Dmitry Zimin is a political prisoner
A medical student from Buryatia has been sentenced to eight years in a strict regime penal colony
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Dmitry Zimin a political prisoner. Dmitry Zimin has been convicted of preparing to commit treason and participating in a terrorist organisation, based on allegations he intended to join the Free Russia Legion, a unit fighting for Ukraine. Dmitry Zimin’s prosecution and conviction violated his right to a fair trial. We demand that all criminal charges against Dmitry Zimin be dropped.
What were the charges against Dmitry Zimin?
Dmitry Zimin, a student at a medical college in Buryatia, was detained in June 2023 while traveling on the Chita–Moscow train. According to law enforcement authorities, Zimin was planning to go to Ukraine to fight as part of the Free Russia Legion. As evidence, they claimed he obtained a passport, purchased military clothing, knives, and medical supplies, and took photos of cell phone towers, which he then sent to his supposed ‘Ukrainian handler.’
Dmitry Zimin was charged with preparing to commit treason (Article 30, Part 1, in conjunction with Article 275 of the Russian Criminal Code) and participating in a terrorist organisation (Article 30, Part 1, in conjunction with Article 205.5, Part 2). After his arrest, he pleaded guilty.
On 1 November 2024, a military court sentenced Zimin to eight years in a strict regime penal colony, with the first two years to be served in a cell-type prison and one year of probation after his release.
Why do we consider Zimin a political prisoner?
It is unclear whether Dmitry Zimin actually planned to join the Free Russia Legion as charged. To bring charges of this kind, Russian law enforcement agencies frequently stage provocations, falsify cases, and fabricate evidence. However, even if Zimin did intend to enlist in this unit, his actions do not constitute a crime.
The designation of the Free Russia Legion as a terrorist organisation is unlawful and unjustified. The Free Russia Legion is a unit of the Ukrainian armed forces; its activities are not terrorism but legitimate support for a state defending itself against military aggression.
The precise nature of the treason charge brought against Zimin is not known to us, but it is most likely based on allegations of ‘defection to the enemy.’ We consider prosecutions on such grounds unlawful. Under international law, the only prohibited form of military involvement by a foreigner is mercenary activity, which does not apply in Zimin’s case. Had Zimin actually joined the Free Russia Legion and been captured, he would not have been criminally liable simply for participating in combat operations.
Moreover, the charges against Zimin were contradictory. He was accused of both preparing to join a terrorist organisation and defecting to the enemy. If his actions constituted defection to the enemy, this implicitly acknowledged that the Free Russia Legion is part of the Ukrainian armed forces and not a terrorist organisation.
A detailed description of Dmitry Zimin’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 Dmitry Zimin at the following address:
In Russian:
663180, Красноярский край, г. Енисейск, ул. Декабристов, д. 11, ФКУ Т-2 ГУФСИН России по Красноярскому краю, Зимину Дмитрию Сергеевичу 2003 г. р.
In English:
Dmitry Sergeevich Zimin (born 2003), Prison No. 2, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Krasnoyarsk Krai, 11 Dekabristov Street, Yeniseysk, Krasnoyarsk Krai, 663180, Russia.
You can also send emails via the F-Pismo and ZT services (for payment with Russian bank cards), PrisonMail (for payment with other 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.
