{"id":46880,"date":"2024-07-05T13:48:26","date_gmt":"2024-07-05T10:48:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/memopzk.org\/news\/my-schitaem-politzaklyuchyonnym-maksima-makushina\/"},"modified":"2025-08-21T00:27:53","modified_gmt":"2025-08-20T21:27:53","slug":"my-schitaem-politzaklyuchyonnym-maksima-makushina","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/memopzk.org\/en\/news\/my-schitaem-politzaklyuchyonnym-maksima-makushina\/","title":{"rendered":"Maksim Makushin is a political prisoner"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Pentecostal Christian, who served in Russia\u2019s Northern Fleet, has been sentenced to two years and eight months in a low-security penal colony for refusing to participate in the war against Ukraine<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The \u2018Political Prisoners.<\/strong> Memorial\u2019 human rights project, in accordance with<\/strong> international standards<\/strong><\/a>, considers Maksim Makushin a political prisoner.<\/strong> Makushin, a conscientious objector, has been convicted of refusing to participate in Russia\u2019s war against Ukraine.<\/strong> Makushin\u2019s prosecution and conviction have violated his rights to freedom of conscience and fair trial.<\/strong> We demand Makushin\u2019s immediate release and that his criminal conviction be quashed.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What were the charges against Maksim Makushin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maksim Makushin, from Omsk Oblast, served as a sailor in Russia\u2019s Northern Fleet near Murmansk for more than 10 years under contract. When Makushin joined the navy, he was an Orthodox Christian. Later, while remaining in the navy, he became a follower of the Russian Church of Christians of Evangelical Faith (Russian Pentecostal Union).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In July 2023, Makushin was ordered to go to fight in the war against Ukraine. He refused on the grounds of his religious beliefs, which do not allow killing people. Makushin was charged with illegal refusal to participate in combat operations (Article 332, Part 2.1, of the Russian Criminal Code).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On 28 September 2023, a garrison court sentenced him to two years eight months in a low-security penal colony. On 5 December, the sentence was upheld on appeal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On 8 January 2024, Maksim Makushin began his sentence at the low-security penal colony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why do we consider Makushin a political prisoner?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Makushin\u2019s prosecution violates the Russian Constitution. The Constitution states that citizen has the right to refuse military service, if it contradicts their beliefs, and do alternative civilian service instead. This right takes on special significance in the case of a refusal to participate in a war of aggression, such as Russia\u2019s war against Ukraine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The article on refusal to participate in hostilities, under which Makushin was convicted, was adopted into law at the end of September 2022 along with other amendments apparently related to the ongoing mobilisation. It is aimed at forcing citizens to participate in a criminal war and violates their rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Analysis of Makushin\u2019s social media posts and the stories of his co-religionists show that, for several years, he has been a consistent and convinced adherent of the Russian Church of Christians of Evangelical Faith. In the creed of this Church, there is an article on the inviolability of life, which states: \u2018We believe that life is given only by God [\u2026] God alone has the exclusive right to end it, no one has the right to encroach either on their own life, or on the life of another person\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In an open letter written in July 2023, Maksim Makushin stated, \u2018I will not retreat from my beliefs, I will not shed human blood, for every human being is created in the image and likeness of God!\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A detailed description of Maksim Makushin\u2019s case and of our position is available on our website<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognition of an individual as a political prisoner does not imply the \u2018Political Prisoners. Memorial\u2019 human rights project agrees with, or approves, their views, statements, or actions.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How can you help?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can write to Maksim Makushin at the following address:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Russian: 184530, \u0420\u043e\u0441\u0441\u0438\u044f, \u041c\u0443\u0440\u043c\u0430\u043d\u0441\u043a\u0430\u044f \u043e\u0431\u043b\u0430\u0441\u0442\u044c, \u0433. \u041e\u043b\u0435\u043d\u0435\u0433\u043e\u0440\u0441\u043a, \u0424\u041a\u0423 \u041a\u041f-24 \u0423\u0424\u0421\u0418\u041d \u043f\u043e \u041c\u0443\u0440\u043c\u0430\u043d\u0441\u043a\u043e\u0439 \u043e\u0431\u043b\u0430\u0441\u0442\u0438, \u041c\u0430\u043a\u0443\u0448\u0438\u043d\u0443 \u041c\u0430\u043a\u0441\u0438\u043c\u0443 \u0412\u043b\u0430\u0434\u0438\u043c\u0438\u0440\u043e\u0432\u0438\u0447\u0443 1988 \u0433. \u0440.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In English: Maksim Vladimirovich Makushin (born 1988), Low-Security Penal Colony No. 24, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Mumansk Oblast, Olenegorsk, Murmansk Oblast, 184530, Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can send an email via Zonatelecom<\/a> (for payment with Russian cards), PrisonMail<\/a> (for other cards), or OVD-Info<\/a> (free of charge).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please note that letters in languages other than Russian are highly unlikely to reach the recipient.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can donate<\/a> to support all political prisoners in Russia.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","class_list":["post-46880","news","type-news","status-publish","hentry","regions-murmansk-oblast","news-type-nashi-novosti-en"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nMaksim Makushin is a political prisoner - Political prisoners support. 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