Tomsk journalist Igor Kuznetsov has been released from prison.

A RusNews journalist was released today from Correctional Colony No. 3 in Tomsk, a major city in Siberia, the outlet reports.

Kuznetsov was supposed to be released before noon local time, but those waiting at the colony were informed that “he was taken away by the FSB.” Shortly afterwards, the journalist turned up at home—he explained that after his release he was taken for a talk by officers from the Centre “E.” They did not allow him to meet his loved ones at the colony, who had come to greet him. After the discussion, he was let go and returned home.

“Everything will be fine, I say this with full responsibility! Today’s ridiculous story is proof of that,” Kuznetsov told his colleagues.

• In March 2024, Kuznetsov was given a three-year suspended sentence on a charge of participating in an extremist group (Part 2, Article 282.1 of the Criminal Code). Security forces alleged that he was a member of “Left Resistance” and, together with activist Darya Polyudova, developed a plan to organise protests and “provoke clashes” with police in Tomsk. In particular, Kuznetsov was accused of having notified city hall about holding a rally and march on 8 September 2019.
• A month later, the journalist was sentenced in another case—concerning the Telegram channel “Chto-Delat!.” According to investigators, the accused created a network of Telegram channels to organise unrest during the State Duma elections in 2021. Kuznetsov was convicted of incitement to mass disorder (Part 1.1, Article 212 of the Criminal Code) and incitement of hatred (Subparagraph “v,” Part 2, Article 282 of the Criminal Code), and sentenced to six years in a general regime colony. He was also banned from publishing online addresses and other material for two years.
• Kuznetsov was detained in September 2021 and has been held first in pre-trial detention and then in the colony since then.