The 1st Western District Military Court sentenced Anton D. to eight years in a general regime colony in the case of joining the Legion 'Freedom of Russia'* and distributing anti-war leaflets, reported the joint press service of the St. Petersburg courts. After release, the military court prohibited him from using the internet for two years.
The young man was found guilty under four criminal articles — participation in the activities of a 'terrorist organization,' 'preparation for a terrorist act,' 'knowingly false report' about a planned explosion, and 'treason.' At the time of his arrest in 2023, Anton D. was a minor.
According to the investigation, from June to September 2023, Anton 'became acquainted with the armed and ideological activities of the terrorist organization Legion 'Freedom of Russia' and 'consciously shared the ideology of the said organization.' 'Feeling dissatisfied with the current government and the policies of the Russian Federation,' the young man filled out a questionnaire and joined the Legion. After that, he began to post on the walls of administrative buildings, garbage containers, and lighting poles the leaflets he made 'with bad inscriptions about the President of the Russian Federation and good ones about Navalny**.'
On March 4, 2024, Anton, on the assignment of the Legion 'Freedom of Russia,' for the purpose of collecting information about active law enforcement officers and subsequently transferring it to Ukraine, created a channel in one of the messengers, in which he offered users to provide the data they had on law enforcement officers. On the same day, he made a leaflet 'with the image of the Ukrainian flag and text that spoke of an allegedly imminent act of terrorism' and placed it near the entrance to the city administration building.
On March 21, the young man painted anti-war graffiti on several buildings.
The results of his actions in placing leaflets and painting graffiti, Anton photographed and sent the photos to his leader from the Legion 'Freedom of Russia,' the investigation claims.
In March 2024, according to law enforcement, the young man planned to set fire to a military enlistment office, but was detained.
As indicated by the press service of the courts, the defendant admitted guilt in committing the incriminated crimes, but refused to testify on the merits of the accusation.
* Recognized as a 'terrorist' organization in Russia.
** Included in the list of 'terrorists and extremists.'