In Siberia, a Russian was sentenced to 22 years behind bars for “treason” – in the case of setting fire to communication towers

The Second Eastern District Military Court in the Russian city of Chita sentenced a 26-year-old resident of the Irkutsk region, Timur Peleckis, to 22 years in prison in the case of setting fire to mobile phone towers. He must spend the first five years in prison, the rest in a high-security colony, the press service of the court reports.

He was accused of treason, as well as subversive activities, training and preparing to participate in the activities of a terrorist organization.

According to the investigation, in 2023 Peletskis joined the “Freedom of Russia” Legion, which fights on the side of Ukraine, and on the instructions of a representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, from December 28 to 29, 2023, he set fire to two base stations of communication operators located in the territory of the Irkutsk region.

Peleckis, according to the investigation, also agreed to commit sabotage at transport infrastructure facilities. In May 2024, he was allegedly detained while trying to drill the lock of a relay box on the railway. In addition, he allegedly collected information about the area where one of the military commissars is located. It is not known whether he pleaded guilty or whether the defense will appeal the verdict.

According to the human rights project “First Department”, 2025 became a record year in Russia for the number of convictions in cases of treason, espionage, confidential cooperation with foreigners and providing assistance to the enemy. Since the beginning of 2025, 470 people have been convicted on such charges. At least 420 are still under investigation, and the case files of 179 people have been submitted to the courts. There were no acquittals.