Gleb Troitsky is a political prisoner
A Moscow resident was remanded in custody on charges of preparing to take part in the activities of a terrorist organisation and to commit treason
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Gleb Troitsky a political prisoner. Troitsky is being prosecuted on charges of preparing both to commit treason and to participate in the activities of a terrorist organisation, most likely on the basis of an allegation he intended to join the Free Russia Legion or the Russian Volunteer Corps. Troitsky’s criminal prosecution violates his right to a fair trial. We demand that the charges against him be dropped.
What are the charges against Gleb Troitsky?
In August 2023, law enforcement officers conducted a search of Gleb Troitsky’s home in Moscow. He and his father were then both jailed for 14 days on administrative-law charges of resisting arrest. The search was most likely related to Troitsky’s political views. After he was released from jail, he changed his profile picture on social media to an anti-war image.
Eight months later, on 25 May 2024, Troitsky was detained at passport control in a Moscow airport as he attempted to leave the country. He was subsequently subjected to three consecutive jail terms on fabricated administrative-law charges. On 5 July, he was remanded in custody on the basis of a criminal investigation, which had been opened on 2 July 2024. Troitsky was charged with preparing to commit treason (Article 30, Part 1, in conjunction with Article 275 of the Russian Criminal Code) and preparing to participate in the activities of a terrorist organisation (Article 30, Part 1, in conjunction with Article 205.5, Part 2).
While the precise nature of the charges is not known, analysis of similar criminal cases indicates that the basis for such a prosecution is usually an alleged intention to join the Russian Volunteer Corps or the Free Russia Legion. Troitsky’s conduct and his anti-war views further support this interpretation.
Why do we consider Gleb Troitsky a political prisoner?
Even if Gleb Troitsky did intend to join the Free Russia Legion or the Russian Volunteer Corps, his actions do not constitute a crime. We consider the court rulings designating these formations as terrorist organisations to be unlawful. Both units are part of the Ukrainian armed forces, which is a legitimate actor in the conflict in which a sovereign state is defending itself from Russian aggression.
We believe that the charge of preparing to commit treason is equally unfounded. Under international law, the only form of participation in an armed conflict by a foreigner that is prohibited is mercenarism. Alleged involvement by Troitsky in the Free Russia Legion or Russian Volunteer Corps would not fall under this definition, since it is evident he is motivated not by material gain but by his personal convictions, which he has publicly expressed.
Prosecuting Troitsky simultaneously for preparing to join a terrorist organisation and for treason contradicts both logic and common sense. If his imputed actions are considered to constitute ‘joining the side of the enemy’ in an armed conflict, then the units he is accused by the investigative authorities of intending to join must be part of the Ukrainian armed forces, not terrorist groups.
The circumstances of his detention, the raid on his home, and the series of administrative-law jail terms to which he was subjected suggest that his prosecution is politically motivated and the criminal case against him was likely fabricated.
A detailed description of Gleb Troitsky’s case and of our 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 write to Gleb Troitsky at the following address:
In Russian: 127081, г. Москва, ул. Вилюйская, д. 4, ФКУ СИЗО-4 УФСИН России по г. Москве, Троицкому Глебу Юрьевичу 1999 г.р.
English translation: Gleb Yuryevich Troitsky (born 1999), Remand Prison No. 4, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for the city of Moscow, 4 Vilyuiskaya Street, Moscow, 127081, Russia.
You can also send emails using the F-Pismo and ZT services (for payment with Russian bank cards) or 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 intended recipient.
You can donate to help all political prisoners in Russia.
