Vladimir Zhuravlyov is a political prisoner
A well-known defender of architectural heritage in St. Petersburg has been placed under house arrest on a charge of spreading ‘fake news’ about the Russian army
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international criteria, considers Vladimir Zhuravlyov a political prisoner. Zhuravlyov is being prosecuted on a criminal charge of ‘disseminating information known to be false about the Russian army, motivated by political hatred,’ in connection with publications in the online group City of Oranienbaum. Zhuravlyov’s prosecution violates his rights to freedom of expression and fair trial. We demand the immediate release of Vladimir Zhuravlyov and the dropping of all criminal charges against him.
Who is Vladimir Zhuravlyov and what are the charges against him?
Vladimir Zhuravlyov is a defender of architectural heritage, a historian and a civil society activist from the Lomonosov district of St. Petersburg. He is a former municipal council member from the Communist Party, heads the nonprofit organisation City of Oranienbaum and is an activist in the All-Russian Society for the Protection of Historical and Cultural Monuments. He has authored numerous publications on the history and architecture of the region and, for many years, has consistently criticised the city-planning policies of the local authorities.
On 26 June 2025, Zhuravlyov’s home was searched and electronic equipment seized. The next day, he was placed under house arrest on a charge of spreading ‘fake news’ about the Russian army (Article 207.3, Part 2, of the Russian Criminal Code). Investigators claimed that in early April 2022, he posted three publications in the City of Oranienbaum group on VK containing ‘information known to be false’ about the army, allegedly ‘motivated by political hatred.’
Around the same time, posts on the group’s page included a photograph of a squirrel with the caption ‘Masya is for peace!’ and a recording of church music accompanied by the words ‘No war!’ However, it seems unlikely that these were the posts that provided grounds for the prosecution. The publications that formed the basis for the charge against Zhuravlyov may have been deleted since .
Why do we consider Vladimir Zhuravlyov a political prisoner?
The offence with which Zhuravlyov has been charged of disseminating ‘fake news’ about the Russian armed forces was introduced into the Criminal Code immediately after the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine. This law effectively prohibits any criticism of the Russian authorities or the military and violates citizens’ right to freedom of expression.
The law contradicts both the Russian Constitution and Russia’s international obligations. It also contradicts fundamental legal principles, in particular, the principle of legal certainty, since citizens cannot know in advance what information may be deemed false. Still less is it possible to prove intention or prior knowledge of ‘falsehood’ in the dissemination of such information. We consider all prosecutions under this article of the Criminal Code unlawful.
It is also possible that Zhuravlyov is being prosecuted in retaliation for his civic activities, his work to preserve the architectural heritage and his criticism of the local authorities.
A detailed description of Vladimir Zhuravlyov’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 donate to help all political prisoners in Russia.
