Dmitry Seleznyov is a political prisoner
A chef has been sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment on a charge of attempting to poison Russian soldiers with water from a field kitchen
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Dmitry Seleznyov a political prisoner. Seleznyov was convicted on charges of ‘attempted treason and attempted terrorism using toxic chemicals’ for a video he made in which he claimed to have poisoned Russian soldiers. Seleznyov’s prosecution and conviction violated his rights to freedom of expression and a fair trial. We demand the immediate release of Dmitry Seleznyov and that all charges against him be dropped.
What were the charges against Dmitry Seleznyov?
Dmitry Seleznyov worked as a chef in a café in Barnaul. On one occasion he was asked to prepare a field kitchen for an exercise by officers of the Ministry of Emergency Situations (EMERCOM). On 5 October 2022, Seleznyov made a video of himself adding something from a syringe labelled ‘Fors-sait gel’ to a water container and saying that he had poisoned the food of Russian mobilised soldiers. He sent the video to friends in Ukraine. The training exercises went off without a hitch. The EMERCOM staff had no complaints.
Nine months later, Seleznyov was detained and remanded in custody. He was charged with attempted treason (Article 30, Part 3, of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation in conjunction with Article 275 CC RF) and attempting to carry out a terrorist attack using dangerous substances (Article 30, Part 3, CC RF in conjunction with Article 205, Part 3 [a], CC RF). The security forces believed Seleznyov had attempted to poison Russian military personnel. Seleznyov maintained his innocence of the charge and insisted he had simply made a silly joke.
On 26 July 2024, a military court sentenced Dmitry Seleznyov to 20 years in a strict regime penal colony, with the first four years to be served in a cell-type prison and the remainder in a strict regime penal colony with a further 18 months’ probation following his release. The appeal court modified the sentence, but it is not known how.
Why do we consider Dmitry Seleznyov a political prisoner?
The prosecution’s version in this case is untenable and the evidence unconvincing. The investigative authorities initially attempted to bring a charge of ‘attempted mass poisoning of military personnel,’ although there were neither military personnel involved in the case nor any ‘poisoning.’
Seleznyov does not dispute that he did indeed use a syringe labelled ‘Fors-sait gel,’ but the origin of the ‘evidence’ that ended up in the hands of the investigators raises serious doubts. Neither witness testimony nor forensic analysis confirmed that Seleznyov had intended to poison anyone. He knew that he was preparing food for EMERCOM workers, not for the military. According to the results of the forensic examination, to be poisoned by this means a person would have needed to drink about 20 litres of contaminated water, while there was only 30 litres in total.
The security forces used Seleznyov’s video and his anti-war stance to fabricate a case against him. Even the most unfortunate joke should not result in a criminal punishment of 20 years’ imprisonment; such a harsh punishment is completely disproportionate to an act that had no consequences.
A detailed description of Dmitry Seleznyov’s case and of our position is available on our website.
How can you help?
You can write to Dmitry Seleznyov at the following address:
RU:
663180, Красноярский край, г. Енисейск, ул. Декабристов, д. 11, ФКУ Т-2 ГУФСИН России по Красноярскому краю, Селезнёв Дмитрий Борисович, 1981 г. р.
EN:
Dmitry Borisovich Seleznyov (born 1981), Prison No.2, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Krasnoyarsk Krai, 11 Dekabristov Street, Yeniseysk, Krasnoyarsk Krai, 663180, 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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