Vadim Selin

Born in Sakhalin, he moved to Balakhna (Nizhny Novgorod region). He worked as a sushi bar waiter and loader. On 4 July 2024, he was detained on charges of spreading knowingly fake information about Russian Armed Forces, public justification of terrorism and participation in the activities of a terrorist organisation. The last charge, according to the investigation, was based on him filling out a questionnaire about co-operation with the Freedom of Russia Legion, after which he took money from a certain stash. Selin admits that he filled out the questionnaire and took the money, which he spent on equipment, but emphasises that this was the end of his "cooperation" and he announced that he would not go to fight on the side of Ukraine and would not commit terrorist acts. Selin was taken into custody.

The video by the Federal Security Service Directorate published by 'Kommersant' in September 2024 shows the moment of detention. The law enforcement officers ask him how he communicated with the Legion, he replies that "everything was via Telegram". The publication, citing the FSSD, reported that Selin was going to be checked for treason. At the trial Selin said that during his arrest and the first interrogation he was beaten with a stun gun, and during subsequent interrogations he was threatened that he would be beaten and put in a cell where he would be abused by other prisoners.

On 29 August 2025, the court sentenced him to 18 years' imprisonment, of which he must spend the first four years in prison and the remaining term in a strict-regime penal colony.

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