Elena Abramova is a political prisoner
A St Petersburg activist has been sentenced to two years in a penal colony for protesting against the war with Ukraine
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Elena Abramova a political prisoner. Abramova has been convicted of ‘repeated discrediting of the armed forces of the Russian Federation’ for holding single-person protests with anti-war placards. Abramova’s criminal prosecution and conviction violate her rights to freedom of expression and fair trial. We demand her immediate release and that all criminal charges against her be dropped.
What were the charges against Elena Abramova?
Elena Abramova is a translator, civil society activist, and mother of a young daughter who lives in St. Petersburg. On 9 December 2022, she went out on the streets with a placard reading ‘No war!’ For this, she was fined for the administrative-law offence of ‘discrediting the Russian armed forces’ (Article 20.3.3, Part 1, of the Russian Code of Administrative Offences).
In court, Elena Abramova denied any wrongdoing and explained that she holds humanist views and believes Russia’s aggressive war of conquest waged on Ukrainian territory is a disgrace to Russia and the cause of immense human suffering.
In April and June 2023, Abramova again held single-person protests with placards reading ‘Peace without war. Russia without Putin’ and ‘Freedom for Navalny! Freedom for all political prisoners! No war.’
On 25 August 2023, the authorities searched Abramova’s home, and a criminal investigation was opened against her on a charge of ‘repeated discrediting of the use of the armed forces’ (Article 280.3, Part 1, of the Russian Criminal Code). Pending trial, she was placed under travel restrictions.
In her closing statement at her trial, Elena Abramova said: ‘I am confident that a time will come in my country when this reality — in which people are put on trial for their words — will exist only in memories.’
On 25 March 2025, a court in St Petersburg sentenced Abramova to two years in a general regime penal colony. She was taken into custody in the courtroom.
Why we consider Elena Abramova a political prisoner
The article criminalising ‘discrediting’ the Russian army was introduced into the Criminal Code shortly after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In practice, this article prohibits the dissemination of any information about the war, thereby violating the civil right to freedom of expression. The article also violates the principle of legal certainty, since under his law, citizens cannot know in advance what actions might be deemed criminal.
Article 280.3 contradicts the Russian Constitution, Russia’s international obligations, and fundamental principles of law. It should be rescinded, all related convictions quashed, and ongoing prosecutions dropped.
A consistent anti-war stance must not be treated as a criminal offence. On the contrary, Elena Abramova’s civic act of courage, continuing to protest even after being penalised under administrative law, deserves the highest respect. Criticism of Russia’s war of aggression is beneficial to society and cannot be grounds for criminal prosecution, let alone imprisonment.
A detailed description of Abramova’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 to Elena Abramova at the following address:
RU: 188808, Ленинградская область, г. Выборг, ул. Резервная, д. 2, ФКУ СИЗО-3 ГУФСИН России по г. Санкт-Петербургу и Ленинградской области, Абрамова Елена Арнольдовна, 1981 г. р.
EN: Elena Arnoldovna Abramova (born 1981), Remand Prison No. 3, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for St Petersburg and Leningrad Oblast, 2 Rezervnaya Street, Vyborg, Leningrad Oblast, 188808, Russia
You can also send an email using F-Pismo (for payment with Russian bank cards), PrisonMail (for payment with other bank cards), ZT (for payment with all bank cards), OVD-Info and Memorial-France (free of charge).
Please note that letters in languages other than Russian are highly unlikely to reach the intended recipient.
You can donate to help all political prisoners in Russia.
