Sergei Loshakov is a political prisoner
A resident of Surgut has been sentenced to nine years in a strict regime penal colony on a charge of financing the Ukrainian armed forces
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Sergei Loshakov a political prisoner. Loshakov was convicted on a charge of treason for allegedly making a donation for the needs of the Ukrainian armed forces. Loshakov’s criminal prosecution and conviction violated his right to a fair trial. We demand the immediate release of Sergei Loshakov and that all criminal charges against him be dropped.
What were the charges against Sergei Loshakov?
The FSB calls Sergei Loshakov an ‘opponent of the foreign and domestic policy of the Russian Federation.’ According to the investigative authorities, he corresponded with an ‘unidentified person’ on Telegram and, no later than autumn 2023, transferred money ‘for the purpose of financing the Ukrainian armed forces.’ We do not know the amount of money allegedly transferred.
In September-October 2023, Sergei Loshakov was jailed three times in a row for the administrative-law offence of, allegedly, disobeying police officers. After this series of jail terms, he was charged with ‘treason in the form of providing financial assistance to a foreign state in activities directed against the security of the Russian Federation’ (Article 275 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). He was then, apparently, remanded in custody.
On 9 December 2024, Sergei Loshakov was sentenced to nine years in a strict regime penal colony. The trial was held in camera; information about Loshakov’s case is classified.
Why do we consider Sergei Loshakov a political prisoner?
Sergei Loshakov’s actions do not constitute a crime. In international law, Russia’s war against Ukraine is an act of aggression. Even if Loshakov had transferred funds to the Ukrainian armed forces, this would have been to support Ukraine’s defence against armed attack, not harm Russia’s security. The real threat to Russia’s national security is the war of aggression unleashed against Ukraine by the Russian authorities.
The ‘merry-go-round’ of jail terms prior to the initiation of criminal proceedings and the conduct of the trial in camera indicate that the prosecution was politically motivated and the evidential basis was weak. It is unclear how the investigative authorities proved the fact of the bank transfer and the existence of a direct intent to harm Russia’s security, an essential element for a charge of ‘treason in the form of providing financial assistance to a foreign state in activities directed against the security of the Russian Federation.’
Loshakov came to the attention of law enforcement because of his anti-war views. The FSB emphasised that he had spoken out against the policies of the Russian authorities and had previously been investigated for spreading ‘fake news’ about the Russian army.
A detailed description of Sergei Loshakov’s case and of our position is available on our website.
How can you help?
You can write to Sergei Loshakov at the following address:
RU:
153512, Ивановская область, г. Кохма, ул. Кочетовой, д. 59А, ФКУ ИК-5 УФСИН России по Ивановской области, Лошаков Сергей Сергеевич, 1987 г. р.
EN:
Sergei Sergeevich Loshakov (born 1987), Penal Colony No. 5, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Ivanovo Oblast, 59 A Kochetovoy Street, Kokhma, Ivanovo Oblast, 153512, 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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