Galina Umyarova is a political prisoner
A pensioner from Domodedovo is accused of financing terrorism for sending Telegram Stars worth 219 rubles under a post by the Freedom of Russia Legion
Galina Umyarova is a pensioner from Domodedovo, Moscow Oblast. In the past, she worked as a parachute training instructor. After retiring, she took up subsistence farming, including raising quails, and cared for sick relatives. In May 2026, Umyarova was detained by the security services and accused of financing terrorism. According to the prosecution, she sent 100 Telegram Stars worth a total of 219 rubles under a post by the Freedom of Russia Legion (FRL).
Umyarova’s relatives are convinced that the action was either accidental or the result of her account being hacked. Experts say that accidentally sending Stars is entirely possible: it can happen while scrolling through different channels on a phone. The choice of the post in question also raises doubts. In the post Umyarova allegedly chose to support, the Legion warned its followers that fake FRL channels had recently been created in Russia and urged them to be cautious and use only its official channel.
Despite her poor physical condition, 60-year-old Galina Umyarova was remanded in custody on the absurd grounds that she might continue committing crimes or obstruct the investigation. She faces a lengthy prison sentence. Her husband, who has cancer, her 84-year-old mother, and her 94-year-old mother-in-law were left without care. Umyarova herself was assaulted by a cellmate at the pre-trial detention facility.
It seems highly unlikely that Galina Umyarova knowingly supported the FRL. But even if she did, she should not be prosecuted for the transfer: the Freedom of Russia Legion is not a terrorist organization but a unit of the Ukrainian Armed Forces taking part in defending Ukraine against Russian aggression. Its designation as a “terrorist” organization in Russia was politically motivated and intended for propaganda purposes. Moreover, even if Umyarova’s actions formally constituted an offense, criminal prosecution and especially imprisonment over such a small amount of money are absurd and cruel.
A detailed description of Galina Umyarova’s case and of our position is available on our website.
How can you help?
You can write to Galina Umyarova at the following address:
Ru:
140405, Московская область, г. Коломна, проезд Колычевский, д. 6, ПФРСИ, ФКУ ИК-6 ГУФСИН России по Московской области, Умярова Галина Викторовна, 1966 г. р.
En:
Pre-trial Detention Facility, Penal Colony No. 6, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Moscow Oblast, 6 Kolychevsky Proezd, Kolomna, Moscow Oblast, 140405, Russia, Umyarova Galina Viktorovna, born 1966.
You can also send an electronic letter via ZT (payment with any bank card), F-Pismo (payment with Russian cards), or PrisonMail (payment with foreign cards).
Please note that letters in languages other than Russian are highly unlikely to reach the intended recipient.
You can donate to help all political prisoners in Russia.
