Maxim Smyshlyaev
Maxim Smyshlyaev, born 1982, Rostov Oblast. Charges: Article 205.1 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Assisting in terrorist activities); “Maksim Smyshlyayev's case on aiding and abetting terrorist activities”. Sentence (August 10, 2017): ten years' imprisonment in a strict regime colony. Status: at large. Recognition: Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners — recognised as a political prisoner, October 2, 2016; Memorial Human Rights Centre — recognised as a political prisoner, September 15, 2016.
In brief
Rostov Oblast · Rostov-on-Don · Service workers · Terrorism cases
Sentence
10 years
ten years' imprisonment in a strict regime colony
Upheld April 4, 2018
Charges
- Article 205.1 part 1, Russian Criminal Code — Assisting in terrorist activities
Full wording of the charges
Having a correspondence with A.A. Panov via the Internet in the social network "Vkontakte" and Skype, as well as during a personal meeting with A.A. Panov, which took place on 27.11.2015 at the time from 14 to 15 hours in the cafe "Zolotoy Kolos" ... approving the criminal intentions of Panov A.A. to commit a terrorist act on the territory of the city of Rostov-on-Don by means of committing an explosion in a place of mass gathering of people, in order to put pressure on the authorities of the Russian Federation, intentionally provided Panov A.A. with assistance in the preparation of a terrorist act in the form of advice, instructions and information in the selection of the most favourable place and time for its commission, in the choice of clothing and conspiracy measures, in order not to be detected and detained by law enforcement officers in preparation for and during the commission of the terrorist act, and also promised Panov A.A. assistance in the manufacture of a more powerful explosive device.
Latest event
April 21, 2026 — imprisonment ends
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as a political prisoner — Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners, October 2, 2016
- Recognised as a political prisoner — Memorial Human Rights Centre, September 15, 2016
Timeline
· Imprisonment ends
· Appeal ruling
upheld
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 10 years
· Recognised as a political prisoner
Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners
· Recognised as a political prisoner
Memorial Human Rights Centre
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Persecution begins
Maksim Smyshlyayev's case on aiding and abetting terrorist activities
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
Pre-trial Detention Centre №1 (SIZO-1) of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russian Federation for the Rostov Region
Criminal case
Maksim Smyshlyayev's case on aiding and abetting terrorist activities
Details and sources
Full summary
In April 2016, Maxim Smyshlyaev's flat was searched, followed by a confrontation between him and Artur Panov, who is accused in the case of preparing a terrorist attack. Smyshlyaev was arrested. On 20 May, he was charged with complicity on the basis of correspondence and personal communication with the minor Panov, who suggested him to commit a terrorist act. Smyshlyaev claims that he dissuaded Panov from carrying out the plot. The investigation believes that Smyshlyaev told Panov how to make a bomb at home. Smyshlyaev claims that during the search he was planted with programme documents of the "Red Army Faction", of which Panov considers himself a follower, and materials for making explosives, which became the basis for his detention
During the investigation, Smyshlyaev's friend Yulia Milova was pressurised, threatened and intimidated. Rosbalt correspondent Dmitry Remizov was demanded to testify against Smyshlyaev. He was also threatened and used physical force.
On 11 August 2017, Smyshlyaev was sentenced to ten years in a strict regime colony. He was released in April 2026.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
Other people prosecuted under Article 205.1 part 1, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.