A prisoner in a penal colony in Stavropol has been charged with extremism.

The case of a convicted man who encouraged other inmates at a penal colony in Stavropol Krai to violate prison rules has been referred to court.

The defendant, 29, has multiple convictions and a criminal record. The case will be heard by the Kochubeevsky District Court.

According to the prosecution, the man, who was serving time in the penal colony, promoted the activities of an "extremist public association" banned in Russia among inmates.

"Furthermore, the defendant monitored inmates' compliance with prison rules and encouraged inmates to violate the prison's rules," the regional Investigative Committee reported today.

The Stavropol Krai Prosecutor's Office notes that the defendant was engaged in promoting extremism in the penal colony from June to December 2025. At the same time, he contrasted certain "prison traditions" with the demands of the prison administration, according to the agency's statement.

The charge against the man for participating in the activities of an extremist organization (Part 2 of Article 282.2 of the Russian Criminal Code) carries a sentence of two to six years in prison.

The name of the extremist organization was not provided in the official statements. This likely refers to AUE*—the name of this "movement" is interpreted by courts in various regions of southern Russia as "Prisoner Criminal Unity"* or "Prisoner Thieves' Unity"*.

"Caucasian Knot" also reported that the Abinsky District Court of Krasnodar Kraiimposed a fine of 1,000 rubles on local resident Ivan Kazhan for displaying extremist symbols. This case became the first known punishment in Russia for content on the state-run Max messenger. According to the court, Kazhan posted AUE* symbols there.

* The organization has been designated as extremist and its activities have been banned in Russia by the court.

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