Brussels, 10 April 2026
On 8 April 2026, the St. Petersburg City Court delivered its verdict in the so-called “Vesna” case, sentencing 6 young activists to prison terms of between six and twelve years.
Vesna is a Russian youth movement founded in Saint Petersburg in 2013. It advocates for democracy, freedom, and human rights, and has been a member of the European Liberal Youth (LYMEC) since 2020.
It was labelled a “foreign agent” in October 2022 and subsequently banned as “extremist” in December 2022, solely for its public opposition to the war.
Since June 2023, six activists have been held in pretrial detention without prosecution, despite having committed no crimes.
Stripped of their freedom on groundless charges, they have been denied the chance to live normal lives. Their persecution represents a clear violation of fundamental rights, including freedom of association, freedom of thought and expression, and freedom of peaceful assembly.
This case is part of a broader campaign of political repression aimed at criminalising anti-war activism, silencing dissent, and intimidating young people who stand for democracy and human rights in Russia. These verdicts expose how the Russian authorities are using the justice system as a tool of political persecution, as a clear attempt to punish conscience, not crime.
5 activists have been officially recognised as Political prisoners and have received the following sentences:
● Anna Arkhipova was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
● Yan Ksenzhepolsky was sentenced to 11 years in prison.
● Vasily Neustroev was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
● Pavel Sinelnikov was sentenced to 7 years and 6 months in prison.
● Evgeny Zateev was sentenced to 6 years and 2 months in prison.
It sends a message to anyone in Russia who dares to oppose war, reject authoritarianism, or speak publicly for democracy and human rights.
The European Liberal Youth:
● Condemn these politically motivated sentences and the broader repression of Vesna activists.
● Demand the immediate release of all defendants and all political prisoners in Russia.
● Call on the Russian authorities to end the misuse of “extremism” and other groundless charges against peaceful activists.
● Urge the EU and democratic partners to take decisive action in support of Russia’s civil society and democratic opposition.
LYMEC Statement on the “Vesna” case and political prisoners in Russia