Sergei Kurilenko is a political prisoner
A resident of Norilsk was sentenced to 6 years in a penal colony for spreading ‘fake news’ about the Russian army in Facebook posts
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Sergei Kurilenko a political prisoner. Kurilenko has been prosecuted and convicted on a charge of spreading information known to be false about the Russian army for posts on Facebook. Kurilenko’s prosecution and conviction violated his rights to freedom of expression and fair trial. We demand the immediate release of Sergei Kurilenko and that all criminal charges against him be dropped.
Who is Sergei Kurilenko and what were the charges against him?
Sergei Kurilenko is a resident of Norilsk, born in Kyiv, Ukraine. After the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, he began posting anti-war messages on Facebook to show his support for his Ukrainian relatives.
In May 2023, Kurilenko was jailed for seven days on an administrative charge of inciting hatred and hostility. The judge deemed his posts contained ‘derogatory remarks about military personnel, their mothers, and citizens of Russia.’ In court, Kurilenko stated he wanted to leave Russia and possibly move to Ukraine.
However, before Kurilenko could carry out these plans, a criminal case was opened against him for spreading ‘fake news’ about the army motivated by hate (Article 207.3, Part 2, of the Russian Criminal Code) and for publicly inciting extremism (Article 280, Part 2). The criminal case was connected to his posts on Facebook.
In September 2023, he was remanded in custody. 17 September 2024, Kurilenko was sentenced to 6 years in a general-regime penal colony.
Why do we consider Sergei Kurilenko a political prisoner?
The article on spreading information ‘known to be false’ about the actions of the Russian army was adopted into law immediately following the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine. This article effectively bans any criticism of the authorities or the military, in violation of the civil right to freedom of expression. It also contradicts the Russian Constitution and therefore any charges based on it are unlawful.
The article on incitement of extremism is also used by the Russian authorities to persecute critics of Russia’s war on Ukraine. This also applies to the case of Kurilenko as a native of Kyiv, with relatives still in Ukraine. We do not know exactly which of Kurilenko’s Facebook posts led to his prosecution, but we believe that his statements statement could not have posed any real threat to society.
Anti-war statements and efforts to raise awareness about war crimes should not be considered criminal acts. On the contrary, such actions are beneficial to society and should not be grounds for criminal prosecution, let alone imprisonment.
A more detailed description of Sergei Kurilenko’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 Sergei Kurilenko at the following address:
In Russian: 663316, Красноярский край, г. Норильск, ул. Октябрьская, д. 13а, ФКУ СИЗО-4 ГУФСИН России по Красноярскому краю, Куриленко Сергею Валериевичу 1970 г. р.
In English: Sergei Valerievich Kurilenko (born 1970), Pre-Trial Detention Centre No. 4, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Krasnoyarsk Krai, 13a Oktyabrskaya Street, Norilsk, Krasnoyarsk Krai, 663316, Russia.
You can also send an e-mail using the following services: F-Pismo or ZT (for payment with Russian bank cards), PrisonMail (for payment with other bank cards), or OVD-Info and Memorial-France (free of charge).
Please note that letters in languages other than Russian are highly unlikely to reach the recipient.
You can donate to help all political prisoners in Russia.
