Danila Yakovlev is a political prisoner
A resident of Altai Krai has been sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for donating to the Free Russia Legion
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Danila Yakovlev a political prisoner. Yakovlev was convicted on charges of financing terrorism, attempting to finance terrorism, and treason for donating to the Free Russia Legion. Yakovlev’s criminal prosecution and conviction violated his right to a fair trial. We demand that Danila Yakovlev be released immediately and that all criminal charges against him be dropped.
What were the charges against Danila Yakovlev?
On 17 January 2024, FSB officers detained Danila Yakovlev, a 19-year-old resident of Biysk. The investigative authorities claimed that in August-September 2023, Yakovlev had attempted three times to make donations to the Free Russia Legion in cryptocurrency. One transfer of 5,000 roubles went through. Yakovlev was charged with financing terrorism (Article 205.1, Part 1.1, of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation), two counts of attempted financing of terrorism (Article 30, Part 3 CC RF in conjunction with Article 205.1, Part 1.1, CC RF), and treason (Article 275 CC RF). Yakovlev was remanded in custody.
On 20 September 2024, a military court sentenced Danila Yakovlev to 15 years’ imprisonment, with the first three years to be served in a cell-type prison and the remainder in a strict regime penal colony, as well as a fine of 100,000 roubles. On 21 January 2025, the Military Court of Appeal reduced the sentence by two months to 14 years and 10 months, excluding one of the episodes from the charges.
Why do we consider Danila Yakovlev a political prisoner?
The court classified Yakovlev’s actions as both financing terrorism and treason in the form of ‘providing financial assistance to activities directed against the security of the Russian Federation.’ We consider these charges unfounded since Yakovlev’s actions do not constitute a crime of any kind.
Firstly, the Free Russia Legion cannot be considered a terrorist organization. The Free Russia Legion is part of the Ukrainian armed forces, subordinate to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence, and legitimately participates in the war on the side of the Ukrainian state defending itself against Russian aggression. Participation in an armed conflict cannot in itself be considered terrorist activity.
Secondly, from the point of view of international law, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is illegal and criminal. In this context, donating funds to Ukraine cannot be considered a crime. Even if Yakovlev did transfer money to the Free Russia Legion, his goal was to help Ukraine repel the aggressor, not to harm Russia’s security. Russia’s security is threatened by the war unleashed by the Russian authorities.
It is outrageous that a 19-year-old man was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment. Even if his actions constituted a crime, such a punishment is completely disproportionate to the offence. The prosecution and conviction of Danila Yakovlev is part of the repressive campaign by the Russian authorities conducted against all those who oppose the war against Ukraine.
A detailed description of Danila Yakovlev’s case and of our position is available on our website.
How can you help?
You can write to Danila Yakovlev at the following address:
RU:
667002, Республика Тыва, г. Кызыл, ул. Догээ- Баары, д. 1, ФКУ ИК-1 УФСИН России по Республике Тыва, Яковлев Данила Владимирович, 2004 г. р.
EN:
Danila Vladimirovich Yakovlev (born 2004), Penal Colony No. 1, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for the Republic of Tyva, 1 Dogee-Baary Street, Kyzyl, Republic of Tyva, 667002, Russia.
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Please note that letters in languages other than Russian are highly unlikely to reach the intended recipient.
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