Mikhail Feldman is a political prisoner
A civil rights activist from Kaliningrad has been sentenced to two years’ imprisonment for posts criticising Russia’s war against Ukraine
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Mikhail Feldman a political prisoner. Feldman has been convicted on a charge of ‘repeated discrediting of the Russian army’ for online comments and reposts criticising Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Feldman’s criminal prosecution and conviction have violated his rights to freedom of expression and fair trial. We demand the immediate release of Mikhail Feldman and that all criminal charges against him be dropped.
Who is Mikhail Feldman and what were the charges against him?
Mikhail Feldman is an opposition and civil rights activist from Kaliningrad who has previously been prosecuted for his beliefs. In 2014, in protest against the annexation of Crimea, Feldman, along with his like-minded friends, hung a German flag on the local FSB building. He was then jailed for one year and two months on charges of hooliganism and illegal possession of explosives. We recognised Feldman as a political prisoner at that time.
In March 2022, Feldman was fined 30,000 roubles for the administrative-law offence of ‘discrediting’ the Russian army for taking part in a protest against the war on Ukraine.
On 8 May 2023, a criminal case was opened against Feldman for ‘repeated discrediting of the Russian army’ (Article 280.3, Part 1 of the Russian Criminal Code). The charge was brought on account of one comment and nine reposts Feldman made on the VK social media platform between November 2022 and January 2023 criticising the war instigated by Russia and war crimes committed by the Russian military. For example, in one comment he writes: ‘Today the fascists are the Russian army destroying cities and killing civilians. And the likes of you who support this.’
In May 2023, Feldman was detained and banned from certain activities pending trial. On 7 March 2024, he was remanded in custody for allegedly violating a ban on approaching government buildings.
On 28 March, Mikhail Feldman was sentenced to two years in a general-regime penal colony.
Why do we consider Feldman a political prisoner?
Mikhail Feldman is being prosecuted for the offence of ‘repeatedly discrediting the army’ that was introduced into the Russian Criminal Code to suppress dissent after the start of Russia’s war against Ukraine. The law effectively bans any criticism of the war or of the Russian authorities, violates the right to freedom of expression, and contradicts the principle of legal certainty. This law should be rescinded, all related criminal convictions overturned, and ongoing charges dropped.
Mikhail Feldman has consistently defended the view that Russia has launched a criminal war against Ukraine. We believe his actions pose no danger to the public. On the contrary, they are beneficial to Russian society, since they are critical of this unjust war of aggression.
A detailed description of Mikhail Feldman’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 write to Mikhail Feldman at the following address:
In Russian: 236010, Калининград, пр-т Победы, д. 205, ФКУ ИК-8 УФСИН России по Калининградской области, Фельдману Михаилу Валерьевичу, 1971 г. р.
In English: Mikhail Valerievich Feldman (born 1971), Penal Colony No.8, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Kaliningrad Oblast, 205 Prospekt Pobedy, Kaliningrad, 236010, Russia.
You can also send an email to Mikhail Feldman via F-Pismo or ZT (for payment with Russian bank cards), PrisonMail (for payment with other bank cards), or OVD-Info (free of charge)
Please note that letters in languages other than Russian are highly unlikely to reach the recipient.
You can donate to support all political prisoners in Russia.
