Robert Shonov is a political prisoner
The Russian who formerly worked at the US consulate in Vladivostok has been remanded in custody on charges of ‘colluding with a foreign power’
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial,’ human rights project in accordance with international standards, considers Robert Shonov a political prisoner. Shonov is being prosecuted on charges of ‘colluding with representatives of a foreign power.’ Shonov’s criminal prosecution violates his rights to freedom of information and fair trial. We demand the immediate release of Robert Shonov and that all criminal charges against him be dropped.
Who is Robert Shonov and what are the charges against him?
Robert Shonov, 63, worked at the US Consulate General in Vladivostok for 25 years. After President Putin banned diplomats of ‘unfriendly countries’ from hiring Russians in 2021, the consulate closed. Shonov then went to work for a Russian company that legally provided services to the US Embassy in Moscow. Shonov compiled news reports based on publications in Russian media.
In March 2023, Shonov was detained in Vladivostok by FSB officers. At the end of August that year, law enforcement officers distributed footage of Shonov’s arrest and a video of his confession. In the video, Shonov said he had been instructed by US Embassy officials to collect ‘information about negative events and to look for protest moods among the general public and reflect this information in his reports.’ He was also allegedly supposed to look for journalists, businesspeople, and politicians in Russia who were ‘loyal to the United States.’
Shonov was first remanded in custody in Ussuriysk and then transferred to the Lefortovo pre-trial detention centre in Moscow. If convicted on charges of ‘colluding with representatives of a foreign power in order to assist in activities against the security of the Russian Federation’ (Article 275.1 of the Russian Criminal Code), he faces up to eight years’ imprisonment.
Why do we consider Shonov a political prisoner?
The offence of ‘colluding with a foreign power’ was added to the Russian Criminal Code in July 2022. It became yet another tool with which to fight ‘internal enemies.’ The provisions of this law do not comply with the principle of legal certainty. In particular, they do not define what ‘collusion’ actually means. Essentially, Article 275.1 criminalises any communication between Russian citizens and foreigners. The law should be rescinded, all related criminal convictions quashed, and ongoing prosecutions closed.
Shonov’s work compiling news summaries based on open sources is not a crime. Providing such services does not violate the law and cannot be considered an activity against Russia’s security.
A detailed description of the case of Robert Shonov and our position are 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 donate to support all political prisoners in Russia.
