Преследования россиян за антивоенную позицию. Поддержка политзаключённых. Мемориал

Vyacheslav Reznichenko is a political prisoner

A Baptist from Primorsky Krai has been sentenced to two and a half years in a low-security penal colony for refusing to fight as a soldier against Ukraine

The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Vyacheslav Reznichenko a political prisoner. Reznichenko has been convicted on charges of disobeying orders for refusing to fight against Ukraine for reasons of conscience. Reznichenko’s prosecution violates his rights to freedom of conscience and fair trial.

We demand the immediate release of Vyacheslav Reznichenko and an end to his criminal prosecution.

Who is Vyacheslav Reznichenko and what are the charges against him?

Vyacheslav Reznichenko is a 23-year-old Baptist from the village of Zarubino in Primorsky Krai.

In September 2022, Reznichenko was mobilised into the Russian army. At the military unit, he refused to comply with an order to go to fight in the war against Ukraine and cited his religious beliefs, which prohibited him from taking up arms.

Reznichenko was charged with disobeying an order for refusal to participate in military action (Article 332, Part 2.1, of the Russian Criminal Code).

On 15 June 2023, a military court in Vladivostok sentenced Reznichenko to two and a half years in a low-security penal colony. Reznichenko pleaded not guilty, stating that he had the right to alternative civilian service and that participation in combat operations contradicted his beliefs.

On 21 August 2023, the Pacific Fleet Military Court upheld the verdict on appeal.

On 18 September 2023, Reznichenko arrived at the penal colony where he is to serve his sentence.

On 20 September, his child turned four months old.

Why do we consider Reznichenko a political prisoner?

Reznichenko’s conviction contradicts the Russian Constitution, according to which a citizen has the right to refuse military service, and to undertake alternative civilian service in its place, if it contradicts their beliefs. Reznichenko has repeatedly emphasised that he refuses to take up arms because of his religious beliefs.

Everyone has the right to alternative civilian service in any situation, but this right acquires special significance when what is at issue is participation in a war of aggression. Russia’s war against Ukraine, called a ‘special military operation’ in Russia, has been recognised as armed aggression by the UN General Assembly.

A detailed description of the case of Vyacheslav Reznichenko and the position of the ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project are 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 Vyacheslav Reznichenko at the following address:

In Russian: 690074, Приморский край,  Владивосток, ул. Выселковая, д. 48, ФКУ КП-49 ГУФСИН России по Приморскому краю, Резниченко Вячеславу Юрьевичу 1998 г. р.

In English: Vyacheslav Yurevich Reznichenko (born 1998), Low-Security Penal Colony No. 49, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Primorsky Krai, 48 Vyselkovaya Ulitsa, Vladivostok, Primorsky Krai, Russia 690074

You can also send an electronic letter via OVD-Info (free of charge) and via Zonatelecom (Russian bank cards) or PrisonMail (other bank cards).

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. 

  • Политзаключённый баптист Вячеслав Резниченко. Поддержка политзеков. Мемориал
    Резниченко
    Вячеслав Юрьевич
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