Dmitry Bogmut is a political prisoner
A lab technician at the St. Petersburg Institute of Nuclear Physics has been remanded in custody on charges of spreading ‘fake news’ about the Russian army
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Dmitry Bogmut a political prisoner. Bogmut is being prosecuted on charges of spreading ‘fake news’ about the use of the Russian armed forces for posts he made on the Internet. Dmitry Bogmut’s criminal prosecution violates his rights to freedom of expression and fair trial.
We demand the immediate release of Dmitry Bogmut and that all criminal charges against him be dropped.
What are the charges against Dmitry Bogmut?
Dmitry Bogmut is a laboratory technician at the Department of Neutron Physicochemical Research of the St. Petersburg Institute of Nuclear Physics in Gatchina.
After Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Bogmut began sharing cartoons, videos, and other materials on social media criticising the war of aggression.
On 4 April 2024, Bogmut was charged with spreading ‘fake news’ about the army (Article 207.3, Part 2, of the Russian Criminal Code) for several posts he made on social media between March and June 2023. Among them was a repost of a Russian-language Deutsche Welle video entitled, ‘Attack on Pavlohrad, how Putin is preparing for a defensive war and undermining the combat readiness of the Russian army.’
On 5 April 2024, a St. Petersburg court remanded Dmitry Bogmut in custody. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment.
Why do we consider Bogmut a political prisoner?
The law on ‘dissemination of information known to be false ’ about the actions of the Russian army, under which Bogmut is being prosecuted, was adopted immediately after Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine began. The law effectively prohibits any criticism of the Russian authorities or military actions, in violation of the right of citizens to freedom of expression.
The law contradicts both the Russian Constitution and Russia’s international obligations, as well as fundamental legal principles, in particular, the principle of legal certainty. Under this law, a citizen cannot know in advance what information is to be considered false in a given context. Moreover, it is impossible to establish a person’s intent to disseminate false information.
Dmitry Bogmut is being prosecuted for sharing, on social media, publications showing the war crimes of the Russian army in Ukraine. His action is useful for Russian society, not least because the aggressive nature of Russia’s war against Ukraine has been officially recognised by international bodies.
Dmitry Bogmut’s prosecution is part of the campaign unleashed by the Russian authorities to suppress dissent. The law on ‘fake news’ about the Russian army is an instrument of military censorship and political repression against critics of the Russian authorities. This law should be rescinded, all related criminal convictions quashed, and ongoing prosecutions closed.
A detailed description of the case of Dmitry Bogmut and our position are 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 Dmitry Bogmut at the following address:
In Russian: 196655, Санкт-Петербург, Колпино, ул. Колпинская, 9, ФКУ СИЗО-1 УФСИН России по Санкт-Петербургу и Ленинградской области, Богмуту Дмитрию Игоревичу, 1975 г. р.
In English: Dmitry Igorevich Bogmut (born 1975), Remand Prison No. 1, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for St. Petersburg and Leningrad region, 9 Kolpinskaya Street, Kolpino, St. Petersburg, 196655, Russia.
You can also send an electronic letter via F-Pismo (Russian bank cards), PrisonMail (other bank cards), or OVD-Info (free of charge).
Please note that letters in languages other than Russian are highly unlikely to reach the recipient.You can donate to support all political prisoners in Russia.
