Fake criminal proceedings against the fiancé of anti-war activist Daria Kosyreva

“Last night, Denis sent me a message from St. Petersburg that criminal proceedings had been opened against him for refusing military service. Denis is the fiancé of Daria Kosyreva, who sharply criticised Russian President Putin for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison and a fine for ‘discrediting the army’ (Article 280.3 of the Russian Criminal Code). Now the Putin regime is taking revenge on her friend,” an ISHR source reported to AP on October 6, 2025.

The fiancés Daria and Denis at a birthday party © private

To avoid endangering himself and Daria (20 years old), Denis kept a low profile when bringing food and medicine to Daria in the detention centre. Although her appeal against her prison sentence had been rejected, the appeal against the 40,000 rubles (approximately 400 Euro) fine was still pending. After repeated postponements, the appeal hearing finally took place on October 1, 2025. Daria was able to hear the judge and lawyers via video link, but due to a technical malfunction, her microphone remained muted. When Daria’s lawyer brought this to the attention of Judge N. Okhotskaya, she declared the video link closed and the appeal dismissed. Denis was present in the courtroom on October 1. When the prosecutor publicly insulted and humiliated Daria, Denis could not restrain himself and reprimanded the prosecutor in the courtroom.

“Within two days, criminal proceedings were initiated against Denis on the prosecutor’s orders, not because of his criticism in court, but because he failed to comply with the order to report to the mobilisation centre for conscription. He was right to refuse, because under existing Russian law, young men who are actively studying may not be drafted into the military. The initiated criminal proceedings are a clear revenge by the prosecutor for Denis’s active support for Daria during the appeal process,” the ISHR informant assesses.

Denis is in dire straits: he is supposed to pay the lawyer who represented Daria, who had accompanied Denis to interviews three times. His fee, the equivalent of 220 euros, is low compared to other lawyers; but Denis does not have this money. The ISHR has already pledged assistance.

Young political prisoner increasingly ill due to prison conditions

Yegor Balaseikin, from near Saint Petersburg, was 16 years old when he was sentenced to six years in prison in November 2024. Yegor, who came from a rather pro-Putin family and whose outstanding academic performance made every opportunity available to him, initially had no objections to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but then became a staunch opponent. On February 28, 2024, he was arrested for throwing a homemade Molotov cocktail at a military conscription building. The Molotov cocktail failed to ignite, and no one was hurt. He justified the act to his mother by saying that he couldn’t live with it” when I see how many people are dying.” Yegor was initially charged with attempted arson, but later with attempted terrorist attack. After his parents and lawyer were prohibited from sharing any documents related to his case with third parties, his parents are convinced that the security forces want to ruin the boy’s life.

Since childhood, Yegor has suffered from the serious illness autoimmune hepatitis. In prison, he works in textile production and sews reflective armbands for schools. Due to a lack of exercise, he suffers from constant back pain, as the curvature of his spine continues to progress despite warm-up exercises. Due to poor hygiene, there is no shower and no functioning sewage system, he now also suffers from skin rashes that often lead to blistering.

Solitary cell in which a young Russian war critic was imprisoned © private

The ISHR is aware of around 130 young political prisoners between the ages of 14 and 23 who urgently need support. Many of them rely on assistance for legal representation, as well as for essential needs such as food, medicine, and hygiene items. ISHR also works to raise public awareness of their situation so that these young people are not forgotten and so that their rights are upheld in accordance with international human rights standards. Through advocacy, cooperation with legal networks, and sustained public communication, ISHR continues to work towards their protection and eventual release.