Aleksandr Plotnikov is a political prisoner
A Chelyabinsk resident has been sentenced to six years in a penal colony on a charge of justifying terrorism for an online comment
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Aleksandr Plotnikov a political prisoner. Plotnikov has been convicted of justifying terrorism for a comment posted on Telegram. His conviction and prosecution violate his rights to freedom of expression and fair trial. We call for the immediate release of Aleksandr Plotnikov and for all criminal charges against him to be dropped.
Who is Aleksandr Plotnikov and what were the charges against him?
Aleksandr Plotnikov, from Chelyabinsk, was involved in far-right activism in his youth. In 2005, he was convicted for taking part in an attack that resulted in a man’s death. In 2021, he received a suspended sentence for a comment deemed to incite hatred or hostility.
Plotnikov has been repeatedly prosecuted under administrative law, including for participating in peaceful protests. Between 2013 and 2021, he took part in so-called ‘Russian Marches,’ anti-corruption rallies led by Aleksei Navalny, rallies in memory of Boris Nemtsov and in support of demonstrators in Khabarovsk and also protests against Navalny’s arrest.
On 15 July 2024, Plotnikov was detained in a new criminal case. He claims that, following his arrest, security officers tortured him with a taser. He was remanded in custody on a charge of justifying terrorism (Article 205.2 of the Russian Criminal Code) for a comment he posted on Telegram. On 23 June 2024, beneath a video of an attack on police officers in Makhachkala, he commented: ‘At last! Someone’s finally dealing with the bandits in uniform.’
On 10 October 2024, Plotnikov was convicted of justifying terrorism and sentenced to six years in a general regime penal colony and a two-year ban on administering websites following release. The court found that Plotnikov’s posting of his comment during the period of ongoing ‘partial mobilisation’ was intended to undermine the mobilisation effort and was therefore an aggravating circumstance.
Why do we consider Aleksandr Plotnikov a political prisoner?
The criminal case against Plotnikov was initiated for a comment that could actually be interpreted, in a formal legal sense, as justifying terrorism. We strongly condemn the endorsement of violence in this context.
However, we believe the sentence imposed on Plotnikov is unjustifiably harsh. The court failed to assess the actual degree of public danger posed by Plotnikov’s statement, which was rather an impulsive emotional reaction than a deliberate attempt to justify violence. Plotnikov was expressing anger at law enforcement officers who, for many years, have engaged in unlawful behaviour. Given his far-right views, Plotnikov is also unlikely to have much influence among those who might otherwise seek to imitate the actions of the terrorists in Dagestan.
Plotnikov’s comment, therefore, did not present a threat to society that would justify such a severe punishment. We believe his sentence should be reviewed.
Plotnikov’s prosecution is yet another example of the authorities’ application of ‘anti-terrorism’ legislation in a punitive manner in an attempt to intimidate society. This motive is also demonstrated by the inclusion in the charge of the alleged aggravating circumstance that his words were seen as undermining mobilisation, and the fact that witnesses had testified to Plotnikov’s opposition to the so-called ‘special military operation.’
A detailed description of Aleksandr Plotnikov’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 Aleksandr Plotnikov at the following address:
RU: 456205, г. Челябинск, ул. Артиллерийская, д. 66а, ФКУ СИЗО-3 ГУФСИН России по Челябинской области, Плотников Александр Иванович, 1985 г. р.
EN: Aleksandr Ivanovich Plotnikov (born 1985), Remand Prison No. 3, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Chelyabinsk Oblast, 66a Artilleriyskaya Street, Chelyabinsk, 456205, Russia.
You can also send an email using the ZT service (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.
Updates on Aleksandr Plotnikov’s case are available on the Telegram channel of his support group.
You can donate to help all political prisoners in Russia.
