Vladimir Zavyalov
Vladimir Zavyalov, born 1984, Smolensk Oblast. Charges: Article 207.3 part 2 item d, Russian Criminal Code (Dissemination of false information about the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, government…); “Vladimir Zavyalov's case of "fakes" about the activities of the Russian Armed Forces”. Sentence (February 4, 2026): Sentence unknown. Status: not in Russia. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as a political prisoner, May 30, 2022.
In brief
Smolensk Oblast · Smolensk · Entrepreneurs · Anti-war cases
Sentence
4 years 10 months
Sentence unknown
First instance, March 4, 2025: 5 years
Charges
- Article 207.3 part 2 item d, Russian Criminal Code — Dissemination of false information about the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, government agencies, or mercenaries (based on political, ideological, racial, national or religious hatred or enmity, or on grounds of hatred or enmity in relation to any social group)
Full wording of the charges
According to the investigation, he printed out anti-war leaflets and placed them in instead of price tags on products in the Karusel supermarket located in the Galaktika shopping mall. Initially, the case was opened under Part 1 of Article 207.3 of the Criminal Code of Russia, but then experts identified a motive of political hatred in Zavyalov's actions, and the charges were reclassified under Part 2.
Latest event
February 4, 2026 — appeal
The court upheld the verdict.
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as a political prisoner — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners, May 30, 2022
Timeline
· Appeal ruling
upheld
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 5 years
· Recognised as a political prisoner
Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
· Persecution begins
Vladimir Zavyalov's case of "fakes" about the activities of the Russian Armed Forces
· Preventive measure: house arrest
Criminal case
Vladimir Zavyalov's case of "fakes" about the activities of the Russian Armed Forces
Thematic group: Anti-war case
Details and sources
Full summary
Resident of Smolensk. On April 6, 2022 it became known that he was charged with spreading deliberately false information about the Armed Forces because he replaced price tags in the shop with anti-war inscriptions. Zavyalov was placed under house arrest. At first, the case was initiated under Part 1 of the Article 207.3 of the Criminal Code, but then experts found a motive of political hatred in Zavyalov's actions, and the charge was reclassified to Part 2. After the prosecution demanded a six year term in a penal colony for Zavyalov, he left Russia. On March 5, 2025, he was sentenced in absentia to five years. On May 30, 2025, on appeal, the sentence was cancelled and the case was sent for a new trial.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
- Preventive measures
- arrest in absentia
Other people prosecuted under Article 207.3 part 2 item d, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.