Askhabali Alibekov is a political prisoner
The author of the YouTube channel Wild Paratrooper has been sentenced to 28 months in a strict-regime penal colony for allegedly kicking a police officer when he was forcibly detained
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Askhabali Alibekov a political prisoner. Alibekov has been convicted on a charge of using violence against a police officer, based on an allegation he kicked an officer when he was forcibly detained for his legitimate public activism. Alibekov’s criminal prosecution violated his right to fair trial. We demand the immediate release of Askhabali Alibekov and that all criminal charges against him be dropped.
Who is Askhabali Alibekov and what was the charge against him?
Askhabali Alibekov is a former soldier and author of the popular YouTube channel, Wild Paratrooper. We have previously twice recognised Alibekov as a political prisoner: in 2018, when Alibekov was convicted of producing videos critical of Putin; and in 2023 when he was convicted of making anti-war videos. Alibekov was released from a penal colony for the second time in November 2023 after serving his sentence.
In February 2024, administrative proceedings were initiated against Alibekov on a charge of ‘discrediting’ the Russian army following an anti-war video he posted on his YouTube channel. On a pretext of processing the charge in this case, Alibekov was detained on 19 February 2024 as he was getting off of a train in Kazan, where he had gone to observe the elections. During the forcible arrest, Alibekov allegedly caused bodily harm and pain to one of the police officers, and on this basis, a criminal case was opened against him on a charge of using violence against a police officer (Article 318, Part 1, of the Russian Criminal Code). Alibekov himself asserts that force was used against him at the time of his arrest, which is confirmed by his medical records.
On 4 March 2024, a court in Kazan remanded Askhabali Alibekov in custody. On 9 October 2024, he was sentenced to 28 months of imprisonment in a strict-regime penal colony.
Why do we consider Askhabali Alibekov a political prisoner?
Askhabali Alibekov has repeatedly faced prosecution for anti-government videos. The first time, he spent three years and eight months in a penal colony and was released in March 2022. However, he was again arrested six months later for his anti-war publications. After serving another 14 months’ imprisonment, he was at liberty for only three months before being remanded in custody once again on new charges. It is clear that Alibekov’s prosecution is directly linked to his views on society and politics and his growing popularity – his Wild Paratrooper blog now has over 120,000 subscribers.
Alibekov himself acknowledges he may have struck one of the police officers dragging him to the station, but we are convinced that these actions cannot be classified as using violence against a police officer. Such a blow, if it happened, would have been accidental and a result of the officers’ actions, not on Alibekov’s initiative.
Askhabali Alibekov’s criminal prosecution serves two main purposes: to prevent an investigation into abuse of power by the police at the time of his arrest at the railway station in Kazan; and to force the blogger to stop his anti-government activities.
A more detailed description of Askhabali Alibekov’s case and of our position is available on our website.
Recognition of an individual as a political prisoner does not imply the ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project agrees with, or approves, their views, statements, or actions.
How can you help?
You can write a letter to Askhabali Alibekov at the following address:
In Russian: 420111, Республика Татарстан, г. Казань, ул. Япеева д. 16, ФКУ СИЗО-1 УФСИН России по Республике Татарстан, Алибекову Асхабали Амировичу 1971 г. р.
In English: Askhabali Amirovich Alibekov (born 1971), Pre-Trial Detention Centre No.1, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for the Republic of Tatarstan,16 Yapeeva Street, Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan, 420111, Russia.
You can also send e-mail via the following services: F-Pismo and ZT (for payment with Russian bank cards), PrisonMail (for payment with other bank cards), or OVD-Info and Memorial-France (free of charge).
Please note that letters in languages other than Russian are highly unlikely to reach the recipient.
You can donate to help all political prisoners in Russia.
