Russian Oncologist Sentenced to 5.5 Years for Telegram Posts Advocating Putin's Execution.

The Case of Yegor Voshchinin

According to TSN.ua: A court in Russia has found Yegor Voshchinin, a 51-year-old oncologist from St. Petersburg, guilty of inciting terrorism. His conviction stems from online comments calling for the execution of Russian political figures, including President Vladimir Putin and State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin. These posts were published on the Telegram messaging app in October 2023 and December 2024.

Voshchinin was detained by FSB agents in July 2025. He has been sentenced to five and a half years in a standard-regime penal colony. The court also imposed a two-year ban on the doctor publishing any material online. This case highlights the severe legal risks associated with advocating violence in Russia, even on social media. The verdict underscores the Kremlin's increasingly harsh crackdown on dissent since the invasion of Ukraine.

A Broader Trend in Russia

This prosecution is part of a wider pattern in Russia, where authorities are aggressively targeting any perceived calls for violence or destabilization. The government's tightening control over the internet and social networks in recent years reflects a clear intent to stifle opposition voices and maintain domestic stability.

The sentencing of Voshchinin may serve as a deterrent to others who might be inclined toward similar actions, emphasizing the severe consequences for advocating violence in Russian society. — Source unknown