Mikhail Balabanov reports his whereabouts
Mikhail Balabanov, a native of the city of Kazan, convicted of preparing to set fire to a military commissariat (registration and enlistment office) in the Stavropol Territory, has written to his parents that he had been taken to the Chelyabinsk SIZO (pre-trial prison), human rights defenders have informed.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on May 22, 2024, the Rostov-on-Don Military Court sentenced Mikhail Balabanov to 4.5 years of freedom deprivation for preparing to set fire to a military commissariat located in Nevinnomyssk. The human rights project "Support for Political Prisoners. Memorial" recognized Balabanov as a political prisoner.
The defendant has partially admitted his guilt: he didn't deny committing specific actions, but refused to treat them as preparation for a terror act. However, Balabanov's initial testimonies given during the preliminary investigation recorded his confession of hatred towards Russian leadership.
Balabanov was taken to SIZO in Chelyabinsk, the human rights project "Solidarity Zone" has informed today with reference to Mikhail's father. He has also told his parents that he felt well.
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on September 28, 2024 at 11:28 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
Source: Caucasian Knot