Nazariy Hordieiev is a political prisoner
A Ukrainian has been sentenced to seven and a half years’ imprisonment on a charge of participating in a terrorist group
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Nazariy Hordieiev a political prisoner. Hordieiev was convicted of participation in a terrorist group for serving in the Azov Separate Special-Purpose Unit. Hordieiev’s criminal prosecution and conviction violated his right to a fair trial and were in breach of international humanitarian law. We demand the immediate release of Nazariy Hordieiev and that all criminal charges against him be dropped.
What were the charges against Nazariy Hordieiev?
Nazariy Hordieiev, a Ukrainian citizen, served in the Azov Separate Special-Purpose Unit, part of the Ukrainian National Guard. He was taken prisoner no later than June 2022.
Hordieiev was convicted on a charge of participation in a terrorist group (Article 205.4, Part 2 of the Russian Criminal Code) for serving in the Azov unit. On 1 December 2023, a court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Hordieiev to seven and a half years in a general regime penal colony.
Why do we consider Nazariy Hordieiev a political prisoner?
Nazariy Hordieiev was not convicted of any specific crime of violence, but solely for serving in the Azov unit. This charge of participation in a terrorist group had no basis in law, as Azov is an official unit of the Ukrainian National Guard.
Hordieiev was defending Ukraine against Russian aggression as a member of a recognised military formation. He was captured on the battlefield and is, therefore, a prisoner of war. Under international law, prisoners of war must not be prosecuted merely for taking part in hostilities during an armed conflict. The criminal prosecution of Hordieiev is a gross violation of the Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War, which explicitly prohibits collective punishment.
We believe the Russian authorities are attempting to justify collective punishment by declaring certain units of the Ukrainian armed forces and the Ukrainian National Guard to be ‘terrorist groups.’
A detailed description Nazariy Hordieiev’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 Nazariy Hordieiev at the following address:
RU: 186420, Республика Карелия, г. Сегежа, ул. Лейгубская, ФКУ ИК-7 УФСИН России по Республике Карелия, Гордееву Назарию Викторовичу, 1997 г. р.
EN: Nazariy Viktorovych Hordieiev (born 1997), Penal Colony No. 7, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for the Republic of Karelia, Leygubskaya Street, Segezha, Republic of Karelia, 186420, Russia.
You can also send emails via the ZT service (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 recipient.
You can donate to help all political prisoners in Russia.
