Ivan Petrov is a political prisoner
A resident of the Republic of Mari El has been sentenced to two years’ compulsory work for comments about the war against Ukraine
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Ivan Petrov a political prisoner. Petrov was convicted of publicly spreading information known to be false about the use of the Russian armed forces for comments he made on social media. Petrov’s criminal prosecution and conviction violated his rights to freedom of expression and a fair trial. We demand the release of Ivan Petrov and that all criminal charges against him be dropped.
What were the charges against Ivan Petrov?
In November 2023, Ivan Petrov, who lives in Volzhsk, commented on a post on the VK social media site about the installation of a memorial plaque for a Russian military man who had died in the war against Ukraine.
As a result of these comments, a criminal case was initiated against Petrov on a charge of spreading ‘fake news’ about the army (Article 207.3, Part 1, of the Russian Criminal Code). The investigative authorities deemed Petrov’s opinions to constitute ‘information known to be false,’ namely: that the war was ‘against the territorial integrity and political independence of Ukraine’ and that the Russian armed forces deliberately killed prisoners of war and Ukrainian civilians in Bucha near Kyiv and destroyed civilian infrastructure in Mariupol.
On 24 December 2024, Petrov was sentenced to two years of compulsory labour in a correctional facility, with 10% of his salary withheld for the state.
Why do we consider Ivan Petrov a political prisoner?
The article of the Russian Criminal Code on spreading ‘fake news’ about the actions of the Russian army, under which Ivan Petrov was prosecuted, was adopted into law immediately following the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The law effectively prohibits any criticism of the Russian authorities or military in violation of the right to freedom of expression. This law contradicts the Russian Constitution and, therefore, all related prosecutions are unlawful.
In his online comments, Petrov expressed his personal opinion about Russia’s war against Ukraine. Moreover, his prosecution concerned the killing of civilians in Bucha – crimes that have been documented by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and for which Russian military personnel are responsible.
A detailed description of Ivan Petrov’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 Petrov at the following address:
In Russian:
424000, Республика Марий Эл, Медведевский р-н, п. Светлый, ул. Макаренко, д. 8, УФИЦ-3 при ФКУ КП-7 УФСИН России по Республике Марий Эл, Петрову Ивану Анатольевичу 1988 г. р.
In English:
Ivan Anatolyevich Petrov (born 1988), Correctional Facility No.3 attached to Low Security Prison No.7, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for the Republic of Mari El, 8 Makarenko Street, Svetly settlement, Medvedevsky district, Republic of Mari El, 424000, Russia
You can also send emails via ZT (for payment with Russian 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.
