We consider Igor Paskar a political prisoner

He was sentenced to 8.5 years in a strict-regime colony on charges of vandalism and terrorism

The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Igor Paskar a political prisoner. He is being prosecuted on charges of vandalism and terrorism for burning a banner and a mat at the entrance to an FSB office in Krasnodar. We believe that Paskar’s right to a fair trial has been violated during the proceedings.

We demand the immediate release of Igor Paskar, that his case be reexamined, that the charges under the article on the terrorist attack be dropped, and that his complaints of torture be investigated.

What is the case against Igor Pascar?

On 12 June 2022, in protest at the war unleashed by Russia against Ukraine, Igor Paskar attempted to set fire to a banner with the letter Z and the inscription ‘We do not abandon our own’ installed in a street of Krasnodar, a city in Southern Russia. The fire went out quickly and did not cause significant damage to the structure.

A day later, on 14 June, Paskar threw a Molotov cocktail at an FSB office in Krasnodar. The entry mat caught fire, which was quickly extinguished by the staff.

Paskar did not try to escape. Instead, he drew a Ukrainian flag on his cheek, and a few minutes later he was detained. Officers found blue and yellow paint tubes in the detainee’s possession.

The next day after the detention, Paskar was sent to a pre-trial detention centre on charges of a terrorist act (Article 205, Part 1, of the Russian Criminal Code). Before that, according to Paskar, he was subjected to torture. First, the FSB officers kicked him, put a grenade in his hands, and threatened to pull the pin. Then they electrocuted him and tried to rape him with a dildo.

In August 2022, a case was brought against Paskar for burning the banner with the letter Z – this time under the article on vandalism on political grounds (Article 214, Part 2, of the Russian Criminal Code).

On 31 May 2023, the Southern District Military Court sentenced him to 8.5 years in a strict regime penal colony.

Why do we consider Igor Pascar a political prisoner?

We believe that the court wrongly classified the actions of Igor Paskar, the punishment imposed on him is politically motivated and disproportionate to the gravity of the offence.

The attempt to set fire to the FSB office is considered a terrorist act, because, according to the prosecution, Paskar’s goal was to ‘intimidate the civilian population’. However, he denied the existence of such intent, and the court did not question any witnesses who could have been frightened by Paskar’s actions.

The burning of the banner with the letter Z, in our view, is not a manifestation of hostility: Paskar later noted that it was merely a peaceful action ‘to show all opponents of this monstrous war that they are not alone, and to show Ukrainian neighbours that not everyone here is «zombified by the state propaganda»’.

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’ human rights project agrees with or approves of their views, statements, or actions.

How can you help?

You can write to Igor Paskar at the following address:

In Russian: 346408, Ростовская область, Новочеркасск, ул. Украинская, 1, ФКУ СИЗО-3 ГУФСИН России по Ростовской области, Паскарю Игорю Константиновичу, 1976 г. р.

In English: Igor Konstantinovich Paskar (born 1976), Remand Prison No. 3, Russian Federal Penitentiary Service for Rostov region, 1 Ukrainskaya Street, Novocherkassk 346408, Russia.

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

You can also send an electronic letter via Zonatelecom.

You can donate to support all political prisoners on our website.