Sergei Mironov is a political prisoner
A resident of Kamyshin has been sentenced to nine years in a penal colony on a charge of treason, accused of intending to join the Ukrainian armed forces
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Sergei Mironov a political prisoner. For correspondence in a messenger app and attempting to travel to Ukraine, Mironov was convicted on a charge of preparing to commit treason by going over to the side of the enemy. Mironov’s prosecution and conviction violated his right to a fair trial. We demand that all criminal charges against him be dropped.
What were the charges against Sergei Mironov?
Sergei Mironov lived in Kamyshin, Volgograd Oblast. On 13 February 2024, he was detained at a railway station and jailed for the administrative-law offence of petty hooliganism. When he should have been released, he was given another 14-day sentence on the same charge. Mironov was then charged with the criminal offence of preparing to commit treason by going over to the side of the enemy (Article 30, Part 1, in conjunction with Article 275 of the Russian Criminal Code).
According to the prosecution, Mironov, who opposed the war, entered into correspondence with a representative of the Ukrainian security services. Allegedly, Mironov then recorded a video on his mobile phone expressing his ‘desire to go over to the side of the enemy’ and sent it to his contact. Afterwards, it is claimed, an ‘officer of the Ukrainian armed forces’ paid for tickets for Mironov ‘to travel to Ukraine by train.’ Mironov himself bought a ticket but did not manage to leave as he was detained by the security forces at the train station.
On 4 February 2025, a court in Volgograd sentenced Sergei Mironov to nine years’ imprisonment in a strict regime penal colony, with a further 18 months’ probation on release.
Why do we consider Sergei Mironov a political prisoner?
We consider Mironov’s prosecution for treason for the intention of ‘going over to the side of the enemy’ unlawful. In terms of international law, Russia’s military actions against Ukraine are illegal and criminal, while Ukraine’s actions in defending itself against aggression are lawful and justified. Therefore, participation in defending Ukraine against aggression is legitimate and should not be penalised.
In international law, the only prohibited form of participation by a foreigner in hostilities is mercenarism. However, Mironov’s actions cannot be classified as mercenarism not least because his intention was to join the Ukrainian armed forces. If Mironov had indeed joined the Ukrainian armed forces and been taken prisoner, he would not have been criminally liable for taking part in combat.
In reality, Sergei Mironov did not commit any completed act: he was sentenced ‘for an intention.’ We believe the case against Mironov was fabricated, since he had likely already been under surveillance by the security services for his opposition views. He had supported Navalny and had previously been held liable several times under administrative law. The political nature of the case is also indicated by the series of short jail terms to which Mironov was subjected before the criminal charge was brought against him, and the fact that his trial was held in camera.
Mironov’s lengthy sentence was disproportionate to the supposed public danger of the imputed acts and was intended to intimidate those who disagree with the policies of the Russian authorities and with the war.
A detailed description of Sergei Mironov’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 Mironov at the following address:
RU: 403882, Волгоградская область, г. Камышин, ул. Рабочая, д. 38, ФКУ СИЗО-2 УФСИН России по Волгоградской области, Миронову Сергею Геннадьевичу, 1981 г. р. (адрес предположительный).
EN: Sergei Gennadyevich Mironov (born 1981), Remand Prison No. 2, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Volgograd Oblast, 38 Rabochaya Street, Kamyshin, Volgograd Oblast, 403882, Russia (presumed address).
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.
