Editor-in-chief of Belgorod outlet Pepel accused of “justifying terrorism”

Editor-in-chief of Belgorod outlet Pepel accused of “justifying terrorism”

A criminal case for “justifying terrorism” has been opened against Nikita Parmenov, editor-in-chief of Pepel, reports RusNews. According to the FSB, the journalist spoke in support of the Russian Volunteer Corps and the Freedom of Russia Legion — both have been designated terrorist organizations in Russia. Parmenov faces up to seven years in prison.

The FSB did not specify which statements led to the case. Pepel itself assumes that it concerns a stream on the YouTube channel “Time Will Punish.” In it, Parmenov said that he could not condemn Russians who took up arms and are helping Ukraine reclaim its independence. At the same time, he separately stated that he unequivocally condemns the actions of units that shelled the civilian population of the Belgorod region.

▶️ What is Pepel

Pepel Belgorod writes about the war and its consequences for residents of the border region. Meduza called it the only Belgorod media outlet that reports on what is happening in the border area without censorship.

Regional authorities have repeatedly accused Pepel of spreading “fakes” and trying to destabilize the situation. Parmenov told Meduza that one of Belgorod's priests even devoted a sermon to the outlet, calling it “demonic” and “god-fighting,” and its authors “enemies of the human race.”

Parmenov himself was added to the register of “foreign agents” in February 2025, and later a protocol was drawn up against him for “failure to fulfill the duties of a foreign agent.” The journalist left Russia in 2023 and continues to lead the editorial team remotely.

Nikita Parmenov / Photo: social media

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