Sergei Bryukhanov is a political prisoner
An Irkutsk artist has been sentenced to 19 years’ imprisonment for drawing symbols of the Free Russia Legion and correspondence found on his phone
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Sergei Bryukhanov a political prisoner. Bryukhanov was convicted on charges of treason, participation in a terrorist organisation, propaganda of terrorism and training in terrorism for drawing symbols of the Free Russia Legion and allegedly communicating with the Legion’s representatives and passing on to them information about Russian military facilities. Bryukhanov’s criminal conviction and prosecution violated his rights to freedom of expression and a fair trial. We demand the immediate release of Sergei Bryukhanov and that all criminal charges against him be dropped.
What were the charges against Sergei Bryukhanov?
Sergei Bryukhanov is an artist and sculptor from Irkutsk. In August 2023, his home was searched and his phone and other technical equipment confiscated on the grounds that he was suspected of painting the logo of the Free Russia Legion on the embankment in Irkutsk. Bryukhanov’s phone allegedly contained correspondence with a representative of the Legion and he was subsequently charged with participation in a terrorist organisation (Article 205.5, Part 2, of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).
On 11 August 2023, Bryukhanov was remanded in custody. Additional charges were subsequently brought against him of propaganda of terrorism, including on the Internet (Article 205.2, Parts 1 & 2, CC RF), recruitment into a terrorist organisation (Article 205.1, Part 1.1, CC RF) and undergoing training in terrorism (Article 205.3 CC RF). He was also charged with treason (Article 275 CC RF) for allegedly passing photographs and diagrams of Russian military facilities to Ukrainian intelligence.
On 13 March 2025, a military court sentenced Bryukhanov to 14 years’ imprisonment. On 30 July 2025, a court of appeal dismissed the charge of recruitment but added two new episodes of propaganda of terrorism. As a result, Bryukhanov’s sentence was increased to 19 years, with the first four years to be served in a cell-type prison and the rest in a strict regime penal colony.
Why do we consider Sergei Bryukhanov a political prisoner?
Most of the charges against Bryukhanov were related to the fact that the Free Russia Legion has been designated as a terrorist organisation in Russia. We consider this designation illegal and unfounded. The Free Russia Legion is a unit of the armed forces of Ukraine; the Legion’s military activities are not terrorism, but participation in the legitimate defence of Ukraine from aggression.
Bryukhanov’s alleged involvement in the activities of a terrorist organisation amounts to painting the Legion’s logo and correspondence in messengers. There is no evidence of terrorism in these actions. The charges of propaganda of, and training in, terrorism are based on the same grounds — the illegal designation of the Legion as a terrorist organisation.
The charge of treason relates to the collection of information about military enlistment offices and military units. However, Bryukhanov had no access to state secrets, and his actions were clearly an expression of his anti-war stance and an attempt to help Ukraine repel aggression, not to harm Russia’s security. In reality, it is the war unleashed by the Russian authorities that has undermined the security of both Ukraine and Russia.
A detailed description of Sergei Bryukhanov’s case and of our position is available on our website.
How can you help?
You can write to Sergei Bryukhanov at the following address:
RU:
672039, Забайкальский край, г. Чита, ул. Ингодинская, 1а, ФКУ СИЗО-1 УФСИН России по Забайкальскому краю, Брюханов Сергей Георгиевич, 1971 г. р.
EN:
Sergei Georgievich Bryukhanov (born 1971), Remand Prison No. 1, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Zabaykalsky Krai, 1 A Ingodinskaya Street, Chita, Zabaykalsky Krai, 672039, Russia.
You can also send emails via F-Pismo (for payment with Russian bank cards), ZT (for payment with all bank cards), 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.
