Andrei Gaevsky is a political prisoner

A court has ordered the Moscow rock music journalist to undergo compulsory treatment in a psychiatric hospital on a charge of spreading ‘fake news’ about Russia’s army

The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, based on international standards, considers Andrei Gaevsky a political prisoner. Gaevsky has been prosecuted on a charge of spreading information known to be false about the Russian army for an online post about the Russian missile strike on a shopping centre in Kremenchuk, Ukraine. Gaevsky’s prosecution violates his rights to freedom of expression and fair trial. We demand the immediate release of Andrei Gaevsky and that all criminal charges against him be dropped.

Who is Andrei Gaevsky and what were the charges against him?

Andrei Gaevsky is a well-known rock music journalist and the author of an encyclopaedia, Rock of Eastern Europe. In July 2022, he published a post on the VK social media platform condemning the missile strike on the Amstor shopping centre in Kremenchuk in Ukraine.

Almost a year later, on 1 June 2023, police took Gaevsky from his home to a police station, where they demanded he confess to publishing the anti-war post. When he refused, officers returned on 8 June, searched his apartment, and again took him to a police station where he was charged with the administrative-law offence of ‘disobeying police orders.’ That same day, a court fined Gaevsky 2,000 roubles.

In March 2024, Gaevsky’s home was searched again, and on this occasion, he was charged with spreading ‘fake news’ about the army motivated by political hatred (Article 207.3, Part 2, of the Russian Criminal Code) for the same VK post.

On 7 June 2024, the court declared Gaevsky mentally unfit and ordered him to undergo compulsory treatment in a psychiatric hospital. On 5 September, this ruling was upheld on appeal.

Why do we consider Gaevsky a political prisoner?

The article on spreading information known to be false about the actions of the Russian army, on which Gaevsky was prosecuted, was introduced into the Russian Criminal Code immediately after the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine. The law effectively bans any criticism of the authorities and military, violating the civil right to freedom of expression. The law contradicts the Russian Constitution and therefore any charges based on it are unlawful.

Furthermore, the information about the Russian missile strike on 27 June 2022, which hit the shopping centre in Kremenchuk, is known to be true. The strike killed more than 20 civilians, and this war crime is well-documented; the involvement of the Russian army was confirmed by a UN commission and independent experts.

Confining Gaevsky in a psychiatric hospital unjustifiably restricts his rights. Compulsory treatment in a psychiatric hospital is, under criminal law, only to be applied in cases of actions dangerous to society. However, Gaevsky’s statement poses no danger to society. Moreover, speaking out against the war and raising public awareness of war crimes is not a criminal offence.

Compulsory detention in a psychiatric hospital for criticising the authorities is a form of punitive psychiatry which is becoming increasingly common in Russia.

A detailed description of Andrei Gaevsky’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 donate to help all political prisoners in Russia.