Ivan Kryukov is a political prisoner
A father of two has been sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment on charges of participation in the Free Russia Legion for defacing a ballot paper and sharing a link to a website
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Ivan Kryukov a political prisoner. Kryukov was convicted on a charge of participation in a terrorist organisation for defacing a ballot paper during elections and sending representatives of the Free Russia Legion a link to a public website that contained information about power lines. Ivan Kryukov’s criminal prosecution and conviction violated his right to a fair trial. We demand Ivan Kryukov’s immediate release and that all charges against him be dropped.
What were the charges against Ivan Kryukov?
Ivan Kryukov, a resident of Leningrad Oblast, was detained on 15 October 2024. The prosecution alleged he criticised the ‘special military operation,’ was an ‘opponent of the current Russian authorities’ and, acting out of self-interest, had contacted representatives of the Free Russia Legion online and filled in the organisation’s application form.
Kryukov allegedly carried out two tasks for the Legion. During the presidential election, he wrote ‘The RDK [Russian Volunteer Corps] is nearby’ on his ballot paper and then sent his alleged ‘controllers’ a link to a public website containing information about power lines. The investigative authorities also claimed that in his correspondence Kryukov had ‘expressed a wish to be useful in the [Ukrainian] offensive in Belgorod.’
Kryukov was charged with participating in the activities of a terrorist organisation (Article 205.5, Part 2, of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). On 7 February 2025, Kryukov was sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment, with the first three years to be served in a cell-type prison and the remainder in a strict-regime penal colony, along with a fine of 200,000 roubles.
Why do we consider Ivan Kryukov a political prisoner?
Ivan Kryukov was convicted of participating in the activities of a terrorist organisation, although he merely corresponded with one of its representatives. He was charged with conducting this correspondence, defacing a ballot paper and sending a link to a publicly accessible website.
Most likely, Kryukov fell victim to a sting operation in which Russian intelligence officers corresponded with him under the guise of representatives of the Free Russia Legion. This was also suggested by the strange task allegedly given to Kryukov by the Free Russia Legion of writing on the ballot paper about another organisation — the Russian Volunteer Corps.
The Free Russia Legion was designated a terrorist organisation in Russia unlawfully and without justification. It is a unit of the Ukrainian armed forces and acts legitimately in the war on the side of a state defending itself against Russian aggression. Participation in an armed conflict cannot in itself be regarded as terrorist activity. Furthermore, one cannot join a military unit simply by communicating via social media.
The lengthy prison term handed down to Ivan Kryukov was disproportionate to the public danger posed by his actions. His sentence was punishment for his anti-war stance and intended to intimidate all those who disagree with the policies of the Russian authorities.
A detailed description of Ivan Kryukov’s case and of our position is available on our website.
How can you help?
You can write to Ivan Kryukov at the following address:
RU:
457670, Челябинская область, г. Верхнеуральск, ул. Северная, д. 1, ФКУ Т ГУФСИН России по Челябинской области, Крюков Иван Александрович, 1976 г. р.
EN:
Ivan Aleksandrovich Kryukov (born 1976), Prison of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Chelyabinsk Oblast, 1 Severnaya Street, Verkhneuralsk, Chelyabinsk Oblast, 457670, 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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