Sergei Krivosheev is a political prisoner
A resident of Voronezh Oblast has been sentenced to 10 months’ compulsory work on a charge of ‘discrediting’ Russia’s army for a repost on VK
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international criteria, considers Sergei Krivosheev a political prisoner. Krivosheev was convicted on a charge of repeatedly ‘discrediting’ the Russian armed forces for reposting a publication criticising the war against Ukraine. Krivosheev’s prosecution and conviction violated his rights to freedom of expression and a fair trial. We demand the immediate release of Sergei Krivosheev and that all criminal charges against him be dropped.
What were the charges against Sergei Krivosheev?
On 5 June 2024, Sergei Krivosheev, a resident of Novovoronezh, was fined 30,000 roubles on an administrative-law charge of ‘discrediting’ the army for a repost on the VK social media site.
On 19 December 2024, Krivosheev was charged with the criminal offence of ‘discrediting’ the Russian military (Article 280.3, Part 1, of the Russian Criminal Code). The reason for the criminal charge was a repost of a video arguing that conscripts should not be used in fighting Ukrainian armed forces in Kursk Oblast while contract soldiers were engaged in combat on Ukrainian territory. The video states, in particular: ‘We cannot defend our own territory, but we send professionals to capture the territory of another country.’ The video ends with a call for peace talks.
On 6 May 2025, Sergei Krivosheev was sentenced to 10 months of compulsory work in a correctional centre, with 15% of his earnings going to the state.
Why do we consider Sergei Krivosheev a political prisoner?
The law criminalising repeated ‘discrediting’ of the army was adopted after the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine and serves as a tool to combat dissent. It effectively prohibits criticism of the war or of the actions of the Russian authorities, violates the right to freedom of expression and contradicts the principle of legal certainty.
Furthermore, punishment for repeated ‘discrediting’ means being prosecuted twice for one and the same act, in violation of fundamental principles of law. This law should be rescinded and all related cases dismissed.
Criticism of a war of aggression is beneficial to society and should not be considered an offence, let alone made the subject of prosecution. Moreover, the video reposted by Krivosheev does not discredit the army. It condemns Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, calls for conscripts’ lives to be protected and urges the start of peace talks.
Krivosheev’s prosecution under an unlawful article of the Russian Criminal Code for expressing his opinion is part of the campaign of repression by the Russian authorities aimed at intimidating opponents of the war against Ukraine.
A detailed description of Sergei Krivosheev’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.
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You can donate to help all political prisoners in Russia.
