As of the end of May, Alexander Snezhkov, a defendant in the “Chita anarchists’ case,” had spent more than 90 days in the SHIZO (penal isolation ward, hole), after which he was transferred to a PKT (cell-type facility) with even stricter detention conditions.
PKT (cell-type facility) is a special section within a correctional facility (prison within a penal colony), where inmates are sent as a disciplinary measure for severe violations of prison rules in general, strict, or special regime colonies.
Initially, his stay in the PKT is set for two months, but given the situation, it could be extended up to six months. Alexander has also been placed on a preventive watch list as a leader and active participant in ”negatively inclined groups”.
According to Snezhkov, all of this is happening because he refused to cooperate with the prison administration and declined to work in the cafeteria as was suggested by staff at IK-10.
Pressure on Snezhkov has continued since the end of February. As soon as he was transferred to penal colony IK-10 in Krasnokamensk, Zabaykalsky Krai, he was placed in the SHIZO. For over three months, he faced a carousel of decisions prolonging his solitary confinement. Alexander believes that what’s next will likely be EPKT and a closed prison.
EPKT (Unified cell-type facility) is the strictest form of isolation for serious violators of prison rules, separating them from other prisoner categories.
Closed prison (”Krytaya tyurma”) refers to a facility within the prison system where especially dangerous criminals serve their sentences—typically those with life sentences or those who have repeatedly violated rules in other colonies. It imposes stricter conditions and isolates inmates from the general prison population.
However, Alexander poses no threat to either inmates or prison staff. He is only 21 years old and was essentially convicted for a few posts in a small Telegram channel and anti-government graffiti. The absurdity of the situation is extreme.
To recall: On April 25, 2024, the 1st District Military Court, in an off-site session in Chita, sentenced Alexander Snezhkov to 6 years. He was found guilty of vandalism motivated by political hatred (Part 2, Article 214 of the Criminal Code) for graffiti reading “Death to the regime.” He was also convicted under articles for inciting extremism (Part 2, Article 280) and terrorism (Part 2, Article 205.2).
Snezhkov was detained in Chita in autumn 2022 on suspicion of making graffiti and managing Telegram channels "75zlo" and "Shugan-25", which published content about anti-war protests, partisan actions, and animal rights advocacy.
On November 25, 2024, following an appeal, his sentence was reduced by 2 months, making it 5 years and 10 months.
Please support Alexander Snezhkov. Sasha asks for letters, postcards, and photographs.
Mailing address: Alexander Evgenievich Snezhkov, born 2003, FKU IK-10, Zabaykalsky Krai, Krasnokamensk, 674673, Russia.
Note that all letters should be written in Russian – you may use automated online tools.
Source: telegram channel about Chita case
Translate: Anarchist Black Cross Moscow
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