Roman Linkov is a political prisoner
A welder from Penza has been sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment on charges of involvement in a terrorist organisation and ‘collusion’ with foreigners for correspondence on the Internet and putting up flyers
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Roman Linkov a political prisoner. Linkov is being prosecuted on charges of ‘participating in the activities of a terrorist organisation’ and ‘collusion with foreigners’ for correspondence on the Internet and putting up flyers. Linkov’s criminal prosecution violates his right to a fair trial. We demand the immediate release of Roman Linkov, that all criminal charges against him be dropped and that his allegations of torture be investigated.
What are the charges against Roman Linkov?
When Roman Linkov was detained on 11 September 2024, he was taken to a forest where he was beaten and threatened in order to force him into making a confession. On 13 September, he was placed under house arrest.
According to the prosecution, Linkov contacted representatives of the Free Russia Legion online. In communications with representatives of this organisation, Linkov ‘expressed his willingness to participate in both the combat and civilian divisions of the Free Russia Legion, agreed to anonymously finance the activities of the Free Russia Legion, destroy ‘Z symbols,’ distribute leaflets, and collect and transmit information of interest to the Free Russia Legion.’ In addition, he allegedly swore allegiance to the Free Russia Legion and put up flyers in Penza containing the Legion’s symbols and criticism of Russia’s war against Ukraine. Linkov was accused of participating in the activities of a terrorist organisation (Article 205.5, Part 2, of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) and collusion with a foreign state (Article 275.1 CC RF).
Linkov maintains his innocence of the charges, claiming he only put up flyers because he had always been against the war with Ukraine. He stated he has many friends living in Ukraine and he himself lived there until 2000 and even served in the Ukrainian army. According to Linkov’s wife, he was afraid that as a Russian citizen he would be mobilised for the ‘special military operation’ and contacted the ‘I Want to Live’ project because he was thinking of leaving Russia for Poland.
In November 2025, Roman Linkov was sentenced to 14 years of imprisonment in a strict-regime penal colony.
Why do we consider Linkov a political prisoner?
In correspondence with alleged representatives of the Free Russia Legion, Linkov allegedly agreed to undertake various actions in its support. However, he has been charged only with this correspondence itself and the distribution of leaflets. Moreover, it can be assumed that it was agents of Russian intelligence agencies who corresponded with Linkov under the guise of representatives of the Free Russia Legion.
In any case, the designation in Russia of the Free Russia Legion as a terrorist organisation is unlawful and without justification. The Free Russia Legion is a unit of the Ukrainian armed forces. Its activities in the current hostilities are not terrorism, but participation in the legitimate defence of Ukraine against aggression.
Linkov’s prosecution on a charge of ‘collusion’ is also unlawful. The article of the Russian Criminal Code criminalising ‘collusion’ was introduced into law in July 2022 and has become yet another tool in the regime’s fight against ‘internal enemies.’ The law does not comply with the principle of legal certainty since it effectively serves to criminalise any communication between Russian citizens and foreigners. Moreover, it provides for punishment not for specific actions, but merely for an alleged intention to ‘facilitate’ some undefined ‘activity.’ The law on ‘collusion’ must be rescinded and all related criminal cases closed.
A detailed description of Roman Linkov’s case and of our position is available on our website.
How can you help?
You can write to Roman Linkov at the following address:
RU:
399783, Липецкая область, г. Елец, ул. Пролетарская, д. 1Б, ФКУ Т-2 УФСИН России по Липецкой области, Линьков Роман Евгеньевич, 1978 г. р.
EN:
Roman Yevgenyevich Linkov (born 1978), Prison No. 2, Federal Penitentiary Service for Lipetsk Oblast, 1 B Proletarskaya Ulitsa, Yelets, Lipetsk Oblast, 399783, Russia.
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