Ivan Kolosov is a political prisoner
A paramedic from Moscow has been sentenced to nearly nine years in a strict-regime penal colony for allegedly planning to join the Free Russia Legion
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Ivan Kolosov a political prisoner. Kolosov has been convicted on a charge of preparing to take part in combat in Ukraine for purposes contrary to Russia’s interests. His prosecution and conviction violate his right to fair trial. We demand that his criminal conviction be immediately quashed and all criminal charges against him be dropped.
What were the charges against Ivan Kolosov?
Ivan Kolosov has been outspoken in his opposition to Russia’s war against Ukraine, regularly sharing his views with colleagues and in online discussions. In autumn 2022, he was reported to the authorities after posting a comment referencing the phrase ‘Russian warship, go fuck yourself.’ On 10 November 2022, he was summoned to the Centre for Countering Extremism, where his phone was confiscated. On 2 December, he was fined 30,000 roubles on an administrative charge of ‘discrediting’ the Russian army. Under pressure from his employers, he left his job.
After searching Kolosov’s phone, law enforcement officers opened a criminal case against him on a charge of ‘preparing to take part in an armed conflict on the territory of a foreign state for purposes deemed to be against Russia’s interests’ (Article 30, Part 1, in conjunction with Article 208, Part 3, of the Russian Criminal Code). The prosecution claimed he planned to join the Free Russia Legion and provide medical aid to wounded soldiers. To this end, he allegedly contacted an ‘unidentified person’ online and, in the summer of 2022, visited the Ukrainian embassy in Belarus to ‘receive instructions.’ He was also accused of producing and distributing anti-war leaflets.
On 30 March 2023, Kolosov was remanded in custody. On 2 October 2024, he was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment. On appeal, his sentence was reduced by two months. He is to serve the first four years of his sentence in a cell-type prison and the remainder in a strict-regime penal colony.
Why do we consider Kolosov a political prisoner?
Even if Ivan Kolosov had genuinely planned to join the Free Russia Legion, we believe this should not be grounds for criminal prosecution.
The charge of ‘taking part in armed conflict for purposes against Russia’s interests’ does not meet the criteria of legal certainty. In our view, it is the war of aggression against Ukraine that contradicts Russia’s interest, not defending Ukraine from Russian aggression.
Under international law, the only prohibited form of foreign military involvement is mercenary activity, which is not applicable in Kolosov’s case.
Furthermore, the circumstances of his prosecution raise serious doubts about whether he actually planned to travel to Ukraine. He was likely a victim of police entrapment, which is unlawful.
We consider Kolosov’s consistent anti-war stance as the main reason for his prosecution.
A detailed description of Ivan Kolosov’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 Ivan Kolosov at the following address:
In Russian:
127081, г. Москва, ул. Вилюйская, д. 4, ФКУ СИЗО-4 ГУФСИН России по г. Москве, Колосову Ивану Алексеевичу, 1988 г. р.
In English:
Ivan Alekseevich Kolosov (born 1988), Remand Prison No. 4, Russian Federal Penitentiary Service for Moscow, 4 Vilyuyskaya Street, Moscow, 127081, Russia
You can also send an email 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.
The latest news about Ivan Kolosov’s case is available on the Telegram channel of his support group.
You can donate to help all political prisoners in Russia.
