Mikhail Antonovich is a political prisoner
Tyumen resident accused of financing terrorism over paid Telegram Stars in channels that raised funds for Ukrainian army units
Mikhail Antonovich, a resident of Tyumen, was detained on December 18, 2025. He was remanded in custody on charges of financing terrorism (Article 205.1 of the Russian Criminal Code). According to the investigation, Antonovich purchased approximately 300 rubles’ worth of paid reactions (“Stars”) on Telegram and then used them under several posts in the Telegram channels “NEVZOROV,” “BEREZOVIEW (Taras Berezovets) WAR IN UKRAINE,” “Накипело. Майкл Наки,” and “Sasha Shpak Official.”
The posts themselves did not concern fundraising in support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. However, the channels also contained other publications calling on readers to donate to Ukrainian military units that have been designated as terrorist organisations in Russia — Azov, the Russian Volunteer Corps, and the Freedom of Russia Legion. According to the investigation, this means that placing Stars under any post in these channels constitutes a transfer of money to finance terrorist activities.
Law enforcement officers found chats and correspondence on Antonovich’s phone that, in their view, indicated that he “has a persistently negative attitude towards the policies of the Russian Federation.” It is also alleged that he passed on information that could harm the Russian Federation — for example, he told Michael Naki that the internet in Tyumen had stopped working for several hours.
We believe that Azov, the Russian Volunteer Corps and the Freedom of Russia Legion were designated as terrorist organisations in Russia unlawfully and solely for political and propaganda reasons, and that transferring money to them does not constitute financing terrorism. However, based on the case materials, Mikhail Antonovich did not even transfer funds to the Armed Forces of Ukraine or express approval of publications concerning such fundraising: most likely, he simply “liked” informational posts in channels he wished to support.
A detailed description of Antonovich’s case and of our position is available on our website.
How can you help?
You can write to Mikhail Antonovich at the following address:
Ru:
620019, Свердловская область, г. Екатеринбург, ул. Репина, д. 4, ФКУ СИЗО-1 ГУФСИН России по Свердловской области, Антонович Михаил Михайлович, 1968 г. р.
En:
Mikhail Mikhailovich Antonovich, born 1968, Remand Prison No. 1, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Sverdlovsk Oblast, 4 Repina Street, Yekaterinburg, Sverdlovsk Oblast, 620019, Russia.
You can also send emails via the ZT service (for payment with all bank cards).
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.
