Ilya Chugaev is a political prisoner
A resident of Syktyvkar has been sentenced to three years in a penal colony for justifying terrorism in comments on YouTube
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Ilya Chugaev a political prisoner. Chugaev was convicted on a charge of ‘justifying terrorism’ for comments on YouTube in which he expressed support for the Russian Volunteer Corps and the Free Russia Legion. Chugaev’s criminal prosecution and conviction violated his rights to freedom of expression and a fair trial. We demand the immediate release of Ilya Chugaev and that all criminal charges against him be dropped.
What were the charges against Ilya Chugaev?
Ilya Chugaev was accused of posting seven comments between August 2023 and August 2024 on YouTube in support of the Russian Volunteer Corps and the Free Russia Legion. According to the investigative authorities, this constituted ‘justifying terrorist activity’ (Article 205.2, Part 2, of the Russian Criminal Code). On 16 August 2024, Chugaev was remanded in custody.
On 29 November 2024, a military court sentenced Ilya Chugaev to three years in a general regime penal colony. The sentence was later upheld on appeal.
Why do we consider Ilya Chugaev a political prisoner?
We do not have access to a full transcript of Ilya Chugaev’s comments. Nevertheless, based on available information, we can provide a legal assessment of the lawfulness of his criminal prosecution.
The criminal case against Chugaev for justifying terrorism is based on unlawful and unfounded rulings by Russian courts, which designated the Free Russia Legion and the Russian Volunteer Corps as terrorist organisations. In fact, both these units are officially part of the Ukrainian armed forces and legitimately take part in the armed conflict on the side of Ukraine.
Under international law, the actions of combatants during armed conflict cannot be classified as terrorism. Therefore, expressing approval of the actions of these units is an expression of support for Ukraine in defending itself against Russian aggression, not justification of terrorism.
A detailed description of Ilya Chugaev’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 of, their views, statements, or actions.
How can you help?
You can write to Ilya Chugaev at the following address:
RU: 167028, г. Сыктывкар, мкр. Верхний Чов, д. 99, ФКУ СИЗО-1 УФСИН России по Республике Коми, Чугаеву Илье Ивановичу 1990 г.р.
EN: Ilya Ivanovich Chugaev (born 1990), Remand Prison No. 1, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for the Komi Republic, 99 Verkhny Chov microdistrict, Syktyvkar, 167028, Russia.
You can also send an email using 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 intended recipient.
You can donate to help all political prisoners in Russia.
