Andrey Vitovtov

A resident of Barnaul. He was detained on the street on 12 December 2023, after which he was taken to his flat for it to be searched. They seized electronic devices, a collection of Soviet medals, diplomas and badges, money, and a bank card (the law enforcers denied that the latter had been seized). On the same day the search was also conducted at the warehouse of spare parts rented by Vitovtov. After the searches, the Barnaul resident was sent to a pre-trial detention centre on a case of public justification of terrorism because of publications in an anonymous Telegram channel.

Vitovtov's wife told OVD-Info that he was charged with publications in the "Ice Under the Major's Feet" Telegram channel about the assassination attempt on propagandist Zakhar Prilepin and about drone attacks on the Moscow City neighbourhood. According to her, the law enforcers have no evidence of his guilt.

In detention, the man began to have health problems: his arm goes numb. Vitovtov is denied visits from his family because he refuses to cooperate with the investigation.

On 8 October 2024 Vitovtov was sentenced to six years in a general regime colony.

The project "Support for Political Prisoners. Memorial" reported that in March 2025 it became known that a case of high treason had also been brought against Vitovtov.

You can read more about politically persecuted people in the Telegram channel OVD-Info LIVE and our database of politically motivated criminal prosecutions.