Memorial recognized a history teacher from Komi, Nikita Tushkanov, as a political prisoner, who is accused of justifying terrorism for a post about the explosion of the Crimean bridge.
“We believe that the words imputed to Tushkanov under Art. 205.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation as “justifying terrorism” cannot be considered as inciting someone to commit acts of a terrorist nature. His persecution under this article continues the state campaign to “cleanse” dissidents and is a reaction to his anti-war statements,” the human rights activists said in a statement.
A court in Syktyvkar arrested Tushkanov in December last year. Before that, they came to his house with a search.
On October 10, 2022, Tushkanov posted a photo of the destruction after rocket attacks on Ukrainian cities with the caption "Putin's fascism's revenge for the Crimean bridge." In March 2021, Tushkanov was fired from the school where he taught history after a picket and posts in support of political prisoners. The dismissal order states that he committed an "immoral act."