Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the number of political persecutions of teenagers in Russia has increased sharply - Mediazona

On February 8, 2024, DOXA was added to the register of “undesirable organizations.”

If you are in Russia or planning to return to it, you cannot repost our materials on social networks, link to them or publish quotes.

Read more about what is and is not possible in the cards .

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the number of political persecutions of teenagers in Russia has increased sharply, according to Mediazona analytics.

In Russia, you can be tried for criminal offenses from the age of 16, and for some serious offenses - from the age of 14. Teenagers are much more likely to be prosecuted on serious charges related to political persecution: under articles of treason, justification of terrorism, sabotage. “Mediazona” came to this conclusion after analyzing the Judicial Department’s publications published in VK.

After the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, cases began to be filed en masse against minors in Russia under articles of sabotage or terrorism—usually for arson. Minors are also persecuted for comments on the Internet, with cases filed for justifying terrorism and other charges. Before the start of the war, there were less than ten sentences under these articles in one half-year. In the first half of 2024, 23 such sentences were handed down.