A Kuban resident was sentenced for attempting to join the RDC*

A military court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Kuban resident Dmitry Khasyanov, finding him guilty of justifying terrorism and involvement in a terrorist organization.

Dmitry Khasyanov's case was filed in court in early December and was heard over five hearings. He was charged with attempted participation in a terrorist organization (Part 2 of Article 205.5 of the Russian Criminal Code, which carries a sentence of ten to twenty years in prison) and justifying terrorism on the internet (Part 205.2 of the Russian Criminal Code, which carries a sentence of five to seven years in prison).

The charge of justifying terrorism relates to May 2024: at that time, according to the prosecution, the Kuban resident subscribed to a "public channel of the banned terrorist organization 'Nationalist Organization Russian Volunteer Corps'* and left a comment there. Law enforcement officials interpreted the comment as justifying the organization's activities.

According to the prosecution and the court, by August 2, Khasyanov decided to personally participate in the activities of the RDC* and entered into correspondence with its representative. He declared his intention to join the organization and submitted a completed "candidate for membership in the RDC"* form, after which he "awaited further instructions," the press service of the Southern District Military Court reported today.

Several weeks after submitting the form, on August 29, 2025, Khasyanov was detained by security forces. Thus, the man was unable to complete his plan, the report notes.

The military court found Khasyanov guilty and sentenced him to six years in a maximum-security prison, with the first two years to be served in prison. "Caucasian Knot" has not yet received any comments from the accused or his representative regarding the prosecution's case or plans to appeal the verdict.

* The organization is designated as a terrorist organization and is banned in Russia.

** Meta (owner of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp) is banned in Russia.