In 2022, Russia handed down the maximum number of sentences under the article on terrorism

In Russia, in 2022, a maximum number of sentences were handed down on criminal charges of terrorism, extremism, vandalism, and mass riots. This was calculated by “Important stories”.

274 people were convicted of public appeals to terrorism, 212 of extremist activities, 336 of vandalism. This is the maximum in the last ten years. The graph shows that the number of such sentences began to grow sharply from 2020, having increased two or three times since then.

According to these articles, they are often persecuted for anti-war statements, and “Important stories” are noted. According to “OVD-Info” estimates, almost 50 people were accused of anti-war posts on social networks in the public justification of terrorism. Among such publications are several wishes for a varied death to the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, as well as comments on the arson of military enlistment offices, the blowing up of the Crimean bridge, and strikes by the Ukrainian army on objects in Russia.

“Memorial” informs that members of the Islamic association “Hizb ut-Tahrir” are also being persecuted on a terrorist basis for reading relevant literature and attending meetings. Human rights activists believe that there are no sufficient grounds for declaring this organization terrorist. In the “Hizb ut-Tahrir” case, 253 people have already been convicted, of which more than a hundred have been sentenced to terms of at least 15 years.

“Jehovah’s Witnesses” are being tried en masse for extremist activity, “Memorial” reports. More than 80 people have already been sentenced to real terms for religion, the freedom of which is guaranteed by the Constitution of Russia.