Yury Kolganov is a political prisoner

A construction worker from Ivanovo was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment in a strict regime penal colony for making cryptocurrency donations to the Free Russia Legion

The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Yury Kolganov a political prisoner. Kolganov was convicted on a charge of treason. His criminal prosecution and conviction violated his right to a fair trial. We demand the immediate release of Yury Kolganov and that all criminal charges against him be dropped.

What were the charges against Yury Kolganov?

Yury Kolganov was detained in early March 2024, and state-controlled media released a video of his arrest. In the footage, Kolganov says that since the beginning of Russia’s ‘special military operation’ he has not supported the actions of the Russian armed forces and admits that he sent money to the Free Russia Legion, adding that he ‘sincerely repents doing this and is ready to accept punishment.’

Kolganov was charged with treason in the form of providing financial assistance to a foreign state engaged in activities directed against the security of Russia (Article 275 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). According to the investigative authorities, between 2022 and 2023, Kolganov made two transfers to a cryptocurrency wallet belonging to the Free Russia Legion, amounting to just over 3,000 roubles in total.

In September 2024, Kolganov was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment in a strict regime penal colony, with an additional one year of probation on his release and a fine of 300,000 roubles.

Why do we consider Yury Kolganov a political prisoner?

Under international law, Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine is unlawful and criminal. In this context, transfers of funds to the Ukrainian armed forces cannot be considered a criminal offence. Assistance to Ukraine is provided to help that country defend itself against military aggression, not to endanger Russia’s security. Russia’s security is threatened, not by Ukraine acting in self-defence, but by the war the Russian authorities have themselves unleashed.

It is also important to note that Kolganov was convicted for transferring an insignificant sum of money. Such a small sum, regardless of its intended purpose, could hardly be considered to constitute a crime.

A detailed description of Yury Kolganov’s case and of our position is available on our website.

How can you help?

You can write to Yury Kolganov at the following address:

RU:

685918, Магадан, ул. Центральная, д. 3, п. Уптар, ФКУ ИК-4 УФСИН России по Магаданской области, Колганову Юрию Николаевичу 1993 г. р.

EN:

Yury Nikolaevich Kolganov (born 1993), Penal Colony No. 4, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Magadan Oblast, 3 Tsentralnaya street, Uptar settlement, Magadan, 685918, Russia.

You can also send emails via 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.