Oleg Tretyakov is a political prisoner
An anti-war blogger who returned to Russia from Kazakhstan to be with his sick daughter has been sentenced to six years in a penal colony for posts about the explosion on the Crimean Bridge
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Oleg Tretyakov a political prisoner. Tretyakov was convicted on a charge of justifying terrorism for posts on social media about the attack on the Crimean Bridge. Tretyakov’s prosecution and conviction violated his rights to freedom of expression and a fair trial. We demand the immediate release of Oleg Tretyakov and that all criminal charges against him be dropped.
What were the charges against Oleg Tretyakov?
Oleg Tretyakov, a 54-year-old entrepreneur and blogger from Solikamsk, left for Kazakhstan following the announcement of mobilisation in Russia in autumn 2022. In his video blog about travelling by motorbike, he spoke out against the war on Ukraine.
On 8 October 2022, Tretyakov posted comments on social media approving the explosion on the Crimean Bridge. These included a video featuring the phrases ‘Glory to Ukraine’ and ‘Mordor will be destroyed.’ At the same time, an agent of the Russian security services began corresponding with Tretyakov. This agent subsequently appeared in court as a classified witness.
In October 2023, Tretyakov returned to Russia to help his daughter who had fallen ill. On 21 February 2024, he was detained on a charge of justifying terrorism (Article 205.2, Part 2, of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). On 13 January 2025, a court in Yekaterinburg sentenced Tretyakov to six years in a general regime penal colony.
Why do we consider Oleg Tretyakov a political prisoner?
The criminal prosecution and conviction of Oleg Tretyakov were politically motivated and unjustified. In our view, the attack on the Crimean Bridge was not a terrorist act. Responsibility was claimed by the Ukrainian authorities, which are opposing Russian aggression. The Crimean Bridge connects occupied Crimea with Russia and is therefore a dual-use facility which, in the context of an armed conflict, may be a legitimate target. Consequently, the attack on the bridge is not terrorism, but part of ongoing hostilities.
At most, Tretyakov’s statements would have posed a minimal danger to society. They contained no calls to violence and could not have influenced Ukraine’s military planning. Tretyakov’s imprisonment is a punishment for his anti-war stance.
The offence of justification of terrorism, of which Oleg Tretyakov was convicted, has become a tool of censorship and a means to prosecute dissidents in Russia. This applies especially to statements about Russia’s war against Ukraine. We condemn the broad interpretation of the concept of ‘justification of terrorism’ and oppose the criminalisation of such statements.
Another indication of the political nature of Tretyakov’s prosecution was the use of a classified witness, whose testimony the defence could not fully verify.
A detailed description of Oleg Tretyakov’s case and of our position is available on our website.
How can you help?
You can write to Oleg Tretyakov at the following address:
RU:
618630, Пермский край, Чердынский р-н, пгт. Ныроб, ул. Уральская, 30, ФКУ ИК-11 ОУХД ГУФСИН России по Пермскому краю, Третьяков Олег Викторович, 1969 г. р.
EN:
Oleg Viktorovich Tretyakov (born 1969), Penal Colony No. 11, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Perm Krai, 30 Uralskaya Street, Nyrob, Cherdynsky district, Perm Krai, 618630, Russia.
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Please note that letters in languages other than Russian are highly unlikely to reach the intended recipient.
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