The inevitability of repentance: Mikhail Yefremov will be released from prison ahead of schedule

Actor Mikhail Yefremov will be released soon — the Alekseevsky District Court of the Belgorod region on March 24 supported his request for parole. Yefremov will leave the colony where he spent almost five years for a fatal car accident in 15 days, his lawyer Yuri Padalko told Izvestia. The injured parties agreed with the court's decision. Yefremov will not be able to drive for three years from the moment of his release, but he has no obstacles to his professional activities, experts believe.

The search for an excuse

On March 24, the Alekseevsky District Court of the Belgorod region issued a positive decision on the conditional early release of actor Mikhail Yefremov. He spent almost five years in prison — an accident involving him, which killed a man, occurred on June 8, 2020 on Smolenskaya Square in Moscow.

The actor's SUV flew into oncoming traffic, where it collided with a Gazelle. The driver of the van, Sergey Zakharov, died. Yefremov was intoxicated at the time, and traces of narcotic substances were also found in his body. He received 7.5 years in prison.

On March 24, at a court hearing, lawyer Yuri Padalko stated that the reason for the actor's release, after five years in prison, was his diligent behavior.

— From the documents read out [in court], it is clear that my client admitted his guilt and completely repented. He reimbursed the amount on a voluntary basis, both moral and financial damage," the defender emphasized. — Upon arriving at the colony, he was immediately employed, he could not work only after covid. The rest of the time I worked with all the convicts, I had no privileges. He graduated from college here, participated in the social life of the colony, made films, and led a lifestyle aimed at atonement.

At the same time, his personal file contained information about violations, Judge Serhiy Romanenko drew attention to. They consisted of violating discipline, uniforms, leaving the workplace and storing the phone.

— This is my stupidity, I saw that the guys were calling, I also decided to call once. I still don't understand why I did it," the actor said in his defense during the court session.

According to Yuri Padalko, Yefremov had only "one malicious violation and two minor ones": he did not have time to sew on a badge and did not update the list of the prisoner's belongings in time.

"Considering that Yefremov has nine awards, as well as his remorse for what he did, he deserves the right to be released," Yuri Padalko emphasized.

Mikhail Yefremov said that in the colony he drew conclusions about his behavior, repented of what happened in 2020 and realized his guilt to the family of the deceased.

— All claims have been paid by me. There wasn't a day in all that time that I didn't think about my sin. I realized that my permissiveness and drunkenness had led me to prison. I embarked on the path of correction and that's it. I want to assure you that I will not harm anyone else and will not violate the laws," he said. — I will definitely never drive again.

The actor will be released from prison in 15 days, Yuri Padalko told Izvestia.

Alexander Dobrovinsky, who represented the interests of the relatives of the deceased Sergei Zakharov, said after the meeting that the decision did not raise any questions, everything was done according to the law.

— I only regret one thing: it seems to me that it would be more interesting if Yefremov were in the same camp with his recently arrested former lawyer Pashayev. They would have something to say to each other. Especially Efremov," he stressed.

Elman Pashayev defended Efremov at the 2020 trial. In July of the same year, he was stripped of his lawyer status for unacceptable behavior. In September 2024, Pashayev was charged with fraud on an especially large scale (Part 4 of Article 159 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).

Life after liberation

There are no obstacles to Mikhail Yefremov's return to the stage, former prosecutor's office investigator and lawyer Vadim Bagaturia told Izvestia.

"There is no criminal record listed among the prohibitions on participation in the acting profession," he explained.

Lawyer Andrey Mishonov added that Mikhail Yefremov's return to the stage will depend on the decisions of theaters and film studios, as well as on public opinion. He believes that the reputational consequences of the incident may affect the willingness of employers to cooperate with the actor.

In addition, if Yefremov suddenly decides to return to driving, he will not be able to do so immediately after his release.

— The actor was deprived of the right to drive vehicles for three years. This period begins to be calculated from the moment of parole," the expert explained.

At the same time, if Yefremov commits any illegal act, then the issue of his return to the colony may be considered, Vadim Bagaturia added. After his release, the actor may be required to register with the Federal Penitentiary Service and periodically report there, Oleg Pantyushov, an expert at the Moscow Bar Association, added.

He may also be required to undergo treatment for alcoholism and drug addiction.