Aleksei Pokazaniev is a political prisoner
A teacher from Yekaterinburg has been sentenced to three years in a low-security penal colony for a classroom comment about Putin and the explosion on the Crimean Bridge
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Aleksei Pokazaniev a political prisoner. Aleksei Pokazaniev was convicted of public justification of terrorism for an online comment about an explosion on the Crimean Bridge. Aleksei Pokazaniev’s prosecution and conviction violated his rights to freedom of expression and fair trial. We demand the immediate release of Aleksei Pokazaniev and that all criminal charges against him be dropped.
What were the charges against Aleksei Pokazaniev?
Aleksei Pokazaniev worked as a teacher of history and social studies at a school in Yekaterinburg. On 23 November 2023, during a lesson for ninth-grade students (15-year-olds), he commented on the attack on the Crimean Bridge that took place on 8 October 2022 and had been planned, according to Ukrainian media, to coincide with Putin’s birthday. Pokazaniev said: ‘It would have been better if they had congratulated him in person.’ The investigative authorities considered that by these words Pokazaniev ‘justified an attempt on the life of a public official – the President of Russia – with the aim of stopping his political activity.’
On 15 May 2024, Pokazaniev was charged with publicly justifying terrorism (Article 205.2, Part 1, of the Russian Criminal Code) and remanded in custody. He remained in custody until 12 July 2024. Pokazaniev pleaded guilty under a plea bargain.
On 14 November 2024, a military court sentenced him to three years in a low-security penal colony.
Why do we consider Aleksei Pokazaniev a political prisoner?
Pokazaniev’s comment cannot be considered justification of terrorism: he simply expressed dissatisfaction about the attack on the Crimean Bridge and ironically suggested that Ukrainians should have congratulated Putin directly.
Even if Pokazaniev’s words were to be interpreted as referring to an attack on Putin, they posed no real danger to the public. The so-called ‘call to action’ with which he was charged was directed at the Ukrainian armed forces, over whose actions Pokazaniev clearly has no influence.
We condemn such a broad interpretation of the term ‘justification of terrorism’ and oppose the spurious criminalisation of such statements. Pokazaniev’s conviction is a clear example of the violation of the fundamental human right to freedom of expression.
A detailed description of Aleksei Pokazaniev’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 Aleksei Pokazaniev at the following address:
In Russian:
623148, Свердловская область, г. Первоуральск, д. Старые Решеты, ФКУ КП-66 ГУФСИН России по Свердловской области, Показаньеву Алексею Евгеньевичу 1994 г.р.
In English:
Aleksei Yevgenievich Pokazaniev (born 1994), Low Security Penal Colony No. 66, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Sverdlovsk Oblast, Starye Reshety village, Pervouralsk, Sverdlovsk Oblast, 623148, Russia.
You can also send emails via ZT (for payment with Russian bank 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.
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