Dzhamil Nurakov is a political prisoner

A blogger from Amur Oblast has been sentenced to 18 months in a low-security penal colony for ‘discrediting’ the Russian army

The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Dzhamil Nurakov a political prisoner. Nurakov has been convicted on a charge of repeated ‘discrediting’ of the Russian army for a comment left on the official VK page of the NTV TV channel. Nurakov’s criminal prosecution and conviction have violated his rights to freedom of expression and fair trial. We demand the release of Dzhamil Nurakov and that all criminal charges against him be dropped.

Who is Dzhamil Nurakov and what were the charges against him?

Dzhamil Nurakov is a blogger from the city of Tynda in Amur Oblast. He ran a news blog on the VK social media site. Nurakov regularly published materials critical of the state of affairs in the city and of the activities of local authorities; sometimes he reposted publications criticising the war against Ukraine and the policies of the Russian authorities in general. 

In 2022, Nurakov was twice convicted of the administrative-law offence of ‘discrediting’ the Russian army. Subsequently, a criminal case was brought against him for repeated ‘discrediting’ of the army (Article 280.3, Part 1, of the Russian Criminal Code). This charge was based on a comment Nurakov wrote in August 2023 on the official VK page of the NTV TV channel in which he said that the war was a ‘senseless bloody meat grinder in which two Slavic nations are dying,’ that the war had been started for the sake of ‘another star for the hero’ Shoigu, and that Putin and Zelensky were responsible for the continuation of the ‘civil war.’

On 4 July 2024, Dzhamil Nurakov was sentenced to 18 months in a low-security penal colony.

Why do we consider Nurakov a political prisoner?

The offence of ‘discrediting’ the army was introduced into the Russian Criminal Code to suppress dissent after the start of Russia’s war against Ukraine. The law effectively prohibits any criticism of the war or of the Russian authorities, as well as violating the right to freedom of expression and contradicting the principle of legal certainty. In addition, the introduction of criminal liability for repeated ‘discrediting’ essentially means that a person may be prosecuted twice for the same act, which contradicts a fundamental principle of law. This law should be rescinded, all related criminal convictions vacated and ongoing charges dropped.

Nurakov was convicted for statements he made about Russia’s war against Ukraine, despite the fact that in many respects his views are close to those expressed in current Russian propaganda. His primary concern was about losses experienced by the Russian army. This shows yet again that repressive legislation can be used, not only against those who support Ukraine, but also against anyone whose views about the war differ in any way from the government’s.

It is possible that the Tynda city authorities also played a role in Nurakov’s prosecution, as retribution for the popular blogger’s criticisms of local government.

A detailed description of Dzhamil Nurakov’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.

How can you help?

You can donate to support all political prisoners in Russia.