Russia's first conviction for "Satanic" symbols: A Voronezh resident was convicted for wearing a hat with a pentagram.

In Voronezh rendered The first criminal conviction in Russia in a case involving the symbols of the "International Satanist Movement." 24-year-old Roman Maltsev received a year of correctional labor for wearing a black hat and sweater with a pentagram and posting a photo of Hitler online. The verdict turned Attention "Mediazona".

What happened

In July 2025, the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation declared the International Satanist Movement an extremist organization and banned it. Remarkably, the organization is non-existent—it was created solely for the purpose of being banned.

According to the case file, Maltsev purchased clothing online featuring a pentagram, "consistent with his ideals." He also posted a photograph of Hitler online "for propaganda and public display purposes." Witnesses confirmed that the accused "is an active and open Satanist."

As a result, the court sentenced him to one year of correctional labor.

The first criminal case, but not the first at all.

Prior to this verdict, only administrative fines for the "movement's" symbols had been reported. Thus, Maltsev's case became the first known criminal prosecution under this article.