Russia

A Russian court on Wednesday upheld the life sentence of Alexander Permyakov, who was convicted of injuring pro-Kremlin writer Zakhar Prilepin and killing his driver in a car bombing in May 2023.Prilepin, a prominent Russian author and outspoken supporter of the war against Ukraine, was injured in the attack, which killed his driver.
Permyakov was sentenced in September on charges that included committing a "terrorist act," the state-run RIA Novosti news agency reported.The court heard that Permyakov, who holds both Russian and Ukrainian citizenship, tracked Prilepin's movements and placed two explosive devices under the road near the writer's home in the Nizhny Novgorod region.
Permyakov reportedly admitted in court that Ukraine's SBU security service had promised him $20,000 for assassinating Prilepin.During the appeal hearing, Permyakov's defense highlighted his cooperation with investigators, including providing information about a hidden weapons stash and the location of an unexploded device.
However, the court rejected the appeal, affirming that Permyakov would serve the first five years of his sentence in a prison, where conditions are harsher than in a penal colony.Moscow has accused Ukraine of orchestrating multiple attacks and assassinations targeting prominent figures inside Russia.
Ukraine has not formally claimed responsibility for the attack on Prilepin, though SBU chief Vasyl Maliuk called the writer a "real war criminal" in a televised interview.Maliuk claimed last year that the explosion left Prilepin with severe injuries, including damage to his pelvis and legs, and suggested he had lost his genitals.
Prilepin, however, denied the latter claim, stating that while he suffered numerous fractures and a serious head injury, other assertions about his condition were false.The 49-year-old writer is known for his novels inspired by his service with Russian forces in Chechnya and his membership in a banned nationalist group.
He also fought alongside separatist forces in eastern Ukraine in 2014.After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Prilepin joined other pro-Kremlin figures in calling for the dismissal of cultural elites they deemed unpatriotic.
In January 2023, he signed a contract to serve with the Russian National Guard (Rosgvardia) in Ukraine.





Unlimited Portal Access + Monthly Magazine - 12 issues


Contribute US to Start Broadcasting - It's Voluntary!


ADVERTISE


Merchandise (Peace Series)

 


[Russia] - Putin Receives Bosnia's Wanted Serb Leader Dodik in Kremlin


[Russia] - Ukraine, Russia Complain to U.S. About Strikes on Energy Sites


[Russia] - Kadyrov Appoints Teenage Son to Supervise Chechnya's Interior Ministry


[Russia] - Russia 'Can not' Accept U.S. Ceasefire Proposal in Ukraine, Deputy FM Says


[Russia] - Transgender Russian Woman Dies at Dutch Asylum Shelter


[Russia] - Finland Should 'Mentally Prepare' to Restore Ties With Russia, President Stubb Says


[Russia] - Is Ukraine Intensifying Its Attacks on Russia's Border Regions?Ukraine appears to be increase its cross-border attacks and efforts to permeate Russian area, as ground combating continues without time out on both sides despite efforts by the U.S


Russia’s Kemerovo Region to Pay Pregnant Schoolgirls


Russian Manufacturing PMI Falls to Lowest Level Since April 2022


[Russia] - China Is Ready to Play 'Constructive Role' in Ending Ukraine War, Foreign Minister Says


Mass Cyberattack Disrupts Online Services for Russian Railways


[Russia] - Germany's Foreign Minister Accuses Putin of 'Playing for Time' in Ukraine


[Russia] - Ukrainian Drone Attacks Injure 15 in Occupied Donetsk Region


[Russia] - Zelensky Urges Europe to Unite Behind Ukraine, 3 Years After Bucha Massacre


Russia Sentences Exiled Journalists Anin, Fomina to 8.5 Years Over Bucha Reporting


Putin Increases Spring Conscription Target to 160K


[Russia] - After Losing Limbs to War, Russian Amputee Veterans Come To Grips With Officials' Empty Promises


Moldova Expels Russian Diplomats Over Alleged Role in MP’s Escape


[Russia] - Russia's Supreme Court to Review Taliban Terrorist Status


[Russia] - Public Outcry Across Russia as Bill to Euthanize Stray Animals Sparks Rare Protests


Putin ‘Remains Open’ to Speaking With Trump, Top Spokesman Says


Kremlin Condemns French Court Ruling Barring Le Pen From Office


[Russia] - Russia Sends Rescuers to Myanmar After Deadly Earthquake


[Russia] - Georgian Police Arrest Russian Citizen During Anti-Government Protest


[Russia] - Shooter Opens Fire on Traffic Police in Murmansk


[Russia] - Russia and U.S. Begin Talks on Rare Earth Metals, Putin Envoy Says