Dalerjon Achilov is a political prisoner
A butcher from Tajikistan has been charged with spreading ‘fake news’ about the Russian army and political hooliganism on the basis of a denunciation by an informer
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Dalerjon Achilov a political prisoner. Achilov is being prosecuted on charges of spreading information known to be false about the Russian army and hooliganism motivated by political hatred, on the basis of a denunciation by a fellow vendor at a Novosibirsk market. Achilov’s criminal prosecution violates his right to fair trial. We demand the immediate release of Dalerjon Achilov and that all criminal charges against him be dropped.
Who is Dalerjon Achilov and what are the charges against him?
Dalerjon Achilov is a citizen of Tajikistan who worked as a butcher at a market in Novosibirsk. He moved his family to Russia and applied for Russian citizenship in February 2024.
In March 2024, Achilov had a conflict with one of the vendors at the market who claimed Achilov ‘condemned the special military operation’ in which her son was fighting, and that he ‘hated Russians.’ The owner of the market sided with Achilov in the dispute. After the vendor learned that Achilov had applied for Russian citizenship, she left her job and filed a report against him with the police and the migration services.
Initially, the Ministry of Internal Affairs stated there were no grounds to bring charges. However, after the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall on 22 March 2024, several Tajikistani citizens were arrested on suspicion of involvement in the attack, and the Investigative Committee acted upon the report that had been filed against Achilov.
A criminal case was soon opened against Achilov on charges of publicly spreading ‘fake news’ about the Russian army (Article 207.3, Part 2, of the Russian Criminal Code) and hooliganism motivated by political hatred (Article 213, Part 1). On 3 April 2024, Achilov was remanded in custody.
Why do we consider Dalerjon Achilov a political prisoner?
The article on spreading information ‘known to be false’ about the actions of the Russian army was adopted into law immediately following the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The article effectively bans any criticism of the authorities or the military, in violation of the civil right to freedom of expression. It contradicts the Constitution of Russia and therefore any charges based on it are unlawful.
The article on hooliganism is often used as a ‘reserve’ charge to bring a criminal prosecution against those whom it is difficult to prosecute under other provisions of the Russian Criminal Code. Initially, only the person who made the denunciation claimed she had been the victim of insults and aggressive behaviour on the part of Achilov. The case against him was pursued only after the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall. These circumstances suggest there was nothing criminal in Achilov’s actions. Rather, he fell victim to an anti-migrant campaign launched by the Russian authorities against people from Tajikistan. If Achilov had indeed used obscene language, he should have been prosecuted under administrative, rather than criminal, law.
A more detailed description of Dalerjon Achilov’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.
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