Dmitry Lyamin is a political prisoner
He has been sentenced to eight years in a strict regime penal colony on charges of terrorism for trying to set fire to a military recruitment centre
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’, in accordance with international standards, considers Dmitry Lyamin a political prisoner. Lyamin has been convicted on charges of terrorism for an attempted arson attack on a military recruitment centre. The prosecution of Dmitry Lyamin violates his right to fair trial.
We demand that Lyamin’s conviction be quashed and all criminal charges related to terrorism be dropped.
What were the charges against Dmitry Lyamin?
Dmitry Lyamin is a resident of the town of Shuya in Ivanovo region (about 300 km from Moscow). On the night of 18 to 19 March 2022, he threw three Molotov cocktails at the building of the local military recruitment office. Only one of the three caught fire. As a result, the inner glass and frame of one of the building’s windows were partially damaged. No one was injured in the arson attempt.
The next day Lyamin was remanded in custody on a charge of attempted intentional damage to property (Article 30, Part 2, in conjunction with Article 167, Part 2, of the Russian Criminal Code). During a search in Lyamin’s house, law enforcement officers found a poster with the words, ‘No to Russia’s war against Ukraine!’
After the intervention of the FSB, the charge was reclassified as a terrorist offence (Article 205, Part 1).
On 12 April 2023, a military court sentenced Dmitry Lyamin to eight years’ imprisonment, of which he must serve the first three years in a cell-type prison, and the rest in a strict regime penal colony. On 3 July 2023, the sentence was upheld on appeal.
Why do we consider Lyamin a political prisoner?
Lyamin’s actions caused no significant harm. We believe they come within the much less serious offence of intentional property damage.
We do not agree with the classification of the attempted arson of the military recruitment centre as an act of terrorism.
A defining feature of an act of terrorism is the motive of ‘intimidation of the population.’ In reality, Lyamin’s actions were motivated by a desire to protest against the Russian war on Ukraine, as he himself stated during the preliminary investigation.
A detailed description of the case of Dmitry Lyamin and our position are 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, their views, statements, or actions.
How can you help?
You can write to Dmitry Lyamin at the following address:
In Russian: 412315, Саратовская область, Балашов, ул. Уральская, д. 17, ФКУ Т УФСИН России по Саратовской области, Лямину Дмитрию Александровичу 1991 г.р.
In English: Dmitry Aleksandrovich Lyamin (born 1991), Prison of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Saratov region, 17 Uralskaya Ulitsa, Balashov, Saratov region, Russia, 412315.
You can also send an electronic letter via OVD-Info (free of charge) and via F-Pismo (Russian bank cards) or PrisonMail (other bank cards).
Please note that letters in languages other than Russian are highly unlikely to reach the recipient.
You can donate to support all political prisoners in Russia.
