Aleksei Petrov is a political prisoner
An activist from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky has been charged with making calls to engage in terrorism for suggesting the Kremlin’s ‘Evil Old Man’ be vaccinated against Covid.
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considersAleksei Petrov a political prisoner. Petrov is being prosecuted on a charge of making calls to engage in terrorism for a jocular Facebook comment he posted in 2020. Petrov’s criminal prosecution violates his rights to freedom of expression and a fair trial. We demand his immediate release and that all criminal charges against him be dropped.
Who is Aleksei Petrov and what are the charges against him?
Aleksei Petrov, an activist and environmental and human rights defender from Kamchatka, has worked with independent media and civil society organisations and participated in protests.
It appears the authorities had long been looking for a pretext to put an end to Petrov’s civil society activity. In 2024, he was charged on spurious grounds with ‘fraud in obtaining welfare payments’ (Article 159.2, Part 1, of the Russian Criminal Code). A search was conducted of his apartment; his computers and phones were seized. Most likely, thanks to these seized devices, the security services found a comment which became the basis for the criminal prosecution.
In January 2025, Petrov was charged with ‘making public calls to engage in terrorism’ (Article 205.2, Part 2), based on a Facebook post from 2020 made during the COVID pandemic. In the post, Petrov had shared an article criticising the rushed launch of the Russian vaccine, Sputnik V, adding to the link the words: ‘Just give this vaccine to the Kremlin’s Evil Old Man [Koshchei – a figure from Russian mythology] already – let the virus take him.’
Investigative authorities interpreted this comment as a call to kill Vladimir Putin, claiming that ‘the Kremlin’s Evil Old Man’ referred to him, and noting that the article mentioned the vaccine was not recommended for those over sixty.
On 6 January 2025, Petrov was remanded in custody. He faces up to seven years’ imprisonment if convicted.
Why do we consider Aleksei Petrov a political prisoner?
By 2025, when the criminal investigation was opened against Petrov, it was publicly known that Putin had voluntarily received the Sputnik V vaccine in 2021, publicly promoted it, and remained alive. Nonetheless, the authorities deemed Petrov’s comment suggesting the president be vaccinated to be an ‘attempt on Putin’s life.’
The charge relies on a forensic assessment by an FSB specialist who mostly analyses Petrov’s previous social media posts critical of the Russian authorities. Although none of these posts contain calls to action against Putin and none form part of the official charges, investigators argue that Petrov’s critical attitude towards Putin and the Russian authorities demonstrates an intent to call for his assassination through the vaccination.
It is difficult to imagine that Petrov’s comment about the need for the ‘Kremlin’s Evil Old Man’ to be vaccinated with Sputnik V could have had any socially dangerous consequences, especially five years after it was made.
The article punishing public calls to engage in terrorism is often used by the authorities to punish dissent and discourage the expression of dissenting views, rather than to prevent genuine threats to public safety. The absurd charge brought against Petrov is a clear example of this practice.
The real reason for Petrov’s prosecution is his critical views about the Russian authorities. The post in question was merely a humorous expression of discontent with Putin’s actions and a legitimate exercise of Petrov’s right to freedom of expression.
A detailed description of Aleksei Petrov’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 Aleksei Petrov at the following address:
RU:
683015, Камчатский край, г. Петропавловск-Камчатский, ул. Строительная д. 125, ФКУ СИЗО-1 УФСИН России по Камчатскому краю, Петрову Алексею Викторовичу, 1972 г. р.
EN:
Aleksei Viktorovich Petrov (born 1972), Remand Prison No. 1, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Kamchatka Krai, 125 Stroitelnaya Street, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Kamchatka Krai, 683015, Russia.
You can also send an email using the F-Pismo and ZT services (for payment with Russian bank cards) or PrisonMail (for payment with other 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.
