Vladislav Vertinskii
Vladislav Vertinskii, Komi Republic. Charges: Article 243.4 part 2 item b, Russian Criminal Code (Destruction or damage to military burial sites or memorials dedicated to World War II); Article 354.1 part 3, Russian Criminal Code (Insulting the memory, symbols, and veterans of the Great Patriotic War); “Vladislav Vertinskii's case on the inscription on the Eternal Flame”. Sentence (September 26, 2023): 3 years' imprisonment in an open prison. Status: at large. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as a political prisoner, March 13, 2024.
In brief
Komi Republic · Ukhta
Sentence
3 years
imprisonment in an open prison
Upheld December 19, 2023
Charges
- Article 243.4 part 2 item b, Russian Criminal Code — Destruction or damage to military burial sites or memorials dedicated to World War II
- Article 354.1 part 3, Russian Criminal Code — Insulting the memory, symbols, and veterans of the Great Patriotic War
Full wording of the charges
According to the investigation, on 8 May 2022, Vertinsky used a can of yellow spray paint to put a "difficult-to-remove inscription" on the Eternal Flame memorial, thereby damaging and desecrating it all the while insulting the memory of the defenders of the Fatherland. Local Telegram channels reported that the inscription was "Putler kaput"- a derogatory play on words combining "Putin" and "Hitler" with the German word "kaput".
Latest event
May 1, 2025 — imprisonment ends
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as a political prisoner — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners, March 13, 2024
Timeline
· Imprisonment ends
· Persecution ends
· Recognised as a political prisoner
Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
· Appeal ruling
upheld
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 3 years
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
· Preventive measure: placement in a temporary detention facility
· Persecution begins
Vladislav Vertinskii's case on the inscription on the Eternal Flame
Criminal case
Vladislav Vertinskii's case on the inscription on the Eternal Flame
Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of Ukhta, second biggest town in the Komi Republic. He was detained and placed in a pre-trial detention centre in May 2022 on charges of damaging military graves and insulting the memory of defenders of the Fatherland. In September 2023, Vertinskii was sentenced to three years in an open prison. In May 2025, he was allegedly released.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
Other people prosecuted under Article 243.4 part 2 item b, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.