Mikhail Simonov is a political prisoner

He was sentenced to 7 years in prison for two anti-war comments on the VK social media network

The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Mikhail Simonov a political prisoner. Simonov’s criminal prosecution for criticising the aggressive war under Article 207.3 of the Russian Criminal Code, concerning the dissemination of information known to be false about the use of the Russian army, violates his right to freedom of expression. His prosecution is intended to suppress and intimidate Russian opponents of the war against Ukraine.

We demand the immediate release of Mikhail Simonov and that all criminal charges against him be dropped.

What is the case against Mikhail Simonov?

The criminal case on the dissemination of ‘fake news’ about the Russian army (Article 207.3, Part 2, of the Russian Criminal Code) against 63-year-old Mikhail Simonov was initiated for two comments on the bombing of Kyiv and Mariupol that he posted on the VK social media network: ‘We sing songs on TV while killing children and women. We, Russia, have become godless. Forgive us, Lord’ and ‘Russian pilots are bombing children’. Simonov left these words in a post with the photo of the destroyed Mariupol theatre.

While not denying the fact of posting, Simonov did not admit his guilt. He explained that he used the social network as a personal diary and posted the two comments (which he deleted later) because he believes in the value of human life and considers war to be unacceptable. In his last statement, Mikhail Simonov said: ‘I have always believed and still believe that human life is an unconditional value that should become our priority, although our country does not see it that way. But that’s how I was brought up.’

On 9 November 2022, Simonov was detained in Moscow.

On 30 March 2023, the Timiryazevsky Court in Moscow sentenced Mikhail Simonov to 7 years in a general-regime penal colony.

Why do we consider Mikhail Simonov a political prisoner?

We believe that Article 207.3 of the Russian Criminal Code allows prosecution for expressing any opinion regarding the Russian army and state bodies abroad. In general, Article 207.3 has a non-legal nature, introducing criminal liability for expressing personal opinions. It was created to carry out political repressions against critics of the authorities. The article should be abolished from the Criminal Code.

Mikhail Simonov exercised his right to freedom of expression. Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights states that ‘everyone shall have the right to hold opinions without interference… this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice’. Consequently, Simonov’s statements cannot qualify as a crime.

Further information about this case and the position of the ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project is available on our website.

Recognition of an individual as a political prisoner does not imply the ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ project agrees with, or approves of their views, statements, or actions.

How can you help?

You can write to Mikhail Simonov at the following address (letters must be written in Russian):

In Russian: 125130, Москва, ул. Выборгская, д. 20, ФКУ СИЗО-5 УФСИН России по г. Москве, Симонову Михаилу Юрьевичу, 1960 г.р.

In English: Mikhail Yurievich Simonov (born 1960), Remand Prison No. 5, Russian Federal Penitentiary Service for Moscow, 20 Vyborgskaya Street, Moscow 125130, Russia

You can also send an electronic letter via F-pismo.ru.

Here you can donate to support all political prisoners in Russia.