A Russian man deported from the U.S. was convicted for a post about Putin
In Russia, Leonid Melekhin, a resident of Perm who was deported from the United States in 2025, was sentenced to six years in a penal colony. The Central District Military Court in Yekaterinburg found him guilty of “justifying terrorism” in two separate incidents. One of them involved a post on Telegram featuring a poster depicting Vladimir Putin on a gallows.
The Central District Military Court in Yekaterinburg sentenced Perm resident Leonid Melekhin to six years in a general-regime penal colony. The court also banned him from administering websites and channels for two years.
“Mediazona” reported on the verdict on October 5. According to the outlet, the case was heard on two counts under the article of the Russian Criminal Code regarding “justification of terrorism.” It is currently unknown what specifically served as the basis for the second count.
Why the case was brought
According to “Mediazona,” the criminal prosecution was triggered by a post on the Telegram channel of Perm-based activist Yuri Bobrov, “Bobr. There and Back (Immigration Diary).” The post included two photographs. In one, Melekhin was standing near a border crossing between Mexico and the United States. In the other, there was a poster featuring a photograph of Putin and a mannequin hanging from a rope.
The poster called the Russian president a “murderer,” a “fascist,” and a “usurper.” It also contained a call to hang him. According to “Mediazona,” it was this very post that became one of the incidents in the case. The second charge relates to an online comment. Its content has not been made public.
The trial was held behind closed doors
Melehin’s trial began on May 6. The hearings were held behind closed doors. According to “Mediazona,” prosecutor Maria Otradnova requested that the hearings be held in closed session. She cited an allegedly heightened “terrorist threat” in the Sverdlovsk region.
The prosecutor also stated the need to ensure the safety of those involved in the proceedings and to keep “the methods and means of conducting operational and investigative activities” confidential.
Melehin Sought Asylum in the U.S.
Before returning to Russia, Melehin attempted to obtain political asylum in the United States. He entered the country via the Mexican border in 2024 and filed an application for political asylum. However, U.S. authorities denied his request.
Until July 2025, he was held at the San Luis immigration detention center in Arizona. According to his former attorney, Valery Kuznetsov, Melehin was aware of the criminal case against him in Russia and, despite this, agreed to return to the country of his own accord.
As a result, Melehin found himself among the Russians deported by the U.S. following the tightening of immigration policies under the Donald Trump administration. Upon his return to Russia, he was detained. According to “Mediazona,” Melehin became at least the second known Russian to be arrested upon his return to Russia after being deported from the U.S.
What Is Known About the Deportation of Russians from the U.S.
Melehin’s story unfolds against the backdrop of a tightening U.S. immigration policy. According to data cited by The Moscow Times, as of late January 2026, there were approximately 800 Russian citizens in U.S. immigration centers, many of whom were awaiting deportation.
According to TRAC, during fiscal year 2025, the U.S. approved 2,948 asylum applications from Russian citizens, while 1,270 applications were denied. The approval rate for the year decreased from 84% in 2024 to 69% in 2025.
At the same time, these figures apply to all applicants from Russia and do not imply that the decision in Melekhin’s case was specifically related to his political views. Melehin must now serve six years in a general-regime penal colony. In addition, he has been barred from administering websites and channels for two years following his release.
