Vadim Tomilov is a political prisoner
A high school student in Sverdlovsk Oblast has been sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment for intending to join the Russian Volunteer Corps
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Vadim Tomilov a political prisoner. Tomilov was convicted on charges of attempting to commit treason and preparing to participate in the activities of a terrorist organization for allegedly seeking to join the Russian Volunteer Corps. Tomilov’s criminal prosecution and conviction violated his right to a fair trial. We demand the immediate release of Vadim Tomilov and that all criminal charges against him be dropped.
What were the charges against Vadim Tomilov?
Vadim Tomilov was a successful 11th-grade (17-year-old) student who loved sports. In May 2024, without telling his parents, Vadim left his home in Irbit to travel to Yekaterinburg, from where he planned to fly to Tbilisi and from there join the Russian Volunteer Corps in Ukraine.
His parents began searching for him and contacted the police for help. When his parents succeeded in contacting Vadim, they convinced him to abandon his plans to go to Ukraine. Vadim gave them the address of the hostel in Yekaterinburg where he was staying and waited for them there. His parents gave the hostel’s address to the police and forwarded their correspondence with their son, which mentioned the Russian Volunteer Corps. Vadim was detained and charged with attempting to commit treason by defecting to the enemy (Article 30, Part 3, of the Russian Criminal Code in conjunction with Article 275 CC RF) and preparing to participate in the activities of a terrorist organization (Article 30, Part 1, CC RF in conjunction with Article 205.5, Part 2, CC RF).
On 15 September 2025, Tomilov was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment in a strict regime penal colony, with the first three years to be served in a cell-type prison.
Why do we consider Vadim Tomilov a political prisoner?
The court heard Vadim’s correspondence with his father, from which it follows the young man had abandoned his idea of joining the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC) and decided to return home. Tomilov is, therefore, not subject to criminal liability as charged.
Even if Tomilov had in fact intended to participate in combat operations as part of the RVC, he could not have been held criminally liable.
The decision to designate the RVC a terrorist organization contradicts the norms of international law. The RVC is part of the Ukrainian armed forces and legitimately participates in the war on the side of Ukraine in defending itself against Russian aggression. Participation in an armed conflict cannot in itself be considered terrorist activity.
The charge of preparing to commit treason by defecting to the enemy is also unlawful. The only prohibited form of participation by a foreigner in hostilities is mercenary activity, a definition that does not apply to Tomilov’s alleged participation in the RVC.
The simultaneous charges against Tomilov that he prepared to participate in the activities of a terrorist organization and to commit treason are illogical. If his actions are considered defection to the enemy, then the RVC is recognized as part of the Ukrainian armed forces, and not a terrorist organization.
A detailed description of Vadim Tomilov’s case and of our position is available on our website.
How can you help?
You can write to Vadim Tomilov at the following address:
RU:
624860, Свердловская область, г. Камышлов, ул. Урицкого, д. 16б, ФКУ СИЗО-4 ГУФСИН России по Свердловской области, Томилов Вадим Артёмович, 2006 г. р.
EN:
Vadim Artyomovich Tomilov (born 2006), Remand Prison No. 4, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Sverdlovsk Oblast, 16 B Uritskogo Street, Kamyshlov, Sverdlovsk Oblast, 624860, Russia.
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