The Central District Military Court of Yekaterinburg received a case against the author of the Telegram channel 'Ural Republic'* Pavel Svezhentsev and another person whose name is not disclosed, reported the local publication It`s My City. Svezhentsev is accused of aiding 'terrorist activities', 'calls for terrorism', and 'creating a terrorist community'.
According to the investigation, the young man contacted a 'Ukrainian terrorist community' in 2023 and planned to create a combat unit within the Armed Forces of Ukraine for the 'liberation of the Urals' and partisan detachments. It is also claimed that the accused was part of a chat where discussions about setting fire to police cars and false reports of bomb threats at police stations in the Sverdlovsk and Chelyabinsk regions took place.
Pavel Svezhentsev was detained in July 2023. Initially, he was only charged with 'calls for terrorism'. Until October 4, 2023, he was held in a pre-trial detention center, after which he was placed under house arrest. Svezhentsev's measure of restraint was changed because the investigation could not prove why he should be kept in custody, It’s My City clarified in the press service of the Ordzhonikidzevsky District Court. In the final version of the charges, articles on 'organizing a terrorist community' and aiding 'terrorist activities' appeared. In total, the Yekaterinburg resident faces more than 20 years in prison.
* Recognized as a 'terrorist organization' in Russia.
Photo: It’s My City