Andrei Kitkov is a political prisoner
A businessman from Sverdlovsk Oblast has been sentenced to five and a half years in a penal colony for a comment on the bombing of the Crimean Bridge
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international criteria, considers Andrei Kitkov a political prisoner. Kitkov was convicted on a charge of justifying terrorism for a comment on the bombing of the Crimean Bridge. Kitkov’s prosecution and conviction violated his rights to freedom of expression and a fair trial. We demand the release of Andrei Kitkov and that all criminal charges against him be dropped.
What were the charges against Andrei Kitkov?
On 8 October 2022, after the attack on the Crimean Bridge, Andrei Kitkov wrote a comment on the Telegram channel Yekaterinburg against mobilisation under the post ‘A truck blew up on the Crimean Bridge.’ His comment read: ‘I think it’s not a terrorist attack but a birthday present for VVP [Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin], for the Führer and his Zpatriots from the glorious Ukrainian people.’
More than a year later, in February 2024, FSB officers came to his home and confiscated his phone. After they left, Kitkov deleted the comment.
Despite this, on 1 April 2024 a criminal case was brought against him for justifying terrorism on the Internet (Article 205.2, Part 2, of the Russian Criminal Code). Experts decided that Kitkov’s comment contained ‘a combination of linguistic and psychological signs of justification of actions of a destructive and violent nature.’
On 27 January 2025, at his trial in Yekaterinburg, Andrei Kitkov was sentenced to five years and six months in a general regime penal colony. Kitkov was taken into custody in the courtroom.
Why do we consider Andrei Kitkov a political prisoner?
Andrei Kitkov’s prosecution and conviction were unfounded and politically motivated. The attack on the Crimean Bridge was not an act of terrorism. Responsibility for the attack was claimed by Ukraine, which is resisting Russian aggression. The bridge connecting occupied Crimea with Russia is a dual-use facility, both civilian and military, which means it can be considered a legitimate target in the context of armed conflict. Therefore, the attack on the bridge was not an act of terrorism, but an episode in the ongoing hostilities.
Even if Kitkov’s statement had posed a danger to society, it would be minimal. His comment on the Telegram channel was unlikely to have been seen by many people, and still less could it have influenced Ukraine’s military planning. Kitkov’s imprisonment is a disproportionately harsh punishment linked to his anti-war stance.
The offence of justifying terrorism, for which Andrei Kitkov was convicted, has become a tool for censorship and for the prosecution of dissidents in Russia. This is particularly true of statements about Russia’s war against Ukraine. We condemn the broad interpretation of the concept of ‘justifying terrorism’ and oppose the unwarranted criminalisation of such statements.
A detailed description of Andrei Kitkov’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 Andrei Kitkov at the following address:
RU: 624391, Свердловская область, Верхотурский р-н, п. Привокзальный, ул Свободы, д. 22, ФКУ ИК-53 ГУФСИН России по Свердловской области, Китков Андрей Александрович, 1979 г. р.
EN: Andrei Aleksandrovich Kitkov (born 1979), Penal colony No. 53, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Sverdlovsk Oblast, 22 Svobody ulitsa, Privokzalny settlement, Verkhotursky district, Sverdlovsk Oblast, 624391, Russia.
You can also send emails via the ZT service (for payment with Russian bank cards), Memorial-France and OVD-Info (free of charge).
Please note that letters in languages other than Russian are highly unlikely to reach the intended recipient.
You can donate to help all political prisoners in Russia.
