Vladyslav Yemelianenko is a political prisoner
A Ukrainian serving in the Ukrainian National Guard has been sentenced to five years and six months in a penal colony on a charge of participating in the Azov unit
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Vladyslav Yemelianenko a political prisoner. Yemelianenko was convicted on a criminal charge of participating in a terrorist group for serving in an official unit of the Ukrainian National Guard. We demand an immediate end to the criminal prosecution of Yemelianenko and full compliance with international law in his case.
What were the charges against Vladyslav Yemelianenko?
Vladyslav Yemelianenko is a Ukrainian soldier who served in the 12th Operational Brigade of the Ukrainian National Guard. He took part in the defence of Azovstal and was captured on 18 May 2022.
Yemelianenko was charged with participating in a terrorist group (Article 205.4, Part 2, of the Russian Criminal Code). According to the investigative authorities, the Azov unit within the 12th Brigade was a terrorist group. The prosecution alleged Yemelianenko signed a contract with the Azov unit on 25 February 2022 and served there until his capture.
On 2 October 2024, a military court sentenced Vladyslav Yemelianenko to serve five years and six months in a general regime penal colony.
Why do we consider Vladyslav Yemelianenko a political prisoner?
Russian authorities prosecuted Vladyslav Yemelianenko solely for carrying out his military duties as part of an official unit of the Ukrainian armed forces. Regardless of whether he actually served specifically in the Azov unit, his prosecution for belonging to a terrorist group was in violation of international law.
Under international law, all captured military service personnel of the Ukrainian armed forces and Ukrainian National Guard have the status of prisoners of war and cannot be prosecuted merely for participating in hostilities during an armed conflict. Vladyslav Yemelianenko has not been accused of committing war crimes, and, therefore, his criminal prosecution constitutes a gross violation of the Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War.
A detailed description of Vladyslav Yemelianenko’s case and of our position is available on our website.
Recognition of an individual as a political prisoner does not imply that the ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project agrees with, or approves of, their views, statements, or actions.
How can you help?
If you know the location of Vladyslav Yemelianenko, please contact us via our bot or email: [email protected].
You can donate to help all political prisoners in Russia on our website.
