Vladimir Skvortsov is a political prisoner
An employee of the Russian postal service in Vologda has been sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment for donating to the Anti-Corruption Foundation and distributing leaflets of the Free Russia Legion
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Vladimir Skvortsov a political prisoner. Skvortsov was convicted on charges of financing extremism for donating to the Anti-Corruption Foundation and of participating in a terrorist organisation for distributing leaflets of the Free Russia Legion. Skvortsov’s prosecution and conviction violated his right to a fair trial. We demand the release of Vladimir Skvortsov and that all criminal charges against him be dropped.
What were the charges against Vladimir Skvortsov?
Vladimir Skvortsov was detained on 22 August 2024 in Vologda while distributing leaflets of the Free Russia Legion. He was jailed for the administrative-law offence of displaying extremist symbols.
However, following the expiry of his jail term, he was not released but was remanded in custody. A criminal case was brought against him on two counts. First, he was charged with financing extremist activities (Article 282.3, Part 1, of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) for having made four donations to the Anti-Corruption Foundation in 2021 (ranging from 100 to 600 roubles each). Second, he was charged with participation in a terrorist organisation (Article 205.5, Part 2, CC RF) for correspondence with a person alleged to be a representative of the Free Russia Legion, completion of a questionnaire and preparation of leaflets.
On 26 May 2025, Vladimir Skvortsov was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment, of which the first three years are to be served in a cell-type prison and the rest in a strict regime penal colony.
In court, Skvortsov said he had been tormented by feelings of guilt after the war began; the turning point for him was the destruction of a children’s hospital in Kyiv. After that, he had wanted to help Ukraine defend itself.
Why do we consider Vladimir Skvortsov a political prisoner?
Skvortsov made bank transfers to the Anti-Corruption Foundation because he wanted to help fight corruption. His prosecution for financing extremism was part of a mass campaign by the authorities targeting even small donations to Aleksei Navalny’s foundation. Since the unlawful designation of the Anti-Corruption Foundation as an extremist organisation, prosecutions for donations to the Foundation have been used to put pressure on critics of the authorities. You can read more about these prosecutions on our website.
The basis for the terrorism charges against Skvortsov was his correspondence with a representative of the Free Russia Legion, a completed questionnaire and printed leaflets.
These actions do not constitute a crime, however, since the Russian court’s decision to declare the Free Russia Legion a terrorist organisation was unlawful and without basis. As part of the Ukrainian armed forces, the Legion’s activities during the armed conflict are not terrorism, but participation in the legitimate defence of Ukraine against Russian aggression. Furthermore, it is not possible to join a military unit by means of correspondence via a messenger app.
Vladimir Skvortsov’s motives were not terrorist in nature. He posted the leaflets openly, during the day, in protest against Russia’s war on Ukraine. In his final statement in court, Skvortsov said he did not understand the purpose of his imprisonment: ‘How is it supposed to reform me? So that I become pro-war? So that I start supporting the killing of people?’
A detailed description of Vladimir Skvortsov’s case and of our position is available on our website.
How can you help?
You can write to Vladimir Skvortsov at the following address:
RU:
433503, Ульяновская область, г. Димитровград, ул. Калугина, д. 66, ФКУ Т УФСИН России по Ульяновской области, Скворцов Владимир Валерьевич, 1982 г. р.
EN:
Vladimir Valeryevich Skvortsov (born 1982), Prison of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Ulyanovsk Oblast, 66 Kalugina Street, Dimitrovgrad, Ulyanovsk Oblast, 433503, 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.
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