Leonid Yudin, Andrei Morozov and Vladislav Sevostyanikhin are political prisoners
Three young people – from Buryatia, Leningrad Oblast and Moscow – have been sentenced to terms of imprisonment ranging from 10 to 13 years on charges of attempting to join the Free Russia Legion
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Leonid Yudin, Andrei Morozov and Vladislav Sevostyanikhin political prisoners. The three were convicted on charges of attempted treason, membership of a terrorist organisation and illegally crossing the state border for correspondence with the Free Russia Legion and attempting to travel to Ukraine. The prosecutions and convictions of Yudin, Morozov and Sevostyanikhin violated their rights to a fair trial. We demand that their criminal convictions be quashed.
What were the charges against Leonid Yudin, Andrei Morozov and Vladislav Sevostyanikhin?
Leonid Yudin, aged 19, from Ulan-Ude was detained near the village of Demyanki in Bryansk Oblast in May 2023. Yudin allegedly told the police he disagreed with Russian government policy and sympathised with the Russian Volunteer Corps and the Free Russia Legion. He allegedly sent an application to the Legion and travelled to Bryansk Oblast to cross the border into Ukraine.
Andrei Morozov, aged 24, from Vyborg was detained in Bryansk Oblast on 30 October 2023. The police accused him of using drugs. Morozov was sentenced to 11 days in jail. After serving his sentence, he allegedly attempted to cross the border into Ukraine but was detained by FSB officers. The investigative authorities claimed Morozov had submitted an application to join the Free Russia Legion and intended to take part in hostilities on the side of Ukraine. In April 2021, he had been fined for evading military conscription (Article 328, Part 1, of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).
Vladislav Sevostyanikhin, aged 20, from Moscow was detained in Bryansk Oblast on 16 January 2024. A photo of his application to join the Free Russia Legion and his planned route were found on his mobile phone. A taxi driver who gave Sevostyanikhin a lift stated the young man had expressed a negative view of the Special Military Operation and wanted to go to Ukraine to fight for freedom.
Yudin, Morozov and Sevostyanikhin were charged with attempting to cross the state border (Article 30, Part3, CC RF in conjunction with Article 322, Part 1, CC RF), attempting to participating in the activities of a terrorist organisation (Article 30, Part 3, CC RF in conjunction with Article 205.5, Part 2, CC RF) and attempting to commit treason by defecting to the enemy (Article 30, Part 3, CC RF in conjunction with Article 275 CC RF).
On 12 December 2023 Yudina was sentenced to 13 years’ imprisonment; on 26 June 2024 Andrei Morozov was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment; and on 5 September 2024 Vladislav Sevostyanikhin was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment. All three were additionally sentenced to one year’s probation on release and fines ranging from 40,000 to 100,000 roubles.
Why do we consider Leonid Yudin, Andrei Morozov and Vladislav Sevostyanikhin political prisoners?
It is not known whether Yudin, Morozov and Sevostyanikhin had intended to join the Ukrainian armed forces. However, even if this were the case, this would not be grounds for criminal prosecution on charges of treason or participation in a terrorist organisation. You can read more about our approach here.
As for the charge of illegally crossing the state border, Yudin, Morozov and Sevostyanikhin have already served the maximum possible sentence for this offence.
For more information about the cases of Leonid Yudin, Andrei Morozov and Vladislav Sevostyanikhin, see our website.
How can you help?
You can write to Vladislav Sevostyanikhin and Andrei Morozov at the following addresses:
RU:
167028, Республика Коми, г. Сыктывкар, п. Верхний Чов, ФКУ ИК-25 УФСИН России по Республике Коми, Севостьянихин Владислав Викторович, 2003 г. р.
EN:
Vladislav Viktorovich Sevostyanikhin (born 2003), Penal Colony No. 25, Federal Penitentiary Service for the Komi Republic, Verkhy Chov, Syktyvkar, Komi Republic, 167028, Russia.
RU:
600020, г. Владимир, ул. Большая Нижегородская, д. 67, ФКУ Т-2 УФСИН России по Владимирской области, Морозов Андрей Ильич, 1999 г. р.
EN:
Andrei Ilyich Morozov (born 1999), Prison No. 2, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Vladimir Oblast, 67 Bolshaya Nizhegorodskaya Street, Vladimir, Vladimir Oblast, 600020, Russian.
You can also send emails via F-Pismo (for payment with Russian bank cards), ZT (for payment with all bank cards), and Memorial-France (free of charge).
Please note that letters in languages other than Russian are highly unlikely to reach the intended recipient.
If you have information as to the remand prison or penal colony in which Leonid Yudin, please let us know by email: [email protected]
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