Anton Zhuchkov

On June 4, 2024, the Supreme Court of Russia upheld the verdict against Anton Zhuchkov and Vladimir Sergeyev — 10 and 8 years of imprisonment, respectively. The friends were convicted of preparing a terrorist act and drug dealing, although in reality they had attempted to commit public suicide in protest against the war.

On March 6, 2022, Anton Zhuchkov went to an anti-war demonstration with his friend Vladimir Sergeyev. Anton says he wanted to carry out a “political act of self-destruction” by taking a lethal dose of methadone. “I took [methadone] to avoid seeing what was happening in the world: the war in Ukraine, events in Donbas. I was also afraid of nuclear war. That’s why I wanted to end my life — to not see what would come next. I also feared that young people would live in poverty,” he said during interrogation.

However, the police detained Zhuchkov and Sergeyev on their way to Pushkin Square. In Sergeyev’s backpack, they found Molotov cocktails, and both were taken to the police station.

During the arrest, Anton and Vladimir still managed to take lethal doses of methadone, and instead of the station, police had to rush them to the hospital. At the Sklifosovsky Institute, both were resuscitated. A week later, once they regained consciousness, they were transferred to pre-trial detention.

At first, they were charged with “attempted hooliganism involving weapons” (Art. 30 part 1, Art. 213 part 2 of the Russian Criminal Code), but later the charge was reclassified as “preparation of a terrorist act” (Art. 30 part 1, Art. 205 part 2(a)). In December 2022, Anton was additionally charged with “drug dealing.” Although the investigators had no physical evidence of the methadone, they claimed the amount was “significant” and charged him under Art. 228.1 part 3(b), which carries 8 to 15 years of imprisonment. In total, Zhuchkov was facing up to 22.5 years.

In April 2023, the 2nd Western District Military Court sentenced Anton Zhuchkov to 10 years and Vladimir Sergeyev to 8 years in prison. Both were found guilty of preparing a terrorist act — the arson of empty police vans. Zhuchkov was also found guilty of dealing methadone.

In September 2023, the appellate court reduced both sentences by two months. However, Zhuchkov’s lawyer filed a cassation appeal with the Supreme Court, asking for the verdict to be annulled.

Lawyer Dmitry Sotnikov argued that the drug charge against Zhuchkov was based solely on the testimony of Sergeyev, who was not legally warned about criminal liability for perjury and had an interest in shifting blame. No other evidence was provided by the prosecution.

The defense also emphasized that Zhuchkov had no intent to commit a terrorist act: he only had respirators in his backpack and did not know about Sergeyev’s Molotov cocktails. In court, Sergeyev confirmed that he had not told Zhuchkov about his plans. According to Anton, he intended only to carry out a public suicide as a protest against the war.

The complaint also highlighted severe violations of human rights: Anton was tortured both during arrest and later while being transferred through Krasnoyarsk pre-trial detention center. He was also denied adequate time and conditions to prepare his defense — lawyer meetings were disrupted, and when they finally occurred, they were held in the presence of guards.

Despite all the arguments presented, on June 4, 2024, the Supreme Court upheld the verdict without changes.

Anton Zhuchkov and Vladimir Sergeyev have now spent over three years in custody. The Solidarity Zone continues to support Anton with legal aid, care packages, and public advocacy. Sergeyev and his family receive informational and consultative assistance.