Media: Russia detains engineer over petition to remove Putin

An engineer at the “Bars” design bureau has been arrested on charges of financing terrorism. He had signed a petition calling for the removal of Vladimir Putin from the presidency “due to loss of trust.”

According to the Telegram channel Ostorozhno, novosti, 62-year-old lead engineer Andrey T., who works on the development of measuring and navigation instruments, was arrested on December 5. He has been accused of assisting a terrorist organisation (the specific group has not been disclosed in court).

On social media, Andrey supported the “Left Front” and shared petitions calling for Putin’s removal following the case against Khabarovsk Governor Sergey Furgal. The engineer faces a potential life sentence.

During the court hearing on his arrest, Andrey’s wife, son, and stepdaughter testified. They described him as an “authoritative and the best person,” characterising him as calm, friendly, and hardworking. The family requested that Andrey be placed under house arrest, but the court sent him to pre-trial detention until February 4.

By Vugar Khalilov