Aleksandr Stalberg is a political prisoner

A former driver for Moscow city public transport was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment in a general regime penal colony on a charge of ‘collusion’ with foreigners

The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Aleksandr Stalberg a political prisoner. Stalberg was convicted on a criminal charge of ‘collusion with foreign nationals.’ Stalberg’s criminal prosecution and conviction violated his right to a fair trial. We demand the immediate release of Aleksandr Stalberg and that all criminal charges against him be dropped.

What were the charges against Aleksandr Stalberg?

Until 2021, Aleksandr Stalberg lived in Moscow Oblast and worked as a driver for Moscow city public transport (Mosgortrans). Later, it appears, he moved to St Petersburg.

On 18 May 2024, Stalberg was remanded in custody on a charge of collusion with foreign nationals (Article 275.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). The precise nature of the accusation against him is not known. The trial was held in camera.

On 28 November 2024, Aleksandr Stalberg was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment in a general regime penal colony.

Why do we consider Aleksandr Stalberg a political prisoner?

The law on ‘collusion’ was introduced into the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation in July 2022 and has become yet another instrument for the authorities to use against so-called ‘internal enemies.’ The provisions of this law violate the principle of legal certainty. Effectively, the law criminalises any contact between Russian citizens and foreigners. It provides for punishment, not for specific actions, but merely for a supposed intention to ‘assist’ in some undefined ‘activity.’

The law on ‘collusion’ should be repealed, all related criminal convictions quashed and ongoing prosecutions dropped.

The case against Stalberg was heard in camera, in violation of the right to a fair trial. We believe this was done to conceal the weakness of the prosecution and to prevent public oversight of the proceedings.

A detailed description of Aleksandr Stalberg’s case and of our position is available on our website.

How can you help?

RU:

196641, г. Санкт-Петербург, п. Металлострой, Северный пр-д 1-й, д. 1, ФКУ ИК-5 ГУФСИН России по г. Санкт-Петербургу и Ленинградской области, Стальберг Александр Юрьевич, 1980 г. р.

EN:

Aleksandr Yurievich Stalberg (born 1980), Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for the city of St Petersburg and Leningrad Oblast, Penal Colony No. 5, 1 Pervy Severny proezd, Metallostroy settlement, Saint Petersburg, 196641, Russia.

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