Nikolai Konashenok, a decorator from St. Petersburg, has been fined 600,000 rubles by the First Western District Military Court for justifying terrorism. The case was initiated due to his posts on Facebook (activity banned in the Russian Federation) concerning the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall.

The court opted for a fine instead of imprisonment for Konashenok. While he was initially facing an 800,000 ruble fine, the penalty was reduced to 600,000 rubles, taking into account the time he spent in pre-trial detention. He is also prohibited from administering websites for a period of two years.

The sentencing was attended by Konashenok’s friends and family. His defense was handled by lawyers Roman Masalev and Sergei Loktev, who previously worked on the case of Yegor Balazeikin, a gymnasium student convicted under a terrorism article for attempting to set fire to a military enlistment office.

Prior to the verdict, Konashenok was under a ban on certain actions. The judge noted that he has a minor child. The criminal case was first heard in court in May 2025, with the trial being closed to the public at the request of the defense, citing threats against Konashenok and his family. According to court records, the case involved eight sessions.

Even before his detention, Konashenok’s statements involving patriotic Telegram channels caused a scandal. His wife, Roxana Shatunovskaya, resigned as CEO of New Holland, stating that she could not continue in her position while a family member made “monstrous statements incompatible with humanity.”

Konashenok, a yachtsman, decorator, and former journalist known in St. Petersburg, was detained in March 2024 at Pulkovo Airport while attempting to fly to Armenia. Law enforcement officials questioned him regarding his social media posts discussing the Crocus City Hall terrorist attack, which they considered as potential support for terrorism.

Immediately following his detention, police released a video of Konashenok apologizing. “My words were perceived by a wide audience as supporting terrorism. I offer everyone my deepest apologies. I do not support terrorism, a monstrous crime has been committed,” he stated.

Initially, he was charged with petty hooliganism for alleged inappropriate behavior in a public place, resulting in a 14-day administrative arrest. Subsequently, a criminal case was opened against him for making calls for terrorist activities and publicly justifying terrorism (Article 205.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).