Roman Tyurin is a political prisoner
He has been sentenced to six years’ imprisonment for spreading ‘fake news’ about Russia’s army; now he has been charged with repeated ‘discrediting’ it
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Roman Tyurin a political prisoner. Tyurin is being prosecuted on charges of spreading ‘fake news’ about Russia’s army and repeatedly ‘discrediting’ its use for publishing online posts on his page on the Odnoklassniki social media platform. Tyurin’s criminal prosecution violates his rights to freedom of expression and fair trial. We demand the immediate release of Roman Tyurin and that all criminal charges against him be dropped.
What are the charges against Roman Tyurin?
Roman Tyurin is a resident of the village of Olgino in Omsk Oblast in Russia’s Siberia. He regularly posted materials criticising Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine on his personal page on the Odnoklassniki social media platform.
In the spring of 2023, his online posts drew the attention of the Russian security forces. In May 2023, Tyurin was convicted of the administrative-law offences of ‘discrediting’ the use of the Russian armed forces and of public demonstration of Nazi symbols.
In August 2023, Roman Tyurin was arrested as a criminal case had been opened against him for posts on ‘Odnoklassniki’. Tyurin was charged with ‘knowingly spreading false information about the Russian army (Article 207.3, Part 2, of the Russian Criminal Code).
On May 27, 2024, Roman Tyurin was sentenced to 6 years’ imprisonment in a general-regime penal colony.
On June 18, 2024, the same court started hearing a new criminal case against Roman Tyurin who had been charged with repeatedly ‘discrediting’ Russia’s army (Article 280.3, Part 1). If convicted on this charge, Tyurin faces up to five years’ imprisonment.
Why do we consider Roman Tyurin a political prisoner?
The articles on spreading ‘fake news’ about the actions of the Russian army and on repeatedly ‘discrediting’ the use of the Russian army became law immediately after the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine. These laws effectively prohibit any criticism of the war or of the Russian authorities, in violation of the right of citizens to freedom of expression, and contradicts fundamental principles of law, in particular, the principle of legal certainty. In addition, the article on the repeated ‘discrediting’ of the military makes it possible to be liable for the same act twice, thus contradicting the basic principles of law. Both these laws should be rescinded, all related criminal cases quashed, and all ongoing prosecutions closed.
We do not know which publication has been the reason for Tyurin’s criminal prosecution. Nevertheless, the fact that he is being prosecuted on charges of spreading ‘fake news’ about Russia’s army and repeatedly ‘discrediting’ its use essentially means that he is persecuted for his criticism of Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Having studied Tyurin’s personal page on Odnoklassniki, we concluded that his posts do not constitute an offence. While arguing that war brings destruction, he exercised his right to freedom of thought. Tyurin’s statements cannot be considered dangerous to society; rather, they should be seen as socially beneficial.
A detailed description of Roman Tyurin’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 Tyrin at the following address:
In Russian: 644089, г. Омск,Телевизионный переулок, д. 17, ФК ЛПУ ОБ-11 УФСИН России по Омской области, Тюрину Роману Владимировичу 1969 г. р.
In English: Roman Vladimirovich Tyurin (born 1969), LPU OB-11, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Omsk Oblast, 17 Televizionnyi pereulok, Omsk, 644089, Russia
You can send an email via Zonatelecom (for payment with Russian cards), PrisonMail (for other 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.
