Komi Communist leader Oleg Mikhailov detained in Moscow over 'justifying terrorism'
In short
Oleg Mikhailov, head of the Communist Party (KPRF) branch in the Komi Republic and a former State Duma deputy, was detained in Moscow on suspicion of justifying terrorism. A court is due on 22 October to choose a preventive measure. Outlets link the case to his 2024 publication about sociologist Boris Kagarlitsky, but the party said it did not yet know the specific charge.
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Oleg Mikhailov, first secretary of the KPRF branch in the Komi Republic, was detained in Moscow, according to reports published on 21 October. RBC cited the party's press service. Vedomosti cited Georgy Kamnev, a State Duma deputy and head of the party's legal service. [ 1 , 4 ]
Kommersant and TASS said he is accused of justifying terrorism. Meduza, citing the Novaya Respublika Telegram channel and the BNK agency, said he was detained on suspicion of the same offence, and the regional KPRF branch confirmed the detention to BNK. TASS and Meduza said he is in a temporary detention facility. The case falls under Part 2 of Article 205.2 of the Criminal Code. Vedomosti and Kommersant say it carries up to seven years in prison, while Meduza, citing Novaya Respublika, says a fine or five to seven years. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
Kamnev told Vedomosti that the party did not yet know which article was being applied and was trying to find out. He said that most likely all the information would be available the next day, possibly after a preventive measure is chosen. Vedomosti and Meduza say the court hearing to choose it is on 22 October. Kommersant gives the date as 22 September. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Mikhailov's Telegram channel said he was detained over a 2024 publication about Boris Kagarlitsky, whom Vedomosti describes as a sociologist convicted in Russia and considered a foreign agent there. Kommersant reported that the regional KPRF branch believes the publication could be the reason. It said Kagarlitsky is serving a sentence under a similar article over a YouTube video about the October 2022 explosion on the Crimean Bridge. Meduza said he was sentenced in 2024 to five years. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Vedomosti describes Mikhailov as a former deputy of the eighth State Duma and a KPRF member since 2007. In 2026 he lost the election in Syktyvkar single-mandate district No. 21, taking 24.09% of the vote after 85.57% of protocols were processed. Meduza added that he won the district in September 2021 and was placed under sanctions by the EU, Canada, New Zealand, the US and Ukraine after the war began in 2022. It said he lost in 2026 to a war participant and was the only candidate from Komi calling for peace. [ 1 , 2 ]
Why it matters
The case involves a regional KPRF leader and former Duma deputy, and the documents tie it to a publication about a sociologist convicted on a similar charge. The next step is the 22 October court hearing on a preventive measure.
Key facts
- Oleg Mikhailov, head of the KPRF branch in the Komi Republic, was detained in Moscow. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- He is held on suspicion of justifying terrorism under Part 2 of Article 205.2 of the Criminal Code. [ 2 , 3 , 5 ]
- Mikhailov is in a temporary detention facility. [ 2 , 5 ]
- A court hearing to choose a preventive measure is set for 22 October. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Mikhailov's Telegram channel said the detention concerns his 2024 publication about sociologist Boris Kagarlitsky. [ 1 ]
- Mikhailov is a former State Duma deputy who placed second in a Syktyvkar single-mandate district in the 2026 election. [ 1 , 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Mikhailov was detained in Moscow on a charge or suspicion of justifying terrorism. [ 2 , 3 , 5 ]
- Mikhailov is being held in a temporary detention facility. [ 2 , 5 ]
- The statute cited is Part 2 of Article 205.2 of the Criminal Code, which carries up to seven years in prison. [ 1 , 3 ]
- A court hearing on a preventive measure is scheduled for 22 October. [ 1 , 2 ]
Still unclear
- What exactly Mikhailov is accused of. Georgy Kamnev, head of the KPRF legal service, told Vedomosti the party did not yet know which article was being applied and was trying to find out. Other outlets cite a Telegram channel or the regional KPRF branch for the Kagarlitsky publication as the reason.
- The date of the court hearing. Kommersant gives 22 September, while Vedomosti and Meduza say 22 October.
- The penalty under the article. Vedomosti and Kommersant say up to seven years in prison; Meduza, citing Novaya Respublika, says a fine or five to seven years.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Vedomosti reported the detention, citing Georgy Kamnev, head of the KPRF legal service. [ 1 ]
- Meduza reported the detention, citing the Novaya Respublika channel and BNK. [ 2 ]
- Kommersant reported the detention on a charge of justifying terrorism. [ 3 ]
- RBC reported that the party press service announced the detention. [ 4 ]
- TASS reported that Mikhailov is in a temporary detention facility. [ 5 ]