Stanislav Lisovsky is a political prisoner
A resident of Krasnodar Krai has been sentenced to seven years in a strict regime penal colony for wanting to join the Free Russia Legion
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Stanislav Lisovsky a political prisoner. Lisovsky was convicted on charges of preparing to commit treason and participate in the activities of a terrorist organisation for wanting to join the Free Russia Legion. Lisovsky’s prosecution and conviction violated his right to a fair trial. We demand that Lisovsky’s conviction be quashed and all criminal charges against him dropped.
What were the charges against Stanislav Lisovsky?
Stanislav Lisovsky lived in Yuzhny in Krasnodar Krai and worked in the paper and cardboard manufacturing industry. He was detained on 2 December 2023 at a bus station in Krasnodar and jailed on administrative-law charges twice in a row: first, for allegedly refusing to show his documents to a police officer, and then for petty hooliganism.
After serving his second jail term, on 27 December Stanislav Lisovsky was again detained and remanded in custody on criminal charges. He was accused of ‘preparing to commit treason by defecting to the enemy’ (Article 30, Part 1, of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation in conjunction with Article 275 CC RF) and ‘preparing to participate in the activities of a terrorist organisation’ (Article 30, Part 1, CC RF in conjunction with Article 205.5, Part 2, CC RF).
According to the prosecution, Lisovsky contacted a representative of the Free Russia Legion on Telegram and, on their instructions, bought a bus ticket to Donetsk to travel to the Legion’s location and participate in hostilities on the side of Ukraine. The prosecution stated that the motive for Lisovsky’s actions was ‘dissatisfaction with the decision of the President of the Russian Federation to conduct the special military operation.’
On 20 May 2024, Lisovsky was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment, with the first two and a half years to be served in a cell-type prison and the remainder in a strict regime penal colony, followed by one year’s probation upon release.
Why do we consider Stanislav Lisovsky a political prisoner?
Even if Stanislav Lisovsky had intended to join the Free Russia Legion, he should not be criminally prosecuted for this.
The Legion was designated a terrorist organisation unlawfully and without justification. As a unit of the Ukrainian armed forces, its activities are not terrorism but legitimate participation in the defence of Ukraine against armed aggression.
The criminal prosecution on a charge of preparing to commit treason was also unlawful. In international law, the only prohibited form of foreign participation in hostilities is mercenary activity, which is inapplicable to Lisovsky’s actions. In particular, mercenaries are primarily motivated by financial considerations, while the investigative authorities themselves considered Lisovsky’s motive was to protest against the ‘special military operation’.
At the same time, the criminal charges brought against Lisovsky were illogical. If his actions were considered defection to the enemy, this meant the Free Russia Legion was recognised as a part of the Ukrainian armed forces, not a terrorist organisation.
The use of a so-called ‘merry-go-round’ of short jail terms against Stanislav Lisovsky also spoke to the political nature of his prosecution. Law enforcement agencies use this practice to put pressure on suspects and fabricate criminal charges.
A detailed description of Stanislav Lisovsky’s case and of our position is available on our website.
How can you help?
You can write to Stanislav Lisovsky at the following address:
399783, Липецкая область, г. Елец, ул. Пролетарская, д. 1Б, ФКУ Т-2 УФСИН России по Липецкой области, Лисовский Станислав Иванович, 1971 г. р.
English Translation:
Stanislav Ivanovich Lisovsky (born 1971), Prison No. 2, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Lipetsk Oblast, 1B Proletarskaya Street, Yelets, Lipetsk Oblast, 399783, Russia.
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