Roman Ivanishin is a political prisoner
A junior sergeant from Sakhalin has been sentenced to 15 years in a strict regime penal colony for surrendering and refusing to fight
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Roman Ivanishin a political prisoner. For refusing to take part in the war against Ukraine, Ivanishin was convicted on charges of being absent without leave from a military unit, preparing to surrender, voluntary surrender and desertion. Ivanishin’s criminal prosecution and conviction violated his right to a fair trial. We demand that the sentence against Ivanishin be quashed and that his case be reviewed in accordance with international law.
What were the charges against Roman Ivanishin?
Roman Ivanishin, a resident of Shakhtyorsk, Sakhalin Oblast, worked as a miner and docker. In September 2022 he was mobilised and sent to the front where he served in the 39th Motor Rifle Brigade. In June 2023 Ivanishin was taken prisoner in Ukraine. On 3 January 2024, he was returned to Russia as part of a prisoner exchange and was immediately remanded in custody.
Initially, Ivanishin was charged with voluntary surrender (Article 352.1 of the Russian Criminal Code), preparing to surrender (Article 30, Part 1, in conjunction with Article 352.1), and four episodes of desertion during mobilisation (Article 338, Part 3). According to the prosecution, he left his unit three times and hid in Donetsk, subsequently voluntarily surrendering to Ukrainian forces and urging his fellow soldiers to do the same.
During the trial, three of the episodes of desertion were reclassified as unauthorised absence without leave from a military unit during mobilisation (Article 337, Part 3.1).
On 15 April 2025, a court in Sakhalin sentenced Ivanishin to 15 years in a strict regime penal colony and stripped him of his rank. Ivanishin maintains his innocence of the charges.
The trial was held in camera.
Why do we consider Roman Ivanishin a political prisoner?
Ivanishin is the first person to be prosecuted in Russia for voluntary surrender. This offence, like all the others of which he was convicted, was introduced into the Criminal Code in the autumn of 2022 immediately after the announcement of mobilisation as part of a package of repressive laws aimed at criminalising any form of refusal to participate in the war.
We point out that Russian and international law guarantee the right to refuse military service on grounds of conscience. Moreover, refusal to take part in an unlawful and criminal war of aggression is itself lawful.
However, those mobilised had, and still have, no possibility to resign or to refuse to take part in combat. Attempts to avoid service at the front often end in threats, violence, or criminal prosecution.
It is known that Ivanishin repeatedly tried to leave his unit, and in letters to his family he complained about the senselessness of what was happening and about violence from the commanding officers. He then took the decision to surrender. It is claimed that, having reached Ukrainian positions, Ivanishin repeatedly came out from cover without weapons and urged his fellow servicemen to follow his example. It is not known whether Ivanishin did this voluntarily, but his commander ordered soldiers to fire on the unarmed man. This commander at Ivanishin’s trial was one of the main witnesses for the prosecution.
The trial took place in camera without the possibility of public oversight, and servicemen from Sakhalin units were only brought into the courtroom to hear the sentencing. Ivanishin’s case has been used for propaganda purposes, to intimidate servicemen and force them to take part in the war of aggression against Ukraine.
A detailed description of Roman Ivanishin’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 Roman Ivanishin at the following address:
RU: 693007, г. Южно-Сахалинск, проспект Мира, д. 193, ФКУ СИЗО-1 УФСИН России по Сахалинской области, Иванишину Роману Владимировичу, 1982 г. р.
EN: Roman Vladimirovich Ivanishin (born 1982), Remand Prison No. 1, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Sakhalin Oblast, 193 Mira Prospect, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Sakhalin Oblast, 693007, Russia.
You can also send an email using ZT (for payment with all 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.
