The 1st Western District Military Court in St. Petersburg sentenced 58-year-old entrepreneur and former police officer Konstantin Podshvelev to 14 years in a maximum-security colony on charges of «damaging cultural heritage sites» and «vandalism», as well as «participation in the activities of a terrorist organization», reported a correspondent of «Mediazona»** from the courtroom. Podshvelev will spend the first three years of his sentence in prison and only then be transferred to a maximum-security colony. He was also fined 250,000 rubles.
The prosecution requested 18 years in a maximum-security colony.
The defendant's speech during the debates, in which he analyzed all the prosecution's arguments and provided counterarguments, lasted more than four hours and spanned two sessions.
Attorney Spitsa noted during the debates that the investigation failed to find a connection between the Legion «Freedom of Russia» and the contacts in Konstantin Podshvelev's devices.
Podshvelev was detained in February 2024 due to the graffiti «University for killers» on the wall of the Polytechnic University, and the words «ROC for killers» on the walls of the Church of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin and the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God «Tenderness».
Until mid-March 2024, he was in pre-trial detention. Then the measure of restraint was changed to house arrest, but in June he was returned to custody and a second search was conducted at his home.
In March 2025, it was revealed that Podshvelev had been additionally charged with participation in the activities of a terrorist organization. According to the investigation, he made the graffiti on the orders of the Legion «Freedom of Russia».
Podshvelev did not plead guilty. In court, he stated that on January 21, the night the graffiti appeared, he was at home, as he had been discharged from the hospital shortly before after surgery.
Additionally, he told the court about being beaten during his arrest and threats of «torture, physical violence, harassment, and taking his family hostage» if he did not give a confession. According to Podshvelev, after his detention became public, his son, who studies in a cadet class, was bullied at school.
«I have no one left except my son, wife, and daughter. They are the meaning of my life, and I must be free to love, care, protect, work, and support my family», — said Podshvelev in his final statement and asked to be acquitted.
The human rights project «Memorial»** included Podshvelev in the list of political prisoners on June 6.
* Recognized as a «terrorist» organization in Russia
** Recognized as «foreign agents» in Russia.
Photo: Mediazona