Alexei Kolesnikov

A resident of Ostrogozhsk, Voronezh region. According to the Politzek.Org project, he was detained on April 5, 2024. Kolesnikov later said that he was beaten during the arrest. A case was opened against him on charges of incitement to extremism; the details of the charges are unknown. Kolesnikov claimed that, under pressure and threats, he signed a confession. He was taken into custody. On September 23 2024, Kolesnikov was sentenced to a year in general regime prison.

On December 28, 2024, the day Kolesnikov was due to be released, he was arrested again. On the same day, he was arrested for 10 days under the administrative article on disobedience to the lawful demands of police officers (Article 19.3 of the Code of Administrative Offences). On January 7 2025, he was detained upon leaving the detention centre and taken for questioning, where he was charged with incitement to extremism and terrorism. According to official statements, his two comments in 2023 contained calls for "violent actions against representatives of the current political authorities." Kolesnikov was taken into custody. On July 17 2025, he was sentenced to eight years in strict regime prison.