Nikolai Zyuzev is a political prisoner
A philosopher holding Russian and Canadian citizenship has been remanded in custody on a charge of collusion with foreign nationals
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Nikolai Zyuzev a political prisoner. Zyuzev is being prosecuted on a criminal charge of ‘collusion with a foreign state, international or foreign organisation for the purpose of facilitating activities directed against the security of the Russian Federation.’ Nikolai Zyuzev’s criminal prosecution violates his right to a fair trial. We demand the immediate release of Nikolai Zyuzev and that all criminal charges against him be dropped.
What are the charges against Nikolai Zyuzev?
Nikolai Zyuzev is a Russian philologist, philosopher and historian of science, a prominent specialist in the legacy and life history of the Russian American philosopher Pitirim Sorokin. Zyuzev has also worked on issues in contemporary analytical philosophy, the philosophy of mind and language and the culture of Russia’s indigenous peoples. Zyuzev has taught at universities in Russia, as well as in the US and Canada. In 2015, he obtained Canadian citizenship.
In 2015, Zyuzev returned to Russia to head a research centre at the Pitirim Sorokin Syktyvkar State University. One of Zyuzev’s objectives was to integrate Russian science into the global scientific community. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, he left for Canada again but occasionally travelled back to visit his home village in Komi.
During his last visit in June 2025, Zyuzev was arrested and charged with collusion with foreigners (Article 275.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). His arrest may have been linked to the campaign launched by the authorities at that time against the Revolt Centre, an independent civil society organisation based in Syktyvkar, and local journalists and activists. The campaign was accompanied by searches and a flood of discrediting material in pro-government media. Zyuzev was not an employee of the Revolt Centre but occasionally gave lectures there and collaborated on projects with its founders.
Why do we consider Nikolai Zyuzev a political prisoner?
The article of the Criminal Code on ‘collusion with foreigners’ was adopted into law following the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and has since become yet another tool of repression against dissidents.
The law criminalises any joint actions with foreigners and lacks legal certainty. It is impossible to determine in advance which actions or contacts with potential representatives of foreign organisations, or simply foreigners, are lawful, and which are prohibited.
The law on collusion with foreigners contravenes the Russian Constitution and must be rescinded, all related convictions quashed and ongoing prosecutions dropped.
It is not publicly known exactly what Zyuzev is accused of, but the very fact that he is being prosecuted for ‘collusion’ speaks to the fact that the case is unlawful and politically motivated.
A detailed description of Nikolai Zyuzev’s case and of our position is available on our website.
How can you help?
You can write to Nikolai Zyuzev at the following presumed address:
RU:
167028, Республика Коми, г. Сыктывкар, п. Верхний Чов, д. 99, (предположительный адрес), ФКУ СИЗО-1 УФСИН России по Республике Коми, Зюзев Николай Федосеевич, 1956 г. р.
EN:
Nikolai Fedoseevich Zyuzev (born 1956), Remand Prison No. 1, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for the Republic of Komi, 99 Verkhny Chov, Syktyvkar, Republic of Komi, 167028, Russia.
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