Aleksandr Kraichik is a political prisoner
A Moscow resident has been sentenced to 13 years in a strict regime penal colony for donating €50 to support the Ukrainian armed forces
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Aleksandr Kraichik a political prisoner. Kraichik was convicted on a charge of treason for making a donation to the Ukrainian armed forces. His prosecution and conviction violated his right to a fair trial. We demand the immediate release of Aleksandr Kraichik and that all criminal charges against him be dropped.
What were the charges against Aleksandr Kraichik?
On 21 April 2023, an FSB officer came to the place of work of 35-year-old Aleksandr Kraichik (formerly Aleksei Kataev) and confiscated his phone. A few days later, on 26 April 2023, Kraichik was removed from a flight to Istanbul, detained on administrative-law charges of petty hooliganism, and sentenced to five days in jail. He was subsequently detained three more times on various pretexts and held in a special detention centre.
On 10 June 2023, at the end of his fourth consecutive jail term under administrative law, FSB officers detained Kraichik on a criminal charge. He was accused of having sent €50 on 26 February 2022, two days after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, to a bank account in Germany set up to support the Ukrainian armed forces. He was charged with treason in the form of ‘providing financial assistance to a foreign state engaged in activities directed against the security of the Russian Federation.’
Kraichik’s apartment in Moscow was searched, while he himself was transferred to Perm (his registered place of residence) and remanded in custody.
On 6 November 2024, a Moscow court sentenced Kraichik to 13 years in a strict regime penal colony.
Why do we consider Aleksandr Kraichik a political prisoner?
The prosecution of Aleksandr Kraichik was unjustified and politically motivated. Under international law, Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine is unlawful and criminal. In this context, donations to the Ukrainian armed forces cannot be regarded as a crime. Supporting Ukraine is aimed at repelling military aggression, not at endangering Russia’s security. It is the war launched by Russia’s rulers that poses a threat to the country’s security.
The fabricated series of arrests to which Kraichik was subjected further indicates the political motive of the prosecution and the weakness of the prosecution’s case.
At the same time, even if Kraichik’s actions were deemed criminal, a 13-year sentence in a strict regime penal colony is grossly disproportionate to the supposed offence.
Kraichik’s prosecution was intended to intimidate those who take issue with government policies and oppose Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
A detailed description of Aleksandr Kraichik’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?
RU: 650004, г. Кемерово, ул. Будённого, 48, ФКУ ИК-5 ГУФСИН России по Кемеровской области, Крайчик Александр Викторович, 1990 г. р.
EN: Kraichik Aleksandr Viktorovich (born 1990), Remand Prison No. 5, Federal Penitentiary Service for Kemerovo Oblast, 48 Budyonnogo, Kemerovo, 650004, Russia.
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