Lyudmila Tulskaya is a political prisoner

A resident of Saratov has been convicted on a charge of ‘collusion’ with foreigners for allegedly corresponding with the Ukrainian Security Service

The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international criteria, considers Lyudmila Tulskaya a political prisoner. Tulskaya was convicted on a charge of collusion with a foreign state, based on an allegation that she had agreed to collect information about the location of Russian military facilities and military personnel. Tulskaya’s criminal prosecution and conviction violated her right to a fair trial. We demand her immediate release and that all charges against her be dropped.

What were the charges against Lyudmila Tulskaya?

Lyudmila Tulskaya was convicted on a charge of collusion with officers from the Ukrainian Security Service (Article 275.1 of the Russian Criminal Code), who allegedly tasked her with ‘collecting and transmitting information about the locations of military facilities and military personnel on Russian territory.’

Tulskaya’s husband is serving a sentence in a penal colony, and, according to the prosecution, she herself contacted the Ukrainian Security Service to discuss the possibility of him defecting to the Ukrainian armed forces after he signed a contract and went to the front. She allegedly filled out a questionnaire and agreed to collect and transmit information.

In March 2024 Tulskaya was remanded in custody. On 24 July 2024 a court in Saratov sentenced her to four years in a penal colony.

Why do we consider Lyudmila Tulskaya a political prisoner?

The offence of ‘collusion’ was added to the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation in July 2022 and became one more tool used by the regime in fighting its opponents. The provisions of this law do not comply with the principle of legal certainty since they criminalise any communication between Russian citizens and foreigners. The law on ‘collusion’ should be rescinded, all related convictions quashed, and ongoing prosecutions dropped.

Lyudmila Tulskaya did not commit any illegal acts. She was convicted, not because she carried out orders from the Ukrainian Security Service, but because she allegedly received them.

It is worth paying attention to Tulskaya’s motivation. We know that in Russian remand prisons and penal colonies, prisoners are forced to sign contracts to be sent to serve in the ‘special military operation’, as the Russian authorities call the war against Ukraine. Tulskaya did not want her husband to fight against Ukraine. In our opinion, such a desire can only be welcomed and in no way contradicts the interests or security of Russia.

A detailed description of Lyudmila Tulskaya’s case and of our position is available on our website.

Recognition of an individual as a political prisoner does not imply the ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project agrees with, or approves, their views, statements, or actions.

How can you help?

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