Andrei Kotov is a political prisoner
A resident of Vladimir Oblast has been sentenced to three years in a penal colony on a charge of spreading ‘fake news’ about the Russian armed forces for posts on VK
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Andrei Kotov a political prisoner. Kotov was convicted on a charge of spreading ‘fake news’ about the Russian armed forces for publications on the VK social media site. His prosecution and conviction violated his rights to freedom of expression and a fair trial. We demand the release of Andrei Kotov and that all criminal charges against him be dropped.
What were the charges against Andrei Kotov?
Andrei Kotov is a 25-year-old resident of Kovrov in Vladimir Oblast. In August 2024 he was remanded in custody on a charge of spreading information known to be false about the Russian armed forces on grounds of political hatred (Article 207.3, Part 2, of the Russian Criminal Code).
According to the Investigative Committee, between May 2022 and January 2024 Kotov posted on his personal page on VK and on a page of a popular VK community ‘at least 13 posts about the actions of the Russian armed forces during the special military operation that did not correspond to reality, including ones containing offensive statements about Russian servicemen.’
On 9 April 2025, Kotov was found guilty and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.
Why do we consider Andrei Kotov a political prisoner?
The offence of spreading information known to be false about the use of the Russian armed forces, of which Kotov was convicted, was introduced into the Russian Criminal Code immediately after the beginning of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine. In effect, this law bans the dissemination of any information about the war that differs from the official version, in violation of the right to freedom of expression. The law contradicts both the Russian Constitution and Russia’s international obligations, as well as fundamental principles of law. In particular, the law violates the principle of legal certainty since a citizen cannot know in advance what information may be considered false. Still less is it possible to establish that information was known to be false or intentionally spread as such. We consider all prosecutions under this article to be unlawful.
We do not know the specific content of the publications for which Kotov was prosecuted. However, the mere fact of prosecution under this unlawful article of the Criminal Code shows that it was politically motivated and that Kotov’s actions posed no danger to society.
Kotov was charged in connection with 13 publications made over more than 18 months. It is clear he has consistently held anti-war views, and he was prosecuted for his criticism of the war against Ukraine.
A detailed description of Andrei Kotov’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 Kotov at the following address:
RU: 601960, Владимирская область, Ковровский р-н, п. Пакино, ул. Центральная, д. 1А, ФКУ ИК-7 УФСИН России по Владимирской области, Котов Андрей Алексеевич, 2000 г. р.
EN: Andrei Alekseevich Kotov (born 2000), Penal Colony No. 7, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Vladimir Oblast, 1A Tsentralnaya, Pakino, Kovrovsky district, Vladimir Oblast, 601960, Russia.
You can also send an email using ZT (for payment with all 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 intended recipient.
You can donate to help all political prisoners in Russia.
