Vyacheslav Kuznetsov is a political prisoner
A resident of Tatarstan was sentenced to nine years in a penal colony on a charge of attempting to join the Free Russia Legion
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Vyacheslav Kuznetsov as a political prisoner. Kuznetsov was convicted on charges of preparing to commit treason and to take part in a terrorist organisation for intending to join the Free Russia Legion. Kuznetsov’s prosecution and conviction violated his right to a fair trial. We call for the conviction of Vyacheslav Kuznetsov to be quashed and all criminal charges against him dropped.
What were the charges against Vyacheslav Kuznetsov?
Vyacheslav Kuznetsov is a resident of Menzelinsk in Tatarstan. According to the investigative authorities, in May and June 2023, he twice attempted to cross the Russian-Ukrainian border on foot in Belgorod Oblast, intending to join the Free Russia Legion in Ukraine. On both occasions, he was turned back by the Russian military. On a third attempt, on 5 June 2023, he was detained by FSB officers.
Kuznetsov was charged with preparing to commit treason by going over to the enemy (Article 30, Part 1, in conjunction with Article 275 of the Russian Criminal Code), as well as preparing to participate in a terrorist organisation (Article 30, Part 1, in conjunction with Article 205.5, Part 2).
On 8 April 2024, Kuznetsov was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment, with the first three years to be served in a cell-type prison and the remainder in a strict-regime penal colony.
Why do we consider Vyacheslav Kuznetsov a political prisoner?
It is not clear whether Vyacheslav Kuznetsov did in fact intend to join the Free Russia Legion. However, even if he did, such an intention does not amount to a criminal offence.
The designation of the Free Russia Legion as a terrorist organisation is unlawful and unfounded. In reality, the Free Russia Legion is a unit of the Ukrainian armed forces, and its actions are legitimate support for a state defending itself against armed aggression, not terrorism.
Kuznetsov’s prosecution for treason, in the form of ‘going over to the enemy,’ is also unlawful. Under international, and therefore under Russian law, the only prohibited form of foreign participation in armed conflict is mercenarism. The activities of members of the Free Russia Legion do not meet this definition.
Moreover, charging Kuznetsov simultaneously with preparing to take part in the activities of a terrorist organisation and preparing to commit treason is inherently contradictory. If his actions were considered an attempt to join the enemy’s side, then the Free Russia Legion was considered part of the Ukrainian armed forces, not a terrorist organisation.
A detailed description of Vyacheslav Kuznetsov’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 Vyacheslav Kuznetsov at the following address:
RU:
662606, Красноярский край, г. Минусинск, ул. Горького, д. 114, ФКУ-Т ГУФСИН России по Красноярскому краю, Кузнецову Вячеславу Николаевичу 1988 г. р.
EN:
Vyacheslav Nikolaevich Kuznetsov (born 1988), Prison ‘T’, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Krasnoyarsk Krai, 114 Gorkogo Street, Minusinsk, Krasnoyarsk Krai, 662606, Russia.
You can also send emails using the F-Pismo and ZT services (for payment with Russian bank cards) or PrisonMail (for payment with other 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.
