Vladimir Bairamov is a political prisoner
A resident of Samara has been sentenced to two years in a penal colony for comments posted on VK in 2018 and 2022
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Vladimir Bairamov a political prisoner. Bairamov was convicted on a charge of ‘making public calls to engage in terrorism’ for comments he made on VK. Bairamov’s criminal prosecution and conviction violated his rights to freedom of expression and fair trial. We demand the immediate release of Vladimir Bairamov and that all criminal charges against him be dropped.
What were the charges against Vladimir Bairamov?
Vladimir Bairamov worked as an inspection officer at Kurumoch airport in Samara. In 2024, criminal charges were brought against him for two comments he posted on the VK social media platform, one written in 2018, the other in 2022. The investigative authorities considered the posts to be calls to violence against President Putin and therefore ‘public calls to engage in terrorism’ (Article 205.2 of the Russian Criminal Code).
According to the prosecution, Bairamov wrote both comments, four years apart, with the same ‘intent.’ In 2018, he spoke out sharply against Putin and the United Russia party, suggesting that ‘every scumbag there should be shot.’ In 2022, he expressed his outrage at the mobilisation and ended his comment with the words: ‘This is who we need to fight against — Putin and his faggot lackeys.’
On 14 May 2024, Bairamov’s home was searched, and he was placed under travel restrictions pending trial.
In court, Bairamov confirmed his authorship of the comments and explained that he wrote them to express his outrage at what was happening: first, the plundering of the country, and second, the war, which was killing people.
On 9 December 2024, Bairamov was sentenced to two years in a general regime penal colony and was taken into custody in the courtroom.
Why do we consider Vladimir Bairamov a political prisoner?
The law penalising calls to engage in terrorism is increasingly being used by the Russian authorities to prosecute critics and intimidate dissidents.
Bairamov’s conviction was based on the dubious testimonies of witnesses. Years after the comments were published, the investigative authorities managed to find four witnesses who had allegedly read them. One comment was allegedly read six years after it was written, another two years after.
Bairamov himself believes the reason for the FSB’s interest may have been his conflict with a colleague over his negative attitude towards the war against Ukraine.
Bairamov’s comments do not contain calls to engage in terrorism. They are emotional, outspoken and obscene, but they do not incite violent action; rather, they are figurative in nature and express extreme distaste. Even if Bairamov’s statements did formally contain calls for violence, they would not pose a real danger to society.
The court imposed a sentence less than half the minimum possible for the offence of making calls to engage in terrorism. Given Russian law enforcement practice, this may indicate that the court found the prosecution’s position unconvincing. However, we are convinced that Bairamov’s statements provide no grounds for criminal prosecution.
A detailed description of Vladimir Bairamov’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 Vladimir Bairamov at the following address:
RU: 446394, Самарская область, Красноярский р-н, пгт. Волжский, ул. Заводская, д. 46, ФКУ ИК-10 УФСИН России по Самарской области, Байрамову Владимиру Вячеславовичу, 1994 г. р.
EN: Vladimir Vyacheslavovich Bairamov (born 1994), Penal Colony No. 10, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Samara Oblast, 46 Zavodskaya Street, Volzhsky settlement, Krasnoyarsky district, Samara Oblast, 446394, Russia.
You can also send an email using ZT (for payment with all bank cards) 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.
