Vladislav Poruchikov is a political prisoner

A student from Taganrog has been sentenced to nine years in a strict regime penal colony for allegedly trying to join the Free Russia Legion

The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Vladislav Poruchikov a political prisoner. Poruchikov was convicted on charges of preparing to commit treason and participating in the activities of a terrorist organisation, for allegedly intending to join the Free Russia Legion. Poruchikov’s prosecution and conviction violated his right to a fair trial. We demand the immediate termination of criminal proceedings against Poruchikov and full compliance with international legal standards in his case.

What were the charges against Vladislav Poruchikov?

In late May 2023, 22-year-old student Vladislav Poruchikov from Taganrog told his parents he was going to a student conference in Moscow. His whereabouts were thereafter not known for a time. It was later discovered that Poruchikov was in Belgorod Oblast where, beginning on 3 June 2023, he was ‘detained’ six times in various locations across the region, after which he was variously fined or jailed for short periods on administrative-law charges of ‘antisocial behaviour.’ Allegedly, each time Poruchikov was released, he became drunk shortly after. He was subsequently remanded in custody on criminal charges.

According to the prosecution, in May 2023, Poruchikov had travelled to Belarus and thence to Georgia, where he allegedly applied to join the Free Russia Legion. Before he received a reply, he returned to Russia and attempted several times to cross the border into Ukraine but was unsuccessful because he was repeatedly jailed for short periods on administrative-law charges. Criminal charges were then brought against Poruchikov for preparing to participate in the activities of a terrorist organisation (Article 30, Part 1, in conjunction with Article 205.5, Part 2, of the Russian Criminal Code) and preparing to commit treason (Article 30, Part 1, in conjunction with Article 275).

On 4 April 2024, Poruchikov was sentenced to nine years in a strict regime penal colony, with the first three years to be served in a cell-type prison.

Why do we consider Vladislav Poruchikov a political prisoner?

We do not know whether Vladislav Poruchikov truly intended to join the Free Russia Legion. However, in our view, even if he did have such an intention, it does not constitute a criminal offence.

In our view, the designation of the Free Russia Legion as a terrorist organisation is unlawful and unfounded. The Free Russia Legion is a unit of the armed forces of Ukraine, and its actions constitute not terrorism but legitimate support for a state defending itself against armed aggression.

Criminal prosecution for treason on the grounds of allegedly joining the enemy is also illegitimate. Under international law – and therefore Russian law – the only prohibited form of involvement by a foreign citizen in an armed conflict is mercenarism. The activities of members of the Free Russia Legion do not fall under that definition.

Furthermore, the simultaneous charges of preparing to participate in the activities of a terrorist organisation and of preparing to commit treason are logically contradictory. If Poruchikov’s actions are considered to be ‘going over to the enemy,’ the Free Russia Legion is thereby recognised as part of the Ukrainian armed forces, not a terrorist organisation.

Most likely the security services used the series of administrative-law jail terms to which Poruchikov was subjected to allow time to fabricate a criminal case against him. According to his defence, during this period Poruchikov was subjected to pressure, including torture, and denied access to a lawyer.

A detailed description Vladislav Poruchikov’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 of, their views, statements, or actions.

How can you help?

You can write to Vladislav Poruchikov at the following address:

In Russian: 600020, г. Владимир, ул. Большая Нижегородская, д. 67, ФКУ Т-2 УФСИН России по Владимирской области, Поручикову Владиславу Владимировичу, 2001 г. р.

In English: Vladislav Vladimirovich Poruchikov (born 2001), Prison No. 2, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Vladimir Oblast, 67 Bolshaya Nizhegorodskaya Street, Vladimir, 600020, Russia

You can also send emails via ZT (for payment with Russian 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.