Arseny Turbin
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Arseny Turbin | |
|---|---|
| Арсений Турбин | |
| Born | August 19, 2008 Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
| Known for | Anti-war activism, political imprisonment in Russia |
Arseny Turbin (Russian: Арсений Турбин, born 19 August 2008) is a Russian teenager and political activist. He became internationally known in 2024 after being sentenced to five years in a juvenile correctional colony in Russia on charges of "participating in a terrorist organization."[1] He is widely regarded by human rights groups and media as one of the youngest political prisoners in modern Russia.[2]
Turbin was born in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to a Russian mother and Emirati father. He was raised in Livny, Oryol Oblast, Russia.[3] He was an academically successful student at the Bulhakov Lyceum and aspired to attend MGIMO University.[4] Reports suggest he was bullied for his mixed heritage.[3]
Activism
In 2023, Turbin began posting anti-war content on Telegram, including founding a channel called "Свободная Россия" ("Free Russia") and distributing anti-Putin leaflets.[3] On 1 June 2023, he allegedly emailed the anti-Kremlin military group Freedom of Russia Legion offering to assist with spreading their message, though he later stated that he never completed or submitted their recruitment form.[5]
Arrest and prosecution
On 29 August 2023, Turbin’s home was raided by the FSB, and he was detained on 5 September 2023.[3] He was initially placed under house arrest and later transferred to a pre-trial detention center. In June 2024, the 2nd Western District Military Court in Moscow sentenced him to five years in a juvenile correctional colony under Article 205.5 Part 2 of the Russian Criminal Code (participation in a terrorist organization).[1] According to Mediazona and The Moscow Times, the prosecution’s evidence was allegedly manipulated, and the FSB misrepresented Turbin’s statements during interrogation.[6][3]
Turbin was held at Moscow’s SIZO-5 (Vodnik), where he reported abuse by a cellmate and significant weight loss.[6][7] In October 2024, he was placed in solitary confinement after a cell dispute and later transferred to a juvenile colony in Perm Krai.[6]
In December 2025, according to his lawyer, a notebook was planted in his locker with A.U.E. writing.[8] They claimed this was an attempt by the Russian authorities to bring a larger sentence, but that it failed and the prison began working on a new case.
On 21 February 2026, a support group advocating for Turbin reported that he was transferred to pre-trial detention, indicating a new criminal case.[8] The defense stated that Turbin was charged with Article 212 - participating in mass riots, and could face 3 to 8 years for the new charge.[9]