The Moscow First Court of Appeal rejected lawyers’ complaints about another extension of the detention of Sretensky School graduates Denis Popovich and Nikita Ivankovich. They are accused of attempting to assassinate Metropolitan Tikhon (Shevkunov), often called Vladimir Putin’s confessor.
The FSB reported on February 28, 2025 that it had thwarted a terrorist attack against Metropolitan Tikhon, which two people – a Russian and a Ukrainian – were preparing. A little later the names of those arrested became known: Assistant Bishop Denis Popovich and clergyman Nikita Ivankovich. They reportedly confessed.
The FSB claimed that the suspects were recruited by an employee of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine in mid-2024. According to media reports, one of the detainees was threatened by the Ukrainian services to kill his relatives. The purpose of the terrorist attack, as the intelligence services claimed, was to disrupt negotiations between Russia and the United States regarding Ukraine.
In November of the same year, it became known about new searches in the case of Shevkunov’s attempt. It took place in Moscow and the Pskov region and included the Crimean Peninsula. After these searches and a series of interrogations, FSB officers received “information about the involvement of other persons in this crime.” However, it is still unknown exactly who they were talking about and what the status of the mentioned people is currently.
Ivankovic’s lawyers claim that practically no investigation has been conducted in this case, He writes “Kommersant”. Meanwhile, the terms of the preliminary investigation have already been crossed – it has been continuing for more than a year, as of February 12, 2025. the lawThe investigation of particularly complex cases may take up to 12 months. Further extension is possible only in exceptional cases.
Popović’s lawyer, Maria Esmont, said earlier that the defendants’ detention periods have been extended until August 12, 2026. That is, they will be in pretrial detention for 18 months. Ivankovic’s lawyers confirm that new cases are still being filed against the accused in order to keep them in detention.
At the same time, during the meeting, Maria Esmont pointed out that there were serious contradictions in the case, Reports MediaZona reporter. For example, an FSB examination found traces of Denis Popović’s DNA on a juice package that was allegedly hidden inside an explosive device. According to investigators, they planned to use it to assassinate Shevkunov.
Using the QR code on the packaging, you can track the sale of the juice on February 10, 2025. However, at that moment Popović had already been under “circular arrests” for a month. He was arrested on administrative charges on January 13, for allegedly committing minor hooliganism. Popović received 16 days of detention, but after the expiration of this period he was not released, after he was assigned a new arrest for disobeying the police.
The second administrative period ended on February 12, the same day that Popović and Ivanković were arrested in the criminal case related to the assassination attempt on Shevkunov. He asked, “How could traces of Popović’s DNA be found on a juice box purchased while he was under administrative detention?” asks Esmont.
Lawyer Kommersant also adds that “the court must investigate, and not take seriously, what the investigator includes in his petition.”
Ivankovich’s defenders also claim that some dates in the case materials don’t match. In particular, according to the examination, the explosive device was manufactured from February 10 to February 12, 2025. However, the investigation claims that on February 9, Ivanković hid it from one hideout to another. That is, he did not do it a day before he made it.
Initially, Denis Popović and Nikita Ivanković were charged with two counts: illegal possession of explosives and aiding in terrorist activities. However, in May 2026, another case was opened against them, which included articles about participation in a terrorist community, teaching terrorism and illegal access to computer information.
The defendants themselves confessed first. But during subsequent court sessions, they renounced them and declared their innocence. According to Popović and Ivanković, material evidence was planted on them during the search, and they made confessions after being tortured with electric shocks.
The defendants in the case also assert that they had no motive to kill Shevkunov. They had a good relationship with him and considered him their mentor. Denis Popovich as He explained The agency had already been an assistant to the Metropolitan and had appeared with him on occasions at least since 2018.