Oleksandr Liubas is a political prisoner
A Ukrainian soldier has been sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment for attempting to raise the Ukrainian flag in Crimea
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Oleksandr Liubas a political prisoner. He has been convicted on charges of attempting a terrorist act, undergoing training for terrorism, illegal transportation and smuggling of firearms, and illegal border crossing. Liubas’s prosecution violates his right to fair trial, as well as the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Geneva Convention on the Treatment of Prisoners of War. We demand that all criminal proceedings against Oleksandr Liubas be terminated and that his treatment be compliant with the norms of international law.
What were the charges against Oleksandr Liubas?
Oleksandr Liubas, a Ukrainian citizen, lived in Volyn, Ukraine, where he worked as a security guard. After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, he joined the Ukrainian army in March 2022.
On 4 October 2023, a reconnaissance and sabotage group, of which Liubas was a member, attempted to land in Crimea by boat and jet skis and raise the Ukrainian flag. The Ukrainians engaged in a battle with Russian border guards; Liubas fell from his jet ski and was captured.
Criminal proceedings were initiated against Liubas on five charges under the Russian Criminal Code accusing him of committing several crimes as ‘part of an organized group’: attempting a terrorist act (Article 30, Part 3, in conjunction with Article 205, Part 2), illegal transportation of firearms and ammunition (Article 222, Part 4), smuggling of firearms and ammunition (Article 226.1, Part 3), and illegal border crossing (Article 322, Part 3). Additionally, Liubas was charged with having undergone training in terrorist activities (Article 205.3), as he had ‘acquired hand-to-hand combat skills and studied the rules for handling firearms’ during his military training.
Liubas maintained his innocence of the charges. On 3 September 2024, a military court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced him to 20 years in a strict-regime penal colony, with the first three years to be served in a cell-type prison.
Why do we consider Liubas a political prisoner?
According to Oleksandr Liubas, his group’s mission was to raise the Ukrainian flag on the shores of Crimea, which was annexed by Russia. Even if the Ukrainian military had planned a sabotage mission, this would not constitute an act of terrorism, but rather an episode in the combat actions that are part of Ukraine’s efforts to repel Russian aggression.
Liubas underwent military training to perform combat tasks, not to carry out terrorist activities. Such training cannot serve as grounds for criminal prosecution.
Liubas was unlawfully charged with the transportation of weapons and, especially, their smuggling, and illegal border crossing. During an armed conflict, such actions are governed by international law and are not considered crimes. It is absurd to apply peacetime laws to a soldier during a war.
Once Oleksandr Liubas was captured, his legal status was governed by the Geneva Convention on the Treatment of Prisoners of War. Criminal prosecution of prisoners of war solely for engaging in combat actions is impermissible. Liubas was not charged with any specific crimes related to violations of the laws and customs of war.
A more detailed description of Oleksandr Liubas’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?
You can write to Oleksandr Liubas at the following address:
In Russian:
347910, Ростовская область, г. Таганрог, пр. Ленина, 175, ФКУ СИЗО-2 ГУФСИН России по Ростовской области, Любасу Александру Владимировичу 1977 г. р.
In English:
Oleksandr Volodymyrovych Liubas (born 1977), Remand Prison No. 2, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Rostov Oblast, 175 Lenina Street, Taganrog, 347910, Russia.
You can also send email via ZT (for payments with Russian cards), OVD-Info and Memorial-France (free of charge).
Please note that letters in languages other than Russian are highly unlikely to reach the recipient.
You can donate to help all political prisoners in Russia.
