Andrei Glukhov is a political prisoner
A 20-year-old student with cerebral palsy has been sentenced to 12 years in a strict regime penal colony for transferring 1,450 roubles to Ukraine to support a petition calling for an end to the war
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Andrei Glukhov a political prisoner. Glukhov was convicted on a charge of high treason for money transfers made to Ukraine. Andrei Glukhov’s prosecution and conviction violated his right to a fair trial. We demand the release of Andrei Glukhov and that all criminal charges against him be dropped.
What were the charges against Andrei Glukhov?
Andrei Glukhov, from Volgograd, studied at the local polytechnic college. He suffers from cerebral palsy, has a significant disability and requires continuous therapy.
In August 2024, FSB officers carried out a search of Glukhov’s flat. He was banned from using the internet and from communicating with anyone other than close relatives. In October 2024, he was detained in connection with a criminal case and remanded in custody.
According to the investigative authorities, Glukhov corresponded with a Ukrainian citizen to whom he made two money transfers totalling 1,450 roubles. The investigative authorities claimed these actions constituted ‘provision of financial assistance to a foreign state in activities directed against the security of Russia’ (Article 275 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). Glukhov himself explained he made the transfers to support an initiative to collect signatures for a petition to the leaders of Russia and Ukraine demanding an end to hostilities.
On 29 May 2025, Andrei Glukhov was sentenced to 12 years in a strict regime penal colony.
Why do we consider Andrei Glukhov a political prisoner?
Charges of treason on grounds of ‘providing financial assistance to a foreign state,’ for bank transfers made to Ukraine, have become one of the most common means used to prosecute Russians who hold anti-war views and support Ukraine, a country that has fallen victim to Russian aggression.
Even if we assume the bank transfers Glukhov made were intended to aid the Ukrainian army (which is what is most often alleged in such cases), his actions would not have constituted a criminal offence. Andrei Glukhov did not harm Russia’s security, nor did he have the intent required by the law on treason. His prosecution for treason was all the more absurd if he acted to spread a call for an end to the war. It is not support for the victim of aggression or attempts to bring about peace that pose a real threat to the security of either Ukraine or Russia, but the war of aggression, unleashed by the Russian Federation.
Andrei Glukhov was sentenced to a long prison term for transferring a trivial sum – 1,450 roubles. The sentence imposed would have been disproportionate to the danger to society even if Glukhov’s actions had constituted a criminal offence. It is particularly outrageous that the court failed to take his disability into account. According to his relatives, Andrei would find it difficult to look after himself in prison, and long-term deprivation of liberty without the necessary medical care could lead to a deterioration in his condition. Such a harsh punishment in this situation is inhumane and does not meet the requirements of justice.
A detailed description of Andrei Glukhov’s case and of our position is available on our website.
How can you help?
You can write to Andrei Glukhov at the following address:
RU:
Российская Федерация, 433300, Ульяновская область, г. Новоульяновск, п. Северный, ФКУ ИК-2 УФСИН России по Ульяновской области, Глухов Андрей Эдуардович, 2004 г. р.
EN:
Andrei Eduardovich Glukhov (born 2004), Penal Colony No. 2, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Ulyanovsk Oblast, Severny, Novoulyanovsk, Ulyanovsk Oblast, 433300, Russia.
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