Russian state prosecutors want prison sentence overturned in controversial extremism case

State prosecutors have asked the Moscow City Court to overturn the felony conviction of Pavel Rebrovsky, who was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison as a defendant in the so-called “Novoe Velichie” (New Greatness) case. 

Having confessed to creating and participating in an extremist group, Rebrovsky was tried separately from the rest of the suspects. During the main trial, however, he later recanted his earlier testimony, and accused investigators of forcing him to confess and falsely promising him a suspended sentence, instead of the 2.5 years in prison he ultimately received. Rebrovsky’s appeals hearing is scheduled for October 8.

What's the “New Greatness” case?

Investigators have charged nearly a dozen suspects with organizing and participating in a supposedly extremist group that officials say planned to “overthrow Russia’s constitutional order.” Critics say “Novoe Velichie” was just an informal group that met to discuss politics, and defense attorneys and parents say the police framed members by embedding an informant in the collective who went on to write its manifesto and rent meeting space for everyone.

In addition to Rebrovsky, one other Novoe Velichie defendant has already been convicted: Rustam Rustamov, who was sentenced to one year of probation. The other eight suspects in the case have been on trial since May 2019.