Kathrine Frich
Authorities claimed he applied to join the group by filling out an online form.
A Russian court recently reduced the prison sentence of Arseny Turbin, Russia’s youngest political prisoner, by only 24 days, following his appeal.
Sentenced in 2024
Turbin, 15, was sentenced to five years in a penal colony on charges of “terrorism” after posting anti-Putin messages on his Telegram channel, which had only five followers.
The minor’s case has drawn attention as a disturbing example of Russia’s ongoing crackdown on dissent, as reported by the independent Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta.
Turbin was sentenced in June 2024 for alleged affiliation with the “Freedom of Russia Legion,” a group fighting alongside Ukraine’s forces against the Russian military, according to Hotnews.
Authorities claimed he applied to join the group by filling out an online form. However, an audio recording from his interrogation reportedly showed Turbin denied any attempt to join, contradicting the charges.
Distributed Leaflets
The teenager was also accused of distributing leaflets critical of President Vladimir Putin and taking a photo with a white-blue-white flag, a symbol of the anti-war movement in Russia.
His Telegram posts on his small channel, “Free Russia,” included criticisms of Putin and the war, which Russian authorities viewed as anti-state activity.
Since his imprisonment, Turbin’s health has deteriorated significantly. In October, he had lost 17 kilograms (around 37 pounds) within four months in detention, according to his mother, who spoke to Novaya Gazeta.
Turbin reportedly told her that life in prison had become “very difficult.” In September, he was beaten by a cellmate, leaving him despondent and “without any hope,” she said.
His mother described the harsh realities Turbin faces, explaining that prisoners who file complaints are often targeted for brutal retaliation.
One inmate who spoke out, she said, was later assaulted and abused with a toilet brush. Turbin, who was once cheerful during visits with his mother, now appears worn down by the conditions he endures.