We consider Saveliy Frolov a political prisoner

He was arrested on the border with Georgia and charged under the article on preparation for treason

The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Saveliy Frolov a political prisoner. The criminal case was opened against him under the article on preparation for treason for his messages on Telegram: the prosecution believes that he was going to join the Freedom of Russia Legion which fights for Ukraine. The criminal case itself violates Frolov’s right to a fair trial.

We demand the immediate release of Saveliy Frolov and that all criminal charges against him be dropped.

Who is Saveliy Frolov and what is the case against him?

22-year-old Saveliy Frolov, from the town of Naro-Fominsk near Moscow, worked as an extreme sports instructor for children and teenagers.

After the outbreak of Russia’s big war against Ukraine and the announcement of mobilization, he tried twice to leave the country.

At the end of September 2022, Georgian border guards did not let him in. The second time, on 30 October 2022, Frolov was detained by Russian border guards. Apparently, during an inspection at the Verkhny Lars border crossing, the border guards noticed his backpack with an inscription ‘Glory to Ukraine’.

On 31 October, Frolov was arrested for 15 days under false pretences. Subsequently, he was sentenced to administrative detention on two more occasions.

On 12 December, it became known that a criminal case was opened against Frolov under the article on preparation for treason (Article 30, Part 1, in conjunction with Article 275 of the Russian Criminal Code). Later, he was placed in a pre-trial detention centre.

The reason for the initiation of the case was messages mentioning the Freedom of Russia Legion found on Frolov’s phone. It is claimed that he was in contact with a representative of this armed formation, planning to join it in Ukraine.

Why do we consider Saveliy Frolov a political prisoner?

Frolov’s family said that when Saveliy was detained, as he was ‘beaten, promised to be raped with a mop, and his relatives were threatened’, he had to give up the phone and provide a password.

As for the charges against him, Frolov told lawyers and journalists that he did not plan to fight on the side of Ukraine. We believe that the chat messages in this case are not unequivocal evidence.

At the same time, from our point of view, if Frolov really had such intentions, they would not have constituted an offence. From the standpoint of international law, Ukraine’s actions in defence against Russian aggression are lawful and justified. Therefore, anyone can join Ukrainian armed formations as a volunteer, including the Freedom of Russia Legion.

The only prohibited form of participation of a foreigner in hostilities is mercenarism. In our view, Frolov’s real or imaginary intention to join the Freedom of Russia Legion does not fall under the definition of mercenarism, according to the International Convention against the Recruitment, Use, Financing and Training of Mercenaries.

Further information about this case and the position of the ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project 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 the following address (letters must be written in Russian):

In Russian: 362040, Северная Осетия — Алания, г. Владикавказ, ул. Мордовцева, д. 6, ФКУ СИЗО-6 ФСИН России, Фролову Савелию Александровичу 2001 г. р. (если вы пишете через сервис Zonatelecom, в графе «регион» нужно выбрать «изоляторы центрального подчинения»).

In English: Saveliy Aleksandrovich Frolov (born 2001), Remand Prison No. 6, Russian Federal Penitentiary Service for the Republic of North Ossetia–Alania, 6 Mordovtseva Street, Vladikavkaz, 362040, Russia (if you write via Zonatelecom, in the ‘region’ column you should select ‘isolators of central subordination’).

Here you can donate to support all political prisoners in Russia.