Ostap Demchuk is a political prisoner
He has been sentenced to 13 years in a strict-regime penal colony for sending money to his country of origin
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Ostap Demchuk a political prisoner. Demchuk has been convicted on a charge of treason for sending money to the bank account of a Ukrainian resident. Demchuk’s prosecution and conviction violate his right to a fair trial. We demand the immediate release of Ostap Demchuk, that his conviction be quashed and all criminal charges against him be dropped.
What were the charges against Ostap Demchuk?
Ostap Demchuk was born in Ukraine and later moved to Russia, where he received Russian citizenship. He lived in the village of Magdagachi in Amur Oblast, where for 20 years he worked as a train driver.
In January 2023 Demchuk was detained by the FSB. During questioning, the authorities attempted to force him to confess to the arson of a local military recruitment centre. His 17-year-old daughter was also interrogated. However, no charges were filed against Demchuk and another individual was later convicted for the arson.
While Demchuk was in detention, the authorities confiscated his phone. On the basis of an examination of its contents, the authorities subsequently charged him with treason for providing financial assistance to a foreign state in activities threatening the security of Russia (Article 275 of the Russian Criminal Code). According to the investigative authorities, Ostap Demchuk made approximately ten money transfers to a Ukrainian woman who, allegedly, was raising funds for the Ukrainian military.
On 14 June 2023 Demchuk was again detained, on his way to work, and remanded in custody. In letters from detention, he explained that he had sent the money to his relative in Ukraine, who then passed the money to his elderly mother and disabled brother, both of whom live near Lviv.
In July 2024 Ostap Demchuk was sentenced to 13 years in a strict-regime penal colony, a fine of 400,000 roubles and 18 months’ probation on release.
Why do we consider Demchuk a political prisoner?
Everything known about Ostap Demchuk makes it doubtful he funded the Ukrainian military. He never publicly expressed any views on the war or politics but has been involved in charity work. In Ukraine, he made donations to a church construction project; in his Russian village, he financially supported the underprivileged and colleagues who fought on the side of Russia. We believe he was indeed sending money to his mother and disabled brother.
Even if it were assumed Ostap Demchuk was sending money to support the Ukrainian military, this would not justify a charge of treason. The security of Russia is not threatened by the actions of the Ukrainian army defending its country, but rather by the war of aggression against Ukraine unleashed by the Russian authorities.
Since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the FSB has been actively bringing prosecutions for treason on charges of ‘providing financial assistance to a foreign state in activities aimed against the security of the Russian Federation.’ Most of these cases involve money transfers to Ukraine, often unrelated to the Ukrainian military. Ostap Demchuk’s case is a striking, though not unique, example of politically motivated charges of this kind that often have no basis in fact. The real reason for his prosecution is his Ukrainian origin and the fact that he maintains links with his home country.
A more detailed description of Ostap Demchuk’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 a letter to Ostap Demchuk at the following address:
In Russian: 681005, г. Комсомольск-на-Амуре, ул. Павловского, 12, ФКУ ИК-7 УФСИН России по Хабаровскому краю, Демчуку Остапу Богдановичу, 1975 г. р.
In English: Ostap Bogdanovich Demchuk (born 1975), Penal Colony No. 7, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Khabarovsk Krai, 12 Pavlovskogo Street, Komsomolsk-on-Amur, 681005, Russia.
You can also send an email via ZT services (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.
