Twenty-year-old Mikhail Balabanov was detained almost a year ago. The FSB accused him of preparing to firebomb the military recruitment center at Nevinnomyssk. We consider the case against Balabanov to be a provocation by the Russian security services.
The investigating officers claim that Balabanov entered a conspiracy with a representative of Ukrainian intelligence services. And indeed, Mikhail was contacted by someone with the codename “Ben”, claiming to be a GUR [Ukrainian intelligence] operative. Mikhail wanted to avoid being conscripted, and “Ben” promised to arrange this, but in return asked Balabanov to undertake a number of “tasks”. These included making a video recording of conscripts, and of military equipment at the recruitment center’s premises.
When Mikhail arrived at the recruitment center, the security services were waiting there for him. Subsequently, during a search of his home, they “found” a Molotov cocktail. Balabanov has been accused of “preparation of a terrorist act”, and faces the threat of 10 years’ imprisonment.
We believe that it was FSB officers who were corresponding with Mikhail, taking advantage of the fact that he did not want to take part in the attack on Ukraine.
We are starting a fund to pay for Mikhail’s legal representation in court. To continue to defend Mikhail, we need to collect €4600.
✊ We urge you to give Mikhail Balabanov whatever support you can euros, cryptocurrency or a repost!
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