Aleksei Larionov is a political prisoner
Biker from Kostroma sentenced to 20 years in prison over graffiti
Aleksei Larionov was detained in May 2025. Russian security services released a video in which he recites what appears to be a rehearsed statement about carrying out ‘assignments from Ukrainian handlers.’ Larionov was charged with participation in an unnamed Ukrainian ‘terrorist organization’ (Article 205.5, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).
According to the investigation, he painted the organization’s symbols on buildings and other structures in the city and then sent photographs of the graffiti to a contact via a messaging app. The security services also claimed that, on the instructions of a ‘handler,’ Larionov prepared a résumé to apply for a job at an enterprise in Kostroma, although they did not explain what this was allegedly intended to achieve. He was arrested before he could submit the application.
During the investigation, the same alleged actions were also reclassified as high treason (Article 275 of the Russian Criminal Code). By no later than April 2026, a military court had completed its consideration of the case. Before sentencing, the prosecutor quoted the Russian literary critic Vissarion Belinsky: ‘Whoever does not belong to his Fatherland does not belong to humanity,‘ adding that ‘in the context of the special military operation, these words are more relevant than ever.‘ After this rhetorical flourish effectively excluding Larionov from humanity, the court sentenced him to 20 years of imprisonment.
In reality, Aleksei Larionov received this extraordinarily harsh sentence for graffiti on fences and building facades — conduct that, at most, would normally warrant an administrative fine of up to 500 rubles. Such actions pose no threat to Russia’s security. They merely remind people of what truly threatens that security: the criminal war launched by the Russian authorities, which has brought death and destruction to both sides of the conflict.
As for the résumé, we believe that if there had been any evidence that Larionov intended to seek employment for the purpose of espionage or sabotage, the prosecution and the FSB would certainly have said so. The mere act of preparing a résumé cannot harm Russia’s security and should not be treated as a criminal offense.
We do not know whether Larionov is accused of involvement with the Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK), the Freedom of Russia Legion, or Azov. However, all of these organizations have been designated as terrorist organizations in Russia unlawfully and for propaganda purposes. In reality, they are Ukrainian military formations participating in the defense of Ukraine against Russian aggression.
A detailed description of Aleksei Larionov’s case and of our position is available on our website.
How can you help?
Write to him:
Ru:
156005, г. Кострома, ул. Советская, д. 88, ФКУ СИЗО-1 УФСИН России по Костромской области, Ларионов Алексей Сергеевич, 1991 г. р.
En:
Aleksei Sergeevich Larionov (born 1991), 156005, Kostroma, Sovetskaya St. 88,
FKU SIZO-1 of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Kostroma Oblast.
You can also send emails via ZT (for payment with all bank cards), F-Pismo (accepts Russian bank cards), PrisonMail (accepts foreign bank cards) and Memorial-France (free of charge).
Please note that letters in languages other than Russian are highly unlikely to reach the intended recipient.
You can donate to help all political prisoners in Russia.
