# Denied asylum in the U.S., imprisoned in Russia: Activist Leonid Melekhin gets six years for ‘justifying terrorism’

https://mins.news/en/item/86767

- Meduza, 2026-10-05 16:41 UTC
- Politics
- Original: https://meduza.io/en/news/2026/10/05/denied-asylum-in-the-u-s-imprisoned-in-russia-activist-leonid-melekhin-gets-6-years-for-justifying-terrorism

> A court sentenced Perm businessman and activist Leonid Melekhin to six years in prison for “justifying terrorism,” according to Mediazona. The case involved a Telegram post and an online comment, including a photograph of a sign calling Putin a murderer, fascist, and usurper. Melekhin sought asylum in the U.S. in 2024, was denied in summer 2025, and was later deported to Russia.

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