Aleksandr Nesterenko is a political prisoner
An associate professor at the Bauman Moscow State Technical University faces up to six years’ imprisonment for posting Ukrainian songs on the VK social media site
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Aleksandr Nesterenko a political prisoner. Nesterenko is being prosecuted on a charge of inciting hatred and enmity with a threat of violence for sharing Ukrainian patriotic songs on his VK page. Nesterenko’s criminal prosecution violates his rights to freedom of expression and fair trial. We demand Aleksandr Nesterenko’s immediate release and that all criminal charges against him be dropped.
What are the charges against Aleksandr Nesterenko?
On 3 September 2024, law enforcement officers arrived at Aleksandr Nesterenko’s home and took him to the Investigative Committee where he was questioned as a witness and then released. Two days later, on 5 September, Nesterenko was detained when he arrived for another interrogation with his lawyer.
A criminal case was opened against Nesterenko for inciting hatred and enmity with a threat of violence (Article 282. Part 2, of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) for video clips and audio recordings of Ukrainian songs posted on his VK page. Experts concluded that the texts of the songs contained evidence of inciting hatred and enmity, as well as ‘incitement to acts of violence’ against Russians.
On 7 September, Nesterenko was remanded in custody. According to Nesterenko, a staff member of the Investigative Committee visited him in the remand prison and suggested that he go to fight against Ukraine in exchange for the termination of the criminal case.
If convicted, Nesterenko faces up to six years’ imprisonment.
Why do we consider Nesterenko a political prisoner?
Nesterenko is accused of posting Ukrainian songs that have not been designated as ‘extremist materials’ in Russia. These songs have often been shared in various forms on social media, music streaming services, and YouTube.
Crimes related to inciting hatred and enmity are committed with direct intent, yet Nesterenko did not add any of his own comments to the songs. Nesterenko stated that he does not speak Ukrainian and may have misunderstood the content of the songs. He has posted over 300 different musical compositions on his VK page.
The experts showed bias in drawing up their conclusions, unjustifiably equating the struggle for Ukraine’s freedom and independence with the intention to destroy Russians on the basis of their ethnicity. This is despite the fact that the lyrics of three of the four songs do not even mention Russians. Nesterenko’s actions pose no danger to society.
We believe that Nesterenko’s criminal prosecution may be linked to his active civic stance: he has run three times in municipal elections and is a member of a local election commission. We are concerned that, recognising the weakness of the charges against him, law enforcement agents will find other grounds to bring criminal charges against him. An investigator stated in court that Nesterenko is being checked ‘for involvement in other crimes against the constitutional order and security of the state.’
A more detailed description of Aleksandr Nesterenko’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 Aleksandr Nersterenko at the following address:
In Russian:
127081, г. Москва, ул. Вилюйская, д. 4, ФКУ СИЗО-4 ГУФСИН России по г. Москве, Нестеренко Александру Николаевичу 1963 г. р.
In English:
Aleksandr Nikolaevich Nesterenko (born 1963), Remand Prison No. 4, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Moscow, 4 Vilyuyskaya Street, 127081, Moscow, Russia.
You can also send an email via F-Pismo and ZT (for payment with Russian cards), or PrisonMail service (for payment with other 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 learn how to support Nesterenko through the Telegram channel of his support group.
You can donate to help all political prisoners in Russia.
