The Moscow prosecutor’s office plans to review actor Alexei Panin in connection with alleged public calls for terrorist actions. This development was reported by TASS, a state news agency.
The check is scheduled to occur before September and could be extended if investigators deem it necessary.
If investigators uncover convincing grounds, Panin may face charges under Part 2 of Article 205.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. These charges cover public calls for terrorist activities, the public disclosure of terrorism or terrorist propaganda, or the processing of such content using media or information and telecommunications networks, including the internet and electronic networks. Panin might also be examined under Part 2 of Article 280.1, which addresses public calls for actions that threaten the territorial integrity of the Russian Federation, particularly when such acts are committed by a person who has already faced administrative responsibility for a similar act within the previous year and performed via media or electronic networks including the Internet.
A potential alternative is administrative responsibility under Part 1 of Article 20.3.3. This provision targets public actions aimed at discrediting the use of armed forces by the Russian authorities to protect national interests and the citizens of Russia.
Penalties under these provisions could include a prison sentence for Panin. Specifically, Part 2 of Article 205.2 combined with Part 2 of Article 280.1 could lead to imprisonment, while Part 1 of Article 20.3.3 allows for penalties such as fines or other corrective measures. The overall sentence could reach a combination of imprisonment and fines in line with the court’s assessment of the case details and the severity of the alleged offenses.
On August 2, the Telegram channel Mash reported that the Investigative Committee of Russia will also review Sobchak in connection with a joint discussion that touched on public justification of terrorism. This report indicates a broader examination of public statements by notable figures in relation to terrorism issues.
Earlier, Sobchak responded to Mizulina’s request by indicating a willingness to discuss whether terrorism could be justified in certain theoretical contexts, a stance that has drawn additional scrutiny from the public and officials alike. The sequence of events underscores ongoing concerns about how public discourse can influence attitudes toward terrorism and national security in Russia.