Andrei Kuzmichyov is a political prisoner
A systems administrator from St Petersburg has been sentenced to three years’ in a general regime penal colony for ‘collusion’ with foreign nationals
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international criteria, considers Andrei Kuzmichyov a political prisoner. Kuzmichyov was convicted on a criminal charge of ‘collusion with a foreign state or organisation’ for alleged contacts with foreigners. Kuzmichyov’s criminal prosecution and conviction violated his right to a fair trial. We demand the immediate release of Andrei Kuzmichyov and the dropping of all criminal charges against him.
What were the charges against Andrei Kuzmichyov?
Andrei Kuzmichyov is a systems administrator from St Petersburg whose prosecution only became public knowledge after the court delivered a guilty verdict in his case. During the investigation, he was held in custody.
On 13 November 2024, a court in St Petersburg sentenced him to three years in a general regime penal colony on a charge of ‘collusion with a foreign state or organisation directed against Russian security’ (Article 275.1 of the Russian Criminal Code). The trial was held in camera on the grounds that, as the court’s press release stated, ‘the case was classified as “Top Secret”.’
Kuzmichyov fully admitted guilt and expressed remorse.
Why do we consider Andrei Kuzmichyov a political prisoner?
The law on ‘collusion’ was introduced into the Russian Criminal Code in July 2022 and has become yet another means for the authorities to target so-called ‘internal enemies.’ The provisions of this law violate the principle of legal certainty. In effect, it criminalises any contact with foreigners. It provides for punishment, not for specific actions, but merely for a supposed intention to ‘assist’ in some undefined ‘activity.’
The law on ‘collusion’ should be repealed, all related criminal convictions quashed, and charges dropped.
If Kuzmichyov’s actions had constituted an actual crime, and if the investigative authorities had had sufficient evidence, he would have faced a different criminal charge. The use of the law on ‘collusion’ allows the security services to intimidate society and avoid the need to prove the guilt of the accused.
A detailed description of Andrei Kuzmichyov’s case and of our position is available on our website.
Recognition of an individual as a political prisoner does not imply the project ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ agrees with, or approves, their views, statements, or actions.
How can you help?
You can write to Andrei Kuzmichyov at the following address:
RU: 196641, г. Санкт-Петербург, п. Металлострой, Северный пр-д 1-й, д. 1, ФКУ ИК-5 ГУФСИН России по г. Санкт-Петербургу и Ленинградской области, Кузьмичёв Андрей Владимирович, 1980 г. р.
EN: Kuzmichyov Andrei Vladimirovich (born 1980), Penal Colony No. 5, Federal Penitentiary Service for the City of St Petersburg and Leningrad Oblast, Leningrad Oblast, 1 Pervy Severny Proezd, Metallostroy, St. Petersburg, 196641, Russia.
You can also send emails via the ZT service (for payment with Russian bank cards), PrisonMail (for payment with foreign bank cards), F-Pismo (for payment with all bank cards), 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.
