
According to the investigation, he filled out a questionnaire on cooperation with the Freedom of Russia Legion, took money from a stash and bought equipment with it; disseminated deliberately false information about the Russian Armed Forces, in particular, in connection with mentioning the Russian army's crimes in Bucha and claiming that it could not take Kyiv in three days; publicly justified terrorist activities.
Latest event
January 19, 2026 — appeal
The court upheld the verdict.
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as a political prisoner — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners, November 26, 2025
Timeline
· Appeal ruling
upheld
· Recognised as a political prisoner
Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 18 years
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Persecution begins
Vadim Selin's case
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
Pre-trial Detention Centre №1 (SIZO-1) of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russian Federation for Nizhny Novgorod Oblast
Criminal case
Vadim Selin's case
- Case number
- 1-397/2025
Write a letter
Facility: Prison No. 2, Lipetsk Oblast
Address (in Russian, as written on the envelope)
399783, ул. Пролетарская д. 1Б, Липецкая область, г. Елец, ФКУ «Тюрьма № 2 УФСИН по Липецкой области», Селин Вадим Владимирович, 1989 г.р.
Details and sources
Full summary
Born in Sakhalin, he later moved to Balakhna (Nizhny Novgorod Region). He worked as a waiter in a sushi bar and as a loader.
On 4 July 2024, he was detained on charges of spreading deliberately false information about the Russian Armed Forces, publicly justifying terrorism, and participating in the activities of a terrorist organisation.
According to the investigation, the latter charge was based on the fact that he filled out a questionnaire about cooperation with the Freedom of Russia Legion, after which he retrieved money from a stash. Selin admits that he filled out the questionnaire and took the money, which he spent on equipment, but emphasises that this was the end of his “cooperation,” stating that he would not go to fight on the side of Ukraine and would not commit terrorist acts. He was remanded in custody.
A video by the FSB, published by Kommersant in September 2024, shows the moment of his detention. The officers ask him how he communicated with the Legion, to which he replies that “everything was via Telegram.” The outlet, citing the FSB, reported that Selin was to be investigated for treason.
At the trial, Selin stated that during his arrest and initial interrogation he was beaten with a stun gun, and during subsequent interrogations he was threatened with beatings and with being placed in a cell where other inmates would abuse him.
On 29 August 2025, the court sentenced him to 18 years’ imprisonment, with the first four years to be served in prison and the remainder in a strict-regime penal colony.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
Other people prosecuted under Article 205.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.