St. Petersburg Police Officer Appeals Conviction

In August 2025, the Nevsky District Court of St. Petersburg found 24-year-old senior police sergeant Oleg Terskov guilty of beating detainees and sentenced him to three years in prison. However, the victim in the case, Alexander Pereverzev, stated that the conflict with Terskov was limited to a verbal altercation, and the physical impact came from the operational duty officer Vyacheslav Razmashkin. Criminal proceedings against Razmashkin have been suspended because he is participating in the special military operation. Terskov is now held in the Kresty pre-trial detention center awaiting consideration of his appeal. Interestingly, Pereverzev himself is also in a pre-trial detention center on charges of kidnapping and extortion as part of a group.

A Policeman with a Kind Face

Oleg Terskov, a native of St. Petersburg, decided to become a policeman in the ninth grade. He played sports, passed the GTO (Ready for Labor and Defense) standards, and prepared to enter the St. Petersburg University of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD), but fell two points short. Despite this, the young man got a job at the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) for the Nevsky district as an ordinary patrol service officer.

Later, Terskov graduated from police school, completed advanced training at the MVD University, and went on a business trip to Mariupol. In photos, he is captured with an assault rifle against the backdrop of an inscription about the twin cities of St. Petersburg and Mariupol, and on his bulletproof vest he wore a patch with the call sign «Sova» (Owl). For this service, he was awarded the status of a veteran of military operations.

Oleg«s mother, Irina Terskova, said that her son sought to join the combined police detachment to work in new territories, but at first he was not taken due to lack of experience. »When he was taken, to my question «why?» he simply, without any pathos, said: «And if not me, then who? I am going to defend the Motherland,»« she is quoted as saying.

Terskov planned to get a higher education and build a career, but the night of 16 July 2024 changed everything. Then his crew brought two men to the department, and a verbal conflict escalated into the use of force after the duty officer intervened.

After the incident, a criminal case was initiated for exceeding official authority by a group of persons. Terskov believed until the last moment in a favorable outcome and, before the verdict, gave his mother his uniform, saying: «Mom, when it»s all over, I will definitely return to the police. This is my path, this is mine. I believe in the justice of the court.« However, the court delivered a guilty verdict.

«You»re a pure chukhan. Why are your lips trembling, huh?«

According to the testimony of patrol service officer Irina Gozhda, on the night of 16 July, a patrol of three people was patrolling the left bank part of the Nevsky district. On Shlisselburgsky Avenue, they noticed two men drinking alcohol. After remarks, the police encountered swearing and aggression, so they invited the violators to follow them to the department. During the search, one of the detainees behaved aggressively and poured beer on Gozhda.

At the 45th police department on Rybatsky Avenue, the detainees continued to insult Terskov, calling him a «chukhan» (a derogatory term for a person from the Caucasus) and saying: «you»ll be poking yourself in the ass.« When one of the men said: »Why are you shaking? Why are your lips trembling, huh?« Terskov was at a loss. Gozhda urged her colleague not to give in to provocations.

At that moment, the operational duty officer Vyacheslav Razmashkin came out of the duty room. According to Gozhda, he pushed Alexander Pereverzev away, asking: «How are you talking to police officers?» Later, Razmashkin explained that he wanted to help his confused colleague. Surveillance cameras recorded Terskov delivering a knee strike to Pereverzev«s stomach, knocking him to the floor. After that, Terskov handcuffed the detainee and stopped using force.

In court, Alexander Pereverzev confirmed that Terskov did not beat him, and their conflict was limited to a verbal altercation.

Fellow Inmate at the Pre-Trial Detention Center

27-year-old Alexander Pereverzev, a native of Kursk, like Terskov, is held in the Kresty pre-trial detention center. He is accused of kidnapping and extortion as part of a group.

According to the investigation, on 1 October 2024, Pereverzev and his accomplices arrived at 15 Shlisselburgsky Avenue in a Nissan Serena car, where they forced a man into the car. They made him falsely confess to rape on camera, and then demanded 300,000 rubles (approximately $3,300 at current rates), threatening to distribute the recording.

The blackmail was accompanied by beating. On Obukhovskoy Oborony Avenue, the victim was forced out of the car, made to undress and run naked, while the incident was recorded on a phone. After that, he was released on Yaroslav Gashek Street, with threats repeated. However, the victim immediately contacted the police, and the criminals were detained without receiving the money.

«I Consider the Court»s Verdict Illegal«

The court sentenced Terskov to three years in a general regime colony — the minimum term under the article on exceeding authority by a group of persons. However, the convicted man and his lawyer Vladimir Tereshchenko insist on the illegality of the verdict.

In the appeal, the lawyer points out that Terskov acted with the aim of stopping the unlawful actions of the detainees. The knee strike to the stomach did not cause Pereverzev any harm, which is confirmed by medical reports. They describe bruises on the forehead, a contusion of the jaw, and a broken nose, but there is no mention of abdominal injuries. Pereverzev himself stated that he has no claims against Terskov, accusing only Razmashkin.

«From this evidence, it follows that Terskov O.K. did not strike, but indicated a strike. That is, he did not even touch Pereverzev A.Yu.»s torso with his knee, otherwise how to explain such testimony of the victims and the conclusions of the forensic medical examination on Pereverzev A.Yu.«s injuries?» the lawyer writes in the complaint.

The defense emphasizes that the court, while recognizing the immoral behavior of the victims, did not take into account Gozhda«s testimony about provocations and Razmashkin»s explanation that he was helping his confused colleague. Moreover, the dynamism of the situation was not assessed: Razmashkin«s sudden appearance and his blows, after which Terskov reflexively stopped Pereverzev, who could have attacked the duty officer.

According to the defense, Terskov only delivered one restraining blow, immobilized Pereverzev with handcuffs, and tried to calm Razmashkin down. The lawyer believes that the court attributed to his client the actions of another person. Earlier, Terskov gave confessional testimony, but later renounced them, stating pressure from the investigator.

Instead of an Epilogue

While Oleg Terskov is in the pre-trial detention center, his mother keeps his police uniform. In case the verdict is overturned, it is unclear whether he will want to return to the authorities. This story may make other MVD employees think, especially against the background of staff shortage: according to official data from Deputy Minister Igor Zubov, the shortage of personnel in some units reaches 40%.