Yury Samsonov is a political prisoner
A resident of Udmurtia has been sentenced to six years in a penal colony for a comment in support of the Russian Volunteer Corps
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Yury Samsonov a political prisoner. Samsonov was convicted of making public calls to engage in terrorism for an online comment about the activities of the Russian Volunteer Corps. Samsonov’s criminal prosecution and conviction violated his rights to freedom of expression and a fair trial. We demand the immediate release of Yury Samsonov and that all criminal charges against him be dropped.
What were the charges against Yury Samsonov?
Yury Samsonov, 23, a resident of Glazov in Udmurtia, was detained on 1 February 2024. So far as is known, Samsonov was initially charged with treason and participation in the activities of a terrorist organisation, however the charges could not be proved.
Samsonov was then charged with ‘publicly calling for people to engage in terrorist activity’ (Article 205, Part 2, of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). According to the investigative authorities, he published a text on Telegram ‘supporting the ideology and practice of terrorism.’ While the exact contents of this text are not known, according to media reports the comment expressed support for the Russian Volunteer Corps. In addition, Samsonov condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and criticised Putin’s actions.
Yury Samsonov maintains his innocence of the charge. On 5 December 2024, a military court sentenced him to six years in a general regime penal colony. On 10 September 2025, the sentence was upheld on appeal.
Why do we consider Yury Samsonov a political prisoner?
While the exact content of Yury Samsonov’s online post is not known, based on available evidence we can give a general assessment of the lawfulness of his criminal prosecution.
The criminal case against Samsonov was based on an illegal and unfounded decision by the Russian courts to designate the Russian Volunteer Corps as a terrorist organisation. The Russian Volunteer Corps is a military unit that is officially part of the Ukrainian armed forces and as such legitimately participates in the current armed conflict. In international law, the actions of combatants in an armed conflict cannot be classified as terrorism. Consequently, approval of the actions of this unit constitutes support for Ukraine, a country defending itself from Russian aggression, and not justification of terrorism.
The offence of justification of terrorism is often used by the Russian authorities to prosecute dissidents, primarily opponents of the war against Ukraine. Samsonov has no significant public influence or online audience. Statements by him therefore pose no real danger to the public and cannot be grounds for criminal prosecution, still less imprisonment.
A detailed description of Yury Samsonov’s case and of our position is available on our website.
How can you help?
You can write to Yury Samsonov at the following address:
RU:
630097, г. Новосибирск, ул. Звездная, д. 34, ФКУ ИК-3 ГУФСИН России по Новосибирской области, Самсонов Юрий Евгеньевич, 2002 г. р.
EN:
Yury Yevgenyevich Samsonov (born 2002), Penal Colony No. 3, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Novosibirsk Oblast, 34 Zvyozdnaya Street, Novosibirsk, 630097, 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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