Sergei Karelin is a political prisoner

Video journalist charged with extremism, for allegedly cooperating with Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation.

The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Sergei Karelin a political prisoner. Sergei‘s prosecution and conviction violate his rights to freedom of expression and fair trial. We demand the immediate release of Sergei Karelin and that all criminal charges against him be dropped.

Sergei is a dual citizen of Russia and Israel. On 27 April, it became known that Sergei Karelin had been detained in Murmansk Oblast. He was also remanded in custody. Sergei has been charged with participating in an extremist group. If convicted, he faces up to 6 years’ imprisonment. The information about the charges against him is incomplete.

Why do we consider Sergei Karelin a political prisoner?

Our project monitors the criminal cases against Aleksei Navalny, his associates, and his supporters. We are convinced that these prosecutions are related exclusively to the legitimate political activities of the defendants.

Analysis shows that the designation of the political organisations legally created by Navalny and his team as an ‘extremist group’ is in no way justified. There is no evidence of their extremist activities.

The Russian authorities have adopted a vicious practice in the application of Article 282.1 of the Russian Criminal Code by which unquestionably legal actions are classified as criminal solely because those accused are declared to be ‘participants in an extremist group.’

The prosecution of journalists who, along with Navalny’s associates and his lawyers, have been charged under the article on the organisation of an extremist group is a vivid example of this practice. Preparation of reports, photographs and videos is the essence of journalistic work. J

Journalists play a key role in the exercise of the constitutional right to disseminate, seek and receive information. Prosecution of journalists for their work is an attack on democracy and fundamental civic rights.

A detailed description of the prosecution of Navalny’s supporters for participating in an ‘extremist group’ and 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 to the defendants at the following addresses:

In Russian: 125130, Москва, ул. Выборгская, д. 20, ФКУ СИЗО-5 УФСИН России по г. Москве, Карелину Сергею Валентиновичу, 1983 г. р.

In English: Sergei Valentinovich Karelin (born 1983), Remand Prison No. 5, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for the city of Moscow, 20 Vyborgskaya Street, Moscow, 125130, Russia.

You can send an email via F-Pismo and Zonatelecom (Russian bank cards), PrisonMail (other bank cards), or OVD-Info (free of charge).

Please note that letters in languages other than Russian are highly unlikely to reach the recipient.

You can donate to support all political prisoners in Russia.