Arseny Turbin
Arseny Turbin | |
|---|---|
| Арсений Турбин | |
| Born | August 19, 2008 Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
| Nationality | Russian |
| Known for | Anti-war activism, political imprisonment in Russia |
Arseny Turbin (Russian: Арсений Турбин, born 19 August 2008) is a Russian teenager and political activist. He became internationally known in 2024 after being sentenced to five years in a juvenile correctional colony in Russia on charges of "participating in a terrorist organization."[1] He is widely regarded by human rights groups and media as one of the youngest political prisoners in modern Russia.[2]
Early life
Turbin was born in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to a Russian mother and Emirati father. He was raised in Livny, Oryol Oblast, Russia.[3] He was an academically successful student at the Bulhakov Lyceum and aspired to attend MGIMO University.[4] Reports suggest he was bullied for his mixed heritage.[3]
Activism
In 2023, Turbin began posting anti-war content on Telegram, including founding a channel called "Свободная Россия" ("Free Russia") and distributing anti-Putin leaflets.[3] On 1 June 2023, he allegedly emailed the anti-Kremlin military group Freedom of Russia Legion offering to assist with spreading their message, though he later stated that he never completed or submitted their recruitment form.[5]
Arrest and prosecution
On 29 August 2023, Turbin’s home was raided by the FSB, and he was detained on 5 September 2023.[3] He was initially placed under house arrest and later transferred to a pre-trial detention center. In June 2024, the 2nd Western District Military Court in Moscow sentenced him to five years in a juvenile correctional colony under Article 205.5 Part 2 of the Russian Criminal Code (participation in a terrorist organization).[1] According to Mediazona and The Moscow Times, the prosecution’s evidence was allegedly manipulated, and the FSB misrepresented Turbin’s statements during interrogation.[6][3]
Turbin was held at Moscow’s SIZO-5 (Vodnik), where he reported abuse by a cellmate and significant weight loss.[6][7] In October 2024, he was placed in solitary confinement after a cell dispute and later transferred to a juvenile colony in Perm Krai.[6]
Human rights designation
The human rights organization Memorial recognized Turbin as a political prisoner.[2][8]
See also
References
- ^ a b "Russian anti-war teenager faces five years in jail after failed appeal". BBC News. 27 June 2024.
- ^ a b "'I dream of the day I can hug you': How Russian teenagers are being locked up for expressing dissent". CNN. 5 December 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "«Тут мы просто с тобой общаемся». Как оперативники ФСБ убеждали школьника, что вступить в легион «Свобода России» — это нормально" [«Here we are just communicating with you». How FSB operatives convinced a schoolboy that joining the legion «Freedom of Russia» — is normal]. Zona.Media (in Russian). 27 June 2024.
- ^ "'I didn't do anything wrong, Mum.' A schoolboy who wrote an anti-Putin leaflet has become Russia's youngest political prisoner". Novaya Gazeta Europe. 3 July 2024.
- ^ "Russia's youngest political prisoner reports beatings, harassment by fellow inmates in Moscow detention center". The Insider. 28 June 2024.
- ^ a b c "Russia's Youngest Political Prisoner, 16, Says Beaten by Cellmate". The Moscow Times. 8 October 2024.
- ^ "'Mom, I'm probably going to die soon.' Russian teenager in prison for anti-Putin flyers says cellmate brutally beat him". Meduza. 8 October 2024.
- ^ "Arseny Turbin is a political prisoner". Support for Political Prisoners. Memorial. 20 June 2024.