Eldar Marchenko is a political prisoner
A teacher from Moscow Oblast has been sentenced to 16 years in a strict regime penal colony for terrorism, accused of directing drones at an airfield in Kursk
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Eldar Marchenko a political prisoner. Marchenko was convicted of an act of terrorism for allegedly directing drones at an airfield in Kursk Oblast. Marchenko’s prosecution and conviction violated his right to a fair trial. We demand the immediate release of Eldar Marchenko, that all criminal charges against him be dropped, and that his allegations of torture be investigated.
What were the charges against Eldar Marchenko?
Eldar Marchenko worked as the marketing director for the international motorsport media company Motorsport Network and taught sports management at the RMA business school.
On 1 August 2024, his home was searched. He was detained and jailed for 15 days on a charge of petty hooliganism. Subsequently, he was jailed twice more on the same charge.
On 11 September, Marchenko was detained as he left the detention centre and taken for questioning. He has since alleged that FSB officers tortured him with electric shocks in both the car and the FSB building, demanding that he sign a confession that he ‘worked for Ukrainian security services.’
Marchenko was accused of committing ‘an act of terrorism by a group of persons by prior agreement, causing significant damage’ (Article 205, Part 2 [a, c], of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). According to the investigative authorities, on 26 August 2023 Marchenko arrived in Kursk and, using a special programme on his phone and a car navigation system, transmitted the coordinates of the railway station and airport to his ‘accomplices’ so they could be targeted by drones. As a result, two drones attacked Kursk Oblast, but ‘did not reach their target for reasons beyond the group’s control.’ When it became clear in court that the coordinates of the airfield were publicly available, the prosecution’s version changed, alleging that Marchenko had passed on information about the facilities’ anti-radar protection. Marchenko maintained his innocence of the charges at his trial.
On 12 August 2025, Eldar Marchenko was sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment, with the first five years to be served in prison and the remainder in a strict regime penal colony.
Why do we consider Eldar Marchenko a political prisoner?
We believe that the case against Eldar Marchenko was fabricated and that his guilt was not proven. Experts questioned in court showed that the drones ‘were for reconnaissance purposes and were not intended to carry out attacks, which excludes Marchenko’s involvement and guilt.’
Marchenko himself claims he travelled to Kursk on personal business and used the navigator for its intended purpose. He believes he was prosecuted because of his oppositionist views and anti-war stance.
However, even if Marchenko had actually done what he was accused of, his actions were wrongly classified by the court. The attack on the airfield was not carried out by terrorists, but by the Ukrainian armed forces as part of their legitimate defence against Russian aggression.
Marchenko reported being tortured. During the trial, a member of the public monitoring commission confirmed she saw marks on his hands consistent with electric shock torture. Marchenko’s allegations of torture should be investigated, and those responsible held to account.
A detailed description of Eldar Marchenko’s case and of our position is available on our website.
How can you help?
You can write to Eldar Marchenko at the following address:
RU:
127081, г. Москва, ул. Вилюйская, д. 4, ФКУ СИЗО-4 ГУФСИН России по г. Москве, Марченко Эльдар Микаэль оглы, 1972 г. р..
EN: Eldar Mikael ogly Marchenko (born 1972), Remand Prison No. 4, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for the city of Moscow, 4 Vilyuiskaya Street, Moscow, 127081, 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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