Vadim Kharchenko is a political prisoner

A YouTube blogger has been placed under house arrest for speculating on reasons for the Russian military’s withdrawal from Kherson in Ukraine

The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Vadim Kharchenko a political prisoner. He is being prosecuted under the article on repeated ‘discrediting’ of the Russian military for posting a video on his YouTube channel. Kharchenko’s persecution violates his right to freedom of speech and fair trial.

We demand the release of Kharchenko and an end to his criminal prosecution.

Who is Vadim Kharchenko and what is the case against him?

Vadim Kharchenko is a popular Krasnodar blogger: his YouTube channel Personal Opinion has more than 400,000 subscribers.

Kharchenko’s videos sharply criticise regional and federal authorities. For his criticism, he was attacked by unknown people in 2017 and 2019, during the second attack he received bullet and knife wounds. In 2018, unidentified attackers burned his car, and in December 2020, as part of a case of defamation of the mayor of Gelendzhik in Krasnodar Krai, security service officers searched the blogger’s house. In January 2023, Kharchenko was declared a foreign agent.

On 29 April 2022, Kharchenko was fined 30 thousand roubles under the administrative article on ‘discrediting’ the Russian military (Article 20.3.3, Part 1, of the Russian Code of Administrative Offences). The reason for this was the blogger’s arguments for the futility of the war in a video titled Happy Holidays!

On 2 February 2023, in connection to another video on his YouTube channel, a criminal case was brought against Kharchenko for repeated ‘discrediting’ of the armed forces (Article 280.3, Part 1, of the Russian Criminal Code). Although the video is now unavailable, judging by its title – Was Kherson surrendered? Who is to blame? Russian troops are leaving Kherson. Shoigu Surovikin Stremousov Saldo – it discusses the reasons for Russia’s retreat from Kherson in Ukraine.

Kharchenko has been placed under house arrest. He is facing up to 5 years in prison.

Why do we consider Vadim Kharchenko a political prisoner?

Article 280.3 of the Russian Criminal Code was created as a tool to suppress dissent after Russia’s war against Ukraine began. It effectively prohibits criticism of the war and the Russian authorities, which violates the right of citizens to freedom of expression.

This article contradicts basic principles of law, in particular the principle of legal certainty.

Article 280.3 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation should be rescinded, and all criminal cases under it closed.

We do not know which Kharchenko’s statement served as the reason to start the criminal case against him. But the very fact that Kharchenko is being prosecuted under Article 280.3 shows that he simply expressed his own opinion about the war. Criticising the actions of the authorities and condemning a war is the inalienable right of every citizen.

Further information about this case and the position of the ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project is available on our website.

Recognition of an individual as a political prisoner does not imply the ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project agrees with or approves of their views, statements, or actions.

How can you help?

You can donate to support all political prisoners on our website.