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On 28 August, the 2nd Western District Military Court in Moscow began hearing the case of Vadim Selin, a 35-year-old loader from Balakhna, Nizhny Novgorod Region. He is accused of spreading military “fakes” (part 1, article 207.3 of the Criminal Code), justifying terrorism on the Internet (part 2, article 205.2), and participating in the activities of a terrorist organisation (part 2, article 205.5). This was reported by SotaVision.
Under the charge of justifying terrorism, Selin is accused of writing 25 comments in the Telegram channel chat “Freedom of Russia Movement.” The investigators considered six of them to be “fakes” about the Russian army.
Specifically, the prosecution claims Selin wrote: “…the rf army has already demonstrated its uselessness in Ukraine, when it failed to take Kyiv in three days,” “the entire Kremlin government must be toppled completely and imprisoned with confiscation of all assets, the zombified people sent for compulsory treatment for Putinism, in isolation, forced to pay reparations…,” “Americans are still repenting for what they did to the indigenous people of America, while the 'rashists' couldn’t care less that they’ve killed loads of people in Ukraine and sent another 300,000 to die as cannon fodder in their own army in meat assaults” (spelling and punctuation as in original).
Vadim Selin is also accused of participating in the “Freedom of Russia Legion.” According to the investigation, he received 50,000 roubles (approx. US$575) from the organisation. The man was allegedly instructed to spend half on equipment and to hide the other half.
The prosecution added that the loader received the money after filling out a questionnaire to join the Legion.
Selin did not admit guilt in the case. He confirmed that he wrote the comments, but stated that he did not consider them unlawful.
Regarding the accusation of participating in the Legion, the defendant said representatives of “Freedom of Russia” repeatedly tried to contact him, as he was an active member of the “Freedom of Russia Movement” chat. However, according to Selin, he realised this was illegal and did not want to participate in the organisation’s activities.
The man added that it was the Legion that suggested filling out the questionnaire. He said he wanted to get the money to help his elderly mother, who needed expensive cancer medication.
Vadim Selin’s lawyer, Artem Nikitin, asked the court to declare over 40 pieces of evidence collected by the investigators inadmissible. Judge Andrei Morozov rejected all such motions.
Vadim Selin also withdrew the testimony he had previously given, stating he gave it under duress. He said that law enforcement officials used violence during his arrest and first interrogation: according to the defendant, he was beaten with a stun gun. Later interrogations also included threats, with officials telling Selin they would beat him and place him in a cell where other detainees would abuse him.
The Balakhna resident also noted that his previous state-appointed lawyer collaborated with the investigators. The lawyer did not explain his rights to him and urged him to confess.
18:23 Judge Andrei Morozov sentenced Selin to 18 years in prison, reports SOTAvision. The first four years are to be served in prison, with the remainder to be spent in a strict regime colony.
During the trial, the prosecutor requested a 20-year sentence. Selin himself asked to be acquitted. He also said that, after the death of his stepfather, his elderly mother was left without any support.
The headline was changed after the verdict was issued
- Vadim Selin was detained and placed in pre-trial detention in July 2024. No details of his case had been known until now.