Denis Popov is a political prisoner
He has been sentenced to 8 years in a strict-regime penal colony for attempting to set fire to a military recruitment centre and posting a comment on social media
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Denis Popov a political prisoner. Popov was convicted of ‘attempting to carry out a terrorist act,’ for attempting to set fire to a military recruitment centre, and of ‘making public calls on social media for people to engage in extremism online.’ His criminal prosecution is based on police entrapment and violates his right to fair trial. We call for Popov’s conviction to be quashed and for all criminal charges against him to be dropped.
What were the charges against Denis Popov?
Denis Popov was arrested in the early hours of 15 July 2022 carrying five bottles filled with an incendiary liquid. The prosecution claimed he was preparing to set fire to a military recruitment centre, and he was charged with attempting to commit an act of terrorism (Article 205, Part 1, of the Russian Criminal Code).
During the investigation, it emerged that the FSB had staged an ‘operational experiment’ targeting Popov. An undercover agent, using the alias ‘Anriiko’, met with Popov multiple times, discussed setting fire to the recruitment centre with him, and even conducted training sessions with him in an uninhabited area. In court, Popov stated that this agent had sought to provoke him into carrying out the arson.
Popov was also accused of posting a comment on the VK social media site in May 2021 that the investigative authorities deemed a call to engage in violence against members of the United Russia party. As a result, he was charged with making calls to engage in extremism (Article 280, Part 2). Popov denied writing the comment.
On 28 February 2023, a military court sentenced Popov to eight years’ imprisonment, with the first three years to be served in a cell-type prison and the remainder in a strict-regime penal colony. The sentence was upheld on appeal.
Why do we consider Denis Popov a political prisoner?
We believe, on the basis of the case materials, that without the involvement of the undercover agent ‘Anriiko,’ Popov would likely never have planned to set fire to the recruitment centre. The use of a staged ‘operational experiment’ involving an agent is a clear case of police entrapment, which is explicitly prohibited by law.
Moreover, Popov’s actions cannot be classified as terrorism. His intention was not to spread fear but to protest against Russia’s war on Ukraine. Testimony from ‘Anriiko’ indicated that Popov planned to paint an anti-war slogan on the wall of the recruitment centre rather than cause harm. There is no evidence that Popov intended to injure anyone in the arson. We believe his actions should have been classified as a less serious offence.
Additionally, the social media comment with which Popov was charged did not pose a real threat and was a form of political expression.
The authorities used Popov’s prosecution for purposes of propaganda. Following his conviction, the FSB claimed he had been acting on orders from Ukrainian intelligence. They claimed he had sent his ‘handlers’ a video of his training to carry out the arson and that he had called for attacks against those involved in the war against Ukraine. However, the case materials contain no evidence linking Popov to Ukrainian intelligence, nor was he charged with such activities. The only video that was recorded of Popov training to carry out the arson attempt was secretly filmed by the FSB agent.
A detailed description of Denis Popov’s case and of our position is available on our website.
Recognition of an individual as a political prisoner does not imply that the ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project agrees with or approves of their views, statements, or actions.
How can you help?
You can write to Denis Popov at the following address:
In Russian:
600020, г. Владимир, ул. Большая Нижегородская, д. 67, ФКУ Т-2 Владимирский централ УФСИН России по Владимирской области, Попову Денису Александровичу 2001 г. р.
In English:
Denis Aleksandrovich Popov (born 2001), Vladimir Central Prison No. 2, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Vladimir Oblast, 67 Bolshaya Nizhegorodskaya Street, Vladimir, 600020, Russia.
You can also send an email via the ZT service (for payment with Russian 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 recipient.
You can donate to help all political prisoners in Russia.
