15-Year-Old Russian Youngest Political Prisoner Sentenced to 5 Years for 'Anti-War' Protest

Russia's Youngest Political Prisoner... Sentence Reduced by 24 Days in Appeal
Lost 17kg After Months in Detention Center

Russia's youngest 'political prisoner' was sentenced to five years in prison for opposing the Russia-Ukraine war.

On the 7th (local time), the British BBC reported that the Russian appellate court sentenced Arseniy Turbin (15), who is accused of involvement in a terrorist organization, to five years in prison. The appellate court reduced Arseniy's sentence by only '24 days' compared to the first trial.

A photo of Arseniy Turbin (15 at the time), who was indicted last year for allegedly joining a terrorist organization.
[Image source=Captured from BBC homepage]

According to data from the Russian human rights organization 'OVD-Info,' Arseniy is one of nine anti-war youths opposing Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He is accused of joining the 'Free Russian Legion,' a paramilitary organization composed of Russian volunteers that Russia has designated as a terrorist group.

However, Arseniy denies all charges. He claims that although he was investigated regarding the organization, he never supported or joined it, nor committed any crimes. Arseniy's mother, Irina, is also appealing, insisting her son is innocent. She told the BBC, "I can never understand the judge who made such a ruling about my son."

Arseniy was a student aiming to attend a prestigious university in Moscow and was known to have a strong interest in politics. He planned to major in political science at university. He openly criticized Russia's decision to invade and Russian President Vladimir Putin at school. He also posted on social media about opposition politicians against President Putin.

Russian judicial authorities claim that Arseniy's activities were instigated by the 'terrorist organization.' However, Irina emphasized that her son acted on his own will, not under the organization's orders. She recalled that when Russian security agents raided their home at the end of August last year, she "was hysterical, trembling, and crying," and that "Arseniy calmed me down, saying, 'Mom, calm down. I did not commit any crime.'"

No lawyer was present during the judicial interrogation, and Irina suspects that the agents fabricated false confession documents against her son. While awaiting the trial results, Arseniy was transferred to a detention center in Moscow and remains confined there. Irina appealed, saying, "My son has suffered from constant stress and loss of appetite, dropping from 69 kg to 52 kg."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.