Konstantin Podoshvelyov is a political prisoner
A St Petersburg resident has been sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment for allegedly painting anti-war graffiti on the orders of the Free Russia Legion and intending to fight on the side of Ukraine
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Konstantin Podoshvelyov a political prisoner. Podoshvelyov has been convicted on charges of involvement in a terrorist organisation, vandalism, and damage to cultural and historical heritage sites for allegedly painting anti-war graffiti on the orders of the Free Russia Legion and planning to fight as a member of that body. Podoshevlyov’s criminal prosecution violates his right to a fair trial. We demand that all criminal charges against Konstantin Podoshvelyov be dropped.
What were the charges against Konstantin Podoshvelyov?
Konstantin Podoshvelyov is an individual entrepreneur and father of a young child. On 14 February 2024 a search was conducted at his home, and he was subsequently arrested for having allegedly, in January 2024, painted the slogans ‘POLYTECH FOR KILLERS’ (ПОЛИТЕХ ZA УБИЙЦ) and ‘ROC FOR KILLERS’(РПЦ ZA УБИЙЦ) on the walls of the St Petersburg Polytechnic University and two churches (the letter Z is a pro-war symbol for Russia’s war against Ukraine; РПЦ [ROC] is an abbreviation for Russian Orthodox Church). Podoshvelyov was charged with ‘damaging cultural heritage sites’ (Article 243, Part 1, of the Russian Criminal Code) and ‘vandalism motivated by political hatred’ (Article 214, Part 2).
On 13 June 2024, a new charge was brought against Podoshvelyov of ‘participation in a terrorist organisation’ (Article 205.5, Part 2). The investigative authorities claimed he had painted the anti-war graffiti on the orders of the Free Russia Legion and intended to participate in combat operations on the side of Ukraine. He denies the charge.
On 14 February 2024, Podoshvelyov was remanded in custody; on 13 March, he was placed under house arrest; on 13 June, he was again remanded in custody when he was charged with a terrorist offence.
On 10 June 2025, Podoshvelyov was sentenced to 14 years of imprisonment, with the first three years to be served in a cell-type prison, the remainder in a strict regime penal colony.
Why do we consider Konstantin Podoshvelyov a political prisoner?
There is doubt as to whether Podoshvelyov had any involvement with the Free Russia Legion. However, in any case, the charge related to his alleged involvement in this organisation is unfounded. The Legion was unlawfully designated a terrorist organisation since it is, in fact, a unit of the Ukrainian armed forces participating in the defence of the country against Russian aggression.
Damage to cultural heritage sites implies irreversible harm, but graffiti on the wall of a building is easily removed. The charge of vandalism is also, in our view, unfounded since the graffiti could not have caused significant damage. Moreover, the content of the graffiti provides no grounds to speak of desecration, i.e. of an offence to public morality. The arbitrary attribution of ‘political hatred’ as a motive makes this charge an instrument of political repression.
It is clear that the motive for painting the graffiti ‘POLYTECH FOR KILLERS’ and ‘ROC FOR KILLERS’ was not to damage historical buildings or to act with ‘hooligan intent’ but rather to protest against Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the way specific organisations support the war. The public danger of such actions is minimal, and they should not serve as grounds for criminal prosecution, still less a long prison sentence.
A detailed description of Konstantin Podoshvelyov’s case and of our position is available on our website.
Recognition of an individual as a political prisoner does not imply the ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project agrees with, or approves, their views, statements, or actions.
How can you help?
You can write to Konstantin Podoshvelyov at the following address:
RU: 196655, г. Санкт-Петербург, г. Колпино, ул. Колпинская, д. 9, ФКУ СИЗО-1 ГУФСИН России по г. Санкт-Петербургу и Ленинградской области, Подошвелёву Константину Михайловичу 1967 г. р.
EN: Konstantin Mikhailovich Podoshvelyov (born 1967), Remand Prison No. 1, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for St. Petersburg and Leningrad Oblast, 9 Kolpinskaya Street, Kolpino, St. Petersburg, 196655, Russia.
You can also send an email using F-Pismo (for payment with Russian bank cards), PrisonMail (for payment with other bank cards), ZT (for payment with all bank cards), OVD-Info and Memorial-France (free of charge).
Please note that letters in languages other than Russian are highly unlikely to reach the intended recipient.
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