In St. Petersburg, the 1st Western District Military Court sentenced 43-year-old Vladimir Skvortsov, a resident of Vologda and an employee of the Russian Post, to 12 years in prison. He was convicted of financing extremist activities and participating in a terrorist organization. Skvortsov was found guilty: he will spend the first three years in prison, and the remaining nine in a strict-regime penal colony.
According to the investigation, in 2021, Skvortsov made four money transfers totaling 1,100 rubles (about $12 at the time) to the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK). All transfers were made after the Moscow City Court had designated FBK as an extremist organization. Later, he was also accused of involvement in the "Freedom of Russia Legion," which is officially designated as a terrorist group in Russia.
The prosecution stated that in 2024, Skvortsov, who opposed the war in Ukraine, contacted a representative of the Legion via Telegram, filled out an application form, and received an assignment: to distribute flyers criticizing the Russian authorities and containing the group’s symbols. On August 22, he printed 40 copies using a work computer at the Russian Post office and posted 26 of them around Vologda. He photographed each flyer for reporting purposes but was detained before he could finish distributing the rest or send the photos.
Initially, Skvortsov was arrested under administrative charges for displaying prohibited symbols and was sentenced to 7 days. Later, a criminal case was initiated, and he was transferred to pretrial detention. In November 2024, the Vologda City Court additionally fined him 1,000 rubles for creating the same banned symbols. Since September 2024, Skvortsov has been on Russia’s official list of extremists and terrorists.
In court, Skvortsov stated that he never intended to intimidate the public or promote violence—he simply donated to an anti-corruption cause. He said his involvement with the Legion was driven by guilt over the war, especially after the bombing of a children's hospital in Kyiv. Skvortsov emphasized that he believed the Legion was part of the Ukrainian army, and viewed Ukraine’s actions as defensive. He posed a rhetorical question: “What will my imprisonment change? Will it make me support the war?”
Despite admitting his actions, the defense argued that no actual crime had been committed and called for an acquittal. However, the court partially granted the prosecution’s request, sentencing Skvortsov to 12 years instead of the requested 15.
Twelve years of imprisonment for donating 1,100 rubles and hanging up some flyers — this isn't just a harsh sentence, it's a complete breakdown of proportionality and justice. Skvortsov didn’t commit any violence, didn’t call for killings, didn’t build weapons — he simply expressed his opinion against the war and supported those who fight corruption. Thousands of people have done the same, but he was chosen as an example to intimidate others.
His actions were a form of civil protest — words, paper, a printer. Yet he was sentenced as if he were a dangerous terrorist.
