Anton Zaitsev is a political prisoner
A resident of Pskov Oblast has been sentenced to three and a half years in a penal colony for attempting to contact the Latvian embassy
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international criteria, considers Anton Zaitsev a political prisoner. Zaitsev was convicted on a criminal charge of collusion with a foreign state for ‘readiness to cooperate in gathering information that could be used in activities against the security of Russia.’ Zaitsev’s criminal prosecution and conviction violated his right to a fair trial. We demand the release of Anton Zaitsev and that all criminal charges against him be dropped.
What were the charges against Anton Zaitsev?
Anton Zaitsev lived in the town of Pechory in Pskov Oblast. In the autumn of 2023, a criminal case was brought against him on a charge of ‘collusion’ with foreigners to assist in activities directed against the security of Russia (Article 275.1 of the Russian Criminal Code). According to the prosecution, since December 2022, Zaitsev had been trying to establish contact with a representative of the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia in Moscow to pass on ‘information about the deployment of units of the FSB and the Russian armed forces in Pskov Oblast.’ He allegedly did this to obtain Latvian citizenship.
The FSB claimed Zaitsev was ‘ready to cooperate in collecting, documenting and providing information that could later be used in activities against Russia’s security.’
On 3 June 2024, at his trial in Pskov, Anton Zaitsev was sentenced to three and a half years in a penal colony.
Why do we consider Anton Zaitsev a political prisoner?
The law criminalising ‘collusion,’ adopted in July 2022, has become one more tool used by the regime to fight against its ‘internal enemies.’ The law’s provisions do not comply with the principle of legal certainty. In essence, the law criminalises any communication with foreigners and provides for punishment, not for specific actions, but merely for an alleged intention to ‘facilitate’ some undefined ‘activity.’ The article of the Criminal Code on ‘collusion’ must be repealed, all related criminal convictions quashed, and on-going charges dropped.
Anton Zaitsev was not accused of gathering information; he was charged with ‘readiness’ to do so. We believe that if he had collected information that is secret or could damage Russia’s security, he would have been charged with treason. By means of the law on ‘collusion,’ the security forces intimidate the public and eliminate the need to prove the guilt of those they are prosecuting.
A detailed description of Anton Zaitsev’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 donate to help all political prisoners in Russia.
