An Abakan activist sentenced to eight years for allegedly "preparing for treason" has died.

Cause of death of 61-year-old Igor Pokusina The details have not yet been reported, writes the publication "Siberia.Realities", citing the activist's relatives.

Pokusin was born and raised in UkraineIgor was first arrested in May 2022 on suspicion of defacing pro-war banners. The charges stemmed from the inscription "Glory to Ukraine" on the wall of a museum in Abakan, as well as from pouring yellow and blue paint on a Z-banner. Pokusin was then given a six-month suspended sentence, having been convicted of vandalism.

In December of that year, the activist was arrested again – this time on charges of treason – allegedly for wanting to join the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

The case involved conversations between Pokusin and friends, in which he admitted he wanted to go to Ukraine and work in civil aviation. According to a source for Siberia.Realities, he had no plans to join the Ukrainian Armed Forces, but merely wanted to leave Russia.

In January 2024, a court in Abakan sentenced Pokusin to eight years and one month in prison. However, the prosecutor's office had requested a lesser sentence for Igor—seven years and one month in prison.