In Krasnoyarsk, the FSB detained a customs officer who, according to the intelligence service, was posting leaflets in support of the Freedom of Russia Legion, a paramilitary formation of Russian citizens fighting on the side of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
According to the NGS publication, a customs inspector of the Siberian Electronic Customs joined the Freedom of Russia legion via telegram and “wanted to commit sabotage on the territory of the country”: he was tasked with posting leaflets in support of the legion in Krasnoyarsk. On September 5, Viktor was detained. A criminal case has been opened against him for public calls for terrorist attacks (the Freedom of Russia Legion is recognized as a terrorist organization on the territory of the Russian Federation). In total, he faces up to 25 years in prison.
The Mash telegram channel reports that the detainee’s name is Vitaly Alekseev, he holds the position of chief inspector of the Siberian Electronic Customs, he is 48 years old. According to the channel, the man began distributing leaflets around the city on August 30. According to open data, in 2016 Alekseev worked at customs as a psychologist, responsible for official checks using a polygraph.
A criminal case has been initiated under articles on public calls for terrorism and participation in the activities of a terrorist organization. The court sent the detainee under arrest.
The Legion “Freedom of Russia” is a unit in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, consisting of Russian volunteers. They consider their goal to be the liberation of the regions of Ukraine occupied by Russia, as well as the fight against Vladimir Putin, who, as stated in the legion’s manifesto, “destroyed not only the Russian economy, but also the opportunity for Russians to develop and have the right to a happy future.”
A Radio Liberty journalist spoke with legion soldiers with the call signs Caesar and Quiet.
