Yaroslav Sukhanov is a political prisoner
A resident of Krasnodar Krai has been sentenced to six and a half years in a strict-regime penal colony on the charge of intending to join the Ukrainian armed forces
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Yaroslav Sukhanov a political prisoner. Sukhanov has been convicted on a charge of ‘preparing to commit treason by planning to join the enemy,’ on the basis of private Telegram messages. Sukhanov’s criminal prosecution and conviction violate his right to fair trial. We demand that his conviction be quashed and that his abduction and reports of physical abuse be investigated.
What were the charges against Yaroslav Sukhanov?
Yaroslav Sukhanov was detained on 4 July 2023 at a checkpoint on the border between Russian-occupied Crimea and Kherson Oblast while travelling in his car with his wife. He was then jailed for 10 days on an administrative-law charge of allegedly disobeying an FSB officer’s orders.
On 15 July 2023, immediately after his release from detention, Sukhanov was forced into a car and taken away in an unknown direction, an incident witnessed by his wife. His relatives only discovered his whereabouts in September 2023 when it became known he had been remanded in custody on a charge of ‘preparing to commit treason by joining the enemy’ (Article 30, Part 1, in conjunction with Article 275 of the Russian Criminal Code).
The investigative authorities claimed Sukhanov intended to enlist in the Ukrainian armed forces and fight against Russia. They cited messages found on his phone sent to a Ukrainian number in which he criticised the war against Ukraine and spoke about wanting to take part in combat on Ukraine’s side. Sukhanov initially testified against himself but later retracted his statement.
In court, Sukhanov admitted he had wanted to go to Ukraine and had sent an application form via a Telegram bot expressing an interest in joining the Ukrainian military. However, he insisted that his real intention was not to fight on the side of Ukraine, but to legalise his stay in Ukraine and relocate to Europe or the United States under a simplified procedure.
On 6 June 2024, a Russia-controlled court in Crimea sentenced Yaroslav Sukhanov to six and a half years in a strict-regime penal colony, a fine of 150,000 roubles and one year’s probation on release. On 24 July 2024, the sentence was upheld on appeal.
Why do we consider Sukhanov a political prisoner?
We believe Sukhanov’s prosecution on a charge of preparing to join the enemy was unlawful. Under international law, the only form of military involvement prohibited for foreigners is mercenary activity, which does not apply to Sukhanov’s actions. Had Sukhanov actually joined the Ukrainian armed forces and been captured, he would not have been criminally liable simply for the fact of participating in combat.
Moreover, the charge that Sukhanov intended to enlist in the Ukrainian military remains unproven. The circumstances of his arrest, abduction, and unlawful detention over several months indicate that his case may have been fabricated and that he was subjected to pressure.
A detailed description of Yaroslav Sukhanov’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?
You can write a letter to Yaroslav Sukhanov at the following address:
In Russian:
183035, Мурманск, ул. Угольная база, д. 9, ФКУ ИК-17 УФСИН России по Мурманской области, Суханову Ярославу Андреевичу 1993 г. р.
In English:
Yaroslav Andreevich Sukhanov (born 1993), Penal Colony No. 17, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Murmansk Oblast, 9 Ugolnaya Baza Street, Murmansk, 183035, Russia.
You can also send an email via the F-Pismo and ZT services (for payment with Russian bank cards), 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 recipient.
You can donate to help all political prisoners in Russia.
